SFoG 4/14/07

So now that I am in the southeast there are a couple of parks in a 500 mile radius that I've always dreamed of visiting. SFoG was always on my hit list because of the positive reviews it gets on these boards as one of the best in the chain. One of my hags from college moved to Atlanta recently. So this was my perfect opportunity to visit the park and get free room and board. She told me she was also a fan of rollercoasters, come to find out she embellished. Details to follow.

So we excited I-20 at about 12. Weather.com predicted rain rolling in at around 4-5. So my plan was to make sure I get on Goliath, Mindbender and the two woodies before then. Everything else would be icing on the cake. So the Hag and I (her name is Rosie) had our on line tickets scanned and we entered. Very pretty park! It kinda reminded me of SFNE, a corporate park that had the traditional amusement park feel.

I dragged her to Goliath, which took a a while to find. The pathways were narrow and the park has a very weird layout. God Bless Great America and their simple circle. Anyhow, we got on line (which was about a 45 minute wait) The ops were energetic and although the trains were stacking, the line moved. We waited for the front after much begging and pleading. I had a hard time persuading her that it was worth it. The lift was steep, the steepest of any regular hypercoaster Ive ridden (except for Shakira). We were at the top in no time, which made it seem smaller than it really is. Goliath reminded me alot of Apollo's Chariot. . . up and down and up again. I was waiting for that awesome ejector air that everyone keeps talking about. Unfortunately, it was not there today. The last couple bunnies were fun, but forgettable. Nitro is still my favorite Beemer!!

Our next ride was Mindbender. Gator talks about Mindbender and Shockwave with such high praise that I was most excited to ride this. The line was short and we were cresting the lift hill in 10 minutes. It was weird how the ride crawled at the top of the lifthill...I thought it E-stopped. Is this normal?

Mindbender....definitely the star of the park. Smooth, cool drops, and oh so intense anton loopy loops. I loved it!!!

We then sat down to have some mediocre slough so we wouldn't die from hunger. I think we had fries and something that tasted like chicken. eh! It was now that Rosie started to annoy me. She said she just wanted to walk around and talk. Huh??? we had two hours before the rains came and I drove seven blasted hours to get to this place. So what do I do?? Leave her and go ride my coasters, walk around with her and feel miserable or try to persuade her to ride. I did none of the above. But whatever I did, it worked, and soon we were online for GASM.

Another really good ride. It reminded me of Wild One, only a little bit tamer. Still a very GOOD ride. I was impressed. Our next ride was supposed to be Georgia Cyclone, but we detoured to Acrophobia. I decided to skip Superman and Batman since I have ridden them over and over at Great Adventure. Acrophobia looked just like Drop Zone at PKI, only shorter and dangling legs. Looked a little uncomfortable for guys, but I didn't see anyone complaining. We were on the oddly shapped seats in 10 minutes. The drop was just as good as Drop Zone, it took my breath away. Definitley one of favorite drop rides, drop zone being #1)

Rosie only wanted to do one more ride, so I had to decide between Cyclone or Scorcher. I heard so many good things about Cyclone, and I just couldnt resist. There was absolutlely no line, and by now it started to drizzle. As soon as the train left the station and turned left,we hit a huge pothole, took us all by surprise. I thought to myself, oh Lord, please let it be atleast bearable. The first drop was sensational..... until we got to the bottom. It felt like the train was airborne until it hit the valley, them WHAM, we were thrust into the restraints violently. That was pretty much the same description for every drop. However, I think of all the Cyclone clones I have ridden, this one resembles the original the most. Huge, steep, surprising drops, very intense. The only thing is this one needs to fix the potholes.

I really wanted to do Scorcher, but by now Rosie was whining about how her body was in pain and blah blah blah. Plus the drizzle turned into a light rain so the squall was imminent.

I think SFoG is a really good park. (even though Great Adventure is still my favorite Six Flags park) I think if I went with more coaster nuts it would have been more fun. I definitely want to try Goliath in warmer weather, and also see if Scorcher can dethrone Mantis as my favorite standup. Next time I think I'll take my New York hag, she is much more easy going coasterwise. Also if there are any coaster fans in the area, let me know. I'm always down for a trip. Thanks for reading!

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delan said:
(except for Shakira)

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I hope that was a joke. I laughed out loud when I read it. Other than that, nice TR. I feel Scorcher would have become your favorite stand-up, but seeing as how that is currently Mantis, I think our opinions on rides are very different.

Next time, ride 'em in the backseat! :)

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delan said:Very pretty park! It kinda reminded me of SFNE, a corporate park that had the traditional amusement park feel.

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SFoG has done a nice job of maintaining some of the character while adding rides. The terrain and woodsiness are big pluses....even if I don't care for walking uphill too much....being a flatlander. ;)

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Goliath reminded me alot of Apollo's Chariot. . . up and down and up again. I was waiting for that awesome ejector air that everyone keeps talking about. Unfortunately, it was not there today. The last couple bunnies were fun, but forgettable. Nitro is still my favorite Beemer!!

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I get all the ejector I want on those last hills. Or at least as close as you come to that on a B&M, hehe. *If* I can make it to PresCon, that would be my first night ERT on Nitro. If I can't get it to deliver then....then it just doesn't have what I need, period. It still won't catch Goliath, IMO....LOL!

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Our next ride was Mindbender. Gator talks about Mindbender and Shockwave with such high praise that I was most excited to ride this. The line was short and we were cresting the lift hill in 10 minutes. It was weird how the ride crawled at the top of the lifthill...I thought it E-stopped. Is this normal? Mindbender....definitely the star of the park. Smooth, cool drops, and oh so intense anton loopy loops. I loved it!!!

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All the Antons seem to do that CRAWL at the top of the lift to some degree...Scorpion, Laser, 'Bender is probably the most pronounced, not quite as much on Shockwave, IIRC. Think it might have something to do with the reasoning (ill-logic) of the horsecollars on Revulsion. Lopps and airtime are a winnig combination.

Cool TR....I still think you shoulda come up for Spring Fling.... ;)

^And then he could of heard me yell profanities all morning on Goliath. ;)

Goliath just does that to me. ;)

-Tina

Sounds like an Ok TR but GS is defiantly my favorite standup with this one quick change in direction that just gets me everytime, but Goliath in 90 degree weather is awsome.