The Great Escape (TGE) Discussion Thread

[Canobie Coaster]

Has the Comet been running rough? I've been there in 2000, 2007, and 2013 and always had a glass smooth ride on it.

[Mr.Peabody]

It was rougher than I ever remember it being, including all the years I rode it at Crystal Beach. My seat has always been in the very back, right-hand side. Hitting the bottom of the first drop nearly jarred my fillings loose. The turns weren't too bad, but a lot of the straight sections were terrible. It was a major disappointment and quite a shock, since the last time I was there it was running glass smooth.

[coasterbill]

It was rougher than I ever remember it being, including all the years I rode it at Crystal Beach. My seat has always been in the very back, right-hand side. Hitting the bottom of the first drop nearly jarred my fillings loose. The turns weren't too bad, but a lot of the straight sections were terrible. It was a major disappointment and quite a shock, since the last time I was there it was running glass smooth.

 

Aren't they 3 bench PTC trains? Ride it in a non wheel seat (so one from the back) and your problem will probably be solved.

[Mr.Peabody]

Our last ride of the day was in the second front "floater" seat. It was better, but still disappointing. The Comet was my home coaster for twenty-five years. I took my first ride on it in 1971. Of all the adjectives I've used to describe it, "rough" was one I never thought I'd need. It's a classic ride and deserves to be treated better. I rarely fill out surveys, but when Great Escape sent me one after our visit I blasted them about the Comet at every opportunity. A lot of people say that Six Flags pays attention to guest opinions, so we'll see when I go back next summer. Needless to say, I'm not optimistic.

[jmillzy]

I think that the Great Escape will not receive another steel coaster until 2021 - probably a Gerstlauter Eurofighter. I think that restoring Comet to make it rideable is much, much more important.

[booink]

I think that the Great Escape will not receive another steel coaster until 2021 - probably a Gerstlauter Eurofighter. I think that restoring Comet to make it rideable is much, much more important.

 

Out of curiosity, what makes you say precisely 2021?

 

And yeah, Comet could use a bit of retracking, it's still a great ride but it was pretty rough last year compared to previous years.

[ShaneH]

I didn't think Gerstlauer and Six Flags are interested in each other after the NTAG incident

[jedimaster1227]

^^2021 seems like a pretty specific year to call out... And to say the park won't get a new coaster in the next seven years, being a Six Flags park is something that I would doubt. It may be a relocated coaster, but I can't imagine any one park in the Six Flags chain not getting a new coaster in the span of seven years.

[robbalvey]

Six Flags Announces Virtual Reality Roller Coasters at 9 US Parks!

 

Six Flags is bringing ground-breaking experiences to nine parks:

 

- Shock Wave at Six Flags Over Texas

- Dare Devil Dive at Six Flags Over Georgia

- The New Revolution at Six Flags Magic Mountain

- Ninja at Six Flags St. Louis

- Steamin’ Demon at The Great Escape

- Goliath at La Ronde

- SUPERMAN Krypton Coaster at Six Flags Fiesta Texas

- SUPERMAN The Ride at Six Flags New England

- SUPERMAN Ride of Steel at Six Flags America

 

Six Flags is bringing ground-breaking experiences to nine parks — North America's first Virtual Reality (VR) Roller Coasters, using Samsung Gear VR powered by Oculus. Enjoy thrills like never before as some of our most popular coasters will be equipped to allow you to wear Samsung Gear VR headsets and feel the heart-pumping adrenaline of steep drops, inverted loops and powerful twists and turns as gyros, accelerometers and proximity sensors synchronize all of the action in an incredibly realistic 360-degree virtual reality world.

 

Whether you're soaring through Metropolis on our SUPERMAN Virtual Reality Coasters or co-piloting a fighter jet on The New Revolution, this remarkable technology is a definite game-changer. The headsets allow guests 13 and older to enter a virtual world with high-resolution imagery and 360-degree views that synchronize to the action of the coaster in a totally new, one-of-a-kind experience.

