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We rode Velocicoaster today! Here's our thoughts on the ride....

The last video in this article is the Batman segment. https://fox2now.com/am-show/tims-travels-friday-night-six-flags-power-hours/ Spoiler: [removed the spoiler - don't want to rob KTVI of the views and clicks] - It's awesome and we've been asking for this for years. I love everything the park has done this year.

^ it worked so well for Hard Rock Park tho!

Two full days at this park is a ton of time to go at a very leisurely pace. You don't need any strategy at all but yes, optimal strategy is probably Cheetah Hunt > Cobra's Curse > Scorpion and then just do whatever. In reality I would do Cheetah Hunt > Cobra's Curse > Montu since it's right there and will be a walk-on > Falcon's Fury if it's open so you can ride it before it breaks > Scorpion and then do whatever. Also, keep an eye on the Quick Queue prices. They tend to be cheap at this park. Even if they're higher now they may drop day-of, and I'd even check on the booth by the entrance because sometimes their prices don't match the website anyway. If you have two full days just do every exhibit, they're all good. Also look into some behind-the-scenes animal tours. Some are shockingly cheap. My best advice is not to zig-zag, this park is a giant massive loop so just hit things as you come to them. Other random tips: - Take the train from the Nairobi Train Station to see the animals. - Back row, closest to the unload side is the magic seat on Kumba. - Back row, closest to the load side is the magic seat on Montu. - The queue for Stanley Falls is the 7th layer of hell if the switchbacks are open and it's worth buying Quick Queue for that ride alone if it's hot, which it will be. My only other advice is that as much as I love this place I'm not entirely sure you need two full 10-10 days unless you just really want to take it easy and I'd probably recommend spending that second day at an Orlando park.

Passes expire a year from the first date that you use them (unless it's longer because there's a promotion going on). They are not tied to the calendar year. The first 2 weeks of December are an amazing time to visit Orlando but keep that on the down-low.

Lol. I totally see where you're coming from, looking at it from the outside in. But, in all fairness, people have been asking for the Batmobile's return, for years. The Batman 5k queue was in need of being updated, and it received some nice TLC. WoF has constant beautification and improvement upgrades each year. It's good to see that kind of effort being put into our MO park. The difference is, WoF has the most luke warm coaster line-up in the midwest, so if SFSTL can come up to their quality standards with our line-up, it would be tremendous. Cat Woman's new location next year will probably revitalize that area, and I think it will look good on top of the hill. The location will provide the same illusion of added height Superman did. We'll all miss Superman, but let's face it, from a maintenance standpoint it was a piece of shit. It didn't make a dead spot in the park any less dead. SFSTL made the right choice. If I had to put one thing on my wishlist for the near future, it would be some TLC for Screamin' Eagle. Queue/station improvements, return of the logo, and chaser lights would be well received. I don't think the chaser lights would even have to run throughout the course to have a strong effect. They could stop after the train passed the station. Are the floodlights still on the first hill? I've seen nothing but positive improvements this year. I'm looking forward to our first trip... whenever that may be.

My advice for everyone who balks at the price of a one day ticket (considering you basically have to park-hop) seems counter-intuitive but it's to get an annual pass (I know how stupid that sounds but hear me out). The Seasonal Pass has no benefits except for park admission but it's 349.99. A one-day ticket on most weekends is $187 or sometimes more so the pass pays for itself in less than 2 visits (aside from consecutive-day combo tickets or mid-week visits during the slowest time of the year). They also frequently run promotions where you can get additional months added on to your pass for free. We got ours last October and it's good until some time in January of 2022. Sure, this pass has blackout dates but only a few select Mardi Gras concert days that you can work around. The other blackout days are days where no intelligent person would want to be caught dead in Orlando anyway if they didn't live there (Christmas Week / Spring Break / July... the hottest month of the entire summer) That said, when we renew one of us will get the preferred pass for the free parking and in-park discounts and one will keep the seasonal pass. That's the move if you're going to travel with friends or a significant other.

