Today I returned from a full day of Six Flags Great America after a four-year hiatus of visiting the park. This was the first time seeing the park in the “Shapiro-era”, so I was curious to see what all had changed since my last visit.
Going with someone who has a season parking pass is always a plus. We arrived about thirty minutes before the park opened so the parking lot had not yet filled up.
I had a free pass to redeem at the guest relations desk so I was a little worried about how that would go over. You never know how those guest relations run ins are going to go. But thankfully the girl behind the window was very helpful and had me in and out in less than a minute with no hassles. So far I was impressed with this new Six Flags Great America!
It was great to once again see the familiar sights of Great America.
Once getting into the park, we decided to get right to Superman: Ultimate Flight, which in the past has had a reputation of keeping an exceptionally long line throughout the day. Before opening, guests are allowed to line up at the entrance but not actually enter the queue line… so to the average eye the line looks much longer than it actually is.
We waited for about 20 minutes for Superman to open. While we were waiting I was disturbed by this stuffed dog. He didn’t look very comfortable. At least that’s now how I would be displayed if I were a stuffed animal!
Superman is an excellent ride, but unfortunately every time I ride it I pull a muscle in my leg during the pretzel loop, which leaves me in pretty intense pain for the rest of the ride. It’s like a charlie horse that you can’t stretch out. But overall the ride is very smooth and forceful. It’s one of my top favorites in the park.
I must say the ride is definitely one of the most easy on the eyes. Though it might have longer-than-average lines throughout the day, it’s a very interesting ride to experience from the ground.
Ah, The Dark Knight. I had heard many a bad review for this new coaster. So I went into it expecting absolutely nothing. The queue was slow moving due to the low capacity of the ride itself, but I was impressed by the pre show video. I thought it was very well done and it was nice to see a familiar face in it. The ride itself is what it is: a wild mouse. The theming was decent but the ride offered very little. The story behind it doesn’t match up at all to the ride: a subway-type transportation system? Zig-zags don’t seem to be very economical, in my opinion. But as I wasn’t expecting much, I left somewhat contempt only in the fact that I had experienced it for myself.
The lines quickly grew throughout the day, so we were unable to ride Batman. After riding a couple of them at various parks I don’t feel like I’m missing as much anymore. They’re all the same.
Vertical Velocity took me for quite a surprise. We sat in the back and while the initial launch was not too intense, it was still impressive. But what got me was the launch backwards into the rear spike. The force of flying backwards and then the quick transition to vertical track really took me by surprise. Overall I was extremely impressed by V2.
Six Flags Great America has to be one of the most flat ride-populated parks in the chain. It has an excellent variety of flats for the whole family. But enough of those, it’s on to more coasters!
We stopped for lunch at Angelo’s Pasta which was excellent. I wasn’t sure about in-park Papa John’s pizza but it tasted superb and didn’t differ to much from what you can order at home. The lunch left me stuffed.
We decided to skip Iron Wolf in order to prevent the guaranteed head ache, but I had to take a picture of the Miracle Whip ad. If I had a dollar for every Miracle Whip ad that I saw on either a sign, on a cup, or in a commercial, I could have gone to the park for free. PS Miracle Whip: You’re trying too hard. “We are Miracle Whip and we will not tone it down.” WHAT? You’re sandwich dressing.
We continued the circle around the park and ran into Buccaneer Battle, which seems to be a huge hit with the families.
Buccaneer Battle has to be one of the most well-themed rides at any Six Flags park. They really went all out!
Yes, a girl’s hair weave fell out while she was riding Demon.
Though we weren’t able to ride Demon, it was nice to stand under the corkscrew. That’s almost like riding it, right?
But as we rounded the corner, I knew it was time to ride my favorite ride at the park: Raging Bull.
New signage and a new coat of paint. How better can it get? Thankfully only one of the two switchbacks were full.
The wait wasn’t too long. Another great thing: train operations seemed exceptionally faster than my last trip to Great America. And this was a weekday!
The queue isn’t very far from the track itself, so I got to see up close the new paint job in action.
Overall the ride was just about the same as the last time I was on it. It might have been trimmed a bit more, but it wasn’t too noticeable. There was also a bit of B&M rattle going on, but again, nothing too noticeable.
The overbanked turn might not invert completely, but it sure feels like it does.
