SIX FLAGS ELITCH GARDENS

Overall Impression: ***1/2 (out of 5)

Many say this is Six Flags' worst park. Of the ones I've been to, I'd have to disagree. I enjoyed this park quite a bit. The gardens were beautiful, and the walkways were pretty clean. The ride selection was small, though it featured alot of flat rides. The downside is the lack of a great coaster and its sometimes confusing layout.

THE COASTERS:

MIND ERASER- ** 1/2
This was my second Vekoma SLC. The first one (at SFAW) seemed smoother and better. This one was boring, rough, and it seemed slow, but it still gave me the feeling my legs were going to hit the supports (which I like).

TWISTER 2- *** 1/2
Again, alot of people say this is a terrible coaster. Again, I'll have to disagree. Yes, I know it lacked airtime. Yes, I know it was a little rough. But still, it had a surprising layout and some awesome laterals. The tunnel was also a nice touch. Boy, I wish I was here for the original Mr.Twister!

SIDEWINDER- ****
The highlight coaster of SFEG. I enjoyed this very much! If you sat in the back, you never knew when you were going to drop, and the airtime on the drop and the loop was amazing! Even more so, I thought the ride was smooth. A good repeat ride!

I also rode the Chaos, Turn of the Century, and Rainbow flat rides. They were all great rides that I wish my home park (SFoT) had. I went to the Broadway show, and it was terrible. The "theatre" was just a building with folding chairs and the show was just bad.

I recommend SFEG, in spite of what you might hear from others.

LAKESIDE AMUSEMENT PARK

Overall Impression:

Though I only rode two rollercoasters, I could still tell what a terrible park this is. It is kind of a "step back in time" but it is dirty, the ride ops were slow and boring, and the lack of good rides was evident. IMO, Cedar Fair should buy this park. Though space is limited, I think they could work wonders with LaP.

THE COASTERS:

CYCLONE- ****
A great coaster! I rode alone, and I got something I've never gotten on a coaster- Side Slammin', Head Swayin', really, awesome laterals! The most laterals I've ever gotten on a coaster! The ride lacked in airtime, but still, it is an awesome roller coaster.

WILD CHIPMUNK- *** 1/2
My first real wild mouse. I loved it! I love these coasters, the "falling off the track" feeling is great!

That was all I really wanted to ride, and all I could stand to anyway. This park could have a future, if it would clean up and get some notable good rides. (I can just imagine a hyper around the lake..wouldn't that be beautiful and just plain AWESOME?!)

__________________
"Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.... now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." -Ecclesiastes 2:11, 12:13

Here's my impression:

Out of 5 stars

Mind Eraser: was rougher than the other Mind Erasers. The feet choppers were cool though. ***1/2

Twister 2: I've heard that the original Mr. Twister was better, so I guess people are a little angry that it's gone, so they automatically dislike Twister II. I loved it. The tunnel was fantastic! ****

Sidewinder: First time I've gone backwards. But climbing those freaking stairs every time kinda sucked, and there's just nothing to it. It's really slow too. That's why it's smooth: Short and slow. **

Boomerang: I don't think I have to review this, as very few people on this board have never ridden one. **1/2

Overall: **1/2. I hope the other Six Flags aren't like this. The ride ops were TERRIBLE (some were Mexicans and couldn't even speak English), It was dirty (just look at the ground below the Twister II queue, it's COVERED with gum), and the lines were longer than they deserved.

Now for Lakeside

Cyclone: Ouch! Yeah, those Laterals are cool, but THEY HURT LIKE MESS! add the lack of airtime, and this is was one big dissapointment. Note: NEVER sit in the last row. Your head will bang onto that big thick metal bar behind you many many times. Ouch to the fourth power. The first row was pretty cool though. *** just for nostalgia.

Wild Chipmunk: By far the best Wild Mouse I've been on so far. Certainly not too bad at all. ***

Overall: *** I found the ride ops to be really cool. Like on Cyclone, how they give you a high five while you're going out and coming back. And on the swinging inverter ship, they left you upside down for 5 seconds or maybe even more, which was pretty freaky.

Strange, that I seemed to have opposite opinions on the parks from Valpengeist.

__________________
Your favorite coaster sucks.

At Last! Trip Reports for the parks I'm visiting! I'd thought that these two parks had disapperaed into the "theme park black hole" that exists between Pueblo and Cheyenne!

Good TR's BTW!

__________________
Andy Rathe

valpengeist,
We sure disagre on Sidewinder. You do get some air time going on and off the hills, but you can get just as much airtime on the swinging ship. This ride loads very slowly, they limit your ability to choose your seat, and the single loop seems really lame by today's standards.

And, I like the Broadway show. The theater sucks, with the folding chairs, partially open ceiling, exposed metal supports. and crappy plywood dressing. They rent this place out for proms and such, which is why they have the folding chairs. However, I think the singing and dancing in the show is pretty darn good.

EG does need a signature ride really badly.