Any Spies for SFGAM?

As of this morning when I drove by on my way to work there was NOTHING going on there.  At least not noticeably from the road.
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Rhetorical question of the day: If I am an ACE and CB Club member do I get double the benefits?

Nothing terribly exciting for next year.

What has been heard is the following:

Wintrode would like to put a huge ferris wheel in the spot of Power Dive because many people - especially on the zoning board of appeals in Gurnee - hated to see Sky Whirl go. Plus a large ferris wheel (gondola style) would be a nice family add-on. Regarding the Cajun Cliffhanger, it will not reopen.

None of this is 100% confirmed, but Wintrode (GM-VP) has made it clear he will put in another Ferris Wheel. Seeing that the looping starships (aka - Power Dive) are no longer cutting-edge, it wouldn't surprise me to see this removed.

Personally, I wouldent mind seeing shockwave go.  I admit, it has sentimental value, and it was a great ride, it just doesent do the trick for me any more.  With coasters in the park like Bull, V2, Dejavu Ect., I just dont care to ride shockwave anymore.  I say get rid of it if it means room for a new coaster.  Otherwise keep it for the occasional trip down memory lane.

It seems pretty obvious Powerdive is going to go, it hasent run all year, and it didn't seem they were trying to fix it.  I'm just not sure what they are going to put in its spot.  (not a heck of alot of room).

I don't really understand why they are taking out powerdive.  Seems to me that on any given day, there was a good half hour to forty five minute wait for that ride.  I loved it.

What?

Get rid of SHOCKWAVE but leave THE DEMON???

If they lose a rollercoaster it should be that big SNORE of a ride.

~Tocci

As SFGAM is my home park, I understand the nostalgia factor of the Demon, but it is a boring ride. With the horrible cars and harness, you feel like you're sitting in a hole and you hardly get any ride experience at all. It was cooler back in the day when the park seemed to care enough about the ride to light the tunnel, but now it's fallen by the wayside.

may The Force be with you,
Liz

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"The only real limit to height is what people are willing to get on." - Ron Toomer

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Tocci55 said:Get rid of SHOCKWAVE but leave THE DEMON??? If they lose a rollercoaster it should be that big SNORE of a ride.

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Well, beleive it or not, Demon has a longer line than Shockwave most of the time. The rides are about the same in thrill factor, but Shockwave is much rougher. Shockwave takes up way more space, so if anyting goes, it'll be Shockwave.

THE DEMON gets the line because its entrance is right in the middle of the park...

Even my dog falls asleep on THE DEMON.

...and what is that first drop? ...40....50 feet?

~Tocci

The drop may be small, but it packs quite a punch. It's got tons of airtime! Tocci, maybe it is too boring for you, but it is the first looper for thousands of kids. The park needs something for everyone. Remember, they get most of their money from families and Demon is a coaster for famiies.

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SFGA2001 said:
"Well, beleive it or not, Demon has a longer line than Shockwave most of the time."

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Yes, but there are several things that effect the line size other than the alleged pain.

1) Shockwave is DAMN BIG! The sheer height of the ride alone scares some people off. Remember, it's only 3 stories short of being a hyper coaster itself.

2) Shockwave is in the front of the park. Many people will hop on Shockwave as soon as they get there because it's the first thing they see. When I have gotten there early, I've seen the line out to the midway. Remember, many people only ride once and then move on.

3) Demon is in a high traffic area. Three of the four newest coasters are right by Demon (Viper, Raging Bull, Deja Vu). A Water ride (SplashWater Falls), thrill ride (Orbit) and gentle ride (Great American Raceway) Not to mention there is a big food court over there as well (Farmer's Market). That's a lot of stuff to keep people in that general area. Conversely, only Condor and Rue Le Dogde (bumper cars) are near SW. Now I havent been there since V2 was placed in the *general* vicinity, but I would expect the lines for SW to increase somewhat.
jeremy

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A Nigerian Muslim sharia court sentences a pregnant woman found guilty of adultery to be stoned to death, but only after she has finished weaning her baby.
This is known in some parts of the Muslim world as compassionate conservatism

Dude...you know the park well!

I will concede that THE DEMON makes a great addition to the park as a "family" coaster...just don't go comparing it to SHOCKWAVE cuz that's just plain silly.

2Hostyl: Your tagline is fantastic!

~Tocci

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2Hostyl said:

 Now I havent been there since V2 was placed in the *general* vicinity, but I would expect the lines for SW to increase somewhat.
jeremy
 

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You are correct.  I noticed SW lines were longer this year, most likely because of V2 "overflow."

