Six Flags Great America: What you need to know about the Gurnee amusement park’s roller coasters, thrill rides
EDITOR’S NOTE: The attached video is Marcus Leshock of the WGN Morning News’ debut ride on Wrath of Rakshasa, the newest roller coaster at Six Flags Great America.
Chicagoland roller coaster enthusiasts and thrill-ride seekers have been spoiled for a long time.
Six Flags Great America in north suburban Gurnee has been right in our very own backyard for many years, since it opened in 1976 as Marriott’s Great America. Over the years, it’s evolved into one of the top amusement parks in the entire world when it comes to high-intensity thrill rides.
AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R84e4kr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«Rg4e4kr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframeCoastin’ the Country with Marcus Leshock of the WGN Morning News
Great America’s roster of roller coasters and thrill rides has kept changing over the years, bringing park visitors from Chicagoland and all over each summer to experience them.
A select few rides have remained since the park opened, but most have been added over the years. Still others were popular for years but were taken down for one reason or another, relegated to the dust-bin of coaster nostalgia, while a few others were gone almost right after they opened, barely remembered at all.
Whatever rides are there, Great America has steadily expanded over the years, with a portfolio that now includes 16 roller coasters — including three geared toward younger riders — and two thrill rides that aren’t technically coasters but have the same effect.
AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R89e4kr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«Rg9e4kr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframeSo here’s a closer look at those 18 coasters and thrill rides at Great America, including details about each ride, height requirements and tips from the author of this article, a frequent park visitor who’s been on the rides many times.
If you have any thoughts or opinions, feel free to drop Mike Johnson a line at [email protected]. For more information on Great America, including park hours, rules and regulations, and details about all the rides, visit sixflags.com/greatamerica.
The information on each ride below is from the park’s website.
American Eagle
Minimum height: 48 inches
Park location: County Fair
About the ride
Manufactured by Intamin, American Eagle opened in 1981 and remains the world’s largest double-racing wooden roller coaster. Made out of Douglas fir trees, over 1.36 million board-feet of lumber were used to build the ride, then it took 9,000 gallons of paint to coat it. The ride covers 4,650 feet and reaches a top speed of 66 mph, with a first drop of 147 feet. American Eagle was honored this year as an American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) Roller Coaster Landmark.
Author’s tips
Yes, American Eagle is bumpy, old and creaky. And and it might not feel good on your back, neck or legs. But you know what else it is? Awesome. As new roller coasters keep opening with increasingly slick technology and different gimmicks, American Eagle is an old-school throwback to when it was just wood, hammers and nails. The first drop is a thrill every time, and the racing red and blue trains on twin tracks are one-of-a-kind. Even though it’s been around more than 40 years now, American Eagle still towers as a wooden giant over the park. It’s a living coaster legend that any coaster enthusiast should have on their bucket list, and the wait times generally aren’t long these days, either.
The American Eagle, billed as the country’s largest double-racing wooden roller coaster, awaits its first rider after completion at Great America in Gurnee, Ill., on Dec. 10, 1980. (AP Photo/Charles Knoblock)Batman: The Ride
Minimum height: 54 inches
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About the ride
When it opened in 1992, Batman: The Ride was unlike anything anyone had seen before. The Bolliger & Mabillard-manufactured ride is the world’s first inverted roller coaster and the first where riders travel on the outside of a loop. Batman: The Ride covers 2,700 feet with a top speed of 55 mph, though it feels a lot faster than that as riders’ legs dangle below them. This ride is also an ACE Roller Coaster Landmark.
Author’s tips
Perhaps no ride at Great America has ever created the type of interest that Batman: The Ride did when it first opened. Lines stretched all the way to the park entrance, and it could take visitors half their day just to get on. And it didn’t disappoint, because this ride delivers the goods. It doesn’t last long, whipping riders through the circuit in the blink of an eye. But the speed is always a rush, it’s a smooth ride, and the extremely detailed Gotham City-themed line queue is almost as cool as the ride itself. You can’t leave Great America without going on Batman: The Ride — and thankfully, the wait times aren’t as long as they were in 1992 anymore.
The Dark Knight Coaster
Minimum height: 42 inches with adult, 48 inches to ride alone
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About the ride
The Dark Knight Coaster opened in 2008 and is Great America’s first indoor coaster. Manufactured by Mack Rides, the coaster takes riders up three stories, lasts about two minutes and features 1,213 feet of track. Riders must go through the Gotham City Railway Station line queue to get to the ride platform.
Author’s tips
First and foremost, this is not a true thrill ride, but rather more of a “Disney-style” theme ride. It’s definitely unlike anything else at Great America, but the ride is a bit herky-jerky, and the cars are a tight squeeze for larger-sized riders, especially those with long legs. If you’re seeking pure thrills, you can pass on The Dark Knight Coaster, especially if the wait times are significant. But if you’re looking for a change of pace and something that’s a little more relaxed than the big coasters, as well as a place to cool off on a hot day, it’s a great option.
