coastakid

Hey guys, sorry if I started a commotion. I have been going to GADV for YEARS in the rain and was just shocked that it was closed upon arrival. Adding to the fact, mid way through the drive I was instructed that the park was remaining open, which in this case; It did not. I really suppose I cannot put the blame on the park, seeing as in any ordinary business response, the company would be shocked to find out that they are losing money, but I also do not find it to be my fault either. -Jon

Sure, Six Flag's was not prepared opening day, but that was expected, as were the winds. Opening day I knew there were going to be high winds and that the taller rides were going to be closed, but I was not expecting the park to have the fryers in the restaurant off, and Johnny Rockets not to have cheese, as well as a majority of the flat rides closed. I will not take blame for what happened today as I was given false information from the park, and in turn, I can say that I will not go to GADV in the rain for quite a period of time, or unless I make sure that I have a backup plan. Six Flags has been making such a turn around over the past 1-2 years, and this has ruined my confidence in the park for me. The park has been putting money into the park's atmosphere and refurbishing rides which I admire, seeing as a majority of the parks do not see a need for it, but GADV needs to realize that today they upset many people, and should have made a more civilized choice, such as leaving the park open till 4 pm [which I have seen happen at SFNE, but that choice was made at opening and the weather was much worse] The park should be more concerned about their guests than their costs, seeing as their guests are the ones bringing in the park's profits. -Jon

^^ As does Great Adventure with the rain policy. I have been to the park a amount of times in the rain, downpours for that matter, and have been perfectly content with only a few rides being open. It just puzzles me why they would shut the entire park, seeing as the weather was indeed intended to clear up dramatically within the next hour or two. -Jon

According to the Weather Channel, as well as Accuweather, the rain was intended to stop at 1-2pm, when I left my house a 8 am this morning. I called Six Flags mid-way through the drive to ask if the park was going to remain open, and I was still told yes. Why would I even consider turning around if I was told the park was open? EDIT: I am talking to my friend who lives right outside of Jackson who I intended to meet at the park today, and he said the rain stopped 2-3 hours ago and it is currently sunny. -Jon

^ It was supposed to trickle off by 1-2 pm, according to the weather channel... which it did. -Jon

^^^ I have been quite a few times to Great Adventure in the rain without the park closing early, and this trip was planned to be no different, as the rain was expected to trickle off during the earlier hours of the afternoon. There is also a topic, not sure whether it be this forum or GADV.com, in which a member from Boston asked the exact question, for the exact same day, and there was not one negative response. I would typically take the blame for the dilemma if Six Flags were to have told me when I called that they were closing at 12 pm. They gave guests only 15-20 minutes from the time that they made the final decision to when they began telling people, to when the park closed -Jon

I didn't even see El Toro run. I would have had my brother and his girlfriend wait in the car and just go with my season pass for 10 minutes if I knew it was open, although I am still incredibly mad. -Jon

^ It was lightly raining, and there was absolutely no threat of a thunder storm.

^ When purchasing our parking ticket, we asked if it was refundable if the rides did not open and we were given the answer no. -Jon

So today my brother, his girlfriend, and I decided to take the 3 1/2 hour trek to Six Flags, despite the rain expected for the earlier hours of the day. Upon arriving, the cashier at the parking lot told us that the outside rides as well as Skull Mountain, and the Dark Knight were not open currently, and wouldn't resume testing until the rain passed. Knowing the rain was expected to pass and after just seeing the Great American Scream Machine being to test, we decided to pay the $15 and head to our parking spot to be greeted by no more than 20 cars. We surveyed the skyline quickly, seeing Nitro, and GASM with people, and Rolling Thunder Test, we headed into the park. As we arrived at the ticket booths we saw the few people ahead of heading back to their cars. As we continued walking, we were stopped by the security guard, telling us that the park was closing at 12 pm due to the weather. Absolutely stunned, and the time being 11:45 am, we walked back to our car without refund of our parking, and drove 3 1/2 hours back home. After first being unimpressed with opening day, today was no different,and my view points remain the same. Six Flags seriously needs to get their act together and begin becoming a tad bit more organized. I find it absolutely despicable that a park would close their gates within 15 minutes after the final decision with what appeared to be, Nitro, GASM, and Rolling Thunder running flawlessly, and to make matters worse, without refunding a person's parking ticket . Adding to the fact, I called earlier to make sure that the park was open and was told it was. Does anyone agree? -Jon

