I enjoyed Tidal Wave many times until it was replaced by Batman. I'd have had harder feelings about losing it if Batman hadn't been so amazing when it opened in the early 1990's. Batman ws the 1st B&M inverted coaster, my very favorite kind, so I didn't even think about it much then. But Tidal wave was extremely fun. It was a vintage Anton Schwartzkopf (and Werner Tengel) with the very tight, perfect circle loops that produced high G-forces but I still had a blast on it everytime!
Some will say that going backwards was the best but my favorite was really the acceleration from the station. It shot you from 0-60 mph in less than 6 seconds, which was pretty stunning. I do miss this ride!
Nice. I rode that exact ride as a kid every summer at Great America in Santa Clara. The one suggestion I would make is that it had a longer upshoot where you would go up it and slow down slowly very high and pause longer.... then go backwards :).
Actually, as simple as the ride looks/looked, it was a fun quick ride. There was nothing more satisfying than a single lap bar holding you in as you shot through the loop and went through it again backwards (Backwards was probably the most terrifying part of the ride, felt like you were going to get pulled out). I think more that it got pulled out as parts for the ride were expensive to come by. The ride is now spare parts for its sister ride in Kentucky.
the one that was in chicago went to Six Flags Over Georgia as viper and then went to Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom and now SFKK is closed so i don't know were it will go now
They could always give Tidal Wave back to us, and give the spare parts (Which was California's Great America's original ride). The station platform and footers still remain.
i wish that thing was still there so i can ride it again. my first i went on, my dad took me and i hated it i was so pissed at him for taking me on it.
Rode mine in Gurnee,Il. I believe Batman took its place. I remember seeing the pieces of it laying in the backlot when I went for the train ride. Does anyone know what the wheels were for that were on top of the two poles? BTW, great work on the animation.
If you're referring to the pulley, they connected the large concrete weight inside the tower to the launch cable. The weight would be released, starting the cable in motion. A "pusher" attached to the cable shoved the train up to speed, then wound its way back for the next launch. A giant flywheel replaced the weight system on newer models (Knotts Berry Farm and Joyland in TX). Oh, and our Gurnee ride is now at the Six Flags in Louisville KY. :)
I enjoyed Tidal Wave many times until it was replaced by Batman. I'd have had harder feelings about losing it if Batman hadn't been so amazing when it opened in the early 1990's. Batman ws the 1st B&M inverted coaster, my very favorite kind, so I didn't even think about it much then. But Tidal wave was extremely fun. It was a vintage Anton Schwartzkopf (and Werner Tengel) with the very tight, perfect circle loops that produced high G-forces but I still had a blast on it everytime!
daveyboygee 7 months ago
Some will say that going backwards was the best but my favorite was really the acceleration from the station. It shot you from 0-60 mph in less than 6 seconds, which was pretty stunning. I do miss this ride!
daveyboygee 7 months ago
The one I rode only had a lap band seatbelt. Nothing else to hold you in.
norxcontacts 7 months ago
six flags great america, sucks!!! they seriously need a new fucking roller coaster soon!!!
Socialactionprojectb 8 months ago
Nice. I rode that exact ride as a kid every summer at Great America in Santa Clara. The one suggestion I would make is that it had a longer upshoot where you would go up it and slow down slowly very high and pause longer.... then go backwards :).
rich0319726 8 months ago
Wasn't there an accident on this ride where the cars went through the track?
meerkat006 10 months ago
no wonder they closed it! it looks like it was really boreing!
SoftballCB23 1 year ago
@SoftballCB23
Actually, as simple as the ride looks/looked, it was a fun quick ride. There was nothing more satisfying than a single lap bar holding you in as you shot through the loop and went through it again backwards (Backwards was probably the most terrifying part of the ride, felt like you were going to get pulled out). I think more that it got pulled out as parts for the ride were expensive to come by. The ride is now spare parts for its sister ride in Kentucky.
AngryGumball 1 year ago
@SoftballCB23 it was great ride, and cutting edge for the time.
BlurnGanston 7 months ago
This was a good ride 4 1st timers 2 start of 2 bad they took it down
TheRealScorpio5150 1 year ago
the one that was in chicago went to Six Flags Over Georgia as viper and then went to Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom and now SFKK is closed so i don't know were it will go now
CedarPoint6849 1 year ago
@CedarPoint6849
They could always give Tidal Wave back to us, and give the spare parts (Which was California's Great America's original ride). The station platform and footers still remain.
AngryGumball 1 year ago
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@AngryGumball but then we would have to get rid of batman
AsItNeverSeems 1 year ago
Yea it was like sad, because it was my favorite ride, then we went back the next year and it was gone >:[
runescapevids 1 year ago
i wish that thing was still there so i can ride it again. my first i went on, my dad took me and i hated it i was so pissed at him for taking me on it.
sirMAXX77 2 years ago
wow i miss this ride :)
msmisha1 2 years ago
Wow, what song is this? That's classic.
JiggidyNDG 2 years ago
i know a roller coaster that has a loop and there arent any seatbelts, not even a lapbar!
It's named Looping Star, and i think that no one has fallen out of it ever
tiago2ork 3 years ago
I guess if it gets stuck upside down, you're screwed.
Sokobansolver 3 years ago
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LOL, good point.
Crackmandan 2 years ago
@tiago2ork i think they closed it alrady
noracool10 1 year ago
Rode mine in Gurnee,Il. I believe Batman took its place. I remember seeing the pieces of it laying in the backlot when I went for the train ride. Does anyone know what the wheels were for that were on top of the two poles? BTW, great work on the animation.
fierospeeder 3 years ago
If you're referring to the pulley, they connected the large concrete weight inside the tower to the launch cable. The weight would be released, starting the cable in motion. A "pusher" attached to the cable shoved the train up to speed, then wound its way back for the next launch. A giant flywheel replaced the weight system on newer models (Knotts Berry Farm and Joyland in TX). Oh, and our Gurnee ride is now at the Six Flags in Louisville KY. :)
tk0173 3 years ago
the tidal wave in great america CA is no more?
CK2012 4 years ago
It's been gone for a long time now!
AngryGumball 4 years ago
o waht a shame i loved that ride i have not been on it for 14 years i went on it when i was 10 :(
CK2012 4 years ago
oh boy are you in for even more surprises,
they changed the name of top gun and drop zone.
took down stealth too :(
i dont like how paramount sold great america. the new company is destroying it
cuddlys34bubble 3 years ago
Technically it's still there. There's a model of it in the park office. :)
tk0173 3 years ago
@CK2012 it was removed in 2002. the one in Illinois was removed in 1991
cannibalonXthedead 1 year ago
Nope I never did. It was very safe coaster. I will miss it.
TicToc06 4 years ago
nope, check out greezed lightning.
Demonridesthemoon 4 years ago
The brake run before the station after the last spike was FAR too short.. And the loop angle seemed pretty unnatural.
RocketRodder 4 years ago
wats the song name?
skiffyboy 4 years ago
WOW
DannehBoii 4 years ago