While vertical construction hasn’t yet begun on Six Flags Great America’s new-for-2017 Joker 4D roller coaster, the land clearing and ride shuffling is well underway.
Joker will stand 120 feet tall and will feature five cars seating two pairs of riders on each side of the track. Those cars will reach a top speed of 38 mph as they maneuver down the 1,019 feet of track.
The bulk of the construction so far is taking place on the site of the former Ragin’ Cajun spinning coaster (which now operates at Six Flags America).
With a concrete pad already in place, hopefully vertical construction can begin within the next month or two.
The wooden bridge connecting the Mardi Gras and Yankee Harbor areas has been moved to the left of the former Ragin’ Cajun spot.
Initial Joker renderings showed a canvas-covered structure shielding guests from the coaster above (see the right side of the above image), so it’s great to see the park reusing this structure instead.
Guests will be rerouted through that bridge as this thoroughfare will be blocked by the coaster’s towering structure.
It would be great if the park would reuse the former Ragin’ Cajun station facade (and perhaps give the Joker a New Orleans theme), but I doubt that will be the case. Either way, I hope they will reincorporate the facade elsewhere in the area.
Two rides have been affected by Joker’s construction. East River Crawler has been removed from its spot at Yankee Harbor…
…where it will reopen in the Orbit’s (removed earlier this season) spot. The classic flat ride, originally opened with Great America as the Lobster in 1976 will reclaim its name when it reopens in the Hometown Square area.
Orbit, a classic enterprise flat ride, has already been removed.
East River Crawler’s exit has opened up a beautiful vantage point of Batman: The Ride. Joker will likely block this shot once it opens in 2017, so enjoy it while you can.
Meanwhile, Jester’s Wild Ride is in the process of being removed to make room for Joker. We haven’t heard yet if this ride will reappear or be gone for good.
Needless to say, this area will look very different next season.
Joker will open sometime during the early 2017 season.
What are your thoughts about Six Flags Great America’s new coaster? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
I am really excited for the Joker. For the first time I have gone to a six flags park, something will look different.