Going to SFGAm...

Any Advice for a SINGLE DAY full of fun in Gurnee?

In the town of Gurnee or just at SFGAm? I know you probably mean the park but I just want to make sure...

Enjoy one helluva ride on Whizzer, don't listen when people tell you Iron Wolf sucks, and laugh your a$$ off people-watching. It's a great place for it.

Most of all, have fun! The park is a blast!

just my opinions, of course

Definitely don't miss Whizzer...but beware the sudden stop at the end ;)

mOOSH -- "I think I just entered you!"

Just marathon Viper all day (last seat and last row of first car). The rest of the park is just coaster credits (except Batman, but that is everywhere). It is kind of interesting to ride the impulse and then try to figure out why it is so much worse than the others. I'm still working on that one myself. I can't speak for DejaVu since it has been down everytime I went.

Rest of the park is just coaster credits? Uhhh, o.k.? I know you have your opinion and are entitled to it but that is basically saying that the other 11 coasters suck.

crombie: plenty of things to do at this park and now with a new waterpark, I would try to make a 2 day trip out of it if you can.

Have fun.

Don't forget Raging Bull! It's probably my favorite B&M. In fact I don't think the park has a bad coaster.

I would not say that the rest of the coasters suck, but they are just mediocre. Viper is head and shoulders over the rest of the park. Raging Bull is by far the worst hyper I've been on due to trims everywhere and B&M's signature "so smooth and forceless you could fall asleep" design. The flyer has a good element. AE has a few moments of great air in an otherwise pretty bad ride. Whizzer is cute, but it is what it is. There is an arrow looper that is not Tennesse Tornado. I just was not impressed with anything there except Viper and I love the Batmen clones.

Any advice? What to hit up first? Great night rides? etc...

Don't listen to Raventtd, his opinion on coasters is about as "out there" as you can get. I've rarely, if ever heard a complaint about this park, it's well rounded with fun B&M's, Whizzer, and an excellent flat ride selection, plus a new gigantic water park this year. Raging Bull is incredible fun, you'll want to ride it a couple times. All the coasters there are very good, and if you get lucky, Deja Vu might be running which is a fun coaster as well, if it's running.

Since you are only going there one day, hopefully its on a weekday, as crowds will be not as bad. If not, just concentrate in getting your coaster fix in. Make Deja Vu a priority if it is open, as lines can get incredibly long for it. Get Superman and Batman out of the way as early as you can before lines start building up for them. And just have fun and relax, this park is one of my favorites, there is so much to see and do there!
*** Edited 4/16/2005 2:19:46 AM UTC by Dan D McD***

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crombiedude11 said:
Any Advice for a SINGLE DAY full of fun in Gurnee?

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Well, I would reccomend riding all the coasters, Giant Drop, Revolution, King Chaos, East River Crawler, Chubasco, and Roaring Rapids. You should have time for all of those and for time in the waterpark(If it's open) and time for anything else that catches your eye.

Reccomended night rides include Batman, Iron Wolf, Whizzer, and Viper.

I also reccomend to get there early to get the most of your day. If you don't head to Superman first, then wait until late afternoon or right before park close to ride it.(Most ride lines stay open right until the park officially closes.) If you head to Southwest Territory first, then you can pretty much conquer the most popular area before the crowds show up. Then you could go through County Fair will minimal waits too.(Which also may set you up to catch DejaVu early.

Hope that helps a little. Keep the questions coming. I am happy to help!

Ride the train in the back and talk to the conductor. He was fun to talk to about Opryland.

Ride the Columbia Carousel up top on the second tier AND on the bottom tier.

Save your shopping til when the park closes as the stores stay open way past the official closing time. That way you maximize your time with the ride attractions.

If you have a season pass and get to the park about an hour before close on the night before your main day at the park, they don't charge for parking...at least they didn't last summer. That's a whole extra hour in the park at night without having to pay for parking you wouldn't have otherwise.

And yes...ride one of the most unusual coasters on the planet...Whizzer!

