Six Flags Great America (SFGAm) Discussion Thread

[monsterfan99]

A fun fact about the park getting The Little Dipper. It will be both the most recent ride installed, but now the park's oldest. Kind of odd it can be both the newest and oldest at the same time.

[netdvn]

as a bonus it is also a piece of Great America's history

Actually both Tidal Waves are currently in Kentucky... Gurnee's Tidal Wave is still running while its sister coaster is being used as parts IIRC. AW bought Greezed Lightnin' brand new, although I guess it doesn't help that both Gurnee and Santa Clara Tidal Waves were named Greezed Lightnin'.

 

Errors aside, Shane's comment regarding Greezed Lightnin' just gave me some inspiration...

 

With SFKK becoming waterpark only, they should move the old Tidal Wave/Greezed Lightning back to Great America and move Chang to Missouri. This would give SFGAm a "brand new coaster", bring people through the gate, and keep another classic Schwarzkopf from possibly going to the scrapyard.

 

The only problem I see with moving a Schwarzkopf and setting it back up again would be maintenance, but KY's Greezed Lightnin' uses parts from its sister coaster, so that problem is solved (although it's only a temporary fix)... But if they buy out AW's old Greezed Lightnin' the coaster's life could be extended a bit more.

 

This would also give SFSTl a brand new signature coaster..

[DBru]

With SFKK becoming waterpark only...

 

...

[kumba830]

Wow, I really don't know what to think...

 

It's awesome how SFGAm is taking in a historic ride like this. I would have never expected it from them.

 

But does that also mean we won't be getting as much for our 50th? I guess only time will tell. Either way I'll be there early in the season to ride it.

[CoasterComet]

as a bonus it is also a piece of Great America's history

Actually both Tidal Waves are currently in Kentucky... Gurnee's Tidal Wave is still running while its sister coaster is being used as parts IIRC. .

 

What is IIRC?

[pupkick]

What is IIRC?

 

If I recall correctly

[CorkscrewFoley]

This is fantastic news! I would never think I'd get to see Hell freeze open, but here we are. LOL! Maybe Six Flags really is turning around for the better.

[kingsdominionlvr]

Should be an awesome next few years for Six Flags Great America with Little Dipper and possibly Chang on the way. I still cannot believe Little Dipper only sold for $33,000, but at least it went to a nice park that is capable for caring for it for years to come!

[themeparkman25]

^Six Flags caring for a wood coaster?! It really MUST be thanksgiving!

[DBru]

Should be an awesome next few years for Six Flags Great America with Little Dipper and Chang on there way.

 

Isn't it still a bit early to make such large assumptions? In my opinion, its usually worse to assume and be disappointed, than never to assume at all...

[Mr. Starr]

Should be an awesome next few years for Six Flags Great America with Little Dipper and Chang on there way.

 

Isn't it still a bit early to make such large assumptions? In my opinion, its usually worse to assume and be disappointed, than never to assume at all...

 

I've been thinking that too, and people over at SFGAMworld.com are really assuming that Chang is coming in 2011, when there really are not that many definitive signs.

[comet]

Kudos to Great America

[Zack44]

Only one month into the off-season and Great America already has two "new" in development. I think these guys are turning into the next coaster hogs!

 

Anyways, I was surprised that SFGA took a part in this auction and even more surprised that they walked away with a coaster. I trust that they will take good advantage of this very soon.

[kingsdominionlvr]

Should be an awesome next few years for Six Flags Great America with Little Dipper and Chang on there way.

 

Isn't it still a bit early to make such large assumptions? In my opinion, its usually worse to assume and be disappointed, than never to assume at all...

 

Screamscape is also making these "assumptions" and backing them up with pictures of what appear to be Chang being unloaded at SFGAM.

 

http://screamscape.com/html/six_flags_great_america.htm

[Jerrykoala2112]

The pieces are on a truck. They can't make the truck sit there for who ever knows how long. So they have to unload it to store it somewhere else. The truck has to go somewhere else to send stuff around the country.

[kingsdominionlvr]

^ I just cannot see them storing the track at SFGAM with all this talk about the coaster coming to the park and then just moving it to another park for 2011. I think that would anger more than a few people. But, who knows you could be right, I am just looking at what is being presented now. If I am wrong you can say "I told ya so" in 2011. But right now, almost everything points to Chang coming to SFGAM.

