Great America, first time in 4 years.

Jerry S · #1 07-11-2005, 09:58 PM

I've been to Great America many times before this time so I didn't find it necessary to ride alot of things. I did ride Deja Vu, and I'd call it the most intense ride there. I went as soon as we got into the park, and got a 45 minute wait to the front, which is not bad at all for a shutle coaster. Seems underrated, it is a very fun and intense ride.

Next up, Raging Bull. Raging Bull furthered my suspicion that B&M Hypers aren't thrilling after you rode it many times (same effect on Nitro lately. The trim before the hill over the first drop was up so high, that the train was crawling over the top, airless. The second turnaround was still pretty intense, as was the thrid one around the drop, but the rest of the ride was weak. Maybe after a while parks tend to trim B&M hypers alot? This thing had not nearly as much air as the last time I rode ('01). Steel Force is definately better, much more air, much better ride. I wonder if AC has been trimmed as bad as Nitro and RB, or it's just a SF thing (I hope it's the latter).

Next I figured I'd finally ride AE blue for the first time, considering it was backwards now. I rode in the back (front view) and it had some good air spots, but nothing special, about as good as red.

Then we walked through Yankee Harbor to Mardis Gras, and it does look cool. Colorful, and well themed, I think SF had a good cute little idea. I rode King Chaos, the top spin, and it was not good at all. The ride spun to the top 3 times total, and flipped about 5 times total. It was a very short, tame ride, not as good as any of the other top spins I've ridden.

I rode the train for the first time, it was nice. I like the whole tour aspect of it, and I finally saw the back of Iron Wolf, so now I know the layout. On to the next ride, we got off the same station we started at (front of park), so I went and rode Whizzer. I was thinking about CHILLERLC1, because of how he said he wanted to ride as many Shwarzkopf jets as he could. Well, the ride this time seemed smoother than ever. I don't know why. Like usual, it was a very fun, windy run through the forest, don't ever miss this if you go to the park.

Next I walked back to the Southwest Territory, so I could get my ride on Viper. Such a great wooden ride, I don't know why I rated Thunderhawk (Dorney) higher than this. See, Thunderhawk and this both have lots of fun air, but Viper is smoother, longer, and has a more out of control feeling because it's in the supports most of the time. It's a great ride, second best wooden coaster thta I've been on (Ghostrider is first)

Then I wanted to ride my first ever Huss Frisbee, Revolution, but the Chance Revolution 32 rides are in every single aspect better. First, the Chance one has invert seats, which rock. Second, the Chance ones do not spin so fast that you barely notice the swinging. Last, the Chance ones swing much higher, at a higher angle, and faster. That's okay, one for the ride count.

Then I needed a mercy launch. I hadn't been on a launch since last december, and since V2 had a short wait, which turned out to be more like 20 minutes, I decided to take a ride. Fun ride, like last time, I think the backwards spike is much better, because the airtime is better straight down then twisting, it's just more fun. Also I like the holding brake. But you all know, it's an impulse, nothing too special.

Lastly, I went to ride Ragin Cajun. A 30 minute wait got me in one of those cars. It's weird how you're sitting at a slight angle because of the rounded cars. Anyway, not as rough as a regular mouse during the regular mouse part, and a very very fun ride when the cars hit the spinning part. I like this whole spinning fad, I'll be sure to ride any spinner in my way.

Things I didn't do were Iron Wolf, I rode it before and deicided not to ride it this time unless there was a walk on, which it wasn't, so I didn't. Demon, last time I went on that, it was a bit rough, and since I've been on it 3 or 4 times before, I skipped it. Skipped S:UF, because I can ride it at home, although I missed it for the coaster count. And I rode B:TR at GAm before many times, and I have one near home so I skipped it. Didn't ride Giant Drop for reasons unknown, I guess I just didn't pay attention to it, but I rode it before so it's okay. Skipped AE red because I didn't find it necessary to ride after I rode Blue, and I already rode it before as well.

