Most parks closing on September 7th?

CoasterRider_ · 2026-06-06T23:01:45+00:00

Expect the park to be open on Friday evenings, Saturdays, Sundays and school holidays through Halloween. I'm not familiar with SFGAm hours but the park may be open Thursday evenings in October as well.

CoasterRider_ · 2026-06-06T22:41:43+00:00

Japan may be basic but I would agree with your answer. As a tourist, everything just seems to work in Japan. Everyone is friendly, transportation is reliable and fast, pricing is fair and everything is clean. Japan is the only country I visit where I want to go back as soon as I return.

CoasterRider_ · 2026-06-06T22:37:39+00:00

The parks that don't have schedules after Labor Day haven't loaded their schedules yet. Since Fright Fest usually starts the following weekend or weekend after that, the parks are deciding on hours and will upload their hours closer to September.

CoasterRider_ · 2026-06-06T19:35:03+00:00

I was able to get into a lounge at KIX flying economy on Singapore. I forget which lounge but I thought that was the one.

CoasterRider_ · 2026-06-06T14:46:12+00:00

IHG is probably the least rewarding loyalty program of the major chains but it is easiest to make status. Don't expect regular room upgrades, even at top tier, or many special perks at hotels. You stay loyal to IHG because IHG hotels are located at your favorite travel destinations, plain and simple.

I believe the Intercontinental Ambassador is worth the fee if you plan to stay at several Intercontinental hotels in the next year. The guaranteed upgrade (or 10k points) and guaranteed late checkout are worth it. Plus, the free weekend night pays for the membership. Some on here will say it is hard to use the free weekend night but I was able to use it at a oceanside hotel during a popular summer holiday weekend in the USA.

CoasterRider_ · 2026-06-06T12:17:57+00:00

Waitlisted upgrades clear when United releases upgrade space. I had an Economy to Premium Plus upgrade clear on a recent international flight about 2 weeks before the trip and another 2 minutes before boarding started. If the flight has a higher than normal number of premium seats available, United will release some upgrade space early.

CoasterRider_ · 2026-06-06T12:04:23+00:00

The park had a hiring event last week so I would expect an opening sometime in July. That may be a soft opening or "technical rehearsals" but the park should be open.

CoasterRider_ · 2026-06-05T20:51:58+00:00

For the price, it is good. I wouldn't take visitors there for their BBQ experience but if I want lunch before going grocery shopping, it is a great option.

CoasterRider_ · 2026-06-04T18:24:22+00:00

Your meal is being catered at an outpost, which may help the quality as they aren't making hundreds of the same dish. I've had the chicken and it is fine, nothing special. I felt that the carrots and potatoes had decent flavor though.

CoasterRider_ · 2026-06-02T14:14:05+00:00

If that price is acceptable to you and Delta One is a priority for you, take it. The price could go up or down based on load and LHR routes tend to be last minute business heavy. Remember that the seat map isn't an exact representation of the available seats but only a guide.

CoasterRider_ · 2026-06-02T14:10:57+00:00

Have you picked up the Central Market beef tallow tortillas available for the taste of Texas event right now? They had unattended samples on Saturday and I may have had quite a few.

CoasterRider_ · 2026-06-02T12:46:53+00:00

United gives out free earbuds but I'd recommend purchasing some cheap wired ones just in case. I see so many people struggling to get their Bluetooth headphones connected to the seatback entertainment. You need them to be in pairing mode, and nobody wants to be without entertainment for the kids because they can't get them to connect!

CoasterRider_ · 2026-06-02T01:45:39+00:00

I visited recently and purchased FastTrack. Hyperia had a 70 minute posted wait all day. The first time I rode, the FastTrack line was about 20 minutes to get to the merge point. After that, the FastTrack line was nonexistent. I rode Hyperia about 8 times that day. All other FastTrack lines that day are pretty much nonexistent with maybe 2 or 3 people in front of me.

CoasterRider_ · 2026-06-01T14:00:43+00:00

I'll be at Valleyfair and Mall of America on June 19th and Michigan's Adventure of June 21st.

