SFGAm Trivia Quiz

Chitown, I remember the Ferris Wheel by the train and Eagle's Flight (sky ride.)  I don't know how they squeezed it in there!  Looking at it this year, there isn't that much room.  I don't know exactly when it appeared.  It wasn't there in 1977, but it was there in 1982-84.  By 1986, it was gone.

The track for Barney Oldfield Speedway was a figure-eight and became an oval from 1986 onwards.  I wish they would have kept Traffique Jam instead.  It used Model T type antique cars and had a more interesting layout.

Ok, so I don't leave everyone in suspense...the answers to the questions I asked!

What were the names of the rides affected by the installation of (White Water Rampage) Roaring Rapids?

In Orleans Place: Traffique Jam which went from the track south to the picnic grove, Orleans Orbit relocated to Hometown Square replacing Bottom's Up, Southern Cross round trip sky ride (originally destined for the Great Southwest Terrritory but didn't quite make it). In Yankee Harbor: Davey Jones' Dinghies and Buzzy Bee (kid's ride)

Besides Iron Wolf and Z-Force, what also was on that site?

Whirligig

What was on the location of "The Tidal Wave" when the park first opened and through 1977?

The Spinnaker, located in what is now Gotham City Park and Batman's station.  It was a ride similar to Cajun Cliffhanger except it was outdoors and they locked you in a cage.  It tilted about 45 degrees during the ride.  The Brady Bunch kids rode a similar ride at King's Island.

What were the names over the years for "Loony Tunes National Park?"

Fort Fun (1978-1985), Bugs Bunny Land (1986-1994), Bugs Bunny Yukon Adventure (1995-1997), and Looney Tunes National Park (1998-present) are all the names for Yukon Territory's kiddie area.

What was on the site of "Loony Tunes National Park" when the park opened in 1976?

Saskatchewan Scrambler right next to the bathrooms. Fort Fun's installation sent it over to Hometown Square where it lives as Hometown Fun Machine. And in 1987, now Bugs Bunny Land expanded sending Yukon Yahoo to Orleans Place called Delta Flyer now occupied by Condor.

 

Some questions I don't know the answers to

I recall a sign next to the Eagle's turnaround barrel when driving on the tollway.  Did I imagine it? Did it give the stats about the Eagle?

I have heard discussion about a rumored third coaster that opened the park in 1976.  It was located in Orleans Place and called "The Gulf Coaster."  There is no mention of it on my '77 map.  I think it might have been only at Santa Clara's park.  Can anyone shed some light on this?

Willard of Willard's Whizzer was Marriott's CEO, who was Barney Oldfield and Davey Jones?

Looking back, the best year was 1982.  Demon had its full theming.  The Eagle was soaring.  I remember looking down at The Tidal Wave from Delta Flyer in awe.  It was during magic hour (half hour before and after sunrise/sunset.)  The lights were on chasing the track and waves hypnotizing me.   It was the moment that got me hooked.  Eventhough, I didn't ride The Tidal Wave for another five years, I found one of my love's in life.  Many things have changed at Six Flags Great America, but one thing hasn't: the ability to create moments that I will remember for the rest of my life.  Power riding the Eagle the last Sat. of the season, my wife being hypnotised during Fright Fest, riding Viper first thing every visit, discovering chicken fingers and hot apple dumplings at Aunt Martha's.  All things that make me proud to say my home park is Six Flags Great America.

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Perry

SFGAm home park for 25 years
Experience the Force in THX

Yes, the Tidal Waves lighting scheme was so magical at night. The lights would move in sequence with the train. Beautiful stuff!!! That ride has a special place in my heart because its my own personal record for most consecutive rides on a coaster without getting off.

Remember when you could cut through from the washrooms next to Tidal Wave into Yukon Territory? That used to by our self-proclaimed gateway to get from Tidal Wave to the Eagle faster. lol. The days of being young and carefree.

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""An hour wait for a 2 minute thrill. Yes, we need our heads examined""

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Now, the crowds are way too big, there are too many attractions packed into the place making to look even more crowded, all the ride spiels are canned recordings, and most of the employees don't know what they are doing.

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I really resent that, I am an employee there.  And I know what I am doing, as do all my co-workers. (Whats up guys! Cant wait to get my rehire packet filled out and mailed back in)  We would get fired or transfered if we didnt know what we were doing.

Dont take it personally ALF. Its just an opinion. I personally think you guys do a great job. Yes, some of the employees need help in the "how to be friendly" department but for the most park, you guys do a good job. This SF park is highly regarded compared to alot of the other SF parks.

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""An hour wait for a 2 minute thrill. Yes, we need our heads examined""

Wow! I don't remember the short cut by Tidal Wave, Chitown.  Thanks for pointing that out!   Looking back on the map, its very obvious.

The only coaster I think doesn't belong where it is is Vertical Velocity.  It is way too cramped there, plus it doesn't fit in at all with the themeing even Batman fits in better.  I wish they would have put it where Power Dive is.  More room, although not well landscaped. 

For the first time this year, we went on a Sat. in July and parked in the overflow lot.  Since we were expecting it, it wasn't too bad, but wasn't very relaxing.  I hope that lines would be lessened during July and August if they do put the water park in across the tollway.  Chitown, you mentioned in another thread that Chicagoians drive to Rockford for the nearest water park.  The park might reduce lines, but I think SFGAm will always be busy. 

The biggest surprise of the season was the line for V2 in Sept.  The line filled the queue line and streched back into the resturant next door.  I estimated about a 1 1/2 hour wait, but we were on and off the ride in 45 minutes!  We are lucky to have some great crews compared to some other SF parks.  But something has to be done about the front seat waits on Raging Bull and Batman.  They usually end up blocking the rest of the rows.  Annoying when trying to get to the back row on Raging Bull!

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Perry

SFGAm home park for 25 years
Experience the Force in THX

ALF, I wasnt trying to cut you down. I am just saying that it just isn't what it was. I worded it insensitivly. I apologize. Out of all the Six Flags parks this one continually gets the best marks from enthusiasts. The only other Six Flags I have been too was SFWOA and I was pretty disappointed with their customer service over what I get at SFGAm. You guys do a great job of dispatching rides versus SFWOA and keep the park cleaner, but the glory days had much better service. I also find that coaster enthusiasts put more into their amusement park jobs and I would bet you are in that category.

As to some questions by Snake Oil,

Barney Oldfield was a famous race car driver way back when racing first started, like 1910ish.

Davey Jones was a famous pirate. Anyone have a pic of that ride? I can't seem to remember it, even though I remember the name.

THe sign you are talking about on the Eagle did exist for the first few seasons. Eagle broke quite a few records when it was first built and this sign(white background with red lettering) listed all these accolates. It also listed it's height at 15 stories and it's speed at 65 mph(which I think it is slower now)

I agree with you on 1982 as being a great year for the park. I had finally started riding coasters the year the Eagle came out and I was just really getting into the looping ones that year. Demon and Tidal Wave that year. I too remember those awesome chasing lights on Tidal Wave. Such a marvelous ride. I want it back.
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Bob Hansen

"Excuse me while I kick the sky!"
kickthesky@hotmail.com