Note: This trip report was started on 5-29-05 in Mt. Vernon IL, but was finally completed tonight at home on 6-15-05.
Six Flags St. Louis
Eureka MO (30 min. west of Downtown St. Louis)
Crowds: Moderate
Admission: Free with SFKK pass
Parking $10
Weather: Low 70s, partly cloudy, but no precip./storms
My second day of my St. Louis trip took me to a new-to-me park. Past reviews gave this park a decent, somewhat positive rating overall, but I have been looking forward to this park for a few years. Probably my desire to see the Busch Stadium in its last season (see previous post) is what finally brought me here.
Batman: The Ride: 3 rides. I've done the same coaster at Six Flags Great America, but since that one was pretty good, that's probably why Six Flags ordered more from B&M. 2 of 2 trains in use.
Ninja: 2 rides. This Vekoma multilooper manages to be smoother than some Arrows out there. The exit out of the half-cobra roll takes you inches below the lift hill chain, probably more scary looking than those underpass beams on Gemini. 2 of 3 trains in use.
River King Mine Train: 4 rides. A good ride, not too boring or thrilling, with some good dips, helices, and a drop tunnel near the end. Built with the park in 1971, the resrtaints seemed more comfortable than Cedar Creek Mine Ride. 2 of 3 trains in use.
The Screamin' Eagle: 2 rides. This John Allen designed wooden from '76 was a good ride, with a short pop of air or two. This coaster wasn't perfect, but the setting in the woods an terrain were nice. There were some quick turns, but being Allen's creation, it went for a simple out-and back configuration full of hills and dips. 2 of 2 trains in use.
The Boss: 2 rides. The rides I had today, helped put this CCI woodie from 2000 into my top 10, if not 5, wood list! Lots of speed and height were great, but was surprisingly smooth! I heard some mixed reviews about The Boss, but I let first-hand experience form my opinion. This is about the kind of ride you'd get from Legend, but longer and faster. 2 of 3 trains in use.
Mr. Freeze: 3 rides. This is probably my favorite Premier coaster now. The launch out of the tunnel into the great wide open was awesome, (0-70 in 4-5 sec) and so were the upside down and 90 degree elements. And very smooth and fun with the lapbars. 2 of 2 trains in use.
But wait, isn't Mr. Freeze a shuttle?, you ask. How in the world can they use 2 trains on a shuttle without collisions.
Well, there is a system of two stations, that use transfer tracks, which moves trains from the load platform to the center track to entter the ride. What this allows is for operation of one train to take place, while load/unload is tajing place on one of the two trains.
Now if Vekoma could have tried something like rhis for their Invertigo/Super Inverted Boomerang, I would ride Face/Offs and Deja Vus more.
Other rides
Tom's Twister
This is my very first Rotor, it was fun as I did it several times, but some friends said that the cycle used to be longer, more intense, and the floor dropped more than the present one foot. I think they named it after someone else.
Excalibur
By Vekoma, some hybrid of a Frisbee and an Enterprise, except that the arm swings a complete 360 degrees.
Colossus
A gigantic ferris wheel, similar to those found at Cedar Point and Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom, and pretty much the only way to see the park from above.
Railroad/Tommy G. Robertson Train
Although the two stations are not too far from each other, this is a nice relaxing way to see most of the park. Each seating row has the park's original logo marked at each end (it was known as Six Flags Over Mid-America, 1971-96)
There were a few rides that I did miss, mostly because of long lines and capacity.
Scooby-Doo! Ghostblasters was essentially similar to the Scooby haunted houses I've done at PKI and PKD, but using boats. It had a 1-1.5 hour line, so I passed
Ice Mountain Log Flume also had a pretty good line, and because I did the shoot-the chutes twice without any wait, I passed this one too.
A Whitewater raft ride that I got a picture or two of. I had no desire to get drenched today.
Looney Tunes land, which had the Acme Gravity Powered Ride a kiddie coaster that I wouldn't be able to ride without a kid. Keep in mind kiddie coasters are not necessary on the track record, but if I can easily ride them, I will.
Overall a very impressive visit, probably almost as good as my visits to Six Flags Great America in 2003 and 04. Or because the fact that I got to ride every coaster more than once, better, probably this was my best Six Flags experience. It was a clean park, and there were friendly employees throughout. The Vengaboys song "We Like To Party," as heard in the Mr. Six TV commercials, played often. One minor peeve was the long queue lines, especially the Batman park and the trek to the Boss. This is a park I don't mind visiting again, especially if they get a new thrill ride or two, or new coaster, in the next few years. Probably a hypercoaster or floorless would fit fine.
Sunday, May 29, 2005
Live from St. Louis, MO.
It's me, checking in from the Adam's Mark hotel in Downtown St. Louis this morning. I can see the old Courthouse and Busch Stadium out my window! Yesterday was an exciting day for me in the "new" city. Saw the Famous-Barr store, they only use the lower six floors, but there has to be about 20 floors total of building... there's also some old wooden escalators (steel steps) on the upper floors in the six or seven...
