teacherkim

I wasn't sure since the only other time we were there it was for Con and didn't need QQ due to ert so thought I would post it just in case people didn't know.

We were at the park last Saturday. We actually didn't get there until about 3 (you can read about why on the BGW thread if you care) and they were only open until 8, but since we had been there before and didn't need to get on every little thing and had FL+ we were able to do everything we wanted. It was not as busy as I would have thought it to be for a Saturday but it did close kind of early and it was a pretty chilly, breezy day. I thought the jungle retheme where Tumbili is was fairly nice looking, my son kind of thought it "eh". He rode Tumbili, it's too much flipping for me. He did say that it flipped way more than any other free spin he had been on. Racer only had the blue train going anytime we were near it, Dominator was dead most of the time we were there and of course water rides weren't open for the season yet. We got in line for I305 about 7:50 and got a ride on what would have been the second to last train of the night but as we approached the station after the brake run the ops got a no go light on the other train which was in the station; so, they kicked off those riders and sent them out which kind of sucks cuz it was after 8 by then so they couldn't get on anything else but of course that's the chance you take. Anyway now the ride is down, one train stuck in the station and one train with us in the front row and two other people in the back row stuck out on the track outside the station. After 15-20 minutes of messing with it they finally put the first train in some sort of maintenance mode to get it slowly pulled part way up the lift hill so they could get us into the station. There were about a dozen higher ups and maintenance people by the time the 4 of us were able to get off. I have to say even though we have done many many events and left parks very late I think that was the most deserted theme park I have every walked through on our way out. The jungle theme is much more intense when it is dark and the jungle drum music is blaring and there is no one else around, lol!

So we were at the park last Friday and Saturday. Short trip report: Friday was kind of a rough day Pantheon was down all day, one of the trains spent most of the day stuck on the first launch and only starting some testing about an hour or so before the park closed. Griffon of course wasn't supposed to open but was testing and training all day Friday. Skyride was closed and at one point in the early afternoon in addition to no Pantheon, Griffon, and Skyride; Apollo, Tempesto, and a couple of flats including the drop tower were all down. And of course none of the water rides were open for the season yet. So much so that we actually went back to the hotel for a break and ate dinner outside the park which is most unlike us. Came back for the last couple hours and caught a few night rides including all 3 "stories" on Verbolten. We were planning on going to KD the next day but delayed it and went first back to BGW hoping to catch a ride on Pantheon and Griffon. Got there at open, neither running despite it being the day Griffon was to debut for the season. Did a few things and had a bite to eat and we were just about to give up when we saw that Pantheon had riders, rushed over, apparently it had JUST opened and got a front seat ride with about a 30 min wait which was up to 60 when we got off. Definitely an awesome coaster and backwards air time is super fun. Who knew, lol. Since we had purchased the higher level QQ that included a one time Pantheon ride for Friday but couldn't use it since it was down all day the park did give us 2 one time skip the line passes which we used next to get a second ride. Finished there about 1:30, did one more quick check on Griffon but it was still closed, testing but closed and the whole path to the station was blocked by benches. I have no idea if it ever opened Saturday or not. Skyride was working on Saturday. At this point we took off for KD so we could at least catch the second half of the day there. And while this is probably of little interest to most of the thoosies on here, the lorikeets were never out which was an extra bummer for me. However the park had all it's spring flowers going and looked awesome as usual. One thing we ran into and I have no idea if this is the norm or not; they had rows dedicated to QQ only so if you do get QQ you will most likely get assigned a row. It was row 2 on Apollo, row 5 on Invadr etc etc. Which means if there were no QQ people that row just went empty. Dunno doesn't seem the best way to do that to me but whatever, I was just posting for anyone contemplating buying them so they are in the know.

Invented and written about by men, hmmmmm

Terrible news. The young man was from St. Louis so the story was on our local 5 pm news. According to that story he was 365 lbs and 6'5", down there for a spring break trip as most of our area school were off this week.

But on the other hand I've always planned stuff out. The internet just makes it easier. I mean when I was 10 we took a big road trip and I actually wrote letters to the Chambers of Commerce in all the towns and cities we were driving through to ask about things to see and do. Got a crap ton of brochures mailed back to me. It was fabulous. Sometimes the anticipation of planning is half the fun.

I'm sure you can Bert. I've worn just a regular pair of sunglasses without a strap of any kind, just to keep the worst of the water out of my eyes, many times and no one has ever said a word to me. You can wear water shoes too. They really are great rides.. .... I'll get the suburban mom pool bag and a couple beach towells ready to go for your trip.