^Not going to spill any descriptive details, but both would have replaced existing flat rides. Speculate all you want.

The museum is good stuff if you've never walked through. They have some things from when it was SDC and a lot of Dolly's items. Grammys, Emmys, etc all on display. Her popularity has been on an upswing. https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/artsandculture/arid-40186524.html https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/dolly-parton-netflix-heartstrings-9-5-jane-fonda-miley-cyrus-a9216661.html https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/10/19/the-united-states-of-dolly-parton https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/nov/26/why-dolly-parton-is-having-a-millennial-moment

She NOT becoming more popular????? She on probably the biggest awareness high she been in YEARS right now. I could actually see her thinking “I’ve got so many development deals going on right now that the last thing I need to boost my awareness is this” I don’t think that’s the case, but waning “popularity” is NOT the reason.

It's May now, so updated with a different frame. This last Wednesday was my two-week mark from my second dose, so I'm fully protected now! Whoo!

Cedar Point No Longer Requiring Face Masks -Face maks no longer required on rides, though it is still recommended -Temperature checks for guests have been discontinued. -Health-screen questionnaires will be conducted at entrance gates, not through the Cedar Point mobile app. Also Cedar Point said face coverings would still be required while guests are indoors, unless actively eating or drinking. “In addition to continued guidance from health professionals, none of our rides are long enough to meet the criteria that’s been established by the CDC as consistent exposure,” -Tony Clark

...and we have reservations to ride it! Yay!

Yeah, it’s been closed for budget since the park reopened last year. I mean “because of Covid” as they say. They run the one at their San Diego park but though so I guess they just don’t care if their west coast guests die of covid by riding the best ride for social distancing ever invented.

For every one like you there are a dozen that are the opposite. Changing the music (which fits the craftsman/country life vibe) would cause a lot to not come back. I suspect a lot more than would suddenly show up.

Without Dolly the park wouldn't have had the traffic to justify the investment which further increased the traffic. I visited in the 80s ('88 or '89) from a town 350 miles away. Would not have happened without Dolly's name. Then more recently, 2012 took the family 5 hours to the Smokies but the prime draw was Dollywood, and it's kept us coming back multiple time a year since. If it was SDC it wouldn't have happened. My son and I would have gone to Six Flags for coasters and the family would have gone elsewhere since the girls (wife and daughter) had no interest in coasters. I've suggested SDC since and no interest. They wanted Dollywood because of Dolly. Even the rest of Branson isn't enough of a draw. You could put TH, MM, WE and LR at SDC and it wouldn't have a big impact on the traffic, (Most of the traffic isn't coaster enthusiasts). Dollywood already had the traffic to justify the investments.

Alot of the things that have been posted about on here already have been done or is in the works. The park needs to take off 20 to 30 years of wear and tear before we get the next big ride. If the parks allowed to continue on its current path (hopeful) we will once again be able to handle the crowds that a new coaster(s) would bring. Now for story time: The Batmobile that will be going on display later this year is not the original one from the 90's. This one was a "stunt" model from SFGadv. Batman sat in front and a "stunt driver" sat hidden behind him. Anywho back in the mid 00's if you recall the park had it's first parades using moon cars. The park was looking around the chain to see if anyone had a Batmobile that could be used in the parade (ps this is a bad idea for clearance reasons in a hilly park). SFGadv said SFSL could have it if they paid shipping. It "just needed a little work" they said. Well it showed up and it was rough as hell. Coupled with the vehicles low clearance and extensive mechanical needs it was parked for 15+/- years till now!

Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for you and all the "little things" the park is doing. They can definitely improve a day. Just the way it was being hyped and all "Don't wanna spoil it," I was expecting something bigger, like what I'm about to respond to @Danrarbcabout. It's not even about new rides...personally, if I frequented any SF park, I'd be clamoring for them to do something about the horrific food service experiences before any kind of prettying up of the park. But maybe that's just me.

