normbalko Posted June 19, 2009 Posted June 19, 2009 This is my first post here, but I've been lurking and visiting the site for so long I feel like I know most of you! Anyways, last weekend I had my first visit to SFGA. It was a good time, the highlight was Raging Bull and my Gold Flash Pass, the low-point was the rental storage bin situation. (Why can't they have BINS at the load station at most rides like Cedar Point! I actually saw bins at most rides, but the crew members would not let me get in line if I had my camera bag with me. I spent more money on renting storage bins than I did on admission!). So, needless to say I did not get as many pictures as I would have liked, but oh well, the park was lots of fun. I hope I post this properly... AND now I see my pictures are in backwards order. Nice. If you care about that sort of thing, start at the bottom and scroll up. I shall do better next time. Our day starts at the lovely America's-Best-Value-Econo-Host-Motor-Lodge place. As you can see by the SOAP THAT WAS LEFT FROM THE PREVIOUS OCCUPANT, the housekeeping left something to be desired. And here is our lovely little alien-spawn weird bug thingy. These guys were rampant in our bathroom, I sent a few down the drain. Bad show, but I'm not in Gurnee for the fine accommodations anyways. Yes! Seeing the park from the parking lot always gets the blood flowing. It's either that or the McGriddle I had for breakfast closing up my arteries. (mmmm...McGriddles...) stupid $15 back-lot parking! V2 is awesome. So much better than Wicked Twister at CP in my opinion. I really liked sitting all the way in the back and experiencing the farthest fall on the non-twisting end. Good times. I heart this ride. Middle of the day, 75 degrees out, and we walked on to this brand new ride. Something was a-miss here. I believe they will have to remove at least half of the water cannons for the non-riders (or make them pay for them). There is no way to enjoy this ride while you are on it. You simply cannot see a thing, due to the non-riders blasting you in the face the entire ride. Little kids cried through the whole thing, and if you're left-handed (like me) you don't stand a chance with the crank-n-squirt water cannons (my right arm is still sore trying to defend myself!). It's a very cool looking ride (for non-riders anyways) yes! water bucket dumpage! everywhere you turn, someone was waiting to hose you down. My favorite pirate song played here... "My name is Roger the pirate and my favorite letter is RRRRRRRRRRRR!" (i think that's how it went) I prefer double-decker Oreos to double-decker carousels, but to each his own. the Dark Knight was odd to me. The pre-show was great, the ride was kinda rinky-dink in my opinion. Not bad, just seemed like it was thrown together at the last second. The Bat loop. The load station and que line for Batman could use some work, but the ride was good nonetheless. Batman was a fun ride, but I prefer Raptor at CP. Superman is the first coaster I have been on that made me ill. I haven't been on a ton, but I believe I could do without flying coasters from here on out. Superman's first drop (right before Flash Pass flew up out of my seat, which I mistook for my wallet, which in turn had me freaked out for the rest of the ride, fearing the loss of my wallet! I may have enjoyed this ride a little more if it weren't for that.) I miss being near you, Flash Pass. I miss your musk...when the season's over me and you should move in together. Raging Bull at sunset. I preferred the front, but in the back you get ripped down the first drop, which is also fun! 3 trip on Raging Bull in a row thanks to Flash Pass (why can't every park have this thing?) Demon lift hill. I have never gotten on a coaster faster in my life. LITERALLY walk through the cue and right into a seat. Demon loop. Demon did not seem as painful as it looked, with the exception of one good head slam during the corkscrew. Demon at sunset. The Nougatizer was not running that day. I was really looking forward to it. From Sky Trek, a little Raging Bull, Viper, and Giant Drop. A good Sky Trek pic of Batman and V2. Taken from the Sky Trek tower, looking towards the Dark Knight. Goodbye Gold Flash Pass. Our time together will not soon be forgotten...
coasterdude28 Posted June 19, 2009 Posted June 19, 2009 Very nice trip report. Looks like you had a pretty good time aside from the great accommodations.
normbalko Posted June 19, 2009 Author Posted June 19, 2009 We had a great time, despite all the negative comments I posted! I just wish I could have kept my camera with me the whole day and gotten more pictures. I felt forced to leave it in the locker all day, but other than that it was a good time.
coolcalicoaster Posted June 19, 2009 Posted June 19, 2009 Nice report. Thanks for the pictures. I agree with you that Raptor is a much better invert than the Batman Clones. I think this one is special since its the first ride of its kind, but the concept has definately improved. I haven't ridden this one, but Batman at SFMM was the worst invert experience I have had and I am glad there are better ones out there.\ Nice job
normbalko Posted June 19, 2009 Author Posted June 19, 2009 Raptor in the front row is tough to beat. I don't know if it's the fact that you are out there dangling over the midway or what, but it is definitely my favorite, of the inverts I've been on.
