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Six Flags Great America (SFGAm) Discussion Thread


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My trip report won't be coming for a few more days but I had an absolute blast visiting Great America two days ago. The park was DEAD so I didn't need to purchase a flashpass. I got a ton of rides in. I rode just about everything in the park twice except on Superman which I rode 10 times, I rode Batman 12 times. And thanks to the single rider line I was able to ride Goliath 17 times! On Goliath I was lucky enough to get first train of the day in the front seat and I also rode last train of the night. It was a very successful trip!

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I asked this before but didn't get a certain answer. Should I buy flash pass online or wait to judge the crowds? My fear of waiting is that it may get sold out. Is that a common thing to happen?

 

 

I'm not a local to this park but I would wait. I always wait until I got to the park and judge the crowds and I'm glad I didn't buy one on my visit.

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I'm hoping to make a trip out to the park on a Wednesday in mid-August, and I'm hoping the wait times aren't as bad as many of you make them sound. I'm never going to buy a Flash Pass (unless I become fabulously wealthy and can afford to essentially burn money), but I'm content to wait in reasonable lines. Has the park changed in the past few years, for the worse? I last went September 1st of 2012, and had hardly any waits, and got in 17 rides in spite of a 2 hour rain delay in the middle of the day. And that was the Saturday of Labor Day weekend! Will a Wednesday really be a lot worse now? Thanks for any input the regulars may be able to give!

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Took a trip up yesterday from the St. Louis area yesterday for a day at Great America. Wanted to say thanks to all of you. The recent flash pass discussion and the updates on Goliath really shaped my trip and made it wonderful. My wife and I have gone every year for the past four years and as always, this was a fantastic day.

 

On the discussion of the flash pass, I gotta vote get one. We always do, and this year I was like, "Nah" but reading the forums I was swayed back to the darkside, and I'm glad I was. We rode everything we wanted to twice, and that's with stopping for two meals, a snack, and two rides on Goliath (had gold so it was not included, about an hour wait each time). On the subject though, I feel like I have to call BS on the explanation of wait time reduction. They say the Platinum is a significant difference from the Gold, but the ONLY ride we waited more than I'd say 10 minutes for was Superman, which was a 20 minute wait on a posted 110 minute wait ride. Everything else was posted 60-90 minutes and we where read to ride by the time we walked there. I'm not complaining, but had I bought the platinum based on wait times and seen this I'd prob be a bit ticked.

 

I love your park, you guys are very lucky to call it your local park. I saw some of the issues you guys complain about regularly such as operations, the trims on Raging Bull, how much The Dark Knight sucks, ect. But I'd take it all in a second for your ride selection. I've read rumors of you guys possible landing a Justice League BFM, I feel like that would just be the icing on the cake for it. My wife and I where beat at the end of the night, and probably would've stayed untill close if there was a nice, easy going flat ride such as that (for the first time ever, we where thrilled out). Where do you guys think something like that would go? Are there big vacant buildings that Im missing?

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Took a trip up yesterday from the St. Louis area yesterday for a day at Great America. Wanted to say thanks to all of you. The recent flash pass discussion and the updates on Goliath really shaped my trip and made it wonderful. My wife and I have gone every year for the past four years and as always, this was a fantastic day.

 

On the discussion of the flash pass, I gotta vote get one. We always do, and this year I was like, "Nah" but reading the forums I was swayed back to the darkside, and I'm glad I was. We rode everything we wanted to twice, and that's with stopping for two meals, a snack, and two rides on Goliath (had gold so it was not included, about an hour wait each time). On the subject though, I feel like I have to call BS on the explanation of wait time reduction. They say the Platinum is a significant difference from the Gold, but the ONLY ride we waited more than I'd say 10 minutes for was Superman, which was a 20 minute wait on a posted 110 minute wait ride. Everything else was posted 60-90 minutes and we where read to ride by the time we walked there. I'm not complaining, but had I bought the platinum based on wait times and seen this I'd prob be a bit ticked.

 

I love your park, you guys are very lucky to call it your local park. I saw some of the issues you guys complain about regularly such as operations, the trims on Raging Bull, how much The Dark Knight sucks, ect. But I'd take it all in a second for your ride selection. I've read rumors of you guys possible landing a Justice League BFM, I feel like that would just be the icing on the cake for it. My wife and I where beat at the end of the night, and probably would've stayed untill close if there was a nice, easy going flat ride such as that (for the first time ever, we where thrilled out). Where do you guys think something like that would go? Are there big vacant buildings that I'm missing?

