SFMM Sunday 4/18

Me and my three friends decided to go to SoCal for spring break. The first park we decided to go to was SFMM. We used the print-and-go tickets so we did not have to stand in line at the ticket window. Walking past the ticket window, we are suprised to see many rides closed. Psyclone, Superman, Ninja, Sky Tower, and more! Is this normal? We arrived at 9:30 and were the first ones in line at the turnstiles. We asked one of the employees working there where we could find a map, and he just shrugged his sholders, not saying a word. We then asked another employee and he actually reponded "we're out of maps for today"! Where is the supposed improved customer service?

We decided to just let it go and when the gates opened, we ran to X only to find it closed. Then we headed to Deja Vu and got on the first train of the day. This has got to be the slowest loading ride ever. We stood on the platform for a good ten minutes before they opened the EXIT gates, and then finally the loading gates about five minutes later. Riding in the back row, it was an incredibly smooth ride and very enjoyable. The only part that semi hurt was when the train engaged with the catch car on the back tower. It jolted what seemed like much more than a normal boomerang coaster on the second tower.

After that, we headed over to Riddler's Revenge and were greeted by a one train operation that would continue for the entire day. What would have been a walk on was a twenty minute wait because the ride operators would not open the gates until everyone had exited the train and exit platform. I was also stunned that the ride operators allowed people to "sit" on the ride as well. We finally got our ride and it was definately the smoothest stand-up I have ever been on. I was worried that since it was taller and faster than Mantis, it would be even more rough and luckily I was wrong.

We then walked past Batman, only to find the line was already full and it was of course running with one train. We decided to skip it and headed to Scream. We were all suprised to see there was no line for it at all and also that it was running two trains with the third train in pieces at the exit. We waited no more than five minutes for the front row. Definately the best crew at the park. The ride overall was not the smoothest floorless coaster. There was some headbanging in the cobra roll and the train was shaking and vibrating at the bottom of every drop. Disappointed by this, we headed over to Goliath.

This is a really fun, enjoyable ride. I love the ending helix and am definately glad the trims are on as much as they are because that helix would be way too intense if you went through it any faster. The first drop is also one of the best, ranking up there with MF. We decided to hit it a couple more times since the line wasn't that bad.

We then headed over to X and decided to wait an hour to see if it would open and when we got there, there was already a crowd. About 30 minutes later, an employee came and told us that we were all wasting our time waiting for it and to go ride the other rides. A couple people left, but the majority, including us, stayed. Right after that employee left, they opened the ride. Wasting our time my foot! When they opened the bridge, the line turned into an all out rush of people trying to get there first and the employees didn't even try to stop it from happening. We finally got to the station and were on the first train of the day. This is definately one of the best rides at the park. I've been on it before, but every time I ride it, it seems like it is the first time.

After getting our ride on X, we decided to leave. The only friendly employees were at Scream, and the majority of the park's employees were rude, but at least not nearly as rude as the two at the entrance. Before we left, I needed to use the restroom and when I went into the one by the entrance, it was the most disgusting sight I have ever seen. It seemed as though it hadn't been cleaned in five years. I decided to wait and use the one at Wend'y at the entrance to the freeway.

Overall, it was one of the worst experiences I have had at any park, and we all have vowed never to return to that park again unless some drastic changes take place, especially in the customer service area.

My Knott's trip report is on the way, and we actually went to Knott's three days instead of two, because of our bad experience at SFMM.

Man...what is up with SFMM this year...so many reports are just like this. Time to get your act together SFMM....you could be a world class park but right now that status isn't even in your sights!

I guess what *amazes* me is how the GMs at SFGAdv and SFMM are so beloved by the local enthusiasts....is there something going on we need to know about, because to ME, they CAN be *simply fantastic* parks, but have to be run the RIGHT way....and it's been my experience that they rarely ARE...

Exactly....even the most diehard fanboy should be able to see there's something really wrong.

Can't blame this one on the weather and economy! ;)

Does the term "the more things change, the more they stay the same" come into play here? :)

I was at the park 4/13 and Batman The Ride and The Riddler's Revenge were also running one train then - as were Psyclone, Gold Rusher, Ninja, Colossus and Viper.

The only coasters running two trains were Goliath, Revolution, and Scream!

On 4/13 the rides closed were Sky Tower, Superman The Escape, Flashback and Metro, so I suppose you got the park on a bad day in terms of what was up and running.

I didn't notice rude employees. The lady trying to take our photo at the entrance was a bit obnoxiously persistent, but it didn't bother us too much - it's her job.

If you let everything get to you, then you'll have a bad day. Sure, some things are unacceptable, but if you go there to have a good time with some friends, standing in line shouldn't be a problem. We waited nearly 2 hours for The Riddler's Revenge - yes that's ridiculous, but if you've got a group with you at the park, time flies fast while in line.

I have to give props to the park for finally reopening two long idling flat-rides, Scramber and Atom Smasher - and the long absent Deja V. The former flat was absent for a year when the ride's structure was damaged by a falling tree, and Atom Smasher was in pieces in a lot behind the park for nearly TWO YEARS. Now we just need to have all rides including Metro and Superman The Escape back up and running again.