Will Superman be the One of the Next Rides to Leave!?

[SFGAm#1Fan]

I would love to trade Superman for Bizarro (SFGAdv)! Not only is it a way more exciting ride than Superman, but it has a better capacity! I think our park good definitely benefit from another B&M that can operate three trains.

[SFGAMNUT9302]

If Whizzer had gotten the axe in 2002, which was originally intended, I can almost bet Six Flags would have eventually removed Shockwave and installed a Floorless mega Looper like Bizarro or SCREAM! in it's plot. Superman is a weak entrance Coaster to a World Class park like Great America in my opinion, Bizarro or SCREAM! would make people say "WOW" when they first arrived at the park again.

[CoasterCale]

I would totally be down for Bizarro. Going from Superman to Bizarro would be sweet. I've noticed we're the only major park to not have a DC Villon themed attraction. The only problem I see is that Bizarro was designed in the same way Batman was. It was made for a specific plot of land, maximizing the experience in the space they have. Like the Cobra Roll (I'm aware that B&M calls it something else) goes perfectly over the entrance. And second, what would replace it at SFGAd?

[Guy_With_A_Stick]

I Honestly Don't Care If Superman Leaves. Everyone's Gotta Admit, It's Not THe Best B&M, And It Takes Up A Lot Of Room. Besides, AT IAAPA 2013, B&M Said They Are Ready To Build Launches(Remember, THe Launch On Hulk Was Another Company). B&M Has Done A Lot Of Firsts Here. First B&M(Iron Wolf), First Invert(Batman), First Hyper Twist(Bull). So I Think It Would Be A Good Sacrifice If We Replace An Ok B&M With A New, Fresh, Awesome B&M Launch.

[Luxornv]

Even though it's 11 years old, there are older rides at the park that cost more to maintain and operate. My guess is Demon will be the next to go.

[JimPanky]

I still say Demon is next to go, but it is worth noting that suf does have a decent area. If they can get a better new coaster in there at some point I could see SUF going to another park in the distant future.

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[CoastsToCoasters]

IF Clark was ever replaced ...or when it is... I hope they put in a major coaster to "frame" & utilize the parks entrance as Leviathan & Gatekeeper do for CW & CP. I find it both intimidating & welcoming as much as I find it unique. Regardless that a few parks already have this ride gate/entrance combo, its still unique as it is appealing. & I love this photo of Speed Monster...

[anewman35]

IF Clark was ever replaced ...or when it is... I hope they put in a major coaster to "frame" & utilize the parks entrance as Leviathan & Gatekeeper do for CW & CP. I find it both intimidating & welcoming as much as I find it unique. Regardless that a few parks already have this ride gate/entrance combo, its still unique as it is appealing. & I love this photo of Speed Monster...

It's maybe not quite the same thing, but wasn't Chang planned to go right at the very front of the park? I don't think it went all the way to the entrance, though (I think I remember seeing a blueprint once of where it would have been, but I can't remember, does anybody have that?)

[CoasterCale]

IF Clark was ever replaced ...or when it is... I hope they put in a major coaster to "frame" & utilize the parks entrance as Leviathan & Gatekeeper do for CW & CP. I find it both intimidating & welcoming as much as I find it unique. Regardless that a few parks already have this ride gate/entrance combo, its still unique as it is appealing. & I love this photo of Speed Monster...

It's maybe not quite the same thing, but wasn't Chang planned to go right at the very front of the park? I don't think it went all the way to the entrance, though (I think I remember seeing a blueprint once of where it would have been, but I can't remember, does anybody have that?)

I don't have blueprints but I feel like it was supposed to go where Riptide Bay is currently.

[Superman]

IF Clark was ever replaced ...or when it is... I hope they put in a major coaster to "frame" & utilize the parks entrance as Leviathan & Gatekeeper do for CW & CP. I find it both intimidating & welcoming as much as I find it unique. Regardless that a few parks already have this ride gate/entrance combo, its still unique as it is appealing. & I love this photo of Speed Monster...

It's maybe not quite the same thing, but wasn't Chang planned to go right at the very front of the park? I don't think it went all the way to the entrance, though (I think I remember seeing a blueprint once of where it would have been, but I can't remember, does anybody have that?)

I don't have blueprints but I feel like it was supposed to go where Riptide Bay is currently.

I think Chang's way to big to fit there.

[CoastsToCoasters]

"Chang" was definitely at one small point in time planned for the front entrance of the park where Riptide Bay now resides. I know there was a more clear photo of it (or so I thought) but here is a photo taken by JonRev's video still I believe at the village meeting circa May of 2010(if I'm not mistaken) & then a photoshopped satellite overlay of what the proposed stand up would have looked like in that spot...

[ChicagoCoasterGuy]

I really do think if Superman would have went where Whizzer is it would be a much better ride experience. The water and the hilly part of the terrain would have been an amazing feature along with all the trees....if they would have kept them that is. Don't get me wrong I'm glad they kept the Whizzer but just like to think what if? Kind of like our Batman and all the trees and water and trenches. I've been on it at other parks where it's basically just on open land or a flat piece of land and it's just not the same ride experience without that stuff.