Demon
The horizon is upside down to these riders of the Turn of the Century roller coaster at Great America in Gurnee, Ill., on June 28, 1977. The ride is still at the amusement park today, but it’s been called Demon since 1980. (AP Photo/Charles Knoblock)Minimum height: 48 inches
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About the ride
Demon is a park original, opening in 1976 when the park was Marriott’s Great America. Originally named Turn of the Century, it was reintroduced as Demon in 1980. Manufactured by Arrow, the ride is a classic looping coaster, featuring two loops and two corkscrews, and also travels through three tunnels over its 2,130 feet of track.
Author’s tips
Much bigger, faster and more extreme coasters have been built since Demon’s time, but it remains a great intro ride for young thrill-seekers trying to work up the courage to go on the bigger rides. It’s a tight fight and rattles the head around a little, so Demon may not be the most comfortable ride for older guests. But it remains a classic, and it’s a great “starter coaster” that usually has shorter wait times than the park’s bigger coasters.
The Flash: Vertical Velocity
Minimum height: 52 inches; Maximum height: 80 inches
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About the ride
This Intamin-manufactured roller coaster was one of two to open at the park in 2002, along with the since-gone Déjà Vu. The Flash: Vertical Velocity is a shuttle-style coaster that launches riders around its U-shaped track, which covers a total of 630 feet. Riders accelerate to 70 mph in less than four seconds and blast forward up a 185-foot tower with a whirling corkscrew, then backwards through the station and into a 185-foot vertical tower. It all runs on a cutting-edge electromagnetic propulsion system.
Author’s tips
This isn’t necessarily the best coaster in the park, but it’s one of the most unique. The launch takes your breath away, and the ride’s rapid acceleration is a big thrill. After the initial thrill, though, there’s not much to it. But its sheer velocity, as the name suggests, makes The Flash: Vertical Velocity worth checking out. Plus the wait times typically aren’t too bad, depending on when you’re visiting.
Giant Drop
Minimum height: 48 inches
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About the ride
Giant Drop, like its name says, is simply a giant drop tower. Manufactured by Intamin, the ride opened in 1997 and takes riders up a 227-foot tower then plunges them down, all in just 45 seconds. The ride is equivalent to 20 stories, with frictionless magnetic brakes that make for a smooth landing as riders slow to a stop.
Author’s tips
The best part about Giant Drop? Those several seconds you’re at the top, which can feel like minutes (or hours) as you just hang 227 feet above the ground, waiting to fall. The anticipation is something, and the views from the top of the tower are among the best in the park. The drop itself is great, but obviously there’s nothing more to the ride. Wait times can vary, but here’s something to watch: In recent years, especially, only some of the cars seem to be operating at one time. So if you see that not all of its cars are going to the top of Giant Drop, that means less riders at once and a longer wait time.
Goliath
Minimum height: 48 inches
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About the ride
When it debuted in 2014, the Rocky Mountain Construction-built Goliath broke three world records: fastest wooden coaster (72 mph), tallest drop for a wooden coaster (180 feet), and steepest drop for a wooden coaster (an almost-vertical 85 degrees). The track, which covers 3,100 feet, features three overbanked turns and two inversions: a dive loop and a zero-G stall. It’s located where Iron Wolf once stood in the park and still uses the same ride station.
Author’s tips
All things considered, Goliath may be the best ride in the park. It’s wedged into a tight space and doesn’t last very long, but every second is packed with thrills. The first drop is the best in the park, especially in the front row, as riders look literally straight down into the abyss. It’s also very smooth and offers a pleasant riding experience, though it comes to a quick halt at the end, so riders should prepare to brace themselves. It’s a popular ride, so wait times can get a little long, but Goliath is more than worth the wait.
The Joker
The Joker at Six Flags Great America. (Greg Grudt/Mathew Imaging)Minimum height: 48 inches; Maximum height: 77 inches
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About the ride
The Joker, which opened in 2017, is a free-fly coaster manufactured by S&S Worldwide. It’s classified as a 4D coaster, meaning the seats rotate as you ride. The ride has two sides, with 4D “wing” vehicles in which riders face each other as they tumble head-over-heels. The coaster first cranks riders up a 120-foot, 90-degree hill, elevator-style, then riders later get the sensation of free-falling on two beyond 90-degree “raven” drops. Free-flying flips give riders the feel of weightlessness as they move outside the confines of a typical coaster track.
