July (Ok, end of July) Poll: Gadv Mid-Summer Report Card

[rjholla2003]

Ouch, somebody gave the park a D.

[superman_test_dummy]

Well I havent been to the park since late June so I cant really say but from what Ive read in trip reports ride operations are down the drain and for that I give the park a C+. Sure the park is cleaner and some of the employees are freindlier but when operations suck the whole AMUSMENT part of the park sucks. So as of now GADV has much room for improvement.

[overlord]

I gave it a B because it definately has room for improvement but I like what they have done so far this season.

EDIT: Someone else gave the park an F.

[WadeJ]

I actually gave them a C.  Things started off great and have gone down hill ever since.  While many of these problems have been out of their control, there is still no excuse.  Tango closed?  Chiler, Kingda Ka, Spin Miester, Swings opening late, Water rides/sections closed on the hottest of days, horrendous food lines, sucky food?

I would have given them a A or B in late May or early June but July has forced me to give them a C.  While some days have been outstanding, more often than not, the operations in July have been less than stellar.

I'm hoping and praying that they can get this mess under control by August or September and have everything firing on all cylinders again before Fright Fest.

edit:  I almost forgot, welcome to Updates superman_test_dummy !

[njcoasterfan]

I gave the park a D based on my visit on Thursday, July 27, 06. El Toro didn't open until 12:30. Wait times were 2 to 3 hours. Kinda Ka was up and down all day, I waited 1 1/2 hours in the morning before giving up and 3 1/2 hours in the afternoon with frequent "technical difficulties" with "undefined" delay times according to the announcements. People were furious, having generally spent $32 to wait 3 1/2 hours. Several were heading to guest relations for refunds. Superman - Ultimate Flight was a 2 hour wait. I can't fathom why park operations were so shabby. I can't imagine the park can continue to operate in that manner. Was my experience unique, or is it always this bad? The weather was fine - very hot. My kids were frustrated. My wife, not a ride fan, intends to send Six Flags a letter about the shoddy performance.

You could spend 8 hours in the park and only get on three rides.

We're season ticket holders at SFNE, which operates much more professionally.

Finally, I heard Kingda Ka was down completely for two days this week. Is Cedar Point continuing to have trouble with dragster? When KK was broken on Thursday, a bunch of techs were looking at the computer screen, scrathing their heads for 20 minutes until one mechanic in coveralls showed up in a golf cart, ambled up to the control room, pointed his fingers at a couple of things, and KK was back up immediately. It seemed as he was the only one who had any clue as to how the ride worked.

[overlord]

Well there is no excuse for Superman. The wait time for it is usually 2 hours on average. If you are lucky, sometimes at night the time goes down to 15 minutes like I have experienced.

[WadeJ]

I can't imagine the park can continue to operate in that manner. Was my experience unique, or is it always this bad?

That has been the problem - consistancy.  No, it isn't always that bad.  In fact, there many many days were it is beyond GREAT!  But that doesn't help if you have guests that go one time a year or come from long distances.

For what its worth - 2 of some of the worst theme park experiences I've had were at SFNE.  And I've only been there 2 times lol.  I'm taking this season off from that place because again, its a huge gamble for me coming all the way from NJ.  With the exception of 2 or 3 parks, these issues appear to be chain-wide right now so hopefully things will start to get under better control soon as the new management gets things under control.

[ChuckR]

Out of the SF parks I been to I only really had a good time at 3 of them, SFGadv, SFGam and SFNE. SFMM, SFKK, SFA all had horrible operations, the employees seemed like they wanted to go home and it really dampered my time there. I still like to go there just for the rides and such and if they turn the places around it will be amazing.

[overlord]

The main problem is the work ethic of many teenagers now a days. I'm sure many of you can relate where you have days and just want to go home. If more employees had a moral booster or took pride in their work, I'm sure this would help boost operations.

[chilled182]

people probably say those things about me when im at work and guess what, i dont care.  The other ay i had to work a 9 hour shift in the sun, by myself.  FAce it.. circumstances are going to occur where the workers are not going to be in the best of moods.  But its not like they are holding you down or anything.  Your always going to find those few ops that look miserable.  Dont give the park a bad rap because of that, its EVERYWHERE!

dont complain about waiting 3 hours+ in a single line during a mid summer day.  The park rakes in ALOT of people in july and august, 3 hour wait times are a normal occurance.  Do you want the park to start turning down people because there is too many waiting in line for thier rides?  come on. Expecially on toro, our brand new ride.

superman has always had problems and slow disbatch times, which is one reason for the long lines.  but the other, people simply want to ride this thing because it looks so cool and unique.  There are always long lines at sup.

Kingda ka yes has been running badly. But the weather plays a big part in that.  When it is simply too hot, and theres a long summer line like usual, king normally quits for awhile.  I personally expect it.  Its the worlds biggest coster, theyre going to take any precautions nessicary.   Be happy there is that down time.. thats when the ride gets re worked and stuff.  If there was not, who knows what would happen.

if you really dont want to spend 8 hours on 3 rides, plan your park trip accordingly.  Dont go on the weekends, or even a thursday or friday.  buy a flash pass.. even though i refuse because i dont like them.

I was at the park not long ago, where guests were walking from closed ride to closed ride asking exactly what was still open.  GASM was closed, medusa not running yet, king was down and at the time el toro was down too.

with that said.  I gave the park a C.. for reasons i probably cannot address in an open public forum.  I felt as though everything ran much smoother and things were on a more personal level during the months from april to june.

[njcoasterfan]

Well, there's the problem in a nutshell. Park employees and probably management think that three hour waits and non operative rides are the norm and perfectly acceptable.

[WadeJ]

with that said.  I gave the park a C.. for reasons i probably cannot address in an open public forum.  I felt as though everything ran much smoother and things were on a more personal level during the months from april to june.

Gee, whatever could you mean by that   Yes, for some reason, operations were much better then

[PcMan]

More Mechanics to work on more rides to get them back up and running sooner.And if you can't get them pay them more.
I Gave a C
Yes the park is cleaner and the ride Ops are much better especially on the coasters and the employees are friendlier but MOST RIDES SHOULD BE OPEN NO EXCUSES.
other parks can do it.
The park needs a suggestion box.
People are spending a lot of money and when a ride is not open they may not come back after paying $39-59 per person x 4 or 5 per family.
I had a friend that just took his family a few weeks ago (his first visit ever) he told me he waited 3 hours for KK.
El Toro was closed and other rides closed (don't know if this was when the lightning ?)

[rjholla2003]

Poll closed.  Final results:
What grade would you give Great Adventure so far this season?

A	10
B	19
C	14
D	5
F	5
Total Votes	53

[WadeJ]

Intersting results - and decent honesty which was nice.

Thanks for voting everybody!  53 votes in a weeks time is a decent turnout