SFWoA, 6/26/01
Associated parks:
None
Normally I don't write TR's for CP, because my hand would be numb and they are pretty much all the same. When I go to a different park, it leads to another experience which is worth writing about.
We arrived around 6 fighting heavy traffic to a park where people were quickly exiting. Naturally a walk towards the back end of the park happened because good wood is over there, Villain being good wood to ride and RWB being good wood for kindling.
Serial Thriller was a walk on with yes, a 2 train operation going! I had a horrible ride which was slow and painful. Good ole serial thriller.
Next was some BKF action. 8-1 and 1-4 were the seats each around 10-15 minute waits. 2 trains going with not much stacking. Front is by far the best seat in the house with the back bringing a close 2nd.
Next was Villain and I sat near the back on the Red Train, The ride seemed slow, a little rough in spots and void of airtime. Next we caught the back train closer to the front and it was not nearly the same rid. Awesome air for the second hill and smooth as glass, well textured glass.
After a double loop. S:UE was calling so a trip over there was in order. About 30 minutes for the front seat and WOW, it felt like it was running better than in my May visit, making it well up the spike. That ride is unbelievable and is the most you can get for that short amount of track.
Big Dipper was one train and the line was moderate so we skipped it. Mind eraser was running and was probably the first time I ever saw that, so heck why not. This ride is the biggest piece of trash ever made. The ride started out, OK but soon as it started backwards my head was like one of those boblehead dolls being smashed into the ground.
Back to BKF for a back seat ride which was uncommonly rough. We concluded that our side of the rain must have had some a bad set of wheels. Back to Villain for some nice twilight rides towards the front of the train. The ride kept getting better and better as the day progressed.
bad things section
In one case a kid was getting ready for a ride in the font, the op pulled him and it was evident to me and everyone else on the platform that the kid was a good inch or two short. The op let him ride which made her a hero and made everyone on the platform yell in support, with the exception of me. Sure the kid came back fine. Is it an accident waiting to happen? Maybe.
next was X-flight and we arrived there at about 9:15. Guess what there was no line! you know why, because they closed the line early. Not because of Technical problems or weather. I guess the reason is so the employees can go home early. EXCUSE ME!
Now here is one instance where it's kind of not hard to compare SFWoA to CP. There is a little coaster called Millennium Force at CP for all those who don't know. When the park closes at 10, the line for MF dose not close early so the employees can go home, nor does it close at ten. Right now the line for MF closes at 10:08. And this is not matter if the line is 2,3,4 hours long. MF is indeed the star attraction at CP and is what most people come up there for. A Millennium Force crew member getting out of there at 2am on a Saturday night is not unheard of.
So I guess its OK for SFWoA to close there star attraction early so their employees can go home. Who gives a crap about general public Paul who only goes up once a year to want to ride their new attraction. Glad to see they treat there employees so nice and there customers like garbage, for X-flight anyway.
end of bad part of trip
After that debacle, a quick wait of for a back seat ride on S:UE but everyone in a better mood. Next came the best part of the trip. I have never ridden Villain at night and boy what a difference. Sat near the front for all our trips. A nice moon was out just visible over the lift which was quite nice. My trips kept getting better and better. The last Ride of the night in seat 2, which I dub the ejector seat on that ride made up for some of the early things. The air on the second hill is more than incredible and dives into shear darkness are awesome. The ample airtime on every hill gave me a coaster high which is always a great feeling at the end of the night.
All in all a good trip, with only a few minor things that left a sour taste in my mouth.
*** This post was edited by Joe E. on 6/27/2001. *** *** This post was edited by Joe E. on 6/27/2001. ***
We arrived around 6 fighting heavy traffic to a park where people were quickly exiting. Naturally a walk towards the back end of the park happened because good wood is over there, Villain being good wood to ride and RWB being good wood for kindling.
Serial Thriller was a walk on with yes, a 2 train operation going! I had a horrible ride which was slow and painful. Good ole serial thriller.
Next was some BKF action. 8-1 and 1-4 were the seats each around 10-15 minute waits. 2 trains going with not much stacking. Front is by far the best seat in the house with the back bringing a close 2nd.
Next was Villain and I sat near the back on the Red Train, The ride seemed slow, a little rough in spots and void of airtime. Next we caught the back train closer to the front and it was not nearly the same rid. Awesome air for the second hill and smooth as glass, well textured glass.
After a double loop. S:UE was calling so a trip over there was in order. About 30 minutes for the front seat and WOW, it felt like it was running better than in my May visit, making it well up the spike. That ride is unbelievable and is the most you can get for that short amount of track.
Big Dipper was one train and the line was moderate so we skipped it. Mind eraser was running and was probably the first time I ever saw that, so heck why not. This ride is the biggest piece of trash ever made. The ride started out, OK but soon as it started backwards my head was like one of those boblehead dolls being smashed into the ground.
