I have a choice for a trip this summer..I can only go to two parks. One is Cedar Point, and the other choices are SFWoA and PKI. Can anyone tell me which park I should go to?
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Mindbender...Can you hear the Riddler chuckling?
I've been to both. I'd suggesst PKI over (Geauga Lake) because of one coaster, the BEAST. It is the best ride I've ever rode in my life. Both parks have great rides, but (Geauga Lake)'s rides are always broke. But PKI dosen't have a CCI :) (Geauga Lake) also has a floorless and a flying coaster. I would probaly pick PKI because I've been there only twice while (Geauga Lake) is my home park. PKI has Beast, SOB (overrated but good), King Cobra, FOF (great), Adventure Express (good mine ride), Top Gun, Vortex, and face/off. I think PKI is a better choice because Batman , the floorless at (Geauga Lake), gives a similar ride to the Mantis at CP. I'd rather ride Beast than Villain. And SOB is way way better than Raging Wolf Bobs. Also Face/Off is better than Minderaser which is closed indefinatly. OH MY GOD I ALMOST FORGOT RACER...(pause while I smack myself)...Racer is a fantastic coaster, but so is Big Dipper. Big Dipper is very similar to Blue Streak at PKI. X- Flight is basically the only pure advantage (Geauga Lake) has over PKI. besides a couple dolphins and a monkey. LOL. Either way you couldn't go wrong. (Geauga Lake) is good, but PKI is great. Go to PKI this year and come back to (Geauga Lake) when they have their managment problems fixed. Have fun! Hey if you go to PKI and Americana (park near Dayton) is open (I doubt it) go there and ride Schreechin Eagle a classic. It's worth the half hour that it is out of your way. I don't know how many more chances we'll have to ride it. If you still can't decide flip a coin. Have Fun!
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www.geocities.com/coasting_ohio for Real/Defunct/mini coasters and parks for RCT
I would have to agree with Coasting_Ohio on this one. SFWoA is my home park, but I feel PKI has more to offer. PKI also has a gyro drop tower as well as world class coasters. The park is much more scenic and is less clausterphobic. Although SFWoA has a marine life park, PKI just has alot more to see and experience. PKI's waterslides are pretty nice as well. Check out both their websites, and just see for yourself. SFWoA isn't having management problems like Coasting_Ohio stated, but they are having operation problems with their coasters. I too, would wait a year before experiencing the park. A year should clean up alot of the problems they are having this year.
But that's what we said last year...
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www.geocities.com/coasting_ohio for Real/Defunct/mini coasters and parks for RCT
I have Paramount and Six Flags season passes, live right between the 2 and have not been to WoA yet this year, so i guess that says something!
PKI is a much nicer park overall, more scenic (although WoA does have the lake, you still feel like you are in the "outside" world most of the time, PKI is surrounded by trees and hills). PKI has better theming, although thats went downhill since the P was added. The entrance at Kings Island is one of the most outstanding of any park.
Now the important part, rides. WoA does have 2 of the best coasters in Ohio IMO, Knight Flight and the Villian. Superman Ultimate Escape is also a VERY thrilling ride. But thats it, 3 good coasters, the rest are poor to mediocre. The park has 3 Vekomas, so that says a lot about the low quality of the other coasters right there IMO! All 3 wood coasters are basically out and back designs, and the Raging Wolf Bobs rides very poorly overall.
PKI has a very strong and worthwhile coaster lineup, the Beast is one of the best wood coasters anywhere, with a super thrilling finale. If you go there, be sure to ride the Beast at night!
SOB is potentially another world's best wood coaster if they could get the bouncing out of the cars, its a rough ride when the trains bottom out on the hills. Overall though i like it equally to the Beast because it carries speed right to the end, is a fantastic ride through intense high banked curves, and has one of the best loops in the world--its huge, and just a (very well designed) lap bar!
The Flight of Fear is also one of the best coasters i have ridden. Launched, 4 inversions, also the same type of lap bar, indoors, and it feels like it finishes almost as fast as it starts out, with a beautiful pause in the middle! If you go, go straight to this coaster in the morning if you are there at opening, or get in line right before park closing as this coaster tends to have the worst lines in the park due to its low capacity (the trains only seat 20 people). But don't miss it!
As backup, PKI has the Racer (riding it backwards is a unique thrill, like being dropped out of the sky on your back). Its a nice out and back coaster with some airtime, but as far as racing goes, the overall design is not good for racing (trains split after 3rd hill), and the unconcerned ops there don't seem interested in racing it this year. The Vortex is a nice Arrow mega looper, not too rough (although if you are short and your head is typically between the harness, you will get headbanging). It has a pair of very slow corkscrews high of the ground which is nice, but the batwing element feels unnatural and the loops feel tight after riding SOB.
