Six Flags America (SFA) Discussion Thread

[ArizonaGuy]

So pretty much it's the new Six Flags AstroWorld of the chain is what you're saying? Well as far as a dump for used coasters.

[Password121]

I wouldn't say it's a dump for used coasters, as I believe Ragin' Cajun is only their second (excluding Wild One). Also, I'd much rather have a used coaster than no coaster, which is likely the alternative. However, I believe what takes away all the character from these coasters is that every single coaster at SFA is either relocated or a clone. Not that clones are bad coasters, as to my knowledge they are slightly cheaper for the park, and they can be world class coasters (Superman when it opened was top of the line, now it's a tame, older hyper coaster). However, when EVERY roller coaster is a clone, the park loses any the draw of having nine coasters when you can just go to another park and ride the exact same ride.

[megametal]

Just to split hairs, Roar and Superman both opened before their counterparts in SFDK and Darien Lake, so wouldn't they be the originals?

[TheDarkMaxim]

Roar, yes. SROS, no. Darien Lake's opened a year before.

[Dr. M]

I wouldn't say it's a dump for used coasters, as I believe Ragin' Cajun is only their second (excluding Wild One). Also, I'd much rather have a used coaster than no coaster, which is likely the alternative. However, I believe what takes away all the character from these coasters is that every single coaster at SFA is either relocated or a clone. Not that clones are bad coasters, as to my knowledge they are slightly cheaper for the park, and they can be world class coasters (Superman when it opened was top of the line, now it's a tame, older hyper coaster). However, when EVERY roller coaster is a clone, the park loses any the draw of having nine coasters when you can just go to another park and ride the exact same ride.

 

I thought that might be misunderstood, my "used car lot" analogy wasn't implying all the coasters are used, it refers to the way they're all just plopped down next to each other on a flat stretch of land with no imagination or flow. The fact they're almost all clones doesn't help.

[sackninja]

Roar, yes. SROS, no. Darien Lake's opened a year before.

 

Mind eraser was the first of the four in Six Flags America. So out of the three clones at the park two originated in this park. That's not that bad.

[Password121]

My point is that there isn't one coaster at SFA that you can't/couldn't ride at another park at some point. There is no one coaster that is specific to SFA, and opening one season before it's clone one the 90's doesn't mean it is an SFA original that draws people to the park. Here is what I mean:

Superman- Mirror image of Darien Lake's Ride of Steel

Batwing- Clone of Nighthawk at Carowinds, there is one more elsewhere in country I believe

Joker's Jinx- Clone of Flight of Fear coasters and Poltergeist at Fiesta Texas

Mind Eraser- It's an SLC. There are enough of these that people don't want to ride

Roar- Slightly tweaked then cloned at SFDK. It doesn't make a difference which was first, it's a clone.

Wild One- Not a clone, but relocated

Apocalypse- Relocated

Ragin' Cajun- Relocated

 

Being a clone DOESN'T mean a coaster is bad, it just means that it isn't unique to that park, and could be ridden elsewhere.

[Dr. M]

Haha, I was about to point out that Wild One is the only coaster that's unique and original to the park, turns out that's relocated too. Still a good ride though, worth the trip just for that if you have a season pass.

 

But yeah, my point stands, SFA has no soul.

 

EDIT: I do revise one prior statement though, more theming would help, but only if it was quirky and unique. Something, anything, that says, "We enjoy amusement parks, we like what we do, we have a sense of humor, and we are capable of making decisions thay don't come straight from corporate headquarters."

[megametal]

The Wild One was relocated almost 30 years ago, though, and isn't the same as it was when brought from Paragon Park. It's restored to the way it was pre-1963 with the last two hills and the helix. I doubt most know it was relocated anyway. The same way I doubt many will ride Roar at SFDK. It may be a clone, but the other one is thousands of miles away. Also, Batwing isn't the same as Nighthawk. It has inline twists, whereas Nighthawk has corkscrews at the end. It also has a helix before the brake run, which Nighthawk does not. It is the same as the one at KI, though. Still, I know what you're sayin'. The park really needs an original coaster, and soon. Either a completely new RMC coaster back behind the white water ride and Mind Eraser or a wing-rider.

[Password121]

SFA's problem is that they are surrounded by larger regional parks that they can't compete with in any category. Especially coasters. I live less then 50 miles from the park and around 100 miles from Kings Dominion, and last fall I planned a trip to SFA with my friends. None of them had heard of it, and one was saying that he can't wait to ride the Intimidator. I completely understand why SFA is overlooked regionally, with KD, BGW, SFGadv, Dorney, and possibly others I'm forgetting. They just can't compete. They need something that will catch attention, something that you just can't get at other regional parks.