I like Raging Bull because it’s not like any other B&M hyper out there. It’s layout is incredibly unique.
For those of you who are into this kind of stuff…
We also rode American Eagle which unfortunately not as good as I remembered it being. I believe the ride was trimmed a little too much.
Even though Demon is one of the smaller coasters in the park, you can see it from alot of places.
I had heard alot of bad things about Viper’s operations this season but I felt it was the same great ride I had ridden last time I was at the park. Everybody has their own opinion!
Waiting in line for Viper is always great because you can get some cool shots of Raging Bull’s overbanked turn.
One thing that has gotten even worse at Six Flags: the prices. Almost six dollars at Ben and Jerry’s for a single scoop of ice cream? That’s insane.
Overall it was a great day and it’s very easy to see there’s been a big improvement at the park over the past few years. I think as long as they keep it up, more success is in line for this park in the future.
If you said to miracle whip they are trying too hard they would respond “we will not
tone it down!” I didn’t get the message when it first started, but after watching the commercials and seeing all the ads all over, I get it, and I love it. For all you people not enjoying the miracle whip sign, Dont be so mayo!
Great America is still a park with good bones. Built by the Marriott Corporation. But the old girl is very rough around the edges. Yes, Bull has been painted but, every other coaster looks weather beaten. Same goes for all the Vintage Buildings now sporting peeling paint. You must have missed all the dead ride areas and abandened shops. B.B. the new attraction most guests ignore…would be better in the waterpark. I agree the park has great flat rides however when was any new one added? Again Marriott put 90% of the flats in. For a regular pass holder this years highlight is The Cyber Cafe, wow fresh baked goods spoilage what spoilage place is always rocking.
Either Six Flags needs to heavily infuse capitol into the park. Paint would be a good start. But rumors persist Cedar Fair wants this park. If you want new Coasters/Flats/Better Food/Gift shops pray as so many of us old times do that this comes to pass. Really Cedar Fair seems positioned to guide Gurnee’s Great America. Remember in 2010 Chicago’s only Amusement Park choice.
^I’m not sure if you’ve visited the park in 09 but many buildings have been repainted throughout the year. besides the old hot shoppe building in hometown square, I can’t think of many “abandoned shops” either
I don’t think the coasters and overall atmosphere at SFGAM is too “faded”. There are a few coasters that could use a new coat of paint but I feel it’s an unfair expectation for parks to constantly have shiny coats of paint on all of the attractions in the park.
Eyes wide open…I have been to the park 9 times since April 4th. I only want whats best for the park. On your next visit look at Pictorium…chipping paint so bad they must plan on removing it. In Hometown Square look up on any and i mean any building chiping window panes The FireHouse heck they still haven’t removed 2008 Winter Boardup. Three empty shops are in Hometown alone. Hell no it’s not alot to expect Great America to look as good as Cedar Point. Who has a harsher climate that park is battered by Lake Erie. Kings Island beautiful as always. Did you notice Bulls stairs are leaning. The park takes it as a joke, well if they collapse with people on them brand new story. The American Eagle will they ever paint the white which at present is anything but white. Yukon more closed shops…Remember Six Flags Kids? By V2 which is not operating with the holding brake…did you notice?? At the exit Empty old arcade building. Batman needs at least its rails repainted yellow. Superman look at the red it’s pitted with spots plus the red is dull much like the ride experience. Columbia looking faded gold red blue white. For my money I expect as much care as Great Adventure gets. But, under Shapiro I’ve learned to live with low standards. Both in upkeep and new rides. I would paint the brown railing leading and exiting Raging Bull while waiting in line. I’ve given up on the current Six Flags and pray Cedar Fair buys this park. So walk around with blinders I cannot and will not. Really the drives to Ohio get easier each time.
Cedar Fair is not in a position to buy any parks right now. In fact, they would probably dump a few (Worlds of Fun) if there was a potential buyer, but right now there aren’t any. I’ve heard Great America has always been one of the better run parks in the chain.
Cedar Fair is a wise Corporation. They have made it very clear they are eyeing Great America. Hum, ValleyFair, Worlds Of Fun, Cali Great America, land sold already in Canada= The money they will need to aquire Great America…Gurnee. Sell all the parks surrounding Six Flags Gurnee. Then when thing just keep crumbling in for Six Flags, make them the offer they can’t refuse. I say hold your jaw come November. We will dance Mr. Six along with Bugs Bunny out of town. Both two of my favorite things. But, a Maverick type coaster in Yukon bring it on. Only time will tell.