There's also the MetroLink light rail. I would often sneeze at light rail, but when it takes people to major destinations, it can be a relief from headache traffic. I took it for a short ride, from the City Center to over in western Illinois across the lower deck of the Eads Bridge.
I also went to the Gateway Arch, the thing may be 40 years old, but it's still truly amazing. I had to wait 20-30 min for security clearance, but I had bought my ticket in adavnce, so within short time, I was on my way up the cabins to the top. It's crazy.
One of the main reasons I came was to see the St Louis Cardinals baseball game at Busch Stadium, because this is the last season for the current stadium. I thought the current refreshment and restroom facilities were accurate, as lines for food were minimal, and not present for restrooms. And I think the place was sold out. To the south, the new Busch Stadium is going up. It should be a great place for 'baseball's best fans" with a baseball only configuration and stff like activity zones and escalators, though the ramps in the current one weren't too bad.
Today I'll be at Six Flags St. Louis, third and last of the original Six Flags parks, should be a good time. They have lots of neat stuff, from a B&M invert to a Rotor. Hoping it's not too crowded.
Then tomorrow, Holiday World, with 2 trains on Raven, a bigger Splashin' Safari, and some sighting of what's going on for 2006. They say it's big!
There's also the MetroLink light rail. I would often sneeze at light rail, but when it takes people to major destinations, it can be a relief from headache traffic. I took it for a short ride, from the City Center to over in western Illinois across the lower deck of the Eads Bridge.
I also went to the Gateway Arch, the thing may be 40 years old, but it's still truly amazing. I had to wait 20-30 min for security clearance, but I had bought my ticket in adavnce, so within short time, I was on my way up the cabins to the top. It's crazy.
One of the main reasons I came was to see the St Louis Cardinals baseball game at Busch Stadium, because this is the last season for the current stadium. I thought the current refreshment and restroom facilities were accurate, as lines for food were minimal, and not present for restrooms. And I think the place was sold out. To the south, the new Busch Stadium is going up. It should be a great place for 'baseball's best fans" with a baseball only configuration and stff like activity zones and escalators, though the ramps in the current one weren't too bad.
Today I'll be at Six Flags St. Louis, third and last of the original Six Flags parks, should be a good time. They have lots of neat stuff, from a B&M invert to a Rotor. Hoping it's not too crowded.
Then tomorrow, Holiday World, with 2 trains on Raven, a bigger Splashin' Safari, and some sighting of what's going on for 2006. They say it's big!
Thursday, May 19, 2005
A shameless plug...
I ran into Paul Drabek, webmaster of Negative-G.com, as I exited my second ride on the Italian Job today. He's got a great site full of coaster and park pictures and trip reports, including his 'home park,' Holiday World & Splashin' Safari. There's also a blog, "It's all downhill from here" with Paul's take on politics, news, coasters, parks, family, and other fun stuff.
When I get my site updated after the recent hard drive crash, 'Negative-G' will be a part of the links section.
When I get my site updated after the recent hard drive crash, 'Negative-G' will be a part of the links section.
Explanation: lack of updates.
I made it to Cedar Point after all that weekend, the 7th through the 9th. I arrived at the park 9 pm Saturday, just an hour before closing.
I then went back Sunday from 9 am to 2:30 pm, and headed to Geauga Lake from 4 to 7 pm, and did most everything twice.
Monday, at Cedar Point once again, 9 am until around 4 pm, and went for home.
Then I got tired. My longtime cat and friend died. I had more work for my senior thesis to do. I felt like 'djoy.'
Did I mention my computer crashed?
But I'm starting to get back to normal. By this weekend, I hope to have allenarena.com all updated and redone, especially with new photos of Italian Job: Stunt Track.
Today was the Media Preview for IJST at Kings Island. Invited guests, like me, entered the park, got into limousines, and taken quickly to the ride plaza. The ceremony was very elaborate, with parachuting, stunt driving, and of course, some riding.
But some of the fun was ruined by the storms as I only had one ride before the start of storms, so I ate a very fine catered lunch, including meaty selections on china and silverware. Beyond the media-friendly lunch I expected.
Before things were over, I got a wonderful second ride for the day.
I share some peoples' sentiments about this new attraction: PKI was wanting to build something that would appeal to almost everyone, looking for intense thrills or just fun, and those younger kids to senior citizens, and I think they delivered. It may not be the strata-coaster Joe Thrillsky wants, nor the Nicktoons choo-choo 'Sparky' wanted, but it is just about what everyone in between (most people) would want in a park.
I will have some photos up soon, as part of the newly revamped Allen Arena.com...
I will not be in the eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey area this weekend, but St. Louis will be my destination next weekend. I will be seeing baseball in Busch Stadium, checking out Six Flags, and do Holiday World and Splashin' Safari on the way back.
I then went back Sunday from 9 am to 2:30 pm, and headed to Geauga Lake from 4 to 7 pm, and did most everything twice.
Monday, at Cedar Point once again, 9 am until around 4 pm, and went for home.
