bert425

my favorite Cirque show . . . love this soundtrack. have fun, and happy Anniversary!

So this past Sunday, I made it back to SeaWorld San Antonio to help celebrate the 25th Birthday of the Great White roller coaster - and to try out the Seven Seas Food Festival booths I missed out on the last time. Ray Gonzales (who's a member right here on the TPR forums, in addition to being one of the Marketing Guys for SWSA), Chuck and all the SW folks did a *fantastic* job, turning this into an event by inviting anyone with ACE or Thrill Seekers United (a Texas based group on FB) to sign up for the "party" and it included early entry into the park with ERT on both Tidal Surge and Texas Stingray for an hour before heading up to Great White for the Birthday Party as well as some ERT for 30 minutes as the park opened to the General Public. here I am with some friends from TSU & ACE arriving at SeaWorld and sending a pic home to my Spouse to let him know I arrived. to explain the pic - the day before I had sent home a picture of myself on the Carousel at SFFT, and had caught my friend Paige on the horse next to me in the pic. my Spouse replied almost immediately, "LOL that woman next to you looks like she's having an orgasm" of course, I showed the text to Paige, and to several friends and we laughed hysterically at it. (hey, give him a break, he's an older gay man - he has no idea what a woman's orgasm looks like!). So when I sent home the below pic, of COURSE the text said: "Just here at SWSA having Orgasms" (ain't I a stinker ? :P) Soon enough we were in the gates, and being walked back to Tidal Surge & Texas Stingray for morning ERT. ooo. . Tidal Surge now has a *gorgeous* sign up out front. and it's running brilliantly. I highly recommend the seats facing outwards towards the lagoon for your 1st ride. after a couple of rides, I made my way over to Texas Stingray - stopping to admire the Turtles 1st. TSU members "the Quirky Coaster Couple" had made Birthday Hats fro Great White, and several of us wore them. here's Erica, Ray G. and Myself, in our party hats, after a ride on Texas Stingray. after ERT was done, we headed over to Great White as a group, and Ray gave a short speech about the Birthday. I did not know that Great White was the FIRST Rollercoaster ever built at a SeaWorld park! So not only was it 25 years old on Sunday, but it's the Granddaddy of all the SW coasters! Unlike a regular Birthday party, the attendees got gifts today! cookies, and a nice "Tidal Surge" shoulder bag! and they announced the 1/2 hour ERT on the coaster for those attending. . . so that was a lovely surprise! the front entrance of this coaster is so impressive. here's Ray G posing with some of the party attendees. once our morning Birthday Party was over, attendees all split up and headed into the park. We headed over to Wave Breaker to grab a walk on ride (before the crowds made it back to this side of the park), while Amy from TSU killed time waiting until the Seven Seas Food Festival started selling alcohol (since it's Texas on Sunday). here's Me, Erika, Juan, and Amy and then it hit the "magic" hour of 11:30 am, and the Seven Seas Food Booths started serving. . . and so with my 12 remaining punches, we started off to hit the booths I had missed the other week. 1st up? Japan: the Tuna Tataki not only looked very similar to the picture advertising it? but was really fantastic! Absolutely a must get, at the festival. the Gyoza were crisp, with a refreshingly tangy Ginger dipping sauce. either they were out of the slaw, or the just got made incorrectly, but everyone at our table who got the Gyoza got the little salad, instead of the advertised slaw. while they weren't the "best Gyoza I've ever had" (those would be in Japan), they were very good. these are the sticky ribs a friend got, and tho she said the meat was tender, they didn't have a whole lot of flavor. So not a bad choice at the Japan booth, but I think there are better options. the Green Tea Ice Cream, with Pocky sticks, was really good too. So another suggestion to try here. This time, we had timed it well and got to watch the Taiko Drummers. what a fun, and entertaining, performance. after finishing up at Japan, we headed towards Greece & Italy. . stopping along the way for a photo op I hadn't noticed the other day: hey, what can I say. . mentally, I've a 14 year old ! and can't pass up a chance to "pose with/ touch the balls" at Korea either! and then we were at Greece, and my tummy was screaming "feed me!!!" the Gyro (without the tomato at my request) - had a fantastic Tzatziki sauce, and some super tender and flavorful lamb and beef. . . with the