 

Six Flags and Samsung Partner to Launch First Virtual Reality Roller Coasters in North America

 

Samsung is “Official Technology Partner” at Six Flags Theme Parks Nationwide

 

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas, and New York City — March 3, 2016 — Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE:SIX), and Samsung Electronics America, Inc., today announced a broad marketing partnership which appoints Samsung as the “Official Technology Partner” of the world’s largest regional theme park company. The partnership includes the debut of ground-breaking experiences coming to nine Six Flags parks—North America’s first Virtual Reality (VR) Roller Coasters, using Samsung Gear VR powered by Oculus.

 

In partnership with Samsung, Six Flags is taking its signature brand of thrills to the next level and beyond in fully immersive, virtual riding experiences using Samsung Gear VR. Some of Six Flags’ most popular coasters will be equipped to allow riders wearing Samsung Gear VR headsets to feel the heart-pumping adrenaline of steep drops, inverted loops and powerful twists and turns as gyros, accelerometers and proximity sensors synchronize all of the action in an incredibly realistic 360-degree virtual reality world.

 

“This remarkable technology is a definite game-changer for theme park rides and represents everything our brand stands for—delivering the most thrilling and innovative rides and attractions in the world,” said John Duffey, Six Flags President and CEO. “With the addition of these virtual reality coasters, Six Flags will be introducing more than double the number of new coasters and rides than we did in 2015, and more than any year in the last decade. Innovation is part of our DNA, and news in every park every year is driving higher guest satisfaction and building strong momentum for our company."

 

“What makes this partnership so compelling for consumers and the broader tech industry alike is that both companies are committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible - and bringing a VR coaster to life is certainly a new and thrilling proposition,” said Marc Mathieu, chief marketing officer at Samsung Electronics America. “Now, people can be immersed into a totally new universe while riding a roller coaster, powered by Samsung Gear VR virtual reality devices.

 

This transforms the modern roller coaster into a totally new, one of a kind sensorial experience - powered by technology. We are excited to work with the premier brand in theme parks to bring Samsung’s VR technology to nine Six Flags locations across the U.S.”

 

Samsung Gear VR – designed to accelerate virtual reality into the mainstream – provides an untethered, fully-immersive experience with 360-degree content for an extremely high quality mobile VR experience. Built to work with Samsung’s Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy S6, S6 edge, S6 edge+ and Note5, the Gear VR headset utilizes each device’s super AMOLED display to provide the color, clarity and performance needed for an amazing virtual reality experience.

 

About the VR Roller Coaster Experiences

Six Flags and Samsung will launch the new VR Roller Coasters beginning this month and into the summer, totaling nine coasters across the U.S. On the six New Revolution Virtual Reality Coasters, riders are transported to a futuristic battle to save planet earth from an alien invasion. Riders are the co-pilots in their own fighter jets as they strap in for air-to-air combat. Taking in the view around them, riders will see other aircraft in an underground secret bunker. As the aircraft moves to a landing pad, it begins to launch its thruster engines, lifting the craft straight up through the roof. During the ascent, riders can test fire their weapons using the world’s first-ever interactive gameplay technology on a roller coaster. As riders clear the roof, they realize they are on top of a skyscraper and about to launch off the edge of the building diving straight down on the first drop of the ride. The aircraft races through the city until reaching the edge of the skyline where riders see the mother ship hovering above. The mother ship is heavily protected by drones and the mission is to get past the drones, fire on the mother ship and destroy it. This elite fighter squadron experience will make its debut on the following six roller coasters:

 

 Shock Wave at Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington, opening March 10 to Season Pass Holders as a special sneak preview;

 Dare Devil Dive at Six Flags Over Georgia outside of Atlanta, opening March 12 to Season Pass Holders as a special sneak preview;

 The New Revolution at Six Flags Magic Mountain near Los Angeles, opening March 26 to Season Pass Holders as a special sneak preview;

 Ninja at Six Flags St. Louis in Eureka;

 Steamin’ Demon at The Great Escape in Lake George, New York and

 Goliath at La Ronde in Montreal.