 

 

The Pictorium Building

The Former MagiQuest Building by Revolution

 

 

I've wanted an Interactive Dark Ride for awhile. I had an idea for a Dark Ride in Southwest Territory themed to Wile E. Coyote where you ride in a mine car and have an ACME Blaster (Gun) to try to hit targets and every target does the Roadrunner Beep-Beep sound. It would have gone in the arcade next to Former Trailblazer (The building next to Demon's Loops)

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^^

Well you might be getting your wish granted with the recent rumors of the JLBFM coming, and I really hope it does. I love all the coasters, however having an experience like that would make my 3 hour drive that much more worth it.

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We were at the park yesterday (Monday) from 4-10, and had a great time. It ended up being a pretty well-rounded trip and was definitely worth it. Here are some pictures....

 

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Why not use an old queue as an ad for fright fest? Formerly the Ragin Cajun station.

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Goliath looking good as always.

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Station walk up in the middle of the day? Thank you single rider line! It ended up being a 15 minute wait vs the 75 minute wait in the normal line.

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For you lift hill enthusiasts.

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Got two rides on this, and it was running pretty good as always. I love the pacing after this ride, it's one thing after another. Yes, it is short, but it packs quite a punch into that time. Pardon my thumb.

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Seeing this at Superman and Goliath practically made the trip to the park worth it. Hardly anyone uses them too, Superman became a walk-on all day in the single rider line.

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What???

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While Red was doing double rides all day, Blue side has a parternship with the Blue Man Group. There are banners building up excitement along the whole queue with activities and trivia. Blue side was a 10 min wait, red looked longer though thanks to the double rides.

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It was only about 20 min for this too. It's very re-rideable and was doing double rides in the last hour.

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Southwest Territory. This makes the park look empiter than it was, but once it hit 7:30 or 8 people really started leaving and lines became reasonable.

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You can always count on Demon to have a walk-up. Always.

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Not the best picture, but this area really does add a lot to the park IMO. It almost gives me a Disneyland vibe with the train station and flag, etc. (Almost)

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The Peking Acrobats. We really enjoyed this show, if you're in the park I recommend seeing it. It's a good mix of danger, comedy, and entertainment, plus it's only 30 min.

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Pro tip: Right next to the Fresh Cafe (by Superman) there's this circular building. There are all kinds of tables and chairs set up in there to eat, plus the AC is really high, making it perfect for hot days. Hardly anybody knows about it, so it's a great place to reenergize in the quiet.

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Ended with a 35 minute wait for the front row on this beauty. It was by far our longest wait of the day, but so worth it.

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Can't get enough of American Eagle at night.

 

That's all! I didn't have a lot to say, but it sounds like there are some more reports coming from others soon. I really did enjoy the 6 hours, it ended up being a great time with a good balance of coasters, flat rides, and a show.

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Nice report.

 

I really like Raging Bull. I feel like the ride doesn't get enough credit, largely because it's been trimmed pretty bad on the 3rd hill. However, it has one of my favorite first drops on a coaster.

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Nice report.

 

I really like Raging Bull. I feel like the ride doesn't get enough credit, largely because it's been trimmed pretty bad on the 3rd hill. However, it has one of my favorite first drops on a coaster.

 

I couldn't agree more, especially if you're in the back row you get a great pull down the first drop

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Alright everybody. I am by no means a newbie to SFGAM, I visit 3 or 4 times per year usually, but because these last 2 years I have been traveling around more to get credits, I have not visited since Goliath. I am wondering how it effects line times, and do you have a suggested time to go to each major ride during the day? Now that I have been traveling a lot, I know the importance of a well planned day to get everything in multiple times. I'm assuming rush to Goliath, then work my way around one way throughout the day. Thanks.

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Wow, hardly any lines again? Someone who went about a week ago told me the same thing. It'll be interesting to see how lines are in 2-3 weeks. Demand was off the charts for this place last year after 4th of July and it looks like that's not carried over into this season. Maybe SFGA shot themselves in the foot with all the nonsense and bad service they've dished out since the Goliath hordes showed up.

