Six Flags Great America 5/31/10

[bobbinbop20]

Never go to SFGAm on Memorial Day, crowds were outrageous, I've never seen my home park this crowded in I think about 2 years, I can't remember the last time Raging Bull had more then a 15 minute wait, Today the line was spilling into the midway....

On the bright side Raging Bull was running fantastic! I think I've been to SFGAm 22 times since 2007 and I've never left without riding Raging Bull, the tradition continues, it might be extremely trimmed on the second half of the ride, but the drop in row 9 is just about as good as it gets on a B&M hyper. Also I was not stuck waiting in line for 90 minutes, because they have this random deal where if you buy a specific shirt you get a free exit pass good for 2 people on any ride in the park. So I said F that I'm not waiting 90 minutes for a ride I walk on all the time, so I picked up a rather nice American Eagle shirt and skipped the line, they even let me sit where I wanted to!

Batman was running fantastic as ever, I swear this thing is one of the smoothest B&M's I've ever been on, and at 18 years old now It's unbelievable how well this thing still runs, definitely the best Batman Clone of the 6(I think) I've been on.

I didn't ride Little Dipper yet, and the line was out the a$$ today too, so I decided to wait and ride maybe next week with my friend because she wanted me to wait for her to ride it, Six Flags did a great job with the ride though, as It looks like it was meant to be there all along. Kudos to them

American Eagle was also running very smooth and pretty speedy, but that's a pretty usual thing for this fantastic Intamin masterpiece, probably my favorite ride in the park.

Weather was crap making most of the pictures come out bad

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05566.jpg
Got to the park and saw this, not happy. Thankfully I found a way around it :p

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05567.jpg
Running 2 trains might have been something to do with it, but they added the third later in the day, that didn't do much to the line, as it was still the same length later on.

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05568.jpg
Took a picture and headed to American Eagle

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05573.jpg
Passed Demon on the way, sporting it's new "Stride" theme, you know it doesn't look nearly as bad in person, would I be burned at the stake if I said I like them?

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05575.jpg
Found a station wait at American Eagle, you never know what your gonna get with American Eagle, sometimes it has an hour long wait and other times it's a walk on, it's pretty much opposite of whatever everything else in the park is, American Eagle is a really nice ride, I'm not sure why EVERYONE thinks that Viper is so awesome, American Eagle is clearly the standout wooden roller coaster at the park, the thing is just massive and full of airtime, love it plus it was running really great today

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05579.jpg
Said ride

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05581.jpg
Red side still only has one train running, hopefully maintenance gets their butts in gear and gets that second train running, as the Red side is the better one, and I only rode blue today because of that reason

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05578.jpg
A piece of Chang's track is clearly visable from American Eagles exit ramp and it's lift hill, I believe it's the first piece of the lift hill.

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05583.jpg
I took a ride on Iron Wolf because lets face it, it's days are numbered. Something strange was going on because I actually had a fun, zippy, and fairly smooth ride. Everything was just running great today

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05582.jpg
Iron Wolf as usual had no wait

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05584.jpg
These trains are getting old

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05586.jpg
haha a ride on Iron Wolf will usually result in you needing spine alignments :eek:

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05589.jpg
I imagine that it was probably a kickass ride when it opened back in 1990

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05592.jpg
Near Iron Wolf we find the little dipper

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05595.jpg
The ride looks great and I can't wait to try it out at it's new home, I loved it when it was at kiddieland, so I'm sure it's still a great ride.

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05596.jpg
Same cute little train

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05598.jpg
This is where the line starts

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05599.jpg
A picture of the reflection of BTR in a nearby pond

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05600.jpg
A pretty good picture from this area

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05601.jpg
BTR peeling

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05602.jpg
More BTR peeling

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05603.jpg
There's a nice area behind the arcade near BTR that makes for some great pictures of the first drop/loop kinda hard to find though

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05609.jpg
Throw in a picture of Rajun Cajun for the hell of it

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05610.jpg
This is the highest V2 gets on its spike

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05613.jpg
BTR

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05614.jpg
Sky Trek Tower

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05618.jpg
This area will look different in 2011

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05622.jpg
Whizkid, whizzin through the trees

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05625.jpg
Can you say B&M

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05634.jpg
V2, probably the most boring "Thrill" ride in the park, this things a total snooze fest

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05636.jpg
Still plenty of people filling in at about 3pm

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05637.jpg
parking lot was pretty full

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05638.jpg
Viper is ok, not really my favorite or anything and way overhyped

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05643.jpg
SUF, I like this ride but I'm not waiting 90 minutes for it

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05645.jpg
Model of the park from the Marriott days

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05646.jpg
Tidal Wave/Greezed Lightnin

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05650.jpg
They had X inside a cup, which btw X is nowhere near here. dumb

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05651.jpg
Here's the shirt deal thing, I bought one of the gray American Eagle one's, because I love that ride!

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05652.jpg
Good deal on a crowded day

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05653.jpg
<3

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05654.jpg
I headed towards the bull

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05655.jpg

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05659.jpg
Passed Demon along the way and saw the train again

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05661.jpg
one of Viper

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05664.jpg

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05666.jpg
Trim's were on pretty damn hard, but the ride was still pretty good for all that trimming

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05669.jpg
90 DEGREES!

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05672.jpg

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05676.jpg
Very Photogenic ride

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05678.jpg
eeeeewwwwuhhhhhh!!! How can you let yourself get like that?!? Really!

