DoinItForTheFame Posted April 1, 2018 Share Posted April 1, 2018 Hmmm.. drive to KD or Gadv this coming Monday. I can't decide. Great Adventure!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njcoasterguy34 Posted April 1, 2018 Share Posted April 1, 2018 When I was in Nitro's station yesterday morning, I noticed the operator telling people that if they had bags they could just leave them on the exit side of the platform. Last season they were telling people with bags they had to put them in a bunny and go back to the end of the line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterbill Posted April 1, 2018 Share Posted April 1, 2018 They do that when they're understaffed and can't have a greeter at the front of the queue to tell people not to bring a bag into the line Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genx24 Posted April 1, 2018 Share Posted April 1, 2018 Great report, Bill. Can't wait to get down there and kick off my 2018 season on Tuesday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewA86 Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 I just got to visit this park for the first time on Saturday (3-31), and Sunday (4-1) and I had an awesome time! I got there around 1 PM on Saturday and headed straight for El Toro and even though the park seemed to be really busy the El Toro line was just a station wait. So I rode El Toro 2 times. Then hit Bizarro, Kingda Ka, and Nitro. By then it was 5:30 and I wanted to watch the final 4. On Sunday the park was dead. Everything (that was open... I'll get to that later...) was a walk on. But because some major attractions were not open by 1:30 PM I decided to leave and head to Six Flags America because I hit everything I missed on Saturday and re-rode everything that I wanted a few times. So, my thought's on the rides and the park overall: El Toro is an excellent, fantastic, awesome ride but it didn't live up to the tremendous hype. The air time and intensity (which is what I like most about coasters) is there, no doubt about it. But I was also expecting a very smooth ride, and it wasn't. It wasn't rough either, I mean for a wooden coaster it was very smooth, but others have said it is as smooth as a B&M hyper, and that wasn't the case. So I was expecting it to challenge my top 3 (Lightning Rod, Millennium Force, Phantom's Revenge) and it fell well short of that. El Toro was one of the rides that was closed on Sunday. I'm not sure if and when it opened. Also, the operations was terrible. I timed several trains at over 4 minutes before leaving the station. On my 2 rides one was in the very back, and the other was in the middle. Maybe it's smoother in the front, but I don't know. But based on my experience, El Toro is definitely a ride that is well above average, but not elite. Bizarro was as I expected. It was a fun, smooth, intense ride with the elements all one after another. The operations on this coaster were fantastic. Most of the trains left the station in about a minute. Rode this 6 times between the 2 days and while I usually prefer the back row on most coasters, I thought this was best in the front. Definitely an above average coaster, and probably better than the only other floorless coaster I've ridden, Rougarou. I have a love/hate relationship with Kingda Ka. First, what I love is the launch, it's noticeably more intense than Top Thrill Dragsters. What I hate, the freaking restraints! They dug into my shoulders like Arrow loopers... So that makes TTD easily the better ride. Also what I hate is the policy about not letting people keep phones and/or keys in a zipped pocket and how they watch you like vultures. I put my phone, key, and wallet in my 3 zipped pockets on my jacket hoping they wouldn't notice it, and at the final check before the station the guy noticed I had something in a pocket and asked what it was, it was my phone but I told him it was my wallet and he said that was OK and let me go. So you can have a wallet in a zipped pocket but not a phone, or keys... yeah makes sense... The operations were also incredibly slow, but that was to be expected because they can't launch when the drop tower is working. I did a complete 180 on Nitro. It was the last thing I rode on Saturday and the back row ride was absolutely terrible. It was smooth, but there was no air time, and it was not intense. I wasn't stapled in or anything, so I have no idea why that ride was so bad. So Sunday I rode it in the front and it was great. Then rode in the back again and it was even better. The air time is plentiful, the helix is very forceful, and it was just a very fun ride. It was what I expected. Certainly an above average ride. Better than Diamondback, but not Phantom's Revenge. The operations were pretty slow both days. 3+ minutes to get the trains out on multiple occasions. This was my first time ever riding a Batman clone, and it was pretty underwhelming. I absolutely love the other 2 invert's I have ridden, Raptor, and Banshee, but Batman certainly is not as good as those. Based on the POVs I expected it to be a lot more intense, and it just wasn't. IMO it's an average coaster at best. Again, operations on this were very slow too. The Dark Knight was a fun ride. I'm usually not one who really cares for theming, but I love Batman and I enjoyed the story in the queue. As for the ride itself, it's just a wild mouse in the dark with some stuff popping out at you. Not too intense which is why I say it's a below average coaster and I wouldn't wait very long for it. Skull Mountain is another below average coaster IMO. It's a kiddie coaster in the dark. Didn't really do anything for me. I'm not really into flying coasters, but had to ride Superman Ultimate Flight as it