JamesMC

I was truly disappointed that Chang was moved last minute instead of coming to SFGA...However, a waterpark expansion is "good" in my book. It's good to know that there will be some "tangible" new attractions next year. Little Dipper was a GREAT way to preserve some nostalgia and give the little ones their first "wooden coaster credit", BUT....this is the 3rd Family/Children's coaster since 2003....we kinda need a new "Adult" coaster. I am not saying a "record-breaker", but something that's unique and not a "cookie cutter coaster Du Jour", and something that has a real capacity/per hour. I'd take a new GCI woodie---hey give us the one from California's Great America...or even a new layout of a Tony Hawk Big Spin. It doesn't have to be huge, it just has to be fun/unique for our park. My .02

My earlier^ post "rumor" about the giant HDTV screen was just me being sarcastic.....I don't think I am alone in that most Chicagoland patrons are really "Feeling Overdue" for a new "BIG" coaster. I am sad that "Chang" isn't going to be rebuilt here. Iron Wolf WAS great in the day, but I can't even ride it more than two to three times a season because of the "head bashing". I'll put up with rough coasters or coaster that have a few seconds of "uncomfortable-ness" but to have a whole ride go to hell...it's sad. This is SFGAM's "Son Of Beast" (although not Quite That Bad)....I hate to see coasters disappear, but if I am not going to ride it anyway.... I'd be happy if we got the GCI coaster that was intended for CedarFair's Great America. We need more than a Mad Mouse/spinning Mad Mouse....and the Little Dipper is a Classic, but come on......we need a coaster for the Thrill Seekers. It has been a long, long time. For a long time we had a winning record, first B&M Diver Machine (Z-force), First B&M Stand-up, Longest Tallest Racing Coaster, Two single train launched/Pulley coasters debuting the same year (almost), Seven-inversion coaster, "coney-Island" style coaster, first B&M HyperTwister....B&M Flyer.....then, well, nothing..... My .02

I finally got my FireHawk credit at King's Island last week. The ride had some operational issues and I only got to ride it twice, but the second time I got on...the ride E-Stopped in the station...one of the restraints wouldn't lock. I waited on my back for 15 min til we were Evacuated...then got to wait in the queue until maintenence came and got the ride operational. The problem apparently was that one of the restraints in row 5 or 6 wouldn't lock, so they blocked off that seat. No big deal, but then we finally got reloaded on the ride and then my OTSR didn't lock either the first two times, and then it did. What was worse was that it seemed "loose" and I told this to the Ride Op, but he said, "Don't worry, it's locked, you're fine...." And mind you, I am the guy who usually leaves the restraints a little loose (if I can help it) on any ride. I love Negative G's, but that stupid little lock had me a bit frenzied as I rode. I didn't think about that lock the first time I rode, but the second time (especially after the E-Stop) it was ALL I could think about while riding. That was Intense for me. I still smiled for the camera however.

I made my first visit in 5 years to King's Island on Mon/Tues. of this week. I got tons of credits for Diamondback, two for Backlot Stunt Coaster, and two for FireHawk, which kept breaking down, once with me on my back in the station for almost 15 min. While in the "Single Rider Line" for Diambondback, which was being "Completely Abused" by a number of "groups" ahead of me which wanted to skirt the (shockingly long 20 min) 'regular rider line', I got to talking with another guy who had a season pass. No, I didn't catch his name nor did he get mine, but we were chatting about the 'obvious' groups ahead of us who had the nerve to complain that "This single rider line is a waste of time" (Well, YEAH! it IS meant for Single Riders)- anywho, we got to talking coasters and he had this to say: "Authors Note": Please note this, I am repeating what was said to me. I have posted some duds---Launched coaster/diving coaster for SFGAM. Flying Coaster at SFSTL. But I am also the guy who ran into someone at Cedar Point, who told me Geagua Lake would never reopen, and when I posted this to an online site, almost got banned (not TPR, however) to post, because the info was "unfounded". And that one was true and came from out of nowhere. This guy 'seemed' legit, and he lived nearby the park (South Lebanon, OH, if I remember correctly), so I am reposting what he told me. 1.) Woodstock Express will get a 're-paint'. He didn't say what color but since Woodstock is Yellow and that was the 'orginal' color of that particular coaster, I am guessing it will be.....surprise....yellow. I mentioned that "Flight Deck" could also use a repaint but he didn't say anything about that. 2.)Backlot Stunt Coaster is being shopped around discreetly. It will be there next year, but after that.... (this one kinda surprised me since it's not that old); glad I got my 2 credits on it, but it's NOT worth more that a 20 min wait. I have (and neither did he) any idea of what might replace it. 3.) Son Of Beast- is not going anywhere next year but will not re-open. Word is the timber will be 'recycled' somewhat and the layout will be re-profiled but not until at least 2013/2014. (side note-2014 would be 35th annv. of "The Beast"). Then he got to ride in the front seat of Diamondback and when my turn was called I got to ride in row 13 with some real hairy dude who'd been out in the sun all day and was all man and smelled like it. Yay for me. Glad we were going 80 mph while his arms were in the air. UGHHHHHH!