only letdown being a very gummy and undercooked pita (which I left, but ate all the rest of it) the Lamb Slider is the home run at this booth! Incredibly flavorful with just the perfect amount of spice in the Feta spread. And a super soft roll. Amazing, and highly recommended. the Shawarma looked really good, but any part of it that didn't have that fantastic sauce on it ate very dry, unfortunately. It's good, but I'd suggest asking for more of the sauce, as that's what makes this eat much better. but pleasantly the Naan bread was fantastic on this, and I loved every bite of that. the Greek Yogurt Ice Cream is interesting. the flavor is a very pleasant Honey. . but the consistency is a little odd - it was kinda like eating taffy? But I liked it. Right next door to Greece is Italy. the Flatbreads here are very popular, and because they make them fresh? the line is very slow moving. Even a short line can take up to 25 minutes. .and the kids / teenagers all seemed to flock to this booth. Just a warning, this might have the longest line at the Festival. this is the Chicken Margherita flatbread with a Blood Peach Bellini on the left & and Frozen Espresso Martini on the right. was told the Flatbread was delicious, and between the two drinks? everyone preferred the Bellini, but said the Expresso was ok. this is the Chocolate Chip Cannoli. . . which had *just* the right amount of tartness, and exactly as much sweetness as I wanted. this one might be my favorite "desert" I tried. .or perhaps 2nd to the incredible Rum Raisin Ice Cream at Jamaica or the Black Sesame Ice Cream in Korea - tho folks also raved about the Apple Strudel in Germany & the Pina Colada Ice cream in Hawaii) ooo.. another photo op back here? with Tidal Surge in the background? yes please! We then headed over to Mexico so some of my friends could try out the Margarita there. . . and planned to loop back around to go see the Penguins (a must do!). but we passed Ray Gonzales walking around the park with some of the ACE group (that had helped organize the ERT earlier), and we thanked him/them for such a great day! they asked if we had ridden all the coasters (and we actually had, other than Steel Eel - which I was gonna pass on today, as my back was a bit sore from so much riding yesterday at SFFT, and I didn't want the airtime drops to mess it up). .and he was surprised that we hadn't ridden Grover's Soapbox coaster. now. . I don't do Kiddie coasters. Like ever - tho I did ride Wilderness Run one year at Coastermania, strictly because it's the 1st Intamin. But Ray insisted I should give it a ride, because SWSA is one of the few parks where they don't discourage adults from riding it (and to be fair, there are a few rides in Sesame Street Bay of Play that are perfectly suitable for adults too). So I agreed - at his perseverance - to at least give it a look. Once i saw this car was available tho? yeah..I gave in and credit whored for the kiddie coaster! LOL ^as to those restraints? OH MY !!! and I thought "the green meanie" over on Tidal Surge made it so one had to be really careful getting into the seats! we also rode the Carousel while over here - but after all that food? yeah, the seatbelt wouldn't click for me today! HA!. . so I stood up to ride the carousel today Juan & Erica wanted to ride this "spin and puke" ride. . I rode "bench" while they rode this - again, this is in the Sesame Street Area! but just look at that face on the young lady behind them! BWAAAA-HAAAA-HAAAAAA (and the best part is how oblivious to her Juan & Erika are to her!) and because I like being proven correct? Juan got off this feeling a bit nauseous - but at least we got him on Tidal Surge once he'd had some liquid courage. He REALLY didnt' want to do it, and I thought he'd leave the line a couple of times while we waited for the prior cycle to finish. but he rode it and loved it! as we were headed to Brazil to finish off the day with 4 clicks - I had a tupperware in my bag, so I could take Empanadas home (!). . we saw that Big Bird and Tally Monster were out! you bet I got in line for that . . . tho Big Bird was acting very strange, doing an odd "stare" thing at me. . so yeah, a bit awkward in the pics, but makes me love them even more! and then it was just after 4pm, and it had been a very long weekend (and a great day at SWSA). . so I packed up my Empanadas, and hit the road. Seven Seas is a GREAT food festival, and well worth a visit to SWSA just for that. . . but so is Tidal Surge, Texas Stingray, Great White, and Penguins! more reasons to visit the park. And yes, the Empanadas were fantastic for lunch on Monday with an incredible chimichurri sauce!

