Weather : Hot and Humid
Crowds : Moderate in Park Heavy in Hurricane Harbor
Arrived at the Park at 10:30am.
Batman : The Ride
First ride of the morning 35 minute wait for front row. If I had gone to a regular row the wait would have been about 10 minutes shorter. Standard Batman mirrored image of B:TR at SFGAM, and it still kicks ass after almost a decade of service. It was my friend Julie's first time in the front row. After our ride, she now agrees with me that front row is the only way to go. She loved the appearance of almost hitting the que building as we exited the flat spin. I noticed that the train seemed to suffer a little case of "speed wobble". It wasn't rough, didn't even shake, but it seemed to shuffle a little side to side. The only thing I can compare it to is the feeling of standing on a skateboard flying downhill. The board can get a little loose and move a little side to side, which is the reason I'm calling this "speed wobble" for now. Anyone else have a better explanation for me?
9/10 x1
River King Mine Train
15 minute wait to board train. Apparently the idea for custom ride spiels has made it to SFSTL as the ride op stated the following before dispatch,"Ladies and gentlemen, the River King Mine Train is scream activated and capable of speeds in excess of 120 miles per hour. If you want to go faster let me here you scream." Of course the whole train screamed, the train dispatched, and the two boys in front of me remarked how much faster this ride was compared to their first ride due to louder screaming. Fun ride, great terrain hugging curves, and of course I sat in the very back row for the pop of airtime in the dark. As much as I enjoy this ride, I still want to find the individual who thought it was a good idea to put a trim on the small popper hill coming up to the final lift hill. I'll let your imagination come up with an appropriate punishment for them.
7/10 x1
Screaming Eagle
10 minute wait for mid train. Wow, the bird really seems to be doing well this season, and this ride was no exception.You could here the distinct clickity clak sound as we flew throught the course. I only wish I could have had my arms up more to enjoy the airtime that this thing delivers (recent motorcycle wreck has screwed my shoulder up). First turn was a little rough, but the rest of the course just sailed by. It almost felt like we were flying over the track instead of being attached to it. If I didn't know the difference between the two woodies here, I would have sworn that this was the one built 5 years ago.
9/10 x2 (2nd ride was around 7pm 20min wait for back row - phenominal airtime)
The "Mob" Boss
2 train wait back half of train (approx 10 min from entering que line). I'm used to seeing the Boss have the longest wait of any coaster so either this was a fluke or the general public has grown tired of how rough this piece of scrap wood has become. The airtime was still good on the drops, and the speed is amazing. The bad part is in between drops this ride features a ruthless bone jarring beating that a mob boss would be proud of. I felt like a needed a good drink after pulling back into the station. Please someone fix this damn thing! Give it new trains, new tracking, I don't care. I will usually ride each coaster at least once each visit, but I may be crossing the Boss off my list until I hear that its been fixed.
5/10 x1(Thank God)
Mr. Freeze
20 min wait for back row. This ride continues to be the most intense 40 seconds in the park. Quick launch, Upside down floating, reverse freefall and Colossus dissapearifsng to your right - What more could I ask for? O.K. maybe it needs a paint job, but I think that the rust matches the abandoned factory them pretty well.
10/10 x2 (2nd time was around 6:30 10 minute wait for back row)
Went to Parking Lot for Lunch (PB&J) then off to
Hurricane Harbor -
The park was packed. It took over an hour to navigate the crowd, get a locker, then change. There were lines everywhere.
Tornado
This thing is a capacity nightmare! We waited close to an hour for our ride. Rather than pair groups of two together for a four person raft, they have special 2 person rafts. A good 10-15minutes of our wait was spent waiting for a four person tube to come down the slide. Meanwhile groups of 2 kept skipping on by. On the way up you stop on the stairs looking down the funnel. We watched as groups of 2 went up the sides a little. Then you would see groups of four get some serious height and more times back and forth. The only exception was two rather large people riding in a four person raft. They exceeded the safe weight for a 2 person raft (450) and almost had the 700 limit of the four person raft beat. These poor folks came very close (6-8ft) to touching the rails that pour water down the sides of the funnel. The look of suprise was great. Finally it was my turn. I ended up being the poor sucker going backwards. The tunnel and drop into the funnel are great. By the time we rocketed up the first side the raft had spun 180 putting my friend at the top. I ended up at the top for the next trip up and got some nice air. As we made towards the end the water piles up and you splash through it soaking everyone. The speed and air are fun, but not worth an hour wait.
7/10
Big Kahuna
standard family raft ride - We waited close to 45 minutes. The ride was fun. Julie got knocked into the center of the raft because she didn't hold on, and we all ended up soaked.
5/10
We went to the wave pool, but it was too crowded to enjoy. Finally we decided to get back to the regular park. This was my first visit to Hurricane Harborin the close to 25 times I've been to SFSTL since 1998. We managed 3 attractions in over three hours time. I don't see myself visiting again. I pretty much consider these waterparks to be idiot holding pens designed to keep people away from my coasters.
Speaking of Which - Back to the park
Ninja
Waited 10min for back row. Same effect as Demon. You get some air and then pull up into the first loop. After the loop comes the sidewinder with the head chopper (chain bar). Still my favorite effect in the park. Finish it off with the double corkscrew and helix. Ninja seems to be running a lot smoother this year, and is still delivering fun. Look for the Hannibarrels rusting down and to the left when you're on the MCBR.
8/10 x2 (We ran right back to the line for a one train wait for back row again)
Scooby Doo : Ghostblasters
Waited 40 minutes (longest line in park) Three adults in a boat, we dragged along the bottom a little until reaching the entrance to the cave. This is a fun ride and has great reride value in the shooting game. Scored 52,000 on the first ride and 53,500 on the second. Shoot the tiki mask then move to the side to soak those in the back of the boat. The flowers off to the right are also fun to shoot and squirt your fellow riders. When you come to the graveyard shoot the headstone with the ghost hiding on top. It will pop up with a red target underneath. Shoot the red for 1,000 then shoot the top target again. Keep repeating to run up your score.
7/10 x2 (2nd time wait was 30 min around 7:30 This time it was only myself and Julie's husband Mike)
After the second ride on Scooby, I searched some gift shops for Six Flags Opoly. Didn't find it, but some of the gift shops were offering 25% off for season pass holders which was nice. As we were leaving, you could see the lights on Colossus. A good portion of the lights were out which kind of gave the park a cheap carnival look. Other than that and some faded waterslides in need of painting, the park seemed to be in good condition.
Pardon the Novel, but I hope that you enjoyed it.
