Six Flags Darien Lake (SFDL) Discussion Thread

[Haymaker]

Those trains could probably be used on Millennium Force or any other similar Intamin just as much as ROS

[Skysthelimit]

They really can’t be used interchangeably with MF…. The seating configuration is different on both S:ROS and ROS’s trains than Millennium Force. The seats on the first row of each car on the Superman/ROS trains (both the original and new Superman) are closer together than the second row.
 

Millennium Force’s first row is just as wide as its second row if you compare photos. This inherently changes where the hydraulic cylinder components are located for the lap bars. The more prevalent difference is that Millennium’s trains are built to accommodate the catch car assembly (I believe under car 4) whereas the hyper coasters have several chain dogs. 

It would be cool if Darien Lake got both SFA trains for 2026 and then used the current blue train for parts, given it’s already approaching ten years old (so weird how time flies). We were having fatigue issues with the original Darien Lake trains back in 2009 (10 years old back then) that required some expensive part replacements. It would definitely get the park ahead of the game for once. 
 

When SFA adds the red train to the track, I’m curious to see how it does. The brake run is so short that any extra train weight on a hot day and the trains just might gently love tap or cause a fault. 

[Skysthelimit]

On 5/3/2025 at 10:32 PM, abovethesink said:

It is hard to come up with a reason as to why Six Flags would be interested in purchasing Darien Lake when they are otherwise openly looking to downsize their portfolio. It is also just as hard to imagine a large company that is saying "hey, we want to have less" viewing the sort of management contract they have with Darien Lake as something positive too. Obviously I don't know for sure, but I'd say all signs point to them getting out of the deal at the first point it makes sense and Darien Lake losing the Six Flags name once again.

But still, regarding the trains that Six Flags America literally just bought, where else could they even go? SFNE? They'd have to be modified to make Massachusetts happy, but I guess it is possible. Anyone know how old those trains are? I am not sure there is a single other competitor for them. Could they be ran on any other Intamin hyper?

Do you have any sense of how the management contract between Six Flags and EPR properties (the owner) works? I’m just wondering if it’s pure profit for SF to manage or if they have any skin in the game from a risk management perspective. 

[abovethesink]

No, I do not have any inside information. It is a great question though. The answer would definitely shape their decision making. 

[jazma]

If I recall correctly, they paid something like $23 million to acquire the leases (a few parks have been added since then with this structure, so likely a bit more now if they sold them as a package) and then they pay rent to the owner, in this case the company out of KC, EPR I think it is.  

I don't believe they own any of the rides or structures....that is EPR who does, so I assume EPR chooses to add new attractions or not and how much to spend.  Maybe they just fall on SIX to help with buying in bulk or leveraging any deals with vendors.

Here is from the press release at the time, which is why I interpret it that way, but I may be incorrect:

Houston, Phoenix, Buffalo, and Oklahoma City Parks Expand Market Reach

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Six Flags EntertainmentCorporation (NYSE:SIX), the world’s largest regional theme park company, today announced it has entered into a purchase agreement with affiliates of Premier Parks, LLC to acquire the lease rights to operate five parks owned by EPR Properties (NYSE:EPR). The parks have previously been operated by Premier Parks, LLC of Oklahoma City. These latest acquisitions will expand the company’s portfolio of North American parks to twenty-five.

“Today’s announcement represents another milestone in our strategic North-American growth initiative to seek out park acquisitions that expand our addressable market,” said Six Flags Chairman, CEO, and President, Jim Reid-Anderson. “These are all fantastic properties that complement our existing portfolio and provide tremendous added value and cross-visitation opportunities for our extensive Membership and Season Pass base.”

[dnn2031]

12 hours ago, Skysthelimit said:

It would be cool if Darien Lake got both SFA trains for 2026 and then used the current blue train for parts, given it’s already approaching ten years old (so weird how time flies). We were having fatigue issues with the original Darien Lake trains back in 2009 (10 years old back then) that required some expensive part replacements. It would definitely get the park ahead of the game for once. 

