6/11 - Six Flags Great Adventure

**Leo C** · #1 06-11-2008, 02:42 PM

Today I made it back to my homepark: SFGADV. It's been awhile too, also a half month. I wanted to go back on the Dark Knight. To start the day my season pass wouldn't scan. I've probably used that pass 4 times and the bar code was already scrapping off! Guest Relations gave me a reissued clearer pass. I went at opening so by 11 I was in the park. I went straight to the Dark Knight. Its line was just under the canopied area. Once again there were some loud teens in the preshow area. I felt like a teacher "Ssshhhing" them. This ride was built for them anyway. There are less Joker cards in the queue line but that's ok. This time around I had a front row seat. There seemed to be more side panels on the lift so i couldn't see the ride structure to the right. The trains seemed to go faster today and I thought I felt a longer space near the billboards with the clown holograms. I had a better chance to focus on them. The surprise was after the burning Gotham Times building. There was additional signs and the pace picked up. I was able to see the structure more clearly in the 2nd half this time. The big drop is still a huge surprise to me. It feels like a major coaster drop. Maybe the addition of the truck scene is what is providing the light in the 2nd half. That was not there the first weekend the coaster was open. I listened to the people that eventually rode with me. The one guy said it would be a dark ride. After the ride the other guy said he liked it but would be upset if he had to wait more than 60 minutes for it. That's generally my opinion.

After the ride I saw Batman had a line stretching to the Gotham Garden so I skipped it. Through Batman's second loop I could see NITRO's train was on the lift. I went to investigate. Either NITRO was stuck on the lift or it wasn't going to open til 12.

Next up I went on Skull Mountain. Skull Mountain has been getting more cycles from me this year. The effect lights were on and found that riding this coaster back to back with Dark Knight is a great complimenting idea. The new effects surprise was the strobe near the final brake run. With the blacklight and strobe effects that was a combination of separate theming ideas for the coaster over the years.

Next up I got my first Blackbeard Treasure Train ride of the year. It used to be such a regular coaster for me before they let rides have a free second cycle on it. My misconception of a long line now for it was they don't let the next cycle of riders to the airgates until the train is through its second cycle. So the coaster really doesn't have a longer line now. It's just the illusion when the people are on the ramp. I think I'll return to this ride more easily.

Afterwards I took my typical Lakefront walk through the Attitudes store over to Frontier Adventures. I still skip the Log Flume because I don't want to get sprinkled. I rode the Runaway Mine Train again. i wish they had put something in that dead space between the Mine Train and Skyway plaza in Frontier Adventures. That plaza looks so dead and old. From the lift I could see people were being let through to Medusa. It was opening at 12. The Mine Train has an awesome first drop helix. It's a fun classic ride with that jerky 2nd helix.

Medusa was fast as usual. I think I set the Guiness world record again for most headrest stands.

Toro had a line over two canopy/switchbacks long. That was too long for me. Rolling Thunder left side I've had bad luck with in waiting at least 10-15 minutes so I skipped it. I can't believe I have not been on GASM this season! It was such a regular ride for me. This year the Space Shuttle is no longer in front of the Batwing. The former view of the ride was restored. The line was down out of the station. That was only 10 minutes. I was glad to see there are actual American flags on the station now. Good. The ride actually delivered a good smooth ride for me for being an Arrow. I kept my head ahead of the restraints. The trims after the first loop were on.

I skipped Kingda Ka and S:UF as usual. I didn't want to wait a cycle for Twister so my day was through. I had fun. I made along with other coasters for the ones that were down or had too long of a wait. The Dark Knight is still on my good side.