Six Flags Great America (SFGAm) Discussion Thread

[cwsrThis B&M donkey is so smooth!]

I am just wondering if anybody has pictures of X-Flight taken from the top of Sky Trek Tower?

[impala101I Guess Donkeys Are Okay]

Hi all! New to the forum here. It's been fun (and informative) reading this thread; I stumbled upon here while doing a little research for a trip down there next month

I haven't been to Great America since 1999, when Raging Bull was the new attraction. It's crazy to think about how much has changed in that time. It will be great to see the sights, old and new, and to have all those thrills once again!

So, I will be going there August 13 and 14 (Monday and Tuesday). It's about a 2.5 or 3 hour drive from where I live, so I'm going to head down Sunday night. I'm staying at the La Quinta Inn and Suites right near the parking lot, so I can walk to the park, saving $40 in parking those 2 days!

I got the Summer Thrill Pass or whatever it's called, since park admission is all I was really looking for. I know Twickets are long gone, so this was the next best thing.
My printer is out of ink, so i just opted for them to mail it.

Anyway, I'm counting the days already! I'll make sure to give a report when it's all said and done.

A couple questions:
1) Any thoughts on what the crowds might be like these days? (I realize weather is a huge factor)
2) Do I have to get the thrill pass processed or anything at the park, like a regular season pass?
3) Any opinions on a plan of action? Really, I'm all about the big coasters. I could ride them all day. But, I'll do some flats like Fiddler's Fling, Triple Play, and Orbit. For nostalgia's sake, Logger's Run is on my list as well

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

[GayCoasterGuyDonkeys are my way of life!]

1) Any thoughts on what the crowds might be like these days? (I realize weather is a huge factor)

Busy. August is always slammed until school starts. Good thing the water park will be open, that keeps many peeps busy.

2) Do I have to get the thrill pass processed or anything at the park, like a regular season pass?

I would assume yes. You can do that in the Hometown Square season pass processing center. For more specific questions about your thrill pass, email the park.

3) Any opinions on a plan of action? Really, I'm all about the big coasters.

Yeah - American Eagle (in front seat) and Whizzer are *STILL* the most fun coasters at the park. Don't bother with Whizzer during the day. Wait until the last hour the park is open for a fast, dark ride under the trees. It's always faster at night after a long day of warming up, was faster than I ever remember it a couple days ago after 9pm.

I could ride them all day. But, I'll do some flats like Fiddler's Fling, Triple Play, and Orbit. For nostalgia's sake, Logger's Run is on my list as well

Good to hear! Fiddler's is out of control - but get to it early as it's one of the rides to shut down early if the crowds are slow over there. Don't forget the 2 log flumes - Yankee Clipper and Logger's Run. These types of rides are disappearing fast and these two are great, classic fun and the tallest 'old skool' log flumes that I know of.

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

I'm sure you want to check out X-Flight, so if you are up to running ahead of people when the ropes are dropped - by all means, do it first. Otherwise, wait until late in the day, the line goes down considerably. It's a great ride to watch, and fun in it's own right, but simply doesn't have staying power and this shows with the short queue late in the day.

"Screams and Dreams (Vol 2)" is playing in the Pictorium. It's a pretty good film, but Volume 1 is light years better: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ra-Dv8eU0Uw (not best quality, but still stunning footage!)

Demon's first drop is the wickedest drop in the park - in back - but if you sit in back, the rest of the ride is rough. Front is much smoother and great visually on this cheesy classic

Gurnee Mills mall is right down the road and they have 2 HUGE food courts with lots to pick from. Not to mention all the stuff across the street (Culver's, McDonald's, Burger King, Golden Corral, pizza, etc, etc..) but the hidden goodie is the Dairy Queen about 2 miles down the road, right off Grand Avenue (it's on Old Grand Avenue) https://maps.google.com/maps?oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF-8&q=dairy+queen+gurnee+illinois&fb=1&gl=us&hq=dairy+queen&hnear=0x880f8e01b2b811ed:0xdd57cb6f9dd18676,Gurnee,+IL&cid=0,0,13363342876437733227&ei=13b-T_iSKoWi2gXB6um3BA&ved=0CIABEPwSMAM&oi=local_group that's always a nice time out from the park! Hate to rag on the park, but the food is awful and prices are even worse.

Know that the ride ops at Great America are almost always OK if you re-ride in an empty seat on the next train. Just make sure no one is riding there before you jump in. This is especially helpful on rides with ridiculously long queues - like Viper, American Eagle, Superman and Raging Bull. Those B&M rides especially go out with plenty of empty seats on nearly every train.

