7/31 Photo Trip Report

[Millennium Force 44]

I am going to the park on Tuesday, the 31st. Is Rise and Scream everyday, Monday through Thursday? If so, I am going to try and get to the park early. Anyone else going to the park Tuesday?

[peterpjr]

Yes.  Rise and scream is every Monday through Thursday starting at 930 am.

[Millennium Force 44]

I would sugest reading this trip report and not just skipping right to the pictures because a few interesting incidents took place. Thanks.

I went to Great Adventure today, and it was AMAZING! A few crazy incidents took place, but I had an awesome day regardless. I will let you know what I went on, but I am not going to go into a full "walk through" trip report.

To start off, I got to the park at around 10:20 and was in line for Kingda Ka by 10:45/11:00. The line filled up very quickly, so quickly that half of the switchbacks were full in the main waiting area. I thought it would be a good idea to put the few items I had in my backpack (one of those draw-string nike backpacks) and put them in my pockets along with the backpack so I wouldn't have to waste time renting a locker. After 20 or 30 minutes, they let more people in the station and we were in. We got in line for the front row, which was about a 5 car wait. While we waited, I started putting my things in the backpack, thinking that I would just hide the backpack under my hat when I put it on the side of the station. Of course, the one guy operating the ride saw that I had a bag in the station and told me I had to go back and put it in a locker. I said I would just put everything in my pocket, so he went away. I put a few things in my pockets, but I didn't want to take a chance with my electronics, so I just hid the bag under my hat. We finally got on the ride, front row, which was amazing. The front row on Kingda Ka is definately my favorite seat on that coaster. Up next, El Toro.
What I don't understand is why they say while you are boarding Kingda Ka, "Put all loose articles, such as cell phones, hats, glasses, cameras, etc. on the side of the station." But if you have a bag, it is not permitted in the station and it must go in a locker. It is not like there is no room in the station, considering the station for Kingda Ka is huge. They are trying to get our money anyway they can.

El Toro was where the next incident took place. The first set of switchbacks was full and barely one switchback in the second set. The wait only took 20-30 minutes, so it wasn't bad. I sat in the back of the train somewhere, insane ride, but what happened at the end was not too good. While the train I was on waited on the brake run while the other train was loading, I decided to take out my camera, so my sister and I could look at some pictures. The train rolled into the station and I had my camera in my hand. When my sister and I start to get off, one of the ride operators says "You two come with me." We had no idea what was going on although I had an idea it had to do with the camera. We were brought to the front of the station where the main ride operator sits, and were being told on for having a camera. Another operator then says, "Follow me we need to go to security." Now I was getting very nervous, not knowing what was going to happen. We were brought to a security guard near the stairs in the front of El Toro's station. This security officer was the nicest Six Flags employee so far. He said that I am not allowed to have a camera out while riding a ride that is in operation. He said he had to take my name and information out so he could report a warning or something and said that if I am ever brought to security again that I would be ejected from the park and my season pass would be taken away. He said that if I was brought to another officer, I could have been ejected from the park right then and my season pass would be done for the season. He was really chill about everything though and said just don't do anything stupid. I told him about a similar incident earlier in the season about how a security officer told me I couldn't take pictures of any roller coasters and that I could only take pictures of people. He said that some security officers are very strict about pictures but that he didn't care if I took pictures of the coasters when I am not on them. The security gaurd also told us that the other wekk somebody's camera flew off of El Toro and knocked a person unconscious. We were finally able to continue our day riding roller coasters, but I was petrified of getting in trouble for taking pictures, so I only have a few good ones to post.

Here are some notes about today;
- Kingda Ka x3 (once in the front row)- when we went back at around 3, there was no line, just a station walk up, so we went on twice in a row
- Kingda Ka was running three trains in the morning, but ended up opening all four sides later in the day
- Nitro x2 (once in the front row)- stair wait or a little more for most of the day, three trains running
- Skull Mountain x1- station walk up
- Batman The Ride x1- wait starting in the tunnel, two trains running
- El Toro x3- basically the first set of switchbacks were full most of the day, two trains running
- Medusa x1- line started at the bottom of the stairs, or a little more, three trains running
-Rolling Thunder x1 (right side)- station walk up, two trains running on the right side, one train on the left
- Skyway x1- started out with just one side open, but both opened up later in the day
- not that crowded in some places and on some rides, but crowded on others (surprisingly on Medusa but not Kingda Ka)
- We did not go on Superman, but it seemed to be open or testing when we got to the park, but when we left around 6, it looked closed (no one in the station and the trains were not moving)

Now for some pictures;





I really like this picture;




From Medusa's station;




When we were leaving, I wanted to get a good shot of Kingda Ka, so we drove a little closer to the coaster;


Thanks for reading.

[WadeJ]

Nice PTR.  Thanks for sharing    (fyi for those in lower res - temporarily disable the side bars using the buttons at the top right of the screen)

The one thing I will say is that they are in fact enforcing their policies across the board.  These things are really done for all of our safety.  So while I agree with you that it was just a tad over the top, they need to be because using the same policy they probably nabbed 20 other people that day taking pictures during the actual ride.  And yes, people have been nailed by flying objects from coasters.  Glad to hear you were respectful and just moved on.  Its not worth getting yourself ejected over lol.

As for the bag policy.... I believe its along the same lines of leaving a suitcase unattended at a airport, etc.  The whole terrorist threat thing again.  They can't see inside the bag so its really not a good thing to have a bunch of bags lying around.   Personally, I tend to agree - its to sell more lockers

Glad to hear you had a good time though.  And for being late July, when was the last time you remember all of these rides being open and operating at max capacity this late in the season?