Author’s tips
The Joker may not be everyone’s cup of tea, and the free-flying nature of the ride might be too herky-jerky and uncomfortable for some riders. But this much is certain: You’ve never been on a coaster like this before, and it’s totally different than anything else at Great America. It’s a must-ride if you’re looking for something outside the bounds of a traditional coaster, because The Joker is as unique as it gets. As far as wait times, the ride does take a while to load and unload, so even if the line doesn’t look long, it doesn’t move as fast as the lines for more traditional coasters.
Little Dipper
Minimum height: 36 inches with adult, 44 inches to ride alone
Park location: Yukon Territory
About the ride
A coaster for young thrill-seekers, Little Dipper was originally built in 1950 by manufacturer PTC. Great America salvaged the wooden coaster from Kiddieland in Melrose Park, opening it in 2010. Going by the date it was built, then, Little Dipper is the oldest ride in the park. It features a figure-eight layout over 700 feet of track, with a first drop of 30 feet and a top speed of 20 mph.
Author’s tips
Little Dipper may remind coaster enthusiasts of the legendary Cyclone at Coney Island, just on a smaller scale. It’s a perfect coaster for little kids, with typically little to no wait times.
Maxx Force
Minimum height: 48 inches
Park location: Carousel Plaza
About the ride
Maxx Force is the fastest launch coaster in North America, reaching top speeds of 78 mph. The S&S-manufactured ride opened in 2019 and is the first coaster that visitors come across when they enter the park. The ride’s air-powered launch system propels guests at record speed, and after the launch comes the world’s highest double-inversion at 175 feet above ground, then the fastest inversion of any coaster in the world, a 60-mph zero-G roll. The cars are also modeled after Formula One racing cars.
Author’s tip
Maxx Force is an incredible experience, and riders can appreciate the type of technology it takes to make rides like this go. And prepare for the launch, because it takes your breath away. However, if you’re looking for a long ride, this isn’t it. Maxx Force is so fast, it’s over by the time you catch your breath. And with just one train on the track, it takes a while to load and unload, so the line takes a long time, even when it doesn’t look full. The wait-to-ride ratio isn’t good, but if you’re willing to wait, you’ll enjoy the ride.
Raging Bull
Minimum height: 54 inches
Park location: Southwest Territory
About the ride
Raging Bull, manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard, opened in 1999 and is considered the world’s first hyper-twister coaster. The gigantic steel ride is 202 feet tall and 5,057 feet long, making it both the longest and tallest coaster in the park. The ride features three open trains, and riders are taken 20 stories up the first drop before plunging down the 65-degree slope and going briefly underground before coming up again. The ride reaches 73 mph and takes riders through steep hills and hard-banked turns.
Author’s tips
By any measure, Raging Bull is among the very best rides in the park. And it’s length also gives riders the most bang for the buck. If airtime is your No. 1 priority, then this is the ride to go on, because its steep drops give you all sorts of air. It’s smooth, fast and enjoyable, with a fantastic first drop. Plus, with three trains, Raging Bull gets riders on and off quickly, so even if the line looks long, it moves fast and pays off with the best wait-to-ride ratio in the park.
Sky Striker
Minimum height: 52 inches; Maximum height: 80 inches
Park location: County Fair
About the ride
Sky Striker, manufactured by Zamperla, was Great America’s newest addition in 2024. It’s a 172-foot pendulum ride that swings riders through the sky at speeds of up to 75 mph, and as much as 130 degrees, as riders nearly go upside-down multiple times.
Author’s tips
Sky Striker is something else, and it’s another ride that’s totally unique for Great America. Even though it’s not technically a roller coaster, it may be the most intense ride in the park, as you fly through the air and hang high above the ground multiple times, looking straight down. It’s also a long ride, which is why it’s worth waiting for. And lines have been long, given its status as a newer ride. The only drawback is that the restraints can feel pretty uncomfortable by the end of the ride, and it’s also wise for riders who don’t like such an intense experience to steer clear of this one. But for big-time thrill-seekers, Sky Striker delivers big-time.
Sprocket Rockets
Minimum height: 36 inches with adult, 42 inches to ride alone
Park location: Camp Cartoon
About the ride
Sprocket Rockets, manufactured by Vekoma, opened in 1998. The junior roller coaster is ideal for slightly older kids, taking riders up hills, down dips and around curves over 680 feet in just under a minute, reaching a top height of 28 feet and a top speed of 15 mph.
Author’s tips
Sprocket Rockets is a great option for junior thrill-seekers not quite ready, or tall enough, for the bigger rides.
Superman: Ultimate Flight
Minimum height: 54 inches
Park location: Orleans Place
About the ride
Superman: Ultimate Flight opened in 2003, replacing the old “blue giant” Shockwave standing guard over the front of the park. Manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard, the ride simulates flying by having riders lie face down, parallel to the track — hence the name Superman. It doesn’t go super fast, reaching a top speed of 52 mph, and it isn’t super tall, with a first drop height of 115 feet. But its best feature is the pretzel-shaped inverted loop right after the first drop. It’s also a fairly long ride, covering 2,798 feet and lasing 2 minutes, 40 seconds.
