coasterdude5

1996 18th Season Welcome to the official summer season! It's that time of year when the weather gets hotter and the days get even longer! With the park's newest attractions being built seemingly everywhere but within Gardenhill Pass, it's not surprising that the area is empty. Waiting for the Derecho train to return to the station... It's nice to see the sun out! Today's the first day I've been to the park this season where it hasn't been raining! I got some lunch at the Salt Water Cafe before riding a few more rides. The line for Scooby Doo seems to even out later in the day. I figured I would treat my stomach to a ride on Vortex before departing. Bad idea! - Joe

^ Hmmm... All I can say is double double check that you have all the CS sets on the list. 1996 18th Season I took a trip to the park today for a quick update, but before I show those photos, here are the remaining photos from my ride on Scooby Doo and the Mystery Mansion. The courtyard scene is the spookiest of them all! Watch out for the ghosts that call the courtyard forest home! There is plenty to look at during this portion of the ride. This is about as much as they would let me see - you'll have to ride the ride for yourself to see everything! It is an excellent addition for the park, indeed. My visit to the park was cut short by a thunderstorm. Perhaps tomorrow will be better! - Joe

1996 18th Season Here are some more photos of Scooby Doo and the Mystery Mansion from last week's opening day. The mystery machine travels through various rooms of the mansion, including the study. Throughout the adventure, riders encounter Scooby and the gang several times. The ride is slow moving, but there are several pop-out surprises along the way! The ride is great for the entire family. The mystery machine then heads to the mansion's courtyard... Find out what's in the courtyard tomorrow! - Joe

1996 18th Season I went to the park at night - I thought it was fitting for a Scooby Doo ride! Unfortunately, Scooby and the gang made an appearance at the park earlier in the day so I missed them by a few hours. While some of Monster Mash Hotel's facade was reused, it's very hard to tell what's old and what's new - the new Mystery Mansion towers over and extends into the midway. A portion of the queue takes guests outside of the "mansion." We're getting closer to the station! The guys at Six Flags were kind enough to allow me to take my camera on the ride. Guests board 12-seat "mystery machines" that take them through the ride. The mystery machines travel through several hallways and corridors of the mansion. I'll have more photos from the ride soon! - Joe

Besides it sounding awesome, I'm just excited B&M is producing something new. Perhaps this will be successful so that U.S. parks can get their hands on one!

1996 Announcement SCOOBY DOO AND THE MYSTERY MANSION TO OPEN AT SIX FLAGS SOUTH CAROLINA IN 1996 Scooby Doo and his gang will take the place of Monster Mash Hotel at Six Flags South Carolina in 1996. Riders will hop in the Mystery Machine and cruise through the halls and courtyard of the mysterious mansion. The ride will be designed and constructed by ScreamTrax of South Carolina. The ride will be the first of its kind in the nation. "This is a perfect addition to our lineup of attractions," said a Six Flags spokesman. "We want to continue to remain the number one spot in the Carolinas for family entertainment. Some pieces of the former Monster Mash Hotel will be incorporated into the new darkride attraction, including portions of the ride's facade. "We understand that Monster Mash Hotel was a classic for many locals," said the spokesman. "However, upkeep costs were becoming increasingly expensive. We saw a replacement as a more feasible option." The show building that housed Monster Mash Hotel will be expanded by 25% to make way for Scooby Doo and the Mystery Mansion. The ride is expected to open in April of 1996. Also announced today is the return of a well known name of the amusement park - Joseph Reynolds. Reynolds will regain his position as park manager in 1996. "I am so grateful to regain this position. I look forward to spending many more years working with this team and continuing to improve Six Flags South Carolina." Reynolds was the manager of the park for several years when it was known as Charleston Gardens. He worked as the manager of Geauga Lake in Ohio from 1990 to 1995.

1995 17th Season Today is likely the last day I'll get to visit the park this season. We should be hearing an announcement regarding Monster Mash Hotel's replacement very soon. A boarded up and closed Monster Mash Hotel was a sad sight to see. An afternoon thundershower put a damper on many of the park activity. Thankfully the rain cleared after a couple of hours. The carousel's line was unusually long this afternoon! See you next season! - Joe Martin

Six Flags built two "Mr. Freeze" coasters in one year. 1995 17th Season Today is Monster Mash Hotel's last day of operation, and its replacement has yet to be announced. I took some photos of Monster Mash Hotel - because in a few days, it will be a thing of the past. I've been told by my "sources" that the ride's building will be completely gutted and even expanded by 25% for the ride's replacement. The ride system was created by a local Charleston company which is no longer in business. Had the ride not been protected inside the builing, it likely would not have been able to reopen after the hurricane. Some of the scenery pieces will be sent to local museums. Heading back towards Mainstreet! The line was still long even as the park was closing. Farewell, Monster Mash Hotel.

