American Eagle POV 5K GIANT WOODEN COASTER Six Flags Great America Gurnee, IL

[@Wntrmute1]

I have been going to this park since it opened in 1976 and was a big fan of coasters. Due to health issues, I can no longer ride them as I learned the hard way last year. It's great to be able to remember what it felt like to ride them watching your videos. Thank you for doing this!

[@RBERZIN57]

I remember when it opened..It was $9.95 a ticket if my memory serves me right..I was there opening day and still live nearby.

[@eugenelenskih2885]

You guys are time treasures

[@michaelt3885]

I remember I went there the year that Z Force opened and I rode American Eagle several times. I don't remember what year that was. I think it was 1985 but all I can say is that American Eagle rocked and Z Force sucked.

[@JJ_WCUE]

@@michaelt3885 where is z force? I’ve never heard of it

[@calmwind4576]

@@JJ_WCUE Z-force was a "Space diver" Coaster that was incredibly painful to ride and had an annoyingly loud chain lift. It was eventually moved to Magic Mountain in California and renamed "Flashback" but was eventually shut down permanently somewhere around 2013? (i think). Apparently the chain lift was so loud it was driving the lifeguards at the Magic Mountain water parks insane (it was right next to the water parks)

[@rickdagrexican7351]

One time when I was at Great America the American Eagle was running backwards. That was a fun ride! Thanks for sharing this great view of it!

[@aj_scott]

Back in the day they would have one side going backwards and the other side going forward. Those were good times!

[@LW-Zorua]

Literally the best time! I had the privilege of riding backwards twice before they discontinued it 😭😭 i never understood why they did that.

[@aidanmackenzie3421]

​@LW-Zorua black widow (Fright Fest Retheme) rode backwards. The Eagle has only rode backwards a handful of times

[@Noct31]

I remember riding this back in the days when it still raced and that helix with two trains flying through it was MADNESS.

[@Maximus_yt]

Finally a good pov of this ride. Thanks, guys!

[@EastCoasters]

You got it 🥃

[@StarshipTrooper2050]

This one is reminiscent of the coaster the Griswolds road at Wally World

[@twelvegaugeslug7840]

I remember being amazed every time I drove past this ride on the freeway as a kid It's a massive structure Good POV Cheers!

[@EastCoasters]

Right? It’s huge. Thank you sir🥃

[@calebdouglas7622]

Every time going from Wisconsin to Indiana

[@Millsy20]

It’s like 10 minutes away from my house so just taking the highway you always got to stop and just look at it

[@Celatra]

this honestly looks awesome. with all the modern coasters out there, this one has charm

[@heatherkastenmeier7530]

My home park! I've been riding the Eagle since '83, and it's still one of the best in the park. Love the front row at night!

[@PoshLife123]

Wow I could SEE the airtime at 1:21 🤣😂🤣 and that helix turnaround is EPIC. I bet the slingshot affect off of that element was BEAUTIFUL. Certainly sounded like it was judging from your reactions 👍👍👍

[@samuelitooooo]

Wow, this is interesting! Sustained airtime, the "frog in boiling water" helix which seems to end with good laterals, and even the pre-lift; I do like long pre-lifts through wooden structures lol

[@thefactsarethese3668]

Honestly this ride has gotten a lot of hate over the years, and I've never felt once the ride deserved it. It's pretty smooth, the helix is cool and weird, there's great ejector air immediately after the helix, etc. Perhaps there was a period it was really bad before my time, and/or people are eager to tear it down for some epic RMC they've dreamed up in their minds and that's coloring their view of the ride that's actually there, but I've been riding the thing since 2000 and have never had a problem with it. I genuinely believe it's the best of any of the big racing coasters, and that the park takes better care of this ride than many parks take care of their wooden coasters.

[@Aidea._.]

I just wish they could get it racing again. It's been a few years since they have. Currently, they alternate between which side is running every year or two.

[@aidanmackenzie3421]

​@Aidea._. Old memories of red side being backwards and blue side being forwards. And being ridiculed by your buddies for chicken ing out and riding blue instead. Hopwfully with cedar fare taking over they get some new wood on her before she breaks

[@LW-Zorua]

@@aidanmackenzie3421i thought it was red went forward and blue went backward. Either way, ya them were the days. That concept needs to be brought back. I loved it!

[@BullDeerAryu_]

Personal experience: Ride this one at night for the best experience

[@stevenacken6444]

Fav ride in the park still and I’m 42. Red side only.

[@RCDRONE1010]

Team blue over here!

