Into the Unknown

[Masquerade]

Just makes me realize how much American Dream needs to bump their tree and sunlight game.

[CaptainUnknown]

Journey 11: Six Flags Over Texas AKA Giants, Ice Puns, and Baseball

 

So this trip was almost a perfect storm for me.

1. I wanted to go to a Six Flags park for no reason other than to go to a Six Flags park after working for Cedar Fair for four years.

2. By the time of the trip, I had just accrued enough PTO for the trip.

3. As a baseball fan, I was excited that my team, the Minnesota Twins, were going to be in town playing the Rangers that weekend. #Bombasquad

 

My flight landed mid-afternoon--which was enough time for me to drop my bags off at the hotel and grab a quick ride each on New Texas Giant and Titan (once I could find them in that back corner) before the park closed for the evening at 6pm all weekend I was there.

View from the room.

But in the mornings, I had to have breakfast at the hotel in the form of:

Evil beware, we have Texas-shaped waffles.

Before heading off into the park.

In case you forgot where you were...

 

NTAG is easily the best ride in the park. It's just so much fun. I'm glad Six Flags took a chance on RMC.

From the top of the Oil Derrick, neither ride looks Gigantic or Titanic.

Wait, let's discuss this!

Too late!

Nyoom!

 

It was both my first and last rides of the trip. And as it turns out, my last coaster pre-Covid.

Meep, meep!

 

Titan. What happened here? The forces here just kill the pacing. Especially since you slam to a near stop on the mid-course. There's good reason for that, but why was it designed that way? I did enjoy the hangtime in the front car coming off the MCBR though.

Sunset Titan.

 

Mr. Freeze was a ride I was well aware of for having long wait times and general unreliabilty. I experienced both on my visit. Sometimes at the same time. I also had walk-ons. I love the launch on this thing and staring at the ground in the quote-unquote front car on the spike. But why TF does the seatbelt connect to the lapbar?

The Mr. Freeze entrance is cool.

Whenever a train launched, it gave me the chills.

I know I should cool it with the ice puns, but there's snow way I can let it go.

The Mr. Freeze animatronic is so tired of my ice puns, he gave me the cold shoulder.

 

La Vibora was an interesting experience. I don't know what to make of the ride, but I love the single-rider line as it allowed me to bypass queues up to an hour in under 5 minutes. Now don't tell anyone about it.

La Vibrator

 

Much like the purple, cyclopian Decepticon, Shockwave is more than meets the eye. It's a fun Schwarzkopf double-loop coaster. And since I'm a lonely nerd (as evidenced by the facts that I have a TPR account and an obsession for ice puns), I keep enough of a count to realize that Shockwave was the 100th steel coaster I rode. Cool, I guess.

Unfortunately, this was the only good picture I got of the double loops.

LOOP-DE-LOOP!

 

Oh look, a Gerstlauer spinner. The 3rd of this cloned model I've ridden. Single-rider saves the day again here.

 

As for Joker, it seems like I enjoy these things more than most. I don't mind just rocking instead of flipping as that can be just as wild, if not more so than flipping. Or maybe I just get the joke that many have missed.

Why so Serious?

Let's put a smile on that face!

One by one, they'll hear my call...

Then this wicked town will follow my fall.

 

And Batman. We all know what those are like. This is how a ride is supposed to do intensity. Looking at you, Titan. And it's also ridiculously photogenic. Which is the opposite of what Batman is as one who's received ninja training.

Roll over the entrance.

I don't know if it says more about Six Flags or the world of Batman where this could be considered theming.

I thought Batman was more of a night guy. Who put on the sun?

 

As for coasters I didn't really post pictures of:

-Judge Roy Scream: an unoffensive wooden coaster who's biggest plus is how awkward it is to get to since the ride is outside the rest of the park and you enter the queue underneath the park's entry road. Weird.

-Mini mine train was better than the full-sized one. Though, while waiting for Runaway Mine Train, the Main Dispatch op was telling jokes where the punchline was always "Mine Train" according to the teen boys in line.

