SFoG Questions

[Adrenaline_Rush]

Ok, well my family and I are saving for a trip to SFoG in January, and I have a few questions.

 

Is the park normally open in January? (I checked the site and it said to be determined)

 

Does it normally snow in Georgia during January? (I really want to see snow)

 

What are the prices of the Q-Bots for 4 people, and are they worth it?

 

Does Georgia Scorcher hurt for a guy?

 

What would you recommend riding first due to long lines?

 

Are there any good rides that a parent with a bad-back could ride? (i.e. like Cat in the Hat in IOA)

 

Whats a good hotel to stay in? (includes price, comfort, closeness to park)

 

Is Superman:UF uncomfortable in the seats?

 

Thanks for your help!

[edh]

No, the park is not open Jan. October (and a day or 2 in Nov) are the last days it stays open.

 

2. It snows on a few occasions in Georgia, and if it does, the whole city shuts down.

[TheRapidsNerd]

Unless they're doing something new, SFoG isn't open in January. (checked like crazy during early spring because I wanted to go)

 

Snow is a hit or miss thing in Georgia and neighboring Alabama. Sometimes we don't get a snow (if at all) until march. Mostly rainy in winter, though this past one was pretty cold.

 

The rest of your questions I just don't know. Not much help, but at least a little insight.

 

Depending on your travel plans, you might check out the Georgia Aquarium and Coca Cola World in Atlanta as alternates if the park isn't open.

 

Good luck and safe travel.

[edh]

I just remembered something. Go to Stone Mountain and you can see snow. http://www.stonemountainpark.com/you-should-know/?id=253

[Billy Shears]

Is the park normally open in January? (I checked the site and it said to be determined)

Nope.

 

Does it normally snow in Georgia during January? (I really want to see snow)

It never snows in Georgia. Ever. Well, kind of. But it's doubtful.

 

What are the prices of the Q-Bots for 4 people, and are they worth it?

A million billion jillion dollars, and by that I mean a lot, and no.

 

Does Georgia Scorcher hurt for a guy?

Nope, as long as your feet are touching the ground when the restraints lock. If not... good luck!

 

What would you recommend riding first due to long lines?

Goliath and Superman

 

Are there any good rides that a parent with a bad-back could ride? (i.e. like Cat in the Hat in IOA)

Sadly, SFOG doesn't have many small rides... but maybe.

 

Whats a good hotel to stay in? (includes price, comfort, closeness to park)

No idea

 

Is Superman:UF uncomfortable in the seats?

Nope, it's snug and secure.

[Adrenaline_Rush]

Okay thanks guys for all your help, I guess we just arent going to SFoG. Oh well, *sigh.

 

Depending on your travel plans, you might check out the Georgia Aquarium and Coca Cola World in Atlanta as alternates if the park isn't open.

 

We plan on going there already, were staying 2 days, 1 meant for SF and the other is just touristing (is that a word) around Georgia.

[carolinacaniac]

I think you are going to find that with the exception of Florida, Southern California and Wild Adventures in Valdosta, GA (Really close to the GA/FL Boarder), Every theme/amusement park is open from no sooner than March to no later than the first weekend of November. Some park will have Christmas events, but the rides that are open are usually pretty limited. I know that Dollywood stays open until about new years eve, but if the Temperature drops to below 40 F, then the coasters and probably a good number of rides close down.

[Axman]

The Wingate Inn is the closest hotel to the park, and its very nice. Do not stay at Days Inn It's a total dump!

 

The River View Carousel, Balloon Race, Hanson Cars, Monster Plantation, The Railroad, and The Sky Buckets are great, gentle rides for someone with a bad back.

 

The most popular rides are Goliath and Superman. However, these can have very high capacity and fast-moving lines if there are two trains running.

 

Deja Vu is prone to down time. If it is open, there will be a long line due to one-train capacity, and will most likely break-down at some point during the day.

 

Great American Scream Machine can be a slow loader if there's only one train running. This only happens just after it rains, and the skid breaks are too wet too work properly, which will limit the ride to one train operation. With two trains this ride has a fast-moving line.

 

Batman The Ride can get long lines, as its the 3rd most popular ride in the park. Like Goliath and Superman, Batman can also have high capacity with two train operation.

 

Georgia Scorcher, like Goliath, Batman, and Superman, have 4-across trains, which makes it a very high capacity ride. However, Georgia Scorcher isn't as popular as its other 4-across counterparts, but usually runs two trains, so lines are never a problem.

 

Dalogenah Mine Train and Ninja never have long lines, even with one train operations. The Mine Train, though quite fun, is short and gentle, which makes it a less sought-after and unpopular attraction. Ninja is down-right unpleasant, so most of the general public stays away from it.