[Dr. M]

I'm not sure why people keep mentioning Dorney and SFGA as competition, Dorney at least is way too far away to be considered competition, most people in Maryland would not drive four hours to spend a day at Dorney.

 

But I'll add that Dorney is a fine example of a park that went through severe corporatization and several mediocre ride relocations, and came out of it a fine-looking park with lots trees and shade, and at least a sliver of soul.

[Password121]

If you live between the two parks, or it's 2 hours mot SFA and 3 hours to Dorney, people would likely be more down to Dorney or Great Adventure. There is no big draw to SFA, and that makes it more difficult to compete with regional parks.

[Rayj]

If SFA had to remove 1 roller coaster to build a "new" attraction for 2015 then which roller coaster in the park would you want to be replaced? I would say minderaser , even though I like it.

[megametal]

I'd remove Mind Eraser as well. Second choice would be Batwing. Between those two coasters is enough room for a whole new section. One that would complete the circle so the park would only have one dead end (Mardis Gras). Put a great coaster back there and 2 or 3 flat rides and the park would be much better.

[CPSFMMCW]

I don't think they need to remove any attraction if they needed to expand. Simply expand beyond mind eraser. But if they have to remove on for some weird reason, then get rid of the SLC!

[vacoaster09]

My point is that there isn't one coaster at SFA that you can't/couldn't ride at another park at some point. There is no one coaster that is specific to SFA, and opening one season before it's clone one the 90's doesn't mean it is an SFA original that draws people to the park. Here is what I mean:

Superman- Mirror image of Darien Lake's Ride of Steel

Batwing- Clone of Nighthawk at Carowinds, there is one more elsewhere in country I believe

Joker's Jinx- Clone of Flight of Fear coasters and Poltergeist at Fiesta Texas

Mind Eraser- It's an SLC. There are enough of these that people don't want to ride

Roar- Slightly tweaked then cloned at SFDK. It doesn't make a difference which was first, it's a clone.

Wild One- Not a clone, but relocated

Apocalypse- Relocated

Ragin' Cajun- Relocated

 

Being a clone DOESN'T mean a coaster is bad, it just means that it isn't unique to that park, and could be ridden elsewhere.

 

Being that we are people interested in the amusement industry, yes your opinion is completely valid. I think that to most guest who don't pay much attention to the industry, really aren't concerned if a ride is relocated or if there are 2 other coasters in the world like Batwing (one being an exact clone which opened the same year) nor know that Joker's Jinx is the same ride as Flight of Fear (sans the braking and building). I've personally have never been to Darien Lake but it doesn't bother me that there is a mirror located elsewhere in the US. Roar has a clone on the opposite coast but SFA's was the first. We could go down the list but overall, that valid point is is that many in the enthusiast community are simply saying, they want to to see SFA build something unique and specific to SFA. I am all for that! I think that it could only benefit SFA as it will help keep it competitive. I too know what people mean when they overhear people in line at Superman comparing the ride to Intimidator.... that just furthers the point that SFA needs something original.... which is also why I think it is great that SFA got approval from the county board to change some of the restrictions over the park.

 

I also ditto the comment about the park lacking some of the appeal and TREES which is why im anxious to see how Mardis Gras turns out. Im interested in seeing what this new management puts out.

 

Lastly, while Im sure we would want an original high thrill ride next year... I just want folks to remember that the park is finally filling in its holes. I rather them fill in their empty ride pads before they do something huge. Ragin Cajun and French Quarter Flyers takes care of two empty ride pads. That leaves 3 holes remaining the old sky escaper pad (which I think would be perfect for a 400ft sky screamer (I'd call it the "Star Spangled Sky Screamer" to fit the america theme.. plus that location is centered with the park entry gate ... " they also have the old Krypton Komet pad and The Tilt pad (if you want to include it).

 

As far as something original that would compliment the park, I think a custom RMC would be perfect, a wing rider (probably too expensive), a custom el loco (not sure what those cost), if they went with a cloned el loco they should enclose it in the dark make it arkham asylum themed, another launch coaster sky loop or something something visually unique. I'm all for it... Building Custom probably Brings In Cash! So hopefully the park is positioning itself to afford custom.

[CPSFMMCW]

^ I wouldn't go as far as a 400 ft skyscreamer, however I do think that a skyscreamer will come to the park in 2015. the park had its height limit extended (I believe) and so they can build over 205 feet. Or they could just keep it at 205, as the same height as Superman. I think we'll instead see the 400 ft skyscreamer as Magic Mountain, and heres why. That will mean there will be a 400 footer at 3 points in the US. One on east coast, one in the Middle, and one on the west coast.I vote for the title "Las Angeles Skyscreamer." Just has a better ring to it than the California SkyScreamer.