was the first B&M flying coaster I've ever been on, and while it's better than the flying dutchman, it's not better by much. Operations are a lot quicker though. There was one intense moment, but other than that it's not an intense ride. Average at best. And finally, Green Lantern. Longest freaking line in the park for the worst ride in the park. It refreshed my memory as to why I hate stand up coasters. I mean, raise your hand if you like getting your nuts smashed against the seat... I did not get on Zumanjaro. It was closed on Sunday. I'm really pissed about that because I love drop towers, and this looked like it could be the best one out there. I also did not get on the Joker as it broke down right as I got in line. I think that's it for the rides, as for some other thoughts about the park as a whole: some parts are just plain ugly. Did Six Flags plunder Chernobyl for the materials to build the Batman and Nitro stations and queues? My gosh, waiting in that Nitro queue brought back memories of walking to school through the alleys of southwest Detroit. All that's missing is the graffiti and hookers... Then again, all the advertisements are basically graffiti, and some of the girls waiting in line were dressed in outfits that hookers in the 90's wore, so maybe it was deja vu... I already mentioned the very slow operations. Hopefully it's just because it's early in the season. Anyway, had a great time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satans Hockey Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 It was the first weekend of operations for the season with a bunch of new workers, that's always going to cause some delays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewA86 Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 Of course that is to be expected. I just didn't think it would be THAT bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterbill Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 I put my phone, key, and wallet in my 3 zipped pockets on my jacket hoping they wouldn't notice it, and at the final check before the station the guy noticed I had something in a pocket and asked what it was, it was my phone but I told him it was my wallet and he said that was OK and let me go. So you can have a wallet in a zipped pocket but not a phone, or keys... yeah makes sense... The operations were also incredibly slow, but that was to be expected because they can't launch when the drop tower is working. No, you can't have a wallet per the giant, giant sign at the queue entrance. The guy was doing you a favor. Generally they would send you out of the line to get a locker and you'd have to return to the end of the line. I can't believe you snuck a phone into the line, lied to the ride op, he did you a favor and now you're complaining. Look... the policy is dumb as sh*t but it's not that dude's fault. Just suck it up and follow the rules, and if you don't and a guy gives you a break because he probably knew you were probably lying but also knew the rule was stupid then certainly don't complain about it. Personally we just get the locker. It's annoying, but it is what it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boldikus Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 Anyway, had a great time! Glad to hear it, even though your complaints far outweigh anything you enjoyed. some parts are just plain ugly. Did Six Flags plunder Chernobyl for the materials to build the Batman and Nitro stations and queues? And finally, Green Lantern. Definitely a first timer. El Toro is an excellent, fantastic, awesome ride but it didn't live up to the tremendous hype. The air time and intensity (which is what I like most about coasters) is there, no doubt about it. But I was also expecting a very smooth ride, and it wasn't. It wasn't rough either, I mean for a wooden coaster it was very smooth, but others have said it is as smooth as a B&M hyper, and that wasn't the case. So I was expecting it to challenge my top 3 (Lightning Rod, Millennium Force, Phantom's Revenge) and it fell well short of that. El Toro was one of the rides that was closed on Sunday. I'm not sure if and when it opened. Also, the operations was terrible. I timed several trains at over 4 minutes before leaving the station. On my 2 rides one was in the very back, and the other was in the middle. Maybe it's smoother in the front, but I don't know. But based on my experience, El Toro is definitely a ride that is well above average, but not elite. Well, of course El Toro didn't live up to the hype. It's a wood coaster, it doesn't run as smooth as a B&M hyper. That's pure coaster boy hyperbole. You rode it on a chilly weekend in March when the park just opened for the season. It always runs slower on the shoulder season. Even then, Toro is only barely rough only on the turnaround. Did you sit in the magic seat or on wheel seat? Sounds like a wheel seat. Skull Mountain is another below average coaster IMO. It's a kiddie coaster in the dark. Didn't really do anything for me. You didn't sit in the back, did you? Have you learned nothing from this board? The Mountain rejects you. This was my first time ever riding a Batman clone, and it was pretty underwhelming. I absolutely love the other 2 invert's I have ridden, Raptor, and Banshee, but Batman certainly is not as good as those. Based on the POVs I expected it to be a lot more intense, and it just wasn't. IMO it's an average coaster at best. I don't understand how any of this is possible and I'm pretty sure you think you rode Batman but we're actually just on Harley Quinn or something. #fakenews Again, operations on this were very slow too. The operations were pretty slow both days. I already mentioned