What makes SFMM so terrible?

My husband and I have been wanting to go to SFMM, but I keep hearing bad things about it. Why is it such a bad park?

I grew up near SFGAm, and I've been to SFKK (of which I hated) How does SFMM compare to those two parks?

X looks like an awesome ride! I would love to try it sometime. Flashback was at SFGAm(aka Z Force) when I wasn't tall enough to ride it. My dad rode it and said it was very jerky, I assume it's still that way?

I look forward to reading about your thoughts!a

I wouldn't let everyone's opinions deter you from checking it out. If you had to choose between it and Knott's, I'm sure you know how many people feel about that. But I've had good days and many bad days. It just seems that a lot of things are closed or open with minimal operation (1 train etc.)

I also miss a lot of the mellow rides like the monorail or skytower. But hey, the good news is that the skytower is now open. Don't miss it. Have fun and then come back and tell us what both of you think.

*** Edited 5/23/2006 3:12:32 PM UTC by janfrederick***

My one and only experience was SFMM was simply awesome! And this is coming from a CP fanboy!

I went in March of 2003 and we expected the worst possible experience because everybody told us so. We went in with very low expectations and ended up having a blast, we managed to snag 4 rides on X, which to me is my personal favorite. The rides they have in place are top notch when running.

While we had a blast at the park because it wasn't *too* busy, my friends and I could see the potential for the park being a bad experience. I say try it out.

~Rob Willi

SFMM gets a bad rap for a few reasons. One is that it's not the most well-kept park in the world. Landscaping is weak or non-existent, and it often seems they don't really care how the place looks.

An example is the onride photo booth for Viper which is built into the station on the ground level. When they decided to close it and stop offering pics they just slapped a hunk of plywood over the old window. This was a few years ago, mind you, but it's an example.

Many people have complaints on the service they recieve at that park as well. Frankly, to me it looks as if most of the employees want to slit their wrists. (harsh, I know, but that's what I thought last time I was there).

Also, many complain about the number of closed rides on a given day, or that rides don't run enough trains to handle the crowds.

On the plus side, they do have some cool rides. Well, they have X and Tatsu. Obviously you can ride Deja-vu, Batman, and Psyclone at other places.

If you're in the LA area, it wouldn't be a bad trip, but I wouldn't recommend going to LA just for SFMM.

Honestly, what made SFMM a *bad* park was poor management. Nothing that couldn't have been fixed during SFMM's "offseason". The coaster line-up, even pre-Tatsu, was fine (save for the horrendous condition of the woodies and Revvie).

When we visited during WCB, friendliness was improved, cleanliness was improved, characters were all over the place, and I saw MANY positive changes.

Operations-wise, this is one park that needs to maintain HIGH capacity during the busier times (but never really HAD, under the old regime). But overall, SFMM is on the comeback trail, IMO...

Quite frankly, it's not "terrible". It's pretty much a complete coaster park. While not really diverese (or modern) in the attractions when it comes to flats, they also feature 4 decent water rides. Much like any park, 4 of the coasters need restoration to restore them to their former glory. They have made a recent turn around in overall appearance and are making attempts at improving live entertainment.

You should know that Flashback is SBNO for about 3 years now and it's likely not coming back from the grave.

SFMM had a history of rolling the dice on new coasters that never worked well in their first year of operation. So it was kind of a big build up in hype, so when people showed up and the new ride wasn't working, it creates a negative impression. Also, the problem coasters drained money and resources away from other areas that needed attention, leading to a overall rundown appearance in the past few years - which seems to be being corrected currently.

I ALMOST made a trip from home here in Philly to SFMM. Taking advice from other Buzzers here I quickly cancelled. It looks like a great park but I hear its not. Seems like it gets talked crap on like Great Adventure does. The great adventure of the west coast maybe? And great advenure is barely worth the 1/2 hour drive I have to endure now. Travel across country for a great adventure experience part II? Nahhh But why should I take advice from these crazy people?!! See sig ;)

The park isn't horrible.....as others said it's management and operations. If it was clean, with friendly employees, good operations, all rides running with good capacity, then it would be a great park!

The topography is really cool. I don't think the landscaping is that bad and the Japanese Garden they had at the top (I hear the relocated it to below the Skytower) was very nice.

One thing though, it can get pretty hot in the summer. The park isn't all that far from the desert.

*** Edited 5/23/2006 4:38:55 PM UTC by janfrederick***

Holy cow! I'm amazed at how many replies there are in such a short amount of time! Do you guys work? ;-) Just kidding! I'm having a slow day at work and I hate it.

