I was on screamscape and they said that there has been a bunch of trees cleared right next to whizzer and that it is likely getting removed. At first about a month ago when all this talk started I thought it was nothing but now I think it will happen. If it does there is only one thing that could happen COASTER!!!!!!!!! Screamscape said it would be located in Southwest Territory?? Ideas?? Thoughts? Also a tornado in HH in 06?

__________________

Whizzer is not going to be torn down. Screamscape is full of crap. They tried to tear it down, or at least said they were going to, in 2003, but the public really likes that ride. In 2004 and 2005 SFGAm has been trying to add family attractions (mardi gras, waterpark). So why would they tear down whizzer?

__________________
Kingda Ka is the tallest and fastest coaster in the world.

Edit- I wouldn't say they're full of crap. First they're not saying it's a definite. Second, reasons they would get rid of it are it does have a very low capacity and does take up a lot of space. Also it is said that it is hard to maintain and get parts for. I don't know if that's for sure but I wouldn't doubt it. Your reason for them not getting rid of it because they're adding family attractions doesn't hold water. That very well could be the reason they feel they can get rid of Whizzer now. They have other family attractions to satisfy their guests. Look at the other Great American (Paramount), do they still have their Whizzer? Yet, they've added a waterpark and some kiddie/family rides I'm sure. That's not a reason why SFGAm won't possibly get rid of Whizzer.
---------------------------------------------------------



If they get rid of Whizzer, I think it's bittersweet. Ultimately I'll love a new coaster over Whizzer but I do think Whizzer has a great charm to it. On top of that, it's a great family coaster. I'd go as far as to say it's the best family coaster in the country. Only Powder Keg possibly being better and that's really stretching the lines of what is a family coaster.. Most family coasters are glorified kiddie coasters in my opnion. With Whizzer, it's actually fairly thrilling and offers a very unique layout. And what other coaster can people actually truly ride together? This is great for families also as well as for couples to ride together. It'll be sad to see it go.

If Whizzer does in fact get taken down, it will certainly mean a new coaster. The spot is too big just to be used for a flat ride. Although it could be possible for a few maybe? Or use it for one flat ride now while they start construction of something huge in it's spot. Huge rocket coaster? Ok, now I'm dreaming.

My money is on a floorless coaster if they do indeed get a new coaster. Other possibilities but longshots I'd say are a rocket coaster, prototype such as a new version of the 4D coaster or frequent faller, etc.

__________________
YOUR HATRED AMUSES ME

I was just at the park on Thursday. Those massive "tree clearings" are two piles of branches that were trimmed near the ride. They also trimmed a tree under the brake run because it was begining to grow through the track. I see no reason for them to tear down Whizzer, and although it was saved by "public outcry" (yeah, right) once I'm sure SFGAm doesn't want that to happen again.

Bottom Line: I don't think Whizzer will be taken out at all and I don't see SFGAm getting a coaster next year. Although the Tornado is all but confirmed.

__________________
Bigger, Stronger, Fatter.

Let me clear some stuff up about Whizzer. Like Woodland said, branches of trees are laying on the ground cause it was well needed. That means nothing to the future of the ride. What is worth mentioning however, is that there is a bunch of trees that have mysteriously "disappeared" near the far west side of the ride closer to Viper.(That is what no one else seems to notice or will unless they can view a before and after shot.)

Like others mention, Whizzer is a truly unique family attraction. The park would love to keep it for years to come, but when it does indeed get the axe, it isn't because of careless planning or stupid corporate decisions. It is because it is impossible to maintain and keep running. And that time will come sooner than some of you may think.

Six Flags Great America is a great park and is very well run. Into the 2006 season, the park will debut "new to Six Flags" things that will make you ask "why don't all Six Flags parks do this?" Ron Sevart(the new gm) is truly showing what he is made of and 2006 should be the start to changes in the Golden Tickets.

So in conclusion, Six Flags has surprised us all before and they may very well do it again. Only time will tell.

BTW, A Tornado is 100% confirmed. Direct from Ron Sevart himself.