[kumba830]

Should be an awesome next few years for Six Flags Great America with Little Dipper and Chang on there way.

 

Isn't it still a bit early to make such large assumptions? In my opinion, its usually worse to assume and be disappointed, than never to assume at all...

 

Screamscape is also making these "assumptions" and backing them up with pictures of what appear to be Chang being unloaded at SFGAM.

 

http://screamscape.com/html/six_flags_great_america.htm

 

 

 

Since when are Screamscapes assumptions ever correct?

[DBru]

But right now, almost everything points to Chang coming to SFGAM.

 

But, keep in mind, all of the signs also pointed to TGE getting that SLC...

 

...just sayin'.

[Capitalize]

^ I just cannot see them storing the track at SFGAM with all this talk about the coaster coming to the park and then just moving it to another park for 2011. I think that would anger more than a few people. But, who knows you could be right, I am just looking at what is being presented now. If I am wrong you can say "I told ya so" in 2011. But right now, almost everything points to Chang coming to SFGAM.

 

You never know. SFA has had SFAW's Ultra Twister in storage on the grounds for 4-5 years now, and it was just put on sale. La Ronde's "new" SLC has been in storage at another park (Great Escape if I remember correctly) for just as long. Basically until a formal announcement is made or physical construction I would not say anything is for certain at this point.

[kingsdominionlvr]

I guess we will just have to wait and see who is correct about Chang.

[robbalvey]

^ I just cannot see them storing the track at SFGAM with all this talk about the coaster coming to the park and then just moving it to another park for 2011. I think that would anger more than a few people. But, who knows you could be right, I am just looking at what is being presented now. If I am wrong you can say "I told ya so" in 2011. But right now, almost everything points to Chang coming to SFGAM.

 

You never know. SFA has had SFAW's Ultra Twister in storage on the grounds for 4-5 years now, and it was just put on sale. La Ronde's "new" SLC has been in storage at another park (Great Escape if I remember correctly) for just as long. Basically until a formal announcement is made or physical construction I would not say anything is for certain at this point.

I would normally agree (and do agree actually) but remember with the case of Astroworld, Six Flags was selling off the land and the rides had to be moved "somewhere* to be stored because it wasn't possible to store them in Houston.

 

In the case of Chang, Six Flags owns and/or operates Kentucky Kingdom so why couldn't they have taken the ride down and stored it there?

 

It cost money to disassemble and move a ride (quite a bit of money, actually) and I can't see them moving the parts unless they absolutely *had* to by lack of no other option.

 

That being said, they totally could be just storing at at SFGam for it's eventual move to Six Flags Mexico.

 

Who really knows?

 

--Robb "Well, I guess someone at Six Flags does!" Alvey

[Bolliger&Mabillard]

they totally could be just storing at at SFGam for it's eventual move to Six Flags Mexico.

That, i could kinda agree with...kinda.

but based on this...

the case of Astroworld, Six Flags was selling off the land and the rides had to be moved "somewhere* to be stored because it wasn't possible to store them in Houston.

and this...

It cost money to disassemble and move a ride (quite a bit of money' date=' actually) and I can't see them moving the parts unless they absolutely *had* to by lack of no other option.[/quote']Leads me to believe it will stay in Chicago. I mean what's the point of moving it far north to move it to your furthest south property? I'm all for waiting to see what happens...just seems like it's gonna stay where it lays.

[KCForce]

I was quite shocked when I heard this. It'll be nice to ride it again, and it's nice that it is staying in the Chicagoland area. Sorry big Mike, I *won't* count this as a new credit...lol.

[mcjaco]

I know nothing about Chang, but I can tell you that people at SFGAm had no idea about Little Dipper until it happened.

 

We've been told many times, that no one knows what's going to happen, until it happens. As Robb said, someone knows, but I'm beginning to believe it's only someone way at the top of the chain.

[CoasterComet]

^Six Flags caring for a wood coaster?! It really MUST be thanksgiving!

 

Yup! Have you been to Great America? The Viper and American Eagle MUST be the tightest and best wood coasters in the chain. For years, Eagle was rough and trashy, full of brakes, but it's like a bat outta hell now.

 

They both also have non-fall down individual lap bars (custom and I haven't seen them on ANY other PTC). Very cool. Vipers bars, infact, only go down to a certain level (about the level that a buzz bar goes to!) cool, ain't it!? I wonder who facilitated that...