Six Flags Great America (SFGAm) Discussion Thread

Is there supposed to be a rumor or is this a wish? SFGA isnt getting anything, anytime soon. Six Flags doesnt really spend money on other parks BESIDES SFMM & SFGAdventure. Look how long it took to get a coaster at Great America and it isnt really a biggie. X flight is small.

Someone's very wet dream unfortunately.

^^^It's just a wish. Hopefully, it will come true!

^^^ Blue Fire's too awesome to be cloned.

If a park wants a clone and they have the money then the ride will be cloned.

I know. That's just my opinion.

Is there supposed to be a rumor or is this a wish? SFGAm isnt getting anything, anytime soon

Believe me I know. But my wish is that SFGAm gets a Giga coaster Again that my wish ( I know it wont happen). But in the future I see a sky screamer, A new show and maybe a mild family coaster In 3 or 4 years!!! And why are we worrying about a new coaster anyway ...Lets just enjoy X-flight for now!!!

^^^ Blue Fire's too awesome to be cloned.

If a park wants a clone and they have the money then the ride will be cloned.

Seeing that bluefire is in a park owned by the manufacturer, if MACK tells them they can't have the layout, they won't get the layout.

Just got back from SFGA today. Rode X Flight for the first time and here is my opinion:

The themeing is pretty cool, much different than most of the other roller coasters at the park. I was really impressed with how the ride looked. The mist feature and the tower are really different and fun.

The actual ride itself, I was kind of dissapointed. It is def.a ride that I have never been on before so that makes it kind of cool. However, my friend and I got off and looked at each other and said "that's it?" It was just really short and I felt like there wasn't a lot of speed to the ride.

I really enjoyed the part where you go through the tower, that was my favorite part. I would go on the ride again, but it is not really all the impress to me. Just my opinion, but it is still really cool and different for SFGA.

Guys, this new Mack Mega Looper you speak of, construction has started! I am at the park now and they are trying to cover up the construction like Silver Dollar City! Here's the footer....

Sorry that the photo is sideways. I am on my mobile device and couldn't wait to tell you guys the awesome news!

^ OMGGGG I KHANT WATE!!!!

And for anyone wishing for a launched coaster, that doesn't seem likely unless V2 is outta the park.

That's what our future looks like..

And how do you know that? There is no way they would put that small of a coaster in Iron Wolf's spot (unless its not going in Iron Wolfs spot). Honestly as must as I would love a launch coaster it will probably be filled with a GCI in a few years

Guys, this new Mack Mega Looper you speak of, construction has started! I am at the park now and they are trying to cover up the construction like Silver Dollar City! Here's the footer....

 

Found another.

Really? X-Flight just opened and we're already back to the Blue Fire and GCI jokes?

And how do you know that? There is no way they would put that small of a coaster in Iron Wolf's spot (unless its not going in Iron Wolfs spot). Honestly as must as I would love a launch coaster it will probably be filled with a GCI in a few years

The park has three wooden coasters.. I am sure they will not be adding a fourth any time soon. Either way, Viper is still better than anything that would compete with it.

^ Unless they added an Intamin P&P like El Toro. (Though I would hope they wouldn't just plop down a clone. However this IS Six Flags we're talking about.)

And how do you know that? There is no way they would put that small of a coaster in Iron Wolf's spot (unless its not going in Iron Wolfs spot). Honestly as must as I would love a launch coaster it will probably be filled with a GCI in a few years

 

The park has three wooden coasters.. I am sure they will not be adding a fourth any time soon. Either way, Viper is still better than anything that would compete with it.

Yes, but why do you think we would get an El Loco?

Completely off topic, but, I was at 7-Eleven today, and there was like this sweepstakes thing where you can win a V.I.P trip to SFGAm. Anyway, they were advertising X-Flight, and the picture was such a fail! First of all, I'm sure they had a photo shoot with these people where they were just sitting down and going, "Wooo!" But whoever photoshop-ed it did SUCH a bad job! haha Half of them weren't even sitting on the chairs. And also, on some of them the restraints were going through their shoulders! (New state of the art restraint system? ) Speaking of restraints, you know how the wing coasters have straps that touch your upper-body, and then there are also bars? They didn't even have the bars! haha I don't know, I just thought it was kind of funny. Sadly, I don't have a picture.

^ Could have been worse. I'm surprised SFWoA's X-Flight (now KI's Firehawk) hasn't made it onto promo-ads or commercials.

hahahaha VERY TRUE.

If Great America went with a launched coaster, it would most likely be a Mack.

 

Is this based on the vast and storied history Six Flags has with Mack (3 Mouse in a box coasters in the entire chain), or is this another case of someone stumbling upon pictures of Blue Fire on rcdb and adding it to the top of a wish list? Not trying to be snarky or anything, I've just noticed the latter is a pretty common occurrence (despite reviews here and there that perhaps it looks more thrilling than it rides).