I am not crazy about the paint scheme of Sky Trek Tower either!!! my .02 SFGAM is my homepark and I have a season pass, so I get there as often as I can. Going again next Mon./Tues. and with all the kiddies back in school, should be able to rack up a lot of re-rides. Yay for me. I know that something new is supposed to be added next year, (grrrrr, where's Chang?) but to be honest, I haven't seen much in the way to indicate where the new attraction might go. There's space where the Space Shuttle used to be. There's space where Splashwater Falls used to be, but I have seen no new markings, survey crews, etc....to indicate that anything IS really going to happen next year. I heard a rumor that the area where Splashwater Falls was, will be filled by a giant HD-3D screen with "live-webcam" pictures of new attractions that have been installed at all the other Six Flags Parks, but that it will be an upcharge attraction.

Screamin' Demon at King's Island (1978) Z-Force at Six Flags Great America (and later "Flashback" at SFMM) Any of the 3 coasters at Sauzer's Kiddieland (Schererville, IN) I picked these because: SD- The first 'real' rollercoaster I went on, and not many people I know have actually ever said that they got to ride it. ZF- It was only at Great America for two complete seasons and then got moved. Over its lifetime it got ridden a lot, but not by that many at SFGAM. SK- A tiny amusement park near my hometown. Lots of locals can claim credits, but if you were not from the Chicagoland area, most others can't say they rode these. The park is gone and replaced by mini-stripmalls and subdivisions.

Sorry no pic, but King's Islands Red Racer was how I wrapped up my (almost) two day trip to the park on Tuesday. What a classic.

I get to marry my best friend on Oct. 20th. She's amazing. AND she ran her first Chicago Marathon today and finished in 5 hrs and 53 minutes. I am SO proud of Elizabeth I am speechless (and I am really a person who is Never lost for words).

I really really like the Huss Giant Frisbees. Drop Zone at KI does the trick too. (wish they'd replace Giant Drop at SFGAM with one of these). I am a big fan of any spinning ride though as well.

In response to my response a couple pages ago^^^ Ed finally got back to me and said he'd gotten the information from Wikipedia. I haven't checked it out, but I will after I post here. Bad news: This piece of info seems to come from Wikipedia Good news: Ed was the one who forwarded me the info on the Geaugua Lake spectacle 3 months before it was made public. A couple years ago he told me Psyclone at SFMM was gonna be torn down and replaced with another woodie too . . .so there's that going for him. ODDS on my previous^^post coming true 51/49. What I believe: SFSTL will get Chang as a stand-up What I'd Like: A new Non Mad-Mouse coaster for SFGAM (my homepark)

Everything Mechanical will eventually either: A) Break down B) Parts will have to be replaced Nobody freaks out when the toast doesn't pop up out of the toaster, but when it happens to 24+ people all at the same time and somebody posts it on YouTube, it's big news. It IS unfortunate, but yes, it Does Happen. Coasters and Toasters are no exception but Intamin does not market a toaster. Yet.

