Six Flags Great America (SFGAm) Discussion Thread

[mcjacoBeer Man]

^ So stay away from the park that day.

[Jerrykoala2112Jo My Oh!]

Unless the original was somehow hemorrhaging large amounts ($$$) for upkeep (...how?), I'm not sure why they would take the time to get rid of it.

My only assumption to the change is that the sign is bigger now, so the GP notice it a lot better. It's newer, more shiny, etc. SFGAm replaced Viper's and American Eagle's sign (when they moved the entrance) so I guess it's something they do. Changed Condor's sign a while back, as well as Hometown Fun Machine.

[deathbydinnI eat bugs.]

I always thought the old sign looked too cartoony, like it would be a better fit for a family coaster or flat ride, not something that's meant to be a big intimidating coaster.

The ACE "event," you'd think they'd at least want to have ERT on Whizzer, but nope! Besides the landmark dedication they have nothing else planned for the day.

The park posted this picture on Facebook revealing some clues for Fright Fest 2012.



Link

Looks to me like:

- Scare zones/mazes in Roaring Rapids and Hurricane Harbor as said at NCC
- A new meet and greet or band in the Hometown Square pavilion
- Something where Iron Wolf was
- Something on the path underneath Demon or that general area, possibly the return of Southwest Scare-tory in that part of SWT

Edit: Some details have been released! 250 scare actors (last year had 200), no more Studio 13, new haunted house, new haunt in the rapids and the return of the haunted train!

GURNEE — Applicants had to be scary-good to land the job.

Screams, evil cackles, werewolf howls and zombie impressions were part of the job application process at Six Flags Great America.

Tyler Smith, 15, also acted the part of an evil clown and one-armed pirate in hopes of a job at this fall’s Fright Fest.

“I thought it was going to be a normal job interview,” the Winthrop Harbor teen said. “I think it went pretty well. It would be a good first job.”

Six Flags held the first of three Fright Fest job fairs Thursday. They are looking to fill about 250 positions, according to Kristopher Jones of Volo, Great America’s entertainment manager.

Fright Fest runs from Sept. 29 to Oct. 28.

Smith was among between 75 and 100 applicants Thursday, Jones estimated.

Last year, Fright Fest hired about 200 scare actors to perform in its three attractions and on the streets of the theme park. This year, there are five attractions to staff, as well as a need for street performers, Jones said.

Wicked Woods in Mardis Gras is new this year, as well as Deadline, a haunted train attraction. Mausoleum of Terror in Necropolis, Manslaughter Manor in Southwest Territory and Massacre Medical Center in County Fair will be back, although two of the returning attractions are being revamped, Jones said.

Job openings include line handlers, street actors, haunted house actors, wig and make- up artists, and wardrobe personnel.

“You get to scare people, which normally we don’t like our employees to do,” Jones said. “It’s some easy money and a fun experience. You get to be someone else.”

The majority of job applicants find out if they got the job or not when they apply. Job seekers are encouraged to schedule an appointment, but walk-ins are welcome during the job fairs as well, Jones said.

“Come ready to express yourself. Come ready with your best scream,” Jones said, noting Fright Fest is a five-week commitment plus some training.

“We hope we can scare the bejesus out of people,” Jones said.

http://newssun.suntimes.com/entertainment/14017823-421/six-flags-great-america-needs-250-to-work-fright-fest.html

[GolfieI Smell Funny]

Slowpoke (being me) finally got to the park last week to ride X-Flight - last time I had been there was on opening day when I was scorning at the ride's test dummies something furious. I was really concerned that I wouldn't get to ride it at all considering my height - I'm around 6'6" (78") which happens to be the height limit of the new coaster. But to my surprise, no ride attendants took it as a concern and I got two rides on it. (I had read earlier about the restraints being uncomfortably tight, and I believe this is where the height limit comes into play. Near the end of each ride, my collarbone was getting sore from the rubber portion of the harness - not unbearably so, but I probably couldn't do a marathon on this thing.) The lines were moving extremely fast for such a new ride, and I'm sure the dual-loading station had something to do with it. The queue is also physically shorter than other rides in the park (no back and forth zig-zagging) and more enjoyable to go through with plenty of theming and neat areas from which to watch the coaster.

First ride was in the afternoon in the last row, outside right seat. Some of the banked turns where the right side dipped towards the ground were really fun, especially the jet pond that shoots past the early queue area. It was a bit rougher than I would have liked in some of the positive G sections though. Second ride, however, was amazing - and I wish I could get back on it right now. We waited for the first row on the left side at night. All I have to say is that first drop was the best element I've experienced on a coaster in a long time. When I saw the track flip over in front of me and disappear while the entire world turned upside-down 120 feet below my head, I started to second-guess my safety harness. As the train finally began to gain momentum, the harness hugged me tightly and I soared down towards the blackened terrain - so much fun!

I had a wonderful time on the ride, and it is definitely a step in the right direction for Great America. It has been nine years since the park added Superman: Ultimate Flight, and is much more than just a fleeting gimmick with a three-hour wait time. The park has done a lot in creating a comprehensive atmosphere which makes the experience feel like something more than just riding a coaster. I don't want to compare it to a Disney ride because it is far from that, but there were small moments that hinted at the fact that this was an important project for the park. I hope to see more like this soon.

[Gigalyte2 + 2 = donkey!]

SFGAm just posted this little teaser to their Facebook page

What do you guys think it will be especially after the park just got X-flight maybe a Star Flyer.

[traincrossinWisconsin Dells Fanatic]

I think that crate is a bit too small for a Star Flyer

[AnonymousReedI teach at the school of donkey!]

SFGAm just posted this little teaser to their Facebook page

What do you guys think it will be especially after the park just got X-flight maybe a Star Flyer.

Crate: The Ultimate Ride Experience.

[GolfieI Smell Funny]

I think that crate is a bit too small for a Star Flyer

Is it?

ENHANCE!



Unfortunately, I don't think we will get another roller coaster for a few years, but I hope they will do something with the Iron Wolf area. Some kind of flat ride.

[jps2942 + 2 = donkey!]

SFGAm just posted this little teaser to their Facebook page

What do you guys think it will be especially after the park just got X-flight maybe a Star Flyer.

SFDK did the same thing with there SkyScreamer... Could this be one??

Click Here

[AnonymousReedI teach at the school of donkey!]

Cute new video from the park. Why can't all parks have such great and cooperative employees like this!?!