jujubee1985

Hi guys! Not sure If I'm replying correctly, but I visited the park today, Memorial Day, and I wanted to offer some thoughts and impressions.I didn't do a TR because I didn't want to carry a camera around, but I still wanted to weigh in on a few things. I should tell you, for better or worse, I have grown up going to this park once or twice a year every year since childhood, so I feel a connection to it in spite of ups and downs. My dad and I took my 10 year-old cousin because we'd all scored 2011 season passes last year at the end of the season, and she has been begging us to go. Dad and I kept ours, but we came to find out that my cousin lost hers, so we split the cost of paying for her ticket up front,(with the season pass upgrade at no extra charge) thinking that at 10 she could qualify for the child's price, (which was only like 35.99) However, We were surprised to find that she was charged as an adult because the company decides those kinds of things by height, not age. Although she is somewhat tall for her age, I wouldn't consider her a giant, so this surprised me a bit. I'm not really a number-cruncher, but I think we had to pay an extra 10-15 bucks for an adult ticket. I'm not irate about it, but it was like a "wow! ok...." kind of moment. I was expecting Memorial Day to be totally jammed from the get-go, but because we got there at opening, we were able to do a decent amount the first hour. However, after that time, things got packed, resulting in a 2 hour wait for the old-fashioned cars, (!) and an hour wait for the Demon, for example. Being (somewhat) of a theme park enthusiast, I expected these kinds of waits on Memorial Day, so I felt okay about it. On a positive note, the park looked great, all of the employees that I came into contact with were pleasant and helpful, and I did not see any really obnoxious line-jumping on the rides. However, the food operations were a negative for me. All of the food places at the food court had really long, slow-moving lines. So I thought I could beat some of the crowds at the stand where I got my nachos and soda, but there was only ONE employee working at the stand! As a result, It took me 20 minutes to get my nachos. (And they def. could have used more cheese! ) Granted, the girl who served me was very polite, I just thought the food court was kind of under-staffed for a holiday weekend. Overall, we had an enjoyable day, and I'm looking forward to going back and using the water slides when it gets warmer!

My Biggest Disappointment of 2010 came when I took my dad and niece to California's Great America during Halloween and realized how much the park has changed since my childhood. Growing up in the Bay Area, this was the theme park that I went to 1-2 times a year, every year, and I always had a decent time. However, this time it felt "different." I miss the old, familiar Paramount days of the park. Under Cedar Fair, the park doesn't really seem to have any personality anymore. Although Flight Deck is still an excellent ride, most of the others have not aged well. (Don't even get me started on the pain that I experienced riding Vortex.) From what I have heard, the future does not look bright for the park, and that makes me sad.

Hi everyone. I'm a fairly new member to the site, so forgive me if I haven't posted this question properly. I'm planning an upcoming day-trip to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom a few Sundays from now. I've gone two times during this past summer and the crowds have been moderate to heavy. I was wondering if anybody could tell me if the crowds are usually heavy in the fall on the weekends? As far as I know there are no special events planned, but i'm thinking the crowds may be large due to the limited operating calendar? I know this is a chancy question that depends on many factors, but any insights would really be appreciated! thank you all!

My decision to not eat meat comes from many factors. First off, I have always been a complete animal lover and gave bacon a second thought ever since Babe came out when i was nine! But the real defining moment happened to me about two years ago in a religious studies class I had to take at my college. In this class, we had to watch a lot of movies from underdeveloped parts of the world where people still have ritual animal killings and sacrifices, and man they were graphic. Although I understood the necessity behind the animals deaths, and they used all parts of the meat, They still really bothered me, and I came to my own personal decision, as extreme as it was. I decided that if I could never bring myself to kill an animal and eat it the way that earlier people had, it would contradict my beliefs going into Safeway and buying a value pack of spare ribs. I understand the sentiment that some people need to eat meat and I'm not judging anybody, but for me the mock meat products are just as good. In fact, now I like them better! But just like the original poster, I don't try to push my beliefs on anyone. Everyone should have a belief or cause that moves them, be it child abuse, poverty, ect. Mine is the ethical treatment of animals. Any type of animal abuse or mistreatment brings tears to my eyes. (I can't even watch the Sarah Mclauglin commercial for the Humane Society without tearing up) Thus, I choose to omit eating meat because I would feel hypocritical if I considered myself an animal lover while digging into a hamburger. Of course, I have been only talking about my own personal beliefs about myself. I'm not making any grand moral statements about anybody else. To each their own!

I know this was posted a long time ago, but I can relate to what a lot of people are going through here, as I have often wondered this same thing myself. I just finished my undergraduate studies and will be going into grad school, and boy do I have student loans! Added to the cost of fuel, cell phone, credit card, ect. It can get overwhelming. But I think it's your best bet to stay in college. A minimum wage job seems like a good bet right now, but I think it's worth it to finish your education and get the best job you can. Then, you can eventually reward yourself with a trip. I'm planning on doing it when I finish my masters. If you really can't wait maybe you can save for a mini trip? Remember: lots of people go through the "starving college student" phase, It's good for your character!

I love your last picture of the bungee jump, the colors are gorgeous!

whatever you guys do, more power to you, and I agree with all of the "cost effective" tips for living. However, being fresh out of college and a student teacher with college loans, credit card payments, and the insane price of gas in C.A., for now I can only dream of taking a TPR trip, even if it is within the USA. I love coming here and reading posts nonetheless, I live vicariously through posted trip reports! I hope to meet up with you all some day!

I know how you feel. Suck it up and go on, and then try to laugh the whole time. Don't focus on your fears. This is easier if you ride with people you are close to.