My girlfriend and I will be visiting California in early may next year for the first time, so far we are doing the 2 disney parks on the weds and thurs, and have the fri, sat or sunday free for Universal as well as either Knotts or SFMM.

Im thinking it would be better to do either Knotts or SFMM on the fri and Universal at the weekend, which park would you say i should do? Knotts or SFMM? can only fit one in out of the two unfortunately, and am i right to do the chosen one on a Friday?

Thanks in advance

no question about it sfmm
for thrills fun and a great time plus fright fest colossus backwards dude u cant miss it

SFMM all the way! It has a great collection of coasters. X is one of the best coasters out there, you can't miss out on it!

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~Eric - XtremeCoastin.com

Go with SFMM. Knott's just doesn't have the collection of coasters that SFMM has. I have been to neither of the two, but SFMM has better coasters. For xtreme, riding a wooden coaster backward isn't all that rare. You can do that at 3 of the Paramount parks while racing the fowards train.

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GO MAGIC

Now, in late 2005, I would choose SFMM. When my family went back in early 2005 though, we chose Knotts because there was more for the entire family. Also, by and large, SFMM may be quantity, but Knotts is QUALITY. But, the major contributing factor was that this was when SFMM was having its major meltdowns with maintainence.

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If you can, you should skip universal studios and you should go to both SFMM & Knotts. IMO, universal isnt really a good park(unless you want to see a bunch of movie sets). I really like Knotts & SFMM... But if you have to choose: SFMM

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Longhorns! \ " /
Im aka TatsuFlySpeedFear on TPR and America Coasters
Q. How Fast is Fear?
A. 62 MPH

I would say if you're in it for the rollercoasters and thrillrides, ditch Disney's California Adventure and visit both Knott's and Magic Mountain. California Adventure is definitely NOT worth the admission price. Especially if you've already been to the Magic Kingdom Resort in Florida.

But if you really plan on doing the Disneyland Resort duo, and have to choose between Knott's or Magic Mountain, as a local who has been going to both park for years, I would suggest Magic Mountain. You will have a lot of enthusiasts tell you that Knott's has a better atmosphere, is less trashy, and what not, but you're visiting from out of state and to be frank with you, Magic Mountain's operations, customers service, and presentation are not as bad as many people make it out to be. There is just much more to do at Magic Mountain than at Knott's. If you like a few modern non-rollercoaster thrills next to your coasters, choose Knott's. But if you're looking for California's best coaster lineup, don't bother considering Knott's Berry Farm, even with Silver Bullet, Xcelerator, and GhostRider looking very tempting. Those three just don't stack up next to the lineup at Magic Mountain that is The Riddler's Revenge, Viper, Goliath, Scream!, X, Tatsu, and Deja Vu. And that's seven of 16 coasters you will have access to at the park. (16 if Flashback is still not operating)

Crowds are not usually a problem in early May, but don't expect the park to be near-deserted. The new B&M Flying coaster - Tatsu, should also be open by early May.

Six Flags Magic Mountain hands down. Or should i say hands up;)

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2009 Carolina Cobra Crew
Go Panthers! 4-6: Week 12 @ New York Jets

#6 North Carolina Tarheels 4-1

I am considering a California trip next year. I am gona have to decide what parks I wana see in the LA area. So far, I am looking at SFMM, KBF, and maybe DCA and if I have the time, DL (been to the florida park enough that I might skip it). Going to be a tough decision, considering I will want to sightsee and spend time with a friend who works there.

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cheers

-p

http://www.myspace.com/pschroeder

I'm also visiting cali next year. I'm going to KBF,SFMM,SFMW,PGA,DL,DCA & Universal.

