Six Flags America (SFA) Discussion Thread

[CoasterTony]

^They absolutely need a new coaster and we can all hope it happens soon! Also, a thing on their to do list should be to repaint Joker Jinx's track.

[Password121]

^To be honest Joker's Jinx's track paint doesn't really bother me. The supports are way more visible and they were just repainted.

Also, let's be real... there are way more important things this park needs before new paint. A new dry park ride that doesn't make half of the riders either end up requiring ear reconstruction surgery or vomiting would be a start (yes I'm exaggerating, but not my much).

[Jcoaster]

^^Six Flags America is long overdue for a new coaster... Not one that has been relocated and refurbished. But here's hoping this park gets some desperately needed attention--it doesn't matter what they get, as long as they get something of value.

 

I think RMC will get their hands on ROAR sooner than later.

[CoasterTony]

^To be honest Joker's Jinx's track paint doesn't really bother me. The supports are way more visible and they were just repainted.

Also, let's be real... there are way more important things this park needs before new paint. A new dry park ride that doesn't make half of the riders either end up requiring ear reconstruction surgery or vomiting would be a start (yes I'm exaggerating, but not my much).

 

For some reason it bothers me a little, but I agree with you, there are many other things this park needs to focus on.

[Highridin]

^^Six Flags America is long overdue for a new coaster... Not one that has been relocated and refurbished. But here's hoping this park gets some desperately needed attention--it doesn't matter what they get, as long as they get something of value.

 

I think RMC will get their hands on ROAR sooner than later.

 

[palmerleeberry]

^^Six Flags America is long overdue for a new coaster... Not one that has been relocated and refurbished. But here's hoping this park gets some desperately needed attention--it doesn't matter what they get, as long as they get something of value.

 

I think RMC will get their hands on ROAR sooner than later.

 

"I sure hope so; I don't want to keep my ban on going to Six Flags lasting forever, you know!"

[Highridin]

Hey, with all of that extra money saved this year, the park got new go-karts.

[robbalvey]

Six Flags Announces Virtual Reality Roller Coasters at 9 US Parks!

 

Six Flags is bringing ground-breaking experiences to nine parks:

 

- Shock Wave at Six Flags Over Texas

- Dare Devil Dive at Six Flags Over Georgia

- The New Revolution at Six Flags Magic Mountain

- Ninja at Six Flags St. Louis

- Steamin’ Demon at The Great Escape

- Goliath at La Ronde

- SUPERMAN Krypton Coaster at Six Flags Fiesta Texas

- SUPERMAN The Ride at Six Flags New England

- SUPERMAN Ride of Steel at Six Flags America

 

Six Flags is bringing ground-breaking experiences to nine parks — North America's first Virtual Reality (VR) Roller Coasters, using Samsung Gear VR powered by Oculus. Enjoy thrills like never before as some of our most popular coasters will be equipped to allow you to wear Samsung Gear VR headsets and feel the heart-pumping adrenaline of steep drops, inverted loops and powerful twists and turns as gyros, accelerometers and proximity sensors synchronize all of the action in an incredibly realistic 360-degree virtual reality world.

 

Whether you're soaring through Metropolis on our SUPERMAN Virtual Reality Coasters or co-piloting a fighter jet on The New Revolution, this remarkable technology is a definite game-changer. The headsets allow guests 13 and older to enter a virtual world with high-resolution imagery and 360-degree views that synchronize to the action of the coaster in a totally new, one-of-a-kind experience.

 

Six Flags and Samsung Partner to Launch First Virtual Reality Roller Coasters in North America

 

Samsung is “Official Technology Partner” at Six Flags Theme Parks Nationwide

 

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas, and New York City — March 3, 2016 — Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE:SIX), and Samsung Electronics America, Inc., today announced a broad marketing partnership which appoints Samsung as the “Official Technology Partner” of the world’s largest regional theme park company. The partnership includes the debut of ground-breaking experiences coming to nine Six Flags parks—North America’s first Virtual Reality (VR) Roller Coasters, using Samsung Gear VR powered by Oculus.

