Rashandra and I made the trip to Arlington for my first ever Halloween night at the park. In unusual fashion, we arrived an hour after the park opened; and unlike normal trips I did not run around, as Rob says, like a cheetah on speed. We only logged 24 rides in 11 hours.

Before I get to the rides, I will talk about the overall park.

This was my first Fright Fest in many years, and I was impressed with the park decorations. They weren't over the top, but you definitely knew it was Halloween. Numerous dancers and shows were all over the park after it got dark. A bit cheesy, but entertaining and good for the ambiance.

Ride operators were working very well - most dispatch times just over 1 minute. All coasters were operating at full capacity - 3 trains on Titan, Giant, 2 on everything else. Very impressive, but they knew how big the crowd would get.

The Crowd - after it got dark, I have never seen so many people at SFoT!! All paths were packed, most rides an hour wait. And so many teenagers!! I never knew Fright Fest was so popular with the high school crowd. They were everywhere, and decked out in all kinds of glamorous garb. Now I know why I quit teaching.

A big fight broke out right in front of us on the Gotham midway. Out of reaction, I moved into to break it up (just like I did in the hallways), but fortunately Rashandra pulled me back, and we got out of the way. Kids scattered, and security rushed in. Never seen anything like this at SF before!
I won’t go back on Halloween ever again – just way to crowded. It was difficult just to move around let alone get on rides.

THE RIDES
El Conquistador – rode this first of the day, and I will always say this is the BEST swinging ship on the planet. Its size and speed are perfect. Great thrills riding in the back seat. But no one ever does “Taste Great Less Filling” anymore!

La Vibora - Quite a poppy little fun family coaster. I love it if the wait is short. Not too many of these to go around, and SF has a unique family pleaser on its hands. I love the free, out of control feeling of the cars as they skid across the track.

Titan – I know this ride doesn’t get much love around here, but I do not know why!!!! This thing flies! The Gs are waaay intense, and the layout really gets you going. Swooshing through the tunnel at 85 mph is a true rush. I LOVE TITAN! It had been several years since my last ride, and it rocks, baby!

And, yes, it has some great air time! The first drop offers great air in the back. The front and middle have GREAT floater moments over the camel back. And you also get a nice ejector in the front seat as you crest the top of the turn around after the first drop. No, it is not a Bizarro air time machine, but this ride is quality. MF haters probably hate it, but I love it! We logged 5 rides, and thanks to AWESOME ride ops and 3 trains, we never waited long.

Texas Giant – Dang. I am sure glad this is taking a year off to get re-done. This was the “farewell” party for the Giant, and I am happy to see it go and come back renewed. It has nothing of its former glory. SLUGGISH! That’s the best word. Granted, we rode early in the day on a chilly morning, but the Giant just crawled through its course. It was not overly rough like MeanStreak or Psyclone, just boring. Plus, after riding Titan, a 142 foot drop does little for you. I was saddened by its state, because Giant used to be THE coaster to ride. We’ll see how it turns out. Is GCI for sure doing the work?

Shockwave – old classic. Those vertical loops still make me gray out. You can’t beat the double-punch of awesome inversions and ejector air. Plus lap bars! Ride in the very back for the best air. I remember when Shockwave scared me to death. Now, it is a nice giggler of a fun ride.

Superman – Due to its height, Superman does not have near the intensity or the impulse of shorter turbo shots. You also don’t get that little pop of air at the top when you are shot up. BUT – the height sensation is incredible. To this day, after 100s of rides on turbo shots, I still get nervous before every ride! And on Superman, you are up there! Quite a thrill.

Mr. Freeze – Again, after 3-4 years I forgot how INTENSE this coaster is!! My favorite in the park, even for only 30 seconds. The launch is incredible. Few visuals are better than seeing those breaks open up- one-by-one- in the launch tunnel, then seeing the red lights flash…and off you go! I always sit front row, and looking straight up that 236-foot spike is truly intimidating. I forgot how much you feel like you are going to fly right off the top! Man, I love this ride.

Batman – I admit, I am getting a little “bored” of Batman, since I have logged countless rides on them at countless parks. It’s still a terrific coaster, but I won’t make it a point to ride them again unless they are a walk on. I still love Batman, but it just doesn’t do it for me anymore like Freeze, Titan, or other rides that I have ridden a jillion times.

Judge Roy Scream – Always fun, especially riding with little kids. Great head choppers, decent air. Bill Cobb is the man.

Runaway Mountain – I had forgotten how fun and intense this little dark coaster is. This has my favorite queue of all time, as you wind through a swamp before entering the mountain. The ride is too short, but still packs a punch. The restraints are the weirdest I have seen, but necessary since you can’t anticipate some of the steep drops.

Texas Chute Out – I had not ridden this parachute drop in YEARS. Is it the only one left in the US? This is a fun little classic, and the height sensation is dizzying. Way to quick on the up-and-down, but it was great to walk back in time and ride this classic.

Mine Train – again, a fun classic. This was Rashandra’s first time, and she was completely surprised by the underwater drop after the saloon!

Rockin Rocket – we had to get a nostalgic ride on the old Looping Starship from SFAW!

El Sombrero – the wimpiest and shortest wipeout cycle around

Las Tazas – I always have a good time on tea cups!