It was removed because ppl in STL have zero respect for private property.

LOL. The Batmobile is coming back, that's it. I was expecting them running the train backwards or something. You guys are desperate for anything, aren't you?

Care to elaborate for those of us who don't watch TV?

If anyone watched Fox 2 this morning you may have heard what all that work at Batman is for

I believe it's the exact same model Junior Woodie thats at KD, right? if so, I LOVE that coaster, some great pops of air in the back. . I plan to ride this multiple times when I get to visit KI for the 1st time in July. being totally honest: I fully expect Banshee & Flight of Fear to be 1 & done but will reride this multiple times (along with Beast, Diamondback, Racer & Orion)

Thanks for the update, I am subscribed to you twice on YT once on there with my regular account and one with coastercouple so I will look out for the construction update #2 video. Any news on the 2 cancelled rides for this year? Would like to at least know what they were supposed to be.

I was at Season Pass Photo Day this past Saturday and wanted to update you all on what I saw- 1. Various rides and other things were repainted (Mega Vortex, Spider, Umbrellas, Steel Dragon, Charlie the Clown) 2. Water World entrance just removed the turnstiles and added tables for what I believe will be for bag checks 3. The new food tent is huge and I personally will call it "Bigger Blue Tent" 4. The Ravine Flyer II retracking looks great. You would be fooled if you said it looked like a GCI 5. Carousel Delights surprised me! The Dippin Dots Sundaes are new for 2021 and they are delicious 6. Only 3 rides were open to ride. Music Express was scheduled to open but cycled empty the entire day 7. Not everything in the park is ready but that's okay. They'll definitely be ready for opening day 8. According to the website under COVID-19 protocols, now all attractions will be open which means Pirate's Cove could possibly open! 9. Overall crowds surprised me which is a good sign. People want to come back and I hope they make a profit this season. Hopefully new ride 2022? Overall I was impressed with the park. Even though it wasn't perfect, I was excited to return to my home park, see all the familiar faces, and document what's new for this season. As a shameless plug, I have 4 videos coming to my YouTube channel from Season Pass Day (Amusement Drive-Thru, Construction Update, Vlog, Park N Eat). I can't wait to share them to the public starting May 13th! Next step: Opening Day on the 15th!

I can't see them not reopening Blue Streak, but in the event that they don't, I have no reason to go there again. It's about an hour from my PA house and I try to make a yearly trip out there to support the park (same with Waldameer)

This all sounds really awesome (and like they still have a good bit of work to do). Loving that they're adding hundreds of trees, etc around the ride. https://www.facebook.com/sixflagsgreatadventure/videos/806171693646555/

Come up and see us in East TN sometime. If it's not a Friday or Saturday, I've got free Bring A Friend passes.

ok.. so the comment above implying Dolly isn't really represented in the park isn't an accurate assessment. . as there is both a museum, and a reproduction of her childhood home. never been to the park, it's still on my list.

Yeah it has a slow cycle and they were running it now that it can be full capacity again! Slow cycle includes time to view the park.

Word is Zumanjaro and Ka have been running together. Anyone else see this? Rumors also suggest they are trying to get lap bars for Ka. Not sure how much I believe that one..

Mini-TR 5/1: My buddy Ian and I made the trek up to Knoebels yesterday for a combination birthday trip, both of ours which we were prevented from celebrating properly by COVID. Most everything was running, except notably the Flyers (still disassembled), Tornado (completely missing), Flying Turns (though it does look like they've finished the rebuild), and all of the other rides indicated as Closed on their website. Got my first ride ever on Looper (my first time going to the park with someone LOL), which was quite awesome, and it was great introducing Ian to the magical experiences that are Phoenix, Stratosphere, the Scooters, and Cosmotron. We skipped a lot of rides because it was Scout Day and beautiful weather and lines ranged from just barely tolerable to terrible (especially the motor boats). Ride counts: Phoenix x2 Twister x1 Impulse x1 Scooters x1 Looper x1 Skywayx1 Black Diamond x1 Whipper x1 Stratosphere x1 Grand Carosel x1 (got 10 rings!) Haunted Mansion x1 Poor sad Flyers...I stand corrected on my assertion that they would be reassembled in a week. All in all, a great day.

