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Great Adventure Boards => Great Adventure Trip Reports and Meeting Plans => Topic started by: Millennium Force 44 on April 07, 2008, 10:30:33 PM

Title: Opening Weekend 2008
Post by: Millennium Force 44 on April 07, 2008, 10:30:33 PM
Opening weekend was awesome. It was great to get back to the park and see many familiar park employees. The weather on Saturday was unbelieveable. The forecast was 100% rain in the morning, but it turned out being a beautiful day. The staff was extremely friendly and the ride operations were smooth for the most part.

Here is my coaster count:

Saturday April 5th
El Toro x5
Kingda Ka x2
Medusa x3
Batman: The Ride x4
Nitro x3
Scream Machine x2
Superman: Ultimate Flight x1
Runaway Mine Train x1
Rolling Thunder (right side) x1
Skull Mountain x2
Black Beard's Lost Treasure Train x1

-rode in the last row of El Toro on the first train to leave the station for the season
-front row on Medusa

Sunday April 6th
El Toro x11
Medusa x1
Batman: The Ride x1
Nitro x4
Scream Machine x1
Superman: Ultimate Flight x1

-beat my previous record of 10 for the number of El Toro rides in one day
-front row on El Toro, Nitro, and the Scream Machine

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u156/ao1011/Matt/IMG_4116.jpg)

Here I am anxiously waiting for the gates to open.
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u156/ao1011/Matt/IMG_4117.jpg)

Some cool shots of the Scream Machine
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u156/ao1011/Matt/IMG_4122.jpg)
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u156/ao1011/Matt/IMG_4120.jpg)
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u156/ao1011/Matt/IMG_4123.jpg)

No more Space Shuttle
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u156/ao1011/Matt/IMG_4124.jpg)

Fly Me To The Moon. Enough said.
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u156/ao1011/Matt/IMG_4125.jpg)

NITRO!
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u156/ao1011/Matt/IMG_4185.jpg)
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u156/ao1011/Matt/IMG_4136.jpg)

El Toro's lift hill. The train is still slowed down at the crest.
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u156/ao1011/Matt/IMG_4147.jpg)

I had to take a picture of Black Beard's Lost Treasure Train because i don't believe I have one yet.
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u156/ao1011/Matt/IMG_4133.jpg)

The empty midway from the Skyway
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u156/ao1011/Matt/IMG_4167.jpg)

The Scream Machine from the Skyway
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u156/ao1011/Matt/IMG_4155.jpg)

This picture reminds me of Viper at Six Flags Magic Mountain
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u156/ao1011/Matt/IMG_4160.jpg)

One of the few flats
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u156/ao1011/Matt/IMG_4187.jpg)

Superman
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u156/ao1011/Matt/IMG_4237.jpg)
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u156/ao1011/Matt/IMG_4205.jpg)

I thought this picture of Superman would be a really cool desktop background
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u156/ao1011/Matt/IMG_4204.jpg)

Thanks to my friend for taking this picture- I am actually sitting in the front row.
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u156/ao1011/Matt/IMG_4227.jpg)

Medusa
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u156/ao1011/Matt/IMG_4150.jpg)

Rolling Thunder
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u156/ao1011/Matt/IMG_4141.jpg)

Kingda Ka was running 2 trains on Saturday
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u156/ao1011/Matt/IMG_4156.jpg)

I will leave everyone with a few shots of El Toro
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u156/ao1011/Matt/IMG_4137.jpg)
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u156/ao1011/Matt/IMG_4200.jpg)
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u156/ao1011/Matt/IMG_4143.jpg)
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u156/ao1011/Matt/IMG_4140.jpg)

Thanks for reading.

Title: Re: Opening Weekend 2008
Post by: PcMan on April 07, 2008, 11:36:41 PM

Nice report and pics
I missed the whole weekend and looks like not many people there
Title: Re: Opening Weekend 2008
Post by: coastersue on April 08, 2008, 05:52:48 AM
Geez, it looks like no one is even on Rolling Thunder in that picture.  Was that on Sunday?
Title: Re: Opening Weekend 2008
Post by: Millennium Force 44 on April 08, 2008, 06:40:34 AM
No, that picture of Rolling Thunder is from Saturday.
Title: Re: Opening Weekend 2008
Post by: Bubba Z on April 08, 2008, 05:04:33 PM
Geez, it looks like no one is even on Rolling Thunder in that picture.  Was that on Sunday?