I presumed Nitro vallied seeing as it was hardly making it through the course while I was watching it test in the morning. Well anyways, today was pretty great despite the fact that Nitro, Kingda Ka, and Medusa/Bizzaro were closed, and yes; It was indeed FREEZING. [especially walking around in a t-shirt and jeans]. Although I didn't really get to say more than 'hi', it was nice seeing you momentarily in line for El Toro, and nice report; You about covered it. -Jon

I absolutely love the new trains. Is there any possibility that the minimum height requirement will be changed from 54' to 48' with the addition of the new restraints? El Toro uses identical ones and has a 48' height restriction without issue. -Jon

^ Thats because it did... Well anyways, this ride is looking much better than it appeared in the models, and I personally CANNOT wait to ride this beast. Much, much better than I anticipated -Jon

Is it just me or does Six Flags Mexico's version of TDKC look much more appealing than its american counterparts... Anyhow, I think this ride was a much better fit for Six Flags Mexico seeing as Six Flags New England already has Pandemonium, as well as many other family-oriented attractions. -Jon

^ I think it entirely depends on the situation. Just think, if the building is made specifically for the hill and constructed prior to the assembly of the actual hill, how would they manage fitting a crane in there... Well anyways, I am entirely jealous of anyone who gets to ride this coaster because it looks spectacular between the actual ride itself, and its scenery. -jon

^ It's not Intamin ;p. Well anyways, this ride looks like so much fun and too bad i'll never be able to ride it. I wonder how it will ride? -Jon

^ That is exactly the same concept... Being tricked by meat or a stuffed animal is still being tricked, and all throughout the show the tigers are performing tricks that they were trained to do by force, not willingly. If it is as similar as it sounds to the GADV show, it will be quite an entertaining show to watch and be popular with guests for years to come. I like the way that SFDK is now being run and the addition of this show is a very good move on Six Flags' part. -Jon

I guess I could say that I have quite a strong stomach as I've only once had an issue eating and then going on either a coaster, or even flat ride for that matter. My entire family has strong stomach's, and being very juvenile, I suppose, goes to my advantage of being able to ride rides, right after meals. The only time I've ever even not felt good after a ride was when I drank an XL soda at Six Flags New Orleans, and immediately after attempted to ride the park's Mondial Shake, which is a looping type Breakdancer ride; Catwoman's Whip. -Jon

^Then I take my idea back ;p I have no idea what this new attraction could be. I can't decide if I think it's going to be a coaster or not!

I think this is a great step for Vekoma! I am looking forward to seeing Vekoma finally ranked at the same level as Intamin and B&M coasters. Also, for those of you who have not ridden the Great Nor easter at Morey's Piers with the new seating, I'd just like to let you know, the ride is 100% re ridable and is like day and night to how it used to be. After riding 17 times in a row in the back row, I was actually considering putting it in my top 10 just because it is such a fun ride. -Jon

This is definitely not in Holiday World's game, but after reading something about the tallest of its kind, and swooping down to get a chicken wing, does anyone get the slight thought that the B&M dive track at the fabrication plant in Ohio is maybe for Holiday World...? I know it sounds like a crazy idea but, heh, you never know what amusement parks are going to throw at you these days. -Jon

I am feeling an Aquatrax, not as a joke though :]. I think a coaster/ride along the lines of that would be a great fit for Hershey. just my two cents, - jon

^ Not at all. It is very smooth, although incredibly intense in term of airtime, and speed at which the overall ride is taken. Well I'm not going to go into how bad of a driver you are since I'm 14 and can't comment on that, but I will comment on how I'm glad you had a fun day, and are starting to get back into coasters. I've been obsessed since I was around 4 years old and never even began to drift away. -Jon

I actually got a chance to ride it during one of my brother's baseball tournaments there a few weeks before Hurricane Katrina. I did actually prefer this type of ride to the typical Huss Top Spin for quite a few reasons; 1) The restraints were much more comfortable. 2) Much more interesting ride program. 3) Much more versatile with its movements If you'd like me to get into more detail, you can PM me. (also, this ride was not an inverted model, your feet did not dangle) -Jon

I would re theme Playland Park's Crazy Mouse into an enclosed coaster themed to something similar to Exterminator at Kennywood. It would have a short enclosed que line with a repeating film playing a spiel telling the story of an exterminator attempting to destroy a mouse's home. On the ride, you have to escape through a network of sewers and a few close calls with the 'smoker'. I have even drawn up a few possible concept drawings for this ride, and have planned on showing them to the manager of the park seeing as my dad is close with him. The idea does not have to cost millions of dollars, but just enclosing the ride and adding a few effects will drastically improve the rides popularity. -Jon