JJLehto

Woke up and realized I could make it by gate opening, so took an unplanned trip. Right to flash, got two rides (after the 2nd line was already up to an hour) once in the middle, once back row. Middle was fine, was fun, back row was very good, air and whip was stronger, just a better ride all around, even the hang felt better! For the 40 mins I waited for my 2nd ride was still worth it but not sure I'd want much longer than that. IMO this is an hour at tops, ride was quite fun but just wish it had a liiiiittle bit more oomph. Like it felt close to being great just needed some more. But yeah the line itself wasn't even that terrible but ofc due to 1 train it was getting long, I can't fathom what summer would look like. To be clear: It was not the ops, I felt they were moving quite quickly! Also restraints were nice and comfy, willing to say some of the best I've experienced. Besides that got a walk on to Nitro and even a stay on re-ride. It just doesn't hit the same it used to, but still a solid ride. Jersey Devil, then the heat was getting insane already so bailed. So yeah not much to report, it still makes se sad going here just seeing how much the park has lost over the years (no not this year, I still maintain most of that wasn't really a big deal and KK barely ran anyway) and as noted El Toro while still great has become so rough. Some solid rides here so I really hope the long run investment they talk about does happen. Wanna see this place have a good number of quality, interesting rides. But for now, got some good rides and after being prepared to be let down Flash was better than I expected!

Oof despite my watching like a hawk did miss Coastermania. Seems they have put Sirens Curse on there if it is open but they dont seem to guarantee it. "Siren’s Curse is scheduled to open in early summer. While an official opening date has not yet been set, it’s included in the Coastermania lineup in the event it has opened." Ah well. If its not yet open I wont be too bummed, still kinda sad I missed it. Unsure if I'll go this year, but solid chance I will not having done TTD2 or ofc Sirens Curse

Oh! Was part of a very busy trip so never did follow up. Everything was 45 mins (maybe 50 but eh) or under. Exception was Tennessee Tornado Hour 25 but they were running 1 train ops!? Mustve been an issue, cant imagine why they would on spring break and when nothing else was. Given it was spring break not bad actually! I'll gladly take 45 mins and some were only 20-30. So all in all not bad! New cred for Big Bear Mountain, perhaps the gift of low expectations but was solid and surprisingly fun! LRod, got 6 rides. Once or twice did feel a little weird at first but I became a normal human and got over the chain lift. Rest is great and far as I can tell unchanged from before. Especially when it warmed up...early morning was great but late afternoon/early evening it was hauling and kicking ass. In the back a helluva ride. Oh also I got 6 rides. It opened with the park and ran all day. So that alone is ya know, pretty big. This park may have one of the best lineups. There's no bad coaster. Even calibrating for the fact "this is a family ride" Firechaser and Dragonflier are fun little rides. I know Mystery Mine is divisive but I still quite enjoy it and though not worth that long, I forgot how much ass TT kicks, Thunderhead ran great, Wild Eagle remains a low key good wing coaster. Another good visit to this park, it probably is cemented in my top 5 by this point.

Heading to Dollywood tomm, any idea what types of crowds can be expected on a mid April weekday? (I’ve no idea if spring break is happening) also I haven’t been since Big Bear opened, is it worth going there first to get it out of the way? I hear lines can be long. Is LRod running any better? May cave and get a fast pass but hoping to avoid it!

Yeah when I was waiting for Jersey Devil when it was down the one guy said something new was replacing Ka. I inquired and he claimed it would be record breaking "the park wants the height record back" I said that one in Saudi Arabia is I think over 600 feet and he shrugged "I dont know, just they say it will retake the record" while I've gotten some legit insight from park employees before needless to say that one....yeeah not gunna bank on it LOL That said, seeing a big open area was not just weird but made me realize how much space was there. Whatever is going there it can certainly be something big. So I knew there was risk going opening day, (esp with a new ride) but it was too nice the weather, and my schedule won't have a weekday I could take off until May so why not? Got a pass, can go anytime and bail if the day is bust. .....Kinda was. Even going in knowing "OK ops will not be great, there will be rides down, various issues, rides have been removed etc" it was still kinda rough. A lot of food places/stalls weren't even open, ops were indeed rough(er than I prepared for) and except Nitro and maybe Batman I think everything went down once. And of course the biggie: Flash.... was going down basically all day. Not streaky, but like every 4 rides going down. At one point I figured **** it, I'll go for it, they say 2 hour wait but as it goes down maybe people will leave and it'll balance out. Was kinda working but as 2 hours neared I was still a bit away, and after it went down the FIRST loaded train after its last test cycle I bailed. Ride looks sick. The hangtime looks epic and just such a unique and interesting layout. The one person I bumped into who rode (dont think many did today) said has good air and the back end is very interesting. Maybe in a few weeks it'll be running smoother. That said there was redemption for Jersey Devil. I lucked out and was the first person to catch it upon reopening (was down for I think 2 hours) so got 3 in a row. Front row, near back, and back row. Front was fun but a tad lackluster, as I felt last time, but near the back holy hell that was wild. Back row was insane! Also felt El Toro wasn't as rough as its been in recent years, maybe just memory lapse, and in back Nitro is still a damn solid ride given its age. OH! Also got stuck on the lift of Superman and goodness that was...uncomfortable XD All in all OK day, looking forward to future visits.

