coasterrich

Its testing right now, with lower speed launches/intentional rollbacks - you can see the launches on the ThunderbirdCam, as you can just see the start of the launch track. I have also seen the train slowly coming back into the station in reverse. i.e. a rollback situation.

Not necessarily true. It really depends on what the person with Flash Pass does whilst waiting for his reservation and the reservation delay. If someone takes the basic flash pass, and does nothing but play games or eat food whilst waiting for their reservation, there would be zero impact on those in the stand by line. However, in practice this isn't the case obviously. Personally, I'm fine with free Fast Passes such as those as Disney, but never been that happy with paid for fast passes. Would I pay for a Flash Pass - yep, and I did so two weeks ago because I was happy to pay a premium. Did it mean others waiting longer - yes, it did, but then they didn't pay the $170 I did for the day. I would say the vast majority of the guests (and virtually everyone on this forum) is well aware they will have longer lines due to Fast Pass - everyone is free to make a choice to visit knowing that or not. Is the issue so much about someones "time" or more about the "cost per ride" - one is probably more important than others. SFGAm do VIP packages too, with a personal "guide" to get you front of line on everything. Thats even more $$$. C'est la vie as they say in France...

Here is a thought. What would those who are anti Flash Pass think if Flash Passes' disappeared and the season pass price rose to $180/$200? (still cheaper than a Merlin pass in the UK). I visited SFGAm a couple of weekends ago. It was my first visit to the park as I was over from the UK on business and was able to fit in a trip. To me, it appears that the single day visitor is the one most disadvantaged by Flash Passes. Season Passes are great value, you can visit the park multiple times a year and deal with the lines, but I looked at the cost of a single day and realised I wouldn't even get round the parks roller coaster collection once unless I bought a Flash Pass. So, I stumped up for a Platinum Flash Pass because I wasn't sure when i'd be back and wanted to ride everything on offer. Cheap season passes also drive up attendance, which in turn drives up the length of the lines. So, as a day visitor who had to stump up $$$ to get round the park, should I "hate" all season pass holders for clogging up the lines? Of course not.... I looked at all the options before hand and made my choice, the fact that it cost me $160 for one day and 20 rides was acceptable to me ($8 a ride and I didn't use the re-ride option on anything but Raging Bull). I suspect there are plenty of Season pass holders racking up way more than 100 rides in a season for just $70. I guess the price of 70 cent rides is waiting in long lines.... PS. You guys have some great rides there - Batman, Whizzer, Goliath and Raging Bull all top class for different reasons....

I'm after some advise please. I know "how busy is it going to be" is always a tricky question, but.... I'm flying over to California from the UK next week on business, but managed to arrange travel to fly in via Chicago on Saturday, and then on to San Jose on Monday. This leaves me with Saturday evening and Sunday to head up to Great America, one of only three/four major US parks still on my "to do" list. Its likely to be the only time I make it to the park, so I'm prepared to spend a little more money if need be. My questions: - I should have 2-3 hours at the park Saturday night if my flight is on time. Is it worth paying for a SP (over a normal park ticket) to get into the park for the last few hours? - Whilst I general hate paid for Fast Passes, I'm going to make an exception here. Can anyone suggest which is the best FlashPass to purchase based on expected crowds on Sunday? I'm thinking Gold at the moment, knowing I'll be there on my own and can use Goliath's single rider? - Any other tips for a first (and most likely only) timer? Ta.

^ empty enough today that I'm not making two days of it. First visit back in 4 years and managed to hit every coaster (bar the still troublesome I see, Deja Vu) before 2pm.

Any other takers for MM tomorrow?

Thanks, I'm aiming to get there for opening to hit as much as I can before the crowds, so would be great to meet up for some time. Discovered the Season Pass at MM is only valid until Dec, so I'll buy a single entry online and pick up a Season Pass next spring.

Hi Guys, I have a question on the Season Pass currently available. I'm up in San Francisco for work this week, (I'm a Brit from London) and I was thinking of going to Discovery Kingdom and planned to buy a 2010 season pass. However, decided a few weeks ago to head down to Magic Mountain instead and visit this Friday and maybe Sat. Just looking at the MM site, they are still listing a 2009 season pass unlike Discovery Kingdom. Do I assume that if I buy this, it will only be valid until Christmas, or is the pass a rolling calendar year? I'm over on the East coast next year and planned to use the pass again then. Thanks, Rich PS, if anyone is at MM on Fri, let me know, I'd love to join you and not be a loner!

Thanks for the update. Back in Dubai next week and planning to head to the mall for the coaster, I'll go over one evening now. Is the Atlantis waterpark also worth a visit?

Thanks for this. I'm just doing the same as I will be in Dubai in 3 weeks time, doesn't seem a lot to do at the moment, and would be great if Sega Republic was open. Otherwise its a trip to the Snowdome and a few hours at Atlantis waterpark (although at £40 for entry I may give that a miss). If you have discovered anything else worthwhile can you send me an IM (so we don't discuss other things in this thread) - thanks

Thanks, I have no other pictures worth posting though, as I captured most of the park with those posted. The Children's area (next to ToT) was closed off completely for a refurbishment and that, other than the powered mine train, was really the only thing I didn't capture. Rich

I've got a Nikon D70 and only had my Nikkor 18-200 VR lens with me for the trip. It was a very bright day, so not ideal conditions really. The biggest challenge was catching rides when they ran.

