Bobcat Analysis Great Escape New for 2024 Gravity Group Wooden Roller Coaster

[@CoasterStudios]

UPDATE! Earlier today, Great Escape confirmed on Twitter that Bobcat will indeed be going in the Alpine Boblsed plot of land! Gravity Group also confirmed on Twitter today that Bobcat will be using their pre-cut track throughout the entire ride, meaning it is going to be incredibly smooth!

[@MrSRArter]

Makes sense because of the "Bob" part of the names of both coasters.

[@CoasterStudios]

good catch!@@MrSRArter

[@coasterfair2602]

Awesome

[@Mononoke18]

@@CoasterStudiosI really hope more of these pop up over America and I think some parks like Sea World San Diego could really benefit from one of these! It would give them an Airtime Machine and a wooden coaster!

[@MrSRArter]

@@Mononoke18 Enthusiast channels should start making videos of "What parks could/should get this ride?" with Gravity Group woodies having a video for this.

[@oriolat2]

Having ridden Timber! I can only say that guests at Great Escape are in for a treat! It was so much fun, with plenty of airtime and quick directional changes. If the park runs two trains at a steady pace, queues will fly just like they did on Timber!

[@UnlikelyHiker]

I’m definitely sad to see the bobsled go, but I’m thrilled that GE is FINALLY getting sone love! I’ll be excited to see more than Comet merch in the gift store 😂

[@COASTER_CHASER_1]

While I was hopeful for something bigger I’m glad they went this route and it’s a pleasant surprise. I haven’t ridden one of these but heard good things about them. They did also mention that it is to help celebrate the parks 70th anniversary next year. So with the 75th anniversary approaching now as well maybe Six Flags Great Escape will be seeing some attention in the next couple years. I can see more refurbishments, maybe a couple flat rides or a package, and actually potentially another coaster. Six flags has also quietly rebranded the park from THE GREAT ESCAPE a Six Flags park, to SIX FLAGS GREAT ESCAPE. They are also pushing the stay and play aspect with the lodge. So it will be interesting to see what happens in the next couple years.

[@AdamSmith-gs2dv]

I always found it crazy they have not invested more into this park, Dollywood and Silver Dollar City have a similar set up with being in extremely touristy towns and do extremely well so Im surprised Six Flags hasn't tried to replicate that especially since they already have the resort

[@COASTER_CHASER_1]

@@AdamSmith-gs2dv six flags was up until the 07 recession and their later bankruptcy. Great Escape had loony tunes and justice league up until 2010. And that about the time things slowed down. On top of that the park has some weird Zoning rules. They have to be careful with noise, and depending on where they are in the park have to be careful with hight. Nothing can be seen from Glenn Lake. That being said for 2020 they announced ADIRONDACK OUTLAW. Installation was delayed twice, the pandemic and they had to change its location from my understanding, but they still made sure to get it open for 2021. Also around the same time is when they quietly rebranded the park. So I’m not sure if the idea of turning it into more of a destination park has been revived. But the next couple years will tell.

[@ATLSloan]

Pretty cool that the two best GG family coasters in the US, Bobcat and Roar-o-saurus, will be four hours from each other. We also need a Roar-O-Saurus review…

[@CoasterStudios]

One day I'll get out to do it! Maybe next year when I'm in the region...

[@aaronlesko1929]

I’d argue Wooden Warrior counts too if only based on height

[@CivilianSatellite]

I'm excited to see Six Flags finally working with Gravity Group. I hope to see more collaborations with them in the future.

[@jayminyoel7911]

Now that I think about it, the Great Escape is slightly more respected by Six Flags than people think. They got a decent flat in Pandemonium and a great one in Adirondack Outlaw. And now they're getting a family Gravity Group. Now, it's not like this park gets as many good additions as Magic Mountain or Great America, but it still is more additions than people on the internet would make you think the park was getting.

[@jayminyoel7911]

@Fattyfish7 read the comment

[@zanewebb2665]

Not to mention before that they got some much needed family rides a Larson loop and a Larson flying scooter

[@maxhagenauer24]

Gravity Group and Six Flags, I'm very glad they are now working together.

[@Mandalrian123]

Thank you for making this video I’m getting interviewed for media day and I need to know my stuff

[@Thebestever100]

Bobcat is super cool

[@MrSRArter]

1:45 They could replace Steamin Demon with a smaller scale modern Vekoma looper called "Electric Imp".

[@andysee6996]

Honestly, I wish The Great Escape also got Mindbender (formally at Galaxyland) moved there. It would go on Steamin Demon's plot of land. I'm sure it would fit. Steamin' Demon is a relic of a time when going upside down was a novelty, and from the POV footage I've seen, Mindbender holds up.

