Six Flags Great America (SFGAm) Discussion Thread

[Manic Monte]

2018 rumor from Screamscspe.

A larger Custom Larson Super Loop, a larger water coaster style slide (custom Thunder Rapids) for Hurricane Harbor and a few other additions for HH. Also HH may become a separate gate from the main park. I personally don't like the idea of separate gates. But the larger super loop I'm interested in.

 

SF is back to superloops. Come on SF there are so many new looping rides and you're possibly putting in a 40 yr old ride technology. What a record? The biggest superloop. LOL!

 

It may be the new S&S take on the giant loop with winged seats. Those can be custom built at much larger sizes. I bet SFMM gets one too.

[JT325]

Still my favorite woodie in the chain.

For real? That's gotta be a VERY minority opinion. The Eagle is a fun ride, and a nostalgic favorite of mine considering that I grew up with the thing (born in '76), but best woodie in the chain?

 

For real! It's a tie (for me) between Eagle and Le Monstre at La Ronde; I realize these are not considered by the majority of coaster fans to be top-tier rides, but I have had outstanding rides on both. I've had many lame rides on Eagle over the years, but it has been running very good for the past few years. Between 2010-2012, it was running brakeless for a few spurts, which was freaking incredible. When Eagle runs brakesless AND with recent trackwork, I call it "Phoenix meets Voyage." It's no joke. Especially that return run on red, it's incredible. As for Le Monstre, it's a completely different ride with the heavy PTC trains they put on it several years ago. You can really feel that Bill Cobb influenced butt kicking.

 

I would think that SFGAdv's El Toro would be the runaway favorite for most in that particular category.

 

For the majority, sure. I totally get that. I thought El Toro was a fun ride, but being stapled that TIGHT into a roller coaster train ... it's just not for me. I would rather have good airtime - where you get to leave the seat - versus the type of "uplift forces" (called as such to differentiate them from true airtime) that try to separate your spine from the rest of your body, which consequently require extremely tight seating and restraints (like El Toro and RMC rides).

 

I was spoiled in the 80s and 90s with such treats as Texas and Riverside Cyclones, a brand new 1990 Texas Giant and Georgia Cyclone, and a 1989 Timberwolf. It was a time where rides could run wild, buzz bars were fine (well, the 2 in 1990 were the first to feature ratchets, but those were still wild as hell), and people didn't freak out if they didn't have a seatbelt. I like being thrown around on a coaster, and made to think I'm going to flip over a lap bar. It's just a totally different experience when you can't move from the waist down, and the seats on your side are buckets like RMC. Don't get me wrong, I still love RMC and all the newer stuff, but I enjoy the classic-style rides much more. They tend to be longer, and have variations in pacing, all which I enjoy immensely.

[Jobo]

I personally don't like the idea of separate gates. But the larger super loop I'm interested in.

 

It's a great way to increase revenue and it has worked fine at other larger SF parks such as GAdv and MM. Combo regular and Combo gold pass would create a more tiered structure to the passes like SFMM. You have a 1 park pass, a 2 park regular pass for $45 more and 2 park gold for $20 more. That's the SFMM structure of $95, $140, $160. SFGAm could do a $75, $115, $135. Then offer even bigger discounts during flash sale($65, $100) with a regular 2 park pass gets a free upgrade to gold or something. So essentially try to sell a bunch of 2 park gold passes at around $100

[chickenbowl]

where you get to leave the seat - versus the type of "uplift forces" (called as such to differentiate them from true airtime)

 

 

Ahh, you're one of those enthusiasts...

 

Ever hear the story of the enthusiast who tried to get "true airtime" on Raven at an event in like 2003? She left the restraint a few clicks loose and died on the 5th drop when she was ejected from the train. One could argue she really "left her seat"

 

 

To me, all airtime is great. I love rides like Phoenix and the PNE Coaster with single position restraints (with no seat belts), but I also love El Toro, Skyrush and Lightning Rod (even if stapled). Airtime is airtime

[jynx242]

^ I understand what he is saying. He likes the more "classic" feeling coasters and the more free feeling airtime that their trains and restraints provide.

[Steely Dan]

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Edited August 22, 2017 by Steely Dan

[JT325]

where you get to leave the seat - versus the type of "uplift forces" (called as such to differentiate them from true airtime)

 

 

Ahh, you're one of those enthusiasts...

 

Ever hear the story of the enthusiast who tried to get "true airtime" on Raven at an event in like 2003? She left the restraint a few clicks loose and died on the 5th drop when she was ejected from the train. One could argue she really "left her seat"

 

Um... no. I am not "one of those enthusiasts." For someone that has been going to HW since 1995, that stings a bit. On several levels. Quite a rude thing to say.

