![[IMAGE]](tidal.gif)
Tidal wave, formally of Great America IL
It was on a cold May day in 1978 that the coaster to end all coasters took its first batch of screaming passengers to the height of excitement , but it was all down hill from there. The tidal wave was a revolutionary coaster when it opened. MY first recolection of it was looking at one of its revision points from kiddyland ( now buggs bunny yukon teritory [ soon to be cartoon central]) The ride was and is a big draw! You see, in 1992 when the ride was removed to make room for batman: The Ride, they changed the coaster to a Viper setting and moved it to Georgia where it sits on a hill very close to the Ninja and Great American Scream Machine ( for all of those who cant find it, its tucked behind a building next to the southern star ampitheater).
The ride was the best as far as effects! Although i must say that you sould see behind the ride ( veryunflatering vew of somthing witch was not ment to be viewed) im glad batman solved all the problums and built "blinders" if you will. The coaster was built with movie "WAVES" along the launching path! Oh and I hope you rode it at night because the whole ride was lined with "chasing lights" so as you burst out of the station you havve an increased sense of speed because the lights move against you! The coaster was a fierce one too! If you rode in the front car and flipped through the giant loop, you felt the incredible force of 6 G'S a force only imaginable now! The quie was something to marvle at. The old looking poles and ancores had real algae and slime on them! (on purpose or not i dont know) The loop of the coaster is built over a lake so as you go backwards over the loop you are facing straght down into the lake! (many floating items if you know what i mean!)
In August of '97 I went to see the old kid in its new location. I must admit that the themeing is just as good as ever, although as different as night and day. The rides new name is the Viper and props include barrells, swamps, snakes, and abandoned fishing piers. Also watch out for the snakes in the bags! Are they real or not? I don't know but I would'nt get close until I was sure!
Where to Ride:
#'s indicate best (1) to worst (10)
Front Seat Front Car: (2) good as far as view and excitment but theres something missing...
Second Seat Front Car: (1) this gives a rougher ride with incredable air time over the loop the second time. in the first ime over the loop you go really fast but watch out because as you go over it backwards you go so slow that you almost tumble out of your seat! along with its semi ristricted view, it gives a great ride!
1st Seat 2nd Car:(6) a good ride with not as much of the air time sensation, return trip leaves something to be dsired.
2nd Seat 2nd car: (7) this seat gives no real sensation but ok none the less.
1st Seat 3rd Car: (10) this seat sucks! its almost dead middle and is a really bore! no sensation on the return trip eather!
2nd Seat 3rd Car:(9) a slightly better ride than the one in front of it, although the bumpyness will only do so much!
1st Seat 4th Car: (8) this seat is an ok ride the return trip's revision point is a better sensation then the first.
2nd Seat 5th Car: (9) this is a alright seat, it provides a bumpy ride with little vision and a good return trip.
1st Seat 6th Car: (4) this seat is real cool! it is a good ride on the first run but on the ending revision point you are really close to aas high as you can go! killer air!
2nd Seat 6th Car:(3) this seat is incredable! you are pulled slowly around the loop the forwards time and fling throuh it faast teh secound! then when you think its over you are rockeded up a huge tower where you think your straight up and down! great air!