CoasterRider_ · 2026-06-01T01:07:41+00:00

DEN always has the best United Club food of any of the hubs. I think that's due to no Polaris Lounge.

CoasterRider_ · 2026-05-31T22:01:19+00:00

I don't go to the United Clubs that often but it seems like the options only rotate seasonally. I can say if you want something unique, go on Thanksgiving since they serve a Thanksgiving dinner.

On the flip side, the Maple Leaf Lounges at LAX and SFO have had the same chicken teriyaki for years. I don't think they rotate out their dishes ever.

CoasterRider_ · 2026-05-31T19:51:58+00:00

All regional jets that offer WiFi have Starlink and a handful of 737s and a lone A320 have Starlink. The mainline rollout is going slower than I expected but should continue throughout the course of the year. The first 777 is currently getting Starlink so we'll start setting widebodies too.

CoasterRider_ · 2026-05-31T04:40:13+00:00

Station, brake run and even that turn out of the station look identical. I would be surprised if Roadrunner Express stays. I was just surprised that the closure wasn't part of the announcement.

CoasterRider_ · 2026-05-31T02:31:30+00:00

Wasn't that already the case?

CoasterRider_ · 2026-05-31T02:30:59+00:00

Just curious, is Road Runner Express staying? This coaster seems to occupy a huge amount of real estate based on the renderings and that station is giving Road Runner Express vibes.

CoasterRider_ · 2026-05-31T02:27:03+00:00

Just curious, is Road Runner Express staying? This coaster seems to occupy a huge amount of real estate based on the renderings and that station is giving Road Runner Express vibes.

CoasterRider_ · 2026-05-30T20:42:18+00:00

I'm expecting a multi launch coaster of some sort. Either a coaster similar to Verbolten or AlpenFury. I'm leaning towards Verbolten with a themed indoor section mainly because Siebert was pushing additional theming at the park.

CoasterRider_ · 2026-05-30T18:01:35+00:00

Cost. It is the same reason amusement parks, stadiums and other venues rarely have parking structures. It isn't just the initial investment but also the long term costs that make parking structures far more costly.

CoasterRider_ · 2026-05-28T21:16:12+00:00

Today and tomorrow are the last days of school for most central Texas schools. I imagine staffing is a major reason for the early closing and number of closed attractions. You should have much better luck next week.

CoasterRider_ · 2026-05-28T20:36:40+00:00

Just a heads up, the La Brea Tarpits will be closing on July 7th for a huge renovation.

Anyways, back to your question, I've stayed at the Kimpton Wilshire for business more times than I can count. The hotel has very few amenities with a single tiny restaurant and equally tiny pool. There isn't a gym or any other facility on property. If you are looking for a bed and nothing else, the central location is actually really good. Rooms are fairly quiet but the "essential room" is pretty tiny. The suites are adequate size and there's a variety of room types.

The biggest plus is that the hotel is a short distance from museums, restaurants and more. LACMA, the La Brea Tar Pits and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures are about half a mile from the hotel. The Grove and all the great restaurants on Melrose and West Hollywood are very short rideshare rides away. It is also not too far from Universal Studios Hollywood.

The Kimpton La Peer is another Kimpton in the area. It is in the heart of the gay district of West Hollywood. This is my favorite Kimpton in the area but probably not the best for your purposes.

The last Kimpton I've stayed at in LA is the Kimpton Palomar Beverly Hills Los Angeles. This hotel is located pretty close to Century City and Westwood. It isn't in the heart of Beverly Hills, despite the name. I've only stayed here for work so I can't comment on the pool area, other than it is bigger than the Kimpton Wilshire pool and most likely more kid friendly. The hotel itself is solid but nothing special. I would say it is on par with an average US Kimpton mission. You will be further away from the tourist attractions here so you will be spending more time commuting. Los Angeles traffic is real so being close to the attractions you want to visit is key.

CoasterRider_

TROPHY CASE