I'm pretty sure the current ROS train is newer than that. And they already have a new train arriving by EOM/early June 

[Haymaker]

5 hours ago, dnn2031 said:

I'm pretty sure the current ROS train is newer than that. And they already have a new train arriving by EOM/early June 

So it will have two trains available this year?

[pryonisys]

3 hours ago, Haymaker said:

So it will have two trains available this year?

That would be big news.  I haven't heard that from anywhere.

[Haymaker]

7 hours ago, pryonisys said:

That would be big news.  I haven't heard that from anywhere.

dnn has posted reliable info before so definitely something to watch for

[pryonisys]

1 hour ago, Haymaker said:

dnn has posted reliable info before so definitely something to watch for

I'd be really happy if it's true.  I choose to be optimistic.

[cfisher8]

Two train ops on ROS would be great. We'll see how long they keep two trains on the track on Mind Eraser. I'm also really hoping Tantrum will have more than one car on the ride

[Haymaker]

New ME train photo. Predator with 230 ft of new track. 

[pryonisys]

Went to Darien Lake for opening today, I was on the first public train out for Mind Eraser, it's very rideable now, in fact I got right back on.  It felt very smooth, there are still some goofy transitions, but it was fun and one of the smoothest rides in the park now.

I was bugging a supervisor at Ride of Steel about getting the trains from SFA and he said there's a new train coming this summer (which would be great)

MotoCoaster was down (what's new)

Predator has a new purple train, based on what I heart it's a brand new train for this year, not a refurbishment of some other train.  The blue train was on the transfer track.  I didn't ride Predator because it wasn't open by the time I left.

[Johnlloyd]

26 minutes ago, pryonisys said:

Went to Darien Lake for opening today, I was on the first public train out for Mind Eraser, it's very rideable now, in fact I got right back on.  It felt very smooth, there are still some goofy transitions, but it was fun and one of the smoothest rides in the park now.

I was bugging a supervisor at Ride of Steel about getting the trains from SFA and he said there's a new train coming this summer (which would be great)

MotoCoaster was down (what's new)

Predator has a new purple train, based on what I heart it's a brand new train for this year, not a refurbishment of some other train.  The blue train was on the transfer track.  I didn't ride Predator because it wasn't open by the time I left.

All updates sound great! I am looking forward to riding the Mind Eraser with its new trains wheb I visit in July! Here's hoping they have the other roller coasters operating with two trains!

[john10693]

I also went today and against my better judgement rode Mind Eraser. It has been over 10 years since I rode a SLC,  so I was very nervous to ride as I have learned to hate these things. The first ride was front row and I was in defensive mode the full ride expecting maybe just a little improvement.  I am pleasantly surprised on how NOT painful it was and 0 headbanging. I did ride it again towards the back and found this was kinda a fun ride when there is no pain involved. So, good job, I did not think it possible. The new paint job does not hurt either.

Tantrum was Tantrum.

viper was running slow  (not full trains).

Purple Predator train looks great but as mentioned not running today, lots of new Titan track. Another ride I have not ridden in over 10 years but I will give it a try next visit.

I have heard ROPS is getting a new train although the current train looks to be in very good condition and it was for some reason really hauling a** today.

Ops on the other hand were typical opening day ops, clearly still Six Flags operated as ROS was delivering 6-8 minute dispatches, even with 1 train, ouch. Mind Eraser Same, ect., ect.

Also, my pass is from Cedar Point and other than employees never seeing the Cedar Fair App before, they worked seemlessly, even on pass discounts throughout the park and parking.

All in all, I have not been to my home park in a couple years and feel that there is now hope that they will at least continue to improve on what they have. 

Good job.

[planetnymph]

Yay first post!

I was also here for opening day. Did Mind Eraser two separate times and I definitely agree its a better ride the closer towards the back you are. First time I was in the middle and found it enjoyable, second time I waited for the front and ended up regretting it lol.