Thunderhawk’s new paint scheme, looks great. Source: Camille Jourden-Mark (GM of MA) on Twitter.

Fortunately it doesn't matter all that much since Dollywood gave us a refund for this exact situation no questions asked (we opted for a transfer). We admitted it was our fault and they actually let us apply it to the next day which was much busier. SWO is another park that's also been really good about this kind of thing as well. I don't have it in my anymore to wait hours on end, so it's not a risk I take anymore when planning trips especially over 5 hours away. Dollywood can easily be a park that it's needed for when it is busy.

when you load 1/3 of the train, it becomes possible for SFMM ride ops and guests to get out in time. same thing happens at West Coast Bash, you either have a full train of people who aren't dummies getting on, or only half the train is loaded during ERT making it easy to duel.

Bumping this thread from the dead! Earlier today on Facebook, Casino Pier announced that they are adding a new coaster this season. It's a custom SBF Visa Big Air spinner & hamster-wheel combo model they're calling "Xolo Loca". Here's the promo video they put up with the announcement: According to comment they responded to on Facebook, this will be located between Pirate's Hideaway and Moby Dick; they have retired their Air Race to make room for it.

Manta at Sea World Orlando 2 weeks ago.

A group here in the Twin Cities that uses drones to film just released a video for the Mall of America and it has a heavy presence of NU in the piece with some really cool shots and angles of the park so thought I would share. Let me know what you think. If you like that you can check out another one they did last month for a local bowling alley to get them some business during COVID. This one was done in ten takes and the directory said the hardest part was flying the drone in through the front door. All the people involved were in on the filming and if you listen closely you can hear them utter lines from the Big Lewboski. Enjoy.

I like how they still pretend this was actually something folks needed to do.

I've never seen an up charge attraction with a line. They're expecting full capacity at $10 a seat.... Where? This won't work in any park I can think of. Maybe some random outdoor mall in Myrtle Beach? Even then... 24 seats to fill per cycle at $10 a pop? I think their 220,000 riders/year sounds... Optimistic.