I hope so. I don’t say it to be an edgelord it’s honestly sad to me as a NJer this park needs some major TLC. It’s sad to have seen its slow decline over time, good rides aside, so I do hope it’ll finally get the investment it needs. It is, supposedly, one of the major parks in the chain and often Id choose to drive to Hershey instead. So I do hope you’re right!

Is Flash actually open? Finally! Lessgo! I skipped this park last year waiting for this to open. It looks good. The capacity is going to be an absolute nightmare but I plan to go during an off season weekday.

Thank you!! Finally I don't feel like I'm losing my mind! Ka look I get it...but people were reacting like their puppy was murdered. I am sorry, it was long a worse version TTD and worsening over time. If ya never did it, OK I get it, get your experience, but if you did it once, you're good. A few times? You're very good. I always said you can get the same experience having a car crash on the highway. I never even bothered to look at Ka the last several times I went. As for the others, agreed everyone hated Lantern, I heard nothing but dislike, why pretend to be sad now its going? Most the others were indeed not anything special. Its like OMG they're gutting this park its evil! Nah not really lol I'm with you, Parachutes brings a twinge of "aww" I also recall it from my childhood, but even that like....we aren't really gunna cry over this? I say this as a born and raised NJer who has spent most of my life here: This park hasn't been good in ages. When I was in HS in the stone age of the early/mid 2000s we made fun how the park was kinda dumpy, half assed etc and its gotten progressively worse over time. So many rides were removed over time, granted I recall many never operating, its felt worse and worse, eventually it got to the point where I'd go for a few rides and leave. I used to tell people, IRL and on forums, I'd not be sad if they took the few good unique coasters, moved em to other parks, levelled this place and made it a state park (or bc this is NJ...apartments lol) So yeah Im actually glad investments are coming. It will take a while but maybe this park will become GOOD and not just a big area with a few good and unique rides, of which all will remain except Ka which struggled to run and felt like car crash. This is not a hot take or edgelording I've long felt this, and I am truly glad that hopefully investments are coming to this place and just bc its a gem in the SF chain doesn't mean lots of these meh, poorly/rarely running rides should be missed. Ya know it makes me chuckle, so many people saying "This park doesnt care about its guests!" yo I (and others, its true) have felt this for like 15 years lol So that out of my system I too am curious what the future holds. I'd have little faith in SF handling big investment well, with Cedar Fair involved, I am more hopeful. On a rare positive note: I do think Flash looks cool. I'll go for that, on a weekday off season, assuming it does indeed open this year XD

Quite disappointing, but far from surprising. I do appreciate the info, will factor into if I want to bother going out here "just to do" or if its not worth it.

Thanks! Good thing is I was looking after that week, so sounds like this will work out quite well. EDIT: And thanks to everyone who's commented. It sounds like mid to later April is a fine time to go, which is superb as that's when I was looking. Trust me, I have long learned my lesson about spring break week, anywhere. I treat it like the plague LOL

Looks like progress is great with AlpenFury! Does anyone have even a vague idea when we may expect opening? I never know this **** but people always seem to have a good idea. I am planning on this park for the first time, kind of afraid crowds will be heinous but thinking in June.

Is this regardless of time of year? I take it that's the case given what you said in October. Major oof....but good to know. Clearly I'll have to invest in Fast Lane regardless and prepare to hate my life lol

Ah sorry I'm so far out of the loop by now or just checked out from life that I don't get it lol I enjoyed it in the past. That said does anyone know if it's open to all still?

Not gunna bank on it but I'd like to get to Coastermania this year (guessing many others have the same idea lol) Is it still open to everyone or do you need to be in a club? I know recently it became open to anyone, and thus sold out in like .07 seconds of announcement. Regardless, excited to get back here after 2 seasons off.

Planning my first ever trip out here. I try to avoid crowds much as possible, usually be doing weekdays not in "peak" times. What is a general idea of how crowded this place would be on a weekday in early June? In general what are crowds like at different times of the season? I am pretty flexible no real concrete time I have to go.