Have not been online in a couple days, but hey everyone, calm down^^^, I am just telling you what I heard. Does this mean I am telling you it's true? NO! Passing info along, and yes it is ALL Speculation right now until 6F or Shapiro says otherwise. I have no idea where Chang will end up- I think it'd be a better fit for SFSTL, though I am not gonna lie and say that I hope it does NOT end up at my home park of SFGAM. I just don't see Gurnee, IL, with TWO stand-ups (no matter what Screamscape says), one of the rides is going if Chang comes here or the new ride will have to be re-pacakged, OR Iron Wolf will go bye-bye after one year of them both being at the park. Two stand ups in a park would be a novelty for a year, but after that, Chang (lesser of a head-basher) would stay. Iron Wolf was Great when it was new, but it's not now, and as much as I want it to be, it just isn't. In any case, I think we will find out in the next couple months. I have two thoughts on the matter: 1.)I do NOT want to lose Whizzer for a B&M standup #2. 2.)Six Flags Great America needs a "Good" new coaster, even at the loss of one pre-existing one. I would not mind if Iron Wolf went away (or even Demon), but I'd be pretty salty if they took out Whizzer (assuming of course that they did not "have to" because of maintenance/parts/and or ridership issues). P.S. still waiting on Rick or Ed to tell me where Ed got the info in the first place. My InBox was empty today.

I just told Dan to read "The Decievers" from Brett Battles- great book!!!! Now all of you have to do it too cuz otherwise me and Dan are gonna throw a pop-quiz at your A$$

In one day: Tatsu (SFMM) on Media Day- 14 times In a row: Amercian Eagle (SFGAM)- 12 times (probably ten years ago) Over a coaster's lifespan: Whizzer (at least a hundred)/ Raging Bull (Over a hundred but over the course of less years). Special Moment: The Beast at King's Island- I was THE ONLY one on the ride, for one ride only at the beginning of the day's operation. I had it All To Myself. Awesome!

Here's something interesting: I have a great friend Rick who lives out in Clackamas, Oregon- we haven't seen each other in a while but he knows what a coasterfan I am and his buddy Ed, who unfortunately does not belong to TPR (though my gentle prodding over the years may Actually Make Him Get Online And Join- we shall see) sent Rick an e-mail to forward to me. I am trying to get in touch with either one of them to see where they found it, but the gist of it is this: Right now Six Flags does not KNOW which park Chang will end up at- it depends on one item: Can Chang be retrofitted to be a Floorless coaster? If Chang can be retrofitted, it will likely come to Six Flags Great America and stand on the footrprtint where Demon sits now as an indirect replacement for a mulit-inversion sit-down. The lift hill will rise up over the entrance (in the area) of Hurricane Harbor. Both the Demon and the car-ride will disappear, and so will the void left by Splashwater Falls. From what I was told the ride will be accessed from Southwest Territory and be called Diablo (which in itself is a re-theme of Demon). Screamscape says it would be themed to Green Lantern, but I don't know where they got their info either. In any case, it's ALL speculation now. If B&M (who are appartently on-task to assess the retrofit) cannot convert the coaster to a sit-down, the ride will re-emerge in St. Louis in the approx area where CP-Fan^^ has shown in the pictures, as a stand-up. In any case the ride will be repainted/rethemed. In my opinion this sounds like a cool idea---I am totally against removing Whizzer for Chang, nor does SFGAM need Two Stand Ups- however if this ride is converted to a Kumba-Style sit down, we could really use the B&M trains from Chang on Iron Wolf, instead of the Intamin Head Basher trains we have now. When I find out where Ed got the info, I will post it, or the link, or the article or wherever he got it- I sent an e-mail off to my friend Rick, but he works 9-5 and I am more of a 3-11 guy, so it may take a couple days til I have the info to post back. As always. . . We Shall See . . .