-Runaway Mountain: apparently not as awesome as Skull Mountain. Still a fun ride with an air conditioned queue. Though loose article storage and retrieval was interesting.

 

As one who operated a Funtime Starflyer for Cedar Fair, it was interesting to see just how differently Texas Skyscreamer operated. Though what surprised me most was the reduced capacity on this model compared to the one I operated about half as tall.

Skyscreamer, Texas sized.

 

I love frisbees. So imagine my disappointment where Riddler was seldom operating (at least while I was in the area). A byproduct of it being late in the summer season, I guess. Mostly I just wanted another lap in the queue to get pictures of all the Riddles they had posted. What's Six Ounces, sits in a tree, and is very dangerous? A sparrow with a machine gun

Riddle me this: why was this rarely open?

I took this shot while just randomly walking around the top of the Oil Derrick, constantly taking pictures of nothing in particular, hoping something would turn out.

Log flume, because log flume.

 

I was excited to try the park's Zamperla Endeavor. I love the old Enterprise style attractions and was intrigued how this would be. Immediately I ran into a problem: I stapled myself to the point where I couldn't get a full breath in and was contemplating asking off the ride because of it. And after I got over that feeling, once the ride started, it just was not a comfortable riding experience. So I feel sorry for those who got stuck on the ride when it broke down (pictured).

A disappointment on par with the Halle Berry movie.

 

Justice League was another reprieve from the heat which was nice. As were the physical sets. I couldn't tell what I was looking at as I was shooting at the screens. It was chaotic and nonsensical to the point where I was just shooting blindly hoping I hit a target. By the way, how is Batman not dead from how many times riders have shot him? Sorry, Bats.

 

Harley Quinn was fun enough for not being able to get an edge seat. It does make for a good ride to just go limp on and let the ride flail you around, though. No surprise it was down for mechanical a lot though.

 

Of course I had to get a picture with some Looney Tunes characters. I only saw Sylvester and Daffy, though.

I tawt I taw a puddy tat!

 

And the other part of my trip was a baseball game. I love how ridiculously close Six Flags is to Globe Life Field/Park whichever one was open at the time. That's gotta suck for Arlington taxpayers, them building a new stadium across the street and no world series to show for it. Though this Twins/Vikings fan can't talk that much.

Dem Boyz suck.

 

I got a seat upper deck on the 3rd base side looking down the 1st base line. Great view of the plate. The game I went to was the one where the Rangers inducted Josh Hamilton into the team hall of fame. And as a Twins fan, as excited as I was for Justin Morneau to win the 2008 Home Run Derby, Hamilton deserved it.

 

There was a benches clearing incident after the top of the 8th that got the crowd riled up. No punches thrown.

Twins won 12-7.

 

There was a bobblehead giveaway that night commemorating Kenny Rogers' perfect game.

 

And of course, the hats I purchased. I was unimpressed with Six Flags' merch game. I couldn't even get a good (not-Dallas) cowboy hat. I like the Rangers hat, though.

Piss-poor hat selection, Six Flags.

[Canobie Coaster]

Great report! I've always been amazed by the lower capacity on the taller sky screamers. That's why I don't ride the one at SFNE as much as I'd like.

[CaptainUnknown]

^It makes sense why. The larger structure to accommodate the increased height, and the higher you go, the more likely the chairs are going to swing a little bit. I definitely noticed more swinging on my couple rides on the Texas Skyscreamer vs Valleryfair's.

[CaptainUnknown]

Journey 12: Six Flags Fiesta Texas AKA Flash Pass to Dare Devil Dive

 

Way back in February 2020, I had plans to spend a week in the San Antonio area in mid-July. During which time I'd go to Six Flags, SeaWorld, ZDT's, and maybe the Alamo. With additional plans to spend 2 weeks in Orlando in late November.

And then the year 2020 thought it would be a good idea to take a massive shit all over my plans, and then because it was so disgusted and repulsed by the sight and smell of its own shit, proceeded to vomit all over said shit.