It was plain as day to me last year, when so many people were saying we would be getting a daredevil dive clone or zacspin, that we would be getting a B&M wingrider. Great America LOVES safety, comfort, and reliability. That's why they buy B&M when they can.

Mack has shown Great America that too, with the Dark Knight. Now they have proven launch technology and an awesome lap bar harness that holds riders even with inversions. Manta just opened at Sea World SD, and I'm sure the industry will notice how it is working.

From what I hear, Great America is not exactly overjoyed with V2. It's very expensive to run and needed modifications. And it's well known about Intamins safety problems. So, no I don't know for sure, but this is what I get by putting 2 & 2 together.

The park has three wooden coasters.. I am sure they will not be adding a fourth any time soon. Either way, Viper is still better than anything that would compete with it.

Have you ridden a GCI or Intamin pre fab? I don't think Viper could compete with either of these!

I was in town for my cousin's wedding this weekend (congratulations, Nicole!) and after making sure I wasn't violating any mandatory family time scheduled for Sunday, I hitched out of Schaumburg first thing this morning and made my way to Gurnee. My last attempt at this two weeks ago had... unsavory results. Not wanting to let my childhood hometown park leave a bad taste in my mouth, and having a season pass, I gave it another go. WOW were things better today!

Weekend in June, 75 degrees, partly cloudy, and manageable crowds. My word, I couldn't have asked for better.

Started with TDK and Little Dipper, the two credits I wanted to snatch up last time but couldn't. I have to say, I enjoyed them. This is most likely due to both being walk-ons as I rode them first thing in the morning before even the smallest of lines could clog them up. I imagine if I had waited any longer than 15 minutes for either, I would have a gross unappreciation for the both of them. The queue theming on TDK was just abysmal. It's honestly sad they gutted Theater Royale for a drab overflow queue. The ride itself though was rather enjoyable. What theming they had was nice and it was really dark to the point I had difficulty seeing the track, which is always a plus on enclosed coasters.

Little Dipper was exactly what I expected. Shamefully, though I grew up in Chicagoland, I had never gone to Kiddieland, so this was a new credit for me. It's a cute little ride with some nice dips and turns, and it's encouraging and welcoming to see another solid coaster that kids can enjoy before getting ready to conquer the B&Ms. This also has the dubious distinction of being the only credit I have picked up so far where I was the only person riding it.

Next was X-Flight, and this time I was going to do it right. Front left and back right. My god, this was like night and day to when I rode 3rd row right two weekends ago. The front row is just an impossibly smooth with a gorgeous view with some amazing head and footchoppers, but I was astounded by how forceful you are pulled through the course in the back row. Being dragged down that first drop ranked up there with Superman's pretzel for me in intensity. More than any other type of coaster for me, these wing coasters seem to have the greatest difference in ride perspective between front and back row, though I may need to ride one or two more before I make that opinion solid. Of course, the X-Flight crew in top form and the ride was just devouring the queue. I waited 30 minutes max.

Riding Demon again, it's still the same ride I remember, but I nearly squealed, walking up to the station and hearing the original audio in full. Oh my god, Six Flags DOES listen to us Demon aficionados! Keep in mind, I haven't been on this ride in seven years so I don't know if this is brand new or been around for a few years but awesome is awesome!

Got my obligatory ride on Sky Trek Tower for the season. There's nothing like seeing how the park has changed over the years on that. I hope they never get rid of it. After that, I headed over to Screams and Dreams Volume II at the Pictorium. Being a 90s kid and a coaster geek, this was just damn awesome to see. I was a little sad watching half of the people walk out in the first five minutes. This really has a lot of technical terminology and stories that aren't entirely accessible to the GP so I understood. Better they leave five minutes in than sit there and whine for the full thirty. This was probably the best part of my day too, for a very special reason. When they covered the Southwest Territory segment, they showed the commercial that I was cast in. I got so freakin' excited seeing my 9-year-old self 50 feet tall on the Pictorium screen!

From there, I saw the train was back up and running again. Nice job with the quick track reconstruction, Six Flags! Took a ride to see X-Flight from the backside. Not as impressive as from the front or in the middle of it. I did see the pink survey markers, but no picture as they were out of sight by the time I got my camera out. After a ride on Viper, I tried the ropes course, having never done one before, and after metaphorically crapping myself on the balance beam on the second level, I had a lot of fun and I can see why everyone likes them. Definitely want to do more of these!

By this time, it was three in the afternoon and I had a five hour drive back to Cedar Rapids, so after a few more picture taking, it was time to call it a day.