Yosemite Sam – I love this little indoor boat ride. Quite a great story for the kids. I’d love to take my nephew on this someday.

We didn’t get on Tony Hawk. We have it just down the road in San Antonio, and it wasn’t worth the hour wait. Although I loath the loss of Cliffhanger, I like how TH fits into the park. It has a nice little setting, and is surprisingly QUIET!

So, a fun day overall, just got too crowded. The coaster collection is highly diverse, and there are no “bad” coasters on the list. They have tons of kiddie flats now, too, so yall should come down and enjoy the park. Oh, and we had PINK THINGS!!!!

- Pat-O

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Thanks for the TR Pat-O. Nice description of the rides. Since I've never been to any Texas park I had to just visualize... which you've made very easy!

> A big fight broke out right in front of us on the Gotham midway...
> and security rushed in. Never seen anything like this at SF before!

So what was unusual? a fight at SF? or security rushing in
(sorry - couldn't resist).

> I won’t go back on Halloween ever again – just way to
> crowded. It was difficult just to move around let alone get
> on rides.

Pretty much what we've decided about such events. We go in early October on a Friday night when crowds are lighter... but still, wait times are near intolerable.

> THE RIDES
> El Conquistador – no one ever does “Taste Great Less
> Filling” anymore!

I think kids (95% of the crowd) have no idea what that's from. We try it sometimes and ppl just look at us weird.

> Texas Giant – Dang. I am sure glad this is taking a year
> off to get re-done. This was the “farewell” party for
> the Giant, and I am happy to see it go and come back
> renewed. It has nothing of its former glory. SLUGGISH!
> That’s the best word. Granted, we rode early in the day
> on a chilly morning, but the Giant just crawled through its
> course. It was not overly rough like MeanStreak or
> Psyclone, just boring. Plus, after riding Titan, a 142 foot
> drop does little for you. I was saddened by its state,
> because Giant used to be THE coaster to ride. We’ll see
> how it turns out. Is GCI for sure doing the work?

I remember someone recommending TG to me ten years ago. Never got the chance to try it though. Sounds typical for a Summers Dinn though (been on a few others). I too hope "whoever" does a good job on it. If CF is using GCI now to rehab their woodies it's got to be an improvement.

> So, a fun day overall, just got too crowded. The coaster
> collection is highly diverse, and there are no “bad”
> coasters on the list. They have tons of kiddie flats now,
>

Thanks again. Hope to maybe see you at HW again. PS - Laurie says Hi.

> THE RIDES
> El Conquistador – no one ever does “Taste Great Less
> Filling” anymore!

When I was at KI a few years ago, and you and Rob N showed me around the park, I got on the pirate ship (What's it called?) and a little kid sitting opposite me did the Taste Great Less Filling chant with me. He told me he had done that his whole life. A great experience for me.

Hola to Laurie!

pat-O

Hey Pat,

I am glad that you made it to Fright Fest. I went once at SFGAm when our pastor took a few of us. It was about the same experience for me. Great rides, but way too many people. The atmosphere is well done (about as much theming as SF can pull off). You would think that if they can put forth the effort for an extended period of time such as Fright Fest, that they would do a better job of theming the rest of the year.

How are you doing in school? Who's Rashandra? I was thinking about coming back to the states to teach, but...I changed my mind.

-Tim

Grad school is killing me. The work load is unbelievable. I don't hate it by any stretch, but some mornings I wake up and think, dang, what am I doing here?

I am selling just enough Cutco to get by. The flexibility of selling knives is great, but the income is up and down.

Thinking of coming back to the states already? Shoot, I am still looking to move away as soon as I graduate.

Pat-O

>>> Batman – I admit, I am getting a little “bored” of
> Batman, since I have logged countless rides on them at
> countless parks. It’s still a terrific coaster, but I
> won’t make it a point to ride them again unless they are
> a walk on. I still love Batman, but it just doesn’t do it
> for me anymore like Freeze, Titan, or other rides that I
> have ridden a jillion times.

Feel the same way. When I ride it at GAdv, I'm always reminded how great a ride it is, but I won't wait more than 15 minutes for it.

>
> Texas Chute Out – I had not ridden this parachute drop in
> YEARS. Is it the only one left in the US?

I dunno, but if it's essentially the same ride as GAdv's, THAT is still operating. Of course, Coney's still stands, but hasn't been operable for many years.

> Rockin Rocket – we had to get a nostalgic ride on the old
> Looping Starship from SFAW!

That's not the one that previously called GAdv home, is it? I don't think so.

>Thanks for posting, Pat-O. I hope I can get to Texas sometime to enjoy these..and Fiesta, too.

Mike

> When I was at KI a few years ago, and you and Rob N showed
> me around the park, I got on the pirate ship (What's it
> called?)

Viking Fury

> > > Texas Chute Out – I had not ridden this
> parachute drop in
> YEARS. Is it the only one left in the US?

> I dunno, but if it's essentially the same ride as GAdv's,
> THAT is still operating. Of course, Coney's still stands,
> but hasn't been operable for many years.

Probably the same. I believe it is an Intamin.
> Rockin Rocket – we had to get a nostalgic ride on the old
> Looping Starship from SFAW!

> That's not the one that previously called GAdv home, is it?
> I don't think so.

I don't think it is, either. I know it was at Astroworld for a long time. Fun ride, though.
- Pat-O