SFGAm riddle
(SF)Great American said:
Antuan said:
Yeah, well we have an excellent racing coaster that actually has maitenance done on it more than three times a year!It's like I said earlier. If Six Flags had decided to invest a little money, we coudl have had a custom layout that would have allowed us to keep Whizzer, Shock Wave, and still give us the new flyer. I think the only thing anyone's complained about is the fact that Shock Wave could have stayed, but it's going anyway. If it needs to go, how many peopel here are really going to complain? But now we have the double indigninty of having a clone plopped down in our park, and having a ride unecessarily removed because of it. No matter how great our "new" clone is, that's a prett big pill for an enthusiast to swallow.
Oh, yeah. The visual thing. Everyone who thinks that this will ruin the look of the park, especially from the front gate, is absoloutly right. A big part of the atmosphere of an amusment park is the look of its rides. Those of you not as familiar as we are with Great America will probably not quite understand the impact this ride had, becuse the few times you've seen it (if ever), you saw, simply, an oversized, head-banging, Arrow mega-looper from the 80's. To those of us who visited the park back when we were members of the GP, it was a very different mater.
Thank you for stating this. I share this opinion with you in every way.
Also, if we got a new themed area with at least 5-6 more flat rides along with the flyer, then we would have a more than fitting replacement.
I think if you're not from Chicago, you don't really understand the space that Shockwave sits in. Although Raging Bull is the best coaster in the park, it is not in a position of the park that says: This is Six Flags Great America. Shockwave was in that position. Shockwave represented everything that we want coasters to be(in appearance) It was tall, fast and had a lot of loops. It was like a monument to roller coasters. By putting the flyer in this spot, Six Flags Great Americas is saying: cloned rides which are fairly new, but unoriginal are in our future and what we're all about. Quite frankly it seems like this is the direction that they are going. 3 clones in a row is not a good track record.
This spot is right next to the entrance and would showcase the new coaster, but how long until it is thought of just as the Batman: The Ride clones are though of now? Flying coasters are going through the explosion that inverteds went through in the early to mid 90's and S: UF and soon they will be about as special as inverteds.
Maybe as a patron of SFGAm I am getting spoiled. Before V2 and Deja Vu, we had 3 excellent coasters in a row(Batman, Viper and Raging Bull) Now we have 3 clones in a row(V2, DV and S:UF). I think that Six Flags should put revolutionary coasters in the bigger markets instead of giving them clones.
The thing that bugs me most is that probably for another 2 years, we don't have a chance of having that amazing coaster than everyone wants to come from all over the country to SFGAm to ride.
PS. If you don't agree with me, that's fine, but I don't need to hear "cHiL owt dood" from anyone because I am not unhappy about the flyer. Just a little dissapointed in Six Flags.
MRKARNO said:
'By putting the flyer in this spot, Six Flags Great Americas is saying: cloned rides which are fairly new, but unoriginal are in our future and what we're all about. '
No, it says: 'Here is some new sh*t that you've never seen before that's going to blow your mind.' Keep in mind that the vast majority of those that go to SFGAm have never heard of Air, Bat-Flight, S:UF, or Stealth.
Anyway, I'm still not sold on the fact that the flyer will go *exactly* in place of Shockwave. I think it'll be in the vicinity, but not displayed in the same manner.
'how long until it is thought of just as the Batman: The Ride clones are though of now'
That it's the best ride in the park? That's my opinion after two days there last weekend and riding every coaster multiple times.
News Flash: Nobody but enthusi-asses like us care about clones.
'The thing that bugs me most is that probably for another 2 years, we don't have a chance of having that amazing coaster than everyone wants to come from all over the country to SFGAm to ride'
So what? SFGAm is *such* a cash cow because of its location that the park doesn't need people to come from all over the country to ride the new coaster. SFGAm isn't a destination park, and doesn't need that type of draw to rake in lots and lots and lots of cash.
p.s. cHiL owt dood
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'If there's been a way to build it, there'll be a way to destroy it. Things are not all that out of control.' - Stereolab 'Crest'
*** This post was edited by chris on 9/26/2002. ***
MRKARNO said:
The thing that bugs me most is that probably for another 2 years, we don't have a chance of having that amazing coaster than everyone wants to come from all over the country to SFGAm to ride.
I swear that's what Whizzer was....and still IS...isn't it?....:)
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Never Has Gravity Been So Uplifting.
BullGuy opined:
For enthusiasts, yes, it is. I can't think of any reason that anyone else would travel across the country to ride an oversized kiddie coaster.
But that's the point, SFGAm does not position themselves as a "destination park" as Chris stated. SFGAm caters to the many millions of people within a few hours drive of the park. While you can be sure that they will not turn them away, they are not actively trying to lure people from all over.
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Le roi est mort. Vive le roi.
Thanks Great America!
I was saying that in contrast to what 'gator said, but one can argue that in some cases, GAm does position themselves as a destination park. I'm not disagreeing with you, I'm just playing a little Devil's Advocate.
-One could say Batman: The Ride was a shot at garnaring national attention, and Shockwave could go behind the same arguement.
-The slogan for the 2001 season was "Record Breaking, History Making". I'm sure GAm didn't only have locals in mind when making that slogan.
-Raging Bull was marketed as the world's first "Hyper Twister". (Though it really wasn't) Anything with "World's First" in it is meant to get attention.
Now that in conjunction with the fact that Great America is one of the three big Six Flags parks, does suggest the want for *some* national attention. On a side note, the rumored water park would all but secure GAm's position as a destination park.
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Never Has Gravity Been So Uplifting.