[ZForce Rider]

Tough to say what the park will do next. From a maintenance standpoint (and this is strictly my opinion), Whizzer has to be a fairly expensive ride to maintain simply due to it's age. The ride is almost 40 years old at this point! However, it is also one of the last Schwartzkopf Speed Racers in the world and losing that would be a horrible, historical loss for both the park and the coaster community in general. Plus, Whizzer a great first time coaster in my book. It's a big ride (to kids) but fairly tame.

As for the Demon, well, I'm biased here. I love Arrow coasters and Demon has been around the park forever. It's a park icon to me and I've been going to the park since 1978. However, I get that it's popularity with people today is completely overshadowed by newer, faster, smoother coasters from B&M, Intamin, etc. While I would hate to see Demon leave, replacing it with an Intamin launched coaster like Cheetah Hunt (BGT) or Premier (ala Mr Freeze) would probably be well received. The land Demon sits on is bigger than it looks, but it is also very narrow. Goliath would have fit in there nicely, IMHO.

All that said, if they do relo SUF, whatever goes in the front of the park will almost certainly need to make a statement. That land and what's on it is the first thing anyone sees. When Shockwave was built back in 1988 (told you, I'm old) you could not help but notice that towering lift hill, which gave this total "Holy crap" moment when you got to the park. SUF doesn't really do that, IMHO.

Just my $0.02.

[CoastsToCoasters]

I totally agree with that last statement. It needs to be something iconic, bold because you're right. Shockwave was intimidating & massive even waiting to go through the front gates. That first twisted drop was right above you to the left & I used to look at it with such fear back then but I rode time after time. It's weird that I don't miss Iron Wolf nearly as much as I miss DejaVu & Shockwave. I truly believe it's because of that intimidating massive look factor. Superman just doesn't do it for me sadly.

[SFGAMNUT9302]

Completely agree ZForce Rider. If Superman were to be removed, whatever took it's place would probably be something massive that would really make a statement. It would take some reworking of the road right next to superman which leads to the employee parking lot, but if SCREAM! were to be installed in Superman's plot it would look incredible, the Barrel roll would literally be right behind condor and the Cobra roll would be right behind the new ticket booth.

[ZForce Rider]

That picture you posted SFGAMNUT9302 also highlights what I consider to be a bit of a challenge for this space -- it's more or less square. It probably makes getting something with visual impact (which to me means something tall) difficult. Doing a launch coaster in this space might make sense, but the overall footprint is pretty compact for a coaster.

gottastrata33, your comment about the "fear" of Shockwave's first drop from Carousel Plaza is exactly what I was talking about. It's what made that coaster truly special in my book. I'm not sure I've experienced anything like it since. It is too bad the layout wasn't more like Viper at SFMM. Viper is less abrupt than Shockwave was (at least in the later years) and delivers a very similar experience. I guess Arrow learned some lessons after the first two, nearly identical, 7 looper triplets were built.

[Viper 88]

I don't want any C r a p for what I am about to ask. Would it be possible to move SUF to SWTAT? Thus freeing up space at the front for a floorless or launched. Or would that be too difficult/costly? probably both.

[CoastsToCoasters]

I am not giving you any crap but you have to understand that the SWAT will prob never be removed. Maybe remodeled but c'mon, seriously? That's where they hold concerts/live events, stars perform there with those little SF summer tours. Haven't you ever noticed when a celeb is performing there, people are lined up for ever? Some people will pay admission to see that person in concert at the park & then ride rides for maybe a couple hours. so right there says $$$ for the park. We dont use Wilderness anymore, though I'd say that's a better choice for the kind of events I just listed but the truth of the matter is its SWAT that's used so I don't see it goin anywhere.

Now excuse me, but as for this FXXKING floorless obsession... WHY?! Just because we don't have one? I feel that for over ten years everyone has been obsessed with SFGAm getting one let alone a Scream!/Bizarro CLONE & I've never understood why. Why do you want a clone? Yeah its a decent layout but its just another reason for everyone to roll their eyes at the lack of SixFlags originality. I think the chain is delivering us solid coasters that fit our park. Haven't you noticed that the last two years we have received coasters that our fitted/designed to certain (small) plots of land. Especially with XFlight. That would be a more difficult coaster to clone for another park because its not a tight basic layout like BTR. It was designed for that oblong shaped plot of land that we had. I mean hell, it still even crosses over the midway nearly above a food stand. I think we deserve a unique attraction, our park is an amazing park whether you see it that way or not. I'm very proud that though we may have clones here, we have coasters no one else does. Whizzer, Raging Bull, Viper(its slightly different & its the best Cyclone recreation out there), American Eagle, XFlight & Goliath were all designed for this park &/or are the only ones found at this park only. I think we deserve more of that. Hell, I think every park deserves more of that. Seriously.

