We're up all night to Get Lucky (Six Flags Fiesta Texas)

Six Flags Fiesta Texas

Saturday morning technically came at about 1:20am. That’s when the other Matt showed up and disrupted our sleep. His flight was delayed by several hours in Atlanta. I swear, he has the worst luck with flights. Anyways, I didn’t get much sleep after that. But we had to get up early to go pick up the rental car, so 7:30 it was.

We got ready and headed down to the lobby as the front desk called us a cab. We got in and out of Enterprise pretty quickly with a cute little Hundai car. Then we immediately headed to Walmart for supplies and breakfast. Then we headed out to the La Cantera area of San Antonio.

La Cantera is a development that houses some resorts, a large mall, Six Flags, and other things. They took old rock quarries and redeveloped them, and it turned out very nice. Joe and Hannah parked at the mall and rode into the park with me and the Matts since I have national parking with my season pass. We took the opportunity to take some pictures of the coasters from the top of the cliffs of the quarry that the park sits in.

We got to the park, parked, and then headed to the entrance, snapping pix along the way. The front gate area is different, but nice. There was Tejano and Mexican pop playing at the plaza, which was nice and different. We met up with the other coaster geeks there for the morning walkback. Thank you, Jeffery Seibert, for that. You’re great, and I’m glad you’re doing your thing at Fiesta Texas. You’re enthusiasm is infectious.

So we got in to our group, and then I saw Tommy and his group, so they joined us as we all walked back for first rides on Iron Rattler, the reason I came to Texas. We waited while it tested. I decided to try the back of the train out first.

Iron Rattler-My only wish was that it would be half as good as Texas Giant since Rocky Mountain Coasters rebuilt it. It definitely delivered. It’s no Giant, but it’s a great ride, and I wish it were closer. The first drop, even with major slowdown at the top, is really great, as is the double up that follows. The overbanks and dive off the cliff are amazing, and the zero G roll feels natural and not at all like an inversion. It had airtime too. The twisting section where the helix used to be was odd but a lot of fun. I wish it were a little faster thru there, but its still great, and then the drop back off the cliff and then into the tunnel is chock full of airtime. Oh, and that blue lit tunnel with mist is amazing, which leads into some major air before the break run. The ride is a solid 9.5 in my book.

We were told to get back in the queue in the station when we got off, but I somehow missed that, and I didn’t get the second consecutive ride, but that’s okay. Most everyone else did, and after some delay, we were off to explore the park, but not before I got a gigantic (Gigante?) foam cowboy hat that I wore most of the morning. Next up was a ride on the park’s awesome mine train.

Road Runner Express-This is by far the best non-Disney mine train I’ve been on. It’ was very aggressive, very forceful, and had decent theming (I’ve heard it had better theming in the past). Granted, it’s mostly just drops and figure 8 style helices, but that’s what made it fun. I really enjoyed it, and wish I’d have ridden it again, but never actually got back around to it.

We headed over to the train next which we rode around towards the front of the park. The whole park, while it could use a little more shade, was really beautiful. The waterfalls off the cliff, the scenery, everything.

Poltergeist-This is my 4 Premier spaghetti bowl coaster, and the last one in the states. Maybe one day I’ll get to China to ride the last one, but whatever. I really like these coasters, and this one was running well. It had a much faster launch than Joker’s Jinx, and the lack of a Mid Course always helps the second half of the ride.

I wanted to ride the Sky Screamer, but we didn’t. We did head back to the Gulley Washer rapids ride, which was nice, but not outstanding. Why don’t more parks theme their rapids ride? Give me something to look at if all I’m going to do is meander around. It’s not like it was a soaking wet ride. Anywho, so we got off of that and headed over to the next credit of the day.

Superman Krypton Coaster-Most people felt it to be too tame, but I like it. The first drop beside the cliff was different. I love the zero G roll, the climb up the cliffs with a helix on top, the proximity of the mid course brakes to the cliff walls. All of it very smooth and fun. Is it a top 10 ride for me? Not with Iron Rattler across the park, but it’s still very fun.

Those of us that needed the credit headed to Kiddee Koaster next. Then we all headed to Bug’s White Water Rapids, the parks highly themed superflume ride. The queue was well done, and the whole ride was just excellent. I like that it’s so highly themed. I even wore the hat on the entire ride.

At this point in the day we all decided to split up. Some were taking a break from the park, others were going to power ride. Joe, Hannah, and I decided to go to the park’s water park for a while. So we went out to the car and switched stuff out, then headed in to the water park. I changed into my swim gear and immediately wished I’d brought in my flip flops. The ground was so hot.

We started out by going into the wave pool for a bit, then Joe and I got in line for their Tornado slide. The ride op put us in with 2 other guys, and we had to be over the weight limit. I went down the large drop into the funnel backwards, which scared the crap out of me, and then we started sliding around the funnel. I’ve never went that far up a funnel wall. It was amazing.

We went back to the wave pool and then made our way over to another slide. Without shoes, it was very uncomfortable going up the stairs and what not, but we made it. Then we went to the bowl slide, which was also really great (I love those). Then we ended up in the lazy river. It was actually pretty decently themed. Ultimately we headed back to the wave pool, then lounged by the wave pool. I even took a nap.

As it got cooler out, we finished up with the water park. I took our stuff back to the car and made my way back in. We hit up Goliath first.

Goliath-Another Batman clone at another park. Two in one city. Very forceful at the end of the day, and very nice placement. I liked the plaza for it, but I kind of wish they would have came up with a more Hispanic name to go along with the section. Oh well. Missed opportunity. I get that they’re trying to use their brand, but you should also know your market.

Nobody wanted to ride Boomerang with me so I put it off and got a Margarita instead. We met back up by Rattler, which had a decent line, so we headed around the park again to Pandemonium.