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Alright everybody. I am by no means a newbie to SFGAM, I visit 3 or 4 times per year usually, but because these last 2 years I have been traveling around more to get credits, I have not visited since Goliath. I am wondering how it effects line times, and do you have a suggested time to go to each major ride during the day? Now that I have been traveling a lot, I know the importance of a well planned day to get everything in multiple times. I'm assuming rush to Goliath, then work my way around one way throughout the day. Thanks.

 

Many people will rush to Goliath, but I would ask if there's a single rider line first. If that and Superman both have single rider lines then do them later in the day (whenever you want) and head right away to Raging Bull because that can get bad. In the park, Goliath, Superman, and Raging Bull will always have the longest lines and people always rush to one of those three. Bottom line: If it has a single rider line then skip it early and do it later. Hope that helps!

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Today the lines were pretty much the same as the last time. There was added wait time for all the EAP people, almost all of whom were able-bodied. Think I saw one wheelchair and no prosthetics or crutches. Maybe it's some mental disability like autism. Or maybe it's people faking it, I've gone to the park with people that have mental disorders that make them blow up because they can't cope with the often ridiculous wait times and/or crowds. Does that qualify for EAP? I've got legit learning disability diagnoses, would I qualify? It just looks kinda bad to see often more than one able-bodied adult skipping the line with EAP. But I understand that some people mentally can't handle it as I've had to deal with others having blow ups as soon as we get in the park and making us leave or blowing up after being in a line.

 

Guess Six Flags got rid of it at one point

 

http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/200709/474/

 

Now I'm digging the coasters a lot more than before. Raging Trimbrake didn't trim as harshly today. Maybe that was because I was in row 2. Wait time was like 15 min at 2:20. Then we watched the wrestling for a bit. I liked it better today than anytime in the last couple years. Ricochet had a wait of a couple cycles. Giant drop was pretty much a cycle or two. Viper's line was a little longer than the last times I went and people kept leaving it. The EAPs were slowing it down a lot apparently. Found the ride choppy still but easier to deal with today. Don't go to JB's over there. They have this sit down option now and it's made the wait times over half an hour. Whizzer's line was a little longer than the last two times. A few flash passers and EAPs made the line stand still a few times. Was probably closer to 40 min of waiting.

 

Earlier in the afternoon the line looked better. This was around 8 something. We didn't end up riding anything else. Parade seems longer than last year. I can't say how, but the last dozen or so trips we've gotten some great parking spots in early afternoon. Snickers 3 this time. Everyone plays follow the leader upon leaving. Some went out through the employee lot and some through the exit to Grand near where the buses usually park.

 

It'll be interesting to see if the lines and flash passes get insane now that mid-July approaches. I'll probably go back tomorrow and/or next week. SFGA always gets better the more you go and the more you ride. For me it's just something about getting one good ride experience and building on it throughout the day that makes it work.

 

David Otunga was escorted by a bunch of gray shirt workers hastily through Viper's exit when we left. The wife spotted him, they were too fast for me to spot. Looks like Jennifer Hudson was with him.

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I'm going this Friday July 10 and I have a "bring a friend free" ticket that I don't plan on using so I'm giving it away. The only complication is that we must enter the gate at the same time and I'm not sure what time I will be getting there. If interested, contact me to coordinate.

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Only had enough time for a couple rides Sunday. Whizzer's line looked a lot shorter, single file instead of wrapping around inside. Demon was a walk up. This time I leaned my head all the way forward during the loops. Not exactly comfortable but no real whiplash. We did X Flight on the left this time. Great ride, total opposite experience of what I dealt with on the right side before. Same row too and was in the outside seat both times. We'll see how the lines end up tomorrow.

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I'm headed out this way for a work trip. Fortunately, I've been to the park recently and have been on all the rides, even got a few rides on Goliath, so this is sort of a bonus visit. Unfortunately, my hours are very limited, so a few tips would be appreciated.

 

Since my hours are so short, I'm not going to get a Flashpass because I can only be in the park for a few hours. But I don't feel compelled to hit every ride.

 

Which would be better: visiting on Monday, July 20 from about 3-8pm, or Friday, July 24 from opening til noon? I do have a Gold Season Pass... do they get admitted early? I'd rather go Friday morning, it does fit my work schedule better.

