Six Flags Great America

The Exhilarating Ups & Disappointing Downs of Six Flags
Top 10 (dry) Park Attractions

For my 19th Birthday I could think of no other location than Six Flags Great America to spend some quality time with my friends and of course the mega-coasters. Recently Six Flags has added a huge water-park, but since the weather was a bit overcast I’m sticking to covering the:

10. Rue Le Dodge (aka bumper cars)
This fun attraction is perfect for when you’re heading out of the park, located a few steps from the main entrance. These bumper cars have some high-speeds, and now’s there’s finally a way to vent your road rage by railing into your best buds. Non-stop laughter is a reason why this is on the list, but the promises are limited in the thrill and excitement areas.

9. Iron Wolf
One of the Six Flags classic upside-down thrill rides, the poor Iron Wolf is getting a bit tired and outdated. Riders will for sure leave with a headache and an uncomfortable crotch, due to standing position only. The stand up factor adds to the excitement, but I ended the ride asking myself why I went on it in the first place.

8. Daredevil Dive
If you’ve always wanted the feeling of free falling from over 10 stories in the air, you gotta check out Daredevil Dive. Basically a tamer version of bungee jumping, but it will still scare you out of your mind. For the seconds that it lasts, the initial drop will be the most fun you will have in your visit to Great America. But if paying $5 for a water bottle isn’t enough, it costs around $20 a person to even experience this attraction.

7. Giant Drop

As you might infer, Giant Drop plummets you down to Earth from over 220 ft. in the air. Enjoy the view while it lasts, because before you know it your stomach will move under your throat and you’re screaming “what was I thinking” The line can get a long for this under 1 minute hair raising adventure. The size may intimidate you, but the 227ft. drop will prove addicting.

6. Dejavu
The second newest attraction to Six Flags, Dejavu is an extremely comfortable and thrilling and exciting super-coaster. A couple loops and corkscrews speed forward, and then the train has stopped and is thwarting all the carts BACKWARDS. Expect around a 45-minute to an hour wait as this is a new ride, and if you are crunched for time don’t feel bad just walking past.

5. Viper

Many Six Flags enthusiasts might be astounded to even see this ride in the top 10. But after passing by this attraction for many visits, my friends and I decided to take advantage of the short line and long ride duration. The Viper provided non-stop hills and drops that grab you at each peak. Wood beams fly by your head as your hands flail in the air. And don’t the miss the picture booth on the way back for a few laughs.

4. Vertical Velocity
This was the first ride I decided to wait for because of the short 15-minute line. I was buckled in at the loading station, and then the launch bursts over 60 miles per hour. You go forward up a spiral tower and then backwards looking straight down at a small lake. I will never forget my friend’s facial transition from a “chill” state to his golden locks flying backward with his eyes bursting open ear to when the ride unsuspectingly began.

3. Superman
The newest ride at Great America, Superman positions passengers on their stomach as if they are flying in the air. This concept is unique, but after the first loop, it’s a snore with one exception -- the first loop you flies you upside down.

2. Batman
Possibly the shortest ride in the park, Batman packs in the most thrills. Definitely, sit in the front row Batman starts with a slow ascent, but then about 3 loops and an un-countable amount of corkscrews cause constant excitement. After being in the park for a couple hours and you might be ready to leave, but Batman will provide the best pick-me-up. This attraction will leave you laughing as you walk down the winding exit recalling the short blast of yet absolute insanity.

1. Raging Bull

The hands down favorite from the adventure-seeking grannies, to the energy-filled youngster is Raging Bull. Nothing can beat the comfort and smoothness of this attraction. This ride is the perfect length, but the downer is the long line. Do NOT leave Six Flags without going on the Raging Bull even if its just for that one HUGE drop that really kicks off the ride. After that drop non-stop drops and hills follow and several scary turns make you thinking you might fall off the side. But the Raging Bull is the perfect combination of thrills with a luxury that cannot be beat!

Six Flags Great America is an amazing place to spend the day, but unfortunately the summer months boast huge lines. I recommend going when the park opens and getting in as many rides as possible before the crowds show up around noon. There’s Fast Pass – it costs more than the actual ticket, but is definitely worth it if you are willing to pay. The Fast Pass guarantees extremely short waits for most rides on the park.

Tickets are about $55 a person, but you save $15 when you buy online!

Monday-Sunday 10am-9pm (Hurricane Harbor- 11am-7pm)
Located right off of I-94 on the Grand Avenue exit in Gurnee
www.sixflags.com/GreatAmerica

Michael Biegel