Six Flags America (SFA) Discussion Thread

[megametal]

Yeah, that's my biggest problem with SFA. Lack of trees. (And all the dead ends.)

[CPSFMMCW]

wow, looks great! Pretty! glad to see the screamin eagle flat ride is in place. I'd love to see what other theming they might put around the park.

[alilstronger]

It looks great!! Yes, I will agree with the majority and say this park lacks trees. I think that old go kart track has seen its last day. It used to have long lines now it does not seem to get the same following. It would be a good spot for a new flat or two.

[coasterfreak101]

I was so busy looking at the Flyers that I didn't even notice Tower of Doom at first - awesome! Now I wish they'd take this opportunity to add a train crossing and connect the back of Mardi Gras to the entrance of Gotham (or open up the back path by the stunt arena like they have in the past), but this area looking this good is enough for me for now!

[GayCoasterGuy]

That looks great! So nice to see simple rides making a comeback. Now, we need simple coasters to come back

[Password121]

how nice the new color of the tower

If only the tower was about 100 feet taller...

[mike541x]

^Couldn't agree more. This has to be the shortest Intamin drop tower I've seen.

 

On a side note, everything is looking great. As someone mentioned, add more trees and the area will look great!

[alabardo84]

I'll wait on space vertigo XD

[alilstronger]

I was so busy looking at the Flyers that I didn't even notice Tower of Doom at first - awesome! Now I wish they'd take this opportunity to add a train crossing and connect the back of Mardi Gras to the entrance of Gotham (or open up the back path by the stunt arena like they have in the past), but this area looking this good is enough for me for now!

 

The path back behind Wild One that connects the two areas is sometimes open during Fright Fest. They should just open it up all season in my opinion. Also they could create a walk way from where the tower and Falling Star are over to the entrance of Gotham.

[coasterfreak101]

^Yeah, the only time I've ever taken it was when there was one scare actor waiting on it. Such a convenient shortcut though, would definitely help movement around a park with so many dead-ends.

[Password121]

So, any of you guys heading to SFA on Saturday? I've never been to an opening day, but I went to the last SFA Fright Fest Saturday this past season. How are crowds typically on opening day, compared to, say, Spring Break? I know you can never know for sure, but as I said, never been to opening day.

[CoasterLover]

Expect VERY light crowds for opening day... most everything will be a walk on or a one or two train wait at the most. Of caution, if the day starts off cooler, Superman might not open right away. Early in the year, when we're still getting temps down in the 30s and 40s overnight, it takes Superman a bit longer to warm up.

[alilstronger]

^ This park rarely ever has new rides ready opening day. We are used to that

[Password121]

Some thoughts from SFA opening day...

Arrived around 10:30 to a long SP processing line, after waiting about 10 minutes without moving, decided to do so as I was on my way out.

First ride was Apocalypse. Still very rough, age certainly isn't helping this coaster. Ops were decent, very friendly.

Then I went to Joker's Jinx, walk on, ops were pretty slow. I then made my way to Superman for the first of four times. Ops were atrocious- they took forever, but still, great ride- nice airtime on the hill before the second helix. As the day went on, lines grew slightly. Batwing opened around 1ish, painfully slow ops. Mind Eraser opened early afternoon, not nearly worth the 10 minute wait. Possibly the most painful steel coaster I've been on. Roar never opened, I asked an employee standing at the entrance if it would open later in the day, and she replied with a pre-written speech saying Roar is temporarily down, then went on to list nearby attractions to try. Thanks for that. (sarcasm.) I exited around 4, but left the park after 5. SP processing was absolutely horrible. Multiple line jumpers, security did nothing about it until people complained.

All in all, a decent opening day. Slow operations to be expected, Roar never opened, but 1 train ops on EVERY coaster. This is what is keeping me from thinking of SFA as an above average park. Painful. Especially on Superman. 20 minutes with 6 people in front of me.

Ragin Cajin was not open, we all knew that, the Flyers were not open. Hmm...

[coasterbill]

So employees that aren't helpful, inefficient operations, horrible lines for season pass processing, line jumpers, lazy security, 1 train on everything, closed rides including rides that have been there for years but it's considered a "decent opening day".

 

It's nice to see people have such low expectations for this park that this is considered decent.

[Cedar Fair]

So employees that aren't helpful, inefficient operations, horrible lines for season pass processing, line jumpers, lazy security, 1 train on everything, closed rides including rides that have been there for years but it's considered a "decent opening day".

 

It's nice to see people have such low expectations for this park that this is considered decent.

This is a sad park, I have not love for it. All the rides need to be relocated to other parks and shut it down, or go to Cedar Fair operations.

[Highridin]

After reading this site for months, I've finally signed up...lol. Great opening day. Stayed all day. Slow ride ops on Superman and Batwing, but good on every other ride, especially considering it was the 'first' day. I wasn't expecting miracles. You want to know bad opening day ops, go to Kings Dominion or Hershey Park; been to both and was not happy. Great parks though. It's worth noting that food service was pretty slow. It was the first day though.