I think the idea of selling Great America to Cedar Fair is laughable right now. How has Cedar Fair made it clear they are eying Great America? Where is the evidence? Cedar Fair is looking to sell off land and parks to pay down their huge debt. They aren’t in a position to be able to buy ANY parks. Six Flags may be looking to sell off some of their parks but I can assure you that Great America is not one of them as its one of their core/most stable parks in a great market. They would be stupid to sell it off. But it’s okay to dream I guess.
I don’t think you realize what selling Great America to Cedar Fair would do to the park. Perhaps you would get your coaster in Yukon, butit would come at a cost. You will loose all your treesand every visit would be a beat down by the sun. Next you would start to see anything with themeing start to dissapear. All the the old Marriott theme and charm would be complete removed and sucked out of the place more so than Six Flags would ever do. Cedar fair has tendency to completely neuter any park the purchase. The Cedar fair business madel has no charm, no emotion, no enjoyable atmosphere. You would loose iconic characters that kids still relate to andreplacethem with the peanuts which are quite possibly the most boring cartoon characters that go in a theme park, and they have no place there. The new season pass price would be so ridiculous it would be laughable to even consider visiting the park more than once a year. Ron we have heard you crying about this park for years, we are all sick of it. Here’s a thought STOP VISITING! Keep making your drive to Ohio that you enjoy and let everyone else enjoy what the enjoy. If the park is so intolerable, do not come back. You want Six Flags to improve? I think the biggest improvement they could make is banning you from all Six Flags theme parks because you’re not smart enough to make the decision of not going somewhere you don’t like. Not to mention not having to hear you speak or post online would bring guest satisfaction to an all time high!
As I have stated over and over I only want what is best for Great America. Empty concrete where Splashwater Falls once stood do you really enjoy seeing that? The empty Space Shuttle now being used as A giant Miracle Whip ad…Classy. Have you been to Cedar Point or Kings Island show me a loss of theming at Kings Island, you can’t because Cedar Fair has that park painted rethemed landscaped the best it’s been. Cedar Point is not a theme park they are proud of that fact. However nowhere on that property do they skimp on Paint, Merchandise, Food, Cleaniness and they do 100 times better in landscaping.
Banning me would cause the park to loose hundreds I spend, both on merchandise and food. I eat play shop on Great America property. I also proudly bring at least 25 new people to the park each season. The last visit 4 extra admissions. One person was so looking forward to ride B.Battle until she saw it. “It’s a childs ride which would work better in the waterpark. Wow take about a whole lot of nothing” I was ready to ride but the group declined. On the train again another person commented on collaping fencing leaving County Fair Station Then noticed all the backstage area in full view…pretty. Yet another friend asked me what was all that concrete sitting empty? A new ride being built…should I have lied to him and said yes? I suppose thats what you would do. Then since it was a round trip my best friend was shocked old rubber tubing laid on the grass in full view, instead of in the bone yard. Hey he sent a CD to Corporate to show what disturbed him. Your proud to hate Intamin??? O.K V2, EAGLE, GIANT DROP, SKY TREK TOWER TAKE THEM OUT.
Hey when do see me at the park? You never talk to me besides when I go and I will continue to go I enjoy my visit. I always speak to Hank Salemi who I know cares aka CyberCafe. Remodeled Shops. Flags, Plaza, Attitudes, Bugs Bunny and Company. Oh I am the biggest Looney Tunes fan that is why I see an mostly closed Looney Tunes Childrens Area I want to cry. I also visit other Six Flags Parks which have Looney Tunes themed Rides. What has happened to the park who gave Six Flags Bugs Bunny??? An area with 3 operating attractions. Closed Slides, Ball Crawl Area, Climbing areas. 7:00 go to Wiggles World oh Bugs must be on leave. I wii keep hoping for the future. You keep hating on the best ride manufacturer…Intamin. Now out of The Cyber Cafe and on to V2 for me Wednesday 8/5/09.