A recap on all I've heard: Six Flags Great America is focusing on Hurricane Harbor next year. Expect to see two new rides and from what I've heard, a ride similar to Deluge or the new one at Holiday World will be the big one. If Chang comes to SFGA, it will NOT be til 2011 and if this is true there are some possibilites that have been batted around: 1)Iron Wolf is Replaced by Chang. Rumors have been abundant that Wolf's days are numbered. However, Chang will not FIT into Wolf's footprint even if it is removed, without the loss of the train station (maybe) and Johnny Rockets/funnel cakes. If the ride were turned just so, and placed partially over the employee parking lot, the train staion might be saved. 2.)Iron Wolf stays and Chang is added, surely means the loss of something with a nearly equal footprint. Expect to see Yankee Clipper or Whizzer on the chopping block. Chang could fit where Demon is and utilize some empty space (old SplashwaterFalls/Speedway area) but I don't see Demon going anywhere. It's too "Family Friendly". Here's realistically (and this doesn't necessarily make me all happy either) what I see as the Big Game Plan for SFGA: 2010: Removal of Space Shuttle America/Go Karts- Hurricane Harbor introduces two new rides that take up part of that space. I would like them to place the entrance near the SkyTower but that's what I "Want" and not sure that's gonna happen. 2011: Chang replaces Whizzer, (loss of a lot of trees and such a nostalgic ride) main portion of ride on Whizzer footprint, with lift hill replacing "Hometown Fun Machine" and running behind Pictorium. Go-Karts relocated to Speedway area. Possible flat ride where SplashwaterFalls stood. 2012: Removal of Iron Wolf. I do not see SFGA running both standups for more than one (possibly two) simultanelous years. My .02

I know that we aren't getting a new coaster next year--never even had my sights set on that. What we are getting ( I am pretty sure) is a couple new rides in Hurricane Harbor (Yay!!) (and I hope a new entry gate near Pictorium). I am just saying we NEED a new coaster, and that I would LIKE a giga- doesn't mean we are going to get it though. I'd be happy with an Evel Knieval (but I like Viper already), however a park can Never have Too Many Woodies. I'd be happy with a custom GCI or something from Gravity Group too. My opinion on Dark Knight won't change either. I don't like it. Not to say there aren't people who do (and if you (someone you know/love) that's just great and dandy) but I Personally know No-One who likes it either, unless it's a walk-on). And I kinda know a lot of people. My .02 (spend it wisely or give it back to me )

Looks like fun, but to be honest . . .I like the name Whyte Lightning WAY more than Shoot The Rapids. STR gets the point across and is kinda fun, but it would be like naming a new roller coaster "Coaster with hills and inversions". You'll ride it anyway but tsk-tsk the name.

Hurricane Harbor DOES need an expansion- and most likely it will go where the Go-Karts and Space Shuttle America are sitting. Fine by me, but if this happens, I'd like to see the entrance for HH moved in that area, instead of having to lug my stuff around (or get an obscenely priced locker) to go all the way out to the Viper area to get in the waterpark. We REALLY do need a new Top-Shelf Coaster- Dark Knight is Lame, Rajun Cajun LOOKS fun but really isn't and Superman is WAY too short (though it's a blast). Raging Bull was the last good coaster we got (though it is the BEST ride in the park) . . .and that was like, well, a really long time ago. I'd love to have an Intamin Giga. So would the rest of Chicagoland I believe. I don't mind the idea of swapping out Iron Wolf for Chang (in fact that would be an improvement), BUT, Chang just isn't gonna fit where Iron Wolf is . . . If we get Chang expect to lose not only Iron Wolf, but probably the Whizzer or one or the other log flumes to make room. ^I give that Screamscape rumor about 20% believability anyway. We really do need some new flats though. Bring back Haybaler and Yukon Yahoo . . .let's also get a drop tower like Drop Zone at KI, and a Screamin' Swing like CP (which would fit perfectly where Splashwater Falls used to be, AND save the antique cars surrounding it.) Ahhhhhh, if only I was in charge of new attractions at SFGAM......

