Just got back from SIX FLAGS, boy it isnt DISNEY!

[Tissa]

I live about 15 minutes from SF Astroworld and I have to admit I like it. No it's not Disney but I don't expect it to be. It was always a birthday treat for me growing up and now my son wants to go there for his birthday every year. We love the Texas Cyclone. We also don't go there for the magic, that's what our Disney trips are for. We go there for the coasters.

 

[Cindy B]

Ohhhhh, good point!!! Very important point!!!! So give me the review of Kingda Ka. We haven't been able to go this season yet and I'm dying to hear a review. Send me a pm, so we don't upset the GA "haters"

I won't PM, I'll let everyone see it!

This was this past Friday of Memorial Day weekend. Another Kingda Ka report

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I just got back from Great Adventure and rode Kingda Ka, not once but TWICE!

We got there early at 845. Park opened at 9 am, and season pass holder were let in to the Golden Kingdom area only. Yes, they have a checkpoint and yes, you need to show season passes.

We walked briskly (no running of the Bulls like Cedar Point for us) and got in a quick moving line. My son and I were in the second row, and my husband was in the third row. Restraints are pull over your chest with a restraining buckle to fasten in place. The restraints are very secure.

Once we are all buckled in, we were set to launch. Once we got on the loading track, I noticed a spurt of water to moisten the track mechanism. After that, there was a short burst of air, and off we went. The shot is a pretty standard shot (very similiar to Top Thrill Dragster), with some small bunny hills at the end of the ride. It was smooth, and very similiar to Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point. Themeing was pretty nice, there is some foliage near the track, but there are no big surprises.

Comparing it to Top Thrill, I have to say the anticipation is worse at TTD. At TTD, there is the Christmas tree dragster scenario, so there is worse anticipation at launch. I was sort of expecting an auditory signal of launch at Kingda Ka, like a Tiger Growl or something like that, but there was not.

I waited 15 minutes for the first ride. After the ride, we did a reride on the opposite side of the track, and waited less than 15 minutes for the second ride. We rode both sides of the track and there was no discernable difference between the two coaster tracks.

After two rides, we went to check out the Golden Kingdom area. The smaller playground was too big for my son, and the larger playground was not open. (The media was using it for some publicity shots) There is a flat ride similiar to Dumbo and Magic Carpets, but with Elephants. Me and my son did ride that, since there was no one else there. The ride operator looked bored, so we decided to humor her. My husband took pictures of the kid area. It is definetely for the 6 and under set. My tallish 7 year is over the height requirement for some rides.

The tiger show hadn't started yet, and the tigers were not out. The area looked great, and reminded me slightly of the Port of Entry at Islands of Adventure. The tiger area is very close to the play area, (less than 10 feet) but it did look very secure to me.

There is a large turtle at the entrance of Golden Kingdom. It is called something like Alhebra Island, which my son quickly renamed Algebra Island!
Golden Kingdom is noted as smoke free, but I wasn't noticing any smokers trying to sneak a few puffs.

All in all, The Golden Kingdom is a great addition to Six Flags.


You won't see any thrill ride like that at WDW!

 

[DeeCeeSW]

I, too, have a season pass for GA in Jackson, NJ. I made my second visit this past Saturday (Memorial Day weekend). It is nothing like WDW. I, too, found myself laughing at Six Flags' attempts to make the park "Disney-like" and even "Universal-like." I heard the Haunted Mansion ripoff music as well as a ripoff of the music from Universal's Jurassic Park near the Batman ride. I found myself comparing as well, but there really is no comparison to WDW, is there?

The new Golden Kingdom kids area at GA, "Balin's Jungleland" is an extremely poorly designed area. Each ride is on top of the other, without any space to accomodate long lines. People bottleneck, and when crowded, it is virtually impossible to walk anywhere, especially with a stroller.

The first time we went to this new area, (the second week that the park was open), 2 of the 5 new attractions were not even open yet. Fast forward 3 weeks later and there are still 2 major attractions in this "new area" that are not functional. The "Jungleland Express," a kiddie train ride, has not been opened yet, due to (as per an employee) "a bridge that was built that connects the walkway area to the play structure, which actually is over the track, so the train can't run over it." WHAT? What numbskull designed this? And why wasn't this taken care of before the official park opening WEEKS ago? Mind you, this train is represented on TV as being open, prominently featured in GA commercials. This area is currently being used a pit stop for employees to hang out and drink beverages from a big cooler and socialize.

