Six Flags New England (SFNE) Discussion Thread

[CPmillenia94]

^if you don't like airtime then not at all! And you say 70 degrees as if its impressive.. Millenium force, build the same year by the same manufacturer is 100 ft taller and almost vertical.. and only has t-bars. That isn't lame in any seat.

[coasterbill]

Went to Six Flags New England the other day and noticed that they now let you wait for the front seat on Batman... sort of. They have a line painted on the steps so that riders wishing to wait for the front seat can stay right and everyone else can stay left. They also have signs at the bottom and top of the steps clearly explaining that front seat riders should keep right. When we got to the top of the steps, the ride op on a power trip told the people in front of us they couldn't wait for the front, and he kept talking over them and telling them they asked why the signs all said we could. The operator finally got frustrated and gave in and then asked how many were in our group. I said 2 but we want to wait or the front too and he only gave in after I pointed out the sign that he was leaning on that said we could wait for the front. Nobody in our group or the group in front of us said anything in a nasty tone... we were just really confused, so I don't know why he felt the need to be so obnoxious. When he decided to let us wait for the front he announced "this is why people shouldn't be able to wait for the front" loudly and walked away. Just because you don't like the parks new policy doesn't mean you don't have to abide by it... it's your job. Six Flags New England's operators are the rudest I've seen in the chain. There are always exceptions but overall it's been this way for a few years (I haven't been to all the parks but operators are much better at Great Escape, Great Adventure, Magic Mountain and even Six Flags America).

 

There was no sign on Goliath about front seat rides, but if you asked, they let you wait. Golitah operators always seem to be fast and friendly and are definitely the exception to the rule.

[KrakenKing]

Yeah, we waited around 45min for Goliath when we were at the "One Hour" wait sign. They were very efficient. Cool to have ridden the ride in both locations.

 

I'll have to ride Bizarro in the back at night next time I visit.. should be around August. I'll see how it compares!

[Canobie Coaster]

Went to Six Flags New England the other day and noticed that they now let you wait for the front seat on Batman... sort of. They have a line painted on the steps so that riders wishing to wait for the front seat can stay right and everyone else can stay left. They also have signs at the bottom and top of the steps clearly explaining that front seat riders should keep right. When we got to the top of the steps, the ride op on a power trip told the people in front of us they couldn't wait for the front, and he kept talking over them and telling them they asked why the signs all said we could. The operator finally got frustrated and gave in and then asked how many were in our group. I said 2 but we want to wait or the front too and he only gave in after I pointed out the sign that he was leaning on that said we could wait for the front. Nobody in our group or the group in front of us said anything in a nasty tone... we were just really confused, so I don't know why he felt the need to be so obnoxious. When he decided to let us wait for the front he announced "this is why people shouldn't be able to wait for the front" loudly and walked away. Just because you don't like the parks new policy doesn't mean you don't have to abide by it... it's your job. Six Flags New England's operators are the rudest I've seen in the chain. There are always exceptions but overall it's been this way for a few years (I haven't been to all the parks but operators are much better at Great Escape, Great Adventure, Magic Mountain and even Six Flags America).

 

There was no sign on Goliath about front seat rides, but if you asked, they let you wait. Goliath operators always seem to be fast and friendly and are definitely the exception to the rule.

 

I've always encountered crummy operators at Batman as well. A few years ago I was at the top of the stairs and was first. Since they assign rows starting at the front, I was about to be assigned the front row, which I was looking forward to. Unfortunately, the group behind me suggested to the operator that I (a single rider) should wait to fill an empty seat from a group of 3. The operator agreed and I actually ended up having to wait an extra cycle since the train filled up from groups of 2 and 4. Thankfully I haven't seen that employee there again.

 

I'm glad they give you the option to wait for the front row now though since the Batman operators were constantly asked by people if they could wait for the front row. It's sad to here that one of them wasn't abiding by the new policy though. Hopefully that gets straightened out.

 

Goliath's operators are awesome. The line always moves faster than what the posted signs say unless the ride breaks down.

[David H]

Personally, I like Bizarro a bit more in the front, but it's great in both the front and back. I'm actually usually more of a fan of the back on hypers and out and backs.

 

It's sad to hear how quickly the ride operators have devolved. I popped into the park a week ago Monday to see some friends at the ACE Con, and the ride operators everywhere went out of their way to be nice and helpful. I've gained some weight in the past few months form being out of work and from having a bad knee for the past few weeks, and had trouble fitting on Bizarro, but the ride ops actually helped me fit, and even asked one of the guys to help, when the women couldn't push as hard. (And before you ask, yes, I'm dieting now!) But all across the park, everyone who worked there was super nice and helpful. And I heard the same thing from everyone there. Clearly, they pushed customer service on the employees for the Con.

