Goliath at SFGAm.

Having ridden Giant and iRatt, Goliath and Outlaw Run scream my name for next year.

Oh, I enjoyed the New Texas Giant a lot. It was great seeing a ride that had arguably outlived its usefulness be transformed back into the highlight ride it once was. I can only imagine how good Iron Rattler is as well.

I suppose I shouldn't disparage Goliath as much as I have. It seems like a cool ride. It just doesn't call my name the way a ride like Banshee does, but the more I think about it, the more inclined I am to say it's because wooden coasters don't generally scream my name the way steel ones do from a likely-to-get-me-to-the-park standpoint.

Although I am no expert, I personally think a roller coaster is exactly what the park needs. They have tons of family attractions, shows and a massive waterpark next door. Furthermore, although it looks to be a short ride, it will undoubtedly be thrilling, especially during the zero-g stall. Finally, since they can advertise it as the tallest, steepest and fastest wooden coaster in the world, I would imagine that attendance would skyrocket. Indeed, it's not the most creative name or theme, but this is Six Flags, not Disney. It's going to be a great new addition and has the potential to be my favorite ride at the park.

^^ Eh, Outlaw Run doesn't quite feel like a wooden coaster, if that helps. But it's not quite steel either. I'm not sure how to describe it, but I liked it.

Read this in an interview with a staff member at SFGA Six Flags Great America Park Spokesperson Katy Enrique.

who spoke about the trains and restaints .. I noticed lap/ankle .. thats different.

"The ride will have two trains each consisting of 6 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 24 riders per train utilizing polyurethane wheels and a lap/ankle restraint."

Definitely sounds like an up-charge attraction.

Outlaw Run has an "ankle restraint" too but it looks like its closer to being a shin restraint

Sigh. These ankle/shin things are doing it wrong. Even Intamin figured out (think Dragster) that if you make the seat deep and have the bar rest on your thighs at a point lower than your knees, you can't get out.

Wow not even one bent has risen and already Goliath is being bad mouthed. Hey, X-Flight I love, is Batman 20 later just a bit longer. The short waits I always find tells me the general public want something bigger. Now, just the sheer height and unique inversions will fill a now empty Eastern horizon at the park.

Do I feel X-Flight should have been taller, Yes. Should it have been longer, Yes. Should it be faster, Yes. Notice another year passes and Six Flags passes on the Wing Coaster idea/cost. Well, so did Cedar Fair B@M rides cost lot's of money.

With Goliath my biggest fear was it's size. But, Outlaw Run is being well received and is shorter. I will give Goliath these winning points: Angle of the first drop. It's speed, tunnels, inversions. I feel the general public will love this ride. With that will be numbers increasing through the gate.

I just so happy that this ride will not be more B@M track. Great America has quiet enough already.

My final thought if it turns out to be a dog, Viper is still my favorite ride at the park and will still be there.

bjames said:

Outlaw Run has an "ankle restraint" too but it looks like its closer to being a shin restraint

Being a tall person, and based on this picture, I would think this would be painful to some degree. Hitting the elements, it seems some bruising would happen on the legs.

Ron Witrzek said:

B@M

I initially thought this was a mistake but then you wrote it again. And the deal is?

If that's the worst complaint you have about his post, then you are a better man than I.

Maybe he's channeling Emeril, or Alexis Mateo? (They both use "bam" as a verbal signature.)

Bam Margera? Hide your Phil, hide your April, they skating all OVER the place up in here....

The short waits I always find tells me the general public want (sic) something bigger.

Maybe. And maybe non-anecdotal data is telling others that it's a ride that efficiently handles riders.

Notice another year passes and Six Flags passes on the Wing Coaster idea/cost.

Most likely, Six Flags had already solidified its capital expenditure plans for several years out before X-Flight opened.

It's also been years since Six Flags installed an inverted coaster...or a hyper. Those must be two of the worst designs out there. ;)

Oh the nit picking on someone making an comment. It is my correct observation that X-Flight always has short lines. Now at the very same time Batman will have full switch backs. They load Batman faster then X-Flight, it just a fan favorite. Look I'm not arguing just pointing out what I see every visit. Besides I'm happy for the short lines at X-Flight. Many people have said wing coasters are just ok to smooth not thrilling enough. I love then just as they are, who needs head banging?

As for the comment on B@M track at Great America well it's everywhere you look.

Goliath will be different fill the void left by Iron Wolf .

You say nit picking, I say making observations.

Suggesting that what you see on your visits to the park, during which I assume you move around the park enjoying the various attractions rather than studying how many people are riding X-Flight for hours on end, and what may or may not be revealed in the day to day data the park has is an observation.

@ != &

That's pretty cool, Jeff. What's the alt-key code for that & thingy... ;~)