Six Flags America (SFA) Discussion Thread

[Donkey123]

I wasn't planning on going to this park until next year, but a little change in plans and now I am most likely going to the park this Sunday! I remember someone saying the lines here aren't long, is that still the case? If it has changed can someone tell me what rides to hit first and what rides to leave until the end of the day.

[Password121]

Made a shirt trip to the park today. Some notes/observations...

Started the day with Gold pass entry in Mardi Gras. We ride Fireball, Wild One, Ragin Cajun, the Flyers and Voodoo drop all in about 20 minutes. This area looks very nice now and Fireball really completes the section and is a nice cut through to Gotham.

We then took two rides on Jokers Jinx as it was closed my last visit, followed by a lap on Superman in the back and a ride on Batwing.

Walked around for a bit (about noon at this point and the crowds picked up a bit), and decided to head back to Mardi Gras then Superman for rerides. After this, we left.

Ride count:

Superman: 2x

Jokers Jinx: 2x

Bourbon St Fireball: 2x

One each on Wild One, the Flyers, Ragin Cajun, Voodoo Drop, and Batwing. Didn't ride Apocalypse or Mind Eraser because they suck and I didn't want a headache, skipped Roar running one train with a station wait, which is about 10 mins (which should say how much I dislike the ride as it is).

 

This was the first time I rode Fireball. It was the first ride I took in the morning, and it was pretty enjoyable. My ride in the afternoon, however, was awful. For those wondering, it is manually operated, and the operator on my second ride held the vehicle hanging for a good 4-5 seconds without moving. Being hot, tired, hungry and dehydrated, this was not so much fun. After this I was pretty dizzy and decided to sit for a minute, take a ride on Superman and head home. It's a fine ride overall, I just wasn't a fan of dizzying combined with hanging motionless for more than a split second.

Operations were okay/mediocre, staff was pretty good, park looked nice.

 

Six Flags America could really use another major attraction. In my mind they've improved the park enough and rounded out the family ride selection enough to warrant a new coaster. Roar getting the Iron horse treatment is the best thing that could happen to the park right now, IMO.

I wasn't planning on going to this park until next year, but a little change in plans and now I am most likely going to the park this Sunday! I remember someone saying the lines here aren't long, is that still the case? If it has changed can someone tell me what rides to hit first and what rides to leave until the end of the day.

The park gets a little busier than in years past, but still nothing to worry about. On Sunday's you'll never wait more than 20 minutes for any ride. If you're interested in any of the Mardi Gras rides I'd say got here first as it gets a little busier than other parts of the park since its new. Have a great time!

[blk_mamba]

Man Twisted Roar seems so great. It would be one of the great and the first GCI to be transformed to a RMC. To be honest I don't that will happen. SFA is it in a tough market. They focus on the Baltimore-Washington market but they have Hershey Park and Kings Dominion both trying to court those park goers.

 

It seems like 2016 is going to a water park expansions, which does nothing for me b/c I don't think they are fun or sanitary.

2017 should be a new thrill ride/flat ride. SFA has a decent line up right now personally I'd like to see another B&M or Intamin coaster before re-doing Roar b/c from what I understand it was retracked and when I rode it earlier this year it wasn't that bad.

[WindexCyanide13]

^ When was the last time SF added an intamin or B&M? Unless it's used you won't see one. If it's a new coaster maybe a ground up RMC or a premier.

[Password121]

It seems like 2016 is going to a water park expansions, which does nothing for me b/c I don't think they are fun or sanitary.

2017 should be a new thrill ride/flat ride. SFA has a decent line up right now personally I'd like to see another B&M or Intamin coaster before re-doing Roar b/c from what I understand it was retracked and when I rode it earlier this year it wasn't that bad.

2016 will be a waterpark expansion for sure, but we don't know if it will just be a new splash pad, or an additional slide complex or even a ride on the dry side as well. It's up in the air at this point.

Why do you say 2017 "should" be a flat ride? I'm all for adding flat rides, but there's only so long you can market and expand on years and years of inexpensive additions. You said it yourself, SFA is in a competitive market. This is something they can take advantage of though--this park has waited long enough and made such dramatic changes since its worst days. The park deserves it, the longtime visitors deserve to see this park take a much greater step. Its been inching forward for five years now--time to take the leap. A flat ride is not what this park needs most at this point.

