Photo TR: Deep in the Heart of the New Texas Giant Bash

[cfc]

Let's have one thing clear: I haven't been to every Six Flags park, but I think I can safely say that Six Flags Over Texas is the best. Most likely. (How's that for eqivocating? Well, the Georgia park is pretty great, too.) I've never done any of the Texas parks, so when Robb announced TPR's New Texas Giant Bash, I figured this would be the best way to start. And I was right. The Bash was great! My thanks to Robb, Elissa, and SFOT for putting together a great event! Plus, it was the park's 50th-anniversary season.

 

SFOT is a nicely themed park that has its own unique "personality," which can't be said about all the parks in the chain (again, SFOG is a close second here). Yes, there's a touch of the ol' Texas swagger to this park, but it isn't overbearing. The place reminds me a bit of the long-defunct Frontier Village in San Jose, California, with all its Old West theming--only on steroids. It was mobbed that day, so a Flash Pass was a must.

 

But what about that New Texas Giant? What about all the coasters (well, most of them) for that matter? Here they are, starting with the best:

 

New Texas Giant: Ejector air, 90-dgreee-plus banked turns, tunnels, mist, trains that look like old Chevys with steer horns on the hood--can't get much more Texas that that! Yes, this is a ride that lives up to its hype and then some. Y'all come and ride this--now! Whether you think it's wood or steel, it'll probably crack your top ten.

 

Mr. Freeze: This is even better than the SF St. Louis version, which is pretty damn good. The intense launch, the twisted high hat, that last little boost up the spike--then you do it all again backward! And their Mr. Freeze character still works.

 

Shockwave: This old Schwarzkopf double-looper provides the second-highest amount of ejector air in the park.

 

Titan: This mega, hyper, whatever you want to call it is a cut above its cousin, Goliath, at SF Magic Mountain. Decent air and a bonus helix, too.

 

Batman: These B&M inverts always deliver. I'm not surprised that Six Flags has built so many of them.

 

La Vibora: This Intamin Bobsled, while a bit on the clunky side, is unique--only the second one I've ever ridden. Fun, but watch out for those turns (bang!).

 

Runaway Mine Train: This is the original Arrow Mine Train, and its well-themed layout delivers a nice ride for families. Kind of clunky, but, hey, it's a very old Arrow.

 

Runaway Mountain: This coaster-in-a-box has seen better days (the theming is a bit beat looking), but it's still fun.

 

Big Spin: Yet another spinning mouse. OK for what it is.

 

Flashback: I'm not saying this ride is "good," but Knott's and Hersheypark still have the worst Vekoma Boomerangs.

 

Wile E. Coyote's Canyon Blaster: Well-themed Chance kiddie coaster.

 

Mini Mine Train: An interesting companion ride to the original Mine Train, and fairly comfortable for adults by kiddie-coaster standards.

 

One ride is missing from this list, and thereby hangs a tale. Judge Roy Scream drew pretty hefty lines that day, so my group let it go until late that night--about 9:30. We waited about ten minutes. Guy and Cameron got onboard, buckled their seatbelts, pulled down their lapbars, and were ready to ride. Unfortunately, someone had puked on the floor of their car, so they had to get out. (Hmm--might've been nice to have known that before getting on the train.) They had to shut down the ride to clean it, so we all passed on Judge Roy Scream.

 

Oh, well--just a good reason to go back.

 

Besides, night ERT on the New Texas Giant was amazing! Again, my thanks to Robb, Elissa, and the park for making this all happen!

 

Here's my take on SFOT.

I have it on good authority that this is Fort Worth. I'm pretty sure it isn't Detroit. If it is, it's going to be a long weekend.

They're testing the Boomerang! Happy, happy, happy! Joy, joy, joy!

Hmm--I think we may be close.

Let's see . . . 1,2,3,4,5,6 . . . more fun!

Judge Roy Scream still haunts my dreams. "Chu-u-u-u-ck! Climb aboard . . . bleah! Oh, gotta clean that up. Sorry."