 

Mindbender and Georgia Cyclone are generaly popular rides, so lines can be relatively long on occasion. Two train operations can cut these lines down to almost nothing.

 

Wile E. Coyote's Canyon Blaster is the park's Kiddie coaster, so lines are never a problem.

 

I hope this helps.

 

 

Of the 4 Six Flags parks I've been too (California parks and Kentucky Kingdom), SFOG is definetly the finest. You will have a wonderful time.

[TheRapidsNerd]

Adrenaline_Rush,

Don't feel bad. I live nearby (ok Alabama) and after hearing about SFoG's locker policies for Goliath and several other bad things, I'm even thinking of going elsewhere to spend my cash.

[coaster05]

SFOG was an amazing park and you can avoid the locker problem by not bringing crap into the park.

[TheRapidsNerd]

SFOG was an amazing park and you can avoid the locker problem by not bringing crap into the park.

 

^While true, car keys, cell phone, camera for TPR updates, batteries, and memory cards aren't what I'd consider crap.

 

Glad others have had good experiences, but I'm still dubious.

[coaster05]

SFOG was an amazing park and you can avoid the locker problem by not bringing crap into the park.

 

^While true, car keys, cell phone, camera for TPR updates, batteries, and memory cards aren't what I'd consider crap.

 

Glad others have had good experiences, but I'm still dubious.

 

Yep I bring all that also and they all fit in this amazing invention called...pockets. I put the stuff in their before I get in line and everything turns out great.

[TheRapidsNerd]

TheRapidsNerd wrote:

Quote:

SFOG was an amazing park and you can avoid the locker problem by not bringing crap into the park.

 

 

^While true, car keys, cell phone, camera for TPR updates, batteries, and memory cards aren't what I'd consider crap.

 

Glad others have had good experiences, but I'm still dubious.

 

 

Yep I bring all that also and they all fit in this amazing invention called...pockets. I put the stuff in their before I get in line and everything turns out great.

 

Ok, you get funny sarcasm points, but dude, all that stuff won't fit in my pockets. Yes, I carry a small hiking pack that solves the problem.

 

Obviously, what you seemed to have missed here is why I had my doubts about spending cash at Six Flag Georgia. Glad you had a wonderful time. Really. Glad you love the parks. Believe it or not, I do too. However, based on what I've read here on the boards, what I've been told by others who've gone to the park, and the weather climate for this time of year, I'm not sure I'm ready to spend a bunch of cash at a park with questionable press and policies that people are unhappy about.

 

For the record, I don't hate them and I'm not on the "bash Six Flags" band wagon. I am, however, an adult like you, and ask respect from you when holding an opposite opinion. It would seem that if someone doesn't agree with your thinking, it's open season.

 

Repectfully, after you've responded to this post, let's agree to disagree on this subject, yet agree we both like parks and roller coasters a lot. No worries, eh?

[coaster05]

Thats fine and I am not trying to change your view of the park. Although talking to Parktrips or Beemer boy about this park would seem to give you a lot better information about what goes on there as opposed to what is said on these boards, which include 100's of SF bashers.

 

I have no idea how you can't get that stuff in your pocket, but if you need a locker I guess I don't understand the $2.00 charge being a hang up. I actually do see SF point about it helping capacity because I am becoming more and more annoyed with people who jack around while picking their stuff out of the bins, what started as a convience thing is becoming an annoyance as people drop their stuff in the bins, then are in no rush to get their stuff back out. I also can't imagine the amount of complaining people do when stuff is stolen. I have no idea about the weather down there, but as someone who travels quite a bit I have never avoided a place due to weather.

 

Again I am fine with someone having a different opinion, but before that fight in the parking lot, the free admission thing earlier in the year, and this locker thing, which IMO is a non issue, I had never heard of bad things there. Even when SF was at its worse I had always read that SFOG was an exception to the rule.

[TheRapidsNerd]

Although talking to Parktrips or Beemer boy about this park would seem to give you a lot better information

 

Good idea. I will do just that. Also, my opinion was based on coworkers and friends here that have gone to the park as well.

 

I have no idea how you can't get that stuff in your pocket

 

I wear jeans with 2 average sized pockets on the front and your standard thin back pockets on the back. Remember, I'm also carrying spare double A batts and a spare memory card, not just keys, wallet, cell phone, and camera. They'll fall out of the pockets, hence the small hiking pack. Cargo pants or heavy pockets just aren't comfortable.

 

what started as a convience thing is becoming an annoyance as people drop their stuff in the bins, then are in no rush to get their stuff back out. I also can't imagine the amount of complaining people do when stuff is stolen.

 

Ok, here you've taught me something new. Was not aware of this problem and it clarifies your position. Thank you for this insight.

 

I have no idea about the weather down there, but as someone who travels quite a bit I have never avoided a place due to weather.

 

Georgia and Alabama can get very very hot during July and August. Atlanta was nicknamed "Hotlanta" due to the opressive heat in the last few years. Austell is nearby and suffers the same weather. It's also very humid, which makes outdoor activities most uncomfortable. You step outside and you're pouring sweat and you're energy is sapped in a very few minutes. At times, there are even heat advisories.

 

before that fight in the parking lot, the free admission thing earlier in the year

 

Hadn't even heard of those.

 

To make you feel better, I'm not one of the SF Bashers. It's understandable how they could irritate you, especially after you've had good experiences and are passionate about the park.

 

Sincerely, I thank you for helping me better understand where you're coming from on this subject as well as your insight. Hopfully, my responses have done the same.

 

Regardless, we're both devoted coaster fans and we love a good park.

[crazydaveh]

As someone else stated before, Stone Mountain will most likely be your best bet during January. Sadly, nothing else theme park wise is open that time of year in Atlanta.

 

Six Flags tried a Christmas thing about ten years ago, open during the holidays with limited rides and ice skating, but it didn't go well enough to keep going year after year.

 

The aquarium downtown is pretty neat and I hear the World of Coke is better than it was before they moved in next to the aquarium. You can always check and see if the Hawks, Thrashers, or Falcons might have a game while you're there... Other than that, head south to Orlando for January fun!

 

Good luck with everything!

[ParkTrips]

Adrenaline_Rush,

Don't feel bad. I live nearby (ok Alabama) and after hearing about SFoG's locker policies for Goliath and several other bad things, I'm even thinking of going elsewhere to spend my cash.

I think you should still go. Hell, you enjoyed Visionland, so I'm sure you will enjoy Six Flags. As for the policies, well, they seem to change every week around here

[ginzo]

Again I am fine with someone having a different opinion, but before that fight in the parking lot, the free admission thing earlier in the year, and this locker thing, which IMO is a non issue, I had never heard of bad things there. Even when SF was at its worse I had always read that SFOG was an exception to the rule.

 

Uhhh, don't forget that three people were shot outside the park last year by the bus area. Not their fault, but not great news either.

 

I strongly agree though that SFoG is one of the best parks in the chain.

[Hikaru-chan]

Hmm, hate to join any bandwagon but here are my two cents? First, is your camera to big to fit in a fanny pack? Stupid looking yes, but they're lifesavers in holding stuff, if I could find mine I would have brought my camera to the park. Also, why not get one of those small portable fans?

 

It's kinda bad that I start every post saying hmm, lol.

[TheRapidsNerd]

^Camera is 3.5x3x1.5. Your hearts in the right place, and I do use a hiking pack (black diamond prowler) for just that reason. Camera and all fits inside well. That hang-up solved. Portable just fans wouldn't work in the monster heat. Humerously, they weren't kidding when they named "The Georgia Scorcher".

 

I think you should still go. Hell, you enjoyed Visionland, so I'm sure you will enjoy Six Flags. As for the policies, well, they seem to change every week around here

 

I dunno. Just iffy on the whole thing.

 

Unfortunately, I've careened the topic away from helping a fellow TPR member sort out travel plans. That's really what should be focused on here. Everyone's insight is definately appreciated, though.

 

Adrenaline_Rush, hope you got some better answers out of this thread and my apologies for the detour.

 

coaster05, Thank you for the enlightenment and we're cool in my book. No ill will.

[coaster05]

^I wasn't ever worried about it. discussions, arguments, or differences in opinions never stick with me so one conversation is seperate from others. My trip to SFOG was in the middle of July hence my weather comment, I also love hitting Florida in August, just went to Spain, and being a teacher I do 90% of my travel during the hot summer months. Hence my comment about not letting the weather effect me.

 

As far as the other guy with the people getting shot comment, people get shot at schools and we still go. There will always be idiots no matter where you are.

[Cameraman]

If you're going in a car, a nice place to stay is nearby Douglasville. It's about 10 miles away from the park, but the area is nicer and the hotels are cleaner and cheaper. The area around SFoG is pretty much a dump and I would recommend avoiding it like the plague. The walking distance hotels are expensive and in some cases are not good hotels at all.

[Axman]

If you're going in a car, a nice place to stay is nearby Douglasville. It's about 10 miles away from the park, but the area is nicer and the hotels are cleaner and cheaper. The area around SFoG is pretty much a dump and I would recommend avoiding it like the plague. The walking distance hotels are expensive and in some cases are not good hotels at all.

 

Seriously, the Wingate is REALLY NICE! It's the closest hotel to the park and the rooms are affordable, clean, and feature a lovely view of the Georgia Cyclone.