Sluggo77

^Welp got me hook, line and sinker. Note to self, translate comments before sharing in the TPR Facebook group. Hey at least it added some life to the discussion today LOL.

^Yea I’ve done a few of these recently which featured several different concepts and ideas. Some sound like they could be fun and at least something the parks can possibly still do. The survey’s let me pick any of the parks to start so definitely generic and some ideas were tailored around specific parks and not SFNE which I picked. One was for a special edition fireworks show that sounded like it would be a fit for Fiesta Texas as an example. I hope this type of thinking and ideas are just the beginning of what we might see from SF’s new management team moving forward even beyond the current situation.

I did make it to this park for my first ever visit on our way back from BGW and KD in 2019. I honestly can't really think of anything good to say about our visit to SFA, doesn't help that I was comparing our great visits to the other two parks, but specifically in reference to Firebird I'll just say holy crap I don't think I've ever had my head bang so much on a ride. For what looks like a smaller slower coaster it was just down right painful. I think it's great when parks try to bring new life into subpar rides and it improves them like Riddler at SFNE but in this instance it really seems like it was a complete waste of money.

With the four trains I could swear I had read it would have the moving station but I’m struggling to confirm that info.

Wow such a great report. Looks like a fun park to visit. Seeing the TPR videos and reading your comments about Lech Coaster I really hope these start to pop up here in the states. Thanks for sharing!

^Fiesta Texas also added the drive-thru experience but that looks like the last park to get it.

This past Friday night, November 27th, Six Flags New England debuted their version of Holiday in the Park Lights. With everything going on this year, including the Massachusetts state specific restrictions, this was the first time that the park has been able to open all season. When you get to the park you'll want to drive right on by the main parking entrance that's across the road from the park. For HITPL, thanks to timed reservations, SFNE is using the preferred parking lot for everyone which is on the same side of the road as the park and is located down in front of the water park. With a reservation entry to HITPL is free for all season pass holders and members. Once you get to the park entrance you are sent through two walk-through scanning areas. The first is for a temperature scan and the second is a general security scan. These couldn't have been quicker or more simple. Really hope this type of flow at the entrance stays as it will speed things up a ton on busy days. So what is Holiday in the Park Lights at SFNE? Let's start with what it isn't. HITPL does not feature any of the parks rides. Ok now that we have that out of the way and hopefully didn't lose you here's what HITPL does offer. It's a one-way walk-through of the park that let's you take in the sights and sounds of SFNE done up for HITPL. When I say a one-way walk-through it really is. Everything is laid out for social distancing and you have to follow the path from the entrance all the way around until you get back to the entrance in order to exit. You can take as much time as you want to walk-through but make sure to stop where ever you might want on your way including the open shops, snacks and restaurants because there is no going back and you can only go through once. The main gift shops, Six Flags Emporium & Looney Tunes Emporium, are open and even inside them things are mapped out with flow through guidelines for distancing. Some snack and dining options are open like Sweets, Brown Derby, Snowflake Soup Company and the Riverboat Cafe which is also featuring a selection of items from JB's since that isn't open. In case you were wondering yes your dining plans and even membership discounts are active for HITPL! Here's a breakdown of the walk-through once through the gate: Head down the right hand side of Main Street and take a right at the Main Street Gazebo Staying on the paths right hand side you'll walk into Rockville and then Gotham City At this point you'll loop back around in front of Harley Quinn and now walk the opposite side of the path back until you get to the entrance to Polar Playland (Kidzopolis) Once through there you come out in the area by Scream and the entrance to DC Universe, more on that in the photos, where you head back down to the area by the Main Street Gazebo but now staying on the opposite side heading towards and through Looney Tunes Movie Town Then you lap around Pandemonium in the North End and hook a right up into Crackaxle Canyon. As you exit Crackaxle Canyon you take another right and are by Riverboat Cafe where you make your final right and head back up the opposite side of Main Street and out the exit. BTW even the exit path back to parking is divided to keep social distancing between those coming and going. So how was Six Flags New England's Holiday in the Park Lights? Of course we all wish the rides were open but with that not being an option for the park I have to say it was just great to finally get the chance to be there this season. We spent about two hours, including some time chatting with friends, although you could go through a lot quicker if you wanted to. What else is there to really do right now so why rush though right? Was it safe? I mean just going to my local grocery store puts you in more contact and proximity with others than what I experienced at the park. They are taking safety and social distancing seriously and at least while I was there the guest in the park were doing the same as well. Being my home park I've been to SFNE a good amount and I have to say I have never run into so many genuinely appreciative employees. Everyone was super friendly. They asked and wanted to make sure that you were having a good time. Overall they all seemed to care, were happy to be there and also were grateful that guests were too. I literally mean this from entering parking through the final park exit. Even though not the ideal scenario I give a lot of credit to the park and staff for still putting on an event that was enjoyable to go and walk through. Can't wait to be back in 2021 to enjoy the rides as well but if you are in the area and looking for something to do it's worth checking SFNE's Holiday in the Park Lights! Here's some shots from the walk-through event. Very odd to say this but welcome to Six Flags New England Opening Day November 27th, 2020! Holiday in the Park Lights! Red ropes like the one seen here were the divider between entering and exiting areas where you passed in both directions. Heading towards Snowflake Falls aka Rockville. There were some photo ops while staying social distant as you went through. In Gotham City they added the Luminary Trail which was also the turn around spot in the South End of the park. Harley Quinn > Nativity Scene? Just saying You can see an example of the One Way signs that were setup. Again since the path goes both ways here there's a rope dividing each side of the path. These stickers were on the paths everywhere and just another reminder to keep social distanced while visiting. In a couple of spots you can still make s'mores at the firepits while walking through. Of course doing so 6ft apart from the next person. Ok this was the surprise of the night. Although the area wasn't open the section formally know as DC Super Hero Adventures has been rebranded as DC Universe with a pretty awesome looking new lit up entry sign. This is where Superman The Ride, Cyborg Hyper Drive, Catwoman Whip and the wild mouse with the world's longest name, we'll just say GCGEFAA, are located. Missed you this year Superman! And the now new for 2021 Supergirl Sky Flyer will be the latest addition coming to DC Universe. The path circles back by Looney Tunes Emporium and then heads toward the North End. Some More S'mores opportunities. So is this a Holiday in the Park display or Fright Fest feeling left out and sneaking into the event? You Decide! Also all around were sanitizing stations. Again SFNE's HITPL was safer and more proactive preventive than my local grocery store. Ok nothing HITPL related but it is Wicked Cyclone after all. One more view of this awesome RMC! Glad I got to visit Six Flags New England in 2020. Looking forward to 2021!