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2009 Carolina Cobra Crew
Go Panthers! 4-6: Week 12 @ New York Jets

#6 North Carolina Tarheels 4-1

[QUOTE=Bratman]I am considering a California trip next year. I am gona have to decide what parks I wana see in the LA area. So far, I am looking at SFMM, KBF, and maybe DCA and if I have the time, DL (been to the florida park enough that I might skip it). Going to be a tough decision, considering I will want to sightsee and spend time with a friend who works there.[/QUOTE]

Skipping Disneyland may be a bad move on your part. You get more bang for your buck with Disneyland than California Adventure, although California Adventure is first priority in your book because you've never been there. Although they share certain similar attractions and themed areas, Disneyland and Disneyworld have their own distinctive original attractions. The incredible E-ticket Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye, Matterhorn Bobsleds, Star Tours, and Pirates of the Caribbean. Plus, it doesn't hurt being able to say that you've stepped foot into the [i]original[/i] Disney theme park. ;)

Thanks for all the advice, SFMM it is then, ditching DCA or US probably arent an option as I will have the girlfriend so have to do the tourist stuff, never been to florida either.

Has sfmw got anything that we really must go for, or no better than SFMM? as we will be in San Francisco a few days before we get to LA

No, SFMW has nothing special. Just somewhere to check out if you want to get your coaster count up.

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2009 Carolina Cobra Crew
Go Panthers! 4-6: Week 12 @ New York Jets

#6 North Carolina Tarheels 4-1

[QUOTE=Chris L]Skipping Disneyland may be a bad move on your part. You get more bang for your buck with Disneyland than California Adventure, although California Adventure is first priority in your book because you've never been there. Although they share certain similar attractions and themed areas, Disneyland and Disneyworld have their own distinctive original attractions. The incredible E-ticket Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye, Matterhorn Bobsleds, Star Tours, and Pirates of the Caribbean. Plus, it doesn't hurt being able to say that you've stepped foot into the [i]original[/i] Disney theme park. ;)[/QUOTE]



Ah, yes I forgot about a couple of those attractions.....and you are right, there are bragging rights to be had when you can say you have "been there".

Spent some time lurking on [url]www.rcdb.com[/url] , looking at SFMM's collection. Going to be pretty difficult to turn that one down, especially with the new flyer coming next year. Anyone heard any word about whats going to happen to Flashback?

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cheers

-p

http://www.myspace.com/pschroeder

Defintly SFMM!! Knot's does have Xcelarator but SFMM has X!

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[QUOTE=ian_s]
Has sfmw got anything that we really must go for, or no better than SFMM? as we will be in San Francisco a few days before we get to LA[/QUOTE]

Six Flags Marine World is in Vallejo, which is near San Francisco in Northern California. You'd have to go out of your way about (7-8 hour drive) from Disneyland/Knott's/Magic Mountain (which are within two hours of each other) just to get to Marine World. Not worth it. Especially considering their best rollercoaster, Medusa, can be made up with by riding Scream! at Magic Mountain. Marine World's latest coaster built in 2003, Zonga, isn't even in operation anymore due to maintenance issues. Their inverted coaster, Kong, is a Vekoma SLC and the park's other major looping rollercoaster is a Vekoma Boomerang. And then you're just left with Roar!, a mid-sized GCI wooden twister.

There is no way in hell that could compete with what you'll find at Magic Mountain.

I haven't been to any parks on the West Coast so I can't say which is better but I can say I would rather go Knott's, I have heard a lot better things about it over SFMM.

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/\ That's funny. I'd tell you to go and experience it for yourself rather than take other people's word for it. Whether you fully realize it or not, the enthusiast community really blows all the negative aspects of the park out of proportion. As a local that's been visiting for quite some time now, I can tell you that at this point, it's really not any much worse than Knott's when it comes to operations and customer service.

[QUOTE=Chris L]Six Flags Marine World is in Vallejo, which is near San Francisco in Northern California. You'd have to go out of your way about (7-8 hour drive) from Disneyland/Knott's/Magic Mountain (which are within two hours of each other) just to get to Marine World. Not worth it. Especially considering their best rollercoaster, Medusa, can be made up with by riding Scream! at Magic Mountain. Marine World's latest coaster built in 2003, Zonga, isn't even in operation anymore due to maintenance issues. Their inverted coaster, Kong, is a Vekoma SLC and the park's other major looping rollercoaster is a Vekoma Boomerang. And then you're just left with Roar!, a mid-sized GCI wooden twister.

There is no way in hell that could compete with what you'll find at Magic Mountain.[/QUOTE]

However, SFMW offers a heck of a lot that SFMM can't even dream of- killer whales, dolphins, walruses, sea lions, tigers, sharks, etc. There is more than enough of the animal life and shows to make it a full day visit just for that.

