Coaster Palooza Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 (edited) Hi Everyone! Just got back from Media Day at SFDK for SkyScreamer. What a great ride, even in the rain! Yes, it was raining here in Northern California. That didn't dappen our spirits though. The guys for Travis Air Force base were there to take the "First Flight" on SkyScreamer also!!! SkyScreamer is a great addition to SFDK. The fact sheet and media release are below: SKYSCREAMER Fact Sheet Height: 150 feet Revolution: 98 degree circle Speed: Up to 43 mph Length: 2 ½ minutes Number of passengers: 32 sit two across Diameter of base: 20 feet Seating: Swings Seatbelt strapping: Across lap and between legs Number of stars on Star Points: 128 Number of chains holding each swing: 8 Capacity of concrete in foundation: 283 yards Lineal feet of rebar in foundation: 6,785 feet or if stretched from end to end equals 17 football fields Views: Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, mountains to the West and water to the East Height requirements: 48” or 44” with an adult Flash Pass Availability Yes SIX FLAGS DISCOVERY KINGDOM OPENS SKYSCREAMER – MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND SkyScreamer Will Take Thrills to New Heights May 25, 2011 (Vallejo, CA) Travis Air Force Base squadron members took to the sky at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom today, as the first “flyers” to experience the park’s newest thrill ride, SkyScreamer. SkyScreamer, which opens to the public on Friday, May 27, is the latest sensation in tower rides, and takes the concept of spinning round and round to a new level of thrills. The lofty attraction joins the park’s unique array of rides, shows and interactive animal experiences. At 150-feet high, SkyScreamer is the equivalent in height to the park’s tallest roller coaster, Medusa, and will give passengers a bird’s eye view of the entire park. With a capacity of 32 guests sitting two across in open air swings, the “star points” upon which the swings are attached, spin while climbing to the top of the tower, as riders orbit around. At full swing, guests revolve in a 98-foot circle at speeds of 43 mph for 2½ minutes. Once the sun sets, SkyScreamer will be lit from top to bottom, creating a stunning focal point. “There is nothing like it in Northern California,” said Dale Kaetzel, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Park President. “The sense of soaring so high is both exhilarating and nail-biting, and it’s that anticipation before the ride starts that gets the heart pumping.” SkyScreamer, which is topped with an iconic globe surrounded by the words Six Flags on two sides, was manufactured by Funtime of Austria, a world leader in unique and exciting rides. The colorful tower and globe offers a new look to the overall park skyline. From May 27 through June 26, 2011, guests can literally earn their wings by braving SkyScreamer 10 times during this time period by participating in the SkyScreamer Frequent Flyer Program. On their first ride, guests receive a punch card that serves as their frequent flyer card. The card is punched by a ride operator on each subsequent ride until guests hit their tenth ride to receive a special commemorative pewter SkyScreamer wing pins. SkyScreamer Opens Starting Memorial Day weekend, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom is open daily through August 21, then on weekends and select dates through January 1, 2011, including Fright Fest Presented by Snickers®, its annual month-long Halloween event and Holiday in the Park starting November 27 through the end of the 2011 season. For more information or to purchase a Season Pass online, visit http://www.sixflags.com/discoverykingdom. VIDEO!!! My buddies Pat and Jim accompanied me... We're in the right place Where to next? A great addition to the skyline. Just keep following the signs. They had the characters out too. This is why we're here! Pat and Jim took time to have a picture with Daffy. Media is present... Some of the Travis Air Force base guys...and gals. Getting ready for the cutting of the ribbon. National Anthem perform by the Deadlies. Captain Lee starts off then the President of SFDK spoke... Finally the cutting of the ribbon. Waiting to ride with Travis Air Force. This was my Air Force partner for the first ride. Oh yea, did I tell you it was raining!!! Charles is great! Thanks for the on-ride footage. Pat and Jim with their swag bags... This was what they were looking at though! Jim sleeps on the way home. We had a great time! Edited June 1, 2011 by robbalvey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenbowl Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 (edited) I like the new landscaping for part of Medusa. Now they just have to do the rest! I'm glad it's open. It looks like a solid ride! Edit: They also chose a great location seen when entering the park. I bet it looks intimidating from the ground. Edited May 25, 2011 by chickenbowl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrewoplis Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 This is awesome, thanks for posting! I really like the landscaping around the ride and it looks like you get some great photo ops of Medusa while waiting in line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megalyte Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 Totally awesome! Looks better than ANY of the Windseekers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calicoasters Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 Yeah, I totally love where they put this inside Medusa! Such a cool location. Thanks for the pics! -Jake Exactly! Having Sky Screamer there and all the new landscaping around it, improves the atmosphere of Medusa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoasterGuy06 Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 BIG fan of the landscaping done around Medusa as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Intimidator305 Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 Looks better than ANY of the Windseekers! I have to disagree, the Six Flags "globe" on top is a bit tacky along with the star banners on the ride itself whereas the Windseekers have a nice clean look to them that don't look like they should/could be in a fair. On the other hand though, the ride's area really looks good and I'm glad to see Medusa's atmosphere being improved. I also think the colors of the actual tower look good as well. Anyways, thanks for the great trip report! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coaster-crazy Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 Nice TR! I was there today as well, and I saw you, but wasn't sure if it was really you. What were your thoughts on the ride? I thought it is a fantastic addition to the park, and even more fun in the rain! Thanks for posting. I'll be posting my own TR possibly soon.. ~Nicholas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noobitizer Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 Awesome, glad to see you guys had a great time! It's welcomed addition to our line up! Changes the feel of the whole area Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asimowalk Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 I agree that this ride looks better than the Windseekers. As dorky as it sounds, this ride looks and feels like it's 'home'... The Windseekers are just plopped on a blob of concrete. One thing I found interesting is that the op booth doesn't have a skylight window to watch the riders when they're up in the air. Do any of the tower rides have that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Six Flags Enthuseast Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 Great report! The park really needed this ride; it fits the Sky theme well. It appeals to a wide audience, so I'm sure it'll be a hit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunfire Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 One thing I found interesting is that the op booth doesn't have a skylight window to watch the riders when they're up in the air. Do any of the tower rides have that? Actually, a lot of tower rides have mirrors that let the ride ops look up at the ride without straining their neck, such as Drop Tower at CGA. Maybe Skyscreamer uses mirrors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilltopper39 Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 I agree that this ride looks better than the Windseekers. As dorky as it sounds, this ride looks and feels like it's 'home'... The Windseekers are just plopped on a blob of concrete. Agree Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Der Der Dongt Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 150ft lol That construction height restriction really sucks. What I find it interesting that the seat suspensions are really different from the ones on previous Star Flyers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 I'm glad that these rides are showing up at more U.S. parks--they're a nice variation on chair swings and observations towers. Thanks for the report, Rick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asimowalk Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 Actually, a lot of tower rides have mirrors that let the ride ops look up at the ride without straining their neck, such as Drop Tower at CGA. Maybe Skyscreamer uses mirrors. After the accident at SFKK, they told employees that they had to physically look up and not to rely on the mirrors. I'm not sure if that rule has changed back though. As for the new cable setup, maybe it can stand higher winds which was the main argument for CF to go with the Windseekers (even though they will shut down in high winds anyways). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noobitizer Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 150ft lol That construction height restriction really sucks. What I find it interesting that the seat suspensions are really different from the ones on previous Star Flyers. I believe its because the first ones had single seats, and we a version with tandem seats. I think..... One thing I found interesting is that the op booth doesn't have a skylight window to watch the riders when they're up in the air. Do any of the tower rides have that? Actually, a lot of tower rides have mirrors that let the ride ops look up at the ride without straining their neck, such as Drop Tower at CGA. Maybe Skyscreamer uses mirrors. Both St.Louis and our park use a video monitoring system to keep an eye in the sky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrJazzHands Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 Thanks for the awesome trip report. I've been wanting to go on one of those for a while, and SFDK has the closest one to me (a whole two states away). The one thing that terrifies me about that ride is the chains holding the chairs, I know they're safe as all can be, but that still doesn't stop them from looking flimsy as heck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Clinksalot Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 Great stuff Rick. Definitely on my "to ride" list next time we are at SFDK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterferg Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 Awesome. I was at the park last Saturday and they were testing the ride. I had a great time and the weather was perfect, I took a crap-ton of photos. I was faintly hoping for a soft opening but it didn't happen. Oh well! I'm glad you got to enjoy the ride! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Der Der Dongt Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 150ft lol That construction height restriction really sucks. What I find it interesting that the seat suspensions are really different from the ones on previous Star Flyers. I believe its because the first ones had single seats, and we a version with tandem seats. I think..... The prototype had single seats only but all the other ones after that got the tandem seats but kept the original suspension. It seems like the seats are now lower with these extra chains than on previous ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrillgeek Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 Medusa did get improved quite a bit with the landscaping. I just bought my season pass today. Can't go for about a week due to work though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeemerBoy Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 I'm glad that these rides are showing up at more U.S. parks--they're a nice variation on chair swings and observations towers. Thanks for the report, Rick. Ditto. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 (edited) I've updated the media day report with VIDEO!!! Check it out... Edited June 1, 2011 by robbalvey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandy524 Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 Did anyone notice how sad and dejected Bugs looks about the ribbon laying on his feet? Poor Bugs! I want to give him a hug! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts