Vertical Velocity or V2

This coaster’s got a twisted sense of humor. It’s also got some impulsive tendencies.
Ba-​dum tss! Get it? Because it’s an Intamin ‘twisted impulse’ model? Ahhh coaster puns.
Thanks to the magic of Linear Induction Motors (LIMs) you’re catapulted from 0−70mph in under 4 seconds towards the top of a spiral tower. You’re then yanked back through the station to the top of a second, straight tower, and the process is repeated two more times. Back in 2009, the use of the holding brake on the back tower ceased due to issues with maintenance. Whatever, it was sorta gimmicky to begin with.
There’s some lovely hangtime [weightlessness] on either tower section, and the initial launch is still loads of fun… in the front row. In fact, I find that Vertical Velocity is one of three coasters in the park where front row riding is absolutely mandatory (the other two being Batman and Superman). Any other row on this ride just doesn’t deliver half the thrills that the very front does. It’s well worth the wait, to be honest.
Unfortunately, the nature of this shuttle-​type roller coaster prevents multi train operation, and the boarding process is relatively slow. This results in VERY long wait times, generally upwards of 60 – 90 minutes. I recall falling asleep in line once en route to a 2 hour wait. On top of that, the shrieking sounds emitted by the eddy-​current braking system are tough to listen to repeatedly and the initial launch makes a shrill screeching noise that’ll most certainly get on your nerves.
V2, a.k.a. ‘V squared’, a.k.a. ‘V-​to-​the-​second-​power’ is far from the best ride @ SFGAm. Given its typically unending lines and unremarkable layout (there’s 5 other Intamin impulse coasters in circulation), it can be ignored on a trip to Great America with little regret. Only bother riding if the wait is under 45 minutes, lest you find yourself nodding off in line like Eric S.
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4.5* for the front row, 2.5* for the ride itself.
3.5*; I was here on media day in May of 2001 and rode it so much that I’m practically desensitized to the launch. But the view from the front while climbing to the top of that spiral tower is still a heckuva rush.

This ride is a fan favorite and is thrilling! It’s one of my favorite rides at Six Flags Great America!
Vertical Velocity opened its doors in 2001. It is the only launch coaster in the park. It launches at speeds between 65 and 70mph! The track is U-​shaped. The names that park guests and coaster fans are V2 or Vertical Velocity. I bet it’s V times 2! The ride starts with the launch, and it goes in a spiral tower that is about 185 feet tall. The train reverses towards a second tower. The «brake» on the second tower is no longer on the ride. It goes up the second tower, then it reverses a few more times. I’d say the part after the first time you drop on the second tower is the fastest.
There is one issue about the ride. First off, we can get long lines on roller coasters. I think the award for the longest waiting time for a train to launch is Vertical Velocity. That’s why the line is so long sometimes. The lines can be up to about 90 minutes.
All in all, thrilling roller coaster, but the long waiting time for the train to launch is getting irritating. I will still be on this coaster here!

This is an OK coaster, but the extremely long wait times due to the single train operation makes this a coaster that I haven’t waited in line for in over three years.

best thrill ride in the park!

Prepare for launch! This coaster has the highest amount of G-​forces and the highest rate of acceleration in the park. I feel this ride is underrated because of the simple track design. It is one of the best ride experiences in the park proving a ride doesn’t have to be big and complicated to be great.

ARE U A ROCKET SCIENTIST?
No I’m just the dummy they strapped into a suspended roller coaster. In which, some 18 year old kid hits a button and launches me forward on a track 185 feet into the air at 70 MPH in 4 seconds. And then I go backwards on the same track at 70 MPH and up 185 feet in the air where myself and other screaming riders are dangling parallel to the ground. Only to get shot back at 70 MPH and back up to 185 feet in the air. Now I know what a lab rat feels like. Oh yeah I’m going backwards again on the same track.
In fact, I need to be a Rocket Scientist to understand how this ride works. The V2 uses an advanced design electromagnetic propulsion system to launch riders at 70 MPH in 4 seconds. What? I decided to do some more research. This type of system is also called Pims, which stands for propelled by linear induction motors. That sounds easy enough. Not!!! In fact, my head is starting to hurt from all of this technical scientific reading I am doing. So I will give you a link to learn about Pims on your own. Make sure you read it because there will be a quiz tomorrow.
Okay enough about science! All I know is that this ride is intense. The sudden burst of speed is incredible. I also love this ride from the front car. I always feel like I am going to shoot off the front of the track as I fly straight into the air.
The ride is short but the line is long, so expect to wait. On a good day this ride should accomadate about 700 riders per hour but throw in a few breakdowns and people coming in the back gate and that number goes down. The reason this ride takes so long is because there is only one track and only one train. Typically a roller coaster might have 2 to 3 trains running, so staff can always be loading a train while the ride is going. Not here, so expect a slow painful wait in line.
So are you scared? Don’t be! This ride has been launching riders since May of 2001. It is a sudden thrill but it doesn’t last long. This ride is located very near to Batman: the ride. In fact, why not ride both and get the suspended roller coaster tracks out of the way. That sounds like a great plan!
if you haven’t ridden the V2, then its time to feel some sudden speed. Thanks Pims!