The area is just way too small for what they've crammed into it. There are two parts to the large play structure, and one entire section (the largest section) was closed down this weekend as well. Perhaps the numbskulls could have looked into getting that taken care of BEFORE opening this holiday weekend?

Half of the rides at the park were either not working or not opened yet for the season. When I asked about the kid's log flume, I was told that it was being "worked on, " and that it may or may not open this summer. When I tried to get my DH on the tractor ride (was told to come back 3 times), I was told they were having mechanical difficulties due to the sun beating down on the track, and (as per an employee) being that this is "really an indoor ride, it tends to break down a lot." Umm, if it's "really an indoor ride" why is the ride outdoors???!!!!

I am grateful that I bought a season pass bc at least I get to go as many times as I like this summer and not feel like I was ripped off for the price I paid, but what about those poor people who only get to go once a year and had to pay full price (or close to full price) to get in???

GA will never be Disney, and the tigers and the safari don't even come close to what is offered at AK. Truthfully, I bought the season ticket to help pass the time until my next trip to WDW in October.

 

[Absimilliard]

Regarding Six Flags "copying" Disney for the mine train rollercoaster, its actually the opposite! The original mine train opened at Six Flags in Texas... way back in 1966 and actually features a themed lift hill in a saloon. Big Thunder Mountain at DL opened 13 years later. Regarding tea cups, they're common fairground rides.

Give Six Flags some slack... if you expect WDW or DL quality at each amusement park you visit, you're in for a major dissapointment! Six Flags has been improving a lot this year and it shows... Rollercoaster fans that beated Six Flags up for good reasons have nothing to say this year.

 

[crazelion]

We live about 45 min from Six Flags Over Georgia and you would have to give me free tickets AND A MEAL to get me to go there. My two older kids love it though, so we usually end up going at least once. Christian, my autistic child, doesn't care, but there are a few things he enjoys--they still let him ride the kiddie rides even though he's 10yo and almost 100lb.

My biggest beef with Six Flags is their lack of work ethic.It is not uncommon to see "workers" launging around, shirts untucked, talking amongst themselves, and generally behving as if they are doing you a favor by showing up.


The Baseball park I work at does not required tuck your shirt in. As matter fact really bad language from the staff. But we some best concession stand workers there is. We so good that we got offer a football concessions stand work this year because taking over the stadium. Just because here bad language does not mean they bad workers.


They have no sense of customer service and the park is not clean. The bathrooms are atrocious. I witnessed on two occasions some very poor handling of handicapped people which pretty much turned me off forever. None of their so-called sit-down restaurants are easily manuevered in a wheelchair. In fact, the hilly nature of the park is pretty taxing unless you are very fit--try pushing a 100lb child in his 50lb wheelchair with all his food and diapers,etc, and you'll see why I'd rather just stay home.

The Baseball park I work at does not required tuck your shirt in. As matter fact really bad language from the staff. But we some best concession stand workers there is. We so good that we got offer a football concessions stand work this year because taking over the stadium. Just because here bad language does not mean they bad workers.


Some us do not get choose to where we can built at park. Our baseball park is center of Downtown city on top of a hill. It would be h@ll trying to push a wheelchair up that hill. Put do have option to drive the handicapped person up the hill let them out.


We see all amuusement and theme park food is bad. I don't like none of it including WDW food.

I like each park for what they are one is a amusement park and one theme park two totally different parks.

Most parks down south is almost all hilly parks. Dollywood and Six Flags are hilly parks that take energy to walk.

 

[HappyLawyer]

when i respond to post i don't just say disney because there are so many things to do and see in florida, that being said i don't think anything compares to a florida vacation, we go every other year so this year we are going to hawaii but all i thing about is florida, that is why i don't even bother visiting other theme parks because i think or i know they will be a disappointment

 

[DanaHesson]

Back in the mid 80's, a man by the name of Spurgeon Richardson was the CEO of Six Flags over Georgia. Back then, if you saw ANY member of management walk by a piece of garbage and not pick it up and you called them on it, there was a cash bonus in it for you. (sorry I dont remember how much). My point being, back then the emphasis was on a clean park. I have not been in years, but my husband and I do plan to try to go later this year. I have fond memories of my days at Six Flags, but that being said, it is NOT DISNEY.

