Photo TR: DJeXeL does Texas

[DJeXeL]

Last time I was in Texas was in 2008. Had a great time with the exception of Rattler @ SFFT and TG @ SFOT that both damn near killed me.

We flew in 2008 but decided to take the drive this time. Long drive but manageable with good company. Took the 10 freeway which runs clear across the country to FL.

Left So Cal on Friday 05/25 around 10:30 pm. Arrived at the Embassy Suites in Tucson around 430am. Power napped until 10am and then back on the road for the 12HR trek to San Antonio. Won't bore you with anymore pointless blabbering.

On with the photos:

 

1st order of business was the local Waffle House in Tucson

 

Didn't get kidnapped as we were approaching the border so all was well.

 

We arrived at our Hotel, Westin La Cantera Resort & Spa In San Antonio around 1am.

 

Source: Westin La Cantera Resort site

 

Lobby

 

It overlooks SFFT.

Source: Westin La Cantera Resort site

 

1st stop, Sea World

 

 

 

1st order of business is this beast. Damn good coaster. Rode it when we came in '08 and it's still just as awesome.

 

 

 

Artsy? I think not......

 

 

 

 

 

I'm in Blue

 

Great White is good by default as it's a Batman Clone. 1 of 3 Batman clones of the trip.

 

 

For being built in '97 the lift is absolutely silent and faster than the other Batman Clones.

 

 

Their log flume is being torn out (may be old news......) but only way to get pics is to look over a wall or take a pic while riding Steel Eel so needless to say I didn't do either.......

 

To cool off we rode their rapids ride Rio Loco which had a 30 minute wait which isn't too bad.

 

Fresh water in the reservoir.............

 

Aquatica seemed to be popular as they were announcing park wide that it reached capacity around 1pm.

 

 

Hard to see here but lines for all slides were at the bottom of their respective staircases.

 

Beer always gets a thumbs up from me

 

Watched Believe which is incredibly boring compared to SWSD's version.

 

 

The dome is great at shielding the guests from the Texas sun however it traps heat so it gets a little warm in there.

 

Good bye Sea World.

 

Stopped at the local Taco Cabana for Beef Brisket Tacos and a margarita or 2........or 3.

 

Six Flags Fiesta Texas

 

Not a lot of photos as we visited White Water Bay so didn't have my phone on me for long as I put it in a locked "storage device."

 

Roadrunner Express. Best Arrow Mine train in existence!

 

My #1 B&M. 15 minute wait with all 3 trains were running and crew was stacking all 3 trains EVERY cycle.

 

 

 

 

Good bye Fiesta Texas

 

Schlitterbahn

 

We visited Schlitterbahn the next day but didn't bother taking many pictures as its a water park.

 

Their new attraction The Falls is a great addition to their fantastic attraction line up. Park wasn't too crowded as we waited an hour for master Blaster but everything else was almost walk-on.

 

We saw this and of course had to stop in............

 

Had the Breakfast of champions then began our 4hr drive to SFOT.

 

Six Flags Over Texas

 

 

In case you're not aware.......Runaway mine train now features inversions according to the safety guide posted at the entrance.

 

Some weird group seems to like it and wanted to make it a landmark.

 

Arrow Mine train cars offer plenty of legroom

 

We waited about 90 minutes as you can tell

 

The only S&S tower I like

 

20 minute wait

 

Standard issue Vekoma Boomerang

 

10 minute wait. We get into the station get in the train and have our restraints checked. the operators attempt to dispatch the train 3 times and it doesn't dispatch. I happened to notice the catch car came down but stopped about 2 feet from the coupling pin on the back of the train. Since we were in Car 7 and directly next to the dispatch booth, I told the operator that the catch car wasn't attached and he had a puzzled look on his face for about 30 seconds before realizing this was his problem. Needless to say we didn't get to ride which is perfectly OK by me.

 

Meanwhile this quality Huss attraction was right next door.

 

 

Stuff that keeps the cars attached

 

Sounds lovely......I'll take 3

 

Best coaster in the park

 

 

 

Another 90min wait

 

The good stuff

 

Thunderstorms the night before brought some rain.......

 

 

La Vibora is a like a cat and doesn't like water......

 

This is as close to the Oil Derrick as we got due to "High Winds"

 

 

SFOT has their own Wild Eagle apparently

 

Missed this one back in '08. Not sure how but we did.

 

Quality Premier Coaster

 

 

Remember me?

 

Next stop, Mr. Freeze

 

Noted

 

 

Yet, another 90 minute wait

 

 

 

This spiel should be played right before every train launches

 

I. Want. One. Now.

 

These Pumpkins are a little creepy....

