Six Flags Great America July 2015 Update

I visited Six Flags Great America today to see what was new at the park since I last visited in early June.

The day was off to a great start. The sun was shining and the temperatures were mild.

IMG_5425

I didn’t see any signs of 2016 work underway as I strolled through the park.

DSC04938

I noticed these suspicious-looking boxes while riding the Scenic Railway. But upon closer inspection, they appear to be related to X-Flight.

DSC04942  DSC04945

Even though it’s not the smoothest of steel coasters, I always try to ride Demon at least once. With aging Arrow coasters, another season is rarely guaranteed.

DSC04962

Goliath was running very well. It closed for a brief time due to “overheating.” How do the RMC coasters survive scorching Texas summers?

DSC04933

Thanks to the single-rider line, I was able to ride Goliath twice in less than 30 (combined) minutes. The standby line had a posted wait time of 90 minutes throughout the day.

DSC04966

After a year of operation, it’s hard for me to imagine the park without Goliath.

IMG_5439

Nothing beats the hang time Goliath delivers.

IMG_5446

I can’t get enough of that drop.

IMG_5450

But I have to remind myself that there are other coasters at Six Flags Great America.

IMG_5428

Raging Bull was also running very well (and with all three trains).

IMG_5432

It’s still one of my favorite Bolliger & Mabillard hypers.

IMG_5434  IMG_5435

I still prefer X-Flight’s layout to the only other B&M wing coaster I’ve ridden, Wild Eagle at Dollywood.

DSC04930  DSC04940

I think I’m just partial to compact B&M layouts (Batman: The Ride is also a favorite of mine).

DSC04926

American Eagle is still offering double rides throughout the season (on this day the red side was offering two rides).

DSC04968

Whoever gave the go-ahead on the sports bottle refill station, I salute you. Hopefully the park will install more of these throughout the park. It’s frustrating to wait 10 minutes behind someone with a confusing/complicated order when all you need is a free refill.

IMG_5454  IMG_5455

Around 2:30 in the afternoon, towering dark clouds began to surround the park. Within minutes, all of the coasters ceased operation as lightning was “in the area.”

DSC04946

I decided to hop on the Scenic Railway, one of the few attractions that remained open.

DSC04952

The park was moderately crowded for a Saturday. The heat seemed to keep many at Hurricane Harbor.

IMG_5440

One change I did notice was the addition of these screens or boards at the front of each train carriage.

IMG_5441

They’re not operating yet, but they appear as though they’ll be around for a while. If you know what they are, feel free to share in the comments section below.

DSC04961

A trip on the Scenic Railway also provides some unique views of Goliath.

The rain began to pick up, so the train ceased operation at the Yukon Territory station in the back of the park (just my luck).

 

IMG_5462

I huddled in the open-air station for about an hour before slowly making my way back to the exit.

IMG_5467

The park was not immune to the flash flooding that ensued. The cloud-to-ground lightning and high winds made for an eerie scene.

IMG_5466

Since I had a function to attend, I began to play “run to the nearest structure between each lull in the storm.”

IMG_5470

The storm was unrelenting. But I slowly made my way to the front of the park.

IMG_5483

Although my day was cut short by the storm, I was able to get rides in on my favorite coasters. The sun was already shining by the time I left the parking lot.

If this year is the same as the last several, we should see the park begin to tease their 2016 plans in the next few weeks. As this year was relatively quiet (compared to Goliath in 2014), I’m hopeful that the park will receive a sizeable new attraction.

Stay tuned to Coaster101 for the latest!

Share