I had a very bad experience with SFO on my first visit. But I do think they will improve greatly with a year of operations under their belt. And let's face it, Six Flags is doing an explosive job of adding a great variety of coasters. The best variety in Ohio IMO.
-------------
Life consists of two kinds of people, those who accept, and those who sit back and cry...
Depends on what you consider 'great'. These parks have 'good' woodie pairs;
SFoG: GASM, GaCyclone
SFA: Wild One, Roar
SFNE: (riverside) Cyclone, Thunderbolt
And when the American Eagle is running right (ie. minimal trimming) it is one of the better coasters to ride. And virtually ALL accounts of Viper are positive so you may want to put SFGAm on that heap too.
Thats right, Jeremy. I *totally* forgot about SFoG. geez, what was I thinking. I havent been to SFA/SFNE, yet. And I would tend to agree with SFGAm to a certain point. They did kick in that brake pretty hard when I was there.
SFO is an excellent park for the following reasons:
1) Three awesome coasters - BKF, S:UE, and Villain
2) Two good coasters (Big Dipper, Serial Thriller)
3) Cheap seasons pass
4) Short lines (I went on a Sunday in May)
5) Small park where you don't have to walk miles
6) Free access to Hurricane Harbour
You'd be a fool not to go. Although some the staff are abit poor
-----------------------------------------
For the most (and some of the best) woodies go to Blackpool Pleasure Beach - Grand National, Big Dipper, Wild Mouse, Rollercoaster, and Zipper Dipper.
I think American Eagle is still a great coaster even with the brakes, even though it is a lot better without them.
-------------
See you in 2001 for twice the fun (hint, hint)
Honestly, I'd go to SFO before PKI. PKI only has one "great" coaster in the Beast, SFO has three - Villian, BKF, S:UE. PKI has more "good" coasters, but ride-for-ride, SFO, even without the addition of the new ride, is the better of the two. Of course, PKI is the better park, but when you're on a great ride, who cares about the park?
I beg to differ, Lifthill. Ride-for-ride SFO kicks PKI hard in the rear, but PKI's atmosphere is just a tinky winky better. If I had to pick, SFO would definately be my pic. The only coasters I enjoy over at PKI is Vortex, Face/Off(it gets old after the first ride, though), and King Kobra. Don't forget aboot The BOSS and Screamin Eagle over at SFStL
---------
"God gave me a wake up call," RelientK-"Wake Up Call"
I second punk's mention of the BOSS and Screamin Eagle. Two awesome coasters.
-------------
Randy Hutchinson
You build it, I'll ride it
When I went I only had to wait for BKF about 10 to 15 minutes. On Villian it was about 10-15 minutes too. anyways the park is fairly small and Hurricane Harbor is free. SFO is just a good park.
I Kicked The Sky
You gotta go to at least ride Double Loop!!! Classic Arrow!
Don't forget Serial Thriller (or was it Mind Eraser SF and there old "switch the name of the cookie cutter coaster game") is a must for the Boomerang count! ;)
-------------
2000 stats: 135 coasters in 26 parks
Not Too Shabby For A Summer
AOL & MSN IM Name: coasterpunk
*** This post was edited by coasterpunk on 1/2/2001. ***
Just for the record, Serial Thriller is the SLC, Mind Eraser is the boomerang.
(I couldn't tell if you were really asking or not. ;)) -------------
Matt Lynch
Co-Webmaster, Kennywood Boulevard
http://kennywood.coasterbuzz.com
coastergenius:
If you've been to PKI before i'd say skip it. PKI isn't really worth the eight hour round trip from northern Ohio and back if it will cost that much for the extra days. A couple of reasons; (1) I know there are a lot of bad things to say about the staff at SFO, but they are the same at PKI. All the lines are terrible if there is any sort of crowd, they don't push the lines, and the food service is painfully slow. (2) The parks atmosphere has really taken a turn for the worse since Paramount (3) It costs a lot more to go there, especially for you with a Six Flags pass in your pocket. (4) With the exception of the SoB, there hasn't been anything noteworthy that can't be found elsewhere on the east coast that has been installed.
But if you haven't been, The Beast is a great ride and the Racer, Top Gun, and maybe the Vortex are worth a trip. I don't know about the Son yet because i was unable to visit there for the first time in over a decade. Like i say to most people, while PKI is a park you shouldn't miss, i wouldn't go out of my way for it after i had been there once.
But in the end SFO has two good to great wodden coasters (Villain: the acclaimed CCI double out and back and Big Dipper: ACE coaster classic ove 75 years old by Miller)a floorless, an impulse , Flying Dutchman as well as some others to fill the time. All in all a park worth stopping by if you're in the neighborhood with a pass:)
You should definetly go to SFO. Dont forget about Raging Wolf Bobs, its also a great woodie.
I also want to say something else, Hopefully Sea world Cleveland will give in to the peer pressure across the lake and get a coaster like all the other ones!
FYI-
There is no chance of Sea World getting a coaster any time soon, Joey. Geauga Lake Park, and now Six FLags have made a contract that Sea World can not build any rides. The closest thing to a ride you might ever find at Sea World is a motion simulator.
Nate
Six Flags made a contract that Sea World can't build rides? Did they make it with Sea World? Who did they make it with? Why would Sea World agree to such a contract? Just wondering.
SFO is a great park, and it's my home park. Some of it's greatest rides are: The Villain, Superman: Ultimate Escape, Monorail, Batman Knight Flight, Big Dipper, Double Loop, and Raging Wolf Bobs.
If that flying coaster comes around, be sure to take a spin on that. It also seems that they have got something else up their sleeves..
Chris
That contract thing is a myth.
-------------
Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
No it's not. The SWO is on Funtime land. Thus the lesor can specify certain contract terms. And yes Funtime still exists as a subsidiary to the big one.
That seems like the strangest contract ever. I guess you would know though, you're a manager at SFO, correct?
-------------
SFGAm: Twice the fun in 2001 (hint, hint)!