Great Adventure Outpost

Great Adventure Boards => Great Adventure Trip Reports and Meeting Plans => Topic started by: Cyclonic on April 02, 2007, 02:52:06 PM

Title: Opening Day Report and Photos
Post by: Cyclonic on April 02, 2007, 02:52:06 PM
Just a quick report before I am off to work.  The photos could have been better, I totally screwed up the setting on the camera, so they are a bit dark, oh well.

Getting into the park they had just three manned booths open and three automated booths.  Nobody was using the automated booths.  I pulled up to one, and they DO NOT accept season passes, season pass holders MUST use manned booths for now.  They said a system needed to be added for season passes, but then just let me through.

Entry into the park was quick and easy.  The gates were busy but they were doing a good jod getting folks through.

KK opened with all trains, but due to some problem it dropped down to two trains.  I don't know why.

Toro opened just after noon with one train.

Everything else was running at or close to full capacity and pretty much a walk-on.  The park was not busy at all.

I spoke to Mark Kane for a few moments, he looked busy but was approachable, a very good thing.  Complained about the toll booths, but did not get the chance to complement him on the great just the employees were doing, they were all very good.  Thanks.

Wiggle World was open and very bright looking.  It was a real shock to the system after exiting Skull Mountain.

OK, now for some photos:

(http://www.cyclonic.smugmug.com/photos/140573963-M.jpg)

Waiting for the ropes to drop.  They have moved the ropes off to the side and there is no longer an opening performance.

(http://www.cyclonic.smugmug.com/photos/140574115-M.jpg)

The running of the bulls.

(http://www.cyclonic.smugmug.com/photos/140574205-M.jpg)

A fog shrouded Kingda Ka

(http://www.cyclonic.smugmug.com/photos/140574231-M.jpg)

(http://www.cyclonic.smugmug.com/photos/140574256-M.jpg)

The Tee Pee is now closed and empty. :(

(http://www.cyclonic.smugmug.com/photos/140574379-M.jpg)

New Flash Pass Building.

(http://www.cyclonic.smugmug.com/photos/140574554-M.jpg)

(http://www.cyclonic.smugmug.com/photos/140574596-M.jpg)

(http://www.cyclonic.smugmug.com/photos/140574647-M.jpg)

(http://www.cyclonic.smugmug.com/photos/140574691-M.jpg)

(http://www.cyclonic.smugmug.com/photos/140574724-M.jpg)

Wiggles World

(http://www.cyclonic.smugmug.com/photos/140574852-M.jpg)

B&R is still not up, just the Robin side is complete.

(http://www.cyclonic.smugmug.com/photos/140574928-M.jpg)

Loved the living statue.

(http://www.cyclonic.smugmug.com/photos/140575034-M.jpg)

Glad I already had my season pass.

That is about it.  Not a bad opening day, with most everything up and running.  Hopefully this is a good sign of things to come.

For more photos, check out the gallery:
http://cyclonic.smugmug.com/gallery/2657484#140573963
Title: Re: Opening Day Report and Photos
Post by: PcMan on April 02, 2007, 06:16:04 PM
Here are a few to add from Today 4-2-07
As I was walking towards the front gates I seen Mark Kane the New GM standing out in the middle just checking out the people walking in.
I talked with him a little and told him I was surprised to see him out here. He said you will see me much more and all around the park this year. It's good to see the GM out and about getting a feel of whats gong  on  :)  Also good to see a bunch of Gadvupdates members out today Pics greatly reduced in size to fit

A Foggy Arrival, at times I couldn't see the KK Train go over the Top Hat \/

(http://www.techhi.net/images/COASTER/Gradv/kk-fog-park.jpg)

and with my wimpy 4x zoom \/

(http://www.techhi.net/images/COASTER/Gradv/kk-fog.jpg)

WOW Free Fall looks like a Water Tower  :P\/

(http://www.techhi.net/images/COASTER/Gradv/freefallS.jpg)

Chillers "hump" \/

(http://www.techhi.net/images/COASTER/Gradv/chiller3s.jpg)

(http://www.techhi.net/images/COASTER/Gradv/chill.jpg)

(http://www.techhi.net/images/COASTER/Gradv/chiller-th.jpg)

(http://www.techhi.net/images/COASTER/Gradv/chiller-side.jpg)

Ready for some Wiggles B roles  - Check your local News

(http://www.techhi.net/images/COASTER/Gradv/Sat-truck.jpg)

More signs around the park (trying to sell Flash pass)

(http://www.techhi.net/images/COASTER/Gradv/sign.jpg)

and looks like more smoking areas this one had about 10 people in it then I walked by 10 minutes later and no one was in the Gazebo.

(http://www.techhi.net/images/COASTER/Gradv/smoke.jpg)

This side of the Park had most of the people that Helped me get 10 rides on Nitro,
Nitro was a Walkon most of the day \/
KK 4 then 2 train operation then looks like it wasn't running when I was leaving 3:30
El Toro - 1 train
RT - 1 train 1 side
Nitro - 2 train - the other is on the ground.

(http://www.techhi.net/images/COASTER/Gradv/ET.jpg)

Dry Rapids \/

(http://www.techhi.net/images/COASTER/Gradv/raft.jpg)
Title: Re: Opening Day Report and Photos
Post by: David Jr on April 02, 2007, 07:00:59 PM
On Cyclonic's second pic, on the far left, you'll see my fat belly sticking out somewhat. ;D
Title: Re: Opening Day Report and Photos
Post by: Ogolo on April 02, 2007, 07:32:37 PM
Ahh David..I didn't realize that was you.
I saw you in line sitting by the test seat waiting for Ka to reopen after it's afternoon rest.
Next time I'll say hi!
And it turned out to be worth the wait/

A decent day.
But that line for the Big Red Cars was just too long for me!  ;)

Title: Re: Opening Day Report and Photos
Post by: PcMan on April 02, 2007, 07:38:10 PM
And it turned out to be worth the wait/

KK worth the wait  ?
what was the Status of Ka in the afternoon  ?
I was going to get inline around 3pm but I didn't see it running .
I got one 2nd row ride in around 11:30 about 45 minute wait. Ride #87.
Title: Re: Opening Day Report and Photos
Post by: SilverBullet on April 02, 2007, 07:51:28 PM
Great pics guys!


That hump looks better than it looked from above.
Title: Re: Opening Day Report and Photos
Post by: WadeJ on April 02, 2007, 08:34:34 PM
Kingda Ka was running full-tilt in the last hour or two of operation.  Toro started to finally behave with 1 train around 4:30 as well.
Title: Re: Opening Day Report and Photos
Post by: peterpjr on April 02, 2007, 08:59:57 PM
I had a lot of fun today.  It was beautiful once the fog lifted.  A few minor hiccups in the operation today but that is expected on opening day. The staff was great.  Everyone was friendly and could not do enough.  It was great meeing everyone today from Gadvupdates today.  It finally good to put a face to a name.  I might go again tomorrow for a bit and there is a group of us going on Wednesday. I hope the weather holds out. 
Title: Re: Opening Day Report and Photos
Post by: rjholla2003 on April 02, 2007, 09:21:56 PM
I wish I was able to go today, just to say I (finally) opened Great Adventure.  I'll be there on Friday though. :)
Title: Re: Opening Day Report and Photos
Post by: twistedrails on April 02, 2007, 11:25:32 PM
Sounds and looks (great pictures guys!) like everyone had a good time today despite the opening day glitches. I can't wait to go tomorrow and Friday!