Six Flags Great America (SFGAm) Discussion Thread

[Ed FarmerThe only thing better than a naked woman is a naked donkey!]

Not sure what the deal is with Batman's wheel covers. I can't say for certain, but it seems like it's been that way for years. I doubt the reason is much deeper than ease of access for maintenance, but it's curious that it's just one train. Luckily, it doesn't take away from the excellence of the ride.

[CameronDon't make me kick you in the donkey!]

At the TPR event at SFGAm two years ago, at the Q&A session, one of the maintenance guys mentioned that the wheel-covers are intentionally left off that train because it makes the ride smoother and faster.

Great report, Studiobrandon .. glad you had such a great day at the park!

Cameron.

[mcjacoBeer Man]

Anyone with a Horizons avatar must speak the truth.

[GayCoasterGuyWhen I grow up, I want to breed donkeys!]

- American Eagle was really rundown. They need to refurbish this ASAP. It looked like it came out of Silent Hill, and riding it was kind of scary because it looked like it was falling apart. They were only running one side of it. Is this normal?

I assume from hearing your experience that you missed out on the very front seat of American Eagle. I *really* wish you could go back and do that. From the top of the lift until the highway helix is one of the most exhilarating experiences in all of coasterdom. Unfortunately, the park often only operated one side if it's not too busy. Racing really adds to the ride. Red side has 2 more hills than blue. Other than the worn look of the peeling paint, the ride is running better than it has in years. But it's still very rough in other seats - especially the helices.

- It was strange riding a lot of the coasters without the seat-belt catch for the restraint. These are standard at Cedar Fair parks, so it threw me off a bit.

All that extra seat belt stuff is a Cedar Fair thing. Recent too. I couldn't believe Gemini had seat belts after so many years. For alternating years, either American Eagle or Viper did NOT have seat belts. Some years one did while the other didn't. A couple years, neither had seat belts. It was a cool attempt by Great America to try to increase capacity (while surely paying a higher insurance premium.) Now with *flash pass* doing such things could hurt their pay-to-cut profits....

- The crowds were decent. I'm gay and didn't really have to worry about tolerance there. (Unlike parks in Ohio, ha) Very LGBT friendly crowd, and also saw many other LGBT people.

That's good to hear. I "came out" when I worked at Cedar Point through 1991-93. There were tons of LGBT folks there, but at the same time, the park clientele always seemed very ... "young republican" heavy. (Nothing against republicans, the generalization is just from my personal experiences.)

Did you miss Viper!?? If so, you missed out on one of the best woodies in the chain. Very smooth and mondo airtime in the front; forceful curves, too.

[CommandoI'm a know-it-all about donkeys!]

^ I prefer viper in the back row. Great floater airtime throughout the whole course. It is one of the best running woodies I have ever been on and I am amazed that it has stayed this way.

[cfcI've gone pantless!]

^I like Viper a lot, too--the best of the Cyclone clones, I think. ERT on it back in 2010 was great (especially after a nice thunderstorm).

[mcjacoBeer Man]

^I like Viper a lot, too--the best of the Cyclone clones, I think. ERT on it back in 2010 was great (especially after a nice thunderstorm).

Ugh. Was that 2 years ago already???

[cfcI've gone pantless!]

^Yep--hard to believe, eh? That was a great day, too.

The Mardi Gras event this past weekend was pretty cool, and I hope it returns. The decorations were only ok, but I wasn't expecting too much seeing as it was only a two day event. The bands added a nice atmosphere and the special food that I had, Bourbon chicken with rice and potatoes, was actually really good and I wish was served all year. The parades weren't amazing, but people really got into them so they were still fun. The day ended with a 10 minute long firework display. So as a whole, the event was great and I hope to see it return and expand next year.


YouTube Videolink

[jmfoxfireI Guess Donkeys Are Okay]

The Mardi Gras event this past weekend was pretty cool, and I hope it returns. The decorations were only ok, but I wasn't expecting too much seeing as it was only a two day event. The bands added a nice atmosphere and the special food that I had, Bourbon chicken with rice and potatoes, was actually really good and I wish was served all year. The parades weren't amazing, but people really got into them so they were still fun. The day ended with a 10 minute long firework display. So as a whole, the event was great and I hope to see it return and expand next year.


YouTube Videolink

its awesome they are doing fireworks again