edgeboy

It really is an interesting list of benefits. I definitely would want clarity on which features would work at other Six Flags parks. I don't expect many, but some must transfer... at least free general parking and early entry at other Six Flag parks that offer it, equal to the typical Gold Pass, right? Any idea how they're going to regulate things like FastPass on one or two rides (depending on level)? I assume they're scan your membership pass somehow (similar to how Universal does it, and probably why they'll provide a lanyard, as Universal does for Platinum passes that also get Express). But to my knowledge, Six Flags had never done that before, so it'd be an entire new process for them. One that does not mingle with the current Q-Bot system. Does that mean that'll be going away? Or will there be two systems? I really, really despise monthly payments. But some of those benefits are pretty intriguing. If they can pull this off, and the price isn't too outrageous, it could be interesting.

When I was there yesterday (Saturday) morning, Goliath was still closed, with a sign, fence, and employee in front. To me, it didn't look like it was going to open anytime soon, but I didn't say very long. FWIW, the train was off the lift hill. I also finally rode the refurbished Scream cars. It's a big improvement, but it still feels clunky and chugs.

Was at the park today. At park opening, they are confirming that Gold Pass early entry will be going away March 1, at which point it will only be available to Gold Pass Members. But in the meantime, although the entry entry only says Gold Members, regular Gold Pass can use it as well... for now. Minor updates, Riddler's was down (at least in the morning), and Drop of Doom worked for a bit, then went down... while I was the only person on it. Fortunately, it had only gone up about 15 ft before it stopped. I was lowered down anticlimactically in about 10 minutes. It was a pretty windy morning... I kept hearing this loud thumping noise, and realized it was the Drop of Doom cables slamming into the metal structure. Other minor notes: Honda Express seemed to be down for refurbishment. TC running 3 trains, even with low crowds. FT only ran one at park opening (I didn't stay long, so I hope they added another later, but not sure). And Classic Revolution (no VR) had a line going all the way down the ramp at 11:30. Guess it's found it's groove with the GP? I was surprised to see it having a line that long. Oh, and there were not one, not two, but three large trucks all working and driving around in that development behind Apocalypse. After all this time, that Newhall development is really starting to move.

Pray tell, what sort of cycle doth Sol Spin have this time? I'm hoping for the 6 rotations. I figure at this point, asking for a reverse rotation or two is asking way too much.

YMMV is all I can say. The shin guard cause my husband great pain everytime he's in them. To the point where he's basically had to give up riding all recent Premier rides that have that bar. For the record, they don't bother me very much. But they just press against his legs at just the wrong angle, apparently.

Exactly. I joked last year that I was basically paying to not go, and, even better, paying to avoid having to call to cancel it*. Joke would've been on me, though, since I finally made mine pay for itself for the year. Seems like a small deal, and I wouldn't be shocked to learn I'm losing money vs. buying season passes, but it's a relatively painless payment and the convenience, while ultimately trivial, justifies it for me. *After doing some digging, it appears I was misled and can cancel online. My husband said the exact same thing, that you're paying not to go. I may be in the minority, but I actually hate monthly payments on anything. I feel if I can't pay up for something, then I shouldn't be getting it in the first place to keep my finances in check. Plus, I just like paying one time and not having to worry about it, and keeping all my cash for the rest of the year. Getting dinged by a small monthly amount is really annoying on my checkbook.

Darn it... I didn't see that in the pic, the restraints are up. I can see the shin bar now. Oh, well. My husband, who's over 6 feet, hates those bars. Just makes it really uncomfortable for him. Makes it pretty much unridable for him now.

Based on checking their website, it does not list early entry as a benefit for Gold Passes anymore. I do understand "the small print" where conditions may change. However, if there ever was a message put out by Six Flags that said "current Gold Pass benefits will not change", then that's a bigger issue. At the same time, the only quote of that I can find is from a member posting here. I don't see that being said anywhere on their website. If that reader can quote where they saw that text, maybe there'd be a stronger case to be angry about the change. That said, it doesn't really say Gold Pass Plus gets early entry either... it just says there will be a "Priority turnstyle" for the first 4 hours of park opening. Perhaps the question is what is meant by "priority". To me, it means "exclusive", not getting in early. But it's a bit vaguely worded. The curious part to me about the Gold Pass Plus was why they were only accepting monthly payments. I didn't realize that, according to their own literature, there is no expiration date to this pass until you decide to opt out. Hence why the term "membership." You do have to be a member for a minimum of 12 months, but it's an interesting concept to have a season pass for essentially as long as you want, without ever needing to worry about renewing.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Complaints about unnecessary restraints aside, I can't wait to see the front of the train. SeaWorld always does an awesome job with awesome front car designs (i.e. both Mantas, Cheetah Hunt, Mako...), so this shouldn't be an exception. Actually, as OTSs go, those look pretty comfortable. And I see no shin bar, so that's a plus. I've only been on SkyRockets with the lap bar, so I'm curious to see how this will compare.

Well, most are free for 1 hour, and while specific policies vary, there usually is validation available for 3-4 hours. And they get away with it because for the most part, public parking in those area is generally very hard to come by.