 

To me, all airtime is great. I love rides like Phoenix and the PNE Coaster with single position restraints (with no seat belts), but I also love El Toro, Skyrush and Lightning Rod (even if stapled). Airtime is airtime

 

Well, it's just an opinion. I like the type of airtime where your butt actually moves off the seat. The other stuff is good, just not the same. For me.

[coasterbill]

I have a quick question about Flash Pass.

 

We're planning on making our first ever trip to this park on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend so (obviously) we plan to get a Flash Pass. How long do lines generally get at the Flash Pass center? I know at Great Adventure you could easily be there for 45 minutes so you need to head there first but ideally I'd love to immediately go to Joker at rope drop since it's on Platinum only then head back and grab a regular Flash Pass.

 

Also, if I buy in advance can I skip the line and asinine movie (I assume the answer is yes since that's how at works at SFNE and SFGADV)?

[chickenbowl]

I have a quick question about Flash Pass.

 

We're planning on making our first ever trip to this park on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend so (obviously) we plan to get a Flash Pass. How long do lines generally get at the Flash Pass center? I know at Great Adventure you could easily be there for 45 minutes so you need to head there first but ideally I'd love to immediately go to Joker at rope drop since it's on Platinum only then head back and grab a regular Flash Pass.

 

Also, if I buy in advance can I skip the line and asinine movie (I assume the answer is yes since that's how at works at SFNE and SFGADV)?

 

Not sure it'll be the same, but I went on a super busy Saturday during Fright Fest, 2015. We prepaid for flashpass, but still went to Goliath first. We then got to the flashpass office 15 minutes after opening and it was empty (it took 3 minutes to get the QBot). Basically the same plan you're describing. It worked fine for me on a day where S:UF and Raging Bull reached 180 mins. I'd think you'll be good

[PKI Jizzman]

I have a quick question about Flash Pass.

 

We're planning on making our first ever trip to this park on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend so (obviously) we plan to get a Flash Pass. How long do lines generally get at the Flash Pass center? I know at Great Adventure you could easily be there for 45 minutes so you need to head there first but ideally I'd love to immediately go to Joker at rope drop since it's on Platinum only then head back and grab a regular Flash Pass.

 

Also, if I buy in advance can I skip the line and asinine movie (I assume the answer is yes since that's how at works at SFNE and SFGADV)?

 

Each time I've gotten a FP, it was a trip to Goliath first and then FP HQ. I've only waited about 10-15 minutes. Have never encountered this movie before, and I've never pre-purchased. Joker looks to be closer than Goliath, but the FP HQ is in the middle of the park and it's shaped like an oval so there aren't really any short cuts unless you want to grab a quick Whizzer ride then get FP.

https://static.sixflags.com/website/files/sfgam_park-map.pdf

 

The biggest pain to avoid is getting into the park. You need to get there early because lines will build and it often can take 30+ minutes to get into the park.

 

Also, go to Timothy O'Toole's across from the park for food/drinks. They always have a great selection of 3 Floyd's beers.

http://www.timothyotooles.com/gurnee

 

If you any other Chicago area tips, holla at ya local boi.

[boldikus]

I have a quick question about Flash Pass.

 

We're planning on making our first ever trip to this park on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend so (obviously) we plan to get a Flash Pass. How long do lines generally get at the Flash Pass center? I know at Great Adventure you could easily be there for 45 minutes so you need to head there first but ideally I'd love to immediately go to Joker at rope drop since it's on Platinum only then head back and grab a regular Flash Pass.

 

Also, if I buy in advance can I skip the line and asinine movie (I assume the answer is yes since that's how at works at SFNE and SFGADV)?

 

I have skipped the Flash Pass line @ Great Adv by simply mentioning I have a frequent user card (not sure if thats a thing at GreatAm). I do have one, but they didn't ask to see. Can anyone confirm they have frequent user cards @ Great America? If they do, I would imagine if you just say you left your frequent user card at the hotel and that you've seen the movie 2 dozen times and can you please skip the line they might let you go for it. Doesn't hurt to try.

[coasterbill]

^^Good to know about it taking a long time to get in the park, if all goes well getting there early shouldn't be an issue. We'll still be on Eastern time so it's essentially an 11:30 opening with a hotel that's only a little over an hour away.

[PKI Jizzman]

Has anyone else at Great America had to watch the video CB and boldikus are referring to?

