introduction

[dave24]

Not sure what forum to put this in so im sorry if it's in the wrong place. Lurking for awhile and decided to post today. Moved to spring valley,il last year from Los Angeles. I was about 40 minutes from knotts and disneyland. So I'm used to riding coasters all year long and not acustomed to going a whole year without a ride.I was planning on going to Great america sometime in june and have never been there before. Any tips on what are the Do's and Don't at Great America. I hope it's nothing like Magic Mountain.Great site you guysKeep up the good work

[Aero737]

Welcome to the forums, and I hope you like our park here in northern Illinois.First Great America has a wonderful assortment of flat rides (i've only ridden 2 though..heh) and some of them date back to the Marriot Age of the Park. Lots of the rides are classic and deliver good thrills.The rollercoaster assortment is great. Im sick of people complaining that we don't have a 4-d or a 10 inversion floorless. We have 2 great wooden coasters that I wouldnt miss. You can ride American Eagle blue backwards this year, and Viper is an airtime machiene.Raging Bull is our tallest fastest coaster that is a must ride. Take the back row as it has the ejector airtime in the park. Batman and Iron wolf are two unique rides in our park that are very short and fast. The rides themselves dont last more than 2 min., but its well worth it. Ironwolf is a standard standup (a little rough), and batman is the first inverted coaster.Demon is a good arrow looper, and whizzer is a classic. Whizzer doesn't deliver thrills but it is a classic and the last of its kind in America. Don't count on DeJaVu being open, but you probably rode it at Magic Mountain. V2 is a good ride (the only launched coaster in our park).Superman would probably have the longest line out of any coaster you visit, so I would suggest hitting it early or late. Its a fun coaster (espically if you have never been on a flying coaster). Be careful though-you will loose the contents of your pocket (left pocket primarily). And from what i've heard our six flags is less crowded and cleaner than Magic Mountain, but i've never been to LA.I hope you enjoy your visit!

[InsaneNewman]

Fantastic summary of our park, aero.Just a few more tips:DO bring food. You can get your hand stamped to go out to your car and eat. The food at SFGAm is not exactly fantastic or cheap. But, if you've been to Magic Mountain, I'm sure you've experienced Six Flags' lovely pricing.DO get to the park before it opens, especially if you want to ride Superman. I got to the park at 9:40 (on a 10:00 opening day) and only had to wait 15 minutes (after park opening and rides started).DO stay ahead of the crowd. When you get off Superman, head directly for Batman or V2. As most people try to ride Superman first, you can signifcantly reduce your wait time on every ride following if you continue in a clockwise direction around the park.DO bring extra clothes if you plan to ride water rides. It could just have been luck, but on my last trip to the park, I got completely soaked after only one ride each on Roaring Rapids and Logger's Run.DON'T eat fast food. If you are going to eat in the park, go to one of the few sit-down resturants. You'll end up paying about the same anyway, and the food is better.DON'T bring a lot of crap unless you intend to rent a locker. Superman, for one, doesn't allow any carry-on's onto the platform. Lockers are $5 for an all-day rental.DON'T miss the flat rides. They generally have short lines, but The Condor, Rue Le Dodge, East River Crawler, Orbit, Fiddler's Fling, Hometown Fun Machine, Riccochet, etc. are all fantastic rides.DON'T ride Space Shuttle America. One might take the lack of a line as a plus, but the ride is so jarring that it really doesn't deserve to be called a motion simulator anymore, as I realy can't think of a motion that it simulates... Maybe earthquake?DON'T be fooled by marketing and waste money on a FastLane pass. The four rides you get out of them aren't worth the $12.I'll post more if I can think of them. For now, have fun!

[SfGaMownz]

Batman and Iron wolf are two unique rides that are very short and fast. The rides themselves dont last more than 2 min., but its well worth it. Ironwolf is a standard floorless (a little rough), and batman is the first inverted coaster.

A few corrections to aeros post. B:TR isn't unique, it was the first but as you it is at several six flags parks, MM being one of them, also Iorn Wolf is a stand-up, not a floorless, and it was B&Ms first coaster ever.A few other tips try and go on Tuesday or Thursday because they are the lest crowded days of the week, and avoid Saturday and Sunday at all costs if you expect to get alot of rides in.

[Aero737]

Whoops...I guess I was thinking about something else when I wrote that, thanks for the corrections. Fixed them all up. Insanenewman-good tips, I can acually use some of thoes too. Outside the park Burgerking, McDonnalds, Wendy's, and Subway are 3 good fast food joints within walking distance of the park (I wouldnt suggest walking to them, as you can leave and enter the parking lot at your will once you pay).

[SfGaMownz]

I would only suggest walking in groups. Last year me and my friends walked to burger king and then to speedway and on the way back these 2 ugly werid smomking girls stoped in the middle of the road and asked us if we wanted a ride back to the park, we were like ummm.....thats okay, we'll walk . Some weird people are out there.........

[coasterzak]

Same deal as MM, our DV isn't open as much, not quite as many coasters... 8 hours closer to CP.

[dave24]

Thanks for all the info. Never got to ride deja vu as it was either valleying or too long of a line. I figure raging bull is along the same lines as goliath. I will surely miss ghostrider and Xcelerator.Thanks again for all the info

[SFGAmfreak4life]

Ive been to SFMM and I say that its cleaner than our park. Another dont is bringing a wallet with a chain thats more than 1 foot in length. If its longer than 1 foot then you have to either put it in your car or rent a locker. Thats all I can think of that you shouldnt do since everyone else covered it good. If I think of something else Ill post it some time later.

