Six Flags Great America (SFGAm) Discussion Thread

[ALT2870]

Going to the park Thursday mainly as a single (until 6), what rides nowadays have a single rider line? I may not be able to get the park until 2 depending on the rental car people so may have to do a Flash Pass. (Though most schools should be back in session????)

[WindexCyanide13]

I think American Eagle is in the teasers to show that it's gonna be a dueling coaster.

[DILinator]

The weather forecast for Wednesday appears to be clearing up nicely! So assuming that this current prediction holds, I will get our tickets tonight!

 

I know it was mentioned pages back, but just as a refresher... What time would you suggest we show up at the park to be among the very first on Goliath? (We're not pass holders or anything.) 10:00, or 9:30? Thanks to everybody for their help so far!

[AirMBTB]

^I would say 9:30 at the latest. A few weeks ago, I met up with an out of town friend very early (before opening) at the park. By the time we got in and walked back to Goliath, the line was already WAY long (before the ride was open). Low and behold, a TPR member was first in line We skipped it until later.

 

I've never done Goliath first thing. The queue is always a mess; the single rider line "isn't open" or has operational issues, the ride has operational issues, and I'm just not a big Goliath fan in general. Plus, the running of the David's to get back there... eat or be eaten! But if you really want to be amongst the first, you'd better get there early and head over to the mass crowd that gathers in front of the bridge/rope drop area.

Edited August 17, 2015 by AirMBTB

[Jodon]

The weather forecast for Wednesday appears to be clearing up nicely! So assuming that this current prediction holds, I will get our tickets tonight!

 

I know it was mentioned pages back, but just as a refresher... What time would you suggest we show up at the park to be among the very first on Goliath? (We're not pass holders or anything.) 10:00, or 9:30? Thanks to everybody for their help so far!

 

I would get to the park as close to 9:30 or before if possible. If you have a Discover Card, you can get early entrance, which doesn't really do much other than bypass a significant portion of the line and get you closer to the front for the walk back to Goliath. If you don't have a Discover Card or a Gold Season Pass, I would get to the park well before 9:30. Once you get next to the carousel, the security guards will hold everyone back until right around 10 am for the walk back. If possible, try to be all the way to the left when everyone starts to gather. Once the group gets to the bridge before Goliath, the security guards will tell everyone to get in a single file line which starts on the left side of the bridge. Also, be prepared to be jostled and cramped on the walk back...there are a lot of people in a small space all trying to be near the front.

[GCI Wooden]

 

I've never done Goliath first thing. The queue is always a mess; the single rider line "isn't open" or has operational issues, the ride has operational issues, and I'm just not a big Goliath fan in general. Plus, the running of the David's to get back there... eat or be eaten! But if you really want to be amongst the first, you'd better get there early and head over to the mass crowd that gathers in front of the bridge/rope drop area.

Interesting, when we went everyone made an orderly queue (And there wasn't a walk back that day, once you got in the park you could go anywhere in the park.).

[Jodon]

 

I've never done Goliath first thing. The queue is always a mess; the single rider line "isn't open" or has operational issues, the ride has operational issues, and I'm just not a big Goliath fan in general. Plus, the running of the David's to get back there... eat or be eaten! But if you really want to be amongst the first, you'd better get there early and head over to the mass crowd that gathers in front of the bridge/rope drop area.

Interesting, when we went everyone made an orderly queue (And there wasn't a walk back that day, once you got in the park you could go anywhere in the park.).

 

It was a lot easier to make an orderly queue when they did not do the walk back as the run back would disperse the crowd really well. I despise the walk back, which the park implemented because someone got "trampled", but I think that the walk back is more dangerous and disorderly than the running of the bulls ever was.

[ALT2870]

I usually don't bump up this fast but probably got lost since it was near the end of the last page.

 

Going to the park Thursday mainly as a single (until 6), what rides nowadays have a single rider line? I may not be able to get the park until 2 depending on the rental car people so may have to do a Flash Pass. (Though most schools should be back in session????)

[Jodon]

I usually don't bump up this fast but probably got lost since it was near the end of the last page.

