Jump to content
  TPR Home | Parks | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram 

Photo TR: SkyScreamer Media Day!!!


Recommended Posts

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!!!

 

IMG_0394.jpg.2d0b00154eee0932445651012f4974de.jpg

My buddies Pat and Jim accompanied me...

IMG_0395.jpg.8b811c49a6ae51f082fc052d6cceb91e.jpg

We're in the right place

IMG_0397.jpg.c72c1b2a911726891ebbb7db927df17f.jpg

Where to next?

IMG_0398.jpg.abc87b178fc067ff18ff2b85d785aeb2.jpg

A great addition to the skyline.

IMG_0399.jpg.a24537f50c5542b1fb42caf39e712f0b.jpg

Just keep following the signs.

IMG_0401.jpg.515d559c12f07faab652489f9af1028a.jpg

IMG_0402.jpg.b54e5f5eaadbb97c687db6cd0d0ab927.jpg

They had the characters out too.

IMG_0403.jpg.8ff080f61d79bfacdea6b4eacbf17cef.jpg

IMG_0404.jpg.43883eb459e7a107bcb850aac1b5b758.jpg

IMG_0405.jpg.8ad5933d2419b8f3bd1e97f1a9884d42.jpg

IMG_0406.jpg.c2b0330fd0c5a442799f9d39b50ab5bf.jpg

This is why we're here!

IMG_0407.jpg.b0bbbc50698fb2cabd54a9880888cea7.jpg

IMG_0408.jpg.fd52780e6c8a6bf531d30c32e4b097f1.jpg

Pat and Jim took time to have a picture with Daffy.

IMG_0409.jpg.37645b6365b9507709b9fe3838eada7f.jpg

IMG_0410.jpg.dab157458422f23d5d55b101684276c0.jpg

IMG_0411.jpg.026db2327360afcae74912d891f00af8.jpg

Media is present...

IMG_0412.jpg.df68421048fc773ee6126f5ea113d895.jpg

Some of the Travis Air Force base guys...and gals.

IMG_0414.jpg.8cb569bcacc0399d1f0c590067f252d5.jpg

Getting ready for the cutting of the ribbon.

IMG_0415.jpg.0447dffb40d0f18762130633279296ef.jpg

National Anthem perform by the Deadlies.

IMG_0416.jpg.6229bf563dae4da9f94fda9cd78530d5.jpg

Captain Lee starts off

IMG_0417.jpg.6a44548038cc78c3fa6bac86d8c3e360.jpg

IMG_0418.jpg.f18a6fd9c0e99ebd6531912f01ce3f82.jpg

then the President of SFDK spoke...

IMG_0419.jpg.7a7ad7bdee3638ac9d2caf87a94c5b56.jpg

Finally the cutting of the ribbon.

IMG_0420.jpg.e92a20d9169fa9007656c700ebe3b319.jpg

IMG_0421.jpg.896732b121f59e20d16826f3b78fa3ca.jpg

Waiting to ride with Travis Air Force.

IMG_0422.jpg.0b1bb3da83ac2d56146b72fd3cd4b0ad.jpg

IMG_0423.jpg.421aa2dca0b7820c768e2fefaee62664.jpg

IMG_0424.jpg.8a2e2484c4293a4621d956b2da30e0f6.jpg

IMG_0425.jpg.6199707b121d3ae520aa3aabae9b0b6f.jpg

IMG_0426.jpg.4a8b2102ba0876f8fc7bb8b94a702ec1.jpg

IMG_0427.jpg.fbfe2ab2a999a606ef06b6406a9cd264.jpg

IMG_0428.jpg.d28a552d1f35a72a6a483c90bc139aad.jpg

This was my Air Force partner for the first ride.

IMG_0429.jpg.22d16cb08a744abf4fb2633d7ddfc052.jpg

IMG_0430.jpg.11cdacd8e8659e0f9b69354dc619d23b.jpg

IMG_0431.jpg.fe6459dfd1f02d88cf14b35d6656aff6.jpg

IMG_0432.jpg.2801c92b511d1e408fd746525d4466d3.jpg

IMG_0433.jpg.b60c193b24ba16b83d1fcb7cdf26bbad.jpg

Oh yea, did I tell you it was raining!!!

IMG_0434.jpg.74c109edb20e42ef4728551a2654ec20.jpg

IMG_0436.jpg.99167112ec7ecc2d9bf94f7dab05e110.jpg

IMG_0437.jpg.24b688fdbd44da4dfd2bbc0bfd0da205.jpg

Charles is great! Thanks for the on-ride footage.

IMG_0439.jpg.cf39c58ca5870f39b5689e981b433cd0.jpg

IMG_0440.jpg.d34b7afb4bcb940709a3dc38307772ab.jpg

Pat and Jim with their swag bags...

IMG_0441.jpg.115eadd2438002eb85272a6d7ce269c3.jpg

This was what they were looking at though!

IMG_0442.jpg.0e2f8884b3b24f9a6f907372b749967f.jpg

Jim sleeps on the way home. We had a great time!

Edited by robbalvey
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 25
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

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 by chickenbowl
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Terms of Use https://themeparkreview.com/forum/topic/116-terms-of-service-please-read/