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Yes indeed! It makes me sad that the ability to "stage" our rides can be good- but the business model/finances cannot sustain them (those pics on the link support this comment!) On that note- it pains me to this day to have seen the "best ever" for SFGA go to waste- The Golden Kingdom/Kingda Ka area of the park.....it was the perfect combo for me when my kids were little- mom kept them busy in the "new" kids area, while dad took on the beast! What a waste of money that (now closed) area of the park turned out to be.....including that stupid train that was never opened, because of the hazard it created around the climbing area!

Off the top of my head: "Pleasant" surprise: Verboten BGW (I had minimal expectations, and really enjoyed this thing!) "Unpleasant" surprise: Kilimanjaro Safaris at WDWAK....what a yawn fest this is!

I only hate 'em when I hate 'em in one park, and "my" park gets the clone! See this year's installation in SFGA as a perfect example of this...... Granted- CP and SF are competitors, but for example- if "my" park got a clone of Intimidator 305- well hello!!!!!!!!!! So for me- I could care less how many versions of a great ride are out there.....unless it sucks in one- then they suck everywhere!!!!!

I need to go back to SFNE this summer- as I was underwhelmed by Superman...... I was on it back in 2003 or 2004? Got off the ride, and was like that's it? Again- based on all the great credit it gets, I must have "missed" something that day....

Um, a pretty good old-school B&M, a classic Schwarzkopf, a historic wooden coaster, a kick-butt Intamin launched coaster, and the best set of racing coasters in the US aren't good? My goodness, you're picky. Yes sir Mr. Little League baseball! I LOVE parks, etc.....however- I'm basically a "hit up the big boys" kinda' guy, and I'm good! For example: - SFGA: (3) musts for me are: Nitro, El Toro, and Kingda Ka (in that order), then Zumanjaro, Batman, and Bizarro....everything else, whatever! - BGW: Griffon, Verboten, Apollo's and I'm good- and sure, Alpengieist if we must....yes, beautiful park- blah! blah! blah! - King's Dominion: Intimidator, Volcano, Flight of Fear, Dominator.....yup, I'm good! Shall I continue? Or I think you see a trend here...... Ok- guess I am picky!

Didn't come "here" to be a hater! Just posting my disappointment! It's a quick/last minute trip with the family from NJ, so "I'll survive"/not rescheduling. "But it's a nice park, blah! blah! blah!"......yes, yes yes, but I was looking forward to hitting up this coaster!

So headed out to Hershey for the weekend, download the app, and see (on the app) that "Skyrush is not quite ready to spring into action this weekend"......go figure- as I haven't been to the park since it has been built! Urrrrrrrr.......

Yeah- of course! IMO- there won't be a massive crowd....lots of local peeps away for Spring Break with their families, Saturday before Easter, etc. Depending on how my day goes- I may pop over at some point....I'll try to drag the family out, but my sense is- they will have no interest! And if that is the case- I'd be happy for some solo coaster time for the second time this week! My priorities are Kingda Ka, and Zum....as it (Zum) was not open Wednesday night, when I was there.

And that would be unusually because???

Can't wait! For the gravel watchers (like myself!)- I can confirm that it was there on Wednesday/opening day! The suspense is killing me.....

Wow! I am fortunate that how I'm "constructed" doesn't come anywhere near that shoulder restraint!

Boldikus- thanks for the write up! I enjoy reading your posts/perspective on the park! Good to know that I'm not the only one who gets a little "worn out" these days! My 45 year-old mind LOVES the idea of heights and speed, however- as I get older, my body can't seem to take these thrills as I once did! On that note- although I have been on Kingda Ka (what seems like) 52,000+ times....for some reason, I had some anxiety going on it last night! The thought of all that force on my body (during the launch) was making me sick to my stomach! Of course- once we got going, my mind reminded me how much I love that frickin' first row! And the same when my night ended.....I was marathoning Nitro, and I finally threw in the towel, as I was done! My mind said, "take advantage of the great weather + no lines".....but my body said "no mas!" Final comment- yes, you/everyone is right about how "important" the addition of Joker is along the lake/at the end of Main Street. As I was one of three passenger's on Bizarro/Medusa last night....it got me thinking- what would the wait time be for this coaster, if it got planted at the end of Main Street? I agreed I will no longer bash the newest additional- so I won't! (I think the comment that "someone" on this board posted, about sending a projectile missile my way did me in! ) Objectively though- based on the location, short ride time, capacity, and marketing......this puppy is gonna' have a hell of a wait! Glad a few of you got to meet each other live and in person! Hope to do the same one day!

