Six Flags Great America steel roller coasters Whizzer, X Flight: Old vs. new (with video)

GURNEE — As Six Flags Great America celebrates "40 Seasons of Thrills," I wanted to look at how steel roller coasters have evolved at the park.

THE WHIZZER

The Whizzer was one of three roller coasters at Great America when the amusement park opened in 1976, and nearly 40 years later this family-friendly ride is still whizzing riders along on 3,100 feet at a top speed of 45 miles per hour.

I found the ride surprisingly smooth for its age and the train cars, which accommodate up to two riders toboggan-style, were comfortable with plenty of leg room. As I spiraled around the track and zipped through a wooded area and over a pond I thoroughly was enjoying this easy-going short ride. It was my first ride at Great America, and I can see why its a guest favorite.

X FLIGHT

As Great America's newest steel coaster – debuting in 2012 – X Flight represents the kind of high-thrill ride that will get adrenaline pumping. While the top speed is only 10 mph faster than Whizzer at 55 mph this wing coaster got my heart racing and everyone screaming from the second we plunged off the 120-foot hill. It's 100 feet shorter than the Whizzer, but plunging upside-down over and over as your feet dangle, I'd say it's 100 times the thrill. It was hands down, my favorite ride at the park.

[ Great America's wooden roller coasters American Eagle, Goliath: Old vs. new (with video) ]