Well even better! Thanks for sharing the clarified info and look forward to seeing a trip report when you visit.

Kind of surprised to see it become an upcharge for season pass holders and members but I still think it's great to see SF's trying new things.

This seems like a pretty smart move by the park. For very little cost they’ve added several more potential operating days. SF’s has really been thinking outside the box to combat the current issues. Very cool to see!

I mean comparing Las Vegas funds to a single park in upstate NY is kind of apples and oranges but I get your point. Doing a quick search here’s a little more info but I’m sure there’s more to it. “But the agreement between the town and Great Escape is clear: If the traffic threshold is met, the company must build the southern portion of its ring road, not just a stub. The southern part of the ring road would connect to the existing road that leads to Great Escape’s parking lots. It would become a second entrance to the parking system, which means Great Escape would have to staff it to collect parking fees.” https://www.adirondackdailyenterprise.com/news/local-news/2019/08/great-escape-seeing-customer-boom/

I have heard and read about it as well. From what I took it isn't a small upgrade but a very large cost factor. I would think they would have to really be pushing for a major attendance jump in order to make it worth it and I doubt one new coaster would be it. SF's would have to focus on strong growth for this park and being it's an easy draw for what it is by location I'd be surprised to see that happen. Limited operations calendar and located in more of a summer vacation destination kind of hurts those chances IMO.

SFNE has announced that The Holiday will Return in the form of Holiday in the Park Lights debuting November 27. Park is describing it as a re-imagined themed experience featuring millions of lights, new treats, and some special surprises. All the details can be found here: https://www.sixflags.com/newengland/events/holiday-in-the-park-lights

ok let me rephrase. I wasn't suggesting a true hyper I just didn't know how to describe that type of experience so that's why I chose the wording. I just mean a coaster with a Nitro type layout all airtime and no inversions. Basically a mini "hyper style" using the Raptor's lower cost of construction. I forget what the height max is for the park but something just below that so over 100ft but not by a whole lot. Just a thought to give the experience but within a more friendly budget and fitting park constraints. I'm sure this idea is wishful thinking but since Comet is the only good coaster in the park right now a second would be welcomed. Truth be told the park is more likely to get a hand me down like Gotham City Gauntlet from SFNE if a "new" coaster is in the parks future. @coasterbill that sounds like exactly what would have happened LOL!

Yes the trail behind it goes down to the picnic grove and the back of the water park is right there. I think there’s even a gate to walk right into the water park. Seems like Alpine Bobsled has at least a little life left in their eyes. It’s never open when I go which isn’t often. Between the Ferris wheel area, bobsled and where pirate ship was and the go carts are now there’s potentially a huge area for water park expansion if that ultimately is the parks main goal. Just wish we’d see at least a second coaster of any value added to compliment Comet. I would think a smaller style coaster in the vain of a hyper maybe from RMC using the Raptor track could be a great addition at a fairly lower cost and could work under the height limits. Since the park is heavy for families it would be less extreme but still a ton of fun. I could even see something like that in ghost town using the space behind the flume where a train used to run when I was a kid back in the Storytown days.

If this does go it wouldn’t have been my top expected ride to get cut but it sits all by itself and never seems to have a lot of riders when I’ve been at the park at least.

^It’s only mentioning the lodge not the park itself. There’s only a couple of things even open in the indoor water park so I wouldn’t expect much. I agree I’m also not far from the park and Cuomo isn’t allowing things to open anytime soon.

I thought Iron Gwazi was going to be another good addition to an already great lineup and this POV doesn't disappoint. Can't wait to get back down to BGT.

Minor tidbit from the SF's HITP/Holiday Lights press release. The Great Escape (Holiday in the Park at the Lodge) is listed. Maybe it's been other years but don't remember. Only a couple of things are even open at the lodge thanks to NY but TGE getting a little mention none the less.

For Boulder at least it was my understanding that Jerry decided to only run one train for the most part. Less wear and tear aka less needed maintenance in the long run. With him moving more into a corporate role it will be interesting to see if that changes a bit.

Yea but something that SFNE doesn’t have would be welcomed too.

Oh no doubt. Like Canobie Coaster mentioned the sky ride is gone but removing wipeout is a much better choice then the flume. Glad that’s staying. They have the new Venus Vortex slide coming in so a positive addition on that front too.

I hear you but for a park that really doesn’t have that many rides it’s just another one gone.

Add to the cost saving cuts. Lake Compounce announced Wipeout is getting the ax. https://www.facebook.com/80018245271/posts/10158490762370272/

SFNE really improved their SLC with the new restraints / trains. Could add some new life to DL’s too.