Heading to SFStL this Saturday...

[DBru]

I'm heading to SFStL on Saturday, and since I haven't been to the park since 1998, I have a few questions...

 

1. First of all, the weather is supposed to be beautiful on Saturday, so should I expect large crowds? (I only ask this because it is so early in the season...)

 

2. What order should I ride certain attractions to avoid lines? (If I have to wait in lines, I want it to be something worth waiting for.) I'm thinking of heading to THBS first, and then Evil Knievel...not sure, though.

 

3. In '98, Eagle became my first 'big' coaster, and I LOVED it! How is it running this year (for all of you who visited the park last weekend)?

 

4. How expensive/convenient are lockers? I'm thinking of wearing a sweatshirt in the morning, and then dropping it off in a locker when it warms up. Can you pay for them with cash?

 

5. How is food at the park? Is it good (enough) quality for the price?

 

6. Any tips for certain rides/coasters? (Best seat, way to ride, when to ride, ect.)

 

7. Hotel suggestions? (Not wanting to pay too much for a day-trip...)

 

8. Does the park have any hidden gems?

 

 

Thanks for the help in advance! I'm leaving tomorrow morning, so I know I'm not giving much time for feedback...but I'll really appreciate what I do receive!

[robbalvey]

I would try to hit Mr. Freeze pretty early as that ride can get VERY long lines if the park is busy.

[spaceace12]

Being early in teh season...don't expect any long waits. I wouldn't rush to any coaster as I wouldn't expect major lines. As for the lockers, leave everything you don't need in your car, then when your ready to take pictures, go get them. I would do Evel Knievel first as this is the newest attraction and might get a line, but I wouldn't expect anything major. Maybe then head to THBS or Freeze, but again, I wouldn't expect major lines this early.

[Airtime&Gravity]

I'm heading to SFStL on Saturday, and since I haven't been to the park since 1998, I have a few questions...

 

1. First of all, the weather is supposed to be beautiful on Saturday, so should I expect large crowds? (I only ask this because it is so early in the season...)

 

I go to SFSTL every year, and the lines have never been very long even on July 4.

 

2. What order should I ride certain attractions to avoid lines? (If I have to wait in lines, I want it to be something worth waiting for.) I'm thinking of heading to THBS first, and then Evil Knievel...not sure, though.

 

Ride Mr. Freeze first since it has the longest line and slow operations. If you want, double back to EK and work your way around. Head up and ride Big Spin since the line is slow moving. Ride Boss and Eagle while in the area. Go towards Ninja, and River King, and then B:TR. Finish your day by riding EK.

 

3. In '98, Eagle became my first 'big' coaster, and I LOVED it! How is it running this year (for all of you who visited the park last weekend)?

 

Can't say this year, but it ran okay last year, but a little rougher than 06, and 07. (don't remember 05)

 

4. How expensive/convenient are lockers? I'm thinking of wearing a sweatshirt in the morning, and then dropping it off in a locker when it warms up. Can you pay for them with cash?

 

I don't know how much lockers are, but if possible, I'd leave the sweatshirt in a car. If you must rent a locker, it should take cash (if it's like SFGAM). As for the price, I can't say, but SFSTL is fairly cheap when compared to SFGAM.

 

 

5. How is food at the park? Is it good (enough) quality for the price?

 

The food is typical, and I thought it was fairly cheap. However, this is because SFGAM is a more expensive park to visit, but the food is still probably cheaper than Kings Island. It is probably as expensive as or even a little cheaper than Kentucky Kingdom.

 

6. Any tips for certain rides/coasters? (Best seat, way to ride, when to ride, ect.)

 

Evel Knievel is the best ride in the park, and Mr. Freeze is really good too. Big Spin is fun, and the rest of the rides are decent, but not much to go out of the way for. The log flume is really good IMO.

 

7. Hotel suggestions? (Not wanting to pay too much for a day-trip...)

 

While a little expensive, I'd recommend staying at a Drury Inn. The hotel rooms are nice, they have pools, a good breakfast, and they provide free snacks and drinks (soft drinks, alcoholic (limit 3 a day), and nonalcoholic) in the afternoon.

