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Sould Rolling Thunder at SFGA be taken down?

Six Flags Great Adventure: If taken out what should six flags great adventure build in Rolling Thunders place?

From John Melillo
Posted May 18, 2007 at 10:32 PM
Should Rolling Thunder at Six Flags Great Adventure be taken down, and if so what should take it's place. If you truly dislike this ride write letters to SFGA, we can make a difference.


Comments in chronological order. Most recent at the bottom. Scroll down to respond.

From John Melillo
Posted May 18, 2007 at 11:54 AM
I think they should take it down and put a lanuched freefall in its place. Like about 260 ft in the air and about 85mph would be a decent ride.

From Chris Tobin
Posted May 21, 2007 at 4:10 PM
Well, it's gadv's most original costr, and i have to admit that it is kinda fun. not much of a thrill, although. im not shure...

From Bob Mackay
Posted May 22, 2007 at 9:05 AM
I still enjoy Rolling Thunder, personally. If they're going to remove any ride, I'd say it's time to get rid of Freefall. I think it's the shortest ride in the park, but without the thrill it once had.

From Dave Chariot
Posted May 25, 2007 at 10:18 PM
They are not going tot remove a ride that only needs oil as maintenance.

From Bob Mackay
Posted May 26, 2007 at 7:12 AM
It might not require much maintenance, but it wouldn't be financially sound to continue operating a ride that isn't drawing many people anymore. If you want to think economically, they could do what Disney does & replace it with an interactive play area - little expense, no oil required at all, & a surefire hit with most families. That would be the shrewd thing to do, but it's more fun to suggest what COULD be, as we might envision it in the perfect theme park of our respective fantasies.

From Dave Chariot
Posted May 26, 2007 at 11:08 PM
^ I see, but they already have Balin;s Jungle which is a very large playpen. Rolling Thunder still has lines. Its not a walk-on

From Adrienne McDonald
Posted May 27, 2007 at 4:09 PM
The answer to this question for me is: NOOOOOO I haven't ridden it yet. Wait til after I've ridden then take it down if necessary. :)

From Ryan B
Posted May 28, 2007 at 7:30 AM
Space isn't really an issue at that park. Not sure why you'd want a roller coaster destroyed. Especially since they just fixed it up and even have been racing them lately. One suggestion for Rolling Thunder, make one side backwards.

From Dave Chariot
Posted May 29, 2007 at 9:24 AM
^ They are maintaining Rolling Thunder its had its glory. It is the veteran on the team. Not to impress but get the Job done.

From Jen V
Posted May 29, 2007 at 5:10 PM
I would. My friends and I went today, we had a Golden Flash Pass and could hop right on...But it just looked so old and unwelcoming. It looks like it's about to fall right there. I've heard stories of it going over the track, too...O_O

From Dustin Kern
Posted May 29, 2007 at 10:46 PM
I'll tell you, if they made the one side backwards and raced them, popularity would shoot up for that one. Look at Rebel Yell at Kings Dominion. Popularity was going down so they switched the one side and it's hardly a walk-on. Yeah it might not have the longest lines in that park, but it's still a great ride and I can guarentee that you won't see that coaster disappear anytime soon.

From Bob Mackay
Posted May 30, 2007 at 11:46 AM
I wasn't referring to Rolling Thunder as a "walk on," but rather Freefall - that's the one I suggested be removed instead of Rolling Thunder, which I personally still like.

As for making one side backwards and racing them, that was done once before and they called the one side "Rednuth Gnillor." I wouldn't mind if they brought that back.

From Fred DcMeter
Posted June 3, 2007 at 7:42 AM
I think if anyride should be taken down it's Batman its a long wait in a really overheated tunnel then just a boring ride if u ride it after 1 time that the that should be gone. Rolling Thunder has no reason to go it's a good ride and it have a good wait time 90 minutes.

From Chuck Campbell
Posted June 3, 2007 at 8:28 AM
Rolling Thunder is, at best, an average racing woodie. The left side is OK; the right side is lousy. It's also unfortunate that it sits right next to the awesome El Toro; in fact, El Toro's interaction is the best feature of Rolling Thunder. If they were to take RT down and replace it with something better, I'd hardly be heartbroken.

From Adrienne McDonald
Posted June 5, 2007 at 1:57 AM
Not everyone likes the more thrilling El Toro type coasters. There are still those of us who like the referred to milder types compared to the newer wilder woodies. Ya might as well take down Blue Streak at CP or Judge Roy Scream at SFOT, etc. If all the older "milder" or less wild models are done away with, what then? (I'm really not being p*ssy so if I come across that way here, it's really not my intent, I'm just trying to get across that there are those of us who like milder or less wilder woodies, that's all I'm trying to say). I've never ridden RT so I really don't know what it's like but I've seen El Toro & ridden other woodies & let's just say, I'm happy w/my Judge Roy Scream, Wildcat & Arkansas Twister.

From David Sutter
Posted June 5, 2007 at 5:56 AM
Having worked for Great Adventure...long before SF ...Rollingthunder..is a classic Woodie out and back racing coaster..And i might add for all you thrill seekers...lets remember ..Its a great starter for a Kids first adult coaster..

From Erik Mahal
Posted June 8, 2007 at 4:01 PM
Rolling Thunder is not a "smooth" ride, but it is almost a land mark for 6flags. I do agree that it is a great starter roller coaster for little kids. If it does get taken down probaly only a couple of kiddy flats will be put up. I think it should stay and maybe get a fresh coat of paint.

From Jenna Van de Water
Posted October 6, 2007 at 7:27 PM
Yes, I believe so. We went in May and there was practically no wait for this. It was a very rough ride, and at points the ride felt like it was going to go off the track, and my friend said she experience it going off the track when she was on it. Yeah, I agree, they should make a freefall. But do you think people would be afraid after that incident in Kentucky or where ever to go on? I know I would, haha, but I would go on anyway.

From George Abagis
Posted July 19, 2008 at 12:12 PM
personally, i think anyone that wants to tack this old woodie down should rethink it cuz just because it's 29 yrs old doesn't make it a bad ride, the problem is the track if they made some repairs to the track itself it would be a smoother ride in my opinion.
This has nothing to do with rolling thunder but at canobei lake park they have a roller coaster from 1930 and it was very rough last year but this year it seamed smoother. cuz they mad repairs on other rides i thought the might have fixed the track, and the lift hill is faster.
so i think all they have to do is fix the track and repaint it and it will be fine.

From gabriele gomez
Posted September 27, 2008 at 7:30 AM
i dont think they should take it down! this park has taken really good coasters down in the past which i havent gottan to ride which is sad. they had to take down shockwave! really!? but i do think the park could use a new thrill ride. i got good ideas of what they should build but im not a roller coaster engenier so i dont think my roller coaster ideas are gonna happene. but dont take this down its a classic ride. if any coaster is to be taken down it should be the dark knight not this one. but it could use a makeover a little i went on it and i thought it was gonna brake! maybe a re-paint fix the craked wood but thats all =)

From Brian D
Posted September 28, 2008 at 3:52 PM
I don't think Rolling Thunder should be replaced. What I'd like to see is the return of the smaller rides (Muzik Express, Enterprise, bumper cars, swings, and most definitely the Spider). I still go on the Tea Cups every time I'm there (right after lunch once... maybe not the best idea).

They keep removing these small rides (or grouping them near each other). I like how it used to be with the small rides all around the park. So, after a big ride you hit a small ride... etc.

Also, now there are less rides for families and ride wimps.

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