So, that's what they call them in Texas, eh?

Mr. Six did not leap out of this cake while nude. Sorry if that disappoints you.

Checking in--in the shadow of La Vibrator, er, Vibora.

Wait, there's one place in Texas where you can't carry a gun? Yosemite Sam ain't a'gonna like this!

"I've ridden that--you will soon. I've also ridden Judge Roy Scream--but you may not! Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha!"

Next stop, ERT on one very damned impressive ride that, unlike the 2010 Dallas Cowboys, lives up to all that Texas hype.

It must be good! Even Robb is terrified!

"If I hear 'buck-buck-ba'caw" one more time, many will die!"

She's a beauty, ain't she? Yes, Yosemite Sam only drove this car to church on Sundays. If he hadn't been drinkin', of course.

Great styling, smooth ride . . . what do I have to do to make sure you drive off in this beauty today?

Pay no attention to the coyote. A 'great-decider-type' feller wouldn't need to think twice about buyin' a fine machine like this! Let me get my sales manager--he'll treat you real good.

This is where everyone yells, "HOLY [place favorite expletive here]."

It's been said by many . .

. . . and I agree wholeheartedly . . .

. . . that the New Texas Giant is the most amazing new ride of 2011!

Voyage, on its best day, can only dream of being as good as this ride.

NTAG's presence almost makes one feel sorry for Titan.

It's a good ride, too, even with a monument to Jerry Jones's ego as a backdrop.

"And that's when I finally, with a mighty heave, threw that damn Tweety Bird into the wood chipper! Go, me!"

This is the creepiest version of Mr. Six I've ever seen--at least until that night.

Tony Whatisname's Big Pandemonium, or something.

What? "Tub Toss" is still playing here? I saw it months ago.

"You sad, patehtic fools! I have this credit! There will be great pleasure in watching you all suffer!"

"I shall record your disgrace with your own camera! Hah!"

SFOT's Mr. Freeze is even better than the one in St. Louis, which makes it pretty durn good. We rode this sucker three times that day (once after dark)--thank you, Flash Pass!

"Visual scan. All restraints checked. Metallic nipple guards in place."

"Dispatching train. Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha!"

"Holy overcompensation! Look at the size of that spike, Batman!"

"Mr. Freeze's 'inadequacies' will be his undoing, Robin. Fortunately, you and I both justify our Bat Codpieces!"

When we rode Mr. Freeze, there was actually a bit of a "duel" with Batman. Looked out of the corner of my eye and say a B&M train coming right at me, only to veer off at the last second--very cool!

Yup. Texas.

"What the hell are we gonna do with those oversize prop guns?"

"Just strap 'em to the chair swings, call it 'Gunslinger.'"

"Brillant!"

"I shall call him 'Mini Mine.'"

Yup. We whored this'un good.

Wherever there's a coaster without a plaque, ACE will be there.

Hey, Lauren! Did you know you're riding a "landmark"?

"Woo hoo! I'm feeling all historical, now!" More to come.

[cfc]

Here's one more set of photos from Six Flags Over Texas. Again, my thanks to Robb, Elissa, and the park for getting out NTAG ERT extended when we "broke" Shockwave!

It's always good to see a working parachute-drop ride.

Guys, there's a cooler full of Shiner Bock under your seat for the trip. Be careful when reaching for one!

Poor, frustrated Charlie.

Superman wants you to ride his Tower of Power!

It takes 16 people to satisfy the Man of Steel!

Look at New Texas Giant! It's just too damn good to ignore.

La Vibrator, er, excuse me, Vibora used to be at Magic Mountain.

OK, this lady is enjoying La Vibrator, er, Vibora way too much. (Damn it--just can't stop saying that!)

Here's a sick journey into the perverted mentality of Yosemite Sam, whose di-phallic fixation should be rather obvious from this sign.