Back to BKF for a back seat ride which was uncommonly rough. We concluded that our side of the rain must have had some a bad set of wheels. Back to Villain for some nice twilight rides towards the front of the train. The ride kept getting better and better as the day progressed.
bad things section
In one case a kid was getting ready for a ride in the font, the op pulled him and it was evident to me and everyone else on the platform that the kid was a good inch or two short. The op let him ride which made her a hero and made everyone on the platform yell in support, with the exception of me. Sure the kid came back fine. Is it an accident waiting to happen? Maybe.
next was X-flight and we arrived there at about 9:15. Guess what there was no line! you know why, because they closed the line early. Not because of Technical problems or weather. I guess the reason is so the employees can go home early. EXCUSE ME!
Now here is one instance where it's kind of not hard to compare SFWoA to CP. There is a little coaster called Millennium Force at CP for all those who don't know. When the park closes at 10, the line for MF dose not close early so the employees can go home, nor does it close at ten. Right now the line for MF closes at 10:08. And this is not matter if the line is 2,3,4 hours long. MF is indeed the star attraction at CP and is what most people come up there for. A Millennium Force crew member getting out of there at 2am on a Saturday night is not unheard of.
So I guess its OK for SFWoA to close there star attraction early so their employees can go home. Who gives a crap about general public Paul who only goes up once a year to want to ride their new attraction. Glad to see they treat there employees so nice and there customers like garbage, for X-flight anyway.
end of bad part of trip
After that debacle, a quick wait of for a back seat ride on S:UE but everyone in a better mood. Next came the best part of the trip. I have never ridden Villain at night and boy what a difference. Sat near the front for all our trips. A nice moon was out just visible over the lift which was quite nice. My trips kept getting better and better. The last Ride of the night in seat 2, which I dub the ejector seat on that ride made up for some of the early things. The air on the second hill is more than incredible and dives into shear darkness are awesome. The ample airtime on every hill gave me a coaster high which is always a great feeling at the end of the night.
All in all a good trip, with only a few minor things that left a sour taste in my mouth.
*** This post was edited by Joe E. on 6/27/2001. *** *** This post was edited by Joe E. on 6/27/2001. ***
Joe E. said:
So I guess its OK for SFWoA to close there star attraction early so their employees can go some. Who gives a crap about general public Paul who only goes up once a year to want to ride their new attraction. Glad to see they treat there employees so nice and there customers like garbage, for X-flight anyway."
I couldn't agree more! If there's one complaint that has validity about SFWoA it's this one! This is inexcusable! A guest pays for a park that is scheduled to be open until 10PM and by golly, barring mechanical problems or weather, those rides should be open 'til 10PM. I think SFWoA need to hear from us on this one!
Grant
-who can't beleive he just said "by golly"
*** This post was edited by G-Money on 6/27/2001. ***
I also agree, if you've been working the whole day, then an extra 20 miutes won't make much of a difference to you, but it could make a guests day, for example: someone travels 200+ miles to ride X-Flight, and they didn't get the chance until near closing time, so as they came to the line, it was closed, because you had to leave 20 minutes earlier, it ruins the whole day.
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Ozzfest 2001: The greatest show on earth!
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Ozzfest 2001: The greatest show on earth!
I hate that too but knowing that is the way they operate you should have jumped in line earlier in the day. I am not defending SFWOA but that has been going on at that park for years. If I wanted to ride the coaster bad enough...it would have been my first stop.
Joe E, compare this to almost any other park, not just Cedar Point. If you get in the line at 9:59 at most parks, they let you in. Atleast the ones I have been to.
_________________
"Yuri needs a lot of sleep" MXPX
http://fly.to/christopherpeeper
_________________
"Yuri needs a lot of sleep" MXPX
http://fly.to/christopherpeeper
ChrisP, I've cant say that I've ever seen another park other than CP keep their lines open if there is a long wait already. Even though I know Legendary will say that the RB crew stays late, I've seen many lines close early; most recently Volcano and Hypersonic:XLC @ PKD.
Though admittedly, in recent memory, I've only been near coasters with near walk-on conditions near closing time (S:ROS, B:KF, Beast), as I usually leave before then or am hanging out in the shops. It has always been one thing that I hold up CP for.
J No
--who wishes he could hear a sample of this MXPX group just to know what all the fuss is about!
Though admittedly, in recent memory, I've only been near coasters with near walk-on conditions near closing time (S:ROS, B:KF, Beast), as I usually leave before then or am hanging out in the shops. It has always been one thing that I hold up CP for.
J No
--who wishes he could hear a sample of this MXPX group just to know what all the fuss is about!
