Hey everyone. I finally got a chance to go to the park for the first time since the end of July. We got there around 4:30 to see a grand total of 6 cars in the front lot.
Once in the gates, everyone was heading towards the Southwest territory for concert wristband. Mean while the rest of the park was beyond dead. The entire night, every single ride was a re-ride if wanted except Whizzer. Even around 6, V2 was re-ride in any row except maybe the first row.
It really seemed like the park was hoping for a home run with this night. The problem was, no one showed up. In a period of 20 minutes I stood in the same 10x10 area taking photos of Raging Bull in front of the paintball area. In that time, the same person asked me 4 times if I wanted a concert wrist band as if I was a different person. Another employee asked me twice. I am 5'8, have a pony tail and a beard, I am easy to notice. It seemed like they were desperate to give out wrist bands.
All rides and areas were going except the train and Yankee Clipper. Even all 3 kids area were fully staffed. They had all 3 trains running on Bull, which was beyond overkill but great for re-rides. Heck, the only line we saw all night was Whizzer due to only running one train. Even then, only half the rows had a 1 train wait.
Some notes on things I saw different then June.
- There were tons of sales on shirts. They were $5 and that included the tax. Even better, The Dark Knight coaster shirts were in the sale. There was also a table near the front for the shirt sale.
- Along with that, the merchandise has changed around the park. It was nice seeing the Raging Bull 10th anniversary shirt, but I've got to ask where was that in April. Sadly for me, the park lapel pins are gone
- They were really pushing the Bizzaro watches in the stores. I've got to wonder if that is a sign of things to come.
It was a great night to go to the park. It was cool but warm enough to go in shorts and t-shirt. The night had the lightest crowds I've ever seen. Even on opening weekend there were more people there then last night
In three hours, including spending an hour taking photos and playing at the Wii station, my ride count was
Ragin' Cajun - 1 (first ride of the night 15 minutes after opening) V2 - 2 Batman: TR - 1 Viper - 6 (all re-rides) Raging Bull - 9 (all re-rides in the back row) Demon - 1 Whizzer - 1 Rue le Dodge - 1
^ I'm going too, the past weekend (the 5th) there wasn't that many people there so I don't think it will be crowded next weekend. Of course it will start getting crowded again once FF starts.
It was a great visit. Was the perfect night to take photos on the Marti Gras to Iron Wolf area. One thing I did forget to mention is the amount of graffiti on the Viper trains is awful. The 3rd row was covered in it.
As an FYI, today was packed around 2. It felt like a early summer day at the park. The major coasters were 45-60 minute wait. Even the Sky Tower had a 1 cycle wait.
On the positive, they did have everything running. Even Yankee Clipper was running and it had a full que.
No crowds indeed. The place was dead indeed. Did you at least go to the free concert? I thought Carolina Liar rock so did 1 republic glad you had a great day.
rb1 wrote:No crowds indeed. The place was dead indeed. Did you at least go to the free concert? I thought Carolina Liar rock so did 1 republic glad you had a great day.
Nope, I had no interest in either the bands or screaming teens. But I am glad someone actually did go and enjoy themselves.
This weekened, and next weekend it will most likely be more crowded. Here's the reason why. For this week, you have Friday which is season pass holder day, and most people think it's exclusive, but when so many people have that pass, it's not that exclusive as people think, and it's going to be crowded. Than, you have a Saturday, and that's the only other day open.
For the next week after that, you only have one day open so people that want to go that week all go on that one day. Last weekend, you had 3 days, and thus probably most people went Saturday, and thus Friday was empty.
I wondered why the end of September seems more crowded than towards the middle or before, and that's the reason why. It's because with less days open, the more people pack into the few days that are open.
As for Dark Knight shirts, I wouldn't buy one because I didn't care for the movie, but I like the ride. I like the older 5 movies better (Yes, one of them is much older, but still.) I usually only buy MY top 10 rides anyway. By the carousel, they have a table full of merchandise on sale, but I think that stuff is just kids shirts anyway.
People see negatives to Fridays, and there are some. I think the biggest one is that on Saturdays it's open from 10 - 9 which is a 11 hour day, but on Friday it's open from 5 pm - 11 pm which is only 6 hours. Than theres, if I get out at 4 pm, can I get there at 5 pm with all the traffic in which you have to deal with on a Friday? Also, the price is the same whether you are going on a Friday, a Saturday, or a Sunday. Don't forget about Friday football games at high schools. To me, Fridays should be discounted. If you are getting less time at the park, you should get in cheaper if paying full admission. The flip side is that it's empty, but if admission were cheaper for less time at the park, than you would get more people on Fridays.
"I've been staring at the world, waiting. All the trouble and all the pain we're facing. Too much light to be livin' in the dark. Why waste time? We only got one life. Together we can be the CHANGE. So go and let your heart burn bright"
^I love the Fridays in the park during Fright Fest. The crowds are light, everything is running and less kids there. Fridays are really more of a day for locals due to the hours. I feel the season passholder night will be more of the same. Locals within 30-45 minutes of the park will come and that is about it. No need to travel when the park is only open for 6 hours.
One other thing about the Fridays is it gives the park a chance to train new employees with less crowds. They were doing that last Friday.
monsterfan99 wrote:It was a great visit. Was the perfect night to take photos on the Marti Gras to Iron Wolf area. One thing I did forget to mention is the amount of graffiti on the Viper trains is awful. The 3rd row was covered in it.
As an FYI, today was packed around 2. It felt like a early summer day at the park. The major coasters were 45-60 minute wait. Even the Sky Tower had a 1 cycle wait.
On the positive, they did have everything running. Even Yankee Clipper was running and it had a full que.
It sounds like it's going to be crowded again for this Saturday (Sept 11). On top of it, no Sky Trek Tower, and the no train. They said last day was Labor Day! On top of that, you have friends for free both days.
"I've been staring at the world, waiting. All the trouble and all the pain we're facing. Too much light to be livin' in the dark. Why waste time? We only got one life. Together we can be the CHANGE. So go and let your heart burn bright"