1995 17th Season This sign was posted outside of the ride today: "MONSTER MASH HOTEL TO CLOSE ON JULY 14 Attention park guests: We regret to inform you that Monster Mash Hotel will close on July 14. We look forward to unveiling a new exciting attraction in its place in 1996!" I really hate to see a classic go, but Monster Mash Hotel was showing its age. It opened with the park in 1975 and has not been updated since. I wonder if they will utilize the same ride system or go with a new one. Only time will tell! I was somewhat saddened by the announcement, so I decided to go ride Batman to cheer me up! This always does the trick! It was a beautiful day! I'll see you tomorrow as we revisit Monster Mash Hotel!

Hi all! Coaster101 is holding its third annual photography contest! Last year's was a huge success with nearly 50 amazing photos showcased. This year we are doing things a bit differently by introducing three entry categories. These categories are: Original (for unedited photos), Edited (photoshopped photos), and Humor (we'll see how this goes). You can learn more about these categories by clicking the link below. If you think you might be interested, click here to read over the rules and enter! We will accept entries through July 26. You can enter one photo per category. Voting will begin closer to the end of July. Please feel free to post here if you have any questions about the contest. I look forward to seeing your entries!

^ That's smoke from the Charleston Railway steam engine.

1995 17th Season I was told by a park official today that an announcement will be made next week regarding a "change in attraction lineup." I believe that means an attraction will be leaving. Good morning, Six Flags! I was at the park early this morning to interview the park president for an article I'm writing. Batman: The Ride was testing as I was walking through the park. The park was very quiet this early in the morning! No music, no guests - it was very eerie. A much needed fence was added around the perimeter of Batman's base. You wouldn't want anyone somehow getting under there! The park opened and the line began to fill. Another day at this great park! - Joe

1995 17th Season Some sources that I've met since the park reopened are all in agreement that the attraction to close this year will be one of the original rides that opened with the park. This leaves Parachute Falls, Indigo Plunge, Monster Mash Hotel, and Scrambler as the rides in question. Indigo Plunge and Monster Mash Hotel both sit on large plots of land - could the park be planning something else to fit onto one of these footprints? If the park is removing one of these attractions to make room for another attraction, I can't see them removing Scrambler or Parachute Falls as they won't free up too much space. Stay tuned! We should know which attraction will close very soon! I'd hate to see Indigo Plunge leave. Even though we have two more great water rides, nothing beats the classic log flume! My "sources" could be wrong. We could see a newer attraction leave as well, or none at all! Thunder River was down for most of the morning - the line began filling quickly once it reopened. It's a nice relief on a hot day such as today! New lighting has been installed to the police car scene near the exit of Batman: The Ride. Gotham still needs Batman! - Joe

1995 17th Season The 17th season continues and we're hearing rumors that yet another attraction might close this year! As you know from yesterday's update, the swan boats did not open with the park and from the looks of it, they're not coming back. The question is... which attraction will get the axe? Some have said Scrambler will be the ride that is removed. Scrambler is one of the few rides remaining that opened with the park. The others are Charleston Railway, Parachute Falls, Indigo Plunge, and Monster Mash Hotel. Forgive me if I forgot any! The ride's line still gets pretty long, as seen here! Scrambler needs to stay. Harbortown still has some large gaps in it from what was removed after the hurricane. The area needs all the attractions it can get. Have a great day! - Joe

1995 17th Season Hello! As we continue through this season, many are beginning to speculate as to what is coming down the pipes for next year. I've heard a lot of ideas. Everything from a new rollercoaster to an entire new area has been thrown around. So far there is no physical proof as to what could be coming to Six Flags South Carolina next season but you know I'll keep you informed! Good morning, Six Flags! Indigo Plunge's line isn't quite as long now that Tidal Wave has opened up. Vulture's line is still long. Derecho still lights up the sky - I hope that view never changes! Unfortunately, the swan boats did not return this season. No one knows, or will say, why... - Joe

1995 17th Season The park has been open for a couple of weeks now and the attendance numbers are holding steady. At least that's what they tell me! Tidal Wave continues to gain popularity among park guests, especially as we approach the hot summer months! With a lot of focus on Harbortown, Vulture has also experienced some renewed interest among guests. It's an exciting ride! Hold on tight! Now, we wait. Goodbye now! - Joe Martin

Hey there, RCT: The Ride! This looks insanely painful/fun. I can't wait to see a video of it in action.