 

Do any rides other than Goliath and Superman have single rider? Are those SRL's generally always open for the summer? Do they tend to go quick? More interested in the Goliath SRL, don't need Superman (we got Tatsu here at SFMM, lol).

 

I can skip: Superman, Raging Bull, Batman, Demon, Vertical Velocity. Been on all those plenty, or their clones. Can take or leave Viper.

 

Oddly, I almost want to prioritize the unusual flat rides, in order of importance: Condor, Fiddler's Fling, Ricochet, Revolution/Frisbee, Triple Play and maybe Orbit (I'm just a sucker for an Enterprise). Coasters to ride if I can would be: Goliath, X Flight, Whizzer, American Eagle, Dark Knight. I'm not expecting to hit everything on this list given the very short time I have, but any advice would be helpful, especially SRL and any early entry Gold Pass if it's done. I'm kinda hoping X flight has an SRL, but I've not heard anyone mention one.

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Which would be better: visiting on Monday, July 20 from about 3-8pm, or Friday, July 24 from opening til noon? I do have a Gold Season Pass... do they get admitted early? I'd rather go Friday morning, it does fit my work schedule better.

 

I think you may have better luck if you go on Monday for 5 hours, but if you go on Friday, you can get quite a bit done in that 90 minutes if you get to the park early enough to get on Goliath right away.

 

Do any rides other than Goliath and Superman have single rider? Are those SRL's generally always open for the summer? Do they tend to go quick? More interested in the Goliath SRL, don't need Superman (we got Tatsu here at SFMM, lol).

 

I used Superman's SRL and it worked really well. Goliath's SRL on the other hand is spotty at best. They have lanyards that they give out, but they don't always hand them out, particularly in the morning when the line is just starting. If you are able to use the SRL it can be a great time saver, but don't count on it.

 

 

Oddly, I almost want to prioritize the unusual flat rides, in order of importance: Condor, Fiddler's Fling, Ricochet, Revolution/Frisbee, Triple Play and maybe Orbit (I'm just a sucker for an Enterprise).

 

Unfortunately, Condor has not operated at all this season. Orbit has been down earlier this season, but it was operating when I was at the park last Friday.

 

Coasters to ride if I can would be: Goliath, X Flight, Whizzer, American Eagle, Dark Knight. I'm not expecting to hit everything on this list given the very short time I have, but any advice would be helpful, especially SRL and any early entry Gold Pass if it's done. I'm kinda hoping X flight has an SRL, but I've not heard anyone mention one.

 

SFGAm does have early entry for Gold Pass members, but it isn't like Cedar Point's early entry. At SFGAm, you go through the metal detectors and turnstiles at around 9:30 before the main queues enter at 10, but are held by security at the carousel to be walked back by security to Goliath around 10 am (which is new this season and it's awful).

 

X-Flight does not have a SRL, but if you go on Friday and can get on Goliath within the first few trains, X-FLight's line will be really short. If Whizzer is really important to you, I may start with that over Goliath and try your luck at the SRL on Goliath as Whizzer's line in the morning can get really long. If you don't care that much about Whizzer, and you participate in the walk back for Goliath before 10 am, I don't think you will have any problems riding in order: Goliath, Fiddler's Fling, Revolution, X-Flight, Orbit, Triple Play, possibly Whizzer, and then finish with Superman SRL before you leave the park.

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^That is all very helpful information, thanks so much! Bummer about Condor... those things are getting harder to get on.

 

It's especially helpful to know there's some Gold Pass Early Entry, and a walkback to Goliath. That's more than what SFMM does, where you're lucky to just get in 10 minutes early, period. Since I think I'm likely to end up Friday morning, I'm keeping all that in mind.

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Early entry for Gold Pass has been hit or miss for me. Sometimes they do it, and sometimes they let the Gold Pass line in at the exact same time as everyone else. Sometimes they walk you back to Goliath, and sometimes they just let everyone run for it. Nothing is consistent at Six Flags Great America.

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Hey, dose anybody know what's up with Condor? Every time I go to the park now it's always closed. I'm afraid their going to remove it and replace it with a skyscreamer (which I don't really like because Six Flags' version of the tower swings look more lose and less safe than Ceder Fair's version). I like Condor, it's a simple fun ride. If anybody knows what's up with it please tell me.

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