[Bubba Z]

The lockers are to protect the ride and riders from loose articles. They also help for quicker dispatch times. Every watch the madness at Medusa and Nitro. I'm sure they could dispatch a dozen more trains an hour if people didn't carry so much stuff with them. Granted the lockers are a cash cow, but it's the guest fault IMHO for bringing those huge bags in the first place. Last week I saw a guy with a suitcase on wheels...and No, it wasn't the magician's.  

As for the camera, You could have just scrolled back and shown that there were no on ride photos taken.  On the other hand,  I'm so glad the staff this year has stepped  up and actually have  had the balls to confront rude guest.

Other then that... I like the second to last shot you took.

[overlord]

To say something about the camera on the ride, when I was at SFNE earlier this year this girl had her camera out on B:TDK and while they dispatched it without noticing initially, they E-Stopped the ride and went up the lift about 10 feet and took her camera away. When she returned to the station, she was escorted by security to either their offices or out of the park. So it just isnt being enforced at Gadv, its all over the company.

 What you did is really stupid if you ask me. Nothing personal. But seriously, at most its a 5 minute wait to get back into the station while you are on the brake run. You couldn't just sit and chat like everyone else?

[Millennium Force 44]

What you did is really stupid if you ask me. Nothing personal. But seriously, at most its a 5 minute wait to get back into the station while you are on the brake run. You couldn't just sit and chat like everyone else?

What happened was that my sister and I wanted to get a picture of us with El Toro's drop in the background, then we just started looking at the pictures.

I am not against Six Flags at all for enforcing any of these rules, it just sucks that I am the one person who got caught. lol. But if the bag issue on Kingda Ka is to protect guests for terrorist purposes, why do they let you leave your stuff unattended at all of the other rides. It is not like something they are going to do for all new coasters considering El Toro is newer than Kingda Ka and you don't have to rent a locker for El Toro. IMO I think they just want our money.

[WadeJ]

Well, its been thought that ka is more of a target with its world record title.

[overlord]

What you did is really stupid if you ask me. Nothing personal. But seriously, at most its a 5 minute wait to get back into the station while you are on the brake run. You couldn't just sit and chat like everyone else?

What happened was that my sister and I wanted to get a picture of us with El Toro's drop in the background, then we just started looking at the pictures.

You can easily just stand on the exit staircase and take of a picture that way or walk up the handicapped ramp and take a picture that way. Both would allow for you to have the drop behind you.

I remember in April on the night of my multiple rollbacks, in the process of them rolling the train back, I unzipped my pocket to see who was calling me in case it was my mom for an emergency and they told me I had to put it away or else I would not be getting it back. I put it away since I had no problem, I just wanted to make sure it wasn't my mom trying to get in touch with me. But yeah, never take out loose articles on coasters.

[PcMan]

Last Fall
in SFNE on Superman someone had a camera in hand on the Lift and they E-stopped the ride halfway up.
they then walked up the lift to remove the camera from that person.
it took about 15-20 minutes of stoppage ride time which pissed me off because i was next in line.

I think Chuck and Ian was on that train

[WadeJ]

Take it easy guys lol

The other item mentioned with taking pictures of coasters while on the ground is sorta true.  Security does in fact have a rule for suspicious behavior studying rides, taking pictures, etc.  Unfortunately, some either take it to the extreme or possibly mis-interpreted the rulebook.  You aren't the first to mention this occuring.  I have 100% confirmed though that you are in fact allowed to take pictures of the coasters from anywhere you are permitted to walk at the park.

I should also clarify that in no way have I ever heard officially that Kingda Ka was EVER a target for terrorism.  Its one of those "heard it through a friend of a friend" kind things.  Regardless, Six Flags wouldn't exactly come out a say something like this anyway.

I always try to wear something with either very deep pockets or pockets that zipper.  Or visit with somebody that has pockets that zipper.  I've been on Ka with my phone and camera in my pockets but they were past the lapbar so it would be 100% impossible for them to fly out.

[ChuckR]

Tom, that was the worst time to get stuck on the lift hill. It was like 25 degrees, I was freezing, and the people that had didn't just give it to them. Sigh....

[Millennium Force 44]

I always try to wear something with either very deep pockets or pockets that zipper.  Or visit with somebody that has pockets that zipper.  I've been on Ka with my phone and camera in my pockets but they were past the lapbar so it would be 100% impossible for them to fly out.

Yea I always wear clothing with zippers so I know nothing can fall out. Anyway, I am going to the park again tomorrow, am I allowed to take pictures of the coasters if I am somewhere that I am allowed to walk? I can't risk getting in trouble again. Also, am I allowed to go up the handicap ramp after I get off of El Toro so I can take pictures, but of course not going in the station and riding again?

[PcMan]

Tom, that was the worst time to get stuck on the lift hill. It was like 25 degrees, I was freezing, and the people that had didn't just give it to them. Sigh....

I think the Person never gave up the phone or they could not find the person ?

[ChuckR]

I always try to wear something with either very deep pockets or pockets that zipper.  Or visit with somebody that has pockets that zipper.  I've been on Ka with my phone and camera in my pockets but they were past the lapbar so it would be 100% impossible for them to fly out.

Yea I always wear clothing with zippers so I know nothign can fall out. Anyway, I am going to the park again tomorrow, am I allowed to take pictures of the coasters if I am somewhere that I am allowed to walk? I can't risk getting in trouble again. Also, am I allowed to go up the handicap ramp after I get off of El Toro so I can take pictures, but of course not going in the station and riding again?

Of course, if security tells you that you can't take pictures in the park. Tell them to speak to there manager...

[Millennium Force 44]

Ok thanks.