[Donkey123]

Thank you for the information, I love it when parks don't get long lines, it makes you not as rushed or as worried while your at the park. It seems to be a pretty good park with an average coaster selection with Superman, Batwing, and Joker's Jinx. I wish they had a Batman clone here instead of a Mind Eraser, but you can't have everything. Is Wild One as good as people say it is because I here a lot of good things about this classic woodie, I saw the pov and it looked like it had a lot of airtime

[Propeller Factory]

Wild one is short but really fast and really smooth it's so much fun it really is that good.

[Superbatboy]

Wild One is one of the most underrated coasters, it's great!

[Rayj]

Bourbon street fireball is definitely in the top 5 "roller coasters" in park. The only downside of today is that they ran 1 train operations on every roller coaster even though the park was crowded. 30 min waits on every ride. Hopefully with the water park addition next year, they can also add something to the dry side... A flat ride...water ride... Or even retheming in Gotham city. 2017 should celebrate wild one for its 100th birthday with some repainting and some chaser lights or green/purple trains to match the mardi gras theme. 2018 is when roar should get the iron horse treatment for it's 20th birthday.

[Rollercoaster Rider]

^ When was the last time SF added an intamin or B&M? Unless it's used you won't see one. If it's a new coaster maybe a ground up RMC or a premier.

 

 

Intamin- Zoomanjaro (2014) or Green Lantern SFMM (2011)

B&M- X Flight (2012)

 

 

Also... Or S&S

[Highridin]

Yeah, u r right. The park was quite crowded. I went in the late afternoon. They had two trains running on Apocalpse, which doesn't help me any. I don't know what they are thinking with these one train ops, especially on Wild One, Batwing, and Superman. Water park was crazy crowded too. You know, I do not remember the park being so jammed in previous years. Word must be getting out, eh? All the Trip Adviser and Google scores have gone up a few ticks.

 

BTW, I like the fountain in the middle of the pathway.

[Highridin]

I was thinking. They probably want to sell more fast passes.

[blk_mamba]

It seems like 2016 is going to a water park expansions, which does nothing for me b/c I don't think they are fun or sanitary.

2017 should be a new thrill ride/flat ride. SFA has a decent line up right now personally I'd like to see another B&M or Intamin coaster before re-doing Roar b/c from what I understand it was retracked and when I rode it earlier this year it wasn't that bad.

2016 will be a waterpark expansion for sure, but we don't know if it will just be a new splash pad, or an additional slide complex or even a ride on the dry side as well. It's up in the air at this point.

Why do you say 2017 "should" be a flat ride? I'm all for adding flat rides, but there's only so long you can market and expand on years and years of inexpensive additions. You said it yourself, SFA is in a competitive market. This is something they can take advantage of though--this park has waited long enough and made such dramatic changes since its worst days. The park deserves it, the longtime visitors deserve to see this park take a much greater step. Its been inching forward for five years now--time to take the leap. A flat ride is not what this park needs most at this point.

 

 

I say flat because they have a solid coaster line up. Even though the park is my home park I rarely go b/c I it always felt like a second class park but on paper they have a solid/diverse line up: Hyper Coaster, Flying Coaster, Launch coaster, Stand up, Invert, Twisted Woodie, Out and back woodie, spinning wild mouse. SFA's problem is that most of the coasters thy have are rough or old or used.

 

While I think the park can use another another flat is because the park doesn't really and hasn't built a legit flat ride in a while. Fireball is a start but what about a Super Swing or a Frisbee ride. A strong/intense flat ride will help their portfolio.

[Rollercoaster Rider]

It seems like 2016 is going to a water park expansions, which does nothing for me b/c I don't think they are fun or sanitary.

2017 should be a new thrill ride/flat ride. SFA has a decent line up right now personally I'd like to see another B&M or Intamin coaster before re-doing Roar b/c from what I understand it was retracked and when I rode it earlier this year it wasn't that bad.

2016 will be a waterpark expansion for sure, but we don't know if it will just be a new splash pad, or an additional slide complex or even a ride on the dry side as well. It's up in the air at this point.

Why do you say 2017 "should" be a flat ride? I'm all for adding flat rides, but there's only so long you can market and expand on years and years of inexpensive additions. You said it yourself, SFA is in a competitive market. This is something they can take advantage of though--this park has waited long enough and made such dramatic changes since its worst days. The park deserves it, the longtime visitors deserve to see this park take a much greater step. Its been inching forward for five years now--time to take the leap. A flat ride is not what this park needs most at this point.