Just a couple things to remember when at Six Flags
1. The employeees are >EMPLOYEES< not Cast Members!
2. Six Flags over Georgia markets itself to the preteen and teen set, not families
even though there is a kiddie area, the emphasis the last few years has been
on "thrill rides".

Six Flags can be fun, if you don't go expecting a Disney experience. Last time we went to SFoG they had stopped running trams to the parking lot. I hope they have reintroduced them. That was a BAD decision imho!

 

[MandM-Mom]

We are season pass holders for Six Flags Great Escape in Lake George NY. No it is definitly not Disney, nothing is Disney, but we do enjoy it. The grounds are very clean and the employees are all younger high school kids or older retired. They are fine but of course you still get some people that wish they were some place else, but you get that at Disney too sometimes. We have visited Six Flags New England, and we thought that was a good park, but we also cannot afford to go to Disney every time we want to enjoy a family Fun Day so we are content with a Six Flags. We visited Six Flags NJ and had a great time, and yes we did roll down our windows in the Safari, we did not feed them but we did ride with our windows down in some safer sections where the animals were at a distance.

 

[jenjenmouse]

I agree with Harmony! I live about 10 minutes from Six Flags Fiesta Texas and think it is a fun place. It is clean and the employees are nice. The waterpark is fun and it is really nice in the fall when they do Halloween themed events. That being said, I visited Six Flags over Texas in Ft. Worth with my then 6 yr. old dd and we left after 2 hours. It was not crowded but it was filthy. My dd did not want to go in the bathrooms. There were spider webs and other bugs in there. I really loved SF over Texas as a child and even liked it when I went with friends as a college student about 15 years ago. But was extremely disappointed(sp?) with this last visit. Haven't liked Astroworld in a long time. Last time I visited I thought I was in a different universe. Very strange feeling but that has been about 15 years ago also. I love Sea World here in San Antonio!

 

[mickeymousefan]

I too am a season pass holder at Six Flags Great Adventure. My family and I love it there. I live less than 45 minutes away and go once a week, which makes it a great value for us.
I try not to compare it to Disney, although I think the new section is very Disney like. Disney is a once a year treat, so of course it is more magical for us.
The one thing I dont like is the hoards of unsupervised teenagers that can be very loud and rude. I guess you would expect that at any regional park though and that isnt the parks fault. We have encountered inappropriate behavior at WDW as well, and it seems like the employees never want to get involved.

 

[Praying Colonel]

We live 20 minutes from Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom and 90 minutes from Paramount Kings Island in Cincinnati. We prefer to save the money that we'd spend on passes for either park and put that $ toward our Disney trip for next season. WDW has spoiled us on any other parks. Intellectually I know those parks aren't the same and not intended to be, but deep inside I still compare them and find them lacking.

 

[cheerdancer11]

Six Flags is definetly a day trip place, so the $80 season pass is well worth the money. You pay 30 more than the one day pass and go as much as you want from april-oct. Its not disney but it is still a fun place

 

[THESCHULTZFIVE]

. I was sort of expecting an auditory signal of launch at Kingda Ka, like a Tiger Growl or something like that, but there was not.

So there's no "arm's down, head back"? That's a let down. I think your Tiger growl is a cool suggestion. I loved Strom Runners "Now get ready, here we go". The best was The Chiller at GA when the operator would count backwards from 3 but sometimes launch at 2 or pause between 2 and 1. Glad it's a good ride. I hope to get there soon, but I wanna wait until some of the hype dies down. Thanks for the review

 

[java]

I have not been to Great Adventure NJ since the haunted house fire in '84. I was 17 when that happened and it really stuck with me. Then when they added the metal detectors after a few gang fights we decided it wasn't for us.....
We went to Knoebel's this past weekend and my DH turned to me as we got there and said"I can't wait to get to Disney"

 

[verchad]

Don't know how to ask for threads to be merged, but I started one, http://disboards.com/showthread.php?p=9275464#post9275464 and then found this one.
I appreciate my Disney trips even more.

