This is the first season I'll have a chance to go on opening day. What's the crowd like? Is it completely packed? Or is it smaller crowds, mainly enthusiasts?

I've never taken advantage of ERT. I was a bit surprised about the list of ERT attractions this season (Planet Snoopy, really?). I'm not sure if it's better to show up during ERT and go wait at a ride like The Beast or if the crowds will be small enough throughout the day to still ride all the coasters.

-jb

Crowds depend on weather and a host of unpredictable factors. Not all of the park is open during ERT. Beast is not part of ERT. You cannot go wait in that line until that section of the park opens.

ERT is a great time to get rides in on those rides open for ERT.

Planet Snoopy was probably first on there list for ERT priorities. Its all about the kids!

Be prepared to wait in line. A lot. Also, be prepared to have many rides shut down during the course of the day, some will have a sign out front, some will shut down whilst you are waiting. Kind of a crapshoot which rides it will be, but, in my experience, all of the coasters will need work during the day.

So, if any of the above things bother you, don't go opening day. If you like the atmosphere, and don't plan to ride a ton of rides, you'll enjoy yourself.

Opening day is all about using your head over emotion.

The weather is always questionable. Rides constantly go down. Employees are fresh fish. Crowds: who knows? Etc.....

If I was down there, would I go? yes. (I never claimed to be smart )

You may, depending on how you favor it, want to buy a Fast Lane...!

Fast Lane doesn't get you on rides that are temporarily closed, though.

Are you sure? I thought that was the new thing they were offering, front of the line access on closed rides... xP

If it is anything like last year it will be very crowded and lots of rides will go down, repeatedly. Some may not open at all.

Even with all that, I am going again this year.

I have the feeling the Fast Lane may become a whole new line on opening day due to the "fish" that Ki has into its hook on the Fast Lane. The opening day is basically based on the fans, and the weather If the weather is bad, many will not come, and some or many rides will be closed. If the fans are busy/sick/opposed on weather, then they will not go, but many will. Just make sure do not run, they are very very very very strict on running, you may not run i repeat you may not run, please refer to Boomerang Bay encounter # 51.

I beg to differ that opening day is just for the "fans".

Just make sure do not run, they are very very very very strict on running, you may not run i repeat you may not run, please refer to Boomerang Bay encounter # 51.

Oh, really? Policies in the waterpark may or may not apply to the dry park. Last year on opening day, they allowed a mad scramble down IS and through Rivertown as people raced to be first on Diamondback or The Beast. At this time, we have no reason to believe that won't be the case again.

^ And they took video of people literally hurtling the metal detectors and posted it online. I don't mean to come down on the park, as it said a whole lot of good about the excitement of opening day, but... wow. No matter what you believe about whether or not the metal detectors are actually used, that also says some things that aren't very nice about park security.

I find that you find a lot ot the enthusiasts at the park on opening day-for me its just a great day to catch up with old friends whom I don't see during the off season. 7 more days and the extended forcast calls for a sunny day in the low to mid 60's.

I'm close to the park, so I'll be there either way. I'm wondering how hard it will be to fight the crowds to get the first ride on Adventure Express... ha!

My last two or three trips, I didn't get to ride Flight of Fear. Either it was closed or the lines were huge. I'm expecting long lines for that one Saturday.

I've been each opening day for the past 4 or 5 years. It's usually crowded, unless the weather is truly nasty. Lines in genral are ok, the more popular rides being longer. I personally love the idea of ERT in Planet Snoopy since my 3-year-old is already a KI enthusiast. Maybe this year we can ride Woodstock's Whirlybirds, lol. Last year every time we tried to ride it the line was too long (but almost ANY line is too long for a 2-year-old) so maybe if we can grab the ERT on it, she can finally ride it.

So I'll be in PS most of the day opening day, stop by and say, "Hi!" LOL

Just make sure do not run, they are very very very very strict on running, you may not run i repeat you may not run, please refer to Boomerang Bay encounter # 51.

Oh, really? Policies in the waterpark may or may not apply to the dry park. Last year on opening day, they allowed a mad scramble down IS and through Rivertown as people raced to be first on Diamondback or The Beast. At this time, we have no reason to believe that won't be the case again.

Well that wasnt the case for my buddy last year, opening hour he ran down IS through PS and a lady yelled and i quote "No running!" if this was a mistake in the park rules please notify...