bert425

Oh. . I missed that! I'm in Atlanta that whole last week, and usually only can go on Labor Day proper (since I come in for Dragon*con). but I get in 2 days prior to Con, and tho always just hang with friends/go to the zoo/eat-drink around town? This year, we can go to SFOG on the Tues/Wed before con starts proper as well!

I agree it's gonna be packed. but at least at SFOG, there are a number of things that a 5 year old would love to do, and don't often pull really big lines (such as the Carousel, the antique cars on carousel hill) in addition to the stuff that is going to end up having huge lines - heck, I'd consider Flash Pass so you can skip the line with him for Monster Mansion.

I feel bad for anyone who'd planned to be there during the now closed days. . but yeah, right after a pandemic, I'm not planning any "destination" trips - other than specific events (that really can't be cancelled at this point). . . hopefully they are working with those who had booked on property before deciding the park would be closed those days.

we got drunk on really strong frozen margs at Velvet Taco here in Austin. .and then made our way down (walking) to Sprinkles for some sweets. but they were closed. . . so we bought cupcakes from the ATM out front. i had no idea this was a thing! a bit pricey at ~$4.75 a cupcake, but oh so good (tho that COULD have been because we were buzzed)

paid WAY too much for it on the secondary market, since it sold out in seconds day of. but I really wanted it. . so went for it.

a link with no context is Pointless

I actually found Superman to be fairly dull. . it was one and done with me on my visit. several flats (Rodeo & in particular the Scrambler) were running good programs I thought tho. In terms of Coasters? my favorite was Joker's Jinx, and I also thought Wild One, and (gasp) Ragin Cajun were very good.

^ that's what SFFT did for the shoot for the Joker Pendulum (which I got to participate in). they started up the swings (think it's called Super Villain Swings these days) and split the folks there for the shoot among the two rides, so they could get both moving in the shots.

I guess that comes down to the different body type thing you just brought up. . . Verbolten has always been super snug for me (I fit, but not comfortably. . same thing with Backlot Stunt Coaster at KD). and I'm not super big - I don't use the Big Boy seats on the B&Ms for example, I fit in the regular just fine. so yeah, reiterating what you said. . different people are gonna fit differently.

^ it was a fantastic break in the day, and provided some really incredible views of Cedar Point. if they offer it this year? you should give it a ride.

my 2nd favorite All You Can Eat sushi place opened back up for indoor dining - meaning: you can order the AYCE instead of just separate "to go" rolls it's not my favorite place (their AYCE includes Sashimi, Nigiri, and rolls - but their indoor dining is still shut down with to go ordering only). so i'm in a sushi roll coma from Sushi Junai . . and so happy about it!

Alpengeist, Apollo's Chariot, and Griffon, I recall all have big boy seats. you might have an issue on InvadR and Loch Ness Monster, . . and I think for sure you'll have issue on Verbolten I'm not a "regular" at this park tho, so hopefully someone that goes frequently (Chuck?) can give you more detailed answer

ZOOM ZOOM glad you got on. . and congrats to Joel (and Kim) for getting on too. see? all that work retracking (or is that "topper tracking" ) was worth it!

^ yeah. . Beast is on night time ERT on both nights (think Orion is too).

do y'all think I should pre-purchase FL+ for when I'm there for CoasterStock? It's on Fri/Sat in July, and keep in mind there is a bunch of ERT before and after Park open/close on both days. So I hadn't planned on doing FL/FL+. . but seeing how insanely crowded all the parks have been, I'm second guessing myself if I would need it. 1st time/only time visit. . so . . . opinion?

I'm really surprised they let her on with such an obvious wig. (or in the park in cosplay. . wouldn't they worry someone would think she's representing the Park)? Maybe someone was too embarrassed to ask her about it?

you absolutely should take advantage of Preview night. . even if you only ride a couple of the "big" coasters - head to StormRunner, Farenheit, and Laff Track. . those are ones you want to knock out the day before so you won't have to stand in the insane lines the next day. (tho you'll want to rid Storm Runner again). when you pay for parking on Preview Night, it's good for the next day too, so you're not "losing" anything. Chocolate World is outside the main gates, so if you get to the hotel and relax for a little bit. .head over to the park and do Chocolate World to kill any time you need to spend until the preview entry is available. it's what I would do. Chocolate World is basically a giant Hershey Gift Shop - but it has a FREE dark ride about making the chocolate that is fun. They also sell several "experiences" such as cooking class, make your own chocolate bar, trolley tour of Hershey, etc. . .we've done several of them and they are good. But yes, those are upcharges. Zoo America is not large, but it is a wonderful free addition, and I always stop in when at Hershey. (the entrance is close to the Kissing Tower from within the park). the Monorail is great too - assuming it's back open by your visit - it takes you outside the park grounds and over downtown Hershey for a nice relaxing ride. the Gardens are not really connected to the park - so that's a trip to get to. Those are usually separately ticketed, but were always included in the packages we've gotten at Chocolate World (such as the trolly trip around Hershey, which we loved). We've never done it tho, as would rather spend time IN the park (as noted, Zoo America is attached, so you don't need to leave the park to do that)

hah. . Universal's response:

must be a REALLY slow news day if "Woman Loses Wig on VelociCoaster" is one of your top stories! Bwaaa-haaaa-haaaaa https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/woman-says-she-lost-wig-while-riding-universals-velocicoaster

only been a week since back on the wagon - but down 3.2lbs. hopefully by the end of May will be down under 200 again.

^ it's great fun over a 3 day period . . but I'd say mainly it's for those that don't have SFFT as their home park. the "bonuses" offered during the event are great, if you've never done them - but as a "local" who's gone to a few events at the park, there was nothing there to grab me to go spend 3 days in San Antonio. But think it's a great event for those that want a reason to go to SFFT and spend a few days there. (the ERT in the waterpark is a HUGE advantage for those of y'all that like waterparks - LOL. . I don't so it's not a draw for me)

hmm. . perhaps they are going to be doing something on Volcano's site, and they need the access, so therefore have to remove portion of Avalanche track?

heh. . on MeTV, they are right now, showing the Brady Bunch episode of King's Island. it was filmed almost 50 years ago, and pretty much every ride they go on in the episode is now way, way gone. still cool to see Racer, Eiffel Tower, flyers, scrambler and the flume (I think that's still there, right?) that will look similar when I finally get to this park for the 1st time. (along with the way gone Monster, Rotor, Spinning barrels, Trabant, Bayern Kurve, Sky Buckets, Canoes, and so many more things from way back then). tho I think the neatest was in the overhead establishing shots of the Bradys riding Racer (maybe filmed from the Sky Buckets?).. the's clearly a ton of land clearing/construction going on to the right of the lift hill - that's where the Beast was built, right?

yeah. . if you see it operating. . go over there. it's a decent drop tower, but the main reason to ride is the spectacular views you get - Mach Tower rotates the gondola as it raises. totally worth it for that portion, even if the actual drop part of the ride is only so-so.