 

 

I say flat because they have a solid coaster line up. Even though the park is my home park I rarely go b/c I it always felt like a second class park but on paper they have a solid/diverse line up: Hyper Coaster, Flying Coaster, Launch coaster, Stand up, Invert, Twisted Woodie, Out and back woodie, spinning wild mouse. SFA's problem is that most of the coasters thy have are rough or old or used.

 

While I think the park can use another another flat is because the park doesn't really and hasn't built a legit flat ride in a while. Fireball is a start but what about a Super Swing or a Frisbee ride. A strong/intense flat ride will help their portfolio.

 

They built French Quarter Flyers (Larson Flying Scooters) in 2014.

[RollerManic]

Some of us our forgetting that SFA is "making a big splash in 2016". Not sure about you, but I think they'll be getting wet. Has Six Flags EVER in recent years advertised for next year in June? No. Even the transformation of Cyclone and Colossus weren't announced until the rest. Granted, they were hinted following July.

[Password121]

^It's because they removed the old splash pad and left a big open field right in the middle of the waterpark. They had to place a construction fence to block off the area anyway, so they just decided to place that banner so guests wouldn't be as upset when they found out that kiddie splash area is missing.

I wouldn't read too much into it. Obviously there will be a waterpark expansion next year, but we can't rule the possibility of a dry park addition as well just yet. Something like Great Adventure's 2012 additions would be a great investment.

[Donkey123]

Some interesting news from Screamscape today. They said that SFDK is partnering with RMC to redo there better version of Roar. That might just mean that SFA is on the to do list with there Roar!

[Password121]

^With the rumor that there will be only one more Six Flags I-box transformation until 2018 or later, a custom RMC wooden coaster could do the park well in 2017, giving SFA potentially one of the strongest lineups of wooden coasters in the world--right up there with Holiday World and Six Flags Great America.

[Vonni]

I'm kind of surprised that SFA Roar would not get a conversion before SFDK Roar.

[RollerManic]

^To me, a rumor is a rumor. This one is fan-made, IMO. Isn't Roar East in far worse shape?

-

Anyone can submit to Screamscape. Lance does his part piecing them together and attempting to validate information, but this time he jumped the gun. I dont believe any rumor until announcement.

 

Look around these forums. Many threads are claim they're surely getting the next RMC. It could have been anyone from the SFDK thread who passed this on.

 

Mu speculation: the RMC guys (based in Idaho) made a much quicker trip to the clone in California than Maryland. Something brief, no quality all too important in the design. Expect a trip to Maryland later.

[A.J.]

Look around these forums. Many threads are claim they're surely getting the next RMC.

Such is the state of the enthusiast community. Yet, I'm just sitting here waiting for the next Mack bobsled to be built.

[Highridin]

Someone was thinking. They put those cool mist showers in the line queue for Rajin Cajun. Hey, no shade? ;put up mist. .lol

[chickenbowl]

^To me, a rumor is a rumor. This one is fan-made, IMO. Isn't Roar East in far worse shape?

-

Anyone can submit to Screamscape. Lance does his part piecing them together and attempting to validate information, but this time he jumped the gun. I dont believe any rumor until announcement.

 

Look around these forums. Many threads are claim they're surely getting the next RMC. It could have been anyone from the SFDK thread who passed this on.

 

Mu speculation: the RMC guys (based in Idaho) made a much quicker trip to the clone in California than Maryland. Something brief, no quality all too important in the design. Expect a trip to Maryland later.

 

Everybody's claiming they're getting the next RMC, but I'm claiming the only SF park to get an RMC will be SFDK... no La Ronde, no SFA. This is based on a strong reckoning. I can feel the future happening, it's a truly bizarre trait I have.

[livai]

My point of view; and most likely a RMC in la ronde that not a discovery kingdom

[Donkey123]

Sunday June 14 was my first trip to the park and I got there right when it opened (10:30) and left at 4:30. The lines I heard are short so I took my time and the whole day and I waited at a max of 5 minutes, but most of the time I either walked on or waited for one train and I really enjoyed that. I got on 26 rides (including a lot of rerides), watched a stunt show, ate at Johnny Rockets, got fried oreos as my dessert, picked up a nice t-shirt, and then left because storm clouds were approaching. Here are my opinions of the rides I rode:

 

Bourbon Street Fireball (2x): This was my first ride of the day and it was a very fun and enjoyable ride! It was very smooth and had some great hangtime, it is a nice addition to the park since they only have one other thrill ride. 7/10