Anyway...thanks for all your input! When my husband and I go to California, we'll make it a week long trip. SFMM will not be the only thing we do. I would love to visit Knott's Berry Farm again. Last time I went was about 20 years ago! Damn...that makes me feel old and I'm not even 30 yet. haha!

I'm looking forward to this weekend. 8 of us are headed up to CP. Next month we're going to the Dells to visit Mt. Olympus. Then in July we are going to Holiday World! The Voyage is calling my name!

Thanks again everyone!

I was at SFMM last year, and I thought my experience was just alright. If you didn't mind the 3 hour lines becuase of the lack of trains running on most rides, the overcrowdedness of the park, and the occational closures of X every now and then, with the complete closure of Sky Tower, Monorail and Flashback, you might have enjoyed yourself. But this year, from what I've heard, a lot of things have changed. Sky Tower and Flashback reopened with Tatsu, more than just one car is running on the popular rides and X has undergone rehab, hopefully letting it run more this year. Everything you've heard about SFMM was probably based on previous year's seasons, which have not been the best. So check it out for yourself. I will. Hopefully the opening of Tatsu has caused the park to get their act together.

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coasterlover325 said:
Holy cow! I'm amazed at how many replies there are in such a short amount of time! Do you guys work? ;-) Just kidding! I'm having a slow day at work and I hate it.

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Let's just say this is a hot topic. ;)

Apparently so! ;-)

Thanks for all your input!

That's the great thing about planning a trip to Knott's and/or Disney in the process if your able to do so. Even if one disappoints, you'll possibly find something wonderful at the other two.

The *major* issues at SFMM seem to finally be working themselves out somewhat. Capacity, cleanliness and rude employees are much improved this year. The park also looks more alive than it has the last 3 seasons. Buildings have been painted, long closed attractions are reopening and characters are roaming everywhere. They've also cleaned up the bathrooms and beefed up security lol.

There are still issues that will certainly disappoint. My main problem is that the park is a major hassle to navigate, especially on hot days. Shapiro really needs to invest in some type of monorail or people moving system and some sort of modern water attraction for the southeast area of the park (near Batman). Also, if your primarily a wood coaster lover, the park will leave *alot* to be desired.

But keep your expectation in check, and I think you'll enjoy the park actually. Like other SF parks, things seem to be on the upswing. *** Edited 5/23/2006 7:22:27 PM UTC by DWeaver***

Outside of a bunch of "punk kids" that I had to wait in line with for 4 hours before I got to X, (one train operation)the place is ok. In true Six Flags fasion, don't expect everything to be open or running all trains. When I went, 5 coasters were not operating and the ones that were had long lines. 2+ hours for Riddler. I would hope that the "new Six Flags" takes care of some of the issues mentioned in this thread.

Let's just leave it at this: it took me 3 years to ride every coaster there ;-).

Also, I liked X the first few times, but last year it banged my head around so bad I had tunnel vision.

It's not a *horrible* place, IF you're in the area, but I wouldn't make a trip for it.

I'll take a litle place down the highway that has a rodent for a mascot.

-Josh

I was just at SFMM this past Wednesday, it wasn't terrible. It has improved considerably, but it still has its weak spots.

I think the lanscaping at SFMM is pretty good for the most part. The topography is very unique, albeit tiring in the heat, but its the charm of the park.

My biggest peeve with the park is them not listing the rides that are actually closed. Knott's has this problem also.

But then again you cant beat a play pass for $60 for all Six Flags parks.

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DWeaver said:
My main problem is that the park is a major hassle to navigate, especially on hot days. Shapiro really needs to invest in some type of monorail or people moving system...

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This was my thought about SFKK. I thought the layout was horrible However, the layout for SFGAm is perfect! One continuous circle. Pick a direction once you pass the doubledecker merry-go-round, and you'll never have to back track. Shouldn't all parks be designed this way?

I had the opportunity to visit SFMM at the end of April and we had a great time. I too had read and heard many stories about the park that weren't favorable but I am glad I gave it a chance.

Our first stop in the park was at guest relations for a list of what wasn't open and then we headed straight for X. We only had to wait about 35 min. to ride and I have to say it definitely lived up to its name--EXTREME!

The rest of the day we waited no more than 15-20 minutes for any ride. By 3:00 pm, everything was virtually a walk on.

Overall, I have to say it was a wonderful day. We also visited Universal Hollywood on that trip and it was great as well. It was very crowded but we had the front of the line passes and they were well worth the money.

Kristi

I visited SFMM in Feb of last year, and I loved the park.

I had a great time and basically everything with the exception of Flashback, and Viper were open. I deffinately enjoyed SFMM more then I enjoyed KBF. I enjoyed is so much, that I will be going back this October.