On my quest to get on Deja Vu, it was broken when I went to SFMM, I wanted to go to Six Flags Great America. My family nicely agreed, so we were set to leave on Friday the 16th. After a long 7 hour drive, also the delay of going straight through downtown Chicago, we finally got to our hotel across the street. The next morning, we were up and out over to SFGAm by 9:50. I ran to the furthest point where they would let you before 10:00. After what seemed like a while 10:00 came, and a chorus of We Like to Party on the speakers, the park opened and I ran to Deja Vu. Since most people ran to Bull, I was on Vu within 5 minutes. Got seat 1b. Great ride. After coming off, the bad capacity of the ride had already caused a huge line to form so I moved on. I was expecting very light crowds for this weekend, along with predictions, but it was obvious at 10:15 that crowds were heavy. People were pouring in. Next went on Bull, 2nd row, which only took about 15 minutes. This ride really seemed to lack some intensity, but it was my first B&M hyper so I was happy. Wink After Bull, you couldn't find anymore short lines. The place was just mobbed. That day, I did all of the coasters except for Whizzer. The park was supposed to be open till 7, but they instantly decided to stay open till 8 due to the crowds. The rides and comments for Saturday are as follows:
Deja Vu- Only did this once today due to the 2 and a half hour wait. I got on early enough only to wait 5 min.
Raging Bull- Really lacked some intensity, but a nice smooth ride. Only waited 15 min.
American Eagle- Only had the blue, backwards, side running. Fabulous ride. A little jolty, but the backwards train really added to it. I was actually somewhat ready to hold on during the first drop because it was weird not seeing where you are going. Took about 40 minutes to get on. Cool location iln the woods.
Iorn Wolf- Only ride that had a shortish afternoon wait. It was really short, in terms of the lift hill, and somewhat of a bumpy ride, but the extra padding on the restraints made me get off without a headache unlike Mantis. Cool ride, with some nice elements.
Superman Ultimate Flight- This ride kicks X-Flight butt (X-flight at Geauga Lake)! The restraints were much more comfortable, at least in my opinion, and the capacity seemed a little better. The flying position on the lift hill was also cool. Best part was the pretzel loop, worst part was the close to 2 hour line.
Ragin Cajun- Cool ride, but the capacity was slow. I had never been on a spinning wild mouse before, so this was a bonus. The trains I thought were a bit uncomfortable when the spinning started. A big subraction was that there was no shade for the whole 45 minute line.
Batman: The Ride- This was a very long line, 2 hours, and the ride doesn't really appeal to me. It is really great intensity wise, but the whole ride is just a blur to me when I get off. This was also a bit rough compared to the Batman at SFMM, and Raptor at CP. Still a good ride though.
Demon- Even this is a Arrow with a boring layout, the added scenery made it cool. You start in a tunnel, then go in a little cave partly for the lift hill. After 2 loops, one with a cave, you go into another tunnel where lights are suddenly turned on. You end with two corkscrews, one through a water fall. Line moved quickly, making it only a 35 minute wait.
Viper- Probably the smoothest, best woodie I have been on. Really enjoyed this. The layout could have been better, but it was incredibly smooth and enjoyable. Did this at night, so only about a 15 minute wait.
V2- Did this last right at 7:59. Cool ride, and I especially love the holding brake. The location was great, over water, which made it look taller than Wicked Twister. I still like Wicked Twister better, even though this year it seems a bit rougher.
Left the park at 9:00, only to return again the next morning at 10:05. I arrived at the park on Sunday, a little after the gates opened, but still ran to Vu. It was broken, but when I hung around they opened it. It opened around 10:15. I could have been the 1st train dispatched, but I wanted to wait for the back car, 8b, so I was the second. The ride is simply awesome in the back. Going up the back hill and gazing down, you feel so high up. You look under yourself and feel like you are going up slightly inverted. The rush coming down is amazing. The boomerang part is really cool, and the second cable lift is so smooth. Going backwards was the most intense part, and really disorienting. Going back up the back spike at the end, was the best because you go up to almost the top, and then are lowered slowly to the ground. I just love Deja Vu. The back car was just so awesome! Ok, so enough about Vu. The park was even more crowded today with 1- 1 and a half hour lines for nearly everything, except Vu which was 2 and a half. I got a fastlane and did: Raging Bull, Giant Drop, Superman, Rapids, and Whizzer. Giant Drop was great, it felt faster than Power Tower, but the ride was short with no rebounds after the first drop. Raging Bull was 10x better in the very back, with tons more airtime. One of my favorites now. Superman was again fabulous, Rapids was so much better than Cedar Point's or Geauga Lakes. The rapids was awesome. So many waterfalls, great scenery with enough caves to make you not know where you are going, and a cool station. I think this is the best rapids I have been on. Whizzer was also cool because:
Whizzer- Great family ride. The trains are a little crazy, with no locking bar, only a moveable seatbelt. There was room for only one person, with another in front. The electric spiral lift was really cool, only to be followed by nice not steep drops. It swoops by many trees. Really nice ride. Used fastpass so I didn't wait.
Overall, I loved SFGAm. It was an awesome park and I had a great time. Favorite rides were Deja Vu, Superman: Ultimate Flight, and Raging Bull. The park was really crowded, but with the fastpass saving me for Bull and Superman and others on Sunday, I got all the coasters done. I had a great trip, despite the crowds, and I thank all of you who gave me helpful advice.
The lines seem a little too long for my tastes. I do agree that SUF does kick X-Flight's butt.