Oh yeah, Viper is running like a bat outta hell these days. Airtime on every hill. Even in back. Late in the day, of course

[mcjacoBeer Man]

I actually believe they still do the Twicket deal, but don't call it that anymore.

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

^^ Glad to see the someone else has appreciation for some the older rides in the park. To many people rule them out as old and boring with out even riding them. The front row of Whizzer at 10 P.M. is still one of the best rides around.

[impala101I Guess Donkeys Are Okay]

^^^Wow! Thanks for the detailed and informative response!

I kinda figured it would be busy, and it's probably a good thing I decided to go 2 days instead of just 1. Next year I think I'll go in May or early June, when, from my understanding would be prime time for smaller crowds. This will be the first time going there solo, which I'm rather looking forward to.

I'll probably get some sort of info when I receive the pass in the mail. I would think they'd have some directions with it. If not, email it is!

I've never ridden in the front seat on Eagle, though I have ridden it many times back in the day (our family used to go almost every year). I'll definitely try to check that out. I've always liked the Whizzer, and will definitely take your suggestion about a night ride. I'm not sure how dark it'll be, since the park closes at 8pm those days. But perhaps I'll see if it feels faster than I remember.

I was a little disappointed to see the Lobster - er, East River Crawler not operating this year, as that was another flat I always enjoyed. It's good to see them doing the maintenance to keep it there though, as opposed to scrapping it. I haven't ridden Yankee Clipper much, maybe only once I can remember back in the mid-80's. As a kid with the family, my parents always preferred Logger's Run, as it was a wetter splash. There's just something about the look of those old flume ride tracks when you're walking through the park, definitely a nostalgia factor for me.

Since I haven't been there in so long, I have never ridden Superman, V2, or Dark Knight. The Dark Night doesn't really interest me, but I would like to ride the other 2. From what I read, Superman is a coaster most pass on, but I guess I would like to ride once, just for the different experience. X-Flight is definitely curious, and I'll take your tip and probably catch that one later in the day. Looking forward to hitting Raging Bull, Viper, Batman and Demon as well. I'll have to check out the front/rear seats and see the difference!

I probably won't do much outside of the park, but good to know there's a DQ nearby! I love me some DQ
I have an IHOP, Outback, and Cracker Barrel right outside the hotel, which is nice. There's a Joe's Crab Shack too, but as I'm allergic to shellfish, I can't say I'll head there LOL. I know how ridiculous the food and pricing thereof is in the park, and I'm sure it's even worse now

The empty seat re-ride thing is something I've never even thought of doing. Perhaps I'll get lucky there.

I actually believe they still do the Twicket deal, but don't call it that anymore.

After reading this, I did some checking and you might be right. The info was from 2002, but it was called MVP (Multiple Visit Pass).
It was $10 for the next day. Whether or not this is still around, who knows. I couldn't find anything current about it.

[GayCoasterGuyDonkeys are my way of life!]

^I'm dissapointed about Lobster/ERC not being open this year, too. Trust me, I love that ride. But how cool of them to not only rehab it this year so it can run forever - but to post about it. I just think it could be ... Wildcat, Space Spiral, White Water Landing, Laser... Did I mention the hard to pull down lap bars on American Eagle and Viper? In fact, the Viper bars only go down to the same level an old buzz-bar goes down too, no further. Someone was really thinking when they installed that. Yup, I'm glad Great America is my home park (even if they put Six Flags in front of it!)

^Don't forget Little Dipper, too 2 years later, it still has not fully broken-in (the track gauge was built very tight - it also took Viper several years to completely loosen-up) and runs a bit slower than it did at Kiddie Land. The painfully slow operation aside, it is a beauty of a classic and looks GREAT near the first drop of Batman. Ride Little Dipper at end of day as lines are long as slooooow during peak hours. (I just realized I have suggested to ride nearly every ride at the end of the day... doh!)

Dark Knight and Ragin Cajun are the most aggressive rides in the park. Many regulars strongly dislike Ragin Cajun due to the 5-car-max and 3-adult-per-car-limit rules that make it a very slow line - even when it looks short. But I *LOVE* this ride - and it has a single rider line, too!

Just got back from another few night hours at the park. Did Eagle red - front seat (blue was down by 9pm), Demon front and back, Whizzer front and back, Raging Bull back (and jumped in an front seat and oddly was told I could *NOT* re-ride, but after I was out of the station past the turn-style, the ride op told me if I would have *asked* first he would have said yes... curious indeed...) all that and more in just a couple hours.

[impala101I Guess Donkeys Are Okay]

^Pretty sweet for just a couple hours! I wish I lived near where I could just go for a couple hours here and there.
Funny about the re-ride deal - I guess just make sure to ask first, eh? I would anyway.