 

In partnership with Samsung, Six Flags is taking its signature brand of thrills to the next level and beyond in fully immersive, virtual riding experiences using Samsung Gear VR. Some of Six Flags’ most popular coasters will be equipped to allow riders wearing Samsung Gear VR headsets to feel the heart-pumping adrenaline of steep drops, inverted loops and powerful twists and turns as gyros, accelerometers and proximity sensors synchronize all of the action in an incredibly realistic 360-degree virtual reality world.

 

“This remarkable technology is a definite game-changer for theme park rides and represents everything our brand stands for—delivering the most thrilling and innovative rides and attractions in the world,” said John Duffey, Six Flags President and CEO. “With the addition of these virtual reality coasters, Six Flags will be introducing more than double the number of new coasters and rides than we did in 2015, and more than any year in the last decade. Innovation is part of our DNA, and news in every park every year is driving higher guest satisfaction and building strong momentum for our company."

 

“What makes this partnership so compelling for consumers and the broader tech industry alike is that both companies are committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible - and bringing a VR coaster to life is certainly a new and thrilling proposition,” said Marc Mathieu, chief marketing officer at Samsung Electronics America. “Now, people can be immersed into a totally new universe while riding a roller coaster, powered by Samsung Gear VR virtual reality devices.

 

This transforms the modern roller coaster into a totally new, one of a kind sensorial experience - powered by technology. We are excited to work with the premier brand in theme parks to bring Samsung’s VR technology to nine Six Flags locations across the U.S.”

 

Samsung Gear VR – designed to accelerate virtual reality into the mainstream – provides an untethered, fully-immersive experience with 360-degree content for an extremely high quality mobile VR experience. Built to work with Samsung’s Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy S6, S6 edge, S6 edge+ and Note5, the Gear VR headset utilizes each device’s super AMOLED display to provide the color, clarity and performance needed for an amazing virtual reality experience.

 

About the VR Roller Coaster Experiences

Six Flags and Samsung will launch the new VR Roller Coasters beginning this month and into the summer, totaling nine coasters across the U.S. On the six New Revolution Virtual Reality Coasters, riders are transported to a futuristic battle to save planet earth from an alien invasion. Riders are the co-pilots in their own fighter jets as they strap in for air-to-air combat. Taking in the view around them, riders will see other aircraft in an underground secret bunker. As the aircraft moves to a landing pad, it begins to launch its thruster engines, lifting the craft straight up through the roof. During the ascent, riders can test fire their weapons using the world’s first-ever interactive gameplay technology on a roller coaster. As riders clear the roof, they realize they are on top of a skyscraper and about to launch off the edge of the building diving straight down on the first drop of the ride. The aircraft races through the city until reaching the edge of the skyline where riders see the mother ship hovering above. The mother ship is heavily protected by drones and the mission is to get past the drones, fire on the mother ship and destroy it. This elite fighter squadron experience will make its debut on the following six roller coasters:

 

 Shock Wave at Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington, opening March 10 to Season Pass Holders as a special sneak preview;

 Dare Devil Dive at Six Flags Over Georgia outside of Atlanta, opening March 12 to Season Pass Holders as a special sneak preview;

 The New Revolution at Six Flags Magic Mountain near Los Angeles, opening March 26 to Season Pass Holders as a special sneak preview;

 Ninja at Six Flags St. Louis in Eureka;

 Steamin’ Demon at The Great Escape in Lake George, New York and

 Goliath at La Ronde in Montreal.