 

Going to the park Thursday mainly as a single (until 6), what rides nowadays have a single rider line? I may not be able to get the park until 2 depending on the rental car people so may have to do a Flash Pass. (Though most schools should be back in session????)

 

The only rides that have single rider lines are Goliath and Superman. Superman's single rider line works great. Goliath's can work well, but the single rider line isn't always open.

[RaceBoarder]

I usually don't bump up this fast but probably got lost since it was near the end of the last page.

 

Going to the park Thursday mainly as a single (until 6), what rides nowadays have a single rider line? I may not be able to get the park until 2 depending on the rental car people so may have to do a Flash Pass. (Though most schools should be back in session????)

Most Chicago are schools are still out for this week, so you may have a good crowd at the park...

[ALT2870]

I usually don't bump up this fast but probably got lost since it was near the end of the last page.

 

Going to the park Thursday mainly as a single (until 6), what rides nowadays have a single rider line? I may not be able to get the park until 2 depending on the rental car people so may have to do a Flash Pass. (Though most schools should be back in session????)

Most Chicago are schools are still out for this week, so you may have a good crowd at the park...

 

Surprising, the Midwest is notorious for early August starts, I know a few are back in. (Hence why I'm meeting the others at 6.) Not worried about the Flash Pass running out so I guess I'll see when I get there. At least Goliath has a single rider line, sometimes.

[AirMBTB]

You don't think they would do anything Bizarro-ish with American Eagle? I saw the first hill decked out in purple on my way home from the Wisconsin State Fair last week.

 

I'd be hearbroken if RMC got their hands on Eagle. Well... except maybe adding topper track to the helix(s) so it could run full-speed again. The PTCs on AE are surely Frankensteined, but it still feels like a woodie. It runs fair to good most of the time; but after a little track work, and if you're lucky to get a brakeless ride, it's a top-notch woodie.

[DILinator]

the running of the David's

 

 

This is great!

 

Thanks for all the advice, everybody! Unfortunately, one of the my friends that was going had his father go into the hospital today, and his passing may be imminent this week. So he's not going to be able to go, and we are postponing the tripas a result. At this point, if we go this year, it will likely be a Sunday in October. So, here's hoping something along those lines works out! Are Sundays during fright nights pretty busy? Thanks again for the advice!

[AirMBTB]

^Sorry to hear about your friend's father. From my experience, Sundays are nuts in October. Even the coldest days are crowded, but there are flukes. Make sure to stay late; half the crowd goes home during the last 2 hours.

[ilrider]

the running of the David's

 

 

This is great!

 

Thanks for all the advice, everybody! Unfortunately, one of the my friends that was going had his father go into the hospital today, and his passing may be imminent this week. So he's not going to be able to go, and we are postponing the tripas a result. At this point, if we go this year, it will likely be a Sunday in October. So, here's hoping something along those lines works out! Are Sundays during fright nights pretty busy? Thanks again for the advice!

 

 

If you are going on a Sunday, try your best to be there when the park opens, because you can have a couple nice hours of getting on rides quickly before it gets really busy. Many people go to church on Sunday mornings.

[DILinator]

^Sorry to hear about your friend's father. From my experience, Sundays are nuts in October. Even the coldest days are crowded, but there are flukes. Make sure to stay late; half the crowd goes home during the last 2 hours.

 

Thanks for your condolences! We always knew this was a possibility the way things are headed, so I think all parties are prepared for the inevitable...

 

As for Fright Nights, sounds like it's a similar situation to Cedar Point, where it really draws the crowds. Oh well... That's what we get for waiting so long, but it is what it is. I'm looking forward to riding Goliath at night at least!

 

If you are going on a Sunday, try your best to be there when the park opens, because you can have a couple nice hours of getting on rides quickly before it gets really busy. Many people go to church on Sunday mornings.

 

Good point! We'll be sure to do that!

 

How are night rides at SFGAm? I've never been there after dark before!