Oh yeah, I forgot about those coasters...So, does the solo line move better on Ragin Cajun then, or is it still sluggish regardless? The Little Dipper didn't really stick out to me, but if it's convenient I'll give it a ride. I was also going to check out King Chaos, even though I've seen mixed reviews on it. Looks like fun to me!

In general, I don't mind having to wait for rides, I expect to. However, if it's over an hour I'll probably find something else and come back to it. This is another reason for the 2-day stay. It'll be nice being solo, as I've never been there til park close, ever. Whether it was with the family or with friends, they always pooped out by 5pm

[GayCoasterGuyDonkeys are my way of life!]

^Pretty sweet for just a couple hours! I wish I lived near where I could just go for a couple hours here and there.
Funny about the re-ride deal - I guess just make sure to ask first, eh? I would anyway.

Or maybe not "To ask for permission is to ask for denial!" I mean, within reason... I do suggest following rules. The thing about this particular employee was that he later told me that some supervisors say "NO re-rides" other's say "sure" and everywhere in between. Great America is the shining star in the chain but still has plenty of room for improvement (communication, consistency, ride capacity efficiency)... Also they are now "The cleanest theme park in the world"! You will hear that blasted at the front gate.

I mean ... it could be worse.

Oh yeah, I forgot about those coasters...So, does the solo line move better on Ragin Cajun then, or is it still sluggish regardless?

Sometimes the single rider line is long, sometimes it's empty. The cool thing is it starts on the midway and goes directly into the station. It's only like 12 feet long. Single rider line is your friend!



I wish the B&M rides had single rider lines. Of course, then they would have to learn how to train an employee to manage that. Instead, they have an extra employee (who apparently are NOT even employed by the park but rather the flash pass company - however they still moderate stations and manage to send out plenty of entirely empty seats - you will see what I mean.) to manage the 'flash pass' riders. Note those flash pass employees will be there until the end! When the line is completely DEAD and American Eagle has gone down to one side - they will still be there. The Flash Pass folks MUST KNOW they are important and get special entrance, I guess. I don't understand... but whatever.

In general, I don't mind having to wait for rides, I expect to. However, if it's over an hour I'll probably find something else and come back to it. This is another reason for the 2-day stay. It'll be nice being solo, as I've never been there til park close, ever. Whether it was with the family or with friends, they always pooped out by 5pm

Humbug! The park gets good after 5pm!!! I try to stay away before then, myself. The heat, the sun beating down, the crowds... all gets better after 5pm. Plus - coasters start to peak after then, too! They are nice and warmed up!

[impala101I Guess Donkeys Are Okay]

I do suggest following rules. The thing about this particular employee was that he later told me that some supervisors say "NO re-rides" other's say "sure" and everywhere in between. Great America is the shining star in the chain but still has plenty of room for improvement (communication, consistency, ride capacity efficiency)... Also they are now "The cleanest theme park in the world"! You will hear that blasted at the front gate.

Yeah, I suppose there will always be inconsistency in that regard. The rules will be followed....I'm not one to seek out trouble LOL.
Ah yes, something else I forgot about...All those recorded announcements to hear over and over all day.

Sometimes the single rider line is long, sometimes it's empty. The cool thing is it starts on the midway and goes directly into the station. It's only like 12 feet long. Single rider line is your friend!

Cool, definitely looks worth checking out. It's nice that they have that option.

I wish the B&M rides had single rider lines. Of course, then they would have to learn how to train an employee to manage that. Instead, they have an extra employee (who apparently are NOT even employed by the park but rather the flash pass company - however they still moderate stations and manage to send out plenty of entirely empty seats - you will see what I mean.) to manage the 'flash pass' riders. Note those flash pass employees will be there until the end! When the line is completely DEAD and American Eagle has gone down to one side - they will still be there. The Flash Pass folks MUST KNOW they are important and get special entrance, I guess. I don't understand... but whatever.

Another thing I forgot about...The Flash Pass. Ugh. I suppose I see where people would want to use it. To me, I say everyone should just wait their turn the same as everyone else. I realize it's also the financial aspect from the Park's point of view, an extra revenue stream for them. I couldn't justify the cost. I'll wait my turn.

Humbug! The park gets good after 5pm!!! I try to stay away before then, myself. The heat, the sun beating down, the crowds... all gets better after 5pm. Plus - coasters start to peak after then, too! They are nice and warmed up!

I remember when I was young (yet tall enough for the coasters) throwing a fit because we had to leave early. I was always ready to keep on going. Ah well, it won't be a problem this time