 

Voodoo Drop (2x): As I look at this drop tower I see how small it really is, but I know Intamin makes pretty good drop towers so I decided that it is worth a try. It is small, but the drop was pretty fun and I got some good views so I went on again, but it is my least favorite drop tower because it just can't compete with these great drop towers we have today. 6/10

 

Wild One (3x): I have heard so many great things about this classic woodie, and I was so excited to ride it! I got to ride it front row, second row, and back row, and my favorite was front row with second row close behind. This ride gave some floater airtime, and some ejector air in the front which is a total thumbs up. The ride is pretty short and kinda shaky, but it is from 1917 so I can see why. The best part to me was the final helix and the head-chopping effect you get with the old Skull Mountain. 7.5/10

 

Joker's Jinx (3x): First, I would say that this ride needs a re-painting on the tracks because it looks like an abandon ride you would see at SFNO ( I see that they repainted the supports which looked nice). The ride itself was awesome, the launch was fast, indoors, and LOUD and every seat on this ride gives you a different experience and I personally like the back row since you whip through the inversions like crazy, but the front and middle were good too. This ride was fairly smooth and was my second favorite ride at the park. 8/10

 

Superman Ride of Steel (4x): This ride needs to get more respect because this is one of my favorite coasters I have ridden and it gives you an amazing experience. The front is the best, but the back isn't bad either, but it does have some shaking, but Intamins do that, I have ridden Skyrush at Hershey and it rattles like crazy in the back. The first drop on Superman is good, but nothing too special. That curve at the bottom is insane with lots of G's, and the second hill has a good mix of both floater and ejector air. The helix is very good and the straight away doesn't take anything from the ride like others complain about. The third hill is one of the best parts of the ride with crazy ejector airtime and the helix after that is just decent because it gets pretty slow at the end. The final bunny hills are great with more ejector air and overall it was a great experience! 9.5/10

 

Batwing (2x): My first Vekoma flyer ever and it is so different compared to the B&M flyers that I am used to. The restraints on this coaster are uncomfortable and it makes it hard to breathe. The ride itself is fun and some elements are fairly intense for a flying coaster, especially the vertical loop. It has a couple of moments when it rattles, but other then that it is smooth. This is a good flying coaster, but it is no B&M. 7/10

 

Roar (2x): I love wooden coasters even if they are rough, this one was a little too rough for me and was really shaky. The landscaping around this coaster was terrible with grass and weeds in between all the wood, it really needs to get more love from SFA. It had some fun moments and so good bank turns, but nothing special. It is one of the worst wooden coasters that I have ridden, but like I said I love wooden coasters so the ride itself isn't terrible its just not good either. 5/10

 

Apocalypse (2x): This ride has awesome theming and very cool looking colors, but the best part of the ride is probably the soundtrack they play. The ride has the most head-banging I have ever witness (so far) on a coaster and the only parts of the ride that are smooth are the drop and the vertical loop, after that you'll be trying to save yourself from the OTSR. Hopefully in the future Six Flags does what Cedar Point did with Mantis and put floorless trains on it. 4/10

 

Mind Eraser (1x): We have a winner for the roughest coaster ever, it is even rougher then Apocalypse. I knew this ride was going to be one of the worst coaster I ridden so I had to go to the front row to even survive and I was suprised at first with a good drop and a pretty intense and weird element, but it hurts after that. If only this was Batman the Ride then I would have more good stuff to say, but it is a Vekoma slc. 3.5/10

 

Ragin Cajun (1x): This is a nice, fun, and long ride with some nice pops of airtime after the biggest drop, and on the tiny drop at the very end. It isn't as good as the Tickler in Coney Island because it doesn't spin the entire ride, but it is way better then your typical wild mouse coaster. The only reason why it doesn't get a higher score is because it is a family coaster and that really isn't what I am into, but I love spinning so I had to take a ride! 5.5/10

 

Renegade Rapids (2x): This is a a pretty good rapids ride with a lot of waves and a very cool abandon cabin. It wasn't as good as some other rapids rides that I have ridden, but it sure isn't the worst! 6/10

 

I also rode the bumper cars and the French Quarter Flyers which were both very fun rides. My overall day at the park was very good and exceeded my expectations and I enjoyed it enough that I might drive drown here again next summer for some more Superman. I highly recommend anyone who is in the area to check it out.