[planea380]

Do-Raging Bull(better than goliath cause it was the original)Do-BTR cause our was the 1stDo-Iron Wolf it may give u a headache but..the first loop is killerDo-If you go on a crowed day buy a fastpass(use in afternoon)Do-Wait to ride American Eagle after 5(Walk ride on)Don't-Buy a fastpass when not crowedDon't-Buy any food there it stinks coast like 3 bucks 4 a cokeDon't-Ride American Eagle like 20x in a row(Major head ache)

[SFGA 11]

Heres a few tips:1). Definatly ride Raging Bull, V2, and Superman (and Deja Vu if its open)2). At night ride Sky Trek Tower (great view of entire park), Raging Bull or Superman, they are all great night rides.3). If your in the back of the park (County Fair) and your legs are tired Take the Scenic Rail way back to the front of the park (Hometown Square)4). If S:UF's line is long go to the right of the parks and ride those rides first. They should all have short lines becasue most peopel would be at the left side of the park in line for Superman.DON'T:Bring alot of stuff because you will get tired easier.Eat at Claimjumbers, it's food is nasty.

[SFGAmfreak4life]

planea380- I hate to say it but Goliath is a lot better than RB.

[CoasterDave316]

From what ive heard Raging Bull is better but to each his own opinion. I won't know which is better myself until I ride it in August. But this isn't a topic about which is better so lets not let that take over this topic.Tips for Great America:-Tickets:If you don't have a season pass I suggest buying your tickets at Jewel, so you don't have to wait at the lines at the park.-Good time to arrive:They open the entrance at 9:30(which includes Superman) so get there around 9 if you want to have a short wait for Superman. If you are close enough to the entrance you should be able to walk to the ride and still make it on the first or second train of the day.-If you don't want to ride Superman first, I suggest heading over to Southwest Territory to avoid the crowds by Superman. Raging Bull and Viper will probably have the shortest wait time of the day for the first hour while everyones at Superman.-Don't judge Viper by looks, it is a incrediable coaster and one coaster I could ride all day long and not get bored with. The only bad part is the long exit.-American Eagle (when running both sides), Batman and Raging Bull (when running 3 trains) have lines that usually move very quick. So if you go on a crowded day and can't find a line with a short wait, I suggest waiting for one of these rides.-Iron Wolf doesn't open until 10:30 a.m. this year and American Eagles red side doesn't open until around noon.-FoodFor breakfast there is a new Krispy Kreame ouside the park which has great donuts which im sure you know, and unlike "InsaneNewman" said, I do suggest eating fast food like Mcdonalds and Burger King instead of a sit down restaurant. They are cheap and they are quick which lets you enjoy more time at the park rather then sitting in a restaurant for an hour waiting for your food to come.-And a few don'tDon't by Fastlane, Don't bring lots of stuff with you in the park (your not allowed any loose items on superman). And if you do bring stuff, don't throw any of it in the pile at Supermans entrance. It will most likely end up getting stolen.Well thats all the tips I could think of from my own personal expirences. Use them as you wish, hope I could help. Glad you like the site.

[InsaneNewman]

CoasterDude: I think you miss-interpreted me. I was saying if you are going to remain in the park for a meal, then go to one of Six Flags' sit down resturants. The service tends to be faster than waiting for in-park fast-food, anyway, as the waiters can actually speak decent English! By all means, if you're going to eat outside the park, grab a quick bite. Just inside the park, sit-down is the best choice!

[NoUseForAName]

Yeah Insane your right. Its way better to eat at..lets say at that sitdown pizza place then just picking something up at Demon Nachos.Ive heard to different storys on Goliath vs Raging Bull.

[SFGA 11]

Even though I've never rideen Goliath, it looks more intense then Raging Bull. But, Goliath doesn't look like it has much air time. So, I'm guessing that there pretty close together in which is better.

[CoasterDave316]

CoasterDude: I think you miss-interpreted me. I was saying if you are going to remain in the park for a meal, then go to one of Six Flags' sit down resturants. The service tends to be faster than waiting for in-park fast-food, anyway, as the waiters can actually speak decent English! By all means, if you're going to eat outside the park, grab a quick bite. Just inside the park, sit-down is the best choice!

Oh sorry, as far as in the park foods go though. I suggest Luigis Pizza, whenever I eat inside the park I usually eat there. It is located right by the American Eagle and Dare Devil Dive. If you want a nice restaurant though try the all-you-can-eat buffet at Crazy Buffalo Saloon in Southwest Territory, right next to Vipers Exit.

[SFGAmfreak4life]

If you want to get ripped off then buy a pizza. Its still good even though its a rip off.

[dave24]

Goliath is really intense especially the helix and drop. The bunny hops have some good airtime. Goliath is definately one of my favorites.

[SFGAmfreak4life]

Goliath is an airtime machine. Its so great. Yes the helix is intense. My sister almost blacked out in it. If anyone is planning on going to SFMM Golitah is a must ride.

[SfGaMownz]

Chesse Fries and the footlong hot dogs are the best deal in the park I think. Biggest rip- $3 for a 20 oz friggn coke.

[coasterswimgurl12]

yup...thats right, i almost blacked out on it....but from what i remember, i really like Raging Bull better!!! as for a sit-down restaurant at SF, go to that pasta and pizza place right across form Batman....its an all-you-can-pile-on-your-plate type of restaurant and its a good deal!!! great pasta too! also.....pile more than your really going to eat so you have left overs to share with your friend!!!(i thank Jason) lol!!!