Why, only a dadburn fool would take a job like that--unless it includes lunch.

"Remember, Rangers--Yosemite Sam is very frustrated and is likely to go off if he encounters even mild resistance."

"It's a good thing that fawing for that wascally wabbit when he's in dwag has wendered me sexuawwy neuter."

"You think Sam is quick to go off? He has nothing on me! Arriba!"

"I gave up all hope years ago."

Great. Daffy Duck has signed on. I feel much safer now.

"Watch out, varmints! I can feel the tension 'a'risin' in me, and I'm 'a' fixin' ta blow!"

"Tarnation, I'm spent!"

"No, I'm not going to put on that dress and lipstick for you today, Elmer. Now fetch me a carrot, and get one for yourself."

Such language!

Hmm--is this Flume 1 or Flume 2?

Best ride 'em both to be on the safe side.

What? Loose women and caffeine? Someone call Guy!

That park had some nice historical displays to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

This may be historical, but it just looks creepy.

Yay for Anton!

This ride gives you five or six good "atomic drops."

I wonder how many accidents happen here due to distracted drivers?

The whole structure just shakes and shifts as the train runs the course. That's part of its charm.

It's almost as good as Mindbender at Six Flags Over Georgia.

Both flume credits--ka ching!

This is theming for Runaway Mountain.

The theming stops here. Kind of reminds me of DarKastle.

OK, the mountain doesn't actually "run away," but the ride is kinda fun.

Mr. Freeze is even cooler after dark.

This ACE plaque for Judge Roy Scream says nothing about how Bill Cobb's rides are susceptible to human vomit. It needs to be amended.

Oh, well--we did snag this credit, at least.

And we came close to nighttime ERT on Shockwave.

My thanks to Shockwave's crew for working very hard to get the ride going for ERT. But these things happen.

"My god! There are too many people in the chicken coop! I'm getting claustrophobic!"

"Soon, your souls will be mine!"

The only thing better than New Texas Giant in the morning, is New Texas Giant at night.

"A planet where apes evolved from Mr. Six?" Thanks for reading!

Edited June 2, 2011 by cfc

[rollin_n_coastin]

Awesome Chuck!

 

Totally agree with your rankings of Six Flags Parks. I have to say, the two Texas parks, along with SFoG, really are quite special. New England had a similar vibe but falls behind after experiencing the goodness that Six Flags had hidden in the South. Who knew?

 

Aside from NTG, loved La Vibora and Mind Bender.

 

Thanks for the pics!

[SharkTums]

I just wrote up the latest KidTums' Korner on SFoT cause I agree, it's a stand out park for sure!

[chadster]

Overall it sounds like you had fun at one of my adopted home parks!

 

Sorry the water wasn't working on Runaway Mountain, it's what really makes the theming. I saw you guys vacating the train on Judge, then I saw the cleanup crew. Too bad you guys didn't stick it out, they just let that train go empty and ran the other. They were cycling within about 10 minutes.

 

Thanks for sharing your take!

[Stephen G]

Only if you had gotten a train credit. "After putting my own blood and sweat into those engines I love them too much.

The only differences between flume 1 and flume two in ride quality is the amount of trees and the fact that they would never run flume one up until this year also Its no longer Mr. freeze Its now "Paper clip the Ride"

 

Glad you had fun come back to get the Judge Roy scream credit.

[cfc]

^Does your post come with some sort of secret decoder ring? Getting the Roy Scream credit is a good excuse to come back--not that I'd really need an excuse, anyway. It's a great park and definitely worth another visit some day.

[cal1br3tto]

I agree with nearly all your ride reviews. I find it hard to compare Six Flags parks, but SFOT is definitely among my favorites. It offers plenty of thrills along with a good deal of charm.

[Ace Of Spades]

I found myself laughing at so many captions during this...almost so much that I missed all the great pics!

 

Thanks for the awesome PTR!