Then I got tired. My longtime cat and friend died. I had more work for my senior thesis to do. I felt like 'djoy.'
Did I mention my computer crashed?
But I'm starting to get back to normal. By this weekend, I hope to have allenarena.com all updated and redone, especially with new photos of Italian Job: Stunt Track.
Today was the Media Preview for IJST at Kings Island. Invited guests, like me, entered the park, got into limousines, and taken quickly to the ride plaza. The ceremony was very elaborate, with parachuting, stunt driving, and of course, some riding.
But some of the fun was ruined by the storms as I only had one ride before the start of storms, so I ate a very fine catered lunch, including meaty selections on china and silverware. Beyond the media-friendly lunch I expected.
Before things were over, I got a wonderful second ride for the day.
I share some peoples' sentiments about this new attraction: PKI was wanting to build something that would appeal to almost everyone, looking for intense thrills or just fun, and those younger kids to senior citizens, and I think they delivered. It may not be the strata-coaster Joe Thrillsky wants, nor the Nicktoons choo-choo 'Sparky' wanted, but it is just about what everyone in between (most people) would want in a park.
I will have some photos up soon, as part of the newly revamped Allen Arena.com...
I will not be in the eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey area this weekend, but St. Louis will be my destination next weekend. I will be seeing baseball in Busch Stadium, checking out Six Flags, and do Holiday World and Splashin' Safari on the way back.
Saturday, May 07, 2005
I'm not at Cedar Point...
...yet. My home desktop hard drive crashed, keeping me up all night. I talked to the tech support and they said they'd replace the drive (possibly losing my files.) Knowing how I often won't take no for an answer, especially when it comes to my Senior Problem thesis and years of photos... I went out to the Office (I almost said Home again) Depot and got a new drive, formatted it, and set it up. Then I hooked up the faulty drive...
To my astonishment, I saw 'Local Disk (F:)' right next to 'Local Disk (F:)'. I opened it up... MY FILES! Not gone.
So I hope to leave for Cedar Point in a few hours, to get a few night rides in, and to take in the opening day fireworks, also celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Hotel Breakers. And Delirium (that's DELI-RIUM) lovers can still have their fix with maXair, new for 2005 and near Space Spiral, Kiddy Kingdom, Disaster Transport, and Wicked Twister
I was considering not going, but because my rooms were prepaid (and now non-refundable), I'm more than ready for some of my all-time favorites!
To my astonishment, I saw 'Local Disk (F:)' right next to 'Local Disk (F:)'. I opened it up... MY FILES! Not gone.
So I hope to leave for Cedar Point in a few hours, to get a few night rides in, and to take in the opening day fireworks, also celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Hotel Breakers. And Delirium (that's DELI-RIUM) lovers can still have their fix with maXair, new for 2005 and near Space Spiral, Kiddy Kingdom, Disaster Transport, and Wicked Twister
I was considering not going, but because my rooms were prepaid (and now non-refundable), I'm more than ready for some of my all-time favorites!
Monday, May 02, 2005
May is now here!
May is now here, so this means it's time for one thing: coaster/park trips! Last year it was Northern Ohio, Chicago, and Washington/Virginia.
This year, the AA Coaster Tour 2005 will come back to northern Ohio for Cedar Point, Geauga Lake, and new: a rail ride into Downtown Cleveland - on Saturday-Monday, 7-9th.
Two weeks later, I'll head back to Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey on 19th Thursday until the 23rd, Monday. My first stop will be Hersheypark on Friday the 20th. Although it won't be my first time there, it will be my first time riding the Monorail, Storm Runner, Wild Mouse, and a few other things I missed due to the heavy rain in June last year.
Saturday 21 will be a return trip to Dorney Park for CoasterBuzz Con. I got to do most everything last year, except one: Hydra the Revenge, a great B&M Floorless, for its first year and some nighttime ERT.
Sunday the 22nd will take me on many new-to me coasters at Six Flags Great Adventure. There are 4 B&M's, as well as the new world's tallest and fastest coaster, Kingda Ka. It's like Top Thirll Dragster, taller and faster, plus with a second hill before the ride's end!
This year, the AA Coaster Tour 2005 will come back to northern Ohio for Cedar Point, Geauga Lake, and new: a rail ride into Downtown Cleveland - on Saturday-Monday, 7-9th.
Two weeks later, I'll head back to Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey on 19th Thursday until the 23rd, Monday. My first stop will be Hersheypark on Friday the 20th. Although it won't be my first time there, it will be my first time riding the Monorail, Storm Runner, Wild Mouse, and a few other things I missed due to the heavy rain in June last year.
Saturday 21 will be a return trip to Dorney Park for CoasterBuzz Con. I got to do most everything last year, except one: Hydra the Revenge, a great B&M Floorless, for its first year and some nighttime ERT.
Sunday the 22nd will take me on many new-to me coasters at Six Flags Great Adventure. There are 4 B&M's, as well as the new world's tallest and fastest coaster, Kingda Ka. It's like Top Thirll Dragster, taller and faster, plus with a second hill before the ride's end!
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