I'd hate to be a whiner, but unfortunately the good also comes with the bad. I've had great experiences at various theme parks across this nation and I'd have to say Saturday's trip to SFGAm was not only the absolute worst time I've ever had at any park, but also my most embarassing. It was to the point where I didn't even enjoy myself on the rides. I just wanted to go home.

The day started off pretty good, skies were overcast with a small threat of rain that disappeared by noon. Our season passes were processed very quickly and the outlook of it being a less than crowded day looked excellent.

We met some friends of ours a few minutes later and hit Demon and Viper after waiting about 5 minutes each. The queue at Raging Bull was stretched out into the midway so we skipped that and Giant Drop and headed straight for the Eagle where we were met with a wait time of zero. After a couple of rides, me and a friend decided to give the new ride, Revolution a spin. Pretty cool, but not really for me, I'm more of a coaster guy.

We went back to the car to grab some lunch and after eating we went back inside to watch the Speed film in the pictorium. You know digestion time.

Upon exiting we finally wandered over to Superman. I wasn't here last year and haven't ridden a B&M flyer yet, so I was very excited about this oppurtunity. Two years ago I rode the Vekoma version in Ohio, X-Flight, and wasn't very comfortable with the idea of riding that one again. Lying in the brakes on my back with my feet over my head wasn't the greatest feeling in the world after getting thrown around and flipped over a few times. The B&M version is so much more "rider friendly" if I may say so. The pretzel loop was just outrageous, I really thought I was going to fly alright. Right outta the harness. It was after this point where the easy gliding manuevers gave me a chance to catch my breath. And waiting in the brakes was a whole lot more comfortable than X-Flight.

It was after we got off Superman that the day went completely wrong. It wasn't the fact that half of the area, or shall I say the new Mardi Gras section is still under construction. I can deal with that, no biggie, parks are doing construction all the time.

It wasn't the fact that it was nice and sunny out when we got on Yankee Clipper, oh wait I'm sorry, Ice Mountain Splash, and when we got off it suddenly cooled off by about 10 degrees. No that's a minor complaint I'll live.

But when I'm standing in what should've been a 20 min wait for Batman that turned into about 45 mins because some 50 to about 75 if not more teenagesomethings who think they own the world and say they're gong to miss their bus if they don't cut through the line. THAT'S WHAT P***ES ME OFF!!!

While trying to find a SF employee to try and do something about it, more of these brats keep coming and with more excuses. "My friends are up there!" Yeah, well that's a popular one. If you can't get in line with your friends in the first place then you also need to realize that the world doesn't revolve around you. I paid the same amount of money as you and you can wait in line just like a civilized human being. Obviously this wasn't an option because the one kid returned with a go ****** yourself and quickly disappeared into the line which goes into the tunnel.

We finally find a park employee who's working the fastpass line for the ride and we tell him, if you can do something about all these kids jumping the line. He really didn't look too enthused about his job and basically really didn't do anything to alleviate the problem we told him about and plus the people who jumped in front of us were probably on the ride by now anyway. So I said forget it. Why? Because it got to me so bad that I just wanted to get through this damn line and go on the ride thinking that it will make me feel better. Well it didn't.

After exiting the ride, we thought of leaving then and there and calling it a day, when I figured that well, if these kids were taking busses that the majority of them were leaving at the time. Looking at the entrance queue confirmed it. The line now started at the tunnel entrance. So we heaeded over to Raging Bull. 3 train operation and a queue that looks about 20 mins no problem. Cool, we'll get in a couple of rides here. So we're on the way down to the ramp towards the steps to the station, when we hear the familiar, "excuse me," phrase that we so frequently heard while in the Batman line, "my friends are up there." It was these two couples, we politely moved over and let them join up with their friends seeing that the 200 other people that they managed to pass through didn't seem to mind either. I mean is it that easy to get up to the front of the line. 5 mins later 4 more people tried the same thing but this time we shut 'em down. We couldn't take it anymore. They moaned and groaned and complained but when we told them if they want to complain tell it to that guy and pointed towards an employee. Would you believe they shut up? Hmmmm.... could be onto something here.