The suspended coaster is a great ride, fast but short. The second summit is a turn where the cars swing out vertical high off the ground, the best part of the ride. There is a mine train which gives a fun ride, but rough and ends with a climb hill. The jr wood coaster in Hanna Barbera land is a nice small woodie.
The coasters that can be missed are the Togo stand up, short and rough, Vekoma invertigo, definitely not worth the wait and also rough as well as their new Vekoma kiddie suspended coaster (rough for the size). Ok i don't like Vekoma rides. :)
As for flat rides the parks come out even, both are not very strong in this area, but have enough.
PKI also tends to operate all their rides and coasters at full capacity, something that WoA has not been doing this year by indications on this board.
Don't forget, SFWoA this year has X-Flight. Although this is down quite frequently and runs at VERY low capacity, it's still worth the 2 hour wait. It's a very unique and unusual ride, but everyone should experience it at least once.
Oh, SFWoA also has the brand new (according to Six Flags) wildlife park adjacent from the rides side. The newly installed boardwalk is a beautiful way to get to the other side, and the pontoon boats are still in use to transport people to different sides. The bigger ferry boats should be used pretty soon, probably by the end of June or early July.
And of course, still from last year, those three new coasters: The Villain (a great wooden coaster), Batman Knight Flight (a great B&M floorless coaster), and Superman Ultimate Escape (the Intamin LIM powered coaster). Each ride is unique and special... true, some of the coasters at SFWoA (Double Loop, Roadrunner Express, Serial Thriller) are nothing to get excited about. Everyone should give Raging Wolf Bobs a chance this year - it's becoming a better wooden coaster IMO. The Mind Eraser (the Vekoma boomerang) has been down due to the recent accidents in the coaster world. Serial Thriller is your normal SLC by Vekoma. You can't skip Big Dipper... it's a great wooden classic! Try it front seat if you do decide to go.. trust me on this one, MAJOR AIR over the hills.
Although I've never been to PKI, SFWoA can be a great park when it's running at it's best, or when people give it a chance and experience everything the park has to offer. The wildlife side is one truly awesome addition to SFWoA. You MUST check it out if you've never been to SWO before.
Hope that helps,
Chris
http://sfwoa.tripod.com/
SFWoA, newer rides, bigger, better, cleaner, better employees, and 6/10 coasters are world class. Don't forget X-Flight, IMO, and many others, better than Raptor/Milli. PKI has some duds also. They also have more family coasters. King Cobra just flat out sucks. Top Gun is a little too short. Beast is good, but they put lights on the track at night, even in the tunnels! SoB did nothing. FOF is great now. Vortex is heaven if you like headbanging. Runaway Reptar is way too short, hill, hill,helix, hill, helix, all done at a peak height of 38, yes 38 ft in the air. Then there's Two Face which is ok, always a long wait. You got Racer which is my favorite woody at PKI. Let's not forget their minimal collection of flat rides. PKI does have better fench fries, but just french fries. SFWoA has Busch Park quality food now. Excellent Burgers! So in closing SFWoA offers more quality. Then quanity.
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HurricaneGeauga- Just in case
I have been to both but sfwoa has the most unique coasters i love them all and reamber it has the wildlife side also x flight is amazing it is a must ride even though pki is good sfwoa is better.
HurricanGeauga:Dont take this as a flame but how can you honestly give an unbiased opinion when its apparent your biased towards SFWoA. Secondly, you honestly think WoA food is on the same level as Buschs?
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Dayuum, Your HOT!
I have an opinion, which is slightly biased as my homepark is PKI and I`ve never been to WoA. I would recommend PKi just because of The Beast if nothing else, and the now awesome Flight of Fear. But I can`t say what one you should go to as I`ve never been to WoA yet, unfortunatly!
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www.geocities.com/coastersrz I`ve riden Son of Beast 37 times!
I'm slightly biased since PKI is my homepark, but I've been to SFWoA 3 times and I still believe if both park were right next to each other, I would choose PKI without a doubt. IMO, PKI has 4 excellent coasters(Beast, SOB, FOF, Vortex), 3 great coasters(Face/Off, Top Gun, Racer), 2 good coasters(Adventure Express, King Cobra), and 4 kiddie coasters(2 of which are adult quality, RRR and Beastie). SFWoA has 2 excellent coasters(SUE and Villain), 1 great coaster(BKF), 1 good coasters(Big Dipper), 2 decent/fair coasters(Double Loop, RWB), 2 bad coasters(ME, ST), and a kiddie coaster. But there is X-Flight and I haven't ridden so I won't say anything.
IMO, PKI has a better feel, atmosphere, entrance, coaster line-up, food, ride ops, service, management, family/kiddie rides, capacity, flat/drop rides, and waterpark. SFWoA is better by newer technological coasters(SUE, BKF, XF), a marine park(if you're into that), and... I can't think of anything else.