1995 16th Season Today's opening was seemingly just as huge as last year's. The crowds were unbelievable - Tidal Wave's line was never under an hour. The crowds quickly migrated to the park's newest attraction, Tidal Wave. You're about to get soaked! The fast operation by Six Flags staff was praised throughout the day. It's great to see this part of the park full of life once again. Rather than making a 180 degree turn out of the station, Tidal Wave boats would have climbed a short lift hill before using the park's hilly terrain to plunge about 40 feet. Charleston Railway gives you a great view of the ride. I'm very excited about this season!

1995 17th Season I was invited to a special media day preview of Tidal Wave at the park today. It looks like a fun ride! I was told quite an interesting backstory to Tidal Wave. Up until three or four months ago, Tidal Wave was going to be a hybrid water/steel rollercoaster. That black piece of track I spotted was to be included in the rollercoaster section of the ride. However, Premier, the ride manufacturer, experienced problems with a model of the ride in their factory. They brought these problems to Six Flags officials and rather than taking a risk on ongoing problems, Premier and Six Flags decided to go with a more traditional ride. Throughout the ride, you can still see the "coaster" track that would have taken the ride on a twisted journey through the woods behind the ride. However, this track now simply guides the boats along their course. Premier says they hope to have the liquid coaster concept developed at another park within five years. The ride features two stations to increase capacity. The ride is fun - but don't expect to stay dry! Even onlookers will get soaked! The ride's sixty-foot drop is considerably bigger than Indigo Plunge's. The park opens for its 17th season tomorrow! - Joe

1995 17th Season I will get an exclusive look at Tidal Wave tomorrow before the ride opens to the public! - Joe

1994 16th Season We're nearing the end of the park's first season as Six Flags South Carolina and things are really picking up for next year's new ride. Hmmm.... Is a new coaster heading to Six Flags South Carolina? I do believe that is rollercoaster track! "Just one more ride on the bumper cars?" See you tomorrow for the announcement! - Joe

1994 16th Season We're nearing August and work is already beginning for next year's addition! We've been told the new ride will be constructed on top of Harbortown Drive's old foundation. I did a little "investigative journalism" and peeked through the fence to get a peak at what was going on. It looks like they've dug quite a hole in the ground. Perhaps a foundation for the new ride? I'm glad this ride is coming to the Harbortown area - it was so badly damaged after the storm. Hopefully this new attraction will breathe new life into the park. Security was called to this dispute between two families over a line-jumping matter. Uh oh! The new ride will be announced on Wednesday! - Joe

1994 16th Season Well, it's June and that means the summer season is upon us! The crowds are still heavy and the rides are running non-stop. I went to the park this afternoon and took a few rides on Derecho. I'm writing a story on the history of the ride and I figured riding it in person would be a great place to start! The entrance has remained unchanged since Six Flags bought the park. The coaster is the tallest of its kind in the Carolinas. The first drop is fun, especialy in the back of the train. The coaster is fast and forceful. Don't ride after eating a big lunch! Derecho is the longest coaster at Six Flags South Carolina. What a ride! Thanks for reading - who knows when I'll pop back into the park! - Joe

1994 16th Season I took my family to the park today. It's been a week since the park reopened, but the crowds aren't dying down! Six Flags needs to crack down on guest conduct - this is nothing my kids need to see! RoadRunner Express is a great coaster for the entire family! The first drop is small, perfect for beginner coaster riders! I hope Six Flags keeps this ride for years to come. Viper is more intense than Road Runner, but it's still an excellent attraction. We grabbed some lunch at the Saltwater Cafe and ate under Viper's loop. Washout had a lengthy line throughout the day, luckily we were able to get a few rides on it. What a view! By late afternoon, the park was packed. Check back soon as we revisit Derecho! - Joe

Oh, how I so wish this was real. Nevertheless, I am really excited about this. You have some very big shoes to fill in order to come close to the original!