Anyway, after Bull the line for Giant Drop was like 5-10 minutes so we headed over there for a quickie. Would you beleive four kids jumped the line about 8 people in front of us again?! Right in front of the operators!?!? This one older guy and his younger daughter had none of it and immediately complained to the operator. Which then the one kid told him to "just cool out." Well after this goes back and forth for a few minutes and the ride loading is not making any progress. The operator gets the 4 kids off. Then they hang outside the exit. What are they gonna beat the guy up?! Give me a break. Security comes over, they get the guy and his daughter out of line to identify the kids, who are now verbally threatening the guy, so they don't get to ride. Which isn't really a big deal anyway, because they're not loading anyone else into the ride. After about 5 more mins we get our ride and after we exit there's a couple of park reps in blue shirts at the whole situation now. How it got resolved I'll never know, but I did know one thing is that I just wanted to get out of that park. I'd seen enough stupid and ignorant people for one day to last me a year.

And the funny thing is, I have a season pass to see this kinda stuff over and over again all year long.

In the end, before anyone goes off on me, I'd like to say I have "let" people into the line to catch up with their friends because, everyone has gone to a park where one person has to go to the bathroom and the lines pretty long, so I'll catch up with you in line kinda thing happens. But when it's like an army of people with no consideration for anybody but themselves just marches right in, I don't buy that.

And when it seems to happen multiple times within such a short period of time, shouldn't the park be aware of such instances? I admit I screwed up while in line for Batman and didn't say something. But in the end the guy and his daughter practically screwed up their time by complaining. How do you win in this situation?

Does this kinda thing happen at Magic Mountain? Because I'm going to be there in 6 days and was just wondering if I should expect the same behavior.

By the way if I sound like an old guy just whining, I'd like to think I'm not, sorry, I'm 29.

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"I'm telling ya, country clubs and cemeteries are the biggest waste of prime real estate...both full of dead people."

I had a similar problem happen at SFOG in line for Acrophobia.

The security did nothing, but make me look like an idiot, and of course then the guilty teenagers are looking at me like they are going to slit my throat later.

So I just left for the day. I didn't feel safe.

I've decided it's not worth it to complain any more. Most parks, the ride ops are 17 years old, and could care less about the patrons.

It's sad, but true. It's not worth complaining any more. I'd rather be safe and be a little farther back in line, than have my throat cut in the parking lot.

Although, if I see people doing that behind me (like 50 people back) then I'll just stand there with both arms on the rails, then they can't just walk past me. I've seen people actually duck under my arms. But most of the time they just stop, and look stupid.

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Not me. I love yelling at people and makeing huge scenes about line jumping. Most of the time they just ignore me and keep walking but a few times when i say something a few other people in line will say something as well and the people will go back to the end of the line or just leave the line all together. Honestly i don't think i would do that at SFOG or SFA. Carowinds i do all the time and never worry about it but i would feel a bit odd saying something at a park i have never been to before.

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Carolina Panthers 2008 NFC South Champions! 12-4
Divisional Playoffs: vs. Arizona
Go Panthers! The only NFL team with a PURRFECT 8-0 home record!!
#1 North Carolina Tarheels: 13-1

It's the ghetto element, that's what it comes down to, the closer a park is to a big city, the more trash you get at the park. I've never had any major problems at Cedar Point in all the times I've been there. It's not because CP is the holyland of coasters or I'm just saying it because I'm a CP fanboy, it's because it's not really close to a big urban city. I also don't remember having this problem at SFKK, that was probably the one good thing about that park. It's a shame that parks don't have more security to do something about it. I don't mind sometimes when a couple of people or so want to pass, saying that someone they know is up front, even though most times they're lying anyway. I hate it though when they're rude and just try to blow past you and bump into you as they do it. I've actually wanted to hit these people for doing this, I can't stand when people are rude. I don't do it because obviously because I'm not stupid and I don't want to get into trouble. I would be the one getting arrested since I'm usually older and bigger than the people cutting in line.

I just don't understand why some parks allow this to happen. I know of a lot of people and also parents who won't go and bring their kids with because of this, that's why certain parks attendance has dropped over the years regardless of how many coasters or rides they get. Instead of always focusing on rides and that, just "clean" up the park.

Remember, "You can't take the park outta the ghetto, but you can take the ghetto outta the park"- coasterlove. You can quote me on that.

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I want to go to John's Park.