Sue, it went by us 6 times like that. The 7th time was just you and Rich! lol.
Title: Re: Opening Weekend 2008
Post by: GADVwow on April 08, 2008, 05:14:14 PM
Well, it was the yellow train, which was playing a game of getting stuck on the lift hill.  By Sunday, it had been sidetracked, quite literally. . .
Title: Re: Opening Weekend 2008
Post by: CycloneMan on April 08, 2008, 06:09:56 PM
Great photos Matt. I was there Sunday the whole day, and got to ride everything, except for Medusa and SUF. I had no idea you'd be there on Sunday, if I knew I would have tried to meet up at some point.

-Dainan "But I stayed in hiding 8)" Rafferty
Title: Re: Opening Weekend 2008
Post by: coastersue on April 08, 2008, 06:14:33 PM
Sue, it went by us 6 times like that. The 7th time was just you and Rich! lol.

We didn't have any solo rides.  In fact, we only rode it 5 times on Saturday.  We're planning to head back this weekend to rectify that.  :)
Title: Re: Opening Weekend 2008
Post by: coastermom on April 08, 2008, 06:53:48 PM
I am hopeful that the weather for this Saturday changes Sue. We are going to try to get back down there too.
Title: Re: Opening Weekend 2008
Post by: Bubba Z on April 08, 2008, 06:59:32 PM
Are you sure?  I only saw you and Rich (in the front row) on the green train at one point, oh Well, I could be wrong.
Title: Re: Opening Weekend 2008
Post by: coastersue on April 08, 2008, 09:06:39 PM
I am hopeful that the weather for this Saturday changes Sue. We are going to try to get back down there too.

We're more aiming for Sunday ourselves, but we could do either day if we have to.  Whichever day looks to be the best for keeping crowds away will be the day we'll go.  :)

Are you sure?  I only saw you and Rich (in the front row) on the green train at one point, oh Well, I could be wrong.

I can definitely say that wasn't us because all of our rides were on the yellow train.  We didn't get a chance to ride the green train.
Title: Re: Opening Weekend 2008
Post by: WadeJ on April 08, 2008, 10:55:18 PM
Bubba, have you ridden both the green and yellow train now?  If so was the yellow as good?
Title: Re: Opening Weekend 2008
Post by: coastermom on April 09, 2008, 05:53:46 AM
Sundays are too busy here we have to go Saturdays ..

Hey I hav to say Fly me to the Moon had me really missing the little yellow sponge . I would have taken anyother show but that was pretty bad. When we went on Saturday it was a little out of focus ... Yes I had my glasses on and yes it was still a little off .... Anyone else even like it? There were people in the theater chanting BRING BACK SPONGE BOB after it ended. I wonder if they will change it again if the ride doesn't have enough riders after a year of running in compared to other movies they have had.
Title: Re: Opening Weekend 2008
Post by: Bubba Z on April 09, 2008, 07:59:54 AM
Bubba, have you ridden both the green and yellow train now?  If so was the yellow as good?

Nope,  just the green train with you.   
Title: Re: Opening Weekend 2008
Post by: Robert T Ackerman on April 10, 2008, 11:00:25 AM
Nice pics sir. I'm surprised we missed each other. Next time you go and we're going, you'll have to let us know!

11 rides on Toro seems like a nice accomplishment too.
Title: Re: Opening Weekend 2008
Post by: coastersue on April 12, 2008, 09:32:19 AM
Now I'm curious if the green train is giving better rides than the yellow.  I wouldn't really say I noticed much difference riding the yellow train--it was as good as it's always been in my mind.  Hopefully the green train will be running tomorrow and we'll get a chance to ride that one.
Title: Re: Opening Weekend 2008
Post by: PcMan on April 12, 2008, 09:39:15 AM

Who's going to the park tomorrow ?
I may try to get there
Title: Re: Opening Weekend 2008
Post by: coastersue on April 12, 2008, 10:01:28 AM
We'll be there at opening and staying for a couple hours only.  I'm sure you know where to find us, Tom.  :)
Title: Re: Opening Weekend 2008
Post by: darkridedan on April 12, 2008, 10:12:05 AM
Now I'm curious if the green train is giving better rides than the yellow.  I wouldn't really say I noticed much difference riding the yellow train--it was as good as it's always been in my mind.  Hopefully the green train will be running tomorrow and we'll get a chance to ride that one.

Maybe it's something in the Kool Aid.  ::)
Title: Re: Opening Weekend 2008
Post by: Ogolo on April 12, 2008, 03:49:00 PM
Bubba, have you ridden both the green and yellow train now?  If so was the yellow as good?

I got a ride on Yellow on my short trip this morning before the storms rolled in.
Yes it was as good as the green train.
Now they just have to open the left side!