[@Kyukon-038]

TBH, I'd rather see Boomerang and Canyon blaster replaced before Steamin Demon. Canyon Blaster is a nightmare with it's in house, custom built bulky and thick restraints, and half of it's layout having been remade from the ground up at the park, salvaging as much of it's layout from it's original location as they could. It'd be nice to see that replaced by either something like a High End Family ride, or low end thrill ride, like a small Eurofighter, or a Raptor, or a Gerstlaur spinning coaster. Boomerang is hardly ever open at all, but it used to be one of the better ones. I'm not sure if giving it the Hersheypark (Sidewinder -> Jolly Ranchers) treatment is even still on the table with how little it's been taken care of. Might be better to replace it with a quality flat ride or two. Still, it's a major surprise for them to get anything at all in the coaster department.

[@misscandy84]

agree

[@misscandy84]

I like the steamon deamon people just need to put heads forward at last turn a stop so don't bang your head or get whiplash other than I ❤steamon deamon

[@Fishwiddaboz-st9gg]

As an upstate New Yorker slash lake George resident the best ride they have right now is the outlaw I def agree steamin daemon def is needed to be phased out it is horrible instant headache every time you ride but bobsled will be missed very much can’t wait till Friday the 15 when I go ride pantheon at Busch gardens

[@starryagent9936]

Yes, Bobcat will be replacing Alpine Bobsled. Great Escape confirmed it today!

[@misscandy84]

can't wait looks like be like the comet

[@IHCountryboy95]

Glad you visited the park!! Hopefully we can gain more attention. Last post I saw on Facebook said steamin demon was an iconic coaster in the park and has no plans for it to go any time soon 😢even tho it’s a horrible arrow copy paste

[@AschesHome]

Him saying they arent fast is.... Wow. I live in adk, and the bobcat is like one of the fastest coasters other than the comet. Super fun. Wait line is really long bcuz of it. We definitely need soem new coasters, cuz steamin demon hurts you neck super bad, and they literaly had to reweld abunch of stuff the other day..

[@Sauci55on]

Family woodies are great, pretty much any park could benefit from one in my opinion

[@thrillguycoasters6269]

Great analysis about bobcat, I'd love to hear your analysis about flash vertical velocity at my home park which is gadv, I noticed you haven't uploaded it yet.

[@aaronlesko1929]

Worth noting that the Gravity Group’s Facebook post about Bobcat features a hashtag for engineered precut track…if I’m not mistaken this will be their first time using this on a newly-constructed coaster.

[@CoasterStudios]

super exciting!

[@paulozogamingandsirens4860]

I'm sad that bobsled is closing, but Im very exited that bobcat is taking its spot.

[@dinviesel4649]

dont miss the log flume this time around!

[@andreapearce4185]

I love steaming demon

[@boerkuhjah]

We had in the Netherlands also a bobsled, but it's also gone. Think there are not many left.

[@melp9793]

You also forgot about the best coaster at Great Escape… the Comet.

[@CesarDelgado-fu2nd]

Bobcat!!!!!!!

[@coaster365]

Oscar’s and Roar-O-Saurus might be 4 hrs. away but Wooden Warrior is less than 3 😛. So basically 4 of the 5 family GG’s in the US are in the same region

[@CoasterStudios]

Oh shoot, didn't realize Wooden Warrior was that close! That is kinda crazy though that there's so many within a 4 hour radius

[@coaster365]

@@CoasterStudios made the point on Twitter, but could be a fun challenge next year to try to ride all 4 in one day 😂

[@riparianlife97701]

"Timeless" until such time as it catches fire and/or gets turned into an RMC.

[@dominicfaga1597]

do you think the bobcat will run 2 trains or just one?

[@CoasterStudios]

hopefully two!

[@Zacharyfeinberg]

Next up an RMC raptor to replace steaming demon?

[@gregorymoore2877]

Or better yet, an RMC raptor to replace the boomerang? 🤔

[@craigmckenzie6904]

Why is GG only making family coasters?!?!

[@CoasterStudios]

Its not that they only make family coasters- but its what the parks keep ordering

[@pixelythegamer3260]

Name it bubsy

[@AlllllllRightyThen]

Bobcat looks cool. But, I WISH they would have bought the Blue Streak before the new scumbag owner burned it to the ground. That would bring a TON more new visitors to the park who may never go there otherwise ( I likely will not, just to ride the Bobcat, but I definitely would to ride the Blue Streak, every year ). Wish I could have been in their meeting about a new Wooden coaster. I would have made it happen.

[@johnchambers8528]

I loved the Blue Streak also but that was defiantly not a family type of coaster. The first three hills were very intense and any new blue Streak would ride much smoother than the old one. So you would loose the shakey character it had at the old park. This coaster should appeal to a lot of customers that the whole family can enjoy.