 

8. Does the park have any hidden gems?

 

The park is set in a forest, and there are many gardens and other touches that make it a beautiful park to visit.

[CP_RULES]

1. First of all, the weather is supposed to be beautiful on Saturday, so should I expect large crowds? (I only ask this because it is so early in the season...)

I always try to avoid the park on saturdays, and the only time I've been this early in the season was on a school trip and the park was intensely crowded... If the schools show up, the park will be very crowded.

 

2. What order should I ride certain attractions to avoid lines? (If I have to wait in lines, I want it to be something worth waiting for.) I'm thinking of heading to THBS first, and then Evil Knievel...not sure, though.

Go for Freeze first, then THBS, S:TOP, and Boss. I've never had a problem with large lines on EK except for on it's opening day. Batman gets large lines early because its in the front but it clears out in the afternoon.

 

3. In '98, Eagle became my first 'big' coaster, and I LOVED it! How is it running this year (for all of you who visited the park last weekend)?

I haven't been yet this year, but the past couple years it's been running pretty tame with minimal airtime.

 

4. How expensive/convenient are lockers? I'm thinking of wearing a sweatshirt in the morning, and then dropping it off in a locker when it warms up. Can you pay for them with cash?

I can't recall the exact price of a locker, but I remember them being fairly reasonable. I believe cash could be used to rent them.

 

5. How is food at the park? Is it good (enough) quality for the price?

Turkey leg stand across from THBS is pretty much the only place worth buying food in the park. Otherwise you'll be getting average food at a horrible price.

 

6. Any tips for certain rides/coasters? (Best seat, way to ride, when to ride, ect.)

Boss- If you like airtime and awesomeness, then ride the front. If you like taking a quick joy ride in the dryer when its full of rocks, then ride in the back. The very front seat is WELL worth the extra ten minutes you may have to wait.

Freeze- Like Boss, Freeze is pretty amazing in the front, too.

Ninja- Ride it in the very back seat for some surprising air on the first drop. Hold your head back firmly after the first loop (the sidewinder kicks) and after the corkscrews (that turn is far from butter) and you'll greatly enjoy the ride.

Mine Ride- If you insist on riding then the back seat is the only seat that will provide you with any form of enjoyment.

The rest of the rides are just general front/back rides, I never recommend sitting towards the middle on a coaster... blah.

 

7. Hotel suggestions? (Not wanting to pay too much for a day-trip...)

Never have had to deal with this, but I'm sure they wont be too pricy.

 

8. Does the park have any hidden gems?

The park itself is a very beautiful and well rounded park, easily one of the most underrated around. Take your time and enjoy the day.

[spaceace12]

Missed the food question....without a doubt, Mooseburger Lodge. Even on an empty stomach, I can never eat all that food they give you. It is 10 dollars, but well worth it.

[DBru]

^^Thanks for all the suggestions regarding the coasters. I laughed at the Boss comment...lol. Kind of funny, because I've also been told that the back is the best seat on that coaster---airtime-wise, anyway.

 

Thanks for all the feedback so far, guys!

[spaceace12]

Air time, yes....pain wise, yes.....I am front seat only on that coaster.

[Hang And Bang]

1. First of all, the weather is supposed to be beautiful on Saturday, so should I expect large crowds? (I only ask this because it is so early in the season...)

 

I've never had a problem with them this early in the season. Your biggest hindrance may just be reduced operations.

 

2. What order should I ride certain attractions to avoid lines? (If I have to wait in lines, I want it to be something worth waiting for.) I'm thinking of heading to THBS first, and then Evil Knievel...not sure, though.