 

It's sad to see that employees have already forgotten what they learned about customer service from that week.

[alwaysairtime14]

^^^^^^

Oh yeah, those ride ops want to fit you on Bizarro! I've seen some pretty pissed people been given the boot off that ride. The ride attendants are always the first people to know when someone's angry! Really sucks for them though, you'd think that the park would have a permanent security guard to deal with those type of people since it seems every 5 trains someone is kicked off.

[larrygator]

Six Flags New England's operators are the rudest I've seen in the chain. There are always exceptions but overall it's been this way for a few years (I haven't been to all the parks but operators are much better at Great Escape, Great Adventure, Magic Mountain and even Six Flags America).

 

Although I'm quoting you, this is not a knock on you. I find SFNE clientele to be rudest customers in the chain.

[Starr]

Does anyone have photos of Goliath's new trains?

[ragged#1]

Six Flags New England's operators are the rudest I've seen in the chain. There are always exceptions but overall it's been this way for a few years (I haven't been to all the parks but operators are much better at Great Escape, Great Adventure, Magic Mountain and even Six Flags America).

 

Although I'm quoting you, this is not a knock on you. I find SFNE clientele to be rudest customers in the chain.

That's because of the massholes.

 

The new trains will be installed this off season.

[Blind Idiot God]

Six Flags New England's operators are the rudest I've seen in the chain. There are always exceptions but overall it's been this way for a few years (I haven't been to all the parks but operators are much better at Great Escape, Great Adventure, Magic Mountain and even Six Flags America).

 

Although I'm quoting you, this is not a knock on you. I find SFNE clientele to be rudest customers in the chain.

 

That's because the Pioneer Valley is a pretty scummy area in general, and the clientele of a park reflects its location.

[necoastergp]

Does anyone have photos of Goliath's new trains?

 

There are some posted some pages back, but they won't be on this season anyways.

[Canobie Coaster]

It's a shame the new trains won't be used this year, but I'm glad they decided to go with the more reliable trains for the season. Honestly, I didn't find the loading procedure confusing and never saw anyone have difficulty with it. I know that was an issue with Deja Vu.

[IronWolfman]

^I guess the problems with loading is just a California thing, because nobody seems to have trouble at Aftershock, either.

[jray21]

That's because of the massholes.

 

That's a good one! It's too bad the trains won't be installed this year, but hopefully it doesn't become the HW timetable.

[timetrial3141592]

According to the RCDB, Thunderbolt was designed by some guy named Harry G Traver. Anyone know about this?

 

My copy of "Legends of Terror" says that the Cyclone at the World's Fair in New York was demolished. RCDB says it was relocated and became the Thunderbolt.

[alwaysairtime14]

Everything I've read and heard is that the ride was indeed moved to Riverside after the World's Fair.

[cmullin]

Hey, my mom and I are in the area, Boston, and are going to either Canobie lake Park or SFNE. We've already been to SFNE, but never went on Goliath and a few others, because we only went for a few hours. The day we would be going on is either Wednesday or Thursday of this week. How are the lines on a day like this? It's a much longer drive to SFNE than Canobie, but I would much rather go to SFNE. Any advice? Thanks for any tips in advance!

[alwaysairtime14]

Go Wednesday. It'll be 90 degrees, so everyone will be in the waterpark. Bizarro will have lines 30-45 minutes, which are bearable. I can't say for Goliath, I went to SFNE twice last year and it was only open once. Thursday it will be 85 with thunderstorms, making the dry park busy (50% chance of rain isn't enough to scare anybody away), and everything except the bumper cars and Houdini will be closed if it does t-storm. Canobie is a fun park, but Goliath and "a few others" are much better than the Yankee Cannonball and Untamed. Watch out for the Canobie fanboys on this board that try to tell you otherwise

 

I'll be there Tuesday so I can give you a better report late that night.

[cmullin]

Go Wednesday. It'll be 90 degrees, so everyone will be in the waterpark. Bizarro will have lines 30-45 minutes, which are bearable. I can't say for Goliath, I went to SFNE twice last year and it was only open once. Thursday it will be 85 with thunderstorms, making the dry park busy (50% chance of rain isn't enough to scare anybody away), and everything except the bumper cars and Houdini will be closed if it does t-storm. Canobie is a fun park, but Goliath and "a few others" are much better than the Yankee Cannonball and Untamed. Watch out for the Canobie fanboys on this board that try to tell you otherwise

 

I'll be there Tuesday so I can give you a better report late that night.