 

On Six Flags’ three new SUPERMAN Virtual Reality Coasters, once riders take their seats and fasten the headsets, they will be fully immersed in the 360-degree comic-book world of Metropolis. Guests will be taken on a leisurely (or so they think) tour of the city of Metropolis, courtesy of Lex Corp Sky Tours. Just after departing the station riders encounter Lex Luthor who uses an anti-gravity gun along with his army of Lex Bots to create chaos throughout the city with cars, taxis and buses floating in mid-air around the rider’s vehicle. As the Lexbots continue shooting at the vehicle, SUPERMAN uses heat vison to destroy the anti-gravity gun, causing all objects to suddenly fall, including the train as it takes the first giant drop of the roller coaster. Riders then soar alongside SUPERMAN as he battles the evil Lexbots

 

through hairpin twists and turns, loops, dips and dives before ultimately defeating Lex and the Lexbots, and returning safely back into the station. This amazing adventure will debut on these Superman-branded coasters:

 

 SUPERMAN Krypton Coaster at Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio;

 SUPERMAN The Ride at Six Flags New England in Agawam, Massachusetts; and

 SUPERMAN Ride of Steel at Six Flags America in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.

 

For more information, visit www.sixflags.com/virtualrealitycoasters and www.samsung.com/gearvr.

[SixFlagsAstroworld]

How's Greezed Lightnin' coming?

[Jcoaster]

How's Greezed Lightnin' coming?

 

Nobody ever gets up dates for TGE. Wish it was closer so I could ride Comet more.

[thrillseeker4552]

Not gonna lie, I totally forgot this park existed. I assume Fireball, or whatever they're calling it, is about finished as the other ones under construction (SFSL, SFNE, SFFT) are at least built.

[Mwbugsy]

How's Greezed Lightnin' coming?

There is a hole dug where the ride will go but that's it. No sign of any parts on site yet.

[Sluggo77]

Any updated reports on this park. I know Greezed Lightning is open and VR on Demon is soon. I just haven't gone yet this year.

[coasterbill]

We went a few weeks ago but were short on time. We rode the Log Flume, Comet, Bobsled and left. Nothing of interest to report. The park is still mediocre, operations are still hilariously bad but it's a very pretty park and it seems to be better maintained than most parks in the chain. The larson loop looks nice in it's location.

[Canobie Coaster]

I'm just thankful they didn't put VR on the Comet since that's the only coaster in the park that is a people eater.

[I Like Theme Parks.]

^Plus, it REALLY doesn't need VR. It's still in my top 10 roller coasters of all time, and in my top 5 wooden coasters. Some of those hills near the end are wild! And it's just rough enough to have an old-school feel, but not painful.

[Jcoaster]

Comet is easily one of my favorite wooden coasters. The airtime is out of control.

[Satans Hockey]

Other then slow operations how are the crowds normally at this park? I'm thinking about going next Sunday.

[3Mutts]

Other then slow operations how are the crowds normally at this park? I'm thinking about going next Sunday.

 

Crowds are usually fine. Most people go to Splash Water Kingdom and the park usually has low to medium lines (no more than 30 mins). The worst thing about this park is parking, The parking lot is split into small lots and goes REALLY far back. If you don't get there at opening then be prepared to walk 5-10 mins to get to the entrance.

[Mr. Corn]

Six Flags supposedly is looking into mass buying 6 S&S 4D Free Flys, and it only mentioned the parks for 3 of them and we were not mentioned. I still think we could get one of those 6 those, so keep your eyes peeled for any permits. I personally think we need an El Loco before something like this, but hey, any coasters a coaster at this point.

[coasterbill]

I still think we could get one of those 6

 

You poor thing...

[Jcoaster]

I still think we could get one of those 6

 

You poor thing...

 

 

Don't they still have the old Serial Thriller from Astro World sitting in storage?

[Mr. Corn]

I still think we could get one of those 6

 

You poor thing...

 

 

Don't they still have the old Serial Thriller from Astro World sitting in storage?

 

It was originally sent there, but then it was transferred to La Ronde to become Endor

[livai]

great escape ,free haunted house during fright fest

 

 

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