I have to agree that SFMM was disappointing compared to last year. No tours, below mediocre food, and only 4 coasters for nighttime ERT. I certainly understand not having everything open like last year but at least having the larger rides like Apocalypse in addition to the others not offered in the morning would have been a nice touch. The event just seemed to lack energy and enthusiasm from the park this year and as a result, even the Q&A was not the least bit interesting other than the information on LL construction and the Tatsu train info. I know it does cost them money to put on this event for us but hopefully they realize that an enjoyable enthusiast event means that we are more likely to recommend the park to family and friends and that we are more likely to come back as normal guests. I can't speak for everyone but I would be more than willing to pay a little more for this event if it meant we got more perks. On the plus side, they did extend ERT on X2 until 10:15 to make up for the lines and morning ERT was great as well. Don't get my wrong, I had a very fun time but last year was much better in terms of tours and ERT.
Knotts on the other hand was a blast. My group including jakeryan9, highroller, lilkingjr1, Josh and 3 others essentially took over Monte for the last hour and had a blast. The only way they got us to leave was to turn off the station lights! Dare I say that Ghostrider was actually enjoyable this year? My 3 rides in the morning can't compare to the night ride I took in the very last row. It made the 1.5 hr wait worth every minute! The tours were great, especially Monte and Silver Bullet. I'm already looking forward to next year's event.
Thanks to Robb and Elissa for planning this event. It must be more difficult for you two now that you're in Orlando.
BTW Robb, thanks for the hilarious donkey conversation on Tatsu. That's by far the weirdest and funniest thing I've ever discussed on a coaster.