Author’s tips
Superman: Ultimate Flight isn’t among the top three or four coasters in the park, and it doesn’t match the pure intensity of Shockwave, its predecessor. But perhaps that’s an unpopular opinion, because the ride seems to always generate fairly long lines, so visitors obviously enjoy it. The pretzel-shaped inverted loop is definitely unlike anything on any other coaster, and it’ll leave riders feeling almost confused as to what direction they’re heading. After that, it’s a smooth, generally fun ride, if not the most intense for pure thrill-seekers. But it’s definitely worth the wait for the unique experience it provides.
Viper
Minimum height: 48 inches
Park location: Southwest Territory
About the ride
Viper opened in 1995 and remains the only roller coaster ever to be designed and installed directly by Six Flags. Modeled after the legendary Coney Island Cyclone, the ride required 30,000 man-hours over seven months to build, and it’s made out of 700,000 board-feet of southern pine. It reaches a top speed of 55 mph over its 3,458 feet, with a first drop height of 100 feet. It also has a nicely-themed line queue, with Colonel Peabody’s Snake Oil Elixir Pharmaceutical Factory, abandoned and overrun by snakes (don’t worry, not real ones), serving as the loading station.
Author’s tips
Viper is the third-most popular wooden coaster in the park, behind Goliath and American Eagle. But it sure holds its own. A true coaster throwback, it’s a perfect choice for those seeking a ride that’s thrilling but not overly intense. It’s a little bumpy, but still pretty smooth for a wooden coaster, and the first drop feels a lot higher than it really is. The coiled nature of the track, as the ride’s name implies, provides nice little surprises for riders as they weave over, under and through the structure. Plus, the line is usually pretty short, and it’s a pretty long ride, so there’s a lot of payoff for your wait time.
Whizzer
Minimum height: 36 inches with adult, 42 inches to ride alone
Park location: Hometown Square
About the ride
Whizzer is a park original, opening in 1976 with the park’s debut as Marriott’s Great America. Manufactured by Schwarzkopf, the ride is one of the last “Speedracer” coasters ever built, and it’s been honored for its history with ACE Roller Coaster Landmark status. A ride for all ages, the trains are powered by electric motor to the top of a 70-foot spiral hill, then riders cruise down a seven-story first drop and around 3,100 feet of twists, drops and steep turns, at a top speed of 45 mph. The ride also weaves through a wooded area with a pond.
Author’s tips
Whizzer isn’t a big coaster, but it’s a ride visitors should check out just for the history alone. It’s a true original, plus it’s a perfect ride to get younger thrill-seekers started on, or for older thrill-seekers looking for something a little more relaxing. And after all these years, lines for the ride can still get pretty long. It remains popular as a coaster that family members can enjoy together, young and old.
Wrath of Rakshasa
Minimum height: 48 inches; Maximum height: 78 inches
Park location: County Fair
About the ride
Wrath of Rakshasa is the park’s newest ride, debuting this year. The Bolliger & Mabillard-manufactured thriller is the world’s steepest and most inverted dive coaster, featuring a beyond-vertical 96-degree first drop of 171 feet, five inversions and speeds up to nearly 67 mph. Riders fly through 3,239 feet of track on three trains, with three rows of seven passengers across on each train
Author’s tips
When it comes to the latest roller coaster design, Wrath of Rakshasa is truly cutting-edge. It’s sleek, fast and smooth, and riders don’t get jostled around despite its high intensity. The first drop is a cliff-hanger, especially if you’re in the front row, as riders hang straight down. Prepare for long wait times, though, since it’s the park’s newest ride. As for where it ranks among the park’s coasters, it’s too early to say just yet. But maybe this ride by Marcus Leshock and Brhett Vickery of the WGN Morning News will give you a better idea:
X Flight
Minimum height: 52 inches; Maximum height: 78 inches
Park location: County Fair
About the ride
Another sleek, cutting-edge Bolliger & Mabillard ride, X Flight opened in 2012 and aims to give riders the experience of being in a fighter jet. It’s a one-of-a-kind wing coaster, in which riders sit in pairs, suspended on either side of the track with their legs dangling. The ride covers 3,000 feet, with a first drop height of 120 feet and five inversions, including a zero-G roll, inline twist and barrel roll. It reaches a top speed of 55 mph.
Author’s note
Is X Flight the best coaster in the park? No. Is it still a great ride? Yes. Honestly, this is a ride that’s always felt a little gimmicky, but it is unique. The inversions are smooth and tight with the way riders are positioned outside the track. The barrel roll is probably the ride’s best feature. Line times can vary, and there are other coasters more worth waiting for, but make your own judgement. Maybe it’ll be your favorite ride in the park.
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