the very slow operations. Hopefully it's just because it's early in the season. Ok so you went to a Six Flags park on opening weekend and expected the operations to be in mid-season form? Let me know where you got that good stuff, bud. I also never understand when people note how dead a park is and then complain about operations - especially on an opening weekend. If the park is dead, who cares how fast they're getting trains out? Of course operations are bad at any opening weekend at any park - even a park like Cedar Point which is known for its incredible throughput - go in that thread after opening weekend and watch the onslaught of whining go on for the following two weeks. Expecting a Six Flags parks - especially Great Adventure - to be running at full tilt in March is hilarious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewA86 Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 I put my phone, key, and wallet in my 3 zipped pockets on my jacket hoping they wouldn't notice it, and at the final check before the station the guy noticed I had something in a pocket and asked what it was, it was my phone but I told him it was my wallet and he said that was OK and let me go. So you can have a wallet in a zipped pocket but not a phone, or keys... yeah makes sense... The operations were also incredibly slow, but that was to be expected because they can't launch when the drop tower is working. No, you can't have a wallet per the giant, giant sign at the queue entrance. The guy was doing you a favor. Generally they would send you out of the line to get a fluffy, fluffy bunny filled with medicine and goo and you'd have to return to the end of the line. I can't believe you snuck a phone into the line, lied to the ride op, he did you a favor and now you're complaining. Look... the policy is dumb as sh*t but it's not that dude's fault. Just suck it up and follow the rules, and if you don't and a guy gives you a break because he probably knew you were probably lying but also knew the rule was stupid then certainly don't complain about it. Personally we just get the fluffy, fluffy bunny filled with medicine and goo. It's annoying, but it is what it is. I know it's not the employee's fault, and I'm not complaining that he was doing his job. I was complaining about the policy which we agree is dumb... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewA86 Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 Anyway, had a great time! Glad to hear it, even though your complaints far outweigh anything you enjoyed. Sorry if it sounded that way. Well, of course El Toro didn't live up to the hype. It's a wood coaster, it doesn't run as smooth as a B&M hyper. That's pure coaster boy hyperbole. You rode it on a chilly weekend in March when the park just opened for the season. It always runs slower on the shoulder season. Even then, Toro is only barely rough only on the turnaround. Did you sit in the magic seat or on wheel seat? Sounds like a wheel seat. Well, Lightning Rod lived up to the hype, and it's a wood coaster that is glossy smooth... Some people, credible people IMO, say El Toro was better, and I can see where they are coming from. Smoothness is just one of my preferences.... No I made sure not to sit on a wheel seat the second time. I don't know what the magic seat is... Skull Mountain is another below average coaster IMO. It's a kiddie coaster in the dark. Didn't really do anything for me. You didn't sit in the back, did you? Have you learned nothing from this board? The Mountain rejects you. I sat in the 3rd row. I don't understand how any of this is possible and I'm pretty sure you think you rode Batman but we're actually just on Harley Quinn or something. #fakenews Batman is the one with the queue made of tin foil right? Ok so you went to a Six Flags park on opening weekend and expected the operations to be in mid-season form? Let me know where you got that good stuff, bud. No, didn't expect it to be mid-season form, but expected it to be a lot better. I also never understand when people note how dead a park is and then complain about operations - especially on an opening weekend. If the park is dead, who cares how fast they're getting trains out? Of course operations are bad at any opening weekend at any park - even a park like Cedar Point which is known for its incredible throughput - go in that thread after opening weekend and watch the onslaught of whining go on for the following two weeks. Expecting a Six Flags parks - especially Great Adventure - to be running at full tilt in March is hilarious. Again, never expected full tilt. But I go to Cedar Point every opening weekend and Kings Island early on too, and they have never been THAT bad that consistently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterbill Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 I sat in the 3rd row. Amateur... Batman is the one with the queue made of tin foil right? You'll have to be more specific, you just described half of the queue lines in the park. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boldikus Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ytterbiumanalyst Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 Holy crap, you went halfway across the country to Great Adventure and you didn't bother to find out about their locker policy or which seats to sit in? Please tell me you at least rode Ka in the front. Great Adventure's locker policy is way better than Cedar Point's, where they charge per ride or if you want all day ones, they're way in the front of the park. Great Adventure gives you floating lockers for $6, so you can always have your stuff nearby while you ride. There's no reason why you shouldn't be able to bring a wallet in a zipped pocket, but that's how they roll, so just budget your $6 and stow your stuff. Not hard. As for Lightning Rod, it's Topper Track, and El Toro is straight up wood. Not going to be the same, and you shoudn't expect it to. Research and proper expectations are essential to good travelling, especially if you're going hundreds of miles from home to a place you're only going once or at most once every few years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satans Hockey Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 I have no issues with their locker policy but I'm so tired of hearing people bitching about it when it's the easiest thing to avoid if you want to avoid it. I bring in just my season pass, credit card, id and just my car key and phone and leave it in a zippered pocket. Haven't had one person question me on it because it doesn't look obvious and I don't take my phone out in line cause I can survive without it & actually have a conversation with the people I'm with. I get people like comparing and what not but El Toro and Lighting Rod are just such different rides to me plus El Toro is almost 12 years old now, of course it's not going to be as smooth as a ride that's not even been up for 2 years. I enjoyed the hell out of Lightning Rod and I feel very lucky to have El Toro in my home park, it's an absolutely amazing ride that never fails to be a fun, wild ride. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boldikus Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 As for Lightning Rod, it's Topper Track, and El Toro is straight up wood. Not going to be the same, and you shoudn't expect it to. Research and proper expectations are essential to good travelling, especially if you're going hundreds of miles from home to a place you're only going once or at most once every few years. Not to mention Toro turns 12 this year, Lightning Rod is barely 2 and hardly ever runs anyway, of course its going to be smoother. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ytterbiumanalyst Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 Yup, and El Toro is much, much smoother than Kentucky Rumbler which is the same age as Toro and runs far less. I don't understand roughness complaints on El Toro. Just makes no sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterbill Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 (edited) I've never had a bad ride on El Toro, but I actually thought it was running even smoother than normal on Opening Day. El Toro and Batman were definitely the standout rides that day. Edited April 2, 2018 by coasterbill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genx24 Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 I don't understand roughness complaints on El Toro. Just makes no sense. QFT. El Toro isn't rough, she is just wild. I can't wait to finally get back in the saddle tomorrow to see for myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterbill Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 Kingda Ka's new startup temperature is 34 degrees. Tell your friends. Hopefully it blasted some snow off of the tracks on it's first test run. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitro1118 Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 I can't speak for how it is riding this year, but last year there were definitely a few "potholes" when riding in the last row of each car. Most notably during the turnaround, the small hill that goes through the structure of the camelbacks, and the twister section. However, the middle rows of each car were still very smooth. And the rough spots didn't kill the experience, but definitely jarring when not expecting them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canobie Coaster Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 I remember a "pot hole" at the base of the turnaround 2 years ago, but you could only feel it in the very back row. In any other row, I couldn't feel it. Even with that "pot hole", the ride was still smoother than 95% of coasters out there and not enough to deter me from reriding. Last year, I remember that spot being smoothed out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B&MIntaminGCI Posted April 3, 2018 Share Posted April 3, 2018 Whenever people claim El Toro is rough I just have to wonder if they've actually have ridden a rough ride. It may not be GLASS smooth like it was in 06' but it's not DRASTICALLY different. It has some wear & tear here and there around certain sections but other than that, it's DAMN smooth for a 12 year old WOODEN coaster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAM527 Posted April 3, 2018 Share Posted April 3, 2018 On Sunday the park was dead. Everything (that was open... I'll get to that later...) was a walk on. I didn't think the park was dead Sunday. It was more crowded than I expected it to be. The first sign of that were the lines waiting to get in. All that's missing is the graffiti and hookers... Then again, all the advertisements are basically graffiti, and some of the girls waiting in line were dressed in outfits that hookers in the 90's wore, so maybe it was deja vu... I wonder if you're talking about that group of girls walking around in what I hope wasn't their Sunday best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewA86 Posted April 4, 2018 Share Posted April 4, 2018 I sat in the 3rd row. Amateur... Batman is the one with the queue made of tin foil right? You'll have to be more specific, you just described half of the queue lines in the park. The one with the freaking batmobile in front of it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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