Six Flags Inc. has been leaving this park alone for it's entire existance and leaving it run itself. I wonder if certian individuals have been getting a bit lazy recently. Sure the placement of V2 was pure genius, I couldn't have picked a better spot for the coaster to go.
The deal with Superman is this. If they decide to make the area into a new themed section kudos to them. If not, well that's a huge mistake. I say expand, expand, expand. The park really doesn't have a nice senic area to work with like other parks. Just build and expand on what they have is the key.
Uh, where in the back of the park should they have put it? SFGAm has room, certainly...but not in the back of the park.
-Nate
BMCOASTER said:The deal with Superman is this. If they decide to make the area into a new themed section kudos to them. If not, well that's a huge mistake. I say expand, expand, expand. The park really doesn't have a nice senic area to work with like other parks. Just build and expand on what they have is the key.
I completely agree with you. It would be really nice if they planted some trees in that area and made it the way it would have been(flying through trees) had whizzer been knocked down.
Who's to say that they couldn't have moved the Whizzer, and put S:UF there. The best of all three worlds! The spot where Whizzer is would be a great spot for a flyer, but even if they just moved Whizzer there would probably be a public outcry. I guess you can't please everyone, but you(Six Flags) have to try your best to please the most people possible. That's part of running an amusement park. The dismantling of Shockwave got no media attention that I know of besides the Herald(which reports more about SFGAm than any other major news source) which might mean it was for the better. Oh Well. Shockwave will be dearly missed by many.
DISCLAIMER: This is an opinion and everyone has a right to their own
I think that BMCOASTER is right that Six Flags has traditionaly let Great America run itself. That's why it's kept so much of the original Marriot themeing so intact, and gotten so few clones. Batman was the first Batman, and that year Great America was definetly a destination park. I mean, it had the only coaster of its kind in the whole world! I doubt that was fully intentional, per se. It seems to me that GAm managment has just centered on doing what's best for the park, and if that happens to make them a destination park for a year or so, so be it.
Unfortunately, I'm sensing that Premier-calling-itself-Six Flags is keeping Great America on a tighter leash, so to speak. Vertical Velocity, whilei n a very good location for the ride, took out a huge chunk of the themeing in Yankee Harbor. So much so, that it's almost not recognizable for what it is, anymore. The same year, Deja Vu took out a signature, red-white-and-blue landmark that defined the park as American (appropriate, for Great America). And both of these rides were clones. Now what's happening? First, they want to take out a very popular and historic ride for a clone. Now, they've decided to take out another signature ride for the clone. These actions just don't seem to gell with the Great America I know, and they worry me quite a bit.
MRKARNO: you can't move The Whizzer, and still have it be any good. In fact, I'm not sure if you can move The Whizzer. It's a terrain coaster, quite specificaly designed for those hills. You could re-create those hills, but that's an expensive proposition.
*** This post was edited by (SF)Great American on 9/26/2002. ***
Nothing new to that strategy (SF) Great American. Z-Force removed for Iron Wolf. Tidal Wave removed for Batman:TR.
So Shockwave removed for this Flyer should not worry you at all. Its a business and they will do what is needed to progress.
Lets face guys, Shockwave was not popular anymore even in the slightest bit. Constant walk-ons most of the time. If a coaster has to be removed, this is the logical choice. We already have another Arrow looper in the park that just happens to generate more lines. -----------------
2 superheroes in Gurnee next season? Oh the humanity.
*** This post was edited by Chitown on 9/26/2002. ***
I agree, this park has been making very poor choices lately. Sky Whirl was a magnificent All American ride, and it was taken down for a clone with a French name!(no offense to the french) Great America really should wake up and see that they could easily put a new coaster in the park without removing SW.
I was wondering if someone woudld be kind enough outline the area where surveyers are or were working around Shovkwave on one of the pics listed [url="http://www.weezil.com/sfgam/index.htm" target="_blank">here. from what I've seen, they appear to be behind Shockwave and Theater Royale which could give us a clue as to exactly where the ride will be placed.
about Deja Vu: as I recall, Sky Whirl was having attendance and maintence problems. while I don't like SFGA's decision, I kinda understand it. it wouldn't be so bad if they replaced Sky Whirl with another Ferris Wheel. as for theming, well lets just hope that SFGA is in a rut and will work its way out soon.
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-Bob (formerly Coaster Jedi)
Do any of you know how to build a sundial out of a pen and a donut?
uh oh, sounds like someone has a case of the mondays.
Sfgamfreak1169 said:
Why dont they build by the lake by SW across from the parking lot?
Simple. Because peoples backyards border that pond. No way would a new coaster fly (no pun intended) over there.
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2 superheroes in Gurnee next season? Oh the humanity. :)
Realistically I knew that you couldn't move WHizzer because half of the allure is the terrain it's in. The best case scenarios are that A: we're getting multiple coasters this year(unlikely) B: We're getting another major coaster next year(very possible especially if C: we get an entirely new themed area in the place of Shockwave.
These scenarios would make the removal of Shockwave positive and not negative. I will be most happy if C happens because we will be replacing a walk on scary coaster with a new section which would bring in a lot more people than the flyer alone.
Do you really think families with small children(which make up a lot of the GP) care about the new coaster? No, but new flat rides(which we need more of) would potentially bring in more family guests especially if they get the right mix of thrill and kiddie. Southwest territory needed more thrilling flat rides. A rethemed Chaos would be cool.
One more thing, how often have you seen the parking lot more than 3/4 full? I have never seen it near full(I don't go to SFGAm as much as I'd like to, or I just always get lucky). Couldn't they have built the flyer by Space Shuttle America, or is Viper in the Way?
Closed topic.