I initially delayed my Texas plans to a mid-October weekend so as to possibly experience the parks' respective Halloween events. But with my family's Orlando plans delayed until 2021, we still wanted to do something in 2020, so plans were made to spend a relaxing weekend in Branson, MO. With that in mind, my final plan was to fly to San Antonio for a weekend and then fly to Branson to meet up with family for the week.

So on my way to San Antonio, I had a layover in Charlotte wherein I flew right over Carowinds and couldn't get my phone out in time for a pic. But after a 4 month delay, I made it to the front gates of Six Flags Fiesta Texas.

Knowing that my visit was on a Saturday with some great weather during Passholder Bring-a-friend free days, I knew I was going to want a Platinum Flash Pass. So the Flash Pass office was my first stop once I was past security and temperature screenings.

Although I'd heard reports that Goliath and Boomerang would open prior to rope drop, I saw neither running once I had the Flash Pass on my wrist. With Wonder Woman not being on the FP, I got in line to make a beeline for it once the rope dropped.

On my way though, I passed by Poltergeist. Remembering how reliable Mr. Freeze was at Over Texas, I walked onto the front row on the first train of the day. A very fun ride and one that I wish I got another ride on later in the day. I just was never around it at a good time/never really thought to use the Flash Pass on it as I had a ride on it. Oh well.

I was distracted enough by this point and I was sure that Wonder Woman's queue would already be 30 minutes deep. I was greeted with a two train wait for the front seat.

Being my fist time on one of these things, I didn't really know how to sit on the train in a comfortable way. With the ride's intensity, my right leg was incredibly sore. The line was still virtually non-existent, but not wanting to make it worse immediately, I booked a FP for Joker Batman across the way.

And I was greeted by no line in the standby line, so I immediately got a double ride on the original S&S Free-Spin--which I prefer to Over Texas' version since this one is crazier, more out of control. Ironic, considering the two versions' namesakes.

Now that I'd taken on Batman, it was time to face his greatest enemy: Joker across the way.

I knew that I only got one FP reservation on Joker and I used it here. I wanted another ride on it, if only to experience that funhouse again and actually take pictures/video this time.

After the funhouse, I had a couple cycle wait where I got my first hint that I was going to experience the park's new for 2020 2021 attraction. You know how SF ride ops tell guests which ride to go ride next? While waiting to board Joker, the op recommended Dare Devil Dive. Obviously I thought he was playing true to his attraction's name and Joking around. So I boarded the attraction and had my only mask-slippage moment of the trip on one of the downswings as my mask briefly slipped under my nose before I yanked it back up.

A Superman reservation on my FP, I made my way there next and onto the back row. I'm hoping I caught it on a bad day/in the wrong train as my ride was a little rattly but still fun and intense.

Once my Superman reservation was scanned, I made one for Iron Rattler and made my way there next, passing by the train station (which I regret never having enough time for/passed by at a good time) and noticed something strange in the distance.

DDD was cycling. I thought nothing of it--it was probably just testing. But there was a crowd around the entrance. Gawkers, likely. But people were on the ride. Hmmm...

As I approached the entrance, I was told that yes, the ride was in technical rehearsal and that I could get in line.

After a 45-ish minute wait, which included a selfie with park president Jeffrey Siebert, I was on board. 

There is some very excellent theming within the attraction's queue. But, there are some overly aggressive sound effects that caused a couple people to leave the queue.

The attraction itself: The added elevation of the tower does add something to the ride--especially when hanging inverted at the top of the tower. And the flame towers around the perimeter function as near-miss elements. I hope Six Flags brings these rides to more parks.

Now with my Iron Rattler reservation still on my FP, I made my way there next. Most of my rides were in the back 4 rows, though I did have one ride in the front 3 rows and I absolutely prefer this thing in the back. Yes, the old helix section does slow down a bit atop the wall, but this is without a doubt my favorite ride in the park.

Do a barrel roll.

Superman as seen from Iron Rattler's station.

Dare Devil Dive as seen from IR's station.

Love the front car on this thing.

My next res was for Road Runner Express. The ride intrigued me and I was glad I didn't have to wait too long for the coaster as I walked onto the front row. It was fun enough but it's not one I really have any desire to ride again. But I'm glad it's here for family entertainment.