Dont Miss Multiple rides on Viper, B:TR, Raging Bull

I would like to thank everyone for helping me as this is my FIRST time visiting SFGAm! Im thoroughly EXCITED to go try it out! lol

Ok well one MUST is the backseat on RB. I mean the last row. That first drop in the back may possibly be the greatest ever. No Joke. Besides that make sure to also ride Viper. It may look like just another small wooden roller coaster but its anything but that.

My advice on the Whizzer would be to try to ride it at night. Also if you think that the line for Deja Vu looks long, then just leave and go on another ride. It's not worth the hassle IMO. If you want to hit Deja Vu then go there first thing in the morning.

And don't forget to just enjoy what the park has to offer, which is a lot compared to numerous other patks.

American Eagle isn't a bad ride... it has improved considerably for a couple of years now. Last year, forwards was really amazing. Fast, smooth, tons of airtime, and minimal braking. Even I was suprised. American Eagle is tempermental. Some days it's awesome, some days it's not. However, try it a couple times.

Backwards was pretty good, however, it is always rougher than forwards, and has the brakes on heavier. But, that first drop is totally amazing going backwards, which makes the entire ride worth it.

American Eagle usually has a short line, however if it's long, it moves fast because of the two trains on both sides.

ROFL Matt!

It WAS a perfect first time for me... on Whizzer that is! :)

This is where you should sit on the coasters.

Superman- Ride back if you want an intense ride and ride front if you want the smoother and less intense ride.

Ragin' Cajun- I like the side seats better because you get a better feeling of following off the sides.

Batman- Ride back for the most intense ride and ride front for awesome views.

V2- Some people like the front, but I prefer to ride towards the front.(Ride both if you get a chance.)

Iron Wolf- The front row is awesome as heck. The back will beat you up, but depending on how you can take the beating will decide if you like it or not.(It IS a great ride no matter what other people say.)

American Eagle- (Blue) ride the "normal" front and (Red) ride the front for views and ride the very back for awesome airtime(especially on the first drop.) If you only have time for one ride, I'd reccomed Red as it has more airtime hills.(So no, boths sides aren't identical, just very similar.)

DejaVu- Ride in row 1B for the shorter of the front row waits. The line won't be as long as some people say as capacity was highly improved throughout last season.

Demon- Ride in 6:1(10th row) for the best ride. It is smooth there. The back gives ejector airtime on the first drop and the front is ok.(But not reccomended.)

Whizzer- No preference for me. The back is a little more rough and more forceful, but every seat gives a fun and enjoyable ride.

Raging Bull- The back row has the best airtime(especially on the first drop.) The front is noticeably slower, but you get some cool sensations, especially when the back is experiencing the airtime. I reccomend waiting when the ride is running 3 trains.(The line moves incredibly fast. Especially the front row line.)

Viper- Row 1:3(3rd row) gives the best airtime in the park and makes this ride top-notch. Row 1:3 also usually has a shorter wait, so the row is ideal. And yes, 1 row makes a huge difference. When someone asked me to switch rows, getting me on one train faster, I said "no."

Spacely's Sprocket Rocket- Ride it for the credit if you care. Only ride if you have a few minutes and the line is only in the station. It is fun BTW.

There you go!

Also, be sure to catch Circo Magnifico(If it has debuted yet when you go.) I heard it is going to be really cool!(Located in the Grand Music Hall near the Whizzer.)

Here is a link to the new 2005 park map.

http://www.sfgamplanet.com/parkinfo/2005.htm

*** Edited 4/16/2005 7:16:50 PM UTC by DejaVu The Ride***

Well when talking about V2, the difference between the back and the front is the back spike IMO. You get a much different sensation going backwards up the rear spike when your in the back then when your in the front. So in the back you get more height on the rear spike but in the front, you get a great view... nothing between you and the ground, looking straight down at the pond... Good Times ;)

I agree that 1.3 on Viper is awesome, but you can't miss the back seat for that double down off the turnaround. That was a very pleasant surprise for me; probably the best double down I have been on.