[@tiffanycurtis4794]

This is so cool this roller coaster is legendary. Look at the old wood and the sound of the roller coaster. Wow ❤️ I rode it for my eighth grade graduation trip for the first time I was terrified.🤣

[@XOYamiOX]

Honestly love your povs lmao, you do a great job at showing air time and convey things we cant feel with reactions. Like we know that end of that helix whipped ass because of how you sound HAHA.

[@EastCoasters]

Thanks man we focus on every element without editing if that’s makes sense. Everything we do is raw , stay tuned 🥃

[@boop8127]

Benn on this since it opened. Now i take my son. Hes been afraid to ride a lot of the coasters, but yesterday he loved eagle, viper, xforce, batman. I was so proud

[@sirjohng1]

You cannot beat the noise these coasters deliver.

[@bonjovirocks24]

This was my favorite rollercoaster as a kid. We’d race against the trains. Fun memories!!

[@Fakecaz]

I know you had fun! I live around Six Flags Great America and I always make sure to go on this ride.

[@MeganAnimalLover]

Awesome. Thank you for sharing.

[@suprsquirrel2215]

This ride is awesome when you race the other train. Noticed the other track was down for maintenance, though.

[@ThrillProductions2018]

Most underrated coaster at the park! 🤓

[@jasonludewig4126]

Great coaster and great POV video! One of my first and favorite roller coasters. I suggest looking up on your next ride as the track dives into the base of the lift hill. The mass of white wood towering above you is a really cool sight!

[@easynhonest]

👍 Wow I never knew that 42-year-old monster was made by Intamin. Great footage but don't forget to return to get the other half once they remove that tarp @ 1:14 😏

[@Whatsupeveryone-w9h]

Rode this ride with some of my friends and my 8th grade reading teacher as we went here on a field trip. This is the 2nd roller coaster I’ve ever done and it scared the hell out of me. I remember screaming as my teacher was laughing hysterically 😂

[@ilikemymommy2391]

I rode this with my dad since it was his childhood coaster, and let’s just say we were both worried the whole time that the wood would crack

[@Calfornia_Coasters]

Great POV! Also im subscribed.

[@elevatoralarmcoasterandarc1214]

Same here.

[@creamage.]

even tho this ride makes you feel like you got your ass beat, i absolutely love it…only thing i miss about illinois is six flags😭

[@WhiteDove73-888]

What a Beauty

[@BigAl1976]

I first rode the Eagle back in '83 when one of my uncles (and his family) from down south and I had a blast. I rode it backwards in 1991 (10 year anniversary of the Eagle's opening, IIRC) and between that and the Shock Wave, I became a coaster fanatic.

[@lucaswald8905]

I actually really like this ride, I think it has some good airtime moments plus it’s a classic. I actually find Viper to be a LOT more rough than this one. A good retracting and this could be around for longer

[@tallen6641]

No seat belts. This was maybe 1982 and the last ride of the night. The staff was in a hurry and just glanced at the cars before sending us. Except our seat belt was not working. And back then all you had besides the belt was a bar a foot in front of you. So that ride was the thrill of a lifetime and started my thrill seeking on coasters. Nothing like a little danger. Staying in the car was hard, but adrenaline wins.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Could I please use this POV with credit in a review of American Eagle? This is my preferred side on the coaster.

[@EastCoasters]

Never have to ask. Of course!

[@CanobieCoaster]

@@EastCoasters Thanks!

[@singlerailindustries1763]

A GCI Titan Track Refurbishment Would Help To Make This Ride Much More Smooth And Enjoyable.

[@EastCoasters]

I love it as it is. Some woodies can stay woodies.

[@wakcedout]

Finally fit back on this classic. Rougher than I remember but then it’s older than me lol. Even tho they had both trains running it’s a shame they don’t race them anymore.

[@johnchristensen9826]

Eagle is the shit is one side still reverse? The first hill is awesome catching air and racing the train next to you

[@tiffanycurtis4794]

👊🏾

[@JS60SIX]

A little bit of air time over those smaller humps. Love the eagle!

[@howiefelthersnatch3862]

Just rode it yesterday and I'm riding it again tomorrow, multiple times.. fun coaster

[@seriomarkj]

I can only imagine this blew peoples minds back in the day when it first opened

[@jtwoolley]

GREAT POV

[@boop8127]

Love the nervousness of “uh oh. That isnt a good thing”

[@One-Day-After-Another]

Reminds me of what I remember of Thunder Road at Carowinds... Also racer at Kings Island

[@pi-sx3mb]

It's a fun but tame ride for a woodie; you go out, you come back. It was better when they raced blue vs red, or occasionally ran it backwards. The best part about this ride was always the shaded wait in line and the line moved so fast you'd rarely wait more than 5, maybe 10 minutes tops (or frequently no wait at all), especially if you didn't care about being in the first or last row.