^^Hmm--I think your assumption is correct. @Mike240SX I'm certainly not expecting "full operations" before Memorial Day Weekend, which isn't unusual (for example, they usually don' t start operating the water rides before then). But the park hasn't announced anything officially yet, so who really knows? They also have to bring staffing up to speed. That being said, who's up for the . . . Food & Wine Festival Report The park was bustling last Sunday, even with reduced attendance in effect, but this wasn't the busiest I've seen it this year. That was a few weeks ago when all the spring break madness was going on during the first weekend of the Food and Wine Festival. They were really slammed then--especially with two food booths, Brazil and Mexico, closed (on a Saturday). It was smoother sailing last Sunday, despite the large crowd, thanks to all the booths being open. But the food lines got pretty long as the afternoon wore on. Festival operations were a mixed bag. I visited four booths: South Korea, Brazil, Virginia, and Mexico. The first three acquitted themselves pretty well; for example, Brazil had a fairly long line, but it moved quickly. Mexico, however . . . ugh! More on that later. On the upside, the food was very good at each booth, and there was no waiting at the Brauhaus (Grogan's in Ireland had a longer line). Waits for rides were a mixed bag. I waited about 15 minutes for Apollo's Chariot and Griffon. The wait for Verbolten was posted at over an hour. Based on three-train ops and a full queue, I'd say that's about right (at least they were using all the rows). InvadR looked pretty slammed, so I didn't bother, and Finnigan's Flyer was posted at 45 minutes. They had a few more flats open in Festa Italia. They also put up a temporary wall just before the Roman Rapids and the pizza-and-pasta buffet, which hasn't been open all year. (Word is that they want to renovate that restaurant.) The only full-size restaurant open is the Festhaus (and that's with socially distanced seating). So, get ready for plenty of food pictures, although not quite as many you'll see in a typical Adam TR. They've been doing some work around Pantheon, too, which I'm taking as a good sign. Hmm--a few more people than usual milling around England today. Almighty Zeus, Father of the Gods! We humble mortals of Busch Gardens beseech you! Send us a sign! Zeus be praised! I think those metal railings on the ramp and stairs were added recently, too. The lightning-hurling Zeus has blessed us with two signs! But are we worthy? (I think this is the main queue entrance as seen from the train.) Well, being as I'm already in Festa Italia and just got off Apollo’s Chariot, I may as well hit the South Korea booth. There was no wait, so Zeus be praised, again! The pork rib was pretty good. I even like the Korean coleslaw. What’s this? The Brazil booth at a “Dutch angle”? Is it the lair of a 1960s Batman villain? I ordered one Churasco (skirt steak with chimichurri sauce), but they gave me two. Not a complaint, just a yummy observation. The wait for Griffon was a between 15 and 20 minutes. Acceptable. The wait for a shrimp taco, however . . . At least it’s “crisply.” “Crisply-ness” confirmed. It was quite good, but I doubt I’d wait in this line again--especially if there’s another fussy kid in the group behind me. The kid was harnessed in what appeared to be a tricycle combination baby stroller (never seen a rig like that one before); that is, the kid could ride it like a trike, or an adult could push it like a stroller. It was some Radio Flyer hybrid toy. Spring . . . achoo! achoo! . . . time in Virginia. Shore is purty. No wait in the Brauhaus! Star Hill “The Love" wheat been for the win! Hmm--the Virginia booth in Scotland isn’t too busy. May as well score some of these tasty, artery-clogging bacon-and-cheddar hush puppies with honey butter. If you have $49.99 burning a hole in your pocket, you may as well buy one of these new models. With any luck, we’ll see all three of these coasters operating this summer. Get your vaccine, and thanks for reading.

Imagine firing up TPR to post about how a park lost your money because they haven't opened their new ride yet.

Well Illinois is also testing near 80,000 people a day. By comparison we didn't test 40,000 a day until August 5th. But I digress. I completely agree that SFGAm could have opened last summer. We visited King's Island in July of last year and felt completely safe with the protocols in place and reduced capacity. What I fail to understand is how Six Flags was allowed to open Hurricane Harbor but not the theme park. Why were indoor entertainment venues open at a reduced capacity when an outdoor entertainment facility couldn't?

I think it's a bit more complicated than that. I do believe that the park management wanted to open the park last year but weren't able to because they didn't get approval from the state. The positivity rates, daily cases, and deaths are now significantly lower than they were last summer. In addition about 25% of the state is fully vaccinated at this point. Dining is open throughout the state. I don't see a reason SFGAm shouldn't open (with limited capacity) and be able to serve food at outdoor kiosks.

It's well known that Six Flags St. louis is one of the chains lowest favored chains in corporates eyes. We take what we can get.

Olympia Dukakis. She won the Oscar for playing Cher's mom in "Moonstruck," and was in numerous plays and movies, including "Steel Magnolias," and "Mr.Holland's Opus." And she was the original Anna Madrigal in Armisted Maupin's Tales of the City, the transgender landlady of where all the main characters lived in San Francisco. Wonderful actress, with a killer sense of humor and great laugh. RIP Olympia. https://www.broadway.com/buzz/198857/olympia-dukakis-distinctive-actress-remembered-for-political-social-activism-on-stage-and-screen-dies-at-89/ Olympia as Anna Madrigal, in "Tales of the City."