 

You'll definitely want to hit the west (left) side of the park first. Tony Hawk is in the back of the park and you'll waste time and energy going to it first, then backtracking to the front of the park for Evel Knievel. In my experiences last year, Evel Knievel almost always had a healthy line, but it moved fast. Regardless, I'd go ahead and hit it first if I were you. From there, go in a clockwise direction hitting each coaster along the way. You'll reach Mr. Freeze, Tony Hawk, and The Boss in that order, and they tend to be the slowest loaders and/or the ones that could possibly build long lines first. Once you get those finished, continue to the back of the park and ride Screamin' Eagle and Superman (which can develop long lines that don't always move fast). Work your way back to the front of the park, hitting River King Mine Train and Ninja along your way (it's been ages since I saw either of these coasters have any substantial line. Ninja will almost certainly be a walk-on.) Your last stop will be Batman. On your next go-round hit any flats you're interested in. The only potential problems could be Scooby Doo and Thunder River, but once again, this early in the season they shouldn't have too much of a wait. Make sure you ride Xcalibur - it looks intimidating but it's actually pretty tame.

 

5. How is food at the park? Is it good (enough) quality for the price?

 

I've always been partial to Villain's Cafe, near the entrance to Mr. Freeze. It's your standard Mexican fare - tacos, fajitas, etc. - but the quality is good and the prices aren't too outrageous. Mooseburger Lodge is also good. Johnny Rockets is decent quality but it's expensive.

 

6. Any tips for certain rides/coasters? (Best seat, way to ride, when to ride, ect.)

 

Evel Knievel - anywhere is good, but the front really does it for me. Mr. Freeze - front for great views, middle for *amazing* hangtime in the top hat - especially backwards, back for the wildest ride. Screamin' Eagle - back for some decent airtime. The Boss - front for the smoothest ride and nice views, back for some good airtime. Tony Hawk - put the heavier people on one side and the lighter people on the other for some spinning. Ninja - the last two rows provide a nice pop of air on the first drop and give you the smoothest ride that can be had on this coaster. Batman - front for views, back for the wildest ride.

 

8. Does the park have any hidden gems?

 

Not sure what exactly you have in mind as to what makes something a hidden gem, but for me it's a secluded area or an area that has a bit of "atmosphere".

In Studio Backlot the facades opposite the second half of Batman The Ride (around the corner from the smoking section) offer a secluded spot to relax and just enjoy watching Batman upclose. In the very center of the park, where Gateway To The West and Chouteau's Market meet, there are a few little walkways that have a couple of "gags" set up along the way. They're pretty hokey, but it's an area of the park that most people don't notice. In Illinois, Old Chicago games is a fun spot to just hang around and people watch. This is the area where Screamin' Eagle exits. FYI, since your last visit the entrance to Screamin' Eagle has been moved to this area, just across from the exit. Between the games, coming and going Screamin' Eagle riders, and the nearby Superman, this has become a high-traffic area. Also here is a little covered area with tables, it's right next to Superman and serves as the exit of the ride. It's pretty funny to watch the way people react to the ride as their exiting. The terrace surrounding Mooseburger Lodge offers great views of the cascading stream adjacent to the Mine Train, with some nice surrounding foliage. There's a little dead-end pathway between the Carousel and Tony Hawk that's semi-secluded and a good spot to relax. And I'm not sure if this could be considered a "hidden" gem, but between the two arboretums behind Colossus is a little viewing plaza of Mr. Freeze and Thunder River. There are a couple of vending machines here but overlook those lol. The ivy growing wild here is beautiful.

[Godwyn]

 

3. In '98, Eagle became my first 'big' coaster, and I LOVED it! How is it running this year (for all of you who visited the park last weekend)?

 

It was running slow last Sunday. But it was also 37 degrees and had snow on it.

 

 

7. Hotel suggestions? (Not wanting to pay too much for a day-trip...)

 

 

We always stay at the Days Inn. Its an older hotel but they are usually pretty cheap. They are a little over a mile away on the frontage road and they have a big pool/arcade area with pool tables, air hockey, and shuffle board in the middle of the hotel. Last I knew, they had free breakfast also.

 

Just throwing this out there for the heads up. Boss was not running last weekend and Evel Knievel was running just one train. The other one was torn apart sitting in the transfer area.

[CP_RULES]

^^Thanks for all the suggestions regarding the coasters. I laughed at the Boss comment...lol. Kind of funny, because I've also been told that the back is the best seat on that coaster---airtime-wise, anyway.

 

Thanks for all the feedback so far, guys!

 

The back gives good airtime but it will be the CRAP out of you. The front provides a smooth ride that still holds a great amount of air.