Ha! Ha! Yes indeed! I will be on Skyrush a week from Friday! 1st time.....

So a quick snapshot of my opening day at SFGA: - Made it out of NYC around 3:30pm - Got home, exchanged the suit/tie for some cargo shorts and a tee.....and made it inside the park around 5:30pm - I have the good fortune of a flexible work/travel schedule, so figured with the good weather/opening on a Wednesday- how can I not take advantage? Mission accomplished tonight- hit the right-hand goodness first, follow-up by the left-hand goodness (I could do without anything in the middle!) #1 Nitro- walk on back row #2 Skull Mountain- walk on back row (almost skipped it, but someone on this board is very passionate about this ride- so I didn't want to let him down!) #3 Batman- walk on front row (damn, damn, damn- I forgot how awesome that front row is! And BTW- no secret on this board, however- what an unbelievable coaster this is! I can't believe how it continues to be so awesome for its' age! A quick dinner break at J.Rockets at the fountain- no wait! (BTW- watching them operate, this/food at the park will be a major cluster-____ this weekend!) #4 El Toro- one train running tonight, sat in the back, maybe a two-cycle wait #5 Bizarro- walk on front row (like Batman, I forgot how awesome that front row is! Maybe b/c I NEVER wait to be in the front!) #6 Ka- two-cycle wait for the front row (I don't know what the hell got into me tonight....I was so NOT up to get on it, but how could I not, with no one in then park? shame on me b/c I forgot how AMAZING that front row is!) At that point- it was about 7:40pm.....boogied over to Nitro; walk on front row (loved it!), and stayed on for another run, but moved to the back Ding! Ding! 8pm- and had my fill! For those of you lucky enough (like me) to make it today......I doubt we'll get another day like today this year! (with such great weather) For those of you headed to the park within the next week and a half- welcome back and enjoy! Let the season begin!

At the park as we speak......walk on city!

Headed to NYC today....... Hoping to get home at a decent hour (ie- 5pm), and at least get on Kingda Ka (not my #1, but assuming the park will be dead- I will take advantage of a "no-wait" for the front row....time permitting El Toro and Nitro. Plus my meal plan dinner/snack! Looks like it will be a spectacular outside today- so enjoy those of you who can take advantage of the full day! EXCITED!!!!!

Who is your comedy writer! Love your posts and replies!

Without bashing (please!).....remind me, what did the "soft opening" for Wednesday and Thursday mean in terms of which coasters will be open? I remember some mention on an earlier post..... Thank you!

I knew that is what you wanted to hear! I will probably zip through the park for a couple hours from 6pm- close this week.....knowing that it will BE DEAD! I'm looking forward to reading everyone's posts! Let the season begin!

For Mercer County- schools are still in session tomorrow (Wednesday), and then 1/2 day on Thursday. I didn't take the time to check other counties, but my sense is that this would apply to most, if not all of the State of NJ.

The various Six Flags properties aren't competing against each other. Regional parks like Six Flags are called that because they draw most of their business from the surrounding area. Almost no one (besides enthusiasts) plans vacations around specific roller coasters, or even amusement parks in general, outside the big resort parks like Disney. Big business is all about minimizing risk, and once Six Flags has a proven model of ride like Batman that they know works and will be successful, it's much less of a risk to just plop one down in each park then come up with something new every time. It's also cheaper because designing new rides costs money. There are also always rumors of "package deals" where park chains save money by buying a lot of rides from one manufacturer all at once, like with the super loops, and I'm sure some of that is true. Nailed it! This IS your answer!

I'd grab it! Send us all the link so we can take advantage too! Figure this- an average lunch (food only, no beverage) runs $10- $14.....so for $29.99, you've got nothing to lose!

Hello everyone- Although there are probably not too many (if any) ride announcements that you haven't already heard/read about- I thought that this was a cool, concise recap of what we all have to look forward to in 2016. IMO- I think Lighting Rod and Tron Lightcycle are the most anticipated rides in 2016.....your thoughts? http://mashable.com/2016/03/15/roller-coasters-2016/#t85TJUuhGkq7

No longer away from the "hubbub" as you know!

What are you kidding?! Jackson is beautiful tourist destination. Kinda' like Staten Island....... We're a borough of NYC people actually do things here besides go to an amusement park. All good! (Couldn't help myself!)