 

Thanks! We would love a report! Do you think it will be a big difference if we arrive around 12? We can't make it before the park opens because my brother is doing a college camp. Thanks again!

[alwaysairtime14]

^^^^

You'll get a 5-10 minute backup at the parking toll booth. Buy your tickets ahead of time, the main gate will be packed at that time. You won't be missing out on anything by coming an hour and a half after opening. The park fills up quickly from 10:30-1, so it's not like there's that "dead" first hour that you get at some parks. And since you're coming that late, I'd eat out of the park. I've had days where food stands are walk-up, and other days when you wait 15 minutes before ordering when the actual attendance of the park is the same.

[cmullin]

Ok thanks for the info!

[larrygator]

You won't be missing out on anything by coming an hour and a half after opening. The park fills up quickly from 10:30-1, so it's not like there's that "dead" first hour that you get at some parks.

 

This is just not true. Everytime I've been to SFNE in the past 8 years I have headed to Bizarro (aka Rise of Steel) at opening and was able to get 4-5 rides in the first hour with the line barely extending past the bottom of the stairs. If you go to Bizarro at noon you are guaranteed at least a 30 minute wait. There are certainly people filling at least half of the set of switchbacks closest to the stairs by noon.

[alwaysairtime14]

You won't be missing out on anything by coming an hour and a half after opening. The park fills up quickly from 10:30-1, so it's not like there's that "dead" first hour that you get at some parks.

 

This is just not true. Everytime I've been to SFNE in the past 8 years I have headed to Bizarro (aka Rise of Steel) at opening and was able to get 4-5 rides in the first hour with the line barely extending past the bottom of the stairs. If you go to Bizarro at noon you are guaranteed at least a 30 minute wait. There are certainly people filling at least half of the set of switchbacks closest to the stairs by noon.

 

Well, I'll be there tomorrow to double check that. I've never seen anything close to what you're talking about. But I have seen the line at Bizarro up to the stairs at noon...but it was 103 degrees that day. We heard the waterpark was busy though...

[larrygator]

You won't be missing out on anything by coming an hour and a half after opening. The park fills up quickly from 10:30-1, so it's not like there's that "dead" first hour that you get at some parks.

 

This is just not true. Everytime I've been to SFNE in the past 8 years I have headed to Bizarro (aka Rise of Steel) at opening and was able to get 4-5 rides in the first hour with the line barely extending past the bottom of the stairs. If you go to Bizarro at noon you are guaranteed at least a 30 minute wait. There are certainly people filling at least half of the set of switchbacks closest to the stairs by noon.

 

Well, I'll be there tomorrow to double check that. I've never seen anything close to what you're talking about. But I have seen the line at Bizarro up to the stairs at noon...but it was 103 degrees that day. We heard the waterpark was busy though...

 

You've never seen shorter lines for Bizarro in the morning and longer lines in the afternoon? Or are you saying it is still practically a walk-on at noon when you visit?

[alwaysairtime14]

You won't be missing out on anything by coming an hour and a half after opening. The park fills up quickly from 10:30-1, so it's not like there's that "dead" first hour that you get at some parks.

 

This is just not true. Everytime I've been to SFNE in the past 8 years I have headed to Bizarro (aka Rise of Steel) at opening and was able to get 4-5 rides in the first hour with the line barely extending past the bottom of the stairs. If you go to Bizarro at noon you are guaranteed at least a 30 minute wait. There are certainly people filling at least half of the set of switchbacks closest to the stairs by noon.

 

Well, I'll be there tomorrow to double check that. I've never seen anything close to what you're talking about. But I have seen the line at Bizarro up to the stairs at noon...but it was 103 degrees that day. We heard the waterpark was busy though...

 

You've never seen shorter lines for Bizarro in the morning and longer lines in the afternoon? Or are you saying it is still practically a walk-on at noon when you visit?

 

I've never seen noticeably longer or shorter lines on Bizarro at anytime before 8. The 103 degree day was a freak event, I'm not saying that lines are walk-on at noon. I'm just hinting that everything is so weather dependent it's really hard to tell how lines will be until you're at the park. I don't know what days you go, but I've always gone Monday-Thursday on hot days, so maybe it's different when you visit.