One final thought, this year Chicago looses Kiddieland. Just about every major Midwestern City has only a Big Chain Park. Everyone August is here both Great America and Cedar Point will be open every day in August this year. Smaller crowds later in the month for all of us to enjoy. Since Great America opened April 3rd what a long…season it’s been. Will this happen next year? 201O will be short 1 park and I have been going to Kiddieland since a child. So support every park still around to thrill us. Living in Metro Chicago Maverick, Dragter…The Beast, Diamondback, Vortex…Sreamin Eagle, Boss…Grease Lightning…Steel Houge, Cornball Express…Raven,Legend are all still in driving distance. Great America which goes without saying offers Viper, Batman, V2, Whizzer, Eagle, Demon, Unique of it’s type Raging Bull. Open the gates I’ll keep coming to each park mentioned. Enjoy which ever Coaster your on. Enjoy Show Stoppin while still playing…PEACE.
I really enjoyed my visit last Wednesday. I’ll be back this Sunday. A post on SFGAM WORLD. Now you expected negative comments. Sorry I’m too busy enjoying Cedar Fairs 2010 coaster teases. Especially Cedar Point playing mind games. They understand their fanbase. They enjoy teasing us because hotel reservations are already locked in. Now all the guessing hoping praying about Six Flags and 2010…energy wasted. Let’s enjoy the rest of 2009 at Great America just keep your eyes open, many of you are seeing finally.
Dude, I was just at Kings Island on Saturday and that park is in desperate need of some paint.
I agree with Ronald. I used to love Great America as a kid but over the years it has become a little ran down. Also in the past 6 years they only came out with one good coaster: Superman. The Dark Knight ride was a big dissapointment. I first went to Cedar Point in 2007, the year Maverick came out, and I was impressed. I like CP way better than SFGAM. Better rides, better food, better theming, an all around better park than Six Flags Great America. Don’t get me wrong I will still go to SFGAM, but only for Raging Bull, Batman, Superman, and The Giant Drop. Also CP has 2 of the best coasters in the world: Top Thrill Dragster and Millenium Force. I love those rides. To me they are the best coasters in the world. Not to mention Maverick, which is totally awesome. The lines are long at CP, but you gotta realize thats just because they are the roller coaster capital of the world and people come from all over the country to go there. CP is way better than SFGAM plain and simple!!!!!!!!!
Oh one more thing. Maybe if SFGAM built a gigacoaster or a stratacoaster I would be more inclined to go there more often. They need a new coaster to keep up in the coaster wars. Me personally I would like to see SFGAM get a Kingda Ka. I know there are multiple versions of Batman. Why not have more than one Kingda Ka? Just a thought!!!
Six Flags needs to invest some cash in the park.
Built in 74-76 by Marriott, the infrastructure is beginning to fail. Marriott had a policy of painting every thing, every single year. Six Flags puts up a ride then let’s it slip away.
All buildings are in need of painting….take a good look next time you are in the park. Rotted wood, peeling paint, crooked fences, cracked concrete is everywhere. They can clean and sweep all they want but the buildings themselves are fading fast. Looks like a alot of trees are dying…all are in need of a good trim as are the shrubs which are left to just grow wild. When in home town square, look closely at the buildings…notice the 3o-plus year old curtains rotting away in the windows. The window treatments in the boarding house are covered in dust/dirt.
If only you could see the employee areas…horrible, filty with cracked, uneven walkways, faded safety lines, retaining walls are caving in. Lots of rusting buildings. The department offices look like they have not been cleaned in years.
You are lucky you cannot see some of the kitchens are inside the food stands. Especially bad is Trudy’s Sweet Shop which seems to have a reall issue with ants.
Worst still in the employee building…lockers are rusting from all the leaks in the ceiling. The locker rooms actually flood during a rain. Carpets are worn down to the backing. Employee parking lot is all broken up. It is really a shame.
Two areas are especially in sad shape: Bugs Bunny National Park and Camp Cartoon. Rides are in need of a cleaning or painting. Weeds everywhere with no attempt to keep up on landscaping. Lots of break downs in those areas. Theme painting is faded and falling apart. Several of the attractions are signed “closed for refubishment”…for the past two seasons.
i love six flags superman is great raging bull keeps on getting better but i dislike buccaneers battle i think deja vu was alot better it reminds me of v2
everyone reccomends me not to go to six flags im like hey! six flags is fun and i like it my favorite ride is deja vu was awsome! six flags will always be number one!!