^oh, I'm actually not doing RCR. it's a GREAT event (last years - the 1st - I heard was a blast). For sure a "destination" event for those who haven't been to the park often and want to exp;experience what they have to offer (including a version of FrightFest during RCR). but I'm local, and go to the park all the time. . . so I choose to avoid the multi-day weekend big event, as I'd rather do the smaller 1 day events.

Jeffrey announced that during Fiesta Fest on Sat. . . . I 100% do NOT believe him. they are trying not to get folks hopes up - just in case - but I just don't believe it. this thing will be testing by May . . .no way it wont. They are simply too far ahead on it already. - honestly, the only thing that might be preventing RCR opening, is if they can't get an inspection scheduled and passed by then. . . . but I have faith they are moving heaven and earth to try and make that happen. but yeah. . they are announcing this so folks won't be disappointed if they can't get that done. (as noted, I absolutely believe the ride will be "ready" by May, even if it can't open until inspection/approval happens)

That’s crazy! what are they doing??? asked here at sfft and they have no idea and say they have no plans to remove them here

And we have a train reveal!!

Here today for an event and got an amazing behind the scenes tour of Dr Ds Cliffhanger way more pics later. But sharing a couple now

you didn't ride any flats tho? Daredevil Dive is GREAT (when it's working) and I love Pirates of Deep Sea (on boardwalk) and Hustler (super unique teacups ride). The Batman at SFFT is the 1st S&S they built, so at least it's not a clone, and it does tend to flip more than the other copies. glad you had great day tho. . . . low crowds is perfect. . and good on you for skipping Boomerang (LOL)

Yup. . I not only Staple myself, but then I push back on the restraints to force myself into the seat during the ride. the "trick" is to flip WITH the seats, instead of being batted around like a ragdoll in the dryer.

you're probably gonna be SOL on Freeze. . as I don't believe that one is even offering the "pay to skip for one ride" flash pass option (tho I'm not a super regular at this park. . . so hopefully someone else can confirm that). So expect the line to be long - and that it will break down while you're waiting - if Flash Pass purchase isn't an option for you. but you're in luck with New Texas Giant (as well as Runaway Mountain - not to be missed - and several others such as Joker, Pandemonium, La Vibora, and more) that have added Single Rider Lines recently. so that will help you out a LOT on Giant. . . if you don't have Flash Pass, or want to splurge for 1 time skip the line FP on Giant. Follow the signs for FP . .the Single Rider Lines are in that same queue.

again, not holding my breath tho, as they have not even started clearing the area where Palindrome is supposed to go. oh, I'm still excited that we have the Schwarzkopf Wildcat. . . but refuse to get excited much about anything else until they at least start the ground clearing. . . (saw what happened with that planned park in Houston over and over). Excellent start here tho, in that we do have the Wildcat already!

Per Park President Jeffrey Siebert - the circuit is now complete! With Golden Bolt. oh, he also says "a major reveal" is coming soon! larger versions of the pics Jeffrey shared:

^ yeah. . I've seen it multiple times. . someone refusing to get off a ride (and causing stacking of the train behind them) almost "always" with claims of "I just rode this earlier today/last week/last month" .. and often ending with cussing at the employees trying to help get the restraint to close.

so today on 4/2. . a little over a month since started back exercising, I weighed in at: 201.2 (so tantalizingly close to my goal I had set to hit 200 - down 14 lbs in a month). in total down ~13lbs in the past month. of course, I then went out and had Sushi for lunch. .but at least I stopped eating when I was full, and took a good portion of it home for tomorrow.

confirmed the one at Marineland doesn't rotate the cars . it was still fun tho when we rode it in 2018

^ yeah that Sea Storm is amazing isn't it? Very much like Cedar Downs (at CP). . it only LOOKS like a kiddie ride

they've improved it for a Fireworks in the Round show for the 30th Anniversary. it only runs on certain nights tho.. so you'll have to check the schedule with the park https://www.sixflags.com/fiestatexas/events/seasonal-fireworks

I've been crazy busy all day. . . but you beat me to it! Happy Birthday, Bill!!! hope it's a great one, you Television Star

CNN reporting the young man was denied riding on two other rides at the park https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/29/us/florida-park-teen-death-accident-report/index.html such a shame here.. ..a tragedy all around

^ still listed as a "Kiddie Amusement Park"

^ yup! I believe that's the final airtime hill as you come out of the helix and into the station.