Thanks for all your comments Guys. It was a shame about Ratanga, especially being right next to the park and not going in. Id have liked to have seen Gold Reef Busier too, I didn't actually ride that much due to the wait times, especially Anaconda. 15-25 minutes was the average for 10 riders to appear. I did manage 4 rides in a row when the large group of 20 ish in the park came over for a ride. It was either ride or take photo's, so I decided on the former! The only downside not shown in the pics was that they don't disguise construction very well, and some areas of the park were being worked on (or were obviously half completed), whilst I was there. Seems odd when the finished article is so nice. Living in Europe (and travelling to the US) I have been lucky to have ridden a fair number of Schwartzkopf shuttle loops, so missing out on it wasn't really a disappointment. It has been closed for months too, and was all ready to reopen - its just things happen very slowly out in Africa. Deadlines there are generally "when its done" - hence why the ToT reopening has slipped so much! Anyway, there are a number of flights from Cape Town to Joburg, so anyone in Cape Town can get to the park relatively easily. It cost me £55 for the return flight with Kulula (SA Budget airline owned by British Airways), £25 each way in a Taxi and £8 to get into the park and buy a ride wristband. Well worth taking a day out for...

Back in Cape Town this is as close as I got to the other theme park in South Africa. Although it was the middle of the summer, schools were back and Ratanga Junction is closed, even at weekends. Does this park have the shortest opening schedule of any park worldwide? It must be open for approx 10 weeks a year. Rich So near, yet so far....... Ratanga Junction is part of a large entertainment and shopping complex North of the main town. The Mall car park is as close as I got

Well, I had 3 hours to kill before my flight back, and with a Casino next to the airport with a small Vekoma, I couldn't resist! Its actually a nice smooth ride, although by the looks of it ridership is scarce! The woman even let me ride twice for my single token - first passenger of the day apparently. Rich and finally, my plane back to Cape Town awaits! the rides station is high - followed by a short lift hill The indoor parks Vekoma coaster - imaginatively named "Roller Coaster" Chariots Entertainment World - part of a Caesars casino resort

What happens when you got to Cape Town on Holiday but you wife wants to spend the day tanning by the pool? Well, I decided to head over to Johannesburg to visit Gold Reef City. Actually, it was slightly pre-planned, but I was right and my wife did spend the day by the pool! As you may know, Tower of Terror (the in house built vertical drop coaster) has been closed for a refurb for over a year. I was hoping it would be open, but the dates slipped back and back. Well, during my visit last month it was clear they are nearly there. Gone is the normal lift hill, replaced by a lift shaft up the centre of the tower and the old trains are no more. Replaced with some very B&M looking cars! Hope you enjoy the pics! Rich The End Gold Reef City is made up of the Theme Park and this Vegas style Casino next door base of the new lift shaft you can just make out the new open style trains and to finish a couple more shots of Tower of Terror Helix of death! What is it with Giovanola and their helices - this was just as intense as Goliaths dum de dum, ahh after a 15 min wait I get one go at this shot - good job i was quick on the shutter No trip report is complete without that signature shot - here it is folks Finally get the front seat, allowing people to stay on is great - unless you want the front! hmm, only another 8 more people required. They won't run with less than 10 people Hmm, lets take another ride on Ananconda see, so empty than the ride staff jump on the rapid to make the park look busy apparently the park is heaving during school holidays - one does have to ask why the stay open during term time of course, the park had its own railway, closed on my visit the park used to be a working gold mine, and I guess this all thats left of the railway that ran through the area and another Random ride shot Ohh - whats that I see, could it be the remains of the old ToT cars? can you tell I'm getting bored of this caption writing now? weeeeeeee and heres a quarter of the guests - all riding Jozi together. Very odd, 100 in the park and a group of 20+ going round together the park obviously didn't feel the need for a second train! Seriously, there were more staff than guests! Every ride had approx 4 people manning it Over to the far corner of the park I go, for a ride on Jozi Express, the parks Zierer coaster 100 people on park? I think they are all in the new Panda 4D theatre, first seen at Efteling even with approx 100 people on park you can help but appreciate the themeing. maybe they should rename it Ghost Town? lively? not today so, lets have a wonder around "The Village" section of the park, full of lively restaurants and bars.... One last shot of the station as we leave ToT for now January? Its 25th Jan and its not ready to open! exciting tower from ground shot - still awake?? another mine shaft tower - this one just for themeing with its nice new central lift shaft and next to the wheel - Tower of Terror and the other way, looking out towards Anaconda Looking out towards the city Over the other side of the park I decided to get an aerial view yes, very golden now (it was light blue when it opened) from the giant wheel Golden Loop, the Schwartzkopf Shuttle was closed, but sported a nice new coat of paint! Did I mention the park was a bit quiet? Signature Shot? Heading back to the centre of the park, I found the Log Flume and another for good measure Why did Giovanola only build one Inverter? Ah, what I flew from one side of SA to the other for. Anaconda, possibly the most intense inverter in the world. Yes, its more intense than Nemesis and Batman Is that a Top Spin i see? First glimpse into the park and its nice landscaping First Step - check the park map In we go! Entrance Plaza - as you can see, its a busy day! We head off to Johannesburg over table bay, courtesy of the world coolest airline - Kulula! London?? No Cape Town International

Here is one for you all. Guess that park!

Its Idlewild...

Lake Winnie?