^While that may be true, Canada and SoCal are not exactly close to each other. I personally enjoy Universal, so I'd recommend that. And while we locals often skip the Studio Tour, it really is amazing as a tourist. The sets they show you are genuine, and once you spot them live, you find you see them all over TV and movies once you know what to look for. There's a lot of great places to eat, and that can be part of the experience. Even better if they're already nearby the parks: Knott's is founded on it's Chicken, so be sure to eat at the restaurant. The food at Disney is improving, but overall not much to write home about. If you must eat in the parks, I'd suggest Blue Bayou (if you can afford it and/or manage to get a reservation) or Storyteller's Cafe in the Grand Californian Hotel. Across the street at Gardenwalk (walkable, though long) is Fire & Ice, a fun Mongolian place with unique options. Near SFMM, nothing's walkable, but there's a lot of food options a short drive away: Claim Jumper, Islands, Pei Wei (an alternative to Panda Express), The Habit, Presto Pasta--just off the top of my head. Universal has a lot of great food at Citywalk, but a short drive away is also Don Cuco, a divey but good Mexican place. All depends on your price point and whether you want sit down dining or fast casual. If you manage to get near downtown LA, the newly remodeled Clifton's Cafeteria cannot be missed. Trust me, you have never seen anything like it. Away from theme parks, I would dissuade you from Hollywood--it's a lot more gritty and trashy than you movies would lead you to believe. Skip that, and try Huntington Gardens, Old Town Pasadena, Farmer's Market, or see a show at the Ahmanson or Dorthy Chandler Theater... there's a lot! In terms of mapping, keep in mind distances. Knott's and Disneyland are very close together (not walkable, but a short drive). Using that as a central location, Sea World is in San Deigo, which is about 2 hours south (can be more with traffic). Universal is just over an hour north of Disney/Knott's, and SFMM is another 30 minutes past Universal. Los Angeles is very spread out, and our public transportation is still pretty much a joke, so you really will need to rent and drive your own car. Using Uber/Lyft with these distances will get very, very expensive. If time/distance/money is an issue, I'd skip Sea World for another time, and focus on the big three/four: Disney, Knott's, Universal, and SFMM.

^The Grove, Americana, Gardenwalk, Paseo Colorado (in Pasadena). Just off the top of my head. Citywalk and Downtown Disney, depending on how you want to define "Shopping Center". But since we're talking about Knott's Marketplace, those are fair comparisons.

Do the models with the collar still have the shin bar? My husband is quite tall, and the shin bar always bothers him.

Wow, that sure went up fast!

^Thanks for the updates. As for the surveys, I do often fill them out. Once a while ago, they asked what rides I went on, and they still had Apocalypse listed as Terminator: Salvation. This was nearly 6 months to a year after the name change. I replied on the survey that it was difficult to take their survey seriously when they don't even know the names of their own rides. Fortunately, they seem to have improved since then. On my twitter, I posted a debate question: what's the worst first impression--the disgusting, overflowing trash cans in the SFMM parking lot, or the 45-60 minute security lines (that still have do not have a no bag option) and then the agonizingly slow admission lines as they take a pic and wait for a signature for every non-AP member at Disneyland, so that it takes you 60-90 minutes just to get from your car to inside the park?

While I'm not a huge fan of shooting games in general (just not a gamer guy), I actually enjoy the game play on Iron Reef. I'm not crazy about the theme, but I find the shooters are well calibrated, accurate, easy to use, and I especially enjoy the more continual flow of the game--as opposed to that herky jerky and choppy feel of TSMM. Aside from quibbles about the relatively slow loading, I don't really get the hate for that ride either.

Scream is not bumpy in a head banging way, but in a not-quite-square-but-possibly-octogonal wheels. Okay, it seems I meant zero g roll--though I always thought they were called a dive loop, and RRv had two Immelmanns. And I mean zero g roll on a non-inverted coaster. So now we can begin nitpicking all the names of inversions.

^^Have you been on Scream lately? It's one of the roughest B&M coasters I've ever been on. I have no idea why it is either, but it is. That said, rough for B&M is still relatively rideable. But by comparison, it's one of their weakest ones in terms of ride quality. Which is a shame... it's the only dive loop in SoCal, which is my favorite inversion.

I was thinking about taking a spontaneous trip to SFDK this week. Have all the rides been open? I've been before, but have missed V2 my last 3 trips up there. Also, how does the park handle it if it rains (which is looking likely)?

Very well said. Both sides of the argument have good points, which is why this will continue to be an ongoing debate. Some see the glass half full, other see it half empty. And both views are correct.

The rest of the area still looks nice. Are you saying that just because the water jets aren't turned on, that entire section of the park is a disaster? The tables and chairs in that area still look new, the paint seems maintained, and granted I haven't looked at it in a while, but I believe even the TV screen in front of FT is still working and plays sound just fine. So what else have they not maintained in that section? I've never noticed that the parking lot trash cans are the same. At least lately, though, they haven't been overflowing with garbage like they have in the past. Is the park perfectly themed? Of course not. There is plenty to complain about. But complaining that non-functioning water jets (that were kind of annoying to begin with, if you ask me) aren't turned on = disaster in maintenance strikes me as splitting hairs.

I personally think it deserves more credit than that.

I think Lagoon is very underrated as well. Haven't been since they've added Cannibal, looking forward to it, possibly this summer!

Yeah, Canyon Blaster is a relative jewel in the Arrow family. While not smooth as glass, it's definitely one of the smoothest and most rerideable arrow coasters out there. Surprisingly fun, fast, and forceful.

It's been a while, but to their credit, I wouldn't really want them on in the winter months anyway. If it were like USH, where they turn off the water effects in the winter season, I'd be fine with that.