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.