ryder

^i believe so, back before it was a Six Flags park.

I've never had a problem before.

I mean, I'd rather be texted and do other things to stand in the bar, rather than stand in line for 2+ hours only to stand MORE in the bar, so...

While I've never actually done it, it appears Ghost Town Alive at Knott's Berry Farm (the attraction Forbidden Frontier was based on) is wildly successful, and hosts a very loyal and devoted following. Sounds like Cedar Point is off to a good start on their. Families seem to absolutely love it.

I don't know if it's credible, but one twitter account was claiming that after that opening weekend, they are now taking text reservations for the Cantina. If true, it'd be like a restaurant: you check in, given them your number, and when they're ready to seat you, you get a text. That way you're free to enjoy other shopping and whatnot instead of wasting your time in that line. If it's not true, it ought to be. If others visit in the near future, confirmation would be welcome. I'd also appreciate confirmation if they're allowing multiple rides on SR, or instead marking your wristband and only allowing one ride.

I'm not saying I agree with this, but I was seeing articles that were stating that the powers that be in Vegas are seeing less of a future in running expensive, high cast shows (like Cirque), and shifting the focus to DJs and starpower acts (Elton John, Lady Gaga, Cher, etc.). They feel those are the draws for that all important "millennial" crowd. And strangely, they seem to feel no one really cares much about the parking and resort fees. Personally, if this is true, I feel they have their heads up their asses.

I agree the parking and resort fees are diving people away. I've also heard the rumors that the Cirque shows are not doing all that well anymore either, and that they may be removed within a year or two. I used to go once a year, but not so much anymore... it's just not the quick, affordable weekend getaway it used to be. When I do go, I go primary for food, shows, Bellagio Conservatory/Fountains, and unique events (Neon Museum, The Haunted Museum, Pinball Museum, Ethel M Chocolate Factory Tour, Atomic Museum, and Raising Caine's--as there aren't any near me, haha)

I know, I'll be going around July 11, and I'm kind of holding my breath to see if it'll be open by then--seems like it could be a close call. My travels are tied to a business trip, so the dates are kinda inflexible for me. :/

I just don't understand all the GP love for Gatekeeper. It's a mediocre ride. But maybe that's exactly the draw for GP: many of the other rides are too intense for them? I kinda feel the same way for Valvarin. It's a great novelty the first time, but it's pretty much an overrated one trick pony, and I don't mind skipping either one when I visit CP.

California's Great America still has a working Calypso, and it has great ops. CGA actually has 3 Schwartzkopf flat rides that are still operating: the Calypso (Centerfuge), Orbiter (Enterprise... many of these are starting to disappear from parks), and Beserker (Bayern Kurve... only 2 left in the states, here and Kennywood). I'd add that classic Chance Trabants are pretty rare now, and many Condors are now extinct. And my own personal Holy Grail, the Chance Turbo. Never got to ride one, although I remember many vivid memories of seeing one operate at the LA Fair, when I was too young to ride it. But I watched it for hours (well, it felt like hours, lol). I do know now a few parks had one in operation, Idora Park being most notated.

^That's very easy on the operations side of things, but how is a guest supposed to know how many people are in the line/ride capacity? Let alone the possible downtime you mention.

This was my plan, but I saw on another credible site that they will not allow people to do this. Although how that will be enforced, and if so, when the cut of time would be, was not clear. The same site said they do intended to offer single rider line, even for the previews, so that may be helpful if it pans out.

I was going to ask, even though it's not new, it's new to me: how is the Melt restaurant? I'm a huge fan of grilled cheese, so it sounded appealing to me.

No.

If you are spending all that time at Knotts, also make sure you head over across the street to see Indenpendance Hall. It's a nice, quite respite that is very often overlooked. If you really want to explore the park, there is so much history here. Parts of this park have been around for nearly 100 years... many of the building in Ghost Town are actually authentic, moved from real ghost towns. Aside from the obviously, try to catch the small things: a melodrama at the Bird Cage Theater (if running), visit the Schoolhouse, see (and hear) Catawumpus, feel the heartbeating grave at Boot Hill, listen to the "Private Club" across from the bumper cars (Wheeler Dealer), talk to Sad Eye Joe, catch the ghost in the coffin near the Bird Cage theater, view all the peek-ins around Ghost Town, catch the Wild West Stunt Show, and view the MIssion dioramas. For Ghostrider, if you go first thing in the morning, there are local feral cats that get fed by the nearby Pan for Gold every morning... look for them! And also listen for the sounds of mining as you enter the tunnel for Ghostrider, as well as in a pit near Boot Hill. And if you look up around Ghost Town, you may see some rocking chairs rocking all by themselves... Mystery Lodge is a lovely show, very underrated. And the Stagecoach is unique, but it can get long (and very slow moving) lines, so try to hit it on the early side. You may encounter some robbers on the train. The Hat Dance is a great, speedy tea cup ride that can really fly. If you're a Snoopy fanatic, there are at least two "hidden" Snoopys: one in the ironwork fence around the large fountain across from Iron Reek, and one in the Iron Reef loading area mural/steelwork. Good luck finding them. And go to the Chicken Dinner restaurant in the Marketplace (outside the park)... they have been serving the same recipes since the place got 4 hour lines in the 1930's. There's a reason it's popular. And eat as much Boysenberry as possible (the Boysenberry punch, served at most food locations in the park, is not to be missed)--it's the local crop that originated right on that very land. Also in the Marketplace, in some "hidden" doors in gift shop (they are marked "This is not an Exit"), is a lovely atrium and nook that is recreated to look like George Washington's fireplace (and all important bathrooms, lol).

The entire place was built off the chicken dinner restaurant... so gotta eat there. Kind of a must. Also, Mystery Lodge is a surprisingly thoghtful show for a theme park. I do recommend it.

On a side note, if you are using membership for your front of the line passes, it does not include: X2, Superman, or Crazanity. I'd use it for FT or Tatsu... the line for TC generally moves pretty fast, especially if you get there early. I'd get to X2 ASAP, but also keep in mind it frequently has trouble opening with the park, and is frequently delayed by about 2o-30 minutes. Revolution hasn't had SR in a long time. I think Viper may have removed theirs as well. But I would use it on Riddler and Drop of Doom.

Exactly... which is why it's a total mystery to me why they haven't done this yet for Hangtime... where they even have a grouper on hand, and space to do it if it shared the Fastlane path (which is how CGA handles their SR for Railblazer). So many empty seats go by wasted on that, probably way more than Ghostrider gets. Same for Iron Reef.

^On a side note, the roosters and chickens aren't at Knott's any more. They were shipped off.

According to a video online, when Windjammer was a flop, Knott's sued Togo, which caused them to go bankrupt and essentially put an end to the company. I also heard that when Knott's also had it's problem with Windseeker, Mondial gave them a good deal on the Sol Spin replacement. Maybe Knott's should stop making rides with the word "Wind" in their name?

Keep in mind SFGrAdv has a HUGE animal attraction... so unless they decided to close that (and it's so immense and integral to the park, I can't imagine it)... SF will always be forced to dabble in the animal game.

^I mean... that's the entire point of Fast Lane. They want you to buy it. I mean, non-obstructed seats at a show DO cost more...

^They did it that way last year, too.

LAUSD will be off next week, so don't expect low levels of crowds to last.

I'm a bit concerned to hear about the Dolphin Pool going away... I'm going up next week to do the Dolphin Encounter that's included with the Diamond Elite. We signed up and got a confirmation, so it's happening somehow... does that happen in a different location?