coolcalicoaster Posted June 19, 2009 Posted June 19, 2009 This is a park I am yet to visit. I have no idea why but these pictures make me want to take the trip. Looks like a fun place:)
rcroques Posted June 19, 2009 Posted June 19, 2009 This is a park I am yet to visit. I have no idea why but these pictures make me want to take the trip. Looks like a fun place:) It is a really nice park. I got to visit it when I was stationed in Great Lakes (before I got medically discharged) and though I didn't get to ride much, I found it to be a nicer park than Magic Mountain. I liked the environment and feel of that park a little more, though I'd rather have SFMM's selection of rides. Oh, and Raging Bull KILLS Goliath. Sincerely, R.C.
Electerik Posted June 19, 2009 Posted June 19, 2009 Great TR--other than the fact that you got fooled by the reverse order thing. Oh well, you'll know better next time. I agree about Splash Battles, in general (though I haven't been on that particular one). The "battle" is too strongly weighted in favor of those on the shore.
normbalko Posted June 19, 2009 Author Posted June 19, 2009 I will say that it is one of the cleanest and prettiest parks I've been to (with the exception of any disney park, of course). The crew members were very polite and helpful and I will definitely be going back again next year.
cycamps Posted June 19, 2009 Posted June 19, 2009 Glad to hear you had a good trip! It's always nice to hear good things about my home park...
jslim39 Posted June 21, 2009 Posted June 21, 2009 Greetings from Houghton Michigan! Haha i almost never post here either, but yeah i saw you're in marquette. great TR, I'm possibly headed to SFGA in July, and if I do I'll try to get pictures myself for TPR. Anyways pictures were awesome and make me wanna get to SFGA even more.
cal1br3tto Posted June 21, 2009 Posted June 21, 2009 Glad to hear you liked V2. I used to really, really want to go ride it because V2 at SFDK was basically my favorite coaster, and I was so psyched that the one at SFGA was taller (and different!) . Now I want to go ride it because I was terribly underwhelmed the last time I rode the SFDK version, so I need to graduate to something taller in order to have any fun. Hopefully I'll get to it sooner rather than later. I just found out about "Splash Battles" this morning in another thread I was lurking. What a disturbing concept. I "tolerate" water rides but I think I would absolutely hate a Splash Battle.
normbalko Posted June 22, 2009 Author Posted June 22, 2009 Greetings from Houghton Michigan! Haha i almost never post here either, but yeah i saw you're in marquette. great TR, I'm possibly headed to SFGA in July, and if I do I'll try to get pictures myself for TPR. Anyways pictures were awesome and make me wanna get to SFGA even more. Ah, a fellow Yooper (albeit a transplanted one). Surely you understand the plight of the Yooper coaster enthusiast just as well as I do. Someone should build a park up here. Of course, the weather would only allow it to be open for a few weeks out of the year, but I think it would do well during those few weeks!
normbalko Posted June 22, 2009 Author Posted June 22, 2009 Glad to hear you liked V2. I used to really, really want to go ride it because V2 at SFDK was basically my favorite coaster, and I was so psyched that the one at SFGA was taller (and different!) . Now I want to go ride it because I was terribly underwhelmed the last time I rode the SFDK version, so I need to graduate to something taller in order to have any fun. Hopefully I'll get to it sooner rather than later. I just found out about "Splash Battles" this morning in another thread I was lurking. What a disturbing concept. I "tolerate" water rides but I think I would absolutely hate a Splash Battle. The only other type of coaster like this that I have been on is Wicked Twister at CP. I liked V2 better, although I do remember Wicked Twister being a longer ride. Yes, the Buccaneer Battle was disturbing. They could pretty much eliminate all of the water cannons on the "shore" and let the boats face off against each other, and it might make for a tad bit more enjoyable ride.
jslim39 Posted June 22, 2009 Posted June 22, 2009 Greetings from Houghton Michigan! Haha i almost never post here either, but yeah i saw you're in marquette. great TR, I'm possibly headed to SFGA in July, and if I do I'll try to get pictures myself for TPR. Anyways pictures were awesome and make me wanna get to SFGA even more. Ah, a fellow Yooper (albeit a transplanted one). Surely you understand the plight of the Yooper coaster enthusiast just as well as I do. Someone should build a park up here. Of course, the weather would only allow it to be open for a few weeks out of the year, but I think it would do well during those few weeks! Definitely. They should build... maybe a SFUP? Six Flags Upper Peninsula?!? Mabye with a few 4 lane expressways leading there too...
razor12 Posted June 22, 2009 Posted June 22, 2009 I completely agree that V2 is better than Wicked Twister. The back vertical spike is awesome especially in the back seat.
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