 

All they need is to remind you that if you steal the fasy pass they'll charge you out the ass for a tamagotchi looking buzzer

[boldikus]

@ Great Adv its a short 3 minute video that tells you how the Qbot works. The video also works as part of the FP queue as a sort of holding pen. But once you've used a FP @ Six Flags once, you really don't need to watch the dumb video again. I'm trying to remember if we had to watch one @ SFOG but I can't recall. I feel like we didn't.

[VegasBaby]

Has anyone else at Great America had to watch the video CB and boldikus are referring to?

 

All they need is to remind you that if you steal the fasy pass they'll charge you out the A$$ for a tamagotchi looking buzzer

 

When I visited SFGAm last year, I prepaid for my FP and I didn't have to watch a movie. At opening, I went directly to Goliath and got a few rides in before getting my FP. I can't remember if they have a separate line for FP purchased online (SFMM does this and there's hardly any wait), but it didn't take more than 5-10 min for me to get my FP about 30 min after opening. I was worried that they would limit reservations on Goliath (which they didn't), the only ride that had a reservation limit was JL:BFM and it was two reservations.

 

SFMM now has FP reps in the gate plaza, so you can get your FP before entering the park. I don't know if any other SF parks are doing this, but it's pretty convenient and then you don't waste park time waiting to get your FP.

[Canobie Coaster]

I got there a half hour before opening only to find a long, unmarked, confusing mess of a line. I didn't get in the park until a half hour after opening.

 

I got a Flash Pass (it was Memorial Day) immediately and didn't have any wait at all.

[anonymouscactus]

Last year Labor Day Saturday we got there an hour early (oops! Time change!) and processed our new season passes at opening time which took about 15 minutes and then got our platinum flash passes which we pre-paid for but the line was still about 15 min to pick it up from the prepay line (the regular line seemed the same, or possibly shorter to be honest with you). No video.

 

Remember there is also a discount for not prepaying with a season pass. Doesn't have to be your home park.

 

Also check your coupons in the six flags app... my brother had an 'add a person free' coupon good for ANY parks flash pass (though it didn't specify regular/gold/platinum) so that could save you a boatload of money. It wasn't on my GrAM pass, however, it was on his SFNE pass. It clearly specified it was good at any park.

 

Edit: nevermind it says REGULAR only for the free guest one. But if you are going gold or platinum the regular $5/person discount applies.

 

[ilrider]

I got there a half hour before opening only to find a long, unmarked, confusing mess of a line. I didn't get in the park until a half hour after opening.

 

I got a Flash Pass (it was Memorial Day) immediately and didn't have any wait at all.

 

We always arrive at least 45 minutes early on a normal day. Security usually opens at 10, the park gates at 10:15, ahead of the 10:30 ride time. Memorial Day is the second busiest day there after July 4, so I'm sure the lines to get in were crazy.

[PKI Jizzman]

What's frustrating is that the park would randomize when they would let guests in past the middle carousel to the Goliath bridge; or would hold a rope drop by Superman.

 

There was never a way to predict it; it was just sometimes you could go deep into the park for a rope drop or get stopped at the front.

 

I haven't been to the park this year so if anyone has insight I'd love to hear what's up this year.

[ilrider]

^I agree. I always told my wife it was different every time we went to the park. They have not been using the chain at the railroad bridge this season at all (at least not when we have gone). No rope at Superman either, since they allow people to queue for Joker. Lines can form at all rides as soon as the gates open. Guess they have been consistent this year, at least!

 

Now they have switchbacks this season everyone gets funneled into before security. We use the Goodwill VIP Member entrance, new this year, to avoid that mess, thankfully.

 

The key is to get to the park really early, and getting in is not quite as bad.

[cal1br3tto]

^I just had to look up "Goodwill VIP Member entrance" to see if that really meant Goodwill the store, because that struck me as a really random partnership. All right then!

[ilrider]

^Sure does! It replaced the Discover Card member entrance, which we also used. The Goodwill one is really nice, as it is all the way to the right of the lines, near where we park, whereas the Discover line was all the way to the left, so a longer walk from parking, and people who had just bought tickets at the windows would get in it all the time, as they usually did not check for the credit card. They actually checked for our Goodwill membership card last week.

 

I do not feel bad we have a thrift store membership when we get in that line! They actually have really good deals at Goodwill stores, especially on clothes. We also donate several thousand dolllars worth of household goods there every year, since we have one about a mile away.

 

It is an odd partnership, but that VIP entrance is a savior for us. It is always a short line at park open.

[RollingCoasting]

2018 Teaser:

 

 

Seems to imply that King Chaos may be removed

[djackson]

Please send it to SFA.

[Ed Farmer]

Nice, never was a fan of Top Spins. Curious about what replaces it- if this is indeed the case.