Search found 131 matches

by RandyV
Tue Jun 28, 2022 9:50 am
Forum: Remembering Marriott's GREAT AMERICA
Topic: Well, there goes my childhood
Replies: 1
Views: 36413

Re: Well, there goes my childhood

This is very, very sad news and was a bad way to start my day. I was just at the park a week ago (only my second visit) thinking how valuable the land must be. Then this news drops today. While SC and Gurnee have evolved in very different ways over the years, they've always been there together. Not ...
by RandyV
Tue May 01, 2018 10:36 pm
Forum: Remembering Marriott's GREAT AMERICA
Topic: Gurmee Pictorium
Replies: 1
Views: 12626

Gurmee Pictorium

Not much traffic here, but I felt the Gurnee Pictorium deserved a final farewell post. IMAX (the "real" IMAX) was a big deal back in the day and the Pictorium was an amazing visual experience. Walking in and seeing that massive, 6 story screen (made of one continuous piece of material :) )...
by RandyV
Fri Nov 14, 2014 5:32 pm
Forum: Rides
Topic: Gurnee top 5 of all time
Replies: 19
Views: 54079

Re: Gurnee top 5 of all time

Hmmm ... for me this would have to be:

1. Shockwave
2. American Eagle
3. Raging Bull
4. Demon
5. Tidal Wave

I still miss Shockwave. If Arrow had only discovered the optimized track layout used on Viper at SFMM sooner, all of the 7-looper triplets might still be around.
by RandyV
Mon Sep 16, 2013 8:42 pm
Forum: Remembering Marriott's GREAT AMERICA
Topic: Heading Back to Gurnee
Replies: 4
Views: 19363

Re: Heading Back to Gurnee

Yep - we were there on Saturday the 7th. Small world! Orbit was definitely down that day and Sky Trek was running in the morning, but not in the late afternoon. I should have gotten in a ride earlier but my daughter was anxious to get on all of the coasters at least once. Given the light crowds, goi...
by RandyV
Sat Sep 14, 2013 10:16 pm
Forum: Remembering Marriott's GREAT AMERICA
Topic: Heading Back to Gurnee
Replies: 4
Views: 19363

Re: Heading Back to Gurnee

My trip back to Gurnee was awesome. Really awesome. I wasn't sure what to expect, but after all was said and done - I was pretty happy. As you said impala101, things were different, but overall I thought the park has "aged" gracefully and has kept up nicely with the times while not complet...
by RandyV
Fri Sep 13, 2013 5:34 pm
Forum: the GREAT AMERICA parks today
Topic: New Roller Coaster for Gurnee
Replies: 11
Views: 42061

Re: New Roller Coaster for Gurnee

Goliath looks like a great addition to the park.
by RandyV
Tue Sep 03, 2013 8:39 pm
Forum: Remembering Marriott's GREAT AMERICA
Topic: Heading Back to Gurnee
Replies: 4
Views: 19363

Heading Back to Gurnee

This weekend I'll be making a return trip to Great America in Gurnee for the first time in about 18 years. I've watched the park evolve through pictures and the Internet during that time and it'll be interesting to actually set foot there after such a long away period. The last time I was at the par...
by RandyV
Sat Jul 13, 2013 5:11 pm
Forum: Rides
Topic: So Long Tidal Waves
Replies: 1
Views: 15250

So Long Tidal Waves

Kentucky Kingdom is scrapping Greazed Lightnin', which is a combination of both MGA Tidal Waves. The ride was originally the Gurnee Tidal Wave and after the 2005 season had track replaced using the Santa Clara Tidal Wave. From what I've read, the ride was in pretty bad shape and the weight-drop laun...
by RandyV
Sun Jun 02, 2013 3:11 pm
Forum: the GREAT AMERICA parks today
Topic: (Six Flags) Great America Welcomes 100 Millionth Guest
Replies: 2
Views: 18036

Re: (Six Flags) Great America Welcomes 100 Millionth Guest

What a stunning show of apathy on the part of the park. Free food, a flash pass for the day and free admission? OMG - how special! In another 37 years when the 200 millionth guest arrives I'll bet they really go all out and throw in a free t-shirt too. Sorry to sound so sarcastic, but seriously, thi...
by RandyV
Sun May 26, 2013 6:43 am
Forum: the GREAT AMERICA parks today
Topic: Backwards Batman
Replies: 2
Views: 15892

Re: Backwards Batman

They seem think the whole 'backwards' thing is some kind of big deal. It was kind of interesting and unique when they did it with the Eagle how many years ago, but now it appears they're going to keep expanding it to other rides as if it's some kind of big deal. Honestly, I have zero interest in rid...
by RandyV
Sun May 26, 2013 6:35 am
Forum: the GREAT AMERICA parks today
Topic: Good Bye Home Town Square
Replies: 11
Views: 39154

Re: Good Bye Home Town Square

I've been watching this whole igNite thing (or whatever they're calling it) unfold though pictures online. I can't believe they're tearing up Hometown Square like that and turning it in to a concrete jungle. Ugh. It'll be interesting to see how well this production does with the public. The park rea...
by RandyV
Sun Apr 21, 2013 9:44 am
Forum: the GREAT AMERICA parks today
Topic: A Little More Marriott Era Gone from Gurnee
Replies: 2
Views: 16232

A Little More Marriott Era Gone from Gurnee

Gurnee tore out the original Marriott ticket booths during the off season. Sorry to cross-link to another site Steven, but I felt this one was relevant. Scroll to the bottom of the first page: http://sfgamworld.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=13797 Or just click here to get right to the point ... ...
by RandyV
Wed Feb 27, 2013 9:17 pm
Forum: Remembering Marriott's GREAT AMERICA
Topic: Gurnee Park Pics on eBay
Replies: 0
Views: 40291

Gurnee Park Pics on eBay

Was bored tonight and did some random searches on eBay. There are several black and white pictures up for auction from the Chicago Tribune archives. Not sure if this link will work or not, but here goes: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=ct+photo+great+america&_sac...
by RandyV
Fri Sep 14, 2012 9:04 pm
Forum: Rides
Topic: What's Better, TOTC or The Demon?
Replies: 24
Views: 59467

Re: What's Better, TOTC or The Demon?

Man -- tough call. You have to think about and put this ride in historical context. TOTC was great for the air time and the corkscrews were "the" inversion when the ride was originally built. TOTC was basically a "super" Arrow corkscrew. When the Demon opened in '80, the addition...
by RandyV
Sat Mar 10, 2012 3:12 pm
Forum: Rides
Topic: X-Flight coaster coming in 2012
Replies: 9
Views: 31098

Re: X-Flight coaster coming in 2012

I have to admit -- I was pretty happy to hear about X-Flight coming to the park. While B&M is building another wing rider at Dollywood, Great America getting one of the first of this new kind of coaster really gave me a moment of nostalgia. It's great to see the park setting the trend for new co...