I agree, with the above post. Certain parks have this problem, while parks like Cedar Point and Adventureland I have never seen line jumping ever occur. There is the occassional straddler who had to run to the bathroom, which is fine, but if an army of kids was to line jump at a place like Adventureland, look out, because the ride ops, al lthe parents in line, and anyone else would start a riot in the line preventing those people from jumping. It jsut don't happen at some parks, and even if they tried, they wouldn't get far.

Only solution to stopping line jumping is having an employee as their sole duty standing in line or watching on camera for line jumpers. Or if that is to ocostly to add extra employees, then they should instiute the ride ticket system like a couple parks have. You get a #, and the ride ops check to make sure you have a ticket, and if your # does not match the order of #'s, or you don't have one, then you have to go back to the end of the line.

I've seen it happen plenty of times at SFA so it's not a thing at just any one park in particular.....I've also seen more than my fair share of line jumpers at PKD as well & much like you I'm just sick & tired of it.

I just hate when they use the classic "my friends are up ahead & I need to join them" line,sorry but that doesn't cut it with me....if you need to stop for anything then I suggest you do so before you even consider getting in line to begin with,a case in point is having to use the restroom.

If you're drinking a huge a$$ drink while in line & have to go you've only got one of two choices....stay in line & hold it or exit the line & take care of business & when you return re-enter the line at the back & stay there which is why whenever one of us has to go we almost always do so before joining a long line with one person just waiting outside while the other takes care of things.

What's reallly bad about it of course is that these line jumpers have no consideration for anyone but themselves....I'm sure that if things were reversed they'd sure be raising hell if anyone tried to get in front of them using the same excuses that they're trying....now to ease the problem the parks really need to get their act together & start running rides at capacity wherever possible so as to keep the lines moving at all times.

I just hate standing in a two hour line for Batwing knowing that if they ever used the 2nd train & station then the line would move twice as fast & yet in 3 full seasons I have yet to see them do so on a regular basis.

This does seem to me to be a problem with certain chains -- Six Flags being the worst I've experienced (not just with line jumpers, but also with ride downtime and general "quality of experience" issues). I've had many bad experiences at several Six Flags parks, so I usually stick to places such as Cedar Point and the Orlando-area Disney and Universal parks -- places that seem to have much more control over irresponsible crowd behavior...

That being said, I am going to Six Flags Great America on May 18 -- if the experience isn't drastically better then the last time I was in a Six Flags park then it'll definately be my last trip to a Six Flags park for a long time...

Welcome to TN Binarystatic. I totall feel the same. I have had nothing but problems and bad times at SF parks with the works being SFA & SFOG. I think every time i went to SFOG not only was the park dirty & smelly but some of the employees just had no clue and the one that did just diden't care and had bad attitudes. The rides & restruants have never opened when the park does witch i found out it was an understaffing problem but if thats the case then the problen has not been fixed in the last 4 years. Don't even get me started on line jumpers, i could go on forever. SFA on the otherhand was a bit better that SFOG. The park was in alot better shapr than SFOG but still just as run down & dirty in some areas. The employees were the same so i guess it's a company wide thing. Don't get me wron all employees were not bad but 80% of them were and don't get me started of SFA themeing either. I really diden't have a major problem with line jumpers at SFA like i did at SFOG but there were a few cases. That and just the poeple who are there just to hang out and look for trouble, both parks have this problem. I haven't really haven't seen anything like this at other SF parks i have been to but then again other that SFA & SFOG the other SF parks i have only been to once as with SFA & SFOG i have been dozens of times. I agree i would also stop visiting SF parks but the only thing that keeps bringing me back are the new coasters but thats really about it. When Deja Vu opened i remeber going and riding it then leaving. I was in the park mabye a total of 30 min but then again it did take me 5 different trips to SFOG before i even saw Deja Vu up.

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Carolina Panthers 2008 NFC South Champions! 12-4
Divisional Playoffs: vs. Arizona
Go Panthers! The only NFL team with a PURRFECT 8-0 home record!!
#1 North Carolina Tarheels: 13-1

Because of so many of the reasons I stated above by many of the people above, I had originally started the thread "why in MY OPINION, six flags is second rate". It's so tue though, they have some great rides at their park, but this doesn't always make up for their other problems that the chains have.

