What is the ride height limit for SFGam?

[wishman35]

I have heard that Gurnee doesn't allow rides to go over a certain height hence why we dont have any higher coasters.

I really wish that we could get something like Dragster/Kingda Ka, it would fit perfect where Vu was, obviously with some construction. I know many of you are opposed to a ride like that probably, but just imagine how much it would disperse lines.

It would be great to get a 300/400 foot hill ride...but i am guessing there is no chance because of this restriction?

[UWW-10]

STT itself is 285 feet, but I think they figure to the top of the flag as the maximum height, which is something along the lines of 300 feet I think. Does anyone know if the park still has the noise ordinance issues with the village? I remember there were always debates about that, which was why the park could never stay open past 11pm for fear they'd be cycling after midnight, causing disturbance to the neighbors (which most of whom moved after the park was built and should have very little to complain about in my opinion )

I don't think GAm is in the flight path of the airport, but if you want that...go to SFKK, where they can't go higher than 180 feet and I believe there are 3 flight paths that cross over the park.

[BP317]

Marriott agreed with the village of Gurnee the tallest structure they would build is the flagpole on top of Sky Trek Tower.

Considering all of the problems with Kingda Ka, as well as Six Flags current displeasure towards spending a lot of money on new rides, as well as SFGAm not having roller coaster competition in the area (yes they did build Shockwave and Eagle which were the tallest at the time, but that was different era), it wouldnt happen anyway.

[BrianPlencner]

SFGAm07 is correct. Nothing at the park can be taller then the top of the flag pole on Sky Trek Tower.

I also want to point out that if the park wants to build anything less then that, but taller then 125 Feet, they need to go in front of the Village of Gurnee Zoning Board of Appeals for a height variance.

The link below is the agenda for when the park went in front of the Zoning Board of Appeals for Raging Bull back in Feb of 1998.

http://www.gurnee.il.us/zoning_board/zb ... 8_zba.html

--Brian

[wishman35]

interesting to know, i just remember the hype when Bull was opened and sparked so much interest and became the favorite and remains so for so many.

If only a new big record breaker could be opened.

[SFaddiction84]

For the residents who live near the park when it was being built, if they were WORRIED about noise, why did they let it be built, and for those who complain about noise who moved there AFTER the park was open? Why did you move there! Its a themepark, rollercoasters and people having fun, don't move next to it and then complain that its to loud, its called common sense

[Jackluver18]

I remember hearing somewhere that the people that live across from Eagle complain at like 9 pm because Eagle screeches and they complain it's too loud, you chose to live there if you don't like it there then move simple as that.

[bobbinbop20]

well they can still build up to 310 ft which is pretty tall =]

[wishman35]

well they can still build up to 310 ft which is pretty tall =]

most defff!! build a ride like millennium force and i will be in heaven. that lift hill is sex over and over again

[bigb7965]

^ wow.....

never heard that comparison before

[wishman35]

^ wow.....

never heard that comparison before

naturally i got carried away, but i was floored by its steepness and just how quick it moves. just great times.

[onyxhotel08]

I would take Millennium Force over Eagle, Viper and Iron Wolf any day.

[coasterkidd100]

^Same here!

[onyxhotel08]

Basically anything expect my beloved Bull. Everything else is fair game. We need something big in the future. Something that will have other parks wanting it. Just like what happened with Bull in 1999. We need a tall ride. But it's the whole package. The height, length, design and everyting. We have great rides but they are either old (Wolf), simple design (Superman), short in length (V2) or outdated (Whizzer). The only ones still worth the money are Bull and maybe Batman. They never go out of style.

[JordanSDMF]

I would take Millennium Force over Eagle, Viper and Iron Wolf any day.

Hmm, maybe not Viper an Iron Wolf, but possible the eagle. Only eagle because I see it dying soon.

I just think SFGAm needs more Intamins. We have like... 2. And Eagle doesn't count, because by an Intamin coaster, I meant more like what they are making now. Like their megas, gigas, LSMs, vertical lifts, or those wing riders. That Furius Baco looks insane. But an intamin probably won't happen, because first of all, they are extremely expensive, and second, I heard they cost a LOT to keep up.

[tp41190]

Eh, Bull isnt that fun to me. I think its in the 30's on my list of around 200.

Sorry to all the Raging Bull fans, but compared to other Hypers its forceless and is trimmed to death.

[FParker185]

Figured I was alone here thinking that about Bull. Back in 99 when it first opened and I hadn't ridden many coasters it seemed awesome, then got to ride other coasters and see that it's not all that, in fact it's quite awful as far as hypers go, I dont rank past like top 10-20, but if I had to sit down and make a list, I dont think it'd break my top 100.

[onyxhotel08]

Oh c'mon that is pushing it a bit. I would take a ride on Bull over any other ride at Great America and without it I wouldn't even care about having to go to the park at least twice a year. Bull is fun, smooth and an instant classic. BTW, eagle is almost a landmark. The park loves it. People still love it. It has gone down in popularity but it is still popular enough. It might have at least another 10-15 years left. OK, maybe 5-10.

[tp41190]

For SFGAm...and with Shockwave and Vu gone it is one of the better coasters and the park. For my personal top rankings...
1. Whizzer
2. Eagle
3. Viper
4. Iron Wolf
5. Batman (even after being on 3 of them)
6. Raging Bull

The height doesn't do much for me, yes the drop is good, but the rest of the ride is "meh".

[onyxhotel08]

#1 Raging Bull
#2 Superman
#3 V2
#4 Batman
#5 Viper
#6 American Eagle
#7 Whizzer
#8 Dark Knight
#9 Iron Wolf
#10 Giant Drop
I thought we have 12 coasters? What am I missing?

[tp41190]

Well for one Giant Drop isnt a coaster..

Your missing
-Spacelys Sprocket Rockets
-Raging Cajun
-Demon
-

[Demon_07]

^my username tells you what you're missing.

[monsterfan99]

* There is the kiddie coaster and American Eagle is 2 different rides.

Personally, I find Bull to be good, but not quite great. The viper is a good example of a ride that is not that tall, but gives a great ride. And there is no way they can get ride of the Whizzer without replacing it with a like ride. The ride alone is probably responsible for more coaster fans then anything else in the area.

[tp41190]

I wish Viper would run like it did back in the day.

Theres a few clips in this video from the year 2000...the good days.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIv__HwVOmQ

[onyxhotel08]

I have yet to go on Ragun Cajun..I never know if it is a J or a G. My brother went on it in 2004 I think when it opened and said it was awful. I wanna try it though. Demon I can't believe I forgot. Those are not in my top 10 anyways. say what you will, AE is NOT 2 rides. If it still ran backward yeah maybe but just because it has two sides means little to me. Pretty much the same. Little different view points.