Rant is over for now, sorry. lol

[tribar]

I am not giving you any crap but you have to understand that the SWAT will prob never be removed. Maybe remodeled but c'mon, seriously? That's where they hold concerts/live events, stars perform there with those little SF summer tours. Haven't you ever noticed when a celeb is performing there, people are lined up for ever? Some people will pay admission to see that person in concert at the park & then ride rides for maybe a couple hours. so right there says $$$ for the park. We dont use Wilderness anymore, though I'd say that's a better choice for the kind of events I just listed but the truth of the matter is its SWAT that's used so I don't see it goin anywhere.

Now excuse me, but as for this FXXKING floorless obsession... WHY?! Just because we don't have one? I feel that for over ten years everyone has been obsessed with SFGAm getting one let alone a Scream!/Bizarro CLONE & I've never understood why. Why do you want a clone? Yeah its a decent layout but its just another reason for everyone to roll their eyes at the lack of SixFlags originality. I think the chain is delivering us solid coasters that fit our park. Haven't you noticed that the last two years we have received coasters that our fitted/designed to certain (small) plots of land. Especially with XFlight. That would be a more difficult coaster to clone for another park because its not a tight basic layout like BTR. It was designed for that oblong shaped plot of land that we had. I mean hell, it still even crosses over the midway nearly above a food stand. I think we deserve a unique attraction, our park is an amazing park whether you see it that way or not. I'm very proud that though we may have clones here, we have coasters no one else does. Whizzer, Raging Bull, Viper(its slightly different & its the best Cyclone recreation out there), American Eagle, XFlight & Goliath were all designed for this park &/or are the only ones found at this park only. I think we deserve more of that. Hell, I think every park deserves more of that. Seriously.

Rant is over for now, sorry. lol

I know. I have no interest in a floorless.' There to similar to a Wingrider. We need a launch coaster of some type.

[CoastsToCoasters]

I know I'm gonna catch some shiz for this, but I'm obsessed with Full Throttle. I wouldn't want it to replace anything though. Not even Superman.

It has such an innovative element to it. One spine utilizing two tracks is genius in my opinion! That loop, launch, brake run, station etc can run on a very narrow plot of land seein it's all practically on top of each other (literally).

I will say this again & again till I run out of breath... look at parks like Indiana Beach or GrunaLund or hell even rides like Goliath(SFOG), Skyrush, Great Bear, Leviathan etc. These parks, these rides are perfect examples that land isn't a total issue of not being able to get somethin. If the park wants it they will find a way. Leviathan & Goliath go outside the park over roads onto small strips or patches of land while rides like Great
Bear cross over elements such as rivers or other rides/buildings.

There is a way around our land locked issue. The park just needs a good creative team behind/with them. We dont always have to lose something to gain something.

[anewman35]

There is a way around our land locked issue. The park just needs a good creative team behind/with them. We dont always have to lose something to gain something.

The reason we always have to lose something to gain something isn't always so much space but money. It seems pretty obvious that Six Flags pretty much thinks we have enough rides, so if they spend a bunch of money on a new one they're going to save some money by sending a ride somewhere else. If that's the mindset, they're never going to really bother too hard to squeeze additional rides in.

[JimPanky]

we are landlocked and filled we need to lose to gain. RC was a loss well see what goes in its spot. We will lose another coaster. If its just based on strategy wit might be a little while. If Demon takes a full Shockwave style dump we will have a new coaster sooner.

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[Ace]

I cant believe that we are now 73 posts in and there is still serious discussion about SUF being removed or relocated. Its a popular ride that's only 11 years old. It may need a new coat of paint but it still hits a million riders almost every year and is a big favorite with the GP. Pending a mechanical disaster I dont see it going anywhere in the immediate future... especially if wolf and batman are any indication of how long a B&M can last.

[TwistedSTEEL666]

I agree with Ace. B&M coasters tend to be more reliable, smoother, more structuraly sound, age quite well and are less prone to accidents than an Arrow coaster. BTR is 21 years old, RB is 15 and IW lasted a good 20 years? Both Shockwave and Demon have had their fair share of mechanical incidents and accidents. Our B&Ms have not had any major problems. Not like Arrow coasters.

[Guy_With_A_Stick]

If they remove Superman, it's best they remove Dark Knight too. Everyone knows it sucks, it has too long of a queue, and it takes up way too much space. And besides, if they both are removed, it gives us a bit more room to work with. Look at the footprint that they take up:

*Look at the picture first, then read the next part*

If we take out both, here's what I think could happen: Dark Knight is where the station, brakes, and queue will be, and Superman will have the rest of the ride. Anything could work too. B&M Floorless, Intamin Launch, you name it, it could fit. And remember, B&M said at IAAPA 2013 that they were ready to self produce launch coasters. We were their testing ground for a lot of their rides, Iron Wolf(First B&M), Batman The Ride(First invert), and Raging Bull(First Hyper Twist). So maybe we could be the testing ground for their first launch? Who knows. Only time will tell.