[kcurry11]

Nothing is really a standout, not like a Banshee or Millennium. I love Goliath at night, so that is a must. Also, I recommend Raging Bull, the twister section in the dark is pretty fun. Everything else is pretty standard.

[AirMBTB]

How are night rides at SFGAm? I've never been there after dark before!

 

The 3 "oldies" (Whizzer, American Eagle and Demon ) are outstanding at night. Whizzer is especially charming and special then; it's dark and cool under those trees! Plus, these 3 have shorter lines at the end of the day. I would also suggest riding Giant Drop at night for the great views; try to get a seat facing American Eagle! GD is sometimes a walk-on late in the day.

 

For the newer coasters, Viper is ok... it and Whizzer are notably faster after a long day of warming up. Whatever you do, don't miss seat #3 on Viper, day or night.

 

If you like "charm" at all, you might check out some of the classic/older flats like Hometown Fun Machine (Scrambler), Triple Play (Troika), East River Crawler/Lobster (Schwarzkopf Monster), Orbit and Richochet. They all have great lighting at night... No heavily programmed LED packages, mind you, just nicely designed and maintained "classic" lighting.

[RollingCoasting]

Does anyone here think we can see Poltergeist from Six Flags Fiesta Texas come to our park?

 

I believe they announced that one of their major attractions will meet it's "demise."

 

Couldn't that word "demise" be associated with a Poltergeist?

 

Also, a member on SFGAmWorld photoshopped the ride on the Southwest Territory Amphitheater which is rumored to be removed. It's actually a perfect fit:

 

 

 

http://sfgamworld.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=14884&start=525

 

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[Superbatboy]

^Six Flags has done some odd things in the past, but that would just take the cake

[RaceBoarder]

I have no idea where the idea of Poltergeist coming from Texas came from... Didn't hear a peep about this till a few days ago, and now it's everywhere

 

Anyways, I would rather this park fill the holes they have before they tear down SWA...

[PKI Jizzman]

Anyone gone to the waterpark this before? I've never been and might go this weekend or the next. The selection looks amazing - been dying to ride a trap door speed slide. How have the lines been? Any point if attack? I can skip the Tornado..

[kcurry11]

I went just 2 weeks ago, for about an hour. Lines were not bad, trap doors and body slides were 1-2 person waits. Tube slides were about 6 group waits. But it was about 68, so it was not that warm. The trap door slides are kinda off to the side, so a lot of people don't make it over there.

[ilrider]

I have no idea where the idea of Poltergeist coming from Texas came from... Didn't hear a peep about this till a few days ago, and now it's everywhere

 

Anyways, I would rather this park fill the holes they have before they tear down SWA...

 

Screamscape announced several days back that SFFT is planning to get rid of one of its major rides, but did not name the ride, saying it is only near the boardwalk, so that is where it started.

 

I just don't see our park taking on a 16-year-old coaster. We tend to be leaders in getting trendy new rides, not accepting old ones. I also still don't think Poltergeist would fit neatly in the SWA spot, with Demon and Raging Bull so close to it, even with the Photoshop job showing it there.

[RaceBoarder]

I have no idea where the idea of Poltergeist coming from Texas came from... Didn't hear a peep about this till a few days ago, and now it's everywhere

 

Anyways, I would rather this park fill the holes they have before they tear down SWA...

 

Screamscape announced several days back that SFFT is planning to get rid of one of its major rides, but did not name the ride, saying it is only near the boardwalk, so that is where it started.

 

I just don't see our park taking on a 16-year-old coaster. We tend to be leaders in getting trendy new rides, not accepting old ones. I also still don't think Poltergeist would fit neatly in the SWA spot, with Demon and Raging Bull so close to it, even with the Photoshop job showing it there.

I don't get the idea of tearing down the SWA though... If we are getting a dark ride, use Pictorium instead of building new... That would save a nice chink of change I imagine... Also still gives you the chance to build on SWA's land down the road... The park has about 95% of their usable land in use right now... It's quite the rare commodity, especially if they aren't going to be tearing down older attractions like Demon or Eagle to expand... Those are the two most mentioned plots, but neither is going anywhere in the foreseeable future....