Search found 24 matches

by coasterfan71555
Thu Mar 05, 2009 9:24 pm
Forum: Remembering Marriott's GREAT AMERICA
Topic: Gurnee park POSSIBLY in trouble for 2009
Replies: 9
Views: 30937

The Gurnee park is opening on Friday, April 3. Have no fear, folks. I and several friends feel confident that should Six Flags go bankrupt, they will survive, by unloading some assets, including parks. Gurnee's Great America is so well established, and offers a well-rounded assortment of attractions...
by coasterfan71555
Wed Oct 24, 2007 8:17 pm
Forum: Rides
Topic: Z-Force Revisited
Replies: 25
Views: 67484

Count me in - I loved the Z-Force, too! I also remember waiting for it to open in 1985. It looked twisted and definitely unique. I remember so clearly, I was driving home from a job interview on July 10, 1985, and saw on the park sign that Z-Force had opened that day. I raced home (20 miles west of ...
by coasterfan71555
Sat Oct 20, 2007 8:02 pm
Forum: Rides
Topic: Tidal Wave vs. Vertical Velocity
Replies: 22
Views: 30426

I have very fond memories of Tidal Wave, as it was the ride on which my love of riding roller coasters began! My favorite seat was in the last car because of going so high up on the rear spike. I rode it on its last night in operation, Labor Day, 1991. I now list V2 as one of my top 3 coasters at SF...
by coasterfan71555
Tue Sep 11, 2007 5:15 pm
Forum: Remembering Marriott's GREAT AMERICA
Topic: Food at Marriott's Great America
Replies: 41
Views: 66332

For me, my favorite food memory is of the Hometown Grill, where the funnel cake place has been for many years now. The burgers and fries there were top-notch, the outdoor seating next to Willard's Whizzer was fun! I remember sitting there, eating lunch, and watching the trains going up on the spiral...
by coasterfan71555
Tue Sep 11, 2007 5:06 pm
Forum: Remembering Marriott's GREAT AMERICA
Topic: Loggers Run vs. Yankee Clipper
Replies: 21
Views: 39471

I would have to say that I like Logger's Run a bit better, because of the double-dip drop! I just wish they would go back to using both sides of the drops on both rides, as they were designed. And, I wish that Yankee Clipper was open all season.
by coasterfan71555
Wed Jan 04, 2006 8:19 pm
Forum: Rides
Topic: Sky Whirls Replacment
Replies: 52
Views: 145485

The replacement of Sky Whirl at both parks was one of the worst decisions ever made! Sky Whirl was an icon of the park, as much a symbol as the Columbia Carousel. I bemoan its loss and wish it was still there. Thankfully this site has a wonderful photo gallery and I can always go back and relive the...
by coasterfan71555
Wed Jan 04, 2006 8:06 pm
Forum: Remembering Marriott's GREAT AMERICA
Topic: What GREAT AMERICA did you live near?
Replies: 34
Views: 53786

I lived near the Gurnee park. When it opened, I was 20 going on 21 and lived in Spring Grove, IL, which is about 15 miles west. The drive was through the countryside in those days, all farms and stop signs instead of today's subdivisions, shopping centers and traffic lights! Over the years I moved t...
by coasterfan71555
Wed Jan 04, 2006 8:00 pm
Forum: Remembering Marriott's GREAT AMERICA
Topic: Happy New Year 2006
Replies: 5
Views: 9570

Happy New Year to you too, Steven, and thank you for maintaining this wonderful site dedicated to our beloved Great America parks. 2006 marks the 30th anniversary of the opening of Marriott's Great America...wow, 3 decades! All the best to all members of the group! :)
by coasterfan71555
Fri Dec 16, 2005 7:11 pm
Forum: Remembering Marriott's GREAT AMERICA
Topic: 30th Anniversary Survey
Replies: 19
Views: 32519

My mind reels with things the park could do to celebrate its 30th anniversary. My home park is in Gurnee. I would love to see a new, state of the art coaster. I would also like to see a REAL music show in the Grand Music Hall, a retrospective of the 30 years of history that the park has given us. I ...
by coasterfan71555
Sat Oct 22, 2005 7:38 pm
Forum: Remembering Marriott's GREAT AMERICA
Topic: Fright Fest what if
Replies: 3
Views: 7503

My memory is very clear on this. Columbus Day (second Monday in October) was always closing day during the Marriott years. I was there many times on this day, and do not remember anything special for Halloween. Fright Fest started in 1991, well after Marriott sold the Gurnee park to Six Flags. Howev...
by coasterfan71555
Thu Sep 22, 2005 7:14 pm
Forum: Rides
Topic: Rides No Longer in Gurnee
Replies: 42
Views: 63530

The actual date of the change in ownership of the Gurnee park from Marriott to Six Flags was June 1, 1984. I remember that very well because it was just 9 days after the Edge accident. Hard to believe so much time has passed! I still have my season pass cards and the '84 is the last with the Marriot...
by coasterfan71555
Tue Sep 20, 2005 8:43 pm
Forum: Rides
Topic: The Demon
Replies: 79
Views: 112483

I am not sure if the cars from TOC were rethemed for the Demon, but my guess is yes. However, at least at the Gurnee park, I know Demon got new trains several years ago, maybe in the mid-90s. Back in those days my friends and I would go to the park nearly every weekend, and I do remember new trains....
by coasterfan71555
Mon Sep 19, 2005 5:37 pm
Forum: Rides
Topic: Whirlgig
Replies: 8
Views: 12264

My friends and I used to call Whirligig our "Nomadic Swing Ride" because of how often it has been moved. At least we still have it, and it is still a ton of fun to ride. It was moved from its original County Fair location in 1985 for the installation of Z-Force . It was placed in front of ...
by coasterfan71555
Thu Sep 15, 2005 6:11 pm
Forum: Remembering Marriott's GREAT AMERICA
Topic: Carousel Song
Replies: 53
Views: 100942

Rick and Brian: Thank you both for posting the songs. You have made the day for me! I have made a CD with both tracks (among others for a very satisfying mix) and I can't wait to play it for my Great America friends! Such wonderful memories. Does anyone remember that early in the Fright Fest years t...
by coasterfan71555
Wed Sep 14, 2005 8:31 pm
Forum: Remembering Marriott's GREAT AMERICA
Topic: First Visit Date and Memories
Replies: 29
Views: 44768

First Visit to Marriott's Great America

I remember the date clearly. It was June 21, 1976, about 3 weeks after the Gurnee park first opened. I remember it was a beautiful sunny day, and I went with a dear friend of mine from high school (we had graduated in 1973) and a friend of hers who she was sweet on. I was so impressed with the beaut...