I've updated my Trip Report thread with my stop at SFFT on Sat afternoon. LOTS of pics of Dr. D's Cliffhanger, as well as a look at the updated Sangerfest Halle

so after spending most of the day at SWSA, I was pretty wiped out. . but since I had to pass SFFT on the way home (and no way I wasn't gonna pop into the park to see Dr. D's Cliffhanger in person), I made a quick stop at Fiesta for ~ 1 1/ 2 hours to take some pics, ride the Carousel, and pick up dinner (I had brought my tupperware in my backpack to ensure I could bring leftovers home, figuring I'd be stuffed from Seaworld) I got there ~4:45, and the lot was pretty full. . but from way back I got a great view of the new park skyline. looks amazing. the 30th Anniversary signage is a nice touch too Surprisingly, the park didn't seem too crowded - despite the amount of cars, it wasn't so packed in the walkways that it wasn't fun. Hadn't seen this yet in person, but also really love the "throwback" sign they erected in the Central Plaza, to celebrate the Anniversary: and the backside of it has many classic pictures from the Park's history but I was here to check out the progress on Dr. Diabolical's Cliffhanger. Wow. .do they have a LOT of this done already. . I'd say at least 2/3rds. It's really impressive in person, and looks WAY bigger than the height of the drop. of course, still a lot to do before it's ready (all the landscaping, the queue line - including the Doctor's lab, the actual Station). . but they look like will have the full circuit up and ready for initial testing by mid April! onwards to LOTS of pics: after walking all the way thru CrackAxle to get some different angles, I really needed to sit down for a bit. So a quick refill at Bubbas (yeah, i had brought my Membership Drink Bottle along with the Tupperware), and then I spent about 15 minutes people watching, and riding "Bench: the Ride" and Fiesta has put in at least 50 (or more) new Benches. . . lots of places to sit now. it really is a lovely park! Rested up, I made my way towards my 1 ride goal this afternoon: the Carousel. and I was able to get my "Bowie Bunny" - the White Rabbit with the two colored eyes that I love after my ride, I headed into Sangerfest Halle - reopened after a major refurbishment. . .but still not ALL the options on the Menu just yet. A *lot* of good choices tho. Have to say hello to "Sweet Connie" tho. . over by the restrooms. I'm so happy that Jeffrey Siebert and the Park kept this wonderful mural by the restrooms. (it's actually rather sad how excited I was when he told me she was sticking around. . I love this hooka) the refurb in the hall looks AMAZING. Rather than Food Court style, you now go to registers at the front to order (I assume it will remain this way once the full kitchens are open, and the menus will just offer more options). You put your order in at the front, and they give you a receipt and a "token" that you take down to the back end of the hall, where individual lines are set up for each "token"..and you trade that for your food. Here's the Individual lines: (since I had gotten the Chicken Dinner - which was EXCELLENT by the way, and still eating the leftovers from it today. .it's a LOT of food) - I had the line with the Chicken picture on it) the flooring and new paint in here makes SUCH a difference and the "wall" put in the back - blocking off the Bathrooms - make a big difference as well. . . it's a fantastic open space now! with a lovely fountain in the middle (that many were taking pictures in front of) I'm sitting with my back to the Stage, but behind me is the main performance stage for Sangerfest Halle. and with most of my meal packed up, I ate what I could fit in my belly after full day at SeaWorld, and headed out. I'm back at Fiesta on 4/9, and my Dr. already has my BP meds being adjusted. .so I expect I'll ride the crap out of stuff on that day, and spend much more time in the park. it's one WORTH a lot of time.

yes. . .tho for Passholders, the $80 gets you a lanyard with 18 punches (so bonus 3 punches for Passholders). I used 9 of them. .so I have 9 left on my badge, and I get a 3 punch badge at the Great White Birthday Party I'm going to on 4/10. . so I'll have 12 samples I can get) gonna TRY to use them all, as not sure I'll get to go back later in April. . tho if I don't use them all, I certainly will try to make a trip up.