 

End of my day at SFOT. This is my favorite park in the chain by far.

 

Coming up: Wonderland Park, Amarillo Texas (AKA Death Trap park)

[scbt]

i think the pumpkins are the annoying orange...

 

and that is one epic school bus thingy

[larrygator]

Wow, living the high life at the Westin La Cantera. I stayed there about 4 years ago, a beautiful resort and they had a free shuttle to SFFT.

[ArizonaGuy]

Nice trip TR. Too bad no pics of SkyScreamer.

[Ed Farmer]

Great White is good by default as it's a Batman Clone. 1 of 3 Batman clones of the trip.

 

The sign of a well planned trip. Doesn't get much better than that.

[cal1br3tto]

^And better yet for me, they're three of my top favorite Batclones.

 

i think the pumpkins are the annoying orange...

I could not be more freaked out that they made them into plushies...but at least they don't talk (I hope).

[DJeXeL]

Wow, living the high life at the Westin La Cantera. I stayed there about 4 years ago, a beautiful resort and they had a free shuttle to SFFT.

 

Beautiful resort it is! The SFFT shuttle is an awesome amenity however the 21+ pool that's open 24 hours is the best feature.

 

I'm really confused how their is no mention of New Texas Giant.

 

Fail on my part. I just now realized I didn't include anything about NTAG.

I thought it was a GREAT ride but honestly think El Toro is better overall and found more airtime on Steel Eel........I know I'll get flamed for that.

 

The sign of a well planned trip. Doesn't get much better than that.

 

SFOT's is the best out of the 5 (SFMM, SFGAdv, SWSA, SFFT, SFOT) I've ridden.

 

I could not be more freaked out that they made them into plushies...but at least they don't talk (I hope).

 

HaHa I definitely would have pulled a "Stewie" if they did start talking.

[gisco]

Nice report. One of these days I'm going to have to get to San Antonio for those parks.

[Meteornotes]

Cool report. I really like the Texas parks, even if I thought I was actually going to melt every time I've visited one of them.

 

dt

[SharkTums]

That drive from Tucson to San Antonio is the worst! There's just nothing and it's so demoralizing with how long it takes!

[DJeXeL]

Cool report. I really like the Texas parks, even if I thought I was actually going to melt every time I've visited one of them.

dt

 

True. When we went back in '08 it was around Memorial Day weekend and damn near had a heat stroke. This year was manageable however. We were thankful for that!

 

^You got that right!

 

You see nothing but this for hours at a time.

[DJeXeL]

The drive from Dallas to So Cal will take us to 2 smaller parks, Wonderland Park and Cliff's In Albuquerque NM.

 

Luggage? Check. Pikachu? Check. Plush Hot Tamale? Check. 12-Pack Coors Light tall cans? Check. Smurf Plush with Rasta hat? Check. Illegal Fireworks? Check.

Now that we have all of the necessities, onward!

 

Wonderland Amusement Park, Amarillo Texas. Friday 06/01

 

This park is a real gem......take that how you will.

 

The "Don't be a d-bag" sign

 

Not sure what drugs said Publisher was doing when he issued this award.

 

Park opened at 4pm and the locals are ready to be entertained.

 

Chance C.P. Huntington Train

 

The Rainbow!

 

Seat belt came undone shortly after the ride started.

 

Matt preparing to have his man bits smashed.

 

Restraints lowered to a ball crushing position and ride started. Operator checked not 1 restraint before starting ride.

 

 

Cyclone. A quality Miler creation.

 

 

**Operator allowed us to have our cell phones out during the ride**

 

My buddy Matt (1st rider of the day) was in the car before me and as I'm going up the lift his car screeches to a halt and then the lift shuts off seconds after. I'm thinking OK no problem. I turn around and the operator powers down the ride and just walks away without saying a word to anyone.

 

**Can an admin please embed as I was unsuccessful.**

 

Operator is gone for close to 5 minutes and comes back with someone I can only hope is a mechanic. (He's wearing T-Shirt and Jeans...)

Then we hear the mechanic yell at the operator asking him why he hit the e-stop. Operator's response was "the cars in the brakes weren't moving." Mechanic responded with "then go over there and push them!!"

Restarted lift and I enjoyed the rest of my ride. Makes me want to go ride Tree Top Racers @ Adventure city in Buena Park.

 

"Big Coaster." Pinfari masterpiece.

 

That's no fun! And before you ask, No, our restraints weren't checked here either.

