Georgia/Florida Trip Questions

[CP_RULES]

My family is planning on making a Florida trip next week, and the plan is to stop in Atlanta on the way there to make a stop at Six Flags Over Georgia. We're most likely staying in Tampa and will also make a stop at Busch Gardens Africa.

 

We will be leaving Tuesday night (August 4th) and arriving in Atlanta on Wednesday morning (August 5th)

 

We have quite a few coaster (and non-coaster) related questions.

 

1. Will SFoG be crowded on a Wednesday? I've never been to the park and I'm just looking to get everything in, will this be possible without a flash pass?

 

2. I have a SFStL season pass and it comes with a half off coupon for another SF park, but we'll still need one more ticket. Any places (grocery stores?) that sell discounted tickets?

 

3. What general order should I follow to get all the coasters in? Are there any other rides that I shouldn't miss?

 

4. Where are the best places to stay in Tampa that will be close to the beaches yet fairly inexpensive as well?

 

5. Discount tickets for BGA, where can we get them?

 

6. What is the best day to go to BGA for the least amount of crowds?

 

7. General tips for BGA? I'm under the assumption that I'll be able to ride all the coasters without too much of a hassle, so what else is there to do?

 

8. How are the waves in the Tampa area? What beach is the most fun for someone who likes to ride waves and play in the sea?

 

Any help at all would be greatly appreciated. Keep in mind that this is a family vacation and not a "theme park tour," though. Thanks!

[nitrofan]

SFOG will probably not be too bad. I don't think a Flash Pass will be nescecary on a Wednesday. Most lines should be under 30 minutes.

 

The best plan for me is do Georgia Cyclone right at 10:00 (it as near the entrance and they usually open it right at 10), but make sure to be standing at the rope at 10:30. Go all the way to the back of the park and ride Superman as many times as you will want to that day. Then go to GASM and Ninja. Make your way around the park to Gotham city to ride Batman and Mindbender. Then go to Goliath, which should have a 15-20 minute wait by then. Then ride Georgia Schorcher, and then go around the park for smaller rides and re-rides. On a wednesday, you should finish this plan by around noon.

 

Also, be sure to ride Acraphobia. It may just look like an ordinary drop tower, but there are a few surprises, but I'll let you find them out yourself.

[Hikaru-chan]

Being that, I think, every other county but mine starts back on the 10th the park will, highly possibly, be crowded. Hell it was super busy for a Sunday when we went the 26th.

 

At the park I think you should hit Superman and Batman as soon as possible, being that their lines are unbearable in the heat and they tend to be very long. Monster Mansion has been having some long lines to but they are more bearable since it's covered.

 

If you like water rides Thunder River, at least at one time, opens around 11am or 12pm, this line can get rather long also. Splash water Falls gets a ridiculous line due to horrible capacity, only 2 freaking boats. If their is a line that looks fairly long don't ride.

[Homeboy23]

If you get to BGA at opening you will definately not have a problem. I hit all the coasters in the first 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

 

Make sure to hit Rhino Rally.

[Daytona'95]

When in Tampa, you should be able to find discount tickets for BGA at a Publix grocery store.

Best day to go from my experience is a monday, for whatever reason the lines seem to be shorter.

While in park, i'd recommend that you enter when it opens, go to Montu first, then Rhino Rally, then go to each section in a counter-clockwise direction . This helps cut down on wait times till you catch up to everyone else in the Stanleyville area.

As for the beaches, my understanding is that the gulf coast is usually quite flat, 1-2ft waves at best.

If you have a rainy day(It is central florida, so you're bound to have one) visit the aquarium, it's a great family attraction.

[nitrofan]

If you are out on a Barrier Island or directly on the gulf, the waves should be pretty large, but if you are up a bay or something they will probably be pretty flat.

 

I was out at the gulf a few weeks ago and the waves were very large.

[HHN916]

With the Gold FlashPass at SFOG, do you get to pick any seat you want on the rides or do they assign specific seats?

[DBru]

^The only coaster I'm aware of that has specific seats for Flashpass users is Batman: The Ride. The back two rows are always blocked off for those with Flashpasses, which is really inconvenient, because not only are those some of the best seats on the train, they send trains out with both rows EMPTY when there is no one waiting with a Flashpass. I don't get it...

[ParkTrips]

With the Gold FlashPass at SFOG, do you get to pick any seat you want on the rides or do they assign specific seats?

In addition to Batman...

 

Scream Machine has an assigned car in the middle of the train

Georgia Scorcher is assigned to the back row

Superman I think was the 3rd row, though you may be able to choose since last time I was there, they weren't assigning rows

Mind Bender is your choice, the flashpass entrance is near the back of the train, which is convenient

Ninja is your choice, the entrance is near the back of the train (again, best place to sit)

Goliath may be your choice depending on whether or not they assign rows for everyone, just like Superman

I don't remember the Cyclone's procedure

 

As someone who's been to the park more than once, if you are waiting near the back for Batman and there is no one to fill the lo-q seats, they usually will let you sit in the back rows if you ask nicely

[monsterfan99]

^ To add to that from our use in August:

 

- Superman was choice of any row

- Goliath was choice as well

- GA Cyclone was choice

- Canyon Blaster was choice before anyone else gets to pick a seat. This is about the only way to get the row of your choice besides dumb luck.

- Mine Train was also choice, but it is a mess once in the station if crowed