scooterdoug

Last Sunday, I was driving my family back from Yosemite via 120. There is a section with some small hills. As we approached a hill which looked like it had some potential, I sped up a bit. Sure enough, I got some butterflies in my stomach. The best part was my 17 month old daughter in the back. As we went over, she went "Ooohhh" and giggled. I was so proud...I'm training her well!

^^You had very good fortune with your unplanned opening date. I also agree wholeheartedly that even the most careful and meticulous trip planning doesn't always work out as intended. I remember planning my May 2007 Cedar Point trip very excited to ride Maverick. I even planned the trip for about 2 weeks after the park opened, to be prepared for any possible delays. I remember watching test trains go through the infamous in-line twist, silently cursing my bad luck. So, I can definitely feel for anyone who planned a trip out here and is now let down.

*Sigh* Can't say I'm surprised. Though the increase in construction speed was admirable, there really wasn't any way to have it done by this weekend. I'm glad that I live nearby. I feel bad for any out-of-towner who planned a trip here around the original opening date (like what happened to me in 2007 with Maverick at Cedar Point).

Let's back up a year to Darien Lake. If the double amputee had been denied his ride on RoS, perhaps this article would have been about him. I think that hypothetical article would have been much preferable to the one that ended up getting written. I fully support the SFoT decision. This as well...puts things in perspective.

I agree. Even if I could go to the Season Pass Preview day, I wouldn't (I loathe long lines). I'm just going to go the Sunday after and get there early, hopefully being one of the first people on the ride. I don't feel a burning desire to ride it on it's first day. Personally, I look forward to Wintertime in the Park, as it's a ghost town then. One of the perks of being a local.

Thanks for the excellent update, Noobitizer. It's great to see such quick progress now. I'm really looking forward to riding this unique coaster. Looking forward to future updates from you!

Yet another update on their FB page. It's nice to see them moving along with this. I've never seen a train on uncompleted track before. The first train was installed this morning and it’s a beauty! If you visit the park this weekend, be sure to check out the construction progress on SUPERMAN Ultimate Flight!

Another Facebook post from SFDK. Nice to see things coming along. However, at this rate, I question whether this thing will even be ready for July 4th weekend. *Shrugs* That's what Wintertime in the Park is for! So it really is just putting Part A to Part B, just on a much bigger scale, with someone calling out the shots!

Unfortunately, this is all too likely to be true. I went on a Thursday in mid-May a couple years back, and had that very problem. The crowds were mild, but they had one-train operation on every single ride. I can't imagine that they were rehabbing *all* of those trains simultaneously (besides, isn't that what the off-season is for?). The only reason I can guess was so they could save money and sell more Flash Passes. Fortunately, the aforementioned Flash Pass is an option, which should rescue you from any 1-train frustrations. Still, since it's after Memorial Day, that could mean that they'll run 2 trains on the rides. In that case, you'll have a fantastic day there. Just go and play it by ear.

^Beat me to it! I can't wait to get that view when it finally opens.

I'd say ask your doctor, as none of us on this forum are qualified to dispense medical advice.

Agreed. Currently, I head straight to Medusa when the gates open. Once S:UF opens, I will run for that for likely my only ride on it for the day (I really hate waiting in excessive lines). However, multiple daily rides might be more realistic during Sundays in Wintertime in the Park, as the park is delightfully dead at that time. We'll see...

Well, it looks like there is more progress on the station. I'm guessing that work on the rest of the coaster is halted until the station is complete (or mostly complete), as it would be difficult to access that particular area in the middle of such a dense support structure. Hopefully they'll be done soon and we can see some track going up before too long. From SFDK's Facebook page.

12/20. Which is pretty good, since I guessed the s**t outta that quiz!

Interesting discussion going on here, might as well jump into the fray. Personally, I count whatever Coaster Fanatics counts because, well, I'm too lazy to make a spreadsheet or anything else. So, in that case, I would count dueling coasters. However, of all the dueling coasters I have ridden, I have only ridden one side (Gwazi, Lightning Racer), as only one side was open at the time of my visit. However, I don't think I would count relocated coasters, as they are the same ride. I also don't go out of my way to ride coasters just to raise my count. The one time I went to Hersheypark, I skipped Trailblazer and Wild Mouse. Though they would have raised my count to 100 significantly sooner, I preferred to spend my limited time getting extra rides on Storm Runner and Fahrenheit. I've also never ridden a kiddie coaster, and will only do so once my children are old enough to ride them (or if I ever go on a TPR trip and am not the only filthy whore). In short, while I do care about my count, I don't care THAT much. -Doug "Felt a twinge of dorky pride when my count hit 100" Heim

Looks like there will indeed be at least one piece of definitive themeing on the new coaster. SFDK just posted this photo on their Facebook page. Lumber in an iconic shape.