 

 

 

 

 

Here's that group again.......

 

Texas Tornado

 

 

 

 

Pinnacle of engineering........

 

 

Rode this and the train literally dispatched as my ass hit the seat. There was only about 7 riders on the train and all the empty lap bars lowered once the train hit the lift........

 

Hornet.........those folks from Houston might recognize this contraption.

 

Sign of quality.

 

No, my lap bar wasn't checked and was locked to this position for the entire ride.........

 

Himalaya

 

Eric thought it would be a bright idea for all 3 of us to sit in a car. I agreed as long as I was on the inside.

And of course, not 1 restraint was checked.

 

**Can an admin please embed**

Needless to say Eric was in quite a lot of pain once this 6 minute cycle was over.

 

Operators put 2 full size adults on 1 side and no one on the other side. This has "winning!" written all over it.

 

Control panel is sitting on a keyboard stand.....

 

Once the ride is loaded and the lap bars have been checked........oh wait they didn't check these either.

The operator pressed the dispatch button about 30 times before he realized that the restraints weren't registering clear thus why the ride wouldn't start. So.......instead of going and physically verifying all of the restraints are in the proper position, he flips the lap bar lock/unlock switch rapidly...........

Then the operator from the Drop Tower right next door leaves guests unattended on his ride to come help this guy. He pushed the ride a few feet and then miraculously everything registered clear. Yea, Sketchy. Glad I sat this one out as they spun for about 5 minutes after the ride cycle ended so the operator could get the cars to lock so the ride would come down.

 

They have a rapids ride which has boats with holes in them and not many rapids at all........

 

Matt and Eric have to keep their feet up as there's about 6-8 inches of water inside the boat.

 

OD Hopkins Monorail

 

 

 

 

Very Romantic for these 2.

 

Wonderland was an interesting park. It serves the locals good as it had a few hundred people inside as we were leaving around 630pm to continue our drive West.

 

Hello Albuquerque!

 

Embassy Suites have free breakfast. Winning!

 

But we will worry about that in the morning. Right now we are concerned about the alcoholic beverages at the Hotel Bar.

 

Vodka/Cranberry is my drink of choice.

 

Cliff's Amusement Park, Albuquerque New Mexico. Saturday 06/02

 

 

Just in case you were thinking about purchasing a season pass and then riding Falling Star

 

Definitely reasonable pricing considering this park is leaps and bounds ahead of Wonderland in terms of upkeep and maintenance as well as guest service.

 

In we go

 

Love their entry/ride scanning system

 

Cliffhanger. Same Drop tower that Scandia in Ontario California has and there's plenty of airtime to be had on this beauty.

 

 

Another Galaxi. This time with 2 car trains as opposed to Wonderland's with 3 car trains.

 

 

 

Hi-Tech controls and what-nots

 

For the carousel enthusiasts

 

Cliff's Gay Day was today. I meant to get a picture of the shirts they had made but I forgot.

 

Popped my Chicago Loop cherry

 

Air hose has to be attached to the train to lock/unlock the restraints.

 

 

 

 

100% controlled by operator via joystick.

 

Sidewinder

 

Sidewinder dispatch panel

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Mexico rattler didn't open until 12:30

 

 

 

Equal opportunity employer. Even if you're on house arrest.

 

Not a bad ride but you can definitely tell it's a CCI. Smoother than Ghostrider at Knott's however.

 

Nice how the train goes through the structure.

 

 

 

Rocky Mountain Rapids

 

 

 

Noted

 

For the nerds

 

 

New WETness for 2012

 

 

 

No hand stamp required here. Just a "Re-entry" ticket

 

Cliff's is a very nice park. Serves the local community well, Staff is friendly, and operators check restraints unlike the previous park.

 

Made a small purchase on the way home.

 

Thanks for reading!

[texcoaster]

re: Boring "Believe" show at SW

 

How long has it been since you've seen it at SWSD? After that trainer was killed by a whale a couple years ago, SW has been forbidden to allow people in the water with the whales. They lost the appeal on that recently. Ever since, the shows have been meh.

[texcoaster]

Sorry to hear that Wonderland has gotten that bad. I visited three years ago (Tx Tornado was my 500th coaster) and had a blast. The mouse was good and the Galaxi was awesome in the back seat. The Rainbow was the highlight of the park, though. They had it on some kind of "psycho crazy bitch" setting and I kept thinking that if those restraints failed, I'd probably land on the moon.

 

Too bad you skipped Joyland in Lubbock. The little mouse coaster there is terrifying.