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I want to go to John's Park.

This is why I say to never go on a weekend. I know you had no choice right now as it's only open on the weekends (I think), but having similar experiences as you did tend to keep me away until weekday operation starts.

[quote=Carowinds 73-03] The rides & restruants have never opened when the park does witch i found out it was an understaffing problem but if thats the case then the problen has not been fixed in the last 4 years. QUOTE]

This goes on at any park IMO. BGW has 2000+ employees, and trying to get them all in, plus guests, is pretty much a logistical nightmare. The spiels at BGW when it opens tells you that the villages all have staggered openings. I only like being their in the morning for the short front row lines, otherwise I come in around noon to play.

So it's not understaffing, it's just management

I agree with the post about it being near big cities and being Six Flags. I never have had a problem at my local park (if you want to call it a park) (Castles 'N Coasters lol its a sad sad park haha) But Six Flags St. Louis was horrible with line jumpers and ignorant people. A group of people asked me to switch spots so they could ride with their friends as I was literally stepping into the car (On Ninja) and my brother already had his lapbar down, so I didn't think it would work right? I usually would say okay because I really don't care one group of people if I'm next to ride. But no they cuss me out right then and there and follow me and my family around the park until my dad said something to them, at which point I thought we were going to be shot. Six Flags Magic Mountain, however, I thought didn't have any ignorant people just ignorant staff, shutdown rides, and unpleasant scenery. You'd think since its their "pride and gem" that they throw a coaster in every year just to compete with Cedar Point that they would make it look nice, but nope. They don't understand that if Cedar Point had 2 roller coasters it would still be a better park, because they have nice scenery, pleasant staff that makes you enjoy your time their ..."Welcome aboard Gemini, well see you back here in 2 and 15" and their enthusiastic, that IMO is why Cedar Fair (not just Cedar Point) no matter what coasters, how many parks, or what logos they use will always out-do Six Flags, because Cedar Fair cares about its customers. Six Flags is just out their for their money, not saying Cedar Fair isn't, but they balance their greed and their care for their patrons.

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Arizona needs a theme park!

last year at PCW about 5 girls jumped in front of me while waiting in line for the bat with my cousins. The line was already at abotu an hour and a half and we didnt want to put up with it. I told them to get to the back, but they didnt listen. I showed them my employee ID, they still didnt listen. So for about an hour they were yelling at us ant mocking us, cause they got their way. Then when I was in the part of line that passes next to the op booth I called the supe out (a friend of mine) and told him. He called security right away, the girls couldn't believe it, they jumped pit of line and got their boyfriends to wait at the exit for us. A group of about 10-15 were standing there waiting, so before I left the ride I had them call security again, I didnt want to put up with that crap and possibly get fired.

Bottom line, dont put up with it. If people try to pass tell them to get to the back of the line. They should've smoked, went to the bathroom, or entered the line with their friends before deciding to queue.

Thanks for stereotyping me and the rest of the employees. I always made sure the guests day was uneventful, I, along with quite a few others, even got a guest satisfaction award. How's that for not caring about my patrons?

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ThrillNetwork Moderator
The user formerly known as WildeFyre
UOIT Mechanical Engineering Student

Luckily for you, no. That's coming from a regular patron. Line cutting does happen (as it is inevitable), but it's usually a single individual that claims to have left the queue to use the restroom - and at worst, you have a group of three people attempt to line cut for one ride during your entire visit. But that's as severe as it gets. I'll be surprised if you encounter some sort of line cutting at Magic Mountain more than once in a day's visit. But if it does happen, alert the nearest ride host or operator and they will certainly deal with them.

I hardly experience line cutting, but SoCal-er's know their place - and for those "group" line cutters, they never get very far most of the time because people that have been waiting in line cut them off from going any further.

There is a way to stop line cutters, but it all depends on the kind of crowd that is tearing their way through the queue like they own the place. If the group is small, showing them hostility by not letting them pass will usually get the job done. Surrounding people in the queue will generally back up the person who stands up against line cutters and embarassment/cause of a scene finishes the rest for the jumpers. What you can do by yourself or with a group is to grab the queue hand rails on each side with both hands forming a block and don't budge when they say "excuse me."

....or we could just "kill trash like this"

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I want to go to John's Park.