[@Pyyxl]

I went on this ride and it was actually pretty good. It was actually my first time on these big roller coaster. As soon as the drop went in, i literally felt like i was gonna die.

[@lucaswald8905]

Great POV

[@uu9rj]

Grateful to you guys for this one, just awesome to have this ride archived at this high a quality. If anything happens to the ride nice to know we'll will have this to remember it by, hope not though, awesome ride!

[@EastCoasters]

That’s exactly why we do it 🤌🏽 Thank You 🥃

[@muse8850]

I'm in the like right now I just needed to know what to expect

[@BryanVGK23]

Still one of my favorites. Been so many years

[@brianlevandowski3167]

I don’t think they will ever RMC it, I think they decided to let it ride original til it can’t and take it down. Do they even run the other side anymore?

[@ReelTourVideo]

Can you imagine the pre-lift section if RMC got a hold of it. This was the coaster in 94 that started my love for coasters and I make sure to give it a few rides every year.

[@NickyD]

rmc cant do it this ride cant be remdoeled

[@JohnJohn-do2oj]

This roller coaster takes some severe climate punishment. Have to stay up on maintenance.

[@askjeevescosby2928]

The least they could do is keep up the paint. One of the last big dualing woodies left. Hope it is fixed up and not demolished.

[@bradleywarren6362]

I’d definitely go on that ride

[@Lucifers-lilduckling]

The best part of this ride while riding it is if will it break down,get stuck or fall apart while on it

[@Abandonedchannel9696]

Damn.... when was this built?

[@kiosegi4916]

1974

[@lloydarthur5110]

Opened in 1981

[@Insert_Name_Here007]

The American eagle broke down yesterday but still operated

[@kabella66]

I always loved the days when they ran the train backwards.

[@misscandy84]

Reminds me of our rollercoaster comet at great escape

[@warpedgenius5182]

holy SH&*^*&^T batman lol flew like an eagle lol

[@DavidCotten-mv9di]

I'm 48 now, used to go on American Eagle coaster all the time. When I was a teen. It was at that time a very rough ride. Used to be my favorite ride. I knew someone who rode that ride, she shit her pants and we ended up going home about an hour after we got there. $100 each ticket, $400 total, and we went home after an hour. It would be one thing if we got rained out, but our friend wanted to go home. 🤑😪

[@maverickheartlineroll]

oh the noises yall make when riding rides

[@JDawg8733]

Whaaaaooo!!!!! 😅😊😂

[@NatzTHEGOAT]

Ruff ride got me a concussion because how bumpy it was

[@coasterfair2602]

They should have both sides running because it’s more fun that way

[@EastCoasters]

It puts 50% more stress on the structure and these days, nothing is cheap. Keep that in mind!

[@coasterfair2602]

@@EastCoasters unfortunately I know things aren’t exactly cheap but why did they build it the way it is if it doesn’t race anymore 😞

[@George_bonnaire]

Rolling thunder was similar and that didn’t race much either

[@coasterfair2602]

@@George_bonnaire thunder road was that way a lot before it closed down for good so it seems like parks don’t or aren’t interested in racing part anymore

[@uu9rj]

@@coasterfair2602 Racing woodies come from a different era. Back when Eagle and other racers were built most parks only had 2-4 thrill coasters. They needed that capacity but as parks expanded to the 8-15 coaster range we see in regional parks today the capacity became unecessary. They get Increasingly expensive to maintain and especially so in eagle's case due to the gigantic structure and speed. There are a couple exceptions, lightning racer looks pretty sweet as does the dueling gravity group in China but you don't see more beyond that for a reason. Sorry for the ramble, but that's why parks don't prioritize the second side, they just dont need too and its expensive. It's a hard time for a lot of regional parks too, Great America's attendance was down 5% from 2021 which was already a low number being right after covid.

[@Sau1-g00dman]

We need a pov of the comet at the great escape

[@EastCoasters]

I’ll be there soon enough, lots to do! 🥃

[@Sau1-g00dman]

@@EastCoasters ah ok thank you

[@areaIhero]

Wow, one of my favorite POVs of yours. I always thought the structure of this coaster looks absolutely incredible. Massive white wooden coasters > I bet a dual on this would be sick! Keep up the great content 🎉

[@EastCoasters]

Absolutely, thank you! WAY more coming very soon, high quality VLOG out today at 4

[@SkyRocket159]

Me designing my first rollercoaster in Rollercoaster Tycoon with no experience and unlimited budget.

