Six Flags Great America Celebrates 40 Seasons of Thrills!

[coastercrazy]

The glass balls by Hometown Station look like exterior enclosures for Moving Lights. I believe they will be used for the Parade Show.

[Iron Wolf 90-11]

They were used for IgNight.

[DeathbyDinn]

Anyone know what's going on here? Apparently the lights are off the front of it too.


Link

[Guy_With_A_Stick]

That's what I meant by "redoing the Demon tunnel"

[anewman35]

So I can't be the only one who's pretty disappointed by the so-called "complete refresh" of Carousel Plaza and Hometown Square, right? The stuff they've actually done/are doing (Hometown Park, train station, center of Hometown Square, a little paint, new Coke stand) all seems pretty nice, and I'd rather have a few new kiddie rides during an off-year than a show that's just going to go away. But I guess I forgot this was Six Flags we were dealing with and let things like the teasers from last year, ideas people here had, and things like what Kings Dominion did for their 40th lead me to hope that it would be a lot more than it actually is. Unlike some people, I've never really had too much of an issue with how the park looked, or cared about things like redone pavement or anything, so I'm not upset per se, I just wish they had just said the new attraction was three new rides and not even mentioned the almost-non-existent "refresh".

At one point, I was hoping they'd "refresh" a few sections a year until they had done the whole park, but now that I see what the "refresh" consists of, they might as well not even bother.

[FParker185]

Agreed 100%, if what they did is their idea of restoring something, lets just go ahead and keep the cap ex budget solely for new attractions, regardless what they are

[anewman35]

A few observations on my first visit yesterday:

- They had a Gold Pass entry line, which I don't recall ever seeing last year (although I was never usually there in the mornings). They didn't insist on scanning the fingers of my children this year, which I was happy about.

- The redone Hometown Square train station seems like it will be a good compromise of both being used as a train station and a stage for the nighttime show (I'm assuming). Comparing it to how it used to look (see a 2006 picture at http://www.karenandjay.com/trips/sfgram06/plaza.jpg), the new stage area seems a lot wider, but at least it still looks like a train station.

- They've rearranged the Goliath line to allow access to the train station now, but it also makes less room for the Goliath line so I'm not sure if that will be a problem. I'm a little surprised they didn't find any room to build a bit more permanent line for Goliath.

- Based on what I saw people using, the Green "unlimited" sports bottles seemed WAY more popular than the Red ones. That may be because most people who would go on a day like yesterday were probably season pass holders, I wonder if that changes later in the season...

- I saw a sign for a contest for a "fly-away trip for two to Summerfest" (and it's on their website too). I get that it's a national contest, but it seems silly for SFGAm to be promoting a contest where the prize is flying to Milwaukee...

[Coaster Justin]

A few observations on my first visit yesterday:

... They've rearranged the Goliath line to allow access to the train station now, but it also makes less room for the Goliath line so I'm not sure if that will be a problem. I'm a little surprised they didn't find any room to build a bit more permanent line for Goliath...

They probably think since it's a year old now that Fewer people will want to ride it. Either that or because the Operators are used to operating it, They can have better capacity.

[DejaVu2001]

There were only a few days last year that the entire overflow was filled anyway. I think they'll be fine.

[FParker185]

As we all know, opening day was miserably packed, and Goliath was open all day, never once saw people in the overflow queue. I bet by mid season they rip it all out.

[DeathbyDinn]

At one point, I was hoping they'd "refresh" a few sections a year until they had done the whole park, but now that I see what the "refresh" consists of, they might as well not even bother.

It's sad that Magic Mountain's refreshes are done much better than ours. Is it better than what we've had the past few years? Yes. Is it as nice as what it used to be? Not by a long shot.

[great america fan]

Does any one know what the big post is in the center of tots

[Iron Wolf 90-11]

Does any one know what the big post is in the center of tots any one know what the big post is in the center of tots

I'm not sure what you are talking about. I'm just going to guess that it is what the cars are connected to.

[great america fan]

Does any one know what the big post is in the center of tots any one know what the big post is in the center of tots

I'm not sure what you are talking about. I'm just going to guess that it is what the cars are connected to.

It's connected to that but it's about 8 feet tall I think it might be for the awnings now that I think of it

[Guy_With_A_Stick]

Yeah, its probably an awning. It's a very small one though...

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[Iron Wolf 90-11]

It is for an awning. http://www.greatamericaparks.com/images ... kiddie.jpg

[KI2014]

Do you think they will run anything backwards this year? 40 Seasons is great and all, but I don't think we will see too much of an attendance boost...

[Guy_With_A_Stick]

We would be lucky for a Fright Fest backwards. If anything were to run backwards, it would've probably been announced by now.

[anewman35]

This is from the Pass Holders Newsletter, and I don't think we knew it before (I didn't, at least):

Season Pass Holders can now enter Hurricane Harbor directly from the guest parking lot through the gate in Riptide Bay until 12:30pm.

It's only for an hour each day (or more if they let you in early), but it seems like a convenient thing to do.

[anewman35]

We would be lucky for a Fright Fest backwards. If anything were to run backwards, it would've probably been announced by now.

Wouldn't shock me if they announced something May 29th when all the 40th stuff is supposed to officially start. Remember that they're supposed to have special "festivals" for all the roller coasters and they haven't announced anything about those at all yet...

[Jacklw6499]

Does anyone still have the link for the discounted green sport bottle? Also, how much does it cost without the coupon?

[Guy_With_A_Stick]

At the park, it's $20 w/o coupon.

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[Guy_With_A_Stick]

The fright fest stuff outside RC is no laziness.

September 26th...

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[Guy_With_A_Stick]

Also, Gazebo is up, and all of the Hometown Park rides are done.

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[DeathbyDinn]

^ Same gazebo as before or new one?