Positive and negative to SFGAm accouncement.

This park has been in my life for all of its
25 years and I have to say this announcement got my attention the most. The positive is their announcement to build a coaster in the park that is of a different caliber than the other 9 coasters already there giving them once again the award to continue building different coaster types each time they decide to grow. The negative is the fact that this might start a trend of getting rid of their signature rides that put Marriott on the map. When I first heard it was official they were tearing down the Sky Whirl the first thing that came to mind was Paramount (Sorry to say thats not a good thing.) The Sky Whirl is like an icon(symbol) of what Great America is all about just as much as the Columbia Carousel. By tearing it down takes away a piece of history there. I certainly hope this doesnt become a trend. I took my daughter to SFGAm for her first time and thank god I took several snapshots of her on this ride. The views you get of the park on Sky Whirl are just spectacular. To all that have never been to SFGAm just think of a signature ride at your park that has become a staple of the parks image and than find out its being removed. Thats the caliber of what this ride represents.
R.I.P. Skywhirl
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"DONT FIGHT IT, RIDE IT",,,,RAGING BULL *** This post was edited by Chitown on 9/23/2000. ***

I've only been to the park once, but Sky Whirl struck me as an incredible and unique centerpiece to the park. What a bummer it's going away.

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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com

Is it sad, I also hate to see it go. But what is a park suppose to do with an aging ride that has outlived it's time? Maybe a smaller park will re-build it in a few years...

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You may get wet on this attraction, you may even get drenched! But can you survive the PLUNGE?

Think of how many other rides out there that are well over 25 years old. It does make some sense but I think they dont want to keep pumping money into it for maintenance. Although they should because it is a part of the parks history. *** This post was edited by Chitown on 9/23/2000. ***

I remember reading about this ride in a 3-2-1 Contact magazine eons ago. Never visited the park but I always wanted to see this ride. Looks like I'll never get the chance now.

what makes me laugh is everyone wants new rides and then they complain that an old ride is taken
out in its place how about this the sky whirl
stays and the park gets no new rides would you be happy then just my 2cents worth *** This post was edited by supermandl on 9/27/2000. ***

I understand supermandl, but its the nostaliga behind the ride is why so many people are heartbroken.

Of course, people only become nostalgic once a ride is slated for removal. I'm sure they would have a tougher decision to make if the admissions/turnstyle counts for it were very high. Over the past four years I've been going to SFGrAm, I never did ride it. Usage is what determines the value of a ride's square footage. Yeah, it'd be nice if it stayed, but it's too late for all of us to wish we'd given it more use. I regret having not ridden it.