20 Years of Viper

by **Guy_With_A_Stick** on May 3rd, 2015, 2:30 pm

20 years ago(on April 29th), Viper opened to the public as Great America's second wooden coaster, and the only In-house coaster from Six Flags. It is still arguably the best airtime coaster in the park. Now, it is still a fan-favorite from all age groups. What are your thoughts? Is it still good? Decent? Should it get demolished? Iron Horse-d? Share your thoughts about this airtime-filled wooden coaster!

by **Goku1910** on May 3rd, 2015, 2:58 pm

Guy_With_A_Stick wrote:20 years ago(on April 29th), Viper opened to the public as Great America's second wooden coaster, and the only In-house coaster from Six Flags. It is still arguably the best airtime coaster in the park. Now, it is still a fan-favorite from all age groups. What are your thoughts? Is it still good? Decent? Should it get demolished? Iron Horse-d? Share your thoughts about this airtime-filled wooden coaster!

It does need a lot of trackwork. It's getting rougher and rougher with each year. It's not nearly as bad as Mean Streak.....

by **DeathbyDinn** on May 3rd, 2015, 4:05 pm

I rode it a few times yesterday and I thought they were some of the smoothest rides I've had on it (Not that I would define any of my rides on it as rough). For a 20 year old wood coaster, especially one in a Six Flags park, I think it has held up remarkably well.

by **ribsinbacon** on May 3rd, 2015, 4:10 pm

It would be nice if they did something this year for it.

by **FParker185** on May 3rd, 2015, 5:50 pm

Like most dense structured Dennis Starkey designed coasters, it's held up pretty well. They did some minor trackwork this year and seemed to be running pretty average for Viper.

by **Jacklw6499** on May 3rd, 2015, 8:17 pm

Anyone think we'll see Viper running backwards again sometime this season because it's the 20th anniversary of the coaster? Just a thought..

by **Foltzy** on May 3rd, 2015, 9:27 pm

Jacklw6499 wrote:Anyone think we'll see Viper running backwards again sometime this season because it's the 20th anniversary of the coaster? Just a thought..

I feel like that could happen considering there are two celebrations.
But they would've probably done it with other coasters, and we would've heard announcements about it

by **ilrider** on May 3rd, 2015, 9:33 pm

Viper is one of my favorite rides in the park, having ridden if from its inception. It's often our first ride of the day, and I would not change a thing. All this Iron-horse treatment talk the last few years is ridiculous to me. I don't think it's rough at all, and never have. It's a wooden coaster. Some people seem to expect them to ride like steel or something.

by **CoasterDemon** on May 3rd, 2015, 10:06 pm

^Plenty of newer coaster enthusiasts have been raised on B&Ms... And Ohio stuff (just not Screechin' Eagle or Big Dipper, unfortunately.).

Viper runs great, always has. My only complaint would be the passive-aggressive queue path. The exit is even worse.

^I agree, the RMC stuff is neat but I'll take a real woodie where I don't have to be vaccum sealed to the seat.

by **Dan The Coaster Man** on May 6th, 2015, 11:45 pm

I love Viper, I don't think they will touch it. It's my favorite airtime in the park, as long as I sit last row. I used to find it rough but after I rode Georgia Cyclone (Coney Island Cyclone layout) Viper isn't bad at all. My preference would be not to touch Viper as of now, including making it backwards. Backwards Viper was fun but I'll take forwards over backwards.

Happy 20 years Viper!

by **tribar** on May 8th, 2015, 3:59 pm

Not that I think Viper should be touched but if we are going to iron horse a coaster, I'd rather it be Viper than AE. Viper has turned into a boring and somewhat rough ride as of late. It seems like the only time it runs well is after it rains.

by **CoasterCale** on June 12th, 2015, 5:12 pm

^^^ I don't disagree but it isn't as bad as people make it out to be. I could see some retracking or use of Topper but Ibox is a little much. Same goes for AE. I think one of the trains is better than the others, I had two complete opposite experiences on it during the same day, without any rain in between.

by **w00dland** on June 13th, 2015, 10:34 am

Viper has held up very well over two decades. Any talk of demolition or Iron Horse would be very disappointing. The coaster is one of a shrinking bunch at Great America (and around the US), a coaster that's smooth, not insane and can fit a wide variety of people (from smaller kids to very large guests).

Once Whizzer finally meets its maker, Viper will likely be the first "big" coaster for kids in the area. I see no reason why a reliable ride with good ridership and decent satisfaction scores would ever be changed.

by **Viper 88** on June 13th, 2015, 5:24 pm

Yeah I hate the exit you keep walking and walking and when you finally emerge at the exit youre in the middle of SWT. the line bugs me a bit too I like how its kind of shaded, but hate that gap between the line and loading platform.

by **Guy_With_A_Stick** on June 13th, 2015, 5:50 pm

At least the queue isn't as bad as AE's. That thing takes a good 2 1/2 minutes of walking with no one in line.

by **Viper 88** on June 14th, 2015, 10:35 pm

Oh god AE's line is friggin horrid, I swear it's gotta be a good 1/4 -1/2 mile long. First time lining up for it I thought I was going to end up on Washington or something.

by **Tardis1972** on June 28th, 2015, 10:18 am

I know it's been gone for a few years, but why did the viper camera get removed?

by **anewman35** on June 28th, 2015, 6:44 pm

Tardis1972 wrote:I know it's been gone for a few years, but why did the viper camera get removed?

I presume for the same reason almost anything at Six Flags happens, probably wasn't making enough money to be worthwhile.

by **Guy_With_A_Stick** on April 29th, 2016, 5:24 pm

Viper is now legally able to drink Alcohol and go to a Casino.

by **hoju74** on April 29th, 2016, 9:13 pm

Opening weekend reminded me this coaster has some fun air time moments. It'll be a 'must ride' coaster for me for a long time.

by **Johnska** on April 30th, 2016, 2:13 pm

Personally, Viper is not a must ride for me anymore. The usually long wait is not worth it to me and my family because there are other rides that are more worthwhile than Viper. That being said, we aren't season pass holders so that could explain a lot.

by **Dan The Coaster Man** on May 1st, 2016, 11:34 am

Viper is a must ride for me, my third favorite coaster in the park. I've ridden it once this year and I thought it was a little rougher this year compared to last, but it seemed faster and that it had more airtime. Maybe I had a good run... We'll see as I ride it more this season.

by **CoasterCale** on May 3rd, 2016, 12:33 am

I don't think anything is a must when it comes to rides. Everything is circumstantial for me.

by **ConorTully** on May 3rd, 2016, 8:07 am

CoasterCale wrote:I don't think anything is a must when it comes to rides. Everything is circumstantial for me.

Agreed, it all depends how you're feeling each day but i think most could say that Viper's pretty high on their list when running well.

by **CoasterCale** on May 3rd, 2016, 10:17 am

Good to see ya man. Welcome to the World Forums!

20 Years of Viper

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