[@boop8127]

They def fixed the pothole right before the helix

[@kiosegi4916]

Can i meet you tommorow ive been dying to ride a coaster with you at great america.

[@EastCoasters]

I live in NJ🤌🏽

[@porkryne72]

I would have loved to experience eagle with no brakes on the final helix

[@UnownArceus]

The back row of this ride gives slight headaches

[@christopherwynn727]

1:09 MaxxForce Raging Bull Giant Drop Demon Justice League Hall Viper

[@Nvideofilmsproductions]

This ride is like Scarborough RT speed (46 mph)

[@calebdouglas7622]

My first coaster

[@alexkoehler2001]

I was here today

[@clawitzeristhebestpokemon8765]

This ride would actually be really gold without that stupid helix. The parts before and after it are actually really fun but the jackhammering during the helix gave me a headache.

[@ajplays232]

what if instead of american eagle it was freaky eagle

[@lillookc]

This heap is on borrowed time. Thanks for getting another video of days gone by. RIP American Eagle.

[@EastCoasters]

It’s second track is currently being done as well as the train

[@lillookc]

@@EastCoasters Good. Then you can go back and video it again. Thanks for sharing.

[@Thelightning1out]

This ride was absolutely ruined when the ride stop racing, what’s the whole point of having it if you can’t even have its main feature happen, just retrack the structure and it shouldn’t fail.

[@furies]

It’s kinda like going down a gravel road with potholes. But most def nostalgic.

[@BrianMoore-h6i]

Instead of bearing down for the helix, put your hands in the air and lean into it, this is the difference between a great ride and a terrible jarring experience.

[@static_gmedina]

Skipped this one on my recent trek...as well as other clones. I was out of time tho.

[@kickthesky]

This was my very first coaster way back in the year it opened (1981). Scared me, but in a good way. I have loved coasters ever since. The ride used to be so intimidating back in the eighties. Now it just feels, meh. It looked less rough than it has in the past few years, though. Needs a paint job.

[@ottohesslein3230]

Some rusty old nails and old rotting wood are the only thing between you and an avoidable, horrific accident.

[@logan5girl405]

My dad and I rode this in 2000 my aunt and uncle gave me tickets as a graduation present we were all there that day this ride hurt! My dad and I both were sore after lol there was no padding on the headrests at all

[@MrGodsChaos]

Since this ride doesn't open the 2 tracks anymore or even has one backwards like back then, it should be converted to an RMC. That way it would get people hyped up again and bring back the fame

[@tigerrocks503chase8]

Park president said there are no plans to RMC or tear it down

[@MrGodsChaos]

@@tigerrocks503chase8 That's very dissapointing

[@JWD26]

I hadn’t rode this ride in over 10 years before last season. Got stuck at the very top of the first drop for like an hour. Probly won’t ride it for another 10 years 😂

[@p_ooba]

i loved this thing as a kid, but please make it into the best RMC on earth

[@tigerrocks503chase8]

They have no plans to RMC it from what I hear

[@bondbeansbond]

@@tigerrocks503chase8Just a retrack and repaint. They have confirmed it will never be RMC’d.

[@koofdome]

Never cared much for it honestly. The only cool thing about it I think is the history tbh

[@jamesmdean1987]

I would far, far rather watch your videos than TPR…his constant screaming and pointing out every single element in the ride is annoying as hell. Your “screams”, on the other hand, are those of “holy hell, that caught me off guard..” and far more believable than his stuff. I probably thought way too much into that, but I digress. lol

[@EastCoasters]

Thank you! It’s the realism we go for. Check out our VLOGs and drone footage as well, we do just about anything now🥃

[@jamesmdean1987]

Realism! That’s the word I should have used, haha. I surely will and thank you! At some point, I would recommend checking out Family Kingdom in Myrtle Beach…their Swamp Fox coaster has been totally retracked, and I had the pleasure of getting 2 credits on it earlier this year. First big coaster I’ve ridden in almost 15 years. You may have ridden after its retrack, I haven’t gone through the channel to see. That thing is an airtime monster.

[@jefflynch9559]

Boring

[@chico7469]

The standard for roller coasters 🎢 baby, there’s nothing like it, and it’s in my hometown.

[@noname4u2see]

its like playing russian roulette everytime i ride it,thing is gonna crumble one day

[@seanburdelik5216]

127 ft tall it's considered a midget in today's age of coasters , Cedar point has 11 coasters that are higher than this and 6 of them are twice as high or higher .