My Ideas to improve SFGAm!!

[Chitown]

Most of thooses people did not live there when the park was open.

And you know this how?

[Ron/Wolf]

Improving Great America,
I really agree with the black top issue, just exit The Southwest Territory and even on a day in the 80's you feel the heat of the black top. Plus in so many areas of the park Winter after Winter have caused it to crack crumble just look bad. ShockWave well being only 5 rides away from 5000 sure I want it to come back. Kennywood worked out the problems on Steel Phantom so could we. Will the park do it? I doubt it. On the Floorless coaster don't rule out anything for 2005. This would be a logical replacement for ShockWave. Whats wrong with the Mardi Gras Section? I for one and anybody who knows what char
m this park had under Marriott Ownership am glad we are going back to the themed areas of the park. We should focus on better food, Merchandise for your dollar. Has anyone other then myself noticed hove the All You Can Eat Buffet @ Crazy Buffalo shrinks each year. What happened to Onion Loafs, just look at the salad bar hello what happened to all the fresh vegetables? As for Cedar Point who cares point for point coaster for coaster we win why, Ironwolf, Viper, Superman, Batman run BRAKELESS C.P. has brakes on the first drop of Mantis, all over every coaster in that park. Like it or not if you attended MidWinter in January
you heard Tim Black tell all of us this is just the first redo of the parks sections. Once again what did you do on your visits to the park these last few years play games in that sad area of Orleans. I say Bravo and if this turns out half as good as the changes in the Upper Deck @ U.S. Cellar Field I win twice this year.

[twixmix0303]

^ You're right about all they had in Orleans Place was games. And they said they're still keeping the games, so it's good even if all you plan on doing is games.

[w00dland]

As for demon, keep it, add more theming, lose the OTSRs.

Losing the OTSR's would make the ride much more enjoyable, but I don't think the park would ever do it. Does Arrow even make trains like that? And if we rethemed Demon, added some trees and maybe even changed the music in the first tunnel, it could be absolutly amazing. Themed coasters rock!

[Papas]

Demon has very comfortable trains compared to the old Arrow trains.

[w00dland]

I'm assuming it had different trains on it before right? Theres this problem I have with the Demon trains. It's very hard to explain but where the back rest ends and the butt pad starts theres just a big void where there is no support. For some reason that gets very annoying and somewhatly painful after awhile.

[SFGA Bob]

I know what you're talking about woodland. the big problem I have with Demon is the restraints and foot room. I don't consider myself a tall guy (6' 2"), although my family does for some reason, but whenever I ride Demon, or any Arrow for that matter, I can only get the harness to come down a couple clicks. then it hits my shoulders and sticks out about 6" from my chest. it makes me look much fatter than I really am but it also hurts. it puts a lot of pressure on my shoulders and collar bones. I don't think they should change to lap bars, but there's gotta be something that can be done.

as for the leg room, I'd have to guess that anyone over 5' 10" knows what I'm talking about.

[Papas]

I'm assuming it had different trains on it before right? Theres this problem I have with the Demon trains. It's very hard to explain but where the back rest ends and the butt pad starts theres just a big void where there is no support. For some reason that gets very annoying and somewhatly painful after awhile.

The old Arrow trains have no support at all, the seat is a giant plastic bucket that is very uncomfortable.

[UnBullievable]

Improving Great America,
I really agree with the black top issue, just exit The Southwest Territory and even on a day in the 80's you feel the heat of the black top. Plus in so many areas of the park Winter after Winter have caused it to crack crumble just look bad. ShockWave well being only 5 rides away from 5000 sure I want it to come back. Kennywood worked out the problems on Steel Phantom so could we. Will the park do it? I doubt it. On the Floorless coaster don't rule out anything for 2005. This would be a logical replacement for ShockWave. Whats wrong with the Mardi Gras Section? I for one and anybody who knows what char
m this park had under Marriott Ownership am glad we are going back to the themed areas of the park. We should focus on better food, Merchandise for your dollar. Has anyone other then myself noticed hove the All You Can Eat Buffet @ Crazy Buffalo shrinks each year. What happened to Onion Loafs, just look at the salad bar hello what happened to all the fresh vegetables? As for Cedar Point who cares point for point coaster for coaster we win why, Ironwolf, Viper, Superman, Batman run BRAKELESS C.P. has brakes on the first drop of Mantis, all over every coaster in that park. Like it or not if you attended MidWinter in January
you heard Tim Black tell all of us this is just the first redo of the parks sections. Once again what did you do on your visits to the park these last few years play games in that sad area of Orleans. I say Bravo and if this turns out half as good as the changes in the Upper Deck @ U.S. Cellar Field I win twice this year.

Heh, I like you kid. Welcome to the board

He's right though, park quality is diminishing and the park has been cutting corners where the GP won't look. We have very few trims compared to other parks and the Mardi Gras addition IS a good thing! With a new festive area, a new flat in County Fair and Carousel Plaza, and new shows, it appears that this is a renewal year for SFGAm to give the park a fresh new look in a few deserted places and bring in more families.

And he's right about the floorless too. Check this out...