I do enjoy the anticipation of those surprise launches. The ride operator was having fun with the riders last Sunday. After the all clear, she would calmly chat with a nervous rider, then unexpectedly press the button. She would then laugh at the looks on their faces. One girl was very nervous, and asked for a countdown. The ride op was totally understanding, and started counting down from 10...pressing the button in the middle of "8". Made the wait in line rather enjoyable.

Crazy!

Just took my first trip of the season to SFDK yesterday. The crowds were quite reasonable. Got there right at opening time and went straight to Medusa. She was a station wait for at least the first hour of the day, getting me two easy front row rides in a row. Got one ride on Kong, which was only running one train. Even though I rode it in the front, it still hurt like hell...not quite sure why I bother with that ride. Roar was a station wait as well, but got much longer after I got off. I'm not sure what they did with the ride over the winter, but it was surprisingly smooth (in the front), and delivered some decent floater air on several of the hills. A pleasant surprise, but, like Kong, only one train. I also got one ride on V2, which also had a station wait. 5 rides in 2 hours, not bad. Also, I was about to get onto V2, when 2 Flashpass people got on, making me wait for an extra cycle. They paid for it, and I've used it before too, so I certainly wasn't upset. However, I thought that Flashpass only let you into the station (you get to bypass the line, but not the station wait). Is this something new, where the Flashpass allow you to bypass all lines and sit right down in the front row? I also got a chance to check out S:UF. Even though it's only a mess of supports right now, it's impressive looking. The structure looks substantial, and it's not even to half its height yet. I have a feeling that once it's completed, it will be a rather imposing structure...something definitely not conveyed by the artist renderings. All in all, a good day, though I'll wait until Superman is open before going back (it's tough getting out of the house when you've got 2 babies). Below is one picture I took of S:UF from Roar's station. Nothing really that new, but a different perspective. Supports, supports, and more supports.

This seems to be the most logical option. However, if you are at a park alone, an iPod is a great diversion. I have 25 back episodes of the podcast "This American Life". The stories are always interesting. And, at an hour an episode, waiting in line when I solo it to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom (my home park) is no big deal. Oh yeah, watching "scenery" is also a useful way to pass the time as well...

I'll simply echo what everyone else has said: you should be just fine. The only times I go to SFMM are either mid-week in early-mid May, or Superbowl Sunday. Flashpass should be entirely unnecessary. The only snag you might hit is if they decide to run all the rides with 1-train operations (that happened to me on a Thursday in May 2010). In that case, even a low crowd day can result in moderate lines. However, you can always get the aforementioned Flashpass. Even then, it is highly doubtful it will sell out. Get there, grab some rides, assess the situation, and buy the Flashpass if necessary (which it probably won't be).

I can see how the second revision is necessary. When I saw your first layout concept in NL, I didn't see how it would clear all that. My CoasterDynamix wouldn't be able to clear that, and the trains are more efficient than K'nex. Though, honestly, how many of our models wind up exactly as we initially envisioned them? Certainly none of mine! Perhaps you could replace the second corkscrew with a corkscrew hill? Since inversions are notorious speed eaters, removing the inversion would afford you some more speed. You would simultaneously remove the inversion and preserve the look of the original interlockers. Also, corkscrew hills just look plain cool! Whatever you do, it's good to see that your creation is almost done. It has a great, realistic look to it.

This is a tough choice! Both are fantastic parks. There are a variety of factors to consider. First, of course, roller coasters. Both parks have standout rides, though I would take El Toro over anything at CP. Still, CP has a better Intamin collection (I'll admit, I'm definitely an Intamin fanboy). If you have two days, that could factor into your decision as well. Two days at CP is perfect (I always do that, never one day). However, 1 day at SFGAdv with a Gold (or, if you are so fortunate, Platinum) FlashPass is more than enough to ride yourself into a blissful coaster coma. If driving to a second park would be a realistic option in your senior trip, then one day at Six Flags followed by a 2 & 1/2 hour trip to Hersheypark for a second day there would be unbeatable. If you can only go to one park, however, I would give the SLIGHT edge to Cedar Point. Although, really, you can't go wrong with either one. Yes, it is a tough choice. However, may all your life decisions be as tough as this one.

^I ride Roar almost exclusively in the back...better airtime. Yeah, it's rough, but (IMO) not significantly worse than the front. For me, having lap bars instead of OTSRs makes the roughness MUCH more tolerable. I'll do multiple rides on Roar in the back on any given day, but never more than one on Kong (and only in the front).

When you walk out the back entrance to Hotel Breakers (the entrance that faces the beach), turn left and walk towards Soak City. The entrance will be to your left. Just ask any of the hotel staff, they'll direct you. It's ridiculously easy to get to, as it's literally right next to the hotel.