Photo TR: Thomas Town at Six Flags America

[printersdevil78]

OK, so here's the question: Did the world really need another Thomas Town? If you ask my 6-year-old stepdaughter-to-be, Lauryn, the answer is an emphatic "Yes!" And since the newest--and largest--Thomas Town in the Six Flags chain opened this weekend at Six Flags America, just two hours from our home, we couldn't not go (OK, it helped that we had already planned to attend birthday party near the park this weekend, as well).

 

We didn't make it to the big birthday celebration that opened the new section on Saturday, but we did see a custodial worker wearing a leftover Thomas birthday hat during our visit on Sunday--which is almost the same, right?

 

Anyway, for those who enjoy themed lands, here's the latest from SFA (and for those who would rather see coasters--well, they're in the background of most shots, anyway).

When we went to SFA on opening day in March, the "six flags" outside the entry area represented the early flags of the United States, as the have for several years. Today, they were the six flags that have flown over Texas. Maybe SFA's flags went to Texas as part of the big anniversary gift exchange?

Why, look who we ran into right inside the entry gates. It's Sir Topham Hatt and his entourage! He was doing character duty with Honey Bunny and the Joker.

Just follow the tracks....

Yay! Last time I saw this place, it was just a big pile of dirt behind some construction fences.

First stop: Knapford Station!

OMG, do you see who I see?

This was Lauryn's first time riding inside a cartoon character....

Exit through the gift shop!

Hey, wait a minute! The Capital Railways train is trying to horn in on Thomas' territory!

Two trains in one shot! The Capital Railways train actually runs through Thomas Town, parallel to Thomas on one side, only in the opposite direction.

There is theming and a roller coaster in this photo. What do they both have in common? Neither of them moved all day.

There's another train! Or is it? No, it's actually the former Taz's Trucking Co. ride from Looney Tunes Movie Town with a Sodor Iron Works diesel train overlay.

Why so cranky, Cranky?

Is it because they stripped out your innards and turned you into a drop tower?

There's our old friend Bertie the Bus!

Hard to see in this picture, but they actually let Kelly take her full souvenir cup on the ride, which I thought was verboten at a Six Flags park no matter what the situation.

What would Thomas Town be without old Harold the Helicopter? Actually... it would be kind of like Thomas Town at Six Flags Magic Mountain!

After spending years traveling "Around the World in 80 Days" at SFA, these balloons traveled halfway around the park in several months to become the Sodor Carnival Wheel, with new ornate trim and pictures of the Thomas trains on their sides.

Thomas Town also included a water tower misting area and a *very* nice slide/play space with lots of fun little hidden surprises.

For instance, when's the last time you saw a marble labyrinth built into a children's play space?

Lauryn's time in the play area was limited, as she wanted to get in rides on Wild One, Roar and Skull Mountain before an impending thunderstorm rolled in. Yep, she very willingly chose big, giant, scary coasters and flumes over a kiddie play area. Did I mention she just turned 6!?

This gazebo was smack dab in the middle of this new section. I suspect it may soon become a meet-'n'-greet area for Sir Topham Hatt, but today, with temperatures in the 90s before 11 a.m., it was nice to find a ceiling fan in the otherwise unshaded Thomas Town.

Actually... I guess "unshaded" really isn't a 100 percent accurate description since this mass of tables with umbrellas is also part of Thomas Town. It serves the area's only "eatery"...

...a Baby's Jon's Donuts cart. Prices start at $7 for a dozen mini-donuts, fried right in front of you while you wait. By comparison, the flea market near my home sells the exact same thing... for $1.50.

Goodbye for now, Thomas Town! I'm sure we'll be seeing you again soon.

[pkdcoaster]

looks nice for a job done in 2 months. Thanks for the update.

 

JEFF

[HCLcoasters]

It looks to be very spread out just like the back half of SFA. I wish they would conserve some space...

[coaster mindy]

Thanks for the pictures, were not going till next month

[chadster]

considering they were still laying the pathways on Monday, I have to say, I am impressed that it opened on time. thanks for the update.

[CoasterLover]

I wish they would conserve some space...

 

Conserve space?!? The park has over 300 acres of unused land! What need does the park have to conserve land? If nothing else, they helped make the "dead end" to Superman less of a dead end as there is now a full loop around Joker's Jinx.

 

I went on opening day and was shocked by the crowds. However, it seems thing calmed down a lot by the next day. The section looks great and, once the landscaping grows in after a few years, it will easily be one of the nicest looking areas in SFA.

[fatdaddy]

This is an excellent example of how Thomas Town should be done, not the half assed version we got at SFMM. I think this shows how bad the Thomas Town at SFMM is, and how many short cuts they took, i mean all we got was a train, a rethemed coaster and some sprinklers. That cranky drop towers look great. I really think this looks awesome, it's a full blown themed land, thanks for posting, i now have Thomas Town envy.