glouthan

Definitely one of the most beautiful theme parks - especially when they light Damonen up at night!

I almost feel like they need to rebrand the County Fair section of the park. Maybe divide it up into two sections? It is quite large as it is today.

Nice trip report! Knott's always has quite the production for the unveiling of their new attractions - this looks like it followed that trend!

That is some serious sustained speed throughout! I love the long duration of this coaster. There are so many headchoppers as well - this looks great! The theming for the queue looks above the average Six flags standard - another positive thing. I really need to get down here to check this out!

^^Also, if you don't mind riding with other people that you don't know, the single riders line is significantly shorter and you will get on faster. (I believe Mammoth has one.)

That is definitely a vote of confidence for this coaster!

On top of that, the weather looks terrible for the Media Day and for the first day of operation. Goliath will not be open until after the weekend. I honestly don't think a little bad weather will stop them. Unless there is lightning threats, the ride will probably open on time. *EDIT* Apparently there are scattered thunderstorms forecasted for Wednesday. Half the time the weather reports are wrong, and I couldn't imagine there would be storms over the whole area for the entire event, so I think we should be good.

^Also, the website still says June 19. I heard they were running one train at the shoot, because the other is not ready, and one train on a opening day would become a disaster.

I will be going to Kentucky Kingdom Next week. Does anyone have a "plan of attack" for me so I can get in as many rides as possible? (Including the Waterpark.) Also, where are the best places to photograph Lightning Run? Thanks.

I just got the chills when I saw that video! That zero - G looks fast! I cannot wait to ride this thing on Media day

^ That would actually be very cool - I still feel that their waterpark is missing something, and a watercoaster would fill that gap. Right now they can't claim "the nation's best waterpark" (which they do!), when they have Holiday World just about six hours away. A decent watercoaster could make that fact more "reasonable". The only reason I was thinking "dark ride", is because Hank Salemi has always wanted one at six Flags Great America.

^It probably would not be a family coaster, because they already have a good collection of those (Whizzer, Little Dipper, Dark Knight, Spacely). I think a dark ride could definitely be possible, though.

^Exactly. Once the first corkscrew hits you, the ride continues in the same motion, therefore not jarring your head, which leads to one of the smoothest parts of the ride. The triple corkscrew should be interesting as you only have one "painful" corkscrew and two smooth ones as opposed to half and half on a double corkscrew.

^I completely agree with your speculation. Great America is one of the "big" parks, and should have one installed. The space from Ragin' Cajun would perfectly accommodate that ride. I think the Pictorium spot would better house a dark ride. But, we don't have to worry about this yet - Goliath is almost here!

Apparently we are starting

Alright! A Thursday does seem like an odd opening day - probably will still be very busy, though.

I honestly don't think that is going to happen. The media date is after that day, and with a normal schedule, the media day occurs before the opening day. Until the park releases an official opening day, I wouldn't trust any of the speculation.

I could definitely see Great America removing the Pictorium. The last time I saw a show (Screams & Dreams 3 - early May 2014), There were about twenty people at the show. The expenses of running the projector, AC, and other costs such as hiring the employees that run the show and clean the place afterwards, just don't seem worth it. They would pull many more visitors in with a new ride, in turn making more money for the park instead of wasting it.

Yes! It looks certain now that it'll deliver airtime with a full train. Makes sense, considering how much shorter the hill is than the zero g stall! Another thing to celebrate, what is arguably the weakest part of the ride, or at least the most confusing in terms of what it will deliver, is the last two overbanks before that airtime-brake run. But I am optimistic now that it'll be a cool series of elements, because in the video, you can hear the riders hollering/screaming just as loud as during any other part of the ride! Those overbanks will most likely be similar to Outlaw Run's "wave turns" There will probably be sideways airtime (an interesting an cool feeling)! The difference will be that they are closer together, forming a large banked turn, instead of two hills found on Outlaw Run. Goliath should definitely provide non-stop action, and a little bit of everything - banked turns, airtime, hangtime, whipping sensation, inversions, the list just goes on!

I wish it was still like that! A whip of airtime and then down a 400 foot drop = extreme airtime sensation!

The new test run video looks great! The faster speed can really be seen by the final pull up to the brakes. Before, it was slowly cruising up, but now it looks like it could create some airtime! That is one way to close off a coaster!

^I was thinking the same thing as well. I thought it was supposed to sway...

Parking lots are definitely an essential resource for amusement parks! I believe they have a cornfield beside the park that is their land to expand on - no need to use the parking lot.

^You're probably right. However, people seem not to damage things as long as other people have not damaged that item as well. If an item looks new, chances are it will stay looking new (people will respect that), but if an item looks old and damaged, it will probably get written on by people (they are not the only ones damaging the item). As long as Six Flags can keep the sign looking new, it could stay looking good. Six Flags probably won't keep the fence looking new, though.

That is actually looking pretty good for six flags. I like the assortment of colors in the plants - it looks very nice! I am also very excited to get some close-up shots of Kingda Ka from there.