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05681.jpg
Demon had a 60 minute wait. Also pretty unusual

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05683.jpg
Back to AE

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05684.jpg
woo yeah! That's what I'm talking about

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05688.jpg
SUF had problems later in the day, I don't know whats with this ride but it seems to always have some sort of problem

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05689.jpg
GP certainly praises it

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05690.jpg
Blah

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05691.jpg
From the Expressway.

Goodbye

[nitrofan]

I'm in the middle of reading your TR and this caught my eye:

http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/trip_reports/bobbinbop20/sfgam_5_31_2010/DSC05618.jpg

Do those flowers really say "Have a Six Flags Day"? *sigh*

[bobbinbop20]

^Haha, yes they certainly do!

Leave it to Six Flags.

[nitrofan]

Great TR!

I really wish I could get back to SFGAm. It's one of my favorite parks.

How can you think V2 is boring? I loved it!

I wonder what kind of ride Raging Bull would be without the trims. Maybe if the rumored TPR Bash happens at SFGAm they can do ERT on Raging Bull without trims! (dreaming)

[bobbinbop20]

^eh, I find V2 boring because there's nothing unique about it, all you do is go back and forward a few times and your done, plus the launch is really lame and the holding break isn't even on anymore. It was cool the first time, but I lost interest FAST!

As for Raging Bull, honestly without the trims it would probably be pretty close to being one of my favorite coasters, it has such a unique layout and It's just depressing that all of it's potential is put to waste. In my opinion I think it could be one of the very best B&M hyper's but instead it's the lamest one, It's still a pretty good ride but just not as good as I feel it could be.

As for running it without the trim's I'm not entirely sure that the park would ever do it, because I remember reading somewhere that the trim on the 3rd hill is there because if the train moves to fast it causes excessive force on the track or something like that creating irregular wear and tear and it would be a bitch to maintain. I'm not entirely sure that it's true but it's what I've heard I guess

[nitrofan]

^Surely they could run it without trims for 2 hours without too much wear. :)

Is Demon still really rough? That's the roughest Arrow looper I've been on.

[Changsucks]

I remember reading on a lot of sites that "you can catch Raging Bull on a good day" or that the trims aren't always on. Not sure if that's true, or that could just be outdated.

Nice TR. The crowds at SFGAm (and probably most other parks) on Memorial Day are funny because I went to Knott's on Memorial Day last year and it was basically empty. I guess that was to be expected last year, but Knott's was really crowded in 2008 and has been in 2010. Weird.

[nitrofan]

People say that the trims don't catch the train the first train of the day on Mantis at Cedar Point because their strength is determined by the previous train to run, which was empty. I wonder if this happens on Raging Bull too. I'm hoping to get back to SFGAm next summer, so I'll have to try it then.

[bobbinbop20]

^I've never seen Raging Bull run without the trims, and I've been on it in all types of conditions, I'm pretty sure it always has at least the first trim on the 3rd hill on, I don't know about the first train thing, because I've only been to the park once for rope drop and I went in the opposite direction.

As for Demon, you really found it rough?! Funny I think Demon is the smoothest one I've been on, GASM and Viper are wayyyy rougher in my opinion.

[DarienLake:D]

i am planning on going to that park in 2011 or 2012! Nice TR

[nitrofan]

^I've never seen Raging Bull run without the trims, and I've been on it in all types of conditions, I'm pretty sure it always has at least the first trim on the 3rd hill on, I don't know about the first train thing, because I've only been to the park once for rope drop and I went in the opposite direction.

As for Demon, you really found it rough?! Funny I think Demon is the smoothest one I've been on, GASM and Viper are wayyyy rougher in my opinion.

Yeah, Demon was awful. I've learned a better Arrow/Vekoma brace tecnique over the past few years though, so maybe I'd think differently if I tried again.

[bobbinbop20]

^Hmm, where did you ride?

The front is very smooth, middle might be a bit on the rough side, and the back usually isn't to rough but you can get a little shake in the corkscrews, the back has awesome ejector air on the drop though! It's really awesome, your legs just fly up and there's no way to stop it

[nitrofan]

^Hmm, where did you ride?

The front is very smooth, middle might be a bit on the rough side, and the back usually isn't to rough but you can get a little shake in the corkscrews, the back has awesome ejector air on the drop though! It's really awesome, your legs just fly up and there's no way to stop it

I think it was the second car, but it was 2 years ago, so I'm not completely sure.

[Kevin]

Great rip review! I will probably do one when I go to Busch Gardens Africa next Sunday.. And that woman legs are really nasty, haha.

[Changsucks]

CGA's Demon is terrible, I find it weird that SFGAm's would be so much smoother.

[cory]

I love going to Six Flags Great America. I will choose to go there over any Six Flags park.

[bobbinbop20]

Whats so different about Great America?

[Changsucks]

^CGA's Demon is really rough, but I haven't ridden SFGAm's, so I'm not sure if there is a big difference between the two or if they're both rough.

[cory]

Tell you the truth I dont know I just have more fun there than any other Six Flags park.

[nitrofan]

Tell you the truth I dont know I just have more fun there than any other Six Flags park.

Which other parks have you been to? You should definately try SFGAdv. SFGAm and SFGAdv are by far the nicest parks in the chain. You will LOVE El Toro too.

[cory]

Yeah I been there once I am going there again this summer I been to every Six Flags park except for the ones in Texas.

[nitrofan]

Yeah I been there once I am going there again this summer I been to every Six Flags park except for the ones in Texas.

The ones in Texas are also some of the nicest. Their coater selections just aren't as good as SFGAm and SFGAdv. Both of them pretty much tie SFGAm and SFGAdv in atmosphere though IMO.