1996: Southwest Territory (4 Flats) -> 1997: Giant Drop
1998: CCN and LTNP (Revamped Kiddie Areas) -> 1999: Raging Bull!!!

From what it looks like, every year the park goes with the family interests it pays back bigtime the next year. We may see that floorless yet!

[w00dland]

From what you wrote there is looks like that we wouldn't get a big coaster for another 4 years. Because it looks like that Mardi Gras would be like the addition of southwest terroritory. And not just revamped kiddie areas.

[btpcheater]

Okay, I do not agree that the price is to high for admission. I think that it is just right for Great America. Think about it, We have some of the most insane rides in the us of a. They need more money to make us more happy to hire more employees, avoid going bankrubt and to keep the park clean and tidy. For the past two years, I think the crew for Great America have been great and we all can see that they are really trying to please us. Of coarse it's not all about the prices, it's about making sure they can avoid going under. We all know that, I support Great America because it is great. Hopefully this season is a very busy one for the park. Even though lines would be horiable, but it will be fun! SIX new things in one year, Plus a new themed area, Repainted rides and HOPEFULLY an operational Deja It all adds up, they need to make there money some how. Plus, They ussaly have pop can speicals! Anyways, Take care and can't wait til the season starts!!!!!:)

[Great America Guy]

Great America is a VERY resonaibly priced park. Go down to Florida to Sea World and the other parks down there. Thats expensive. Great America has done a good job to expand the park so they need to make money. Increased the admission price by 2 dollars is not a big deal. But for them it adds up.

[Adix]

Ron is right about those trims, you know... just look at Millennium Force, Raptor, Iron Dragon, Corkscrew, Blue Streak, and Gemini. Trims everywhere, I can't believe it.

Of course, there's NO WAY that Mantis has them to save your ankles and give you that nifty float in the loop.

There's NO WAY Magnum has them to keep the already violent air from being unbearable.

And there's most certainly NO WAY that Mean Streak has them to keep it from literally shaking itself apart.

Ron, you are my inspiration.

[SFGA 11]

Uh, I dont htink there is any trims on Millennium Force.

[Adix]

I suppose I missed the wink, then?

;););)

Better?

[SFGA 11]

Yes, much better.

[Ron/Wolf]

Thanks Everyone,
The most important thing to consider about Great America is that it's our local park. It is also The Single Best Six Flags Park but, Remember it's Great America First. I enjoyed your responses and am glad to be someones inspiration. One thing I've never lost sight of is while at Great America or anywhere I'm the guest. I follow the rules , I don't make or break them. As for cutting corners The Paint Job on our Columbia moved Paramonts Great America to follow. So many shops and food venues have been remodeled these past two years. It also occured to me Great America is a Leader in many ways. These are all firsts Iron Wolf B@M Standup, Batman The Ride, Florless outside looper which still stands the test of time, Viper built Inhouse and a top 10 Woodie. The Eagle running backwards at 125feet. I could go on but all I really want to say is 9 Days people and the park opens REJOICE! P.S.
you couldn't find a better Park Operations Manager then Larry Wine be glad he's back.

[planea380]

It also occured to me Great America is a Leader in many ways. These are all firsts Iron Wolf B@M Standup, Batman The Ride, Florless outside looper which still stands the test of time, Viper built Inhouse and a top 10 Woodie. The Eagle running backwards at 125feet. I could go on but all .

You can not forget about giving B&M a chance, most parks would not do that.

[Adix]

I think they would... Walter and Claude were from Intamin before, it's not like they just popped out of nowhere... but regardless, I'm glad they did

[M-SFGreatAmerica]

Actually I was at Paramount's Great America in 2001 and they already had painted Columbia, so it looks like we copied them. Sorry!

[coasterkid86]

Batman The Ride, Florless outside looper which still stands the test of time

B:TR isn't floorless!

[planea380]

Yes it is, if it was not a floorless it would be an arrow.

[Papas]

It's not a floorless model but it's a coaster without a floor.
End of dispute.

[Mr. SFGAm]

The old Arrow trains have no support at all, the seat is a giant plastic bucket that is very uncomfortable.

It doesn't even have to be an old Arrow. Go ride PKI's Vortex. That one has no padding at all on the seats.

Like it or not if you attended MidWinter in January
you heard Tim Black tell all of us this is just the first redo of the parks sections.

God I hope that's true. Maybe next we'll see a re-do of Yankee Harbor!
Seriously, I think that Ron/Wolf is totally correct.
*Buildings have been remodeled/repainted in the last few years.
*They've been doing a lot of flat ride overhauls in the past few offseasons (Triple Play, ERC, Orbit)
*Logger's Run is being re-furbished for this year(any word on that?)
*And the bottom line is SIX new attractions in one season! This will hopefully bring people(families) back to the park, and maybe we will see that shiny new floorless in the next few years.

[CoasterDave316]

Batman The Ride, Florless outside looper which still stands the test of time

B:TR isn't floorless!

He was talking about new things SFGAm did before anybody else. And Batman: The Ride was the first coaster (I believe) with "Nothing but air beneath your chair".