- August 6th, 2006, 5:52 pm
#18337
I'm ashamed to say it, but this last Friday was my first trip to SFOG in over 20 years! I took my daughters, along with a good friend and his two daughters plus a family friend. Seven total, all 54" or taller and all fearless ~ we were ready to ride! We left home, which is near Florence, SC, at around 5am and were walking up to the ticket counter at 9:30. Everything went well and we were on the Georgia Scorcher by 9:45. The park was supposed to open at 10am, but somehow they were ahead of schedule and several rides were already operating by 9:30. Nice.
I forgot to mention the $20.00 we paid to park. Official parking was $15.00 or so I read. We had been shopping discounts so only had to pay $25.00 apiece for our tickets.
By 10am, we were boarding Goliath for what would be the first of FIVE hops on this wonderful BIG coaster. I had my doubts on how good it would be, since it has no inversions. My doubts were quickly put to rest after the first ride. WOW! The train carried 36 riders at once and most trains were filled. Elizabeth, the ride operator, allowed slip-ins on empty seats, when available. We all ran around and got in line for a second hop. Just before loading, someone on the incoming train managed to throw up and all over a couple of other riders. The cleanup took at least 20 precious minutes. How can anyone throw up on a coaster? The seats and restraints are the best of any of the 50+ coasters we have ridden this year. Very comfortable and it seemed that my butt spent more time out of the seat than in it. Perfect!
Next, we headed to Bat Man. No comparison to our own Top Gun. It was shorter, rougher and one less loop. Still a good ride. Somehow, Batman is condensed into less real estate than Top Gun. Personally, I don't think it is as good as Great Bear at HP and certainly not in the same class as Montu. We then hit Mind Bender and their wave swinger. You know, we like those wave swingers! I wish CF would buy the one at the Pavilion for our park. Why they removed ours altogether is beyond me. Yes, I know it was for Top Gun, but that ride could have been relocated somewhere else on property.
We ate a very expensive $10/hot dog lunch and headed off to additional coasters. Next, we took Deja Vu. Had to wait about 30 minutes. I don't have to ride it again. Then Ninja a couple of times and Superman. Superman had about a 30 minute wait and was quite a good flyer. Talking with some of the workers, a couple commented on having ridden Borg and how much they had enjoyed it. I probably liked Superman a little better, mainly because of the harnassing system they used, plus the coaster is inverted. Nice. The line was too long for another ride.
We then hit the woodies and the Dalonigah Mine ride. Time for more Goliath! All total, we rode all the SFOG coasters and some with mulitple rides for a total 21 trips. The water rides had such long lines that we rode none of them. Their drop zone was closed all day. A hot day, for sure, but I heard no one in our group complaining. I bought a group pic for $11.95 and headed out the gate at 7:30. A super day of good rides.
Bottom line, I wouldn't take SFOG over Carowinds. Goliath is the only really compelling reason for a visit. SFOG had the same team of impersonal and apathetic ride operators that I have found in many other parks, maybe even worse a little. The atmosphere at our park is a whole lot better. Our park is cleaner and more spacious as well. We have a lot to be pleased with. We just need our Hyper some day to round out our fleet of coasters. I'm glad that Great Adventure is the only other SF park on our "short list" of future parks to visit. I wouldn't want to go to SFOG every year, but I hope it won't be 20 again...
I forgot to mention the $20.00 we paid to park. Official parking was $15.00 or so I read. We had been shopping discounts so only had to pay $25.00 apiece for our tickets.
By 10am, we were boarding Goliath for what would be the first of FIVE hops on this wonderful BIG coaster. I had my doubts on how good it would be, since it has no inversions. My doubts were quickly put to rest after the first ride. WOW! The train carried 36 riders at once and most trains were filled. Elizabeth, the ride operator, allowed slip-ins on empty seats, when available. We all ran around and got in line for a second hop. Just before loading, someone on the incoming train managed to throw up and all over a couple of other riders. The cleanup took at least 20 precious minutes. How can anyone throw up on a coaster? The seats and restraints are the best of any of the 50+ coasters we have ridden this year. Very comfortable and it seemed that my butt spent more time out of the seat than in it. Perfect!
Next, we headed to Bat Man. No comparison to our own Top Gun. It was shorter, rougher and one less loop. Still a good ride. Somehow, Batman is condensed into less real estate than Top Gun. Personally, I don't think it is as good as Great Bear at HP and certainly not in the same class as Montu. We then hit Mind Bender and their wave swinger. You know, we like those wave swingers! I wish CF would buy the one at the Pavilion for our park. Why they removed ours altogether is beyond me. Yes, I know it was for Top Gun, but that ride could have been relocated somewhere else on property.
We ate a very expensive $10/hot dog lunch and headed off to additional coasters. Next, we took Deja Vu. Had to wait about 30 minutes. I don't have to ride it again. Then Ninja a couple of times and Superman. Superman had about a 30 minute wait and was quite a good flyer. Talking with some of the workers, a couple commented on having ridden Borg and how much they had enjoyed it. I probably liked Superman a little better, mainly because of the harnassing system they used, plus the coaster is inverted. Nice. The line was too long for another ride.
We then hit the woodies and the Dalonigah Mine ride. Time for more Goliath! All total, we rode all the SFOG coasters and some with mulitple rides for a total 21 trips. The water rides had such long lines that we rode none of them. Their drop zone was closed all day. A hot day, for sure, but I heard no one in our group complaining. I bought a group pic for $11.95 and headed out the gate at 7:30. A super day of good rides.
Bottom line, I wouldn't take SFOG over Carowinds. Goliath is the only really compelling reason for a visit. SFOG had the same team of impersonal and apathetic ride operators that I have found in many other parks, maybe even worse a little. The atmosphere at our park is a whole lot better. Our park is cleaner and more spacious as well. We have a lot to be pleased with. We just need our Hyper some day to round out our fleet of coasters. I'm glad that Great Adventure is the only other SF park on our "short list" of future parks to visit. I wouldn't want to go to SFOG every year, but I hope it won't be 20 again...