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"Something that's factual at this moment proves not to be factual in retrospect. That doesn't mean it wasn't factual at the time." - Campbell Gardett, Department of Health and Human Services

2Hostyl said: "Conversely, only Condor and Rue Le Dogde (bumper cars) are near SW. Now I havent been there since V2 was placed in the *general* vicinity, but I would expect the lines for SW tt increase somewhat."

yeah, V2 isn't near enough to SW to make a difference. It's by Batman.

since the placement of Deja Vu they have reconfigured the traffic pattern in that area. you cannot get to the front of the park without going through Southwest Territory. The start of the Demon cue is now a dead end. The vine tunnel that was in front of the Sky Wheel is gone. I wonder if Demon ridership will suffer because the cue is now hard to find. SW is in a low-traffic area, but if you're like me, I'd rather be in a less congested part of the part. The reconfigured area is a traffic nightmare. The Deja Vu line went all the way past the Farmers Market food court.

may The Force be with you,
Liz

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"The only real limit to height is what people are willing to get on." - Ron Toomer

The demon was one of the first two coasters the park had.  Getting rid of the demon would be like getting rid of the wizzer.  Yes, to thrill seekers, both of those rides are tame, but leave em to the little coaster riders who don't have the courage to ride bigger coasters.  As for shockwave - Most of the enthusiasts I know don't care for it,  it provides the least amount of air time and the most amount of head banging.  Even the drop stinks.  The only reason I like the SW is 'cause I remember when it was brand new, it created quite a stirr.  I belive it was the worlds tallest untill Magnum was built at CP.  It has a nostalgic value, plus it looks pretty wicked.  But you guys are right, that area of the park doesnt have much.  Tearing it down and putting in a new coaster would be beneficial.

Well I don't think either the Demon or Shockwave should be torn down because they both can still and do get lines.  Shockwave always has around a hour wait in the morning right when the park opens up, mid day the line is down to about a half hour and later at night around 6 it is walk on for the rest of the night, so this ride should stay.  Demon on the other hand this year has been walk on most the year on any day really I think it has been this way because of 2 reasons, 1 they blocked off that bridge and 2 Deja Vu hasn't been open, because at Fright Fest I noticed right when Deja Vu opened Demon got about a half hour line.  So as long as they keep Deja Vu working next year and unblock that path Demon should do fine. And Shockwave should do the same next year if not better if they get Powerdive running or get something new in that area.  So I don't think that either one of these coasters will be torn down because of lack of lines, because the lines are there.
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listen to this.... sfgreatamer is getting two flats next year.  One is taking the place of power dive (yes u read that right power dive is gone) and another one to take the place of haybailer.  Otherwise we arent getting any new rides this year.

So wait a minute, PowerDive was *not* working this year? What happened? I mean, I wouldnt be terribly upset to see it leave as I've only ridden it once since it was installed (and that was last year). Hmmm, I think a HUSS Giant Frisbee could fit there....

Anyway, if space is the only reason for tearing down SW, then I say it stays. Just get a little creative and I'm sure one could build a nice flyer/4-d intertwined with the coaster, there is a lot of 'dead zone' in the SW foot print. I mean really, if Indiana Beach could shoehorn in Cornball express, SFGAm should have no problem fitting a coaster in with SW. Just takes a little 'American (or Swiss :)) ingenuity' ;).
jeremy
--who wonders what happened to the bathroom by the 'vine tunnel'...

And how are you so smart(ass)? You work there? That is the only way you get a little bit of credibility, even then your attitude says you do not know jack. To the other know it all, how cna something take the place of haybayler when it is already gone and its space fairly filled?
This part was directed at the two who keep saying they know what is happening there.
Power Dive was not running when I was there, so it would be no surprise to be gone. It was fun, but most people I talked to did not enjoy it a whole lot. Guess once you ride it a few times it gets old.

Anyway, I used to work there and I lived there all my life till last year. I still visit family there so I wanna know whats going on. And I want Haybayler back too!! and Delta Flyer too!! and Tidal Wave!!
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Any resemblance to living or
dead people is purely coincidental.

*** This post was edited by skysox on 11/9/2001. ***

I think the demon is good as a family coaster. My daughter who is 5 loves the coaster and she can only go on that and Whizzer for a couple of years and they are alot better then the coaster in the kids area. Regarding Shoclwave if it was moved for a new coaster that would be fine but i like it as a end of the day ride, i make it the last coaster of the day and can usually ride it 6-8 times in the last hour without having to exit the ride.

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SFGA2001 said:
SFGRAMBoy20, if you know everything why don't you tell us?

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He cant tell you because it is against park policy for employees to talk about this kinda stuff..even in the offseason when we're not technically employed by them.