Best Time To Visit: 10/13 or 10/15?

[jkilby99]

Hello to everyone on the board from a stranger down south. As it so happens, I will be in the Chicago area (specifically Evanston) the weekend of October 13-15. I will be busy all day Saturday (the 14th), but will either have Friday or Sunday to do whatever (depending on how I schedule my transportation and days off from work). Given that I've already "seen the sights" in Chicago, I thought it would be cool to take my first trip to SFGAm. So the question is: when should I go? Personally, I'm leaning toward Sunday because I'd rather ride coasters in daylight and would rather not deal with the Fright Fest festivities, but if the crowds are going to be bad on that day, then I'd rather go on Friday night. FWIW, if I went on Sunday, I would be arriving when they open at 10 AM and staying till 4 PM or maybe later (again, depending on travel arrangments).

Also, should I expect any of the "big ticket" rides to be closed? The one time I went to Fright Fest at SFoG years ago, all the rides that were usually open were operating, including all the major coasters.

Thanks for any advice!

[LAFFfan4lyfe]

i would think the best day might be the 13th, but then again, it is friday the 13th, so it might be a bit busier....i don't think it will be nearly as busy as going on a sunday though...

[Galvan]

Your best bet will no doubt be Friday... The crowds will be definately lighter that night.

[SFGAm Shock Wave]

If you were staying all day Sunday, it would be a toss-up. However, if you plan to only stay six hours either way, Friday hands down. Friday still wont be empty, but it will be far less crowded than Sunday.

[revolutiongurl]

I believe friday would be your best bet, except for the point that they are hosting a cockroach-eating contest that night, so the crowds might come for that. I kind of doubt it though, I personally do not find it enteraining to watch people down cockroaches....eew.
But anyway, HAVE FUN!!

[Bob O]

I would also pick Friday!!!
I have found this to be the slowest day to visit on the weekends. The park IMHO looks better at night with the decorations.
Make sure you get to the park at opening if you go on a friday as it tneds to be a later arriving crowd so you can get alot done in the first 2 hours.

[zjohn1988]

Chances are that weekend will be packed each day, even the Friday. I would watch the weather closely when that weekend comes up. If its isolated rain and its cold a certain day, crowds will be lighter. If its scattered showers, it may still be crowded, but slightly better.

[jkilby99]

Thanks for the advice everyone... the consensus says Friday night and that also works out best with my travel plans (the cheapest flight I found arrives in Chicago Friday morning and leaves early Sunday morning). Thanks again!

[zjohn1988]

^Just remember Fridays are only open 6 hours.

[jkilby99]

^Just remember Fridays are only open 6 hours.

Not a problem... I think I could probably get everything essential that I wanted to ride in 3 or 3.5 hours (it helps that I live about 1.5 hours away from SFoG, which has its own B:TR, S:UF, Vu, and Viper (Georgia Cyclone)).

The main coasters I want to hit are the American Eagle, Demon, Iron Wolf, Raging Bull, V2, and Whizzer. If they're open, I'd also like to give the Condor and King Chaos (I've never been on a Top Spin before) a try.

[Galvan]

You should be able to get all the coasters done if from the main gate, you head left towards S:UF through Orleans Place and Mardi Gras.