Coaster Community

At the entrance of Six Flags Great America in Chicago sits a massive double-decker carousel - you know from first sight that this place is special.  It is, however, the mix of 11 coasters (ranging from classic to new and innovative) that puts the "Great" in America.

Towards the center of the park is a classic coaster breezer, Whizzer.  This unusual metal coaster loads like a log flume - single file.  It pulls you up to the top in a circular path.  Unfortunately, it runs an unspectacular path through the woods.  This hamburger has no idea why Whizzer had the longest wait time in the park.  It rates a 5.2 / 10 for fun.

Viper is a spectacular woody that rates 9.1 / 10.  This sweet, smooth ride had it all...good airtime, good choppers, great views and no pain.  Raging Bull, a metal hyper coaster rated 8.9 / 10 for great views, good seats, smooth runs and thrills throughout.  If the brakes had not been engaged quite so often, I think the rating would have broken into the 9.0 barrier for must-do fun.  American Eagle, a dual wooden racing coaster came next.  The blue train rated 6.2 and the red train rated 6.4.  The slower train, red, was simply more fun and more thrills.

Iron Wolf, a metal stand-up, should be avoided.  Stand-ups have great potential, but they are, without exception, head-bangers.  I rate Iron Wolf a do-not-do 4.0 / 10 on a fun factor scale.  When you are too busy concentrating on head pain (not having fun), it's not good.  It's a very, very bad thing.

Vertical Velocity is a linear induction launch coaster that shoots you forward and backward through a short "U" shaped track.  Three words: fun, fun, fun.  One fun for each cycle forward and backwards earns this coaster an 8.5 out of 10.  Deja Vu speeds riders up to 70 mph forward and backwards through a cobra turn and loop.  Rajin' Cajun is a family coaster with hairpin turns and drops.  Demon was next on my list - it didn't measure up to the name.  It's a pleasant steel looping and corkscrew coaster earning a 6.2 / 10 fun rating.  There was nothing outstanding with this coaster and nothing bad.  Demon was more of a junior devil.

Batman, a metal invert (the first of its kind), is now a B&M staple coaster found throughout the world.  It remains a classic coaster experience earning a 7.1 out of 10.  However the ENTIRE experience was negative.  Batman's major fault is the entrance line tunnel.  This meat puppet was cooked well-done in the summer heat by the time he reached the platform.  Hot summer sun, combined with stagnant, humid air and a long wait in a super-heated tunnel of pain led to a "will not do again" status.  Which drives me to ask the obvious question...why does Six Flags construct entrance lines that are enclosed torture chambers?  Is this their "heaven and hell" scenario where you must endure hell to reach heaven?  It doesn't work and they should air condition the line or put it outside where you can catch a breeze.

I saved the best for last.  Superman - Ultimate Flight is a fantastic 9.5 /10.  This unassuming flight coaster starts off with a bang as you fly a complete loop breathlessly experiencing pain, pleasure, wonder and awe in one joyful moment.  You then arise, bank and soar to giddy highs and lows and everything in-between.  Superman is this park's must-do ride - especially exciting from the back row.  It is unusually comfortable and, although you are not weightless (as you are on B&M's Patriot at Worlds of Fun, KC), there is a sense of flight and freedom that few coasters have attempted, let alone, mastered.  This meat-patty rode time after time after time - never experiencing discomfort - only joy.

What did I learn about Great America?  I encourage fellow coaster lovers to get the fast pass - use it wisely and you will get on Superman time after time after time.  Their water park, Hurricane Harbor, is included in the general admission price.  They even have a Space Shuttle Ride!  Do NOT order the hamburger at Farmer's Market.  Do not, do not, do not.  This meat patty knows meat patties and that was not a good meat patty.  The staff is friendly - even when they are making you spit your gum into their paper towel.  And they WILL make you spit your gum into their paper towel.  The park is clean and well managed - no nasty gum to stick to your flip-flops.

Six Flags Great America is an ideal mix of wood and metal, old and new, fun and excitement.  You can do it in one day; but, by the time you've exited the parking lot, you'll want to go right back.