Its probably has nothing to do with letting the employees go home early. Its to save $ for the Six Flags corporation so they are not paying these employees for extra hours. Its just corporate greed overruling customer service i believe.
The Whinebulance has arrived once again. Employees at SFWOA are scheduled from 9am to 11pm. Don;t forget employees clean for an hour after the park closes. So what if Joe Blow has come to ride a ride and the ride is closed. That person has nearly 12 hours to ride that ride. For people to find something to complain about all the time is beyond me. You want to compare parks, ok- but lemme provide you with some info.
Most SF ops are 16 yrs old
SFWOA- No dorms, CP- dorms- which means that their employees don;t have a drive ahead of them at the end of the nite. They mainly use the dorms- which would make it ok for them not to close the MF lines before 10:08.
Are there things that might be wrong with SFWOA? I won;t argue about that, sure some things need to be changed. But the constent badgering of the park is ridiculous and immature. Complaints complaints complaints. did u notice that if u come into a park looking for something bad you are going to find twice as much bad with it. Enjoy the trip and relax. Think about the employees too. Their families, etc.
You as guests in general need to appreciate these people that bust their a**** for you on a daily basis. There may be one or two bad apples working, but don;t bludgeon the whole park.
Finally, to set the record straight- during Cleveland Clinic weekend, our park was open until 11pm, even though the operational hours were from 10- 10am that day. And for someone to get home at 1:30am, who does not live near the park and to be ready to go back on the road at 7am is highly admirable.
Most SF ops are 16 yrs old
SFWOA- No dorms, CP- dorms- which means that their employees don;t have a drive ahead of them at the end of the nite. They mainly use the dorms- which would make it ok for them not to close the MF lines before 10:08.
Are there things that might be wrong with SFWOA? I won;t argue about that, sure some things need to be changed. But the constent badgering of the park is ridiculous and immature. Complaints complaints complaints. did u notice that if u come into a park looking for something bad you are going to find twice as much bad with it. Enjoy the trip and relax. Think about the employees too. Their families, etc.
You as guests in general need to appreciate these people that bust their a**** for you on a daily basis. There may be one or two bad apples working, but don;t bludgeon the whole park.
Finally, to set the record straight- during Cleveland Clinic weekend, our park was open until 11pm, even though the operational hours were from 10- 10am that day. And for someone to get home at 1:30am, who does not live near the park and to be ready to go back on the road at 7am is highly admirable.
Youngstown, while I agree with you very much that SFWoA tends to get picked on. This is one issue which they deserve the "bashing" People come to a park that is supposed to be open until 10 PM. The ride line should be opn til 10 PM. The employees are getting paid to do a job. If they have to stay late, thats part of the job. I work in retail, at christmas time we don't close down 45 minutes early just so we can get home on time! guess what? Sometimes ere there til 2 AM! That's part of my job and I expect it.
I Think super7 is right though. they are probably trying to save on payroll. i think that is really a crappy way to treat your guests.
Anyway, I love SFWoA and have a great time everytime I go. I just wish they would fix this problem becuase it really gives them a black eye.
Also, I don't think Joe E. went looking for bad things, in fact the overall tone of this TR is quite positive. He didn't see any imaginary "riots" or trash filled midways just a few things that were not that great. *** This post was edited by G-Money on 6/29/2001. ***
I Think super7 is right though. they are probably trying to save on payroll. i think that is really a crappy way to treat your guests.
Anyway, I love SFWoA and have a great time everytime I go. I just wish they would fix this problem becuase it really gives them a black eye.
Also, I don't think Joe E. went looking for bad things, in fact the overall tone of this TR is quite positive. He didn't see any imaginary "riots" or trash filled midways just a few things that were not that great. *** This post was edited by G-Money on 6/29/2001. ***
The park can't find people over 18 years old to run X-flight delay? Please, that's just sad. If you can't staff the thing than don't build it.
I would not be upset if there was a sign out front telling us that X-flight delay would close early. What would that cost? The Marker and paper it cost to write it!
Oh, and I did have a good time at SFWoA. To add to it The park was really clean and tidy and everyone was nice, including the girl who told us X-flight was closed. Just like it seems like some people only pick out the bad things about this park it looks like some people were only picking the bad things in my trip report.
I would not be upset if there was a sign out front telling us that X-flight delay would close early. What would that cost? The Marker and paper it cost to write it!
Oh, and I did have a good time at SFWoA. To add to it The park was really clean and tidy and everyone was nice, including the girl who told us X-flight was closed. Just like it seems like some people only pick out the bad things about this park it looks like some people were only picking the bad things in my trip report.