The Dark Knight is starting to take shape. (Sorry no pictures)
The outside are of the preshow area has a new facade.

They also had park wide announcments to let you know the rides were closed for the storms.
Did they ever do that before?
Title: Re: Opening Weekend 2008
Post by: rjholla2003 on April 12, 2008, 10:49:18 PM
Yes. but it was nowhere NEAR AS LOUD! haha
Title: Re: Opening Weekend 2008
Post by: coastermom on April 13, 2008, 04:30:37 PM
Bubba, have you ridden both the green and yellow train now?  If so was the yellow as good?

I got a ride on Yellow on my short trip this morning before the storms rolled in.
Yes it was as good as the green train.
Now they just have to open the left side!

The Dark Knight is starting to take shape. (Sorry no pictures)
The outside are of the preshow area has a new facade.

They also had park wide announcments to let you know the rides were closed for the storms.
Did they ever do that before?


The announcements were great and kept everyone informed . I do have to say the only downer about Saturday this weekend was that KK had issues as well as it being down for the rain. By the time it got really going we were on our way out it was about 7 or even after that . We tried to get on 3 different times during the day. I heard MANY people complaining about the lockers and the new Cup system. The only issue with the cups now is that the new workers have to get use to looking for the year on the cups. I had to explain to one guy that you didn't need a wrist band to refill it all season .  We did have a great trip on SM . It was down due to the storm and then it opened and we got to re-ride there was NO LINE . Two trips around and i didn't even have to get up . :)

Not a bad day .  NOt a great day either . One thing I did notice people  were stashing their stuff in the bushes next to ET just outside of RT by the drink stand there . It is not a smart thing to do but I seen two seperate people do it . i am thinking they really don't want to pay the buck for the locker . Also here is something funny now not too many people winning big prizes as now there is no where to leave them if you win them. They don't fit in lockers and you can't leae them in the station . This is going to be an issue now too .
Title: Re: Opening Weekend 2008
Post by: coastersue on April 13, 2008, 05:17:44 PM
We had a chance to ride RT's green train today and it seemed the same as the yellow train to us.  Unfortunately, we didn't get many RT rides since the crew up there was so slow that they might as well have been going backwards.  We rode 6 times without leaving the station and it took 50 minutes to get those 6 rides!

I wish the B:TR crew could teach the RT crew how to dispatch a train.  The 2 girls checking the restraints on Batman were amazingly fast.  It's rare for Batman not to stack, but they managed to get the trains out with only a quick stop in the brakes.

The crew on Nitro was also doing a great job.  In our 12 rides, there was only one time where we didn't advance right into the station without stopping.
Title: Re: Opening Weekend 2008
Post by: Millennium Force 44 on April 13, 2008, 05:33:03 PM
Yes, the Batman crew is doing great this year. They are quicker then ever.
Title: Re: Opening Weekend 2008
Post by: darkridedan on April 13, 2008, 06:01:07 PM
Nice TRs. The new cup rule was in effect for years. Sorry to hear about RT again. John and James from last year's crew were great last week. Batman's crew was good last week too.  I too wonder  what guests will do with stuffed prizes if they dont utelize package pickup.
Title: Re: Opening Weekend 2008
Post by: coastermom on April 13, 2008, 06:38:26 PM
I am sure the cup rule has been like that for years but they NEVER inforced it until this year. I was using cups from two years ago at one point . There are now even signs up on the menus they were never there before . It doesn't really matter because I got a new one anyway .

I see the prize thing  a two way street it can either back fire on SF as to where people will stop playing games all that much or they will leave the prizes with non riders if there are any . I hope they start advitising the package pick up not too many people even know they have it .
Title: Re: Opening Weekend 2008
Post by: darkridedan on April 13, 2008, 07:22:27 PM
That's my guess about the enforcement of the cup rule. I remember getting a Mr Six cup for renewing my season pass at the end of the 2005 season. I remember thinking, what is this good for if he won't be the mascot next season. I used it for e the rest of the season and now he just reminds me of good times.

 
Title: Re: Opening Weekend 2008
Post by: coastersue on April 13, 2008, 08:34:29 PM
Sorry to hear about RT again. John and James from last year's crew were great last week.

The RT crew on opening day was fairly good.  Today it was different people and they were downright awful.  I know it'll never be the way it was before seatbelts, but it just seems like RT never gets a good crew anymore.
Title: Re: Opening Weekend 2008
Post by: Millennium Force 44 on April 13, 2008, 09:17:52 PM
You can't use the cups from last year?? I thought I saw people last weekend using them.