My next FP res was for Batman Goliath and I walked through a couple gift shops on my way down there.

In the words of Edna Mode: NO CAPES!

Once I got to Goliath, I realized just how poorly this ride was placed. It's easy for guests to see--being out front with its bright paint job, but when everything else in the park has long standby waits, Goliath was a walk on. I walked slowly through the queue getting pictures as the ride's crew absolutely churned out trains and I watched groups slowly trickle up the entrance. It was probably rare in the nearly 30 minutes I got pictures from the ramp that a train had more than 2 groups.

It's a very photogenic ride.

Clone or not, it's still a very fun, intense invert.

I found it a bit smoother than the city's other B:TR clone over at SeaWorld.

My next FP res was for Pirates so I headed that way next, passing Poltergeist. Wish this thing was easier to photograph.

So about Pirates, it was a fun enough shooting dark ride. It would have been more so if I had guns that worked. But that's all I remember about the ride experience. The queue was fun though, as it included this weird cabbage patch looking animatronic pirate thing.

I touched the booty.

I made another reservation or two for Iron Rattler and just walked around the park aimlessly for a bit, getting some pictures as I went.

DIVE, DIVE, DIVE!

Never could get a shot where the train lined up at the apex of the loop.

I met Sylvester and Tweety while wearing my Space Jam shirt. #TuneSquad

While the park had no live entertainment going during my trip (which was the week between before Holiday in the Park started), I had to get a picture of this theater, which while decorated for the HitP show, still had the banner for the Halloween show. Does that make it a Nightmare before Christmas? 

I thought I'd torture myself a bit and made a reservation for Boomerang. Never would have waited any longer than what I did for this Boomerang. It's a pretty ride, but that's all I can say about it. Great to photograph, painful to ride. How many Boomerangs can I say that about, I wonder?

Fully concussed, I watched the log flume cycle a bit. Never got around to riding it partly due to the fact that the only shoes I had available were the steel-toed work shoes I had on. If only that dragon didn't exist. But it was still fun to watch unsuspecting people get spat on. And one pre-teen boy who stood up in his log and took the full force of the dragon's wrath.

The day winding down, I made a reservation for the Gerstlauer spinner and almost felt bad strolling past all the families waiting in standby while I got a car to myself. And it was slightly curious that the park made me bring my membership bottle on the ride with me. Weird, but okay.

I got a couple more rides on Batman before realizing just how close it was to the end of the night.

I needed another ride on Wonder Woman, so I hopped in what ended up being nearly an hour wait.

NYOOOOOOM!

Slowly watching the sun set around the ride.

Nice bit of theming in the queue.

I got placed in the back row and this ride was much more enjoyable now that I knew what not to do with my leg. I was only one of 2 people on the train. I can't wait to ride one of these things with a full train if that's how they ride nearly empty.

All the while I was in the queue, I was trying to make one last reservation for Iron Rattler. I wish the Flash Pass wristbands had the option to brighten the screen. By this point in the day, I could see very little in low light without my glasses (which I'd left in my rental car) and needed my phone's flashlight to see the screen.

But reservation on my wrist, I half-jogged across the park to where the snake slithered. The train dispatched at park close and I was treated to a night ride. Since I still had my sunglasses with me, I used them to enhance the experience. And I have but one question: why aren't Iron Rattler night rides talked about more often?

This is a beautiful park and one that I wish I'd had the full planned time to spend at the park. As it was, even with FP, I felt like I was rushing the park too much and not enjoying myself as much as I'd have liked. I skipped a couple flats I wanted to ride, missed the train, and overall just didn't really take in just how beautiful the park is. Next time.

Anyways, here's the hat haul from the park:

L-R: I'm a big fan of the Deathstroke DC character so I had to get his hat. Since the park offers very little in the way of attraction-specific hats, I wanted a generic Six Flags Fiesta Texas hat. This is the only one I could find with the Six Flags logo that I liked. The clown beanie was on Fright Fest clearance. My main haunt character is a clown so I had to pick it up. But there was a problem, it had already been taken out of the park's system so we needed a manager's override so I could purchase it.