Haha. Don't be too entirely sure of yourself. Sure, the park stated in a press release that Whizzer was saved because of all the complaints, letters, and cries of outrage from fans, but a lot of sources say it was nothing more than a publicity stunt by and for the park to draw media focus and attention to itself. Do you really think the park would give a long hard second thought about removing the Whizzer if it came down to using its valuable space and footprint for a brand spanking new attraction that would draw more guests in the future? Sure, it may be considered a "classic", but it has no historic significance to the amusement industry of even for the park itself. Paramount's Great America had the same ride, and it was popular and fond among guests, but they tore that right out when they needed space for a new ride.

I almost created the "Final Whizs on (Willard's) Whizzer" thread in this forum but this one envelopes it. I'm going into a "must attend park" panic mode. After riding City Jet the small electric spiral lift coaster @ Gillian's Wonderland Pier in Ocean City,NJ last year and to find out it was removed this year, I'm very much aware that this genre of coaster is on its way out. I heard rumors about Hersheypark's removal of their classic Intamin double wheel GIANT Wheel last year and they were right. I'm glad I got a ride on that so I'm prepared to do the same for this ride. Bills are due but I do have a window of time available and relatives in Chicago. I might just dare and make the push to make my first visit from New Jersey to SFGAM to get this classic coaster credit. For me it's too much part of the mystique and a link to the past like the carousel and DEMON is. Must get Whizzer, must get Whizzer.

__________________
Thrillnetwork Moderator - Sophomore Original sn: CHILLERLC1
2008 & 2009 TN Coaster Draft Champion
You knew I wanted the other repeat too

It's nice to see SFGAm finally get some attention....even if it's not for the best of reasons.

Too bad it takes the possible loss of a classic coaster to do so.

__________________
YOUR HATRED AMUSES ME

I do believe that they ment for Whizzer to be torn down in 2002, and I'm sure there probably was some public outcry for the coaster, but truth be told what saved the coaster was an accident on Shockwave late in the year. The park may have said that public outcry saved the ride, but it was more Shockwave's fault than anything.

__________________
Bigger, Stronger, Fatter.

Unless they announce last rides in August or September, maybe they will keep it hush-hush and tear it down during the offseason. The signs like removed trees may be out there but they may just eventually pass like Black Death and take the thing out.

__________________
Thrillnetwork Moderator - Sophomore Original sn: CHILLERLC1
2008 & 2009 TN Coaster Draft Champion
You knew I wanted the other repeat too

WTF??? They can't tear down the whizzer! Its not only a classic ride, its just as much fun as Raging Bull! Tear down Iron Wolf instead!

__________________

I agree with tearing down Iron wolf, NOT with Whizzer being as fun as Raging Bull!
but if u think about it Iron Wolf was the first B&M coaster why tear that down even though it sux!

__________________

Whizzer will NOT be operating in 2007. A new major roller coaster(Not a floorless) will be(most likely) in its spot that year. What happens between now and then is your guess.

BUT, expect more than a Tornado for next year no matter how things work out.

I don't see Iron Wolf being removed as it was the first standup coaster, but I have been wrong before... Where did you see the new to six flags info? I would like to read it...

__________________

"I don't see Iron Wolf being removed as it was the first standup coaster"raser said.

Iron Wolf was the first B&M coaster. King Cobra was the first standup.

__________________

While Iron Wolf might not be as popular as it once was, hell it might even be hated by a lot of the general public but I doubt it will go anywhere for a while. It takes up relatively little space and unless they build a compact coaster compareable in size, they won't be able to fit it in there. And I don't see them building a small floorless. It could be possible they build some other type of coaster with a small footprint one day such as a frequent faller for example. Other than that and a few others, I don't see a coaster fitting there.

Flat rides in it's location could be a possibility but I don't see them getting rid of a coaster for flat rides until they've gotten at least another coaster or two. They would also have to be something really exciting, unique, interesting, etc to make it worthwhile to drop a coaster. Perhaps a giant huss ride like Delirium/maXair (doubtful though since they have Revolution) or maybe something else.

I've been hearing a lot about these trees being cleared around Whizzer but it never really went into detail about where exactly. Then I hear that it was really just some branches that were growing through the track and it was just maintenance. Now when I was at the park yesterday waiting in line for Viper I could see Whizzer's track through the trees. I've never really studied the area but I always remember Whizzer being hard to see from just about anywhere in the park. I could clearly see Whizzer's track from Viper's line. I never remember seeing Whizzer from Viper ever but maybe I'm just looking too much into it.