Go with PKI. Or go to both. I suggest waiting until toward the end of the season or 2002 for SFWoA. You'll be going to two(with CP) of the best parks on the planet.
And hurricane, what's with the PKI dissing? Sounds like someone's a little jealous. Maybe not. But it sounds that way.
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Danny
*** This post was edited by Koaster King on 6/13/2001. ***
Well if it were MY choice, I would say SFWoA, though that has nothing to do with the park's lineup, but rather than the great people that I know go there.
However, assuming the distance from CP is not a problem, I would have to say PKI. It is one of the most well rounded parks out there. Sure it could use a hyper and a B&M invert, but that's about it. The park has a good feel (that is, they rape you, but you dont really feel bad about it). The lines keep moving. The bathrooms are clean. And there is generally a good vibe to the park. There is no coaster there (anymore) that I dont like ('cept maybe Ghoster Coaster, but that is only sour grapes cause I cant ride it unless I rent-a-kid); and I love Son of Beast (so did the others in my fam). It is one of my favorite parks (much better than PKD).
lata,
jeremy
What was the coaster you didn't use to like 2Hostyl? Screamin' Demon? If that's it, I heard it was a pretty pathetic shuttle looper too. I dont think you're old enough for The Bat, Blue Streak, and Bavarian Beetle.
(My edit)I'll leave my original post above, but realized you must be talking about Flight of Fear.
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Danny
*** This post was edited by Koaster King on 6/13/2001. ***
Oh, I'm old enough for the bat, just didnt get there in time (not that I would have actually ridden the thing at that time, but still...). Anyway, the coaster I didnt like is still there, it's just that I like it now (or I should say I like it's sister now @ PKD). Of course I mean Flight of Fear. I really like the one @ PKD (one of only 2 reason I go to the park). I didnt ride the PKI version because I was on a limited schedule but I'm sure I'll like it.
Villain is better than beast. Why? Beast is the most underatted coaster in the world.
Batman Night Flight beats Vortex. Why? Smoother, funner, and better trains.
SuperMan Ultimate Escape beats FoF. Why? Its better by far! intense, and awesome. And Smoother.
SOB beats Big Dipper and RWB. Its an awesome looping wooden coaster. nuff said
Face-off beats Mind Eraser.
Drop Zone is WAAAAAyyyyyyyy better than Mr Hydes.
X-Flight is better than ANY coaster at PKI.
PKI has a better atmosphere than SFWoA.
So I think SFWoA should be the park to go to. I will NOT pleased with PKI coasters at all. Vortex rough. SOB is awesome but my first time on it. The 2nd time was when i went to First-Aid. Face-Off is fun. FOF was boring. Racer is ok. And Drop Zone was more thrill than ALMOST any coaster there.
But SFWoA has X-Flight an AWESOME smooth flying coaster. Its worth to go there JUST to ride that. SuperMan, A very unique coaster, smooth and olot of fun! BatMan, A very cool and smooth Multi-Element floorless coaster. Awesome! Villain, One of the best wooden coasters out there. Big Dipper, A classic wooden coaster. An SLC preatty good. And just a little bit shacky. And even more. IMHO, SFWoA is a better park. Plus if you want to relax, just go to the wildlife side and watch a show and grab some very good grub. At this park you wont be dissapointed. But PKI is good too. But there coasters are not that great. My favorite there was SOB. 2nd was drop zone. And the other coasters wenrt that great. TRUST ME, SFWoA is a better park. So go there. PKI=Fun but SFWoA= an amazing experiance!
No one kill me about this post. It was MY opinion. So dont say stuff to me like "your crazy!" It was MHO!
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Go to
http://sfwoa.atomic-online.net/ for all your SFWoA needs!
Maybe i am, I enjoy PKI. It just doesn't shout out to me. SFWoA isn't even my fav. I think CP is better, but only in some coaster categories. What i mean is SFWoA's wildlife side's food hasn't changed, and is still at Busch quality. On the ride side however it is more fast food, which is okay, but the same as PKI. SFWoA needs to take some notes from CP, PKI, and KW on how to make frencg fries, then IMO they'll have really good food. I just happen to like SFWoA more.
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HurricaneGeauga- Just in case
Favorite Parks:
1.IOA
2.SFWoA
3.Kennywood
4.PKI
5.Conneaut Lake Park
I say if you're able to travel all the way to the PKI area, drive right by and go to Holiday World. (I realize that isn't the opinion you're looking for ...).
I've been to both parks this year and would say with no doubt, PKI and I have a season pass for SFWOA. The ride selection is good, the majority of the coasters are above average, the food is good, it's clean, the pathways are nice and wide, the employees are friendly, and there is a lot of shade trees to sit and relax under if you need a little break.
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Christ how do you kids do it