[@zanewebb2665]

I feel like the coaster community is mislead way to often I was told comet was a elite wooden coaster the airtime was mediocre at best and it was one of the roughest woodies I’d ridden up there with Roar tremors and pre retrack ghost rider another is Steamin demon was told it rode like gravel however I thought it rode just like every other arrow looper with some jank is all and my last one is wild thing at Valleyfair was told it had no airtime I proceeded to absolutely fly out of my seat I’m not sure who to listen to about rides no more 🤷‍♂️

[@Danrarbc]

You mentioned that the park should look at a Sky Rocket or Raptor as a modern steel coaster to add. I'd like to toss another model in to that discussion: A Vekoma Wildcat (Fønix). The dimensions would even seem to fit where Steamin' Demon is (it's a bit larger - but that Steamin' pile of steel is surrounded by grass).

[@JacobBohley]

Just a quick note that this year Comet is running a lot faster than usual so it does give really good ejector at some spots.

[@COASTER_CHASER_1]

I agree to that. The hill just before the big hill with the camera gives you good ejector and the rest has some decent floater. It also looks like it receive track work last off season and has some new wood.

[@JacobBohley]

@@COASTER_CHASER_1 Yeah that hill is the best one but the big hill and the hop into the final turn around are both really good as well

[@markwiat3008]

I’ve gone to this park a bunch over the couple of years and think that yesterday was such a good ride on the comet it was so fast and smoother than I remeber it being but still my favorite coaster at this park

[@kingchuckfinley]

Man… the comet is still a great ride. Every time as I’ve grown up I rode it I thought it would be just nostalgia, but everytime it’s just so much fun.

[@samuelmartin5973]

It always has

[@CoasternautYT]

Great addition to great escape, long overdue coaster and great to see six flags working with gravity group and so many other different manufacturers again

[@maxhagenauer24]

I wouldn't be surprised if this is better than Comet because the airtime.

[@FryGuy909]

when you come back, get food at this barbecue place by outlaw and steamin demon and the logflume. they have good pulled pork

[@Aftermath779]

I'm excited about Six Flags' relationship with Gravity Group! You may never know if a shuttle coaster comes up in one of the Six Flags parks!

[@zacg_]

For a family woodie, it's pretty tall, especially considering how low to the ground the layout remains. It looks like that'll make for really good speed. This looks like a very good addition. I'm just curious if this will be a problem for the park because my understanding is that the park will be mandated by the city to pay to expand the local road if traffic increases and that this is why the park has been so slow to expand. If this is true I'm is true I'm curious to see how this affects local traffic and what Six Flags will do about it.

[@AdamSmith-gs2dv]

The main issue is exit 20 being absolute crap. That just needs to be completely torn out and redone. I think a SPUI or Diverging Diamond would work well there

[@dindog22]

maybe they should rename Steamin' Deamon to Cleveland Steamer. lol

[@trainbear8205]

Sad they're getting rid of the Alpine Bobsled though. I've ridden it many times and it's always different. Plus the Lake Placid Bobsled connection. But progress is progress I guess. Seems like another of their coasters could have been picked to be replaced.

[@melp9793]

The two coasters mentioned in the beginning are the same coaster lol.

[@misscandy84]

hope they start building it looks cool

[@lucashollner5117]

Home park finally worth going to

[@ja8272]

nice addition to the park! Thanks for the video!

[@MrReed89]

I visit this park a lot as it's the closest Six Flags near me. In place of Steamin Demon, they should add a Hypercoaster, Something like Superman at Six Flags NE...or Magnum XL 200 at Cedar Point.

[@katerinakittycat3849]

As one who rides roar o saurus everytime i visit story land which i concider to be my home park, It sounds like a good addition

[@jbponzi1]

Finally, SFGAm’s Rolling Dumpster is being retired.

[@osully459]

This was my home park until I moved to florida and this roller coaster looks pretty awesome

[@jayducharme]

I think the park does have another ejector airtime machine: Comet. But the park needs to take better care of that coaster. During the ride's first five years, it was my favorite wood coaster. Like Phoenix (another Herb Schmeck masterpiece), you were out of your seat through much of the ride. But now, not so much. And BTW, Canyon Blaster isn't really a "custom" layout; Great Escape is the ride's third home.

[@gregorymoore2877]

Yeah, I thought Canyon Blaster was the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster at Opryland. Which would mean it was a custom layout... for Opryland. 🤔

[@jayducharme]

@@gregorymoore2877 You’re correct.

[@puccipower]

Hey the arrow deserves to stay.

[@Danrarbc]

It does not. Not without a BIG refurb.

[@moston12118]

The demon is a staple, many locals first coaster ride ever. It is a effective ride with lots of life left.

[@Danrarbc]

@@moston12118 Multiple Arrow and Vekoma coasters newer than it have been removed for maintenance issues.

[@WinXitheP00h]

US amusement parks are too corporate, sea world, six flags, and cedar fair are all abysmal.

[@Tom_bradys_unretirement]

Weak bait🥱

[@Danrarbc]

You say that like Merlin, Palace, Compagnie des Alpes, etc don't exist.