As much as I hate to lose any coaster for any reason, I'd be happy if Six Flags Great America upgraded to Chang in favor of Iron Wolf. I don't want to lose the Stand-up, but I'd like a better one. And as much as I LOVE B&M's, Iron Wolf is just NOT aging gracefully. When it was new and smooth I'd be disappointed if I didn't get on it 3 times in a visit. Now I'm lucky if I feel the gumption to ride it once every other visit. If Chang does come to 6FGAM (and I am by no means convinced it will . . .) it just WILL Not fit where Iron Wolf stands without dismantling more than it's orginal footprint. Which is why The Whizzer comment I posted from the ride-tech's didn't matter to me until I heard the next day that Chang was on it's way. I don't want to lose Iron Wolf and Whizzer just to put Chang where Whizzer is located.(and where it would actually fit...ugh) If we are going to lose Whizzer, please, just let it be a Giga from Intamin that takes its place. However, if we were to lose Iron Wolf and Yankee Clipper to get Chang, that would be worth it. As long as they put in a Tony Hawk where Wolf is now . . . My .02 (which might actually be more like .03)

When Iron Wolf first came to Great America I LOVED it. Now for me, it's kinda of a head-bash credit. At some point during the season I HAVE to ride it but usually once is enough for every two visits. I Love the other 3 B&M's at the park, but as for this one, well, it just hasn't aged that well. I'd rather have Chang than Iron Wolf any day. However, Chang is Just Not Going To Fit where Iron Wolf is standing right now, without them taking out the train station/funnel cake place/and prob the old Wascal's/Johnny Rockets . . . What's worse (and I was AT the park yesterday, which was a Ghost Town and in the span of 5.5 hours I got on 45 rides/rerides . . .a new record for me- and I've been at the park since 1979) was there were two maintenence people near the operator booth on Whizzer at about 5 p.m. (I am not sure if there had been an E-Stop or some other issue but for whatever reason they were there). They were pointing near the lift spiral and watching intently. After the ride before mine, they moved to the stairway exit (which is near the rear of the coaster where I was standing on the platform) and I quite clearly heard the (older/more senior) looking tech make a little comment like (not verbatim, but) 'Won't be an issue after next year".... I have absolutely no context for the conversation, but with today's little blurb on Screamscape . . . If Whizzer were to be removed and probably Hometown Fun Machine, most of Chang WOULD actually fit in that space, especially if they ran the incline and turnaround out behind those shops on the way out towards Pictorium. Just looking at the Satellite pic on Google of Chang kinda shows it. I DO NOT want to see Whizzer go, it's a silly little ride but I love it. And they'd have to take out all those trees too, which would be a shame. They also could probably take out one or the other of Logger's Run/Yankee Clipper and have enough room for Chang (which would be my preference anyway). We shall see. Ummmm, if anyone is reading this who works for Six Flags, I'd really kinda like Chang and a Giga-Coaster. Just please leave the Whizzer.

^about the whole "Geared" and "Round" thing--- Kinds sounds like a turntable which would make that thing I found on Wikipedia make sense if they are talking about a reverser turntable for the water/coaster hybrid. (p.s. I think the Wikipedia page has been deleted as of a couple days ago.) I was really hoping for a flyer or a GCI, but a new water ride would be great. It does get mighty sticky some days at The Point. We'll know in 7.5 hours in my time zone.

I was just at the park on Tues. WAY more crowded than I expected, but oh well . . .I do have a season pass and am probably going back early next week. I was a little upset that only the Blue Side of American Eagle was running (given the crowd) until like 4 p.m. when the Red Side mysteriously opened and I was no where near it. (park was only open til 6 . . .BOOOO) Everything else (besides Superman and Vertical Velocity) had respectable but not overly long waits to ride. No apparent construction yet. My guess is that next year the main focus will be on the expansion of Hurricane Harbor . . . But we Really Really Really Need a new coaster---the last good addition to the park (coaster wise) is Raging Bull, but c'mon, we have been living off that for years. (for the record, I LIKE Superman) but it's TOO short, especially without the dual loading station to enhance the riders per hour.

Wild Thing was fun to me a few years back when I rode it. Not Earth Shaking, but just fun.

And can somebody PLEASE disable that Fluffy Fluffy Bunny thing that crops up at certain keywords when (you) post in this forum, It WAS funny for awhile . . .now it's not