 

[disneyfreakjackie]

We live about 1.5 hours away from great adventure . . . we haven't been there as a family in YEARS!!!! Waste of money and a Filthy, Filthy, Filthy place!!! NO MAGIC whatsoever!!! The last time we were there (for a cheer competition) my dd did found a hidden mickey in the pavement!!! THAT'S MY GIRL!!!

 

[branv]

I love my Six Flags over Texas I have such fond memories of it as a kid/teen and even adult (b/c now I've wised up to going during Halloween and Christmas so I'm not standing on black tar in 102 degree temp ) It's certainly not shiney and magical like WDW, but I consider it the more exciting/heart pounding in terms of thrills. I just happen to love Roller Coasters, of which they have plenty (and our dear Canadian friend is right, SFoT has been bruising many a spine on the Runaway Mine Train for many many years...scared the dickens out of me 23 years ago at the tender age of 9, I had to downgrade back down to the Mini Mine train ). The only time I've been really peeved at them was when they commercialized the beloved "Cave" to include the Looney Tunes characters, which I can definitely say was a direct Disney response.

I can't comment on diff. in park employees, b/c I actually never really talk to CM's or other park employees extensively, short of ordering my food. Though I did see one HORRID incident during Christmas at Six Flags. It had been drizzly and someone dressed up as Santa came out for a show. Poor man slipped, fell on his face, and there stood "Santa" in front of all these kids with blood poring out of his nose! Poor traumatized kids. They rushed him off, but better trained personnel might have been able to smooth that one over by assuring the kiddos.

But it's also much cheaper, I don't have to travel far to get there, and it's strictly a day park.

To me, it's like comparing apples to oranges, they're just different entities. I wouldn't compare the two, anymore then I would compare WDW to our State Fair.

Regarding the cleanliness thing: Our last trip to WDW, I was startled by how dirty things were at MK while we were there! Tons of food on the ground, litter, cig. butts, overflowing trash cans, condiment sections left unstocked and filthy, etc. I have to admit I was pretty surprised by it, considering it was one of the fairly low April times between the end of Spring Breaks and beginning of Summer Vacation. I've just written it up to one of those flukes. MGM, on the other hand, was spotless.

Now Sea World San Antonio...FILTHY and overpriced. Yick!

*edited to add: I just realized that SFoT probably couldn't be considered terribly family friendly in terms of small children. They have this sad little childrens ride area, but most of the park is so centered on thrill rides that the average family is left out.*

 

[PixieDust32]

I know what you mean. We went to Six Flags Over Georgia last year and it was nasty and the employees were rude and unaccomodating.

OMG!! No kidding!!! 6 flags over GA is disgusting! Dirty, people are rude, the rides are old.
My girls went last spring with the girls scouts and my DH and they had fun, but DH wasn't so excited about it!! He liked the rollacoasters ok!

 

[cabloom]

Six Flags over Texas was the original Six Flags park, and back in the day it really was a "theme park". Six sections, representing the countries of the six flags that have flown over Texas. Each section had attractions that went with their theme - France had LaSalle's Riverboat ride, Mexico had El Sombrero, etc. Back then, there weren't nearly so many thrill rides and roller coasters - I remember when I was a kid, the Runaway Mine Train was just THE ride to do!

But, things change - now it's just another amusement park with a bunch of thrill rides. Not very family friendly. There are a couple of the old original rides, but now the theming seems to be all Loony Tunes and Batman. It's fine for what it is - a coaster lover's park - but it's true that going to Disney will make you change the way you look at any other amusement/theme park!

 

[crazymomof4]

We live about an hour from Great Adventure.
I used to go as a teen but never took my kids there until the summer of 2003.
It was 3 months before our family WDW trip that year and I kept telling the kids, "Disney is SOOOOOO much better than this!" "This is NOTHING like WDW!"
The parade is a joke! Farm tractors pulling around wooden trailers covered and painted......so hokey!

Yup! Disney will spoil you for other "theme parks".

BTW- when we went to WDW later that year, the kids agreed that there's nothing like it. They've not even asked once to go back to Six Flags but are talking almost every day about our Sept. WDW trip!