There's a lot more to SFMW than just rides, and if that's all that you're going for, then you're missing 2/3rds of the park, and really the whole point of that park. In truth, while I like the coasters at SFMM better, I much prefer SFMW as a park.

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Have you read my number 1 best seller? There will be a test! ~God
Life with God is one thrill ride you'll never want to get off of.
My park & coaster photos: Sir Willow's Smugmug pictures

Knotts has better theming, and a better cared for park. in SFMM you feel Rushed, surrounded by gangs and curising 18 year olds. In SFMM, you have no idea if half their coasters are going to be open. The only thing good about Magic mountain is there amount of rides, however look at how they compare.

Superman vs. Xcellorator (intamin launch)- Xcellorator has more coaster in it, and definately more exciting than a cheap up and down motion.

BTR Vs. SB (B&M inverts)- Silver Bullet is unique. Batman is a clone being slowly stripped of its theming (car, Paint job, btw does anyone know if the cali one is yellow or not?). BTR also has horribly long lines for what it's worth.

Ghost Rider vs. Psyclone (wood)- GR wins because It is not a painfull clone of an otherwise good ride. (STOP CLONING THE CYCLONE! it's like sacrelige hearing about Texas cyclones and Psyclones and Cyclone clones, etc. rant over)

Boomerang vs. DV- okay SFMM has got this one because a super inverted boomerang is better than a plain old ordinary clone. however, it still breaks too much. (Deja-boo!)

Montezuma vs. Revolution: Okay this also goes to Magic mt. Standard Shuttle vs. 1st loop that worked!

Supreme Scream vs. that intamin drop tower (I can't keep track of all the towers, especially those i've never ridden!)- juding by Stuntman at SFGAdv, Supreme rules. It is jus much more exciting (more than just a lame 1 drop ride.)

Timberline vs. That canyon blaster thing- from the looks of it, The canyon blaster is just plain cheesy.

The Jaguar vs. the mine train: Jaguar. better theming, no crazy "Is this supposed to be a mine train?" feeling.

SFMM does have the upper water ride hand.

Theming: the great american park theming, altough old, is nicely done. MM, has that lame old Gothem theming, which never feels like it is even Batman theming, as well as the irritatingly placed Superman, So out of theme in the samuri summit.

So you see, that is why Kbf can be considered better. In my opinion.

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I love Coasters The Moasters.

ok how about
x
colossus
riddler
goliith
and scream
dude sfmm is better kbf
thats my opinon

Scream-clone of medusa (Nj's is still the best, and the 1st!)

Goliath-same as Titan, just about.

Riddler- NOW that's a good ride!

Colossos-old. much better when BOTH sides run!!

X- I don't know. It was closed all the times I saw it.

you might as well add in the rest

Viper- Gasm is still better IMO. much longer, spaced out, and the rustyness adds to the coolness.

Ninja- Its a good ride, but nothing special.

Flashback-!!! Oh my!! thats all I need to say

the Goliath jr. or mini Goliath or whatever is just cheap looking to me

(not trying to start a fight, just trying to come up with a decent explanation for my decision!)

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I love Coasters The Moasters.

but that is your opinon
i actually like flashback
and colossus backwards is the best
were both going to argue to defend our parks
but sfmm will always be better then knotts

when they run the old colossus backwards, do they run both sides?

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I love Coasters The Moasters.

[QUOTE=Thrillboy]when they run the old colossus backwards, do they run both sides?[/QUOTE]


When I went there last year they did... One side running forwards, the other backwards.

Knott's is more of a family park--SFMM is more of a extreme coaster park

Well with the coasters I like SFMM better...

Coasters I like at SFMM
Deja Vu, X, Goliath, Riddler's Rvenge, Scream!, Viper
I also enoy: Batman: The Ride, Revolution and Superman:TE

Rides I like at Knotts
Xcelerator, Silver Bullet, Ghost Rider
I also enjoy: Boomerang, Montezooma

So, IMO, SFMM has the thrill edge.

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Longhorns! \ " /
Im aka TatsuFlySpeedFear on TPR and America Coasters
Q. How Fast is Fear?
A. 62 MPH