[coasterbear30]

We were at the park in April and I can totally agree that SFOT is my favorite SF park so far. Going to GrAdv in September so I will see how that one fares. I also really like SFDK as well. NTAG made it into my number 2 steel spot so I can totally agree with your comments. What an amazing ride!

[OldJJman]

Great TR Chuck!!

 

I do agree that both SFoT and SFoG are the two best parks in the chain. I think that comes from the management wanting to provide a better guest experience for their guests.

 

Glad to see that the weird boat ride is still running!!

 

JJ

 

Btw - I have the Judge Roy Scream credit as well!!

[cfc]

Btw - I have the Judge Roy Scream credit as well!!

 

Well, aren't we special? I'll have to go back and hit the other Texas parks, anyway--particularly Schlitterbahn. Glad you liked the TR, Jeff--thanks!

[Erik Johnson]

It is sad that I never noticed the Coyote hanging over NATG's first drop in that he is probably my favorite cartoon character.

[Philrad71]

^Does your post come with some sort of secret decoder ring?

 

While I was laughing while reading your trip report, I almost spit out my drink when I read this....awesome!!

 

I have definitely got to get to this park. I am even more frustrated in knowing that my co-worker has customers in Dallas and Arlington and gets to go there a couple times a year...couple miles from SFOT, while I am stuck with customers in Winnipeg and Fargo. Not that there is anything wrong with those cities, but there are no coasters there, damn it!!!

[Moose]

^^ Eric, it took me MANY rides to notice him.

 

 

Great report Chuck! I have to agree that SFoT is a great park. On of the things was how clean the park was, even with the huge crowds that were at the park that day. The weird layout, and oddly run food service (even though the park was packed, it appeared that none of the food servie started cooking until noon, the lines never recovered.) dropped it a few pegs for me.

[Brandy524]

Great job, Chuck! Hilarious, as always.

[cfc]

^^ Eric, it took me MANY rides to notice him.

 

 

Great report Chuck! I have to agree that SFoT is a great park. On of the things was how clean the park was, even with the huge crowds that were at the park that day. The weird layout, and oddly run food service (even though the park was packed, it appeared that none of the food servie started cooking until noon, the lines never recovered.) dropped it a few pegs for me.

 

I think food service would be my one knock against the park, too, but that's true for Six Flags in general. They were pretty slammed that day.

 

Thanks for the comments, everybody!

[SharkTums]

^Yeah, I was appalled when I saw some of the lines for food at the park. Waiting an hour plus for food is completely unacceptable even on a busy day. Luckily a few of us escaped and got Carrabba's, but surely Six Flags doesn't want to force people to leave to get a decent food experience. Hopefully they'll improve this for the rest of the Summer season.

[cfc]

^My impression of the staff at the pizza place is that no one at the counter was clear on what job they were supposed to do. There were four or five people there, but only two seemed to be doing anything consistently.

[Stephen G]

sorry the decoder Ring is a separate purchase of $9.99, I have worked on the six flags railway for the past few years and just overly enjoy when people post about it.

[ernierocker]

I have worked on the six flags railway for the past few years

 

Did you start when you were 12 or are you lying about your age???

[Stephen G]

few, as in two years I started training when I was 15 and got my engineers card at 16, Ive worked out there a few times this year but Ive been Busier working for McKinney Avenue transit in Dallas as a mechanic.

[jray21]

Incredible report as always Chuck! I love all of the captions as always.

[cfc]

^^Unfortunately, my group didn't get around to riding the train that day (although we did hit the antique car ride because it's part of Flash Pass).

[BrandonR]

Sounds like you had a good time. Your first picture is of downtown Dallas, not Fort Worth. And except for the credit, you didn't miss much by not riding Judge. That ride has killed my back on the first two drops the last several times I've ridden it so I usually just skip it. It's in desperate need of some rehab.

 

And I agree about the creepy Mr. Six character. He looks straight out of a burn ward.

 

But in terms of creepiness at the park, few things have this guy beat:

 

(from the Texas section)