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.
I didn’t see any signs of 2016 work underway as I strolled through the park.
I noticed these suspicious-looking boxes while riding the Scenic Railway. But upon closer inspection, they appear to be related to X-Flight.
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.
Goliath was running very well. It closed for a brief time due to “overheating.” How do the RMC coasters survive scorching Texas summers?
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.
After a year of operation, it’s hard for me to imagine the park without Goliath.
Nothing beats the hang time Goliath delivers.
I can’t get enough of that drop.
But I have to remind myself that there are other coasters at Six Flags Great America.
Raging Bull was also running very well (and with all three trains).
It’s still one of my favorite Bolliger & Mabillard hypers.
I still prefer X-Flight’s layout to the only other B&M wing coaster I’ve ridden, Wild Eagle at Dollywood.
I think I’m just partial to compact B&M layouts (Batman: The Ride is also a favorite of mine).
American Eagle is still offering double rides throughout the season (on this day the red side was offering two rides).
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.
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.”
I decided to hop on the Scenic Railway, one of the few attractions that remained open.
The park was moderately crowded for a Saturday. The heat seemed to keep many at Hurricane Harbor.
One change I did notice was the addition of these screens or boards at the front of each train carriage.
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.
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).
I huddled in the open-air station for about an hour before slowly making my way back to the exit.
The park was not immune to the flash flooding that ensued. The cloud-to-ground lightning and high winds made for an eerie scene.
Since I had a function to attend, I began to play “run to the nearest structure between each lull in the storm.”
The storm was unrelenting. But I slowly made my way to the front of the park.
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!
I was predicting that the American Eagle would get the RMC “iron horse treatment” with a new steel track being installed like Colossus and Cyclone. But now I’m not so sure! Why would they have two RMC coasters at the park? The Eagle could become more popular than Goliath since it’s longer and would probably have more inversions. I’m thinking now if they just tear down the Eagle and put a new B&M super coaster there instead??
The American Eagle station has been completely renovated for 2016 to it’s 1981 condition. I was shocked. The coaster has sponsorship this year yet it makes me wonder if an RMC rehab is coming. The coaster is in TERRIBLE condition and it’s all the more noticeable after this renovation. I’m not a contractor but the reno looks to cost in the tens of thousands of dollars. Why make this investment now? Hmm.