I grossly misjudged what had happened to the park since my last update. The advertising was everywhere, but I didn't see a single coaster wrap. The music was mostly the park music. I didn't hear "Sexy and I Know It" once! Maybe the last time I went, the fact that I felt miserable amplified everything I hated, because this time, it was amazing. Now for the photos, taken from my cellphone that isn't as crappy as I thought it would be! Also, this was my first trip report so any positive or negative criticism is encouraged. Just please be civil

Good morning, carousel in bad need of a paint job! Still holding down that world record, I see.

Hey, this didn't entirely suck!

OH YEAH.

Good morning, X-Flight! My, aren't we looking sexy today?

Oh yeah, baby, work it for the camera!

Oh, X-Flight, you just love showing off, don't you?

More, X-Flight, more! The camera loves you!

*insert innuendo here*

Six Flags management has deemed upskirt shots of X-Flight's tower to be too awesome coaster porn for mortal men to behold. All pics attempted to get this shot will be censored until further notice.

Time for some backside shots!

Now, now, X-Flight, don't be shy.

Mmmmmm... sexy B&M curves <3

This really is the most photogenic coaster I've ever seen. Pictures do not do it justice

Yes, I see you, Raging Bull...

Still the biggest attention whore in the park I see...

Oh, Finn, YOU'RE awesome. I love these mini-misters. Now someone please direct me where to throw money to get one that has Rainbow Dash saying it will make you "20% cooler".

Hi Superman!

Bye Superman!

Pity shot of V2. I still don't understand why Six Flags had to neuter it

Identity Crisis: The Ride.

We didn't think it was possible to replace IW with something more painful. We were wrong.

Obligatory Batman shot. Black is best, but it's still beautiful 20 years later.

Bye, Six Flags! Thanks for being amazing!

Since I was off work yesterday I was there also. And Something I noticed about the wait time signs was how off they were!!! Superman's line never went over an hour all day and raging bull had a 1 hour wait time sign and we didn't wait more than 30-40 minutes. But the crowds were good for a Sunday

Speaking of X-flight, for the first time today I felt some jolting/bouncy moments on the turn before the barrel roll. Now this surprised me because I haven't felt it before now. And the funny thing is, it was only in that seat!!! But still a great ride.

P.S, I herd about 20 people call X-flight, X-factor .....

Since I was off work yesterday I was there also. And Something I noticed about the wait time signs was how off they were!!! Superman's line never went over an hour all day and raging bull had a 1 hour wait time sign and we didn't wait more than 30-40 minutes. But the crowds were good for a Sunday

 

Speaking of X-flight, for the first time today I felt some jolting/bouncy moments on the turn before the barrel roll. Now this surprised me because I haven't felt it before now. And the funny thing is, it was only in that seat!!! But still a great ride.

 

P.S, I herd about 20 people call X-flight, X-factor .....

I was in front of a woman in the Whizzer queue today who called it X-Factor. I had to bite my tongue. At least she caught her error and said it correctly a few minutes later.

Want some ERT on X-Flight? Check this out....

Six Flags Great America Hosts Book Drive as Part of Childhood Literacy Program

All Book Donations Benefit Page It Forward

WHAT: A book drive at Six Flags Great America to collect books for low income children in Lake County, IL

WHEN: Monday, June 11 – Wednesday, June 13, 2012

WHERE: Six Flags Great America / 1 Six Flags Parkway / Gurnee, IL 60031

GURNEE, Ill. — June 6, 2012 — Six Flags Great America is joining forces with Page It Forward, Lake County’s largest summer-long book drive, spearheaded by United Way of Lake County (UWLC) to collect a record-breaking 200,000 books for local students.

Guests who donate books Monday, June 11 through Wednesday, June 13 will receive a Buy One Get One Free coupon for a one day general admission ticket. On Monday, June 11, Six Flags Great America will also offer exclusive ride time on the all-new revolutionary X Flight wing coaster for any guest that donates two books before 9 a.m.

June 11 also marks the kick off of Read to Succeed, where K-6 students who completed six hours of non-school related reading during the 2011-2012 school year earned a complimentary Six Flags ticket. Six Flags Great America has donated nearly 400,000 tickets this year alone as part of the Read to Succeed program. For more information, visit http://discoveryeducation.com/readtosucceed.

Bring....

2 or more books: ERT on X Flight

5 or more books: ERT + X Flight Luggage Tag

10 or more books: ERT + X Flight Luggage Tag + X Flight Water Bottle

15 or more books: ERT + X Flight Luggage Tag + X Flight Water Bottle + X Flight Goody Bag

That's awesome! How long is the ERT? For seem reason I'm not seeing the times anywhere. Is it 9a.m. until the park opens?

Dang, some friends and I are visiting GAm from out of town, and we're hitting the park on Tuesday, the 12th. I wish we could get the ERT. Either way, I'll definitely be donating though. Sounds like a good cause!