Ride to remember

It's been 15 years since my last visit to Six Flags Great America.

Growing up, it was always one of the most anticipated trips to be lucky enough to spend a day at what was then Marriott's Great America.

In fact, my "next day" trip after senior prom with my high school girlfriend at the time, Cheryl Lorenz, was to Six Flags Great America with other high school friends.

But the last visit was in 1993 with my older sister Pam, when we took my niece Carrie and my nephew Thomy. We went to check out the newest roller coaster just added called Batman: The Ride, which opened in 1992.

Six Flags Great America, in Gurnee, Ill., has changed a lot in the last decade and a half.

And since the park just opened its newest and updated Batman attraction The Dark Knight Coaster, I decided it was time for another visit.

It didn't take too much urging from Six Flags Great America publicist Stephanie Helander, who hails from right here in the region, originally from Griffith, to get me to drive up for some fun on Saturday.

Amusement parks are always better with fellow adventurous spirits, so I invited a range of personalities to join me.

* My Times columnist colleague Eloise Valadez, who writes our Restaurant Scene column and hails from South Chicago, had last visited Six Flags a year ago. Her tastes are more mild than wild.

* Lake County Probation Officer Sanjin Bosnjak, of Schererville, also visited the park last summer and knows the landscape inside and out. As someone who teaches in prison, I've found that Bosnjak is proof there are nice people there to help others via our legal system before and after serving a sentence conviction.

* And my school teacher friend Steve Foster from the Pullman neighborhood of Chicago, who is used to being surrounded by children, and like myself, hadn't visited the park in 15 years.

(Okay, I have to also confess that with the exception of Eloise, the other three of us popped a couple over-the-counter motion sickness pills during the drive up to the amusement park.)

The four of us agreed that not only is the amusement park better than ever, there are also plenty of ways to save time and money while planning a visit.

Since the park is still open for two more months of fun, leading up to the seasonal Halloween finale called Fright Fest, I wanted to run this follow-up as soon as possible.

First and foremost, the Dark Knight Coaster, which provides the thrills of an "indoor" rollercoaster that travels through the darkness with the chills of the new "The Dark Knight" film. Lots of special effects, the creepy clown mask henchmen from the film, The Joker's maniacal laugh permeating from all around and even District Attorney Havey Dent aka Two Face all add to the fun and excitement of this ride that transforms guests into citizens of a Gotham City under siege by The Joker. There are errie holograms and six 180-degree hairpin turns.

Check out the photograph of the four of us included with this column, captured in the moment, and it tells the rest of the story of what's in store.

On the subject of superheroes, I want to clarify that the original Batman: The Ride is still featured and as popular as ever.

Sans Eloise, we also enjoyed the Superman -Ultimate Flight ride, which really does give guests the gift of flight, including loop-to-loops. Nothing short of amazing, as guests wait in line, they are treated to large cut-out displays of some of Superman's and Clark Kent's best friends, like Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen as well as some nefarious enemies, like Lex Luthor and prank-happy imp Mr. Mxyztplk. Once we finished our soaring through the air and described the experience, Eloise wished she had changed her mind.

One of the rides we all enjoyed and revisited more than once was Roaring Rapids, the circle tube raft ride for eight "not afraid to get wet" fun-seekers.

And of course, no visit to Six Flags Great America is complete without riding the train for an overview glimpse of the entire park as well as a go-round on the world's largest merry-go-round, the beautiful and historic 10-story high Columbia Carousel, featuring all hand-painted horses framed by mirrored walls.

Besides the great weather, the other blessing of the day was Sanjin's recommendation to invest in something I'd never heard of before, called a Flash Pass, aptly named after the DC comic hero The Flash. This little gizmo, is worth its weight in gold if you are eager to hit all of the biggest roller coasters and attractions and you want to do it in record time. For paying the added price (which varies depending on how many guests are programmed into this keychain-type tool), you can skip past long lines by riding attractions at designated times.

However, I'm told there are only about 900 of these available each day, so it's wise to reserve one online before arriving at the park. Also, by purchasing tickets online before arriving, you can save more than $20 per ticket.

Located just north of Chicago in Gurnee, Ill., Six Flags Great America has four children's areas and 30 rides just for little ones including Wiggles World, in addition to the 13 heart-pounding coasters for the thrill-seekers, plus a free 20-acre water park, in addition to 35 family rides and some spectacular stage shows and parades.

The massive Hurricane Harbor water park provides wild and wet fun for the whole family, with 26 water slides, a massive wave pool, and Skull Island - an interactive water playground. Admission to Hurricane Harbor water park is free with park admission.

Without the pre-ordered current Internet special, admission is: $54.99 plus tax, $29.99 plus tax for children under 48 inches. Children 2 and under, free.

For more information and all the details, visit www.sixflags.com.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at ppotempa@nwitimes.com or 219.852.4327.

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