Erik Johnson Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 (edited) I had not been to Six Flags Great America since the TPR Midwest Trip in 2007. I felt like this was the time for me to make a return visit. I always felt that SFGam has one of the better coaster collections in the chain, plus they have added three new coasters since my last visit. I ended up deciding to go visit the park on opening day. Many people were anticipating this day because it marked the debut of Batman: The Ride Backwards. I myself am not a fan of going backwards on a coaster (though shuttles are fine) so I ended up taking photos instead of riding. Everyone else seemed to enjoy it though, but prepared for some real intense moments. Be warned, it looks like that there is only one train and the ride is NOT on the Qbot system. Make sure that you get to the park early! I finally got around to riding X-Flight, which I did enjoy. Overall I thought it was a better coaster than Dollywood's Wild Eagle (though Wild Eagle still has a more amazing view/location). I will be looking forward to riding Gate Keeper next month so I can compare all three Wing Riders. It was great to be able to hang out with old, as well as new, friends for the day. Are you ready for some photo? Here you go! The Oasis! I remember being amazed by this place when I was very young. Heading in the back way. It looks like we are in the right place. It sure is! You got to take one of these pictures....right? Batman: The Ride Backwards is NOW OPEN! No, they did not try to reverse the theming. The backwards train has 7 rows instead of 8. Backwards Batman....wow! TPR members are among the very first to ride. The queue instruction signs are currently covered up to avoid any confusion. It really does look strange in the station. The capes are a nice touch. Ready for your ride? Crazy backwards. Up they go! Backwards Batman...through the trees! Weeeeee! Weeeeeee! Part 2 Weeeeeee! Part 3 Weeeeeeee! Part 4 I was sooo happy that V2 was running Little Dipper was the first of three credits I needed for the day. All about Little Dipper. I also needed X-Flight! There it goes! I thought it was a good solid ride. I give it a B. I like the long drawn out inversions. One of several close misses. These trains are quite large. I understand that it is a tradition to ride the roller skater on opening day. I sure hope that more rides will be returning to Qbot later this year. One no longer fits with all of the others. Ooooo! First time I have ever seen this open! If you were there the same day, can you find your car? Backwards Batman from up high! Superman running one train = 2 hour wait. The new kid on the block! Looks a little different from this angle. Viper was running well today. Happy about to ride Viper people. Weeeeeeee! The weather was just about perfect that day. Did someone say Raging Bull? Weeeeeee! Bull doing what it does. Yes, I was really happy to see this. I was lucky to be hanging out with some awesome people, I was able to bypass the 75 minute line with an exit pass. This was the final credit I needed at the park. Park Cleared! Again! One final Batman photo. I am not sure how long this will last. Good night! Edited May 8, 2013 by Erik Johnson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimmyBo Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 Nice pictures Erik! Glad you had a great time at the park and got all your credits. Batman backwards is just insane to think about. I can't even imagine how intense it is. I also believe that Viper is a very underrated coaster. I love Viper and I have never had a bad ride on it. Â Jimmy "Where are the Erik videos?" Bo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcjaco Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 Yay, for a Jiggidy PTR! Â Wish I could have mde it out to the park, the weather was awesome that day.....unlike most years! Good to see you and the rest of the crew at dinner! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 I like Viper a lot too--particularly after it rains. Thanks for all the "Namtab" coverage! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cameron Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 Erik has definitely broken the Opening Day Curse (it always rains) .. next time Erik is in town I'm going to take him to a Cubs game. Â (Speaking of which: GO CARDS!!) Â Cameron. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcjaco Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 (Speaking of which: GO CARDS!!) Â Â No longer friends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Johnson Posted May 8, 2013 Author Share Posted May 8, 2013 Nice pictures Erik! Glad you had a great time at the park and got all your credits. Batman backwards is just insane to think about. I can't even imagine how intense it is. I also believe that Viper is a very underrated coaster. I love Viper and I have never had a bad ride on it. Jimmy "Where are the Erik videos?" Bo  I have retired from making park videos. It simply was too difficult to concentrate on taking videos and photos at the same time. Something always suffered because of it. I decided to stick with photography instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GriffyTiffy Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 Great report! It was great meeting you Saturday, and I hope to see you again sometime! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gisco Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 Seeing these opening day reports makes me want to get out to a park! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PKI Jizzman Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 Great report! Hope to get back for the first time since the Midwest trip this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperShawn Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 Great report and what looks like a lot of fun. Looking forward to getting back to this park this summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Clinksalot Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 Great report. One of my favorite Six Flags parks. Hope to get back there soon to get the X-flight credit and ride all of the great coasters the park has to offer again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deathbydinn Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 Great pictures and report! It was nice meeting you and it was a good day despite the park not being totally ready. I guess only having one train on X Flight was a blessing in disguise in a way though as it gave Jeremie and I plenty of time to snag those exit passes for you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerrykoala2112 Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 ERIK! This trip report was almost as good as hanging out with you! Thanks for coming out, and I wish you gave backwards Batman a chance, but that's just another reason to visit again. Glad you had a good visit. Â Great report and what looks like a lot of fun. Looking forward to getting back to this park this summer. Â Sounds like a party Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firewalk13 Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 Wonderful TR and excellent pics! I got chills a bit looking at some of the namtab photos. I imagine getting whipped around more... Looks like a nice park with a good coaster lineup as you said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tanthonyam Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 That Little Dipper is really crammed up against Batman isn't it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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