Octopus?? errr not??

that_guy · Post by **that_guy** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 8:44 pm

I absolutely Love this picture of the Tidal Wave:

http://www.greatamericaparks.com/sg/rid ... ave015.jpg

But I was wondering what the red/black ride in the background is? Is it one of those octopus rides?

SFGAmLover · Post by **SFGAmLover** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 11:06 pm

It's Lobster, a Schwarzkopf monster/polyp ride. It's no longer in SC, but it remains in Gurnee as East River Crawler.

Below is a picture of Crawler with its purple color scheme. I've always liked how the eyes of the lobster light up.

http://www.flatrides.com/Ride%20Index/S ... fPolyp.jpg

that_guy · Post by **that_guy** » Thu Sep 01, 2005 3:22 pm

Cool, Do you have any idea of when it was taken out of Santa Clara becuase I once and a while visit the SC park to look for remains of past rides from Marriott, next year I want to take a picture of the foundation of the Tidal Wave before they demolish it.

Post by **steven** » Fri Sep 02, 2005 8:54 pm

One of the differences between the two parks was that each Lobster was from a different manufacturer. The Gurnee Lobster was a Schwarzkopf polyp as has been mentioned already. The Santa Clara Lobster was an Eyerly Monster.

Steven

SFGAmLover · Post by **SFGAmLover** » Sat Sep 03, 2005 12:19 am

Steven... thanks for the info! I did not know this about the SC ride.

that_guy · Post by **that_guy** » Sat Sep 10, 2005 3:00 pm

Whats the difference from the Polyp and the Eyerly Monster? Did they look/do anything different from each other?

Post by **steven** » Sat Sep 10, 2005 4:25 pm

The main differences are that the Santa Clara Lobster (Monster) had six arms with four cars per arm whereas the Gurnee Lobster (Polyp) has five arms with four cars per arm. The Polyp has the advantage of being able to lower all five arms simultaneously to make loading and unloading more efficient. The Monster could lower only two arms at a time for loading and unloading, rotating through three positions to completely load and unload the ride.

Here is the Santa Clara Lobster (Eyerly Monster):

Photos of the renamed and repainted Gurnee ride (Schwarzkopf Polyp) are here:
http://www.sfgamworld.com/gallery/ERCrawler/ERC001

Steven

that_guy · Post by **that_guy** » Sat Sep 10, 2005 4:38 pm

Interesting they both look very different which I am not used to seeing when looking at Great America rides. Thanks a million Steven!

redfishpaw · Post by **redfishpaw** » Sat Sep 10, 2005 9:06 pm

It looks to me like the Gurnee lobster was a much higher quality built ride, whereas the SC ride was more a county fair type. Perhaps one reason why the Gurnee ride is still around and not the SC. Thanks Steven for the photo and info. I was not aware of the differences between the two.

that_guy · Post by **that_guy** » Sat Sep 10, 2005 10:58 pm

Yeah it looks like the SC Lobster was run by 1 or 2 small moters covered by colored tarp…

RLAiello · Post by **RLAiello** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 11:24 pm

How about that... I never knew that about the Lobsters.

Personally I wish they'd change the East River Crawler back to the Lobster. The thing HAS a lobster in the center still. It just doesn't make sense to rename it.

Oh well... I'll take the ride being renamed rather than it being taken out completely.

Shockwavegirl · Post by **Shockwavegirl** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 8:02 am

steven wrote:The main differences are that the Santa Clara Lobster (Monster) had six arms with four cars per arm whereas the Gurnee Lobster (Polyp) has five arms with four cars per arm. The Polyp has the advantage of being able to lower all five arms simultaneously to make loading and unloading more efficient. The Monster could lower only two arms at a time for loading and unloading, rotating through three positions to completely load and unload the ride.Steven

The Gurnee Lobster has five arms with five cars per arm, not four.

Post by **steven** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 2:32 pm

Yes, you are correct. Here's a photo showing the five cars per arm:

http://www.sfgamworld.com/gallery/ERCrawler/ERC001_001

Steven

gothamkid120 · Post by **gothamkid120** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 2:41 pm

Currently East River Crawler at Six Flags Great America has a Lobster/Crawfish on the Giant Ball at the top with the lights.

But looking at some older pictures... did it used to have a Purple Octopus on top?

http://www.greatamericaparks.com/sg/gal ... ave044.jpg

Post by **steven** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 3:23 pm

In that photo, it was still a lobster on top. The color may have changed over the years.

Steven