 

On Six Flags’ three new SUPERMAN Virtual Reality Coasters, once riders take their seats and fasten the headsets, they will be fully immersed in the 360-degree comic-book world of Metropolis. Guests will be taken on a leisurely (or so they think) tour of the city of Metropolis, courtesy of Lex Corp Sky Tours. Just after departing the station riders encounter Lex Luthor who uses an anti-gravity gun along with his army of Lex Bots to create chaos throughout the city with cars, taxis and buses floating in mid-air around the rider’s vehicle. As the Lexbots continue shooting at the vehicle, SUPERMAN uses heat vison to destroy the anti-gravity gun, causing all objects to suddenly fall, including the train as it takes the first giant drop of the roller coaster. Riders then soar alongside SUPERMAN as he battles the evil Lexbots

 

through hairpin twists and turns, loops, dips and dives before ultimately defeating Lex and the Lexbots, and returning safely back into the station. This amazing adventure will debut on these Superman-branded coasters:

 

 SUPERMAN Krypton Coaster at Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio;

 SUPERMAN The Ride at Six Flags New England in Agawam, Massachusetts; and

 SUPERMAN Ride of Steel at Six Flags America in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.

 

For more information, visit www.sixflags.com/virtualrealitycoasters and www.samsung.com/gearvr.

[Jcoaster]

Is this optional when you ride?

[PVA62]

Is this optional when you ride?

From Six Flags FAQ about the new VR:

Do I have to wear the headset?

You have the choice of riding with or without a headset.

[BintamiM]

I just wished the world would stop trying to make VR happen. I hope this is an option because I would hate to ride with a VR. I can see it on coasters that are below average but rides like Goliath at la Rhonde, superman at sfft, and dare devil dive at sfog? Not sure if those need more riders.

[A.J.]

Cross-quote from the Magic Mountain thread:

I'm not sure about all this "VR" stuff, either; my past experiences with this technology left me feeling nauseated. Still, I imagine "flying through Metropolis" at SFA would be better than over a vacant lot.

Honestly, I'd feel like Batwing would be a more "appropriate" ride for this sort of thing, but I understand that they want to deploy the Metropolis one for the Superman coasters.

[SixFlagsAstroworld]

Cross-quote from the Magic Mountain thread:

I'm not sure about all this "VR" stuff, either; my past experiences with this technology left me feeling nauseated. Still, I imagine "flying through Metropolis" at SFA would be better than over a vacant lot.

Honestly, I'd feel like Batwing would be a more "appropriate" ride for this sort of thing, but I understand that they want to deploy the Metropolis one for the Superman coasters.

 

Batwing VR would be awesome

[boldikus]

^ Because it doesn't take long enough to get on the ride as is.

[Fooz]

Well, I'll be visiting SFA for the first time in 10 years thanks to this.

[coasterfreak101]

I'm honestly just shocked that the headsets are free to use - seems like the perfect kind of upcharge, even if it's only a couple bucks.

[CoasterTony]

I like the idea of these VR headsets, especially since it is optional. The thing I am worried about is how clean the headsets are going to be, I hope they are sanitary. Does anyone know about the cleaning process for these?

[Fooz]

I like the idea of these VR headsets, especially since it is optional. The thing I am worried about is how clean the headsets are going to be, I hope they are sanitary. Does anyone know about the cleaning process for these?

 

Anti-microbial leather cushioning and a anti-bacterial wipedown after each use according to six flags.

[palmerleeberry]

VR headsets for Superman: Ride of Steel?!? Maybe I might want to consider lifting my Six Flags ban . . .

 

"Will he or won't he be visiting Six Flags America this season. Only he knows and he isn't telling. Stay tuned to find out!

[I305forever]

Yay! While I'm not that excited, at least we're actually getting something. Plus, it seems like it would be cool to do once.

[I305forever]

Might be cool to do once or twice. At least we're getting something.

[ImNotOneOfYou]

I'd like to see this happen at Kings Dominion to see the reactions from their locals.

[coasterkid124]

It's sad to see that more and more parks are acquiring this gimmick. SF claims that it won't affect dispatch times, but I'll believe it when I see it. I'll give it a chance, but VR doesn't usually go well with me.

 

I also find it interesting that all 3 Superman clones (one at DL included) are seeing forms of improvement this season.

[Highridin]

Well, I'll be visiting SFA for the first time in 10 years thanks to this.

 

Lol, I can't wait either.

[Highridin]

Might be cool to do once or twice. At least we're getting something.

 

Yup, and it might not be over.