At long last, the day arrived for my first trip of the season. The forecast said about 60-70 with a 50% chance of showers. Perfect for a coaster enthusiast.
The Park - 8/10
We arrived at 10:30 and proceeded to get my first season pass processed! I was shocked that it took no time at all. We literally walked in and were immediately photographed and handed our passes in a total of 1 minute. Good job, SFA. I was pleasently surprised to see all the rides operating after hearing some rides were down. It was clean for a Six Flags park, which was also unexpected. All the lines were incredibly short. Compared to my trips last year, it was deserted. I didn't have to wait more than 20 minutes for anything. If I had chosen, I could have had a whole lot more rides than I did. I held back a little for my dad's sake since he gets headaches easily. My only real nitpick was the enthusiasm of the employees. They really seemed like they were bored and didn't want to be there. But employees aren't the reason we go to parks. We want what they operate...
Superman: Ride of Steel - 10/10
I ran to the back of the park to ride Superman right after getting my passes. Still one train operating. I believe the other train will be back in about a week. Since I hadn't ridden a coaster in 5 months, I wasn't prepared for the first drop. It easily took my breath away! Back seat is the best, by far. You get sucked over the top of the lift really fast. That third hill is still the most airtime I've experienced, ever. I haven't ridden Hypersonic yet, but I hear there may be more on that. The ending to Superman is also the most intense finish of any coaster I know. 3 laps total.
Joker's Jinx - 6/10
I love launched coasters. I love rough coasters. You would think Joker's Jinx would be my ideal coaster. For some reason, I didn't enjoy it very much this trip. Maybe it was the fact that I knew Flight of Fear, a clone of it, doesn't have OTSRs. Oh well. It's still fun. For an added thrill, put your hands in your lap thoughout the whole ride and relax every muscle in your body. You do get a little more beat up, but it really feels cool to be totally relaxed. There was no line at all. You could walk on all day. 3 laps total.
Roar - 9/10
This coaster is quickly becoming one of my favorites. Again, no lines over 1 or 2 cycles. There are a lot of lateral Gs as well as a few pops of great airtime. The track is so twisted around itself. Just go ride it! 4 laps total.
Mind Eraser - 4/10
Seemed to be running a little rougher than last year. Maybe it was just me. It broke down for part of the afternoon with a problem on one of the trains, I think. I do like the footchopper effects on it a lot! 2 laps total.
Two Face: The Flip Side - 7/10
This is the ride that scares me more than any other at SFA. My biggest coaster fear is being held only the restraints. If you've ridden Two Face, you know that you dangle from the restraints all the way up the lift hill if you ride forwards first. Scary stuff. The ride itself is pretty intense. Going into a cobra roll backwards is a very strange experience. 2 laps total.
Wild One - 7/10
People back in the 20's knew how to make a cool wooden coaster! I enjoyed the back seat the most because of the sudden yank you get going through the end of the turnaround. Surprisingly, this ride had one of the longest lines of any ride. 2 laps total.
Batwing - ?/10
Construction is going pretty fast. When I got there, they had finished the lift hill, drop, horseshoe, final helix, brakes, and station. I think all of the supports are up. They were working on the loop all day, along with the station house. The lift hill is perpendicular to Superman's station as far as location goes. They are pouring a walkway underneath one of Superman's final floater hills as the entryway to Batwing.
Overall, a great day and an excellent way to kick off the 2001 season! By the way, do any of you guys that were there on Saturday have a Millennium Force tattoo on your leg? If so, I talked to you in line for Superman at around 11. I'm the guy who was talking about the Superman trains and about Cedar Point.
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"Enjoy your ride on ROAR and thank you for riding out loud"
*** This post was edited by SFA on 4/22/2001. ***
Nice Trip Report :) I will be there next Sunday and hope I have as good of a trip as you had!
Wow! A Millennium Force tattoo! A man after my own heart *sigh*
There's only one man with a MF tattoo on his leg (that I know of) and that's Sam Marks from Coaster Zombies. Some people will go to any lengths to honor one of their favorite coasters:)
*** This post was edited by Intamin Fan on 4/22/2001. ***
I thought it was him. Thanks for confirming it, Intamin Fan!
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"Enjoy your ride on ROAR and thank you for riding out loud"
Nice screen name, I like it a lot.
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What is life with out coasters, geniuses, and/or SFA
Original. Short. Sweet.
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"Enjoy your ride on ROAR and thank you for riding out loud"
Coaster Zombies is a local DC-area based enthusiast club that has several trips a year (this years trip is to several parks in California), and also has a yearly gathering at SFA. Last year they had an ERT on Superman and this year they will have an ERT on Superman and Batwing.
SFA, for the first time in a while Two Face got to me also. As we were going backwards up the first lift I realized how important that harness was.
Sounds like a great park day.I can't wait to go there in July :)
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Rickyswmn