I too think you will beat the 4th of July crowds, most of those people are liable to come in on Friday and stay into the next week when the holiday occurs. Also, CoasterCon will be there the week before you 6/19 - 6/22, so that is 600+ thoosies that won't be back the next week. Should help put a little dent in the crowds

Oh that isn't even close to seeing it all, you should talk to the guidance counselors and school resource officers that have to make home visits to students in rough neighborhoods.

Oh geez, I hope this doesn't become all we talk about for the rest of the season. People I implore you........try to move forward and not dwell on the past and accept it for the massive improvement it will be over what we have had for, oh I don't know, 20 years or so now. Let's not sacrifice the good in vain attempts at getting the perfect.

I didn't say there was anything wrong with meeting people at that Subway. Just listing that it was one of just a couple of very limited options of things to do in the town, lol

I think people are going to be VERY happy with the re do of the area around Eagle's entrance and the new flat! And no I'm not saying more than that so don't ask.

That's because Harry Potter stuff brings in tons of people that would NOT have travelled to Universal for DD. Sorry, but it is what it is. Just like retiring a ride that starts to cost more to maintain than it brings in. In the end it's usually bottom line and roi.

Everyone gave you good advice! I would add that for HW it looks like you will drive there after your plane lands on Wed and spend the night before doing the park on Thursday. Be aware, if you aren't already, that there is only one extremely mediocre roadside motel near the park and NOTHING to eat nearby but a Subway and an even more mediocre restaurant in the motel. So depending on your flight time you should eat in Louisville (I'm sure the locals can give you a thousand recommendations) or there is one really good restaurant just outside of Louisville in Indiana called the Overlook http://www.theoverlook.com/, it's only about 3 miles off the highway but not open very late so keep that in mind. We're gonna make Bert eat there in May so you can look for his review Also, be aware that HW is in central time while all the other locations are eastern time and you won't hit that time change until almost at the park. There is no reason to get there early, there is nothing to do outside of the park unless you want to peruse the Santa Claus hardware store or pick up chicks at the Subway HW is in the middle of a corn field and when you are in line for Thunderbird you will see that I am not kidding. The big water coasters at HW in their waterpark have single rider lines. Totally worth it unless getting a little too close to strangers in swimsuits freaks you out. KK is that rare front to back park. T3 is only for people that are complete credit whores or enjoy concussions/feeling like a truck ran over you. The water park there is not as good as HW but the extreme wave times in the pool are VERY entertaining especially with one of the Bourbon flights in you and the noodle heavy lazy river is unique fun. They have a water coaster but it has never been open when I have been there. Not. Once. IF you do get to CP early, since you are staying at the Breakers you can easily relax for a few hours at the pool/beach/bar. And I absolutely echo getting FL+ at KI specially with just one day there! Have fun, I have done that exact HW/KK/KI/CP run more than once and it's a nicely space out little road trip.

No idea how crusty it is but if you really want to save money there is an Econo Lodge that is both significantly cheaper and significantly close than the Holiday Inn. You'd be looking at a half mile walk instead of 2 miles.

Good to hear! We were there in December on a larger family FL Christmas trip and this was my son's feelings on Gwazi not being open yet. When we had booked the trip a year ago we were still hoping it would be. But we will be back down for the ACE spring conference in May and catch a ride then.

Better food would be a VERY nice start. Sigh.

This. Plus, it's ok to appreciate what the park has and be disappointed at the lack of new rides and the dismal (I do agree with this description) 50th anniversary at the same time. You always expect the most of the ones you love, and suffer the most disappointment when they don't live up to your expectations. None of our friends/family are all good or all bad but we love them anyway.

Now who insisted you ride Mine Train even though you were ready to be done for the day after Ninja? You're welcome!

Some of that is just frustration from living in a city that was once one of the largest cities in the USA and now is often treated as a flyover spot and is overshadowed tourism wise by the much bigger neighbor to the north, Chicago. Not condoning or condemning, just is what it is.

Ahh yes the days of total excess! I remember that too so I'm right there with ya on that date thing.

We will be there on 3/31 & 4/1, a Thursday and Friday, will post a report on what's open for you

Ride ops started their seasonal training today.........finally spring!

I'm sure the park is just tired of dealing with the running of the Steel Vengeance bulls first thing EVERY morning; thoosies be damned. They'll get over it and it still gives Breakers guests quite a head start to get in line and get a lap or two in before the gp pack makes it back there. Although I'm sure there will be at least one FB entry from someone stating they've cancelled their reservation over it if the hubbub about TTD is any indication

Yes it is necessary. We were there last April for a full day and then a few hours the next day. Had fastpass, had ert time because it was for an event, and still didn't get on everything. Got on almost everything.