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0 Rating Posted by: Canobie Coaster on 7/28/2005 2:27:00 PM

Some rides are just bad. Others just suffer from horrible operations. But then there are those few, elite rides that somehow manage to pull off both with flying colors. And with that I present to you (well it’s since been demolished and for good reason), Nightmare.

So was it really that bad? Well, the attractions looks definitely was the ride’s strong point, as instead of just having a pedestrian enclosure for the coaster, the building was painted very nicely to stand out and just fit in with the entire Ghost Town theme. However, no amount of paint can hide the fact that the ride contained inside is poor.

By far the largest factor in my despising of this attraction was my wait. Usually I like to give coasters a few rides before I reach my opinion, just in case I got a bad ride, but that just wasn’t possible with the lines this attraction had. While everything else at the park had 15 minute waits or less, Nightmare somehow managed to garner a 60-75 minute wait all-day. Was it really that popular? No! In fact many who came off complained, “I waited all this time for that?” The reason for the long, slow-moving line in the stifling building was because of Great Escape’s horrid operations. Each car only accommodated two people, and when you combine that with dispatches at the speed of a snail, oh boy! This attraction definitely wins the award for worst capacity!

Moving on, the ride itself wasn’t overly bad, but it just wasn’t really anything special. First off, the ride was supposed to be enclosed and in total darkness. Well, it was far from it as there were various cracks in the building that allowed enough sunlight to enter the building to illuminate the layout pretty clearly, leading to the surprise element being removed from the attraction. Past that, the big drop was excellent since it had some great zip to it, and the turns at the bottom of the drops provided some decent Gs, but honestly I just felt that for the most part the ride just felt slow and boring for the most part.

Nightmare was just a poor attraction, and let me say, you didn’t really miss out on anything at all, except for a very long and uncomfortable wait. Heck, even if I had no wait at all, I would still have not really liked this coaster all that much, though I would have at least given it another shot to prove itself! While it’s often sad for a coaster to be removed, Nightmare was just one of the worst experiences I’ve ever had at an amusement park thanks to the lengthy wait combined with the disappointing ride that just flat out wasn’t worth my wait.

I cant say I have ever had a truly Rough ride on this coaster. I agree it should be resealed and that the que itself should be themed internaly. but i cant agre ethat the themeing it totaly terable outside the building is fantastic. I find the one a bit harsh

mrceagle - well your giving the ride a 9 is plenty generous so it all works out in the end

Why do you think its generuse. Its a carnival family coaster and I rated it as such. ya its not much compared to a hyper but I dont look at coasters or rides packaged like that.

I really found the ride rough, and the theming was horrible, when I rode the ride in 2000. Maybee, they have changed it since then.

I went to the park for the first time in 2002. the outside has very elaborate theming. the inside is still a bit dull.

They probably changed it, because last time I went, they were in the middle of a transition into a Six Flags park.

TGE still isnt a Six Flags park. Who knows if it ever will be. I admit they have added some of the dull product names but other then that its still The Great Escape.

The Great Escape is listed on the Six Flags website, and Six Flags had bought the Rock "N" Roller Coaster from Old Indiana, but, The Great Escape got it, after Six Flags claimed it. The park is owned by Six Flags.

Yes its owned by the Six Flags companie. it was one of the origanl Premeir parks Companies. when Premeir bought Sixl flags they asumed the more powerfull SF brand name and in turn TGE became park of SFI. I though you figured it was rebranded as a Six Flags property which isnt the case.

I think that The Great Escape may get the Six Flags name soon since they got a Looney Toones Land.

I expect the park to get branded, or "Flagged", next year, as this winter they are opening across the street "Six Flags Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Waterpark". Theyre dumping a lot of cash into this project, so hopefully they will do more to the park next year other than just build a pedestrian bridge over Route 9 and possibly pave the parking lot (and if that happens, dont be surprised if they start to charge for parking.)

That should happen soon, but also, I think the Great Escape should get a new, major roller coaster soon, because, their anchor attraction, the Comet, was built in 1994, and their other roller coasters arent major ones. The Nightmare, Canyon Blaster, Steamin Demon, Road Runner Express, Boomerang, and the Alpine Bobsled, just arent major roller coasters. Unlike most Six Flags parks, they are lacking another great coaster or major ride. I expect them to expand soon, and get some new thrill rides. Maybe an S&S Powers Turbo Drop/Space Shot, a B&M Coaster(Inverted or Floorless), or a Vekoma SLC. I expect one of those rides to be built soon.

There had been a rumor a few years ago that the Steamin Demon might be replaced with an Intamin LIM Impulse Shuttle like the Steel Venom at Geauga, but things have been pretty quiet as far as future park plans. That would be a perfect spot for that type of ride, as it requires a small footprint and would really be an eye-catcher sitting in front of the park. If they do pave the parking lot, they could use the parking spaces right in front of the Steamin Demon to expand the park in the front and put a larger signature ride there to herald the rebranding of the park, similar to what Darien Lake did when the S:RoS opened their first year as a Six Flags. I just hope they dont go with a Vekoma ride; they are the Hyundai of the coaster industry.

I think I remember reading somewhere that there is a height restriction for their rides because its in a mountainous area and near a scenic lake. Does anyone know if this is true?

However, of all the choices, Id like to see a Batman the Ride B&M, inverted coaster, or a Batman the Dark Knight B&M, floorless coaster.

PeterD - TGE isnt in the Adirondack Park proper, but the Town of Queensbury is notorius for scrutinizing anything TGE does. I cant say with any certainty there are height restrictions, but cell towers rise 150+ feet.
KingYoshi - I like B&Ms but I guess I cant get over the 4 abreast seating. I believe Intamin makes a superior product.

Maybe Intamin could build a mini mega coaster like Goliath, at Walibi World Holland, but it could be filled with air-time hills. However, I wonder where the Great Escape could put it, because they cant build on some of their land(swamp land?). I honestly would want an Intamin 120ft Mega Coaster, or a B&M coaster. However, I dont think the Great Escape has enough space, so I expect a Vekoma SLC, but Id rather a few other coasters.

It would be nice if TGE became a six flags park sice there is a chance darien lake will be sold off to another unknown company.KEEP SIX FLAGS IN NY!!!

Nothing like Digging up an old Reply thread. anyways I dont like the idea of the park being flagged but Shapiro likes the park and will likely flag it. as far as rides. they got SFAW SLC and Chute rides. so youd see those and a few flats. nothing fantastic or unique.

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