I did see that Predator was up and running before I left but it immediately got a huge line so I decided I'm saving it for next trip

At this point I typically skip Viper and Boomerang because both just make me sick so I can't comment on those 

Tantrum was down for a while when I got there but when it came back it was running with two trains. I hope it stays that way all season

I really hope they're not doing the thing they've been doing where Motocoaster doesn't open until later in the season but we'll see ig 

Darien Lake has so much potential if SF would just properly invest in it and this seems like a step in the right direction. Hopefully later in the season we'll see the second trains getting used because they could definitely help a lot.

[cfisher8]

First trip report (15 minute drive for me)…

Got to ride ME and wasn’t totally impressed. The restraints are fancy and do feel modern but man the transitions between each element really moves you around. About a 25 min queue with the second train on the transfer track. Operations weren’t the best either, saw the restraints go back up a number of times waiting and lots of solo riders (like myself) seated alone, never asked about other solos in line. 

I wanted to get on Predator but was happy to see a sizeable line there. Instead I got the beef on weck sandwich from the new Beef and Beer stall. It was fine, juicy but not much meat and the roll had no caraway. 
 

I’ll be back sometime soon to check out other upgrades, but the kids there today were giving me a headache

[abovethesink]

I've got the park penciled in for Sunday 6/2 if the weather doesn't look like a disaster. It has been a while, so I am looking forward to it. While La Ronde and Great Escape were closer, this was my "home park" every summer growing up because my parents liked to camp in the campground and I was the right age to be a coaster kid during the big SF investment. It has been over a decade since I have been back, however, even as I have roadtripped around the country multiple times and it is still only 5ish hours from me. Twice it has been x'd off our trips, once due to torrential rain all day and another due to illness. I still don't even have the Tantrum credit somehow.

[Sk610]

I am very happy to hear that they are going to have 2 trains for all coasters (not sure on Motocoaster) now.  Even if they only use them occasionally on busy days. At least they have them if they need them

[dnn2031]

On 5/16/2025 at 4:32 PM, pryonisys said:

Predator has a new purple train, based on what I heart it's a brand new train for this year, not a refurbishment of some other train.  The blue train was on the transfer track.  I didn't ride Predator because it wasn't open by the time I left.

It's not a new train.

[pryonisys]

5 hours ago, dnn2031 said:

It's not a new train.

Is it a refurbishment of the one that was off track last year then?  I was told it was brand new, but it's entirely possible the person who told me just made an assumption.

[CNYCoasterguy11]

Got my first visit of the season and it may be my last, While the park is starting to at least look nicer and better kept, operations and clientele still leave much to be desired.  We visited on Memorial Day which I thought might have been a quieter day than the rest of the weekend, boy was I wrong. Luckily we left long before the supposed altercations took place outside the gate. However that's not to say there weren't issues inside the park. We witnessed a near fight over a table of all things that someone was trying to use their child to save. Well the Child being a child got up and the table was empty so another family sat down at it. The Woman from the previous group saw this from the food line and started berating them and swearing at them, just a typical Six Flags Day.

Aside from the trashy visitors, ride operations were suspect. Most flats were about 2-3 cycles deep for lines which wasn't really a problem considering how busy it was. The Coasters were another story, we rode Mind Eraser about an hour into the park day and it was already filled in the station house. I timed it and that took us about 40 mins with one train ops. By the time we were on it had reached all the way down the stairs and to the last turn before the station house, at least a 90 min wait. What was more infuriating is the fact we could see the second train sitting on the transfer track and the slow load and unload. We only rode Viper because we went there first, and again a one train op and slow load and unload. Predator had a line out past the entrance sign, although they appeared not to be using the switchbacks, and I never saw RoS but I heard others talking and knew from experience it was not worth waiting in.

I get it that for the longest time they have had one train ops but this is getting ridiculous. It was a Holiday Weekend and they still refuse to operate two trains when they can. I understand its a money issue and the whole thing that they are technically owned by another company, but that shouldn't mean they take a back seat to the guest experience. I hope the new management from the Old Cedar Fair can help turn things around but this visit did not help my worries.