Search found 93 matches

by jimmy gimbels
Sat Mar 29, 2014 4:11 pm
Forum: Rides
Topic: What did they do to the "Lobster"?
Replies: 1
Views: 16735

What did they do to the "Lobster"?

It will always be the "Lobster" to me, but I think it is called the "East River Crawler" now. The ride was refurbished during 2013/2013. Replaced by the kiddie Buzzy Bee ride. And opened during 2013 with a new paint job. Trouble is, the cabins no longer spin very well. They kind ...
by jimmy gimbels
Sat Mar 29, 2014 4:06 pm
Forum: Shows
Topic: Wilderness Theater
Replies: 3
Views: 68269

Re: Wilderness Theater

You can see it again! In several of the videos showing progress on Goliath, you can clearly see the remains of the Wilderness Theater. I believe the new coaster cuts through one corner of the theater. I think it is only used for cheerleading competitions. The former main entrance to the area is behi...
by jimmy gimbels
Sat Mar 29, 2014 4:00 pm
Forum: Games, Merchandise, Food, and more
Topic: Major Fail for SFGA Food Ops
Replies: 2
Views: 17368

Re: Major Fail for SFGA Food Ops

The big news for 2014: a taco stand in southwest territory. Seriously. And a new food stand near Goliath...isn't "sticky fingers" right across from the entrance?
by jimmy gimbels
Sat Mar 29, 2014 3:56 pm
Forum: Remembering Marriott's GREAT AMERICA
Topic: Great America History - Original Concepts
Replies: 8
Views: 44618

Re: Great America History - Original Concepts

Odd that Marriott never considered building a park in their own backyard: Salt Lake City.
by jimmy gimbels
Sat Mar 29, 2014 3:53 pm
Forum: the GREAT AMERICA parks today
Topic: Good Bye Home Town Square
Replies: 11
Views: 39100

Re: Good Bye Home Town Square

IGNITE is definitely cancelled for the 2014 season. Instead, SFGA will do an evening parade. Anyone have details on it? I doubt if Home Town Square will be restored....just a big expanse of concrete.
by jimmy gimbels
Sat Mar 29, 2014 3:51 pm
Forum: the GREAT AMERICA parks today
Topic: 2014 Schedule for Gurnee
Replies: 2
Views: 16620

Re: 2014 Schedule for Gurnee

Looks like a summer of repeats: The shows for the Grand Music Hall are the same as 2013 season, started with "the sounds of the 60's)
by jimmy gimbels
Wed Dec 11, 2013 2:24 pm
Forum: Remembering Marriott's GREAT AMERICA
Topic: When "America" became an afterthought
Replies: 3
Views: 26780

Re: When "America" became an afterthought

But wasn't Great America is Gurnee also under the Ballys and Time Warner brands for short periods of time? I called it the "dark ages" when the park really began to fall apart and it was run just to chrun out whatever revenue could be earned. Even Six Flags ran it to the ground until atten...
by jimmy gimbels
Wed Dec 11, 2013 2:17 pm
Forum: Shows
Topic: Theatre Royale
Replies: 9
Views: 33596

Re: Theatre Royale

My sources hinted that Theatre Royale might make a reappearance. It seems the Dark Night attraction has not been a stellar hit (afterall, it is just a wild mouse) and the large area devoted to q-lines just is not needed. Anyone else have details?
by jimmy gimbels
Wed Dec 11, 2013 2:15 pm
Forum: Gurnee
Topic: I Know They Are In Need Of Money, But This...
Replies: 2
Views: 32879

Re: I Know They Are In Need Of Money, But This...

It is now three years after the original message and what do we have in the park...huge billboards promoting mayo, gum, sun tan lotion and hair gel. I agree that Marriott would not have been so crass. But again, their business model was more theme park or Disney-like.
by jimmy gimbels
Wed Dec 11, 2013 2:08 pm
Forum: the GREAT AMERICA parks today
Topic: Good Bye Home Town Square
Replies: 11
Views: 39100

Re: Good Bye Home Town Square

Well that didn't last long. Sources tell me that the IGNITE show will not be back for 2014. So Hometown Square was raped of trees and bushes for nothing. I guess the show failed to create the excitement...if you saw the show, you would have to agree it wasn't the most entertaining show. I always th...
by jimmy gimbels
Sat Aug 24, 2013 2:59 pm
Forum: the GREAT AMERICA parks today
Topic: New Roller Coaster for Gurnee
Replies: 11
Views: 41994

New Roller Coaster for Gurnee

New wooden roller coaster in the works for 2014 in Gurnee. Well, at least the idea was presented to the Gurnee Board. It looks as if it might start at the old Iron Wolf station and cut through the rarely used " wilderness theater" and a portion of camp cartoon. Previous rumors had SFGA goi...
by jimmy gimbels
Wed Aug 21, 2013 4:41 am
Forum: Shows
Topic: Theatre Royale
Replies: 9
Views: 33596

Re: Theatre Royale

Sadly the theater in gurnee is gone. Of all things, it was converted into a dark ride...sort of a wild mouse roller coaster with a batman theme.
by jimmy gimbels
Wed Aug 21, 2013 4:37 am
Forum: the GREAT AMERICA parks today
Topic: Goodbye Rajun Cajun
Replies: 0
Views: 41051

Goodbye Rajun Cajun

The 2013 season is the last for The Rajun Cajun roller coaster.

According to park employees, a new coaster is planned for the former iron wolf site and a new tall ride (sky walker?) is in the works.
by jimmy gimbels
Sat Aug 10, 2013 3:24 pm
Forum: Gurnee
Topic: Walk in the Park at SFGA...Join Me!
Replies: 1
Views: 15234

Re: Walk in the Park at SFGA...Join Me!

Sad to report that SFGA now longer hosts this charity event. Anyone know why?
by jimmy gimbels
Fri Aug 09, 2013 10:57 pm
Forum: the GREAT AMERICA parks today
Topic: SFGA 2013...notes and news
Replies: 0
Views: 41534

SFGA 2013...notes and news

1. The Orbit has been out of service all season. It appears to be stuck in one position. 2. The reconditioned Crawler reopened mid-season. New paint job. But, oddly enough, the cabins do not seems to spin at all. It makes for one boring ride. 3. Park actually looks good this year. More flowers/plant...