 

Enjoyed the new shows at SFA. Employees were super friendly. Even met the park president; I thanked him for turning the park around in the last three years. Also asked him what the plan was for next year, since the height restriction is no more. Smiled and said, "you'll see". Only thing I was tired of was all of the running. They need to enforce the 'no running' . One thing u guys may like; two guys got kicked out for cutting the line at Apocalypse. Security asked for their season passes. Funny.

 

Bottom line is that me, the kids, and other friends had a ball. Going to get better when the water park opens. It's all about the Bonzai Pipelines. .

 

No offense, but the above comment about closing the park is ridiculous (it wouldn't have been about 5 years ago). No where near that bad. Obvious, as it is still open.

[CPSFMMCW]

You want to know bad opening day ops, go to Kings Dominion

Was at KD yesterday for opening day. Operations were fine. 2 trains on everything, with the exception of rebel yell. But that was ok because they were running both sides.

[Password121]

After reading this site for months, I've finally signed up...lol. Great opening day. Stayed all day. Slow ride ops on Superman and Batwing, but good on every other ride, especially considering it was the 'first' day. I wasn't expecting miracles. You want to know bad opening day ops, go to Kings Dominion or Hershey Park; been to both and was not happy. Great parks though. It's worth noting that food service was pretty slow. It was the first day though.

 

Enjoyed the new shows at SFA. Employees were super friendly. Even met the park president; I thanked him for turning the park around in the last three years. Also asked him what the plan was for next year, since the height restriction is no more. Smiled and said, "you'll see". Only thing I was tired of was all of the running. They need to enforce the 'no running' . One thing u guys may like; two guys got kicked out for cutting the line at Apocalypse. Security asked for their season passes. Funny.

 

Bottom line is that me, the kids, and other friends had a ball. Going to get better when the water park opens. It's all about the Bonzai Pipelines. .

 

No offense, but the above comment about closing the park is ridiculous (it wouldn't have been about 5 years ago). No where near that bad. Obvious, as it is still open.

I 100% agree. I enjoy the park for what it is, which is a small chain park that has received increased capital investments over the last 3 years or so. There are many things that need to be done to SFA to make it one of the better Six Flags parks, but it has gone a long way since about 2007 or so. The park is clean, the employees are friendly (not fast, but friendly), and has a decent coaster lineup.

[sbrubakerjr]

How is the new stunt show?

[Highridin]

Not too shabby. I believe that it is better than last years show. It's not all that goofy either. The improv show is excellent. I can see how it'll never get old.

[Highridin]

You want to know bad opening day ops, go to Kings Dominion

Was at KD yesterday for opening day. Operations were fine. 2 trains on everything, with the exception of rebel yell. But that was ok because they were running both sides.

 

Good deal. Last year, I wasn't happy at all.

[Password121]

After hearing about it so much, did anybody notice that SFA didn't use fingerprint scanners for pass holders? SP processing for me took over an hour when I did do at 4 pm, given there were plenty of line jumpers. At least I only have to do that once.

[Highridin]

I forgot all about it. This may make you feel better; my cousin stood in line for his SP for about two hours. He got his pass at SFG on Sunday. He said, line jumpers galore.

[alilstronger]

After reading this site for months, I've finally signed up...lol. Great opening day. Stayed all day. Slow ride ops on Superman and Batwing, but good on every other ride, especially considering it was the 'first' day. I wasn't expecting miracles. You want to know bad opening day ops, go to Kings Dominion or Hershey Park; been to both and was not happy. Great parks though. It's worth noting that food service was pretty slow. It was the first day though.

 

Enjoyed the new shows at SFA. Employees were super friendly. Even met the park president; I thanked him for turning the park around in the last three years. Also asked him what the plan was for next year, since the height restriction is no more. Smiled and said, "you'll see". Only thing I was tired of was all of the running. They need to enforce the 'no running' . One thing u guys may like; two guys got kicked out for cutting the line at Apocalypse. Security asked for their season passes. Funny.

 

Bottom line is that me, the kids, and other friends had a ball. Going to get better when the water park opens. It's all about the Bonzai Pipelines. .

 

No offense, but the above comment about closing the park is ridiculous (it wouldn't have been about 5 years ago). No where near that bad. Obvious, as it is still open.

 

Hersheypark and Kings Dominion operations are usually pretty much way better than SFA. This parks staff is usually always friendly near the beginning and then it slowly drops off. My thing is if you do not want to work in the elements then do not CHOOSE to work outside for an amusement park. I do not pity these people.

 

First day operations is not an excuse. They have all winter to get these rides up and running as well as train staff accordingly. Plus most of the staff usually comes back year after year. This park just hires the wrong people who simply come there to get a paycheck and want to say they work for Six Flags.