4/11/09 - A few hours.

[rct2wizard360]

Left at around 8:30 in the morning. I didn't feel like playing a complete tool today so I took my time getting to the park. Construction wasn't that bad, but it WAS a Saturday morning. Going through that construction on a weekday is going to be complete hell. And that Grand Avenue ramp they have right now? Who the HELL engineered that thing?! It's a Togo.

Anyways, I pulled into the lot at around 9:30ish. Parked in the front and walked to the booths, where I was bombarded with security asking how I was doing. Granted, a great effort, but having FIVE different people ask me at the same time is a bit intrusive.

I really liked them opening at 10 from the front of the park. It was a lot less chaotic, a lot less running, and I was able to walk to the first dispatch of Bull. No effort required. I can imagine this will change as we get deeper into the season, with that opening crowd getting larger and larger.

From here on out it was really a slew of rides. Got on every open coaster except Iron Wolf, (waiting for that thing with one train op? No thanks.) Same goes for Cajun, didn't feel like waiting.

Got to check out the Cyber Cafe today. GREAT addition to the park. A wall of computers, and already a few people in there with laptops. Can't wait to see all of them swarmed with teenie boppers checking their myspaces. Oh well. Got to use it while it was good.

The exit for Viper is confusing regarding that exit sign that says, "Locker Exit", when it really leads you into a wall. Nice job.

The new Johnny Rockets looks like something out of rct, and its just plopped down there and looks REALLY awkward.

In conclusion, it was a decent visit. I'm beginning to lose my love for the park season by season, but I still enjoy it. I think I'll probably be getting more use out of Hurricane Harbor this season, and dedicating a lot more trips to that rather than the park itself.

And a final note,
I should NOT be hearing The Macarena while im on the Carousel.
...EVER.

[w00dland]

Joe, I hear ya about losing it for the parks eventually, its not that we don't still enjoy them, its just that we get a whole heck of a lot of priorities in life that are enjoyable as well. I havn't been to the park in a year and a half, and I miss the hell out of it, but at the same time I can't bring myself to drive 5 hours JUST to go to the park.

Anyways, Macarena on the Carousel should never happen. That's uncalled for.

[FParker185]

Gotta say this is one of the better non photo TR's so far.

For traffic, I think it's the high unemployment rate, but I've gone the past 2 fridays to SFGAm from here in Woodridge/Naperville, opening day in the height of rush hour, and this past friday a little later, and both times I've encountered no traffic at all, in fact barely a slow down. Like opening day when I left my house at 7 am, I didn't expect to be at SFGAm til at least 9, but nope, took exactly an hour (same as getting home, no traffic at all).

And for that Johnny Rockets by Demon, I agree it looks like hell now, but I gotta assume before it opens it will have an eating area around it and nicer signage and look more integrated into the park.


And I'll add my 2 cents here, having been to SFGAm 2 weeks in a row and not seeing the need to make up another trip report. Most stuff has been covered, but what has impressed me is despite having only one train ready for most rides on opening day, the park appeared to be shockingly ready to open. There have been opening days in May where the park is less than half as organized. Also between the 2 weeks, they got Bull up to 3 trains, with 2 running including one train that was in pieces on the ground the previous week, and they got a second train on Whizzer. And judging by the progress I'm guessing by next week Batman may be up to 2 trains. Also they got both sides open on Eagle and they were racing this week, which is a nice touch.