[StarWars]

You also should remember that anything Roar or earlier was built/relocated during the Adventure World days. If I recall, Mind Eraser was the first SLC built in North America. Then there's Wild One. Those are the only coaster remaining from those days though, as Python (half of Lightning Loops from SFGADv) and The Great Alonzo's Cannonball Coaster (Kiddie Coaster) are removed/relocated. I really would have liked to see where Adventure World would have been headed had they not been bought. I think they were doing really cool things. I still like SFA, but if given a choice I would choose HP/BGW/KD every time. They need to do a few things like remove dead ends. Examples: Connect Southwest Territory (soon to be Mardi Gras) to Gotham City and create a new area that would allow a connection from Coyote Creek to Whistletop Park/Gotham City.

[Password121]

Adding on to what I was mentioning, it doesn't really make a difference if a ride is a clone or not, as most people won't know that. However, when all you have is clones/relocations, there are no headliners in your park simply because it is not unique, and and will not draw attention. For example, take Kings Dominion. Why are its coasters better than SFA? One headliner, along with a few unique supporting coasters like Volcano and Dominator. Do most of the park visitors know that Dominator is relocated? Absolutely not. So why should people care if SFA's are clones/relocated? Because they don't have a headliner to draw attention to the park and make it unique from other parks in any way. Without I-305, Kings Dominion wouldn't be as popular, and that's the truth. Sure, KD is more family friendly and has better atmosphere, but that doesn't draw people as much as having the only Giga coaster on the east coast, and only one of four worldwide. So what should SFA do, in my opinion? Well, before they consider building any new $20 million dollar coasters, they need to improve the park as a whole. I-305 helped KD greatly, but it was already a very good park because of what I previously mentioned. SFA needs to improve atmosphere, shade, guest services, and operations before they roll the on something big. The park has a diverse coaster collection, regardless of whether they are clones or not. They need to attract families that will SPEND MONEY at the park and improve their reputation, which they have been doing steadily the past five years or so. In fact, I'm getting an SFA season pass this year. However, due to what I mentioned, I will likely be visiting Six Flags Great Adventure more often than SFA.

[loop-de-loop]

Do you not consider Superman a headliner coaster? Sure, Darien Lake has a mirrored clone, but Darien Lake isn't competitor. And isn't Wild One a decent coaster too? I've never been to the park but from what I've heard I've never thought that their coaster selection was as bad as people on here are saying.

[Password121]

If you look at nearby competition (KD, BGW, and SFGadv), it cannot grab attention to make people want to visit SFA over another nearby option. Sure, it is a good coaster, as is Wild One, and I agree with you, SFA's collection is not as bad as many say, however, they don't have any coasters that can compete with nearby headliners(Intimidator 305, Griffon/Apollo's Chariot, El Toro, Nitro, Kingda Ka). I have no problem knowing that Darien Lake has a mirrored clone of Superman, but SFA's lineup is not going to grab attention from these nearby competitors that have higher attendance and nationally ranked coasters. If SFA was inclined to build an I-305 clone, that would grab attention and make them competitors regardless that it's a clone. However, their current coasters aren't going to grab regional, and by no means national attention.

[TheDarkMaxim]

I think the clones aren't really the problem. I think its more of the fact that they're just thrown in the middle of a field.

[Rayj]

Superman has been the headliner for about 14 years now , it's time for a new one . Also , SFA should have kept skull mountain and put apocalypse maybe by the batwing because very thing seems too close together and in the back of the park near superman and batwing seems very dead and needs a bathroom

[Password121]

I agree, the back of the park seems like it was planned by a lizard. I know they had plans to add more coasters after Batwing, maybe they were going to go around there. Also, as for Superman, it is a decent hypercoaster that was seen as cutting edge for a while. I don't have a major problem with it, but it cannot compete with the hypers/headliners of the nearby regional parks. It just doesn't have the draw of a "The tallest coaster in the southeast" (I-305). I'm not saying SFA needs. A Giga, but they need something unique in the region that will be a draw for more than just locals and credit seekers.

[CPSFMMCW]

Yes, I agree that SFA does have some attractions that are desirable. It has the only GCI nearby. The next closest is at Hershey, which isnt that close actually. It has the only intamin hypercoaster nearby. It has the only flying coaster nearby. The only Vekoma SLC nearby. And another B&M stand up. The only spinning coaster nearby. As someone who lives in this area, it is desirable and heres why. Yes, none of the ttractions are anything special. But the coaster line up works with the line up in the surrounding area. Yes, KD and BGW have better coasters OVERALL. However, the attractions that they do have offer rides that you can't get anywhere else around. And speaking for someone that lives in the area and doesn't get to travel to as many parks as I'd like to, the line up is good! It works! Ok! So please just stop criticising the park for its line up. So what if most of the coasters are clones!? Who cares!? It works in the area!