Today, I upped my coaster count from 66 to 69 (Deja Vu, AE Blue, and Ragin Cajun). 70 could've been S:UF, but I guess I'll save that for something much more interesting, like Kingda Ka. Sure, as I'm writing this, the park is still open, and we actually left at about 5:00, so yes, I could've ridden everything today. We left early because it was just me and my grandfather, and just walking around the park on a kindof hot day, waiting for me to ride rides while sitting on a shady bench, I found it unfair to make him wait even more while I ride rides that I really didn't care so much about riding. I want everybody on TN to know that I greatly appreciate this day that he did with me.

ragan · #2 07-11-2005, 10:14 PM

sounds cool. ill probably make another trip report of SFGA when i go next saturday

Jerry S · #3 07-11-2005, 10:19 PM

^Be sure to go straight to Deja Vu. If the park just opened, get in line. Same if the ride just opened, then get in line. Otherwise, wait until the hottest part of the day and then get in line, because people will be at HH. Unless it's a very not crowded day, then I guess do what you want.

ragan · #4 07-11-2005, 10:29 PM

im praying for rain in the morning so much. the only date possible to go was on saturday, so its going to be packed. ill hit deja right away though, seems as if that and raging bull we be the most packed rides. question though, does SFGA allow you in before 10 like cedar point?

coasterlove · #5 07-12-2005, 01:31 AM

I've actually only been there once before the park opened. This was back in 2001, I think. They let us in but you're stopped at the first overhead bridges on either side of the park. That's how they did it last time. Of course that was a long time ago so I don't know how it would be today. Not a lot of people get there that early so even if you get into the actual park at 10am, you won't have to wait long for Deja Vu or whatever coaster you decide to ride first.

Meowcoaster1, I'm surprised you didn't really like Raging Bull. I know some people don't like the trims on it but I still think it gives a great ride. Where did you sit on it? The back row still gives an amazing ride filled with airtime, at least in my opinion. I don't know if anyone knows, but was the ride ever completely trimless?

So I guess I might not being so well with you in the Coaster Draft since one of my big picks is Raging Bull.

Just remember, I also have Viper and V2, which you seemed to enjoy both rides.

ragan · #6 07-12-2005, 01:37 AM

back seat ive heard is the only good one on raging bull.

but what do i know?

coasterlove · #7 07-12-2005, 01:49 AM

Well the front is pretty good too. There isn't as much air of course but the view is awesome of course. Since the trains are really just a bunch of seats and not really a car, you feel very vulnerable up there. And while it's almost slow in comparison to some of the newer stuff out there, you still get a great sense of speed as well as some good wind in the face. It can get some tears coming from your eyes from time to time if it's also a little windy out.

**Wes** · #8 07-12-2005, 10:45 AM

Last time I rode AC was 2003 and they hadn't added anymore trims to it.

They were barely using the trims last time it seems. That thing is insane in the dark! Talk about the valley of the shadow of death! lol Those valleys are pitch black.

I think it must be a Six Flags thing.

Jerry S · #9 07-12-2005, 01:23 PM

Coasterlove, notice the title of the thread. I've ridden all but 3 mentioned coasters before. In 2001, Raging Bull was not trimmed, while now, we crawled over the hill over the drop. Of course, the next hill was still cool with the twistyness, as well as the turnarounds, but it was airless on the best hill. I guess the ride was made more of a twisty ride than an airy ride, and I did enjoy that. But the trims were still inexcusable. Don't worry coasterlove, I'll rate it as I did in 1999.

bigbadwolf501 · #10 07-12-2005, 04:46 PM

AC only has two trims, one going up the third hill. that hardly slows you down but slows it enough that you get some really good floater air. the second one is before you go through the right hand curved drop. this is not very strong either and you cant tell it slows it down. AC has a good combination of floater and ejector air. I think it must be a six flags thing.