We'll see what happens but Hurricane Harbor doess need an expansion. The tornado if it happens will be great and they could use a little more too but I don't want to be greedy.

__________________
YOUR HATRED AMUSES ME

I hope it's just a visual touchup to cut and maintain the trees around Whizzer like at Six Flags Great Adventure this year. Trees were cleared around the Runaway Minetrain this year. Since it is Great Adventure's first rollercoaster and a family ride like Whizzer I would not see that going @ SFGADV.

__________________
Thrillnetwork Moderator - Sophomore Original sn: CHILLERLC1
2008 & 2009 TN Coaster Draft Champion
You knew I wanted the other repeat too

I really don't think the park would remove whizzer, or Iron wolf. But I could be wrong. I would hope they would remove one of the water rides (ice mountain splash) instead.

__________________
Kingda Ka is the tallest and fastest coaster in the world.

I was there yesterday to, and Also noticed that, and If they do remove Whizzer, a HH expansion may go in its place, like a well needed Phase II. I hope it's a coaster though.

^^ sorry victim of SF marketing as i remember them advertising it as the first stand up coaster. But wouldn't be the first time SF was misleading...

__________________

i would love to visit this six flags park!

__________________
Please keep your head against the head rest. Hands and arms inside the train at all times. Prepare for launch
*lights turn *red*yellow*GREEN* Xcelerate!

Don't get too spam-my there man.

Would a Hurricane Harbor expansion cut into the oval design-flow of the park? From what I understand SFGAM has that nice oval layout.

__________________
Thrillnetwork Moderator - Sophomore Original sn: CHILLERLC1
2008 & 2009 TN Coaster Draft Champion
You knew I wanted the other repeat too

^yeah they do, an expansion couldn't go there, it would be on the other side of the HH entrance and also they would have to make "bridges" for the train tracks to go over a pathway to get to that spot.

__________________
My Coaster Videos

I don't think it is possible to expand the water park into where the whizzer is, but sometime they will need mre room for water park expansion.

Well Southwest Territory (where the entrance to Hurricane Harbor is at) already extends away from the main oval or circle of the park as it is.

As far as the train tracks, it wouldn't be a major problem to build a bridge that goes over the tracks much like King's Island has as onee way to cross the tracks to enter their waterpark. Also, it would depend on where the entrance would be if they expanded the waterpark to where Whizzer is currently. I can't remember the exact layout of the train but remember the train is higher up in much of that part of the park. To go from Whizzer to the waterpark through Southwest Territory, you don't cross over the tracks. So if Whizzer was removed, the entrance could be where Whizzer's entrance is now. It would be possible to have the entrance there and then be able to have attractions there and then walk over about the same path they have now to enter the waterpark's current entrance. I don't think the train tracks cross that way while on ground level. I'd have to check though for sure to see where it's on the ground and when it's raised up.

__________________
YOUR HATRED AMUSES ME

Yeah, they could do what they did with the Southwest Territory and make an undercross under the tracks.

I just heard IMS was going and Yankee Harbor wass getting a re-theme like Mardi Gras.

^What size and flavor Dippin' Dots did you get?





Time will tell. If they do get rid of any ride to build a new attraction, we'll know within a month or two. Shockwave was being taken down while it was still during the season before they built Superman: Ultimate Flight.

__________________
YOUR HATRED AMUSES ME

^^^A month or two???? How about a week or two?

IF anything is going, you'll know a lot sooner than later.

Well, I just said a month or two to be reasonable, realistic and modest. Who knows when something will actually happen. I just said a month or two since that would be September or October. Unless they were doing something really big, I wouldn't expect much being done in August. Certainly not enough to signal for sure a new ride or major waterpark expansion. I'm not saying it won't happen but if Whizzer or anything else leaves or they just find another place to put up a new ride, I wouldn't see it happening for a while still.

Afterall when they got rid of Shockwave, they didn't start until September I think. Maybe it will be a month or two, maybe it will be only a week or two. Who knows? Maybe it will be tomorrow. We'll just have to wait and see.

__________________
YOUR HATRED AMUSES ME