Pandemonium-Possibly due to the margarita and heat, I immediately got sick to my stomach on the walk back to Pandemonium. I was having (and would continue to have) stomach issues on the trip. Not sure what the cause, but I was having terrible acid reflux and some other issues. I was not looking forward to a spinny ride. But I wasn’t going to just not ride either. Honestly, I felt better after riding. The line was short. This was one of the better rides I’ve had on this layout, this being my 4. I love the setting in this park, but otherwise Pandemonium is a rather unremarkable spinning coaster that is good for families and serves a purpose.

After Pandemonium we got in the only semi-long line thus far, for the Scooby Doo dark ride. This was a clone of all of the ones that Paramount had ordered (and Cedar Fair thusly changed). The gags and guns were working well, and I ended up getting over 2000 points (the most in my Mystery Machine). Ed and Bill went to the Frisbee as the rest of us, sans Jill (who took a break) went to the Ferris Wheel to get some pictures. Then we went over to Scream, the drop/shot tower, but the line was long and it was only running one of three towers. The group rode Hustler, a pool table spinny ride instead as Ed, Joe, and I sat out.

The sun was setting and it was cooling off. Everyone wanted to ride Goliath, but I decided to sit it out instead of ride again. Joe and Hannah sat out too. Then we wanted to go back and ride Rattler more. Matt went to get a margarita, but the stall was closed. I stopped off to get a lap on Boomerang, but it had mechanical issues and was closed. Wish I’d known when I entered the huge queue. Oh well. So it was time to go back to Iron Rattler. The line was about 30 minutes long, but that was okay, it’s worth it.

At nite, having run all day, the ride was more aggressive. It was slightly better than in the morning, and anything is better in the dark. Plus, the tunnel was really great at nite. Iron Rattler is definitely a strong, solid ride, and can serve as a signature coaster in any park.

Fiesta Texas is a great park. It’s only missing a decent wooden coaster and a hyper, in my opinion. As much as I wanted to, I never stopped to watch a whole show, but what snippets I saw were very good. The park is beautiful, clean, the food offerings were good (BBQ smelled really great), and I had a great time.

After the park we dropped Joe and Hannah off at their care before heading back to the room. Matt Scott and I headed back down to the River Walk. We had dinner at Mias, and it was very good. Plus Matt finally got to mark visiting The Alamo off his bucket list.

I got a text from Tommy. They were heading out for the evening and told me and Matt where to meet them for drinks. Every second I spent in San Antonio, I loved it even more. The city is so friendly and beautiful at nite. I think we got back to the room around 2:30 am.

Sunday was Schlitterbahn day for everyone else. I ended up still not feeling good. Stomach issues every morning and evening, plus the heat were draining. So I dropped Matt and Matt off at Schlitterbahn. It looked amazing, as did Comel river tubing. I really want to get back out there. If I can find a cheap flight, maybe next year, and focus on a day at the Bahn. I lounged at the hotel for a bit then headed to San Antonio’s Horrific Film Fest to support Tommy and the gang at the world premier of The Cabin. I got there during the last bit of Vegas Vampires, which wasn’t very good. The Cabin, however, was really great. It’s an odd thing when the villain is actually sitting right beside you in the theater, as you’re watching him in the movie. The Cabin won an award for best short film (Or was it best director? I don’t remember).

I headed back to freshen up at the Hotel and grabbed a burger at Whattaburger for dinner. I met back up with everyone at a saloon for drinks, and then we went to another place for the evening, which turned out to be another late nite for me, but that’s okay.

I got up early and dropped the car off on Monday morning. I went back to the room and slept in before finding my way to a bus stop and exploring River Walk some more, as well as down town San Antonio. I just can’t say enough good things about the city. I could really move there. I made it back to the room and packed up for my early morning flights.

I really did have a great time, and hope to head back to San Antonio for more of the city sooner rather than later.

Ive heard nothing but good things about San Antonio. I must visit in the near future. FT sounds like a decent park and the Six Flags anomaly.

Another nice TR, Tek.

The award for Best Trip Report Titles Ever goes to...

Agreed - Nice report!

I have never been to Texas but would love to at some point.

I am sorry about the "reflux" - which is how I got my screen name.

At some point I was told I would never ride again because of it...and about ten years ago, My doctor prescribed Aciphex...which worked wonders.

I am now off of it completely and while I can't power-ride as much as I used to...stopping all eating at 8 PM, cutting down on soda, helped a lot. ( i never drank alchohol so that wasn't a problem).

So, unlike the song, you were lucky that night because Rattler was running better.

Is that what they're calling it now?

You only spent one day at Schlitterbahn? I spent three days there, and I had to DRAG myself out of New Braunfals to catch my flight home the next day.

I didn't spend any days at Bahn. I dropped everyone off. I wanted to go but really didn't feel well, went back to the room for several hours.

bjames, it was really more of a reference to being up all nite every nite and going out, but yeah, that too.

Was there an occasion for the morning walk back or is it an everyday thing? How does that work?

I think it's an every morning ACE walkback.

Do you have to be ACE to participate?

Oh, that would make sense. There used to be ACE walk backs at Kings Island when Jeff was there, so maybe he carried the tradition to SFFT?

I dont remember them ever checking. We would just show up and stand on (or around) the ACE paver plaque on I-Street and somebody would show up near time and pick us up. It was a benefit known only to club members, so the GP was never the wiser. I was always able to drag along whoever I had with me, nobody ever questioned it or demanded proof of club membership.

There was also never a guarantee. Every once in a while someone would come out from the office to apologize and say there was no one available to take us that day and we'd have to be all right with that too.

Those were the days. That was back when Chuck could still get on his flyers. :)