Not to stick up for SFWoA, but there are signs at Holiday World (everyone’s favorite park, right…) that say the Raven and Legend queues may close early due to large crowds (but I don’t know if they really do)
The queues closing early seems to be a Six Flags thing – I’ve seen it done at several SF parks.
kip
The queues closing early seems to be a Six Flags thing – I’ve seen it done at several SF parks.
kip
I've never been to SFWoA... but onething that I do notice about it is how many of the TR's nitpick it to death and many then turn to the same old "Well, CP does it THIS way... aren't they wonderful."
Come on folks... if you are upset about rides closing early at SFWoA, by all means write about them, but no need to compare them to CP (or any other park really) at every turn.
For the record, I have no real ambition to go to SFWoA... if I get there someday, I get there. As for CP... same thing... if I get there someday, I get there and if I don't, I don't.
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"Don't quote Latin. Say what you have to say and sit down."
Come on folks... if you are upset about rides closing early at SFWoA, by all means write about them, but no need to compare them to CP (or any other park really) at every turn.
For the record, I have no real ambition to go to SFWoA... if I get there someday, I get there. As for CP... same thing... if I get there someday, I get there and if I don't, I don't.
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"Don't quote Latin. Say what you have to say and sit down."
The comparisons are unavoidable if you're a Clevelander. For decades, Cedar Point was where you went for the big amusement park trip, while Geauga Lake was the place you went for the small company picnic.
More to the point, I think having the rides open is critical to customer satisfaction. There's always an excuse at that park, and frankly I don't think the customer cares what they are; they just dropped cash to get in.
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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
More to the point, I think having the rides open is critical to customer satisfaction. There's always an excuse at that park, and frankly I don't think the customer cares what they are; they just dropped cash to get in.
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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
Jeff is right-on with the CP/SFWOA comparisons. As a life long Clevelander, my parents would take us to GL and CP every year. GL because that’s where my Dads company had their picnic and it was cheap. CP because of the rides. We always had fun at both parks, but GL was always a distant second to CP. SF has done much to close the ride gap between CP and SFWOA, but it is natural for people from the Cleveland area to compare the two parks.
By the way, good report. I did not get a chance to ride the Villian at night last year, but it sounds like I will need to make sure I do this year!
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Bob M.
By the way, good report. I did not get a chance to ride the Villian at night last year, but it sounds like I will need to make sure I do this year!
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Bob M.
A few weeks ago, I went to SFWoA and when I came home and told people, just about every single one of them asked me how the park compared to CP. (Well, I told them! :) ) Yes, comparisons are unavoidable when the parks are this close and are obviously competing against each other.
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Signature Under Construction: More Thrills Coming in 2002!
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Signature Under Construction: More Thrills Coming in 2002!
Wow, I thought I was alone in the whole company picnic deal. This is how it is for NE Ohians. SFGL was always the place that you went for a quick trip with little thrills. Taking a trip to Cedar Point was like going to a North Coast DisneyWorld.
_________________
"Yuri needs a lot of sleep" MXPX
http://fly.to/christopherpeeper
_________________
"Yuri needs a lot of sleep" MXPX
http://fly.to/christopherpeeper
What the park should do is invest in some staffing instead of buying more Vekoma's! Employees housing sure would not hurt to attract more people. If they have the people to staff the park then there would not be a problem. It sounds like the employees their have to work to many hours because of lack of staffing, which makes things more difficult on them
One thing SFWoA should to is recruit people for God sake! At Kent State, which is right down the street from SFWoA I never saw flyers, ads in the paper, just NOTHING telling people work is available at SFWoA. Cedar Point sure did a hell of a Job with fairs and representees sent there. If SFWoA could of done half that, right there are your 18+ year old operators needed to run X-Flight like the star attraction it should be.
Until they get that right, SFWoA will never be able to compete with CP. That park seems SO empty compared to CP. I'm starting to worry! *** This post was edited by Joe E. on 6/29/2001. ***
One thing SFWoA should to is recruit people for God sake! At Kent State, which is right down the street from SFWoA I never saw flyers, ads in the paper, just NOTHING telling people work is available at SFWoA. Cedar Point sure did a hell of a Job with fairs and representees sent there. If SFWoA could of done half that, right there are your 18+ year old operators needed to run X-Flight like the star attraction it should be.
Until they get that right, SFWoA will never be able to compete with CP. That park seems SO empty compared to CP. I'm starting to worry! *** This post was edited by Joe E. on 6/29/2001. ***
Apollo15 said:
"It most cases people
CEDAR POINT IS NOT SF...
So stop comparing to each other"
The point about comparing SF(WOA) to CP is to show how much better off CP is. If you go to SFWOA the day after a wonderful experience at CP, how can you not compare the two? Cedar Point is what every park should be compared to, in the 'treatment of customers' area. *** This post was edited by DiscoPapa on 6/29/2001. ***
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