SFMW's Park Layout

I was looking at the new SFMW map for 2002 at SFMW Online and I noticed that all of their coasters are in the front of the park. Kinda weird to see something like that, don't ya think? Most parks have their coasters spread out that way the peeps have something to do going from ride to ride. At SFMW, it's ride all the coasters in the front, go to the back of the park with just some flats and animals and nothing else (Except water). What do you think of their layout?

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R.I.P. VertiGO
2001-2002

Its in consideration of their neighbors.

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If the shoe fits, find another one.

It was done that way for two reasons. One, to seperate the noise of the coasters and screaming riders from the sensitive animals. Two, on the other side of the lake are neighbors that make Knott's neighbors look like coaster enthusiasts. They complain about everything, and do not want a coaster within a half mile of their homes.

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"Is it possible that we are feeling more brave than usual sitting at home behind our computer screens and eating Doritos"? -Ophthodoc

Another part of the reason why all the coasters are towards the front is the space issue. When Premier bought the park, there was not much space to build coasters. Therefore, SF had to add coasters in the old parking lot.
Also, another reason is that the roller coasters cannot be where the animal exhibits are. The animal exhits were there first, so therefore there cannot be coasters there!

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http://home.earthlink.net/~sfmm84/
Six Flags Magic Mountain Xtreme Guide

Adding onto what other people said, the park is divided into four zones as part of the master plan, which the city approved in 1997 and has been under since. There are zones with 50, 75, 100, and 150-foot limits and each zone has strict regulations regarding sounds, lights, etc. Obviously the 150-foot zone is basically the outside of the park, furthest away from the lake.

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Brian Grapes / brian@sfmwonline.com
www.sfmwonline.com www.mouseinfo.com

Actually, I kinda like they way it's set up. Easily one of the most dramatic park entrances if your a coaster nut, surrounded by nothing but coasters! Talk about a coaster alley! And soon will be even more interesting with the new V2 zero g rollin' over the ticket booths!

Plus the back area by the lake is very quiet and peaceful, a great break and get away from the madness and crowds of the major ride areas and overcrowded midways that were never built to handle the throngs SFMW now brings in.

Also, what clever is Kong and Roar may be in the front of the park, but you must walk around through the other areas to get to them. It's one thing that bugs me about Roar, one of my favorite woodies right there in front of me at the front gat, but I have to walk thru two other areas to finally get to it. Think of having to make a big U turn to get to it. Kong on the other hand has it's entrance practically hidden, you'll reach Boomerang before you reach Kong. Aslo, Boomerang and Roadrunner Express aren't in the very front. You have to acount as well that, maps aren't completely accurate(if you look at Lake Compounce map, the park is about half as long and twice as wide as map appears. Boulder Dash's entrance is not half park distance away from Wildcat like on the map, but a couple feet in real life. Also, Six Flags Marine World is in very cramped territory except for the shores behind them which belong to the city. Besides, all of their sweet flat ride collection is in the back of the park along with the White Water Safari.

I really like Marine World, and they've made some nice changes in the off season. The animals exhibits are very well done, it's almost like entering a completely different park back there. Roar and Kong have been nicely landscaped finally, there are more trees and plantlife all over the park and I'm happy to report, the Goldilocks stand(which I feared would bite the dust) is alive and well(I love that place). It will be interesting to see if they eventually dig up the rest of that horrid parking lot underneath Medusa, and add a B&M flyer next to it. ;)

At this point, this park is better cared for than SFMM.

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"Is it possible that we are feeling more brave than usual sitting at home behind our computer screens and eating Doritos"? -Ophthodoc

Yes, a B&M Flyer @ SFMW would be too sweet! Makes logical sense too since this is the only SF park in the world that has a competing park with a flying coaster as their signature coaster, that SF needs to upstage. Bring it on SF!