Six Flags St. Louis (SFStL) Discussion Thread

[ernierocker]

 

 

It's a clone, but who is going to visit Finland to ride Thunderbird???

 

 

Everyone on the TPR Scandi Trip next summer.

[The Westate]

There's a $10 off Burger King coupon right now, but if you go to the Six Flags website at least 3 days before your visit and enter the promo code BKSTL you can get $13 off up to 4 one-day tickets.

 

Thanks! Six Flags charges so many fees though it doesn't even help to buy online. I'll just stop by the BK near the park and hope they have the coupons.

[Arrow Dynamics fan]

Yeah, because we really need a 4th wooden roller coaster...

 

Not now, but after a Boss Rehab. Boss would become a steel coaster, and the park would only have 2 wooden coasters. Plus even though these RMC's are wooden coasters, they have elements you find on a steel coaster,they're smooth like a steel coaster, have little maintenance, and are relatively cheap compared to steel coasters. They're great investments and I could see Six Flags corporate putting them in multiple parks.

So then you would have 3 wooden coasters and a steel coaster who's elements are pretty much wooden coaster elements ( actually you would have 2 considering that the KRMT is basically the same thing). The end result would be too much overlap. The impact of the addition of the Boss and American Thunder (a current generation wooden coaster) basically just reduced the number of people riding the Screamin' Eagle, they haven't really add much to attendance if you look at the records. The park would benefit more from a modern steel coaster being added than another wooden coaster.

 

The park is probably just going to focus on flats and fixing for the next couple of years (and maybe that is all they will ever do with the park). My opinion, is I would think it couldn't hurt for Six Flags to try the new Vekoma MK-1212 trains on the Ninja to see if it makes it more enjoyable for those whom don't know how to ride it. If this is the only thing holding this ride back from having a better reputation in a time when we are not going to get anything better to replace it, why not see if we can't turn it into our own Shockwave (SFOT) or Mind Bender (SFOG) since those are also first gen looping coasters and we know that if they had the restraints that Revolution (SFMM) has, people would be happy to see those gone. Even if it is to be replace in 5 or so years, they can always add them later to the Boomerang (or any number of Arrow/Vekoma rides throughout the Six Flags chain).

 

I know the Ninja crowd drawing abilities are minute, but the question is what can you fit in its rather small footprint that it occupies that will draw crowds? It would seem to me that when they eventually replace the Ninja, they would probably be wiser to use its footprint for a kiddie coaster and a flat of some sort and put its real replacement into some of the currently unutilized land. While I agree that at this point, it would be impractical for the park to expand the park into in the unused land in adding more buildings, walkways, and the such perhaps they could have the eventual new coaster queue house begin on the edge of the current grounds (say Joker, Inc. area) and aside from grounds keeping, it shouldn't require increasing the size of the park that significantly.

 

In my opinion, the coaster count strategy is not as important as quality of coasters and having the right diversity. The Mr. Freeze might be more expensive to run and yes, I also criticize them for going clone crazy, but it is certain more unique than say Batman and definitely more unique than Boomerang. The other issue is the Mr. Freeze's foot print is small; therefore like Ninja, what you would be able to put in it's place that will be able to top the thrill level and draw the crowds? Between the two, the Ninja definitely has less draw and aside from Arrow fans like myself would be missed by few and would likely be scrapped (unless someone like Frontier City were to purchase it). The Mr. Freeze still has noteworthy draw (though I could see them transferring this in the ride rotation program some day). If I had my pick on which coaster to sacrifice, it would either be Boomerang or American Thunder.

[therick311]

I know the Ninja crowd drawing abilities are minute, but the question is what can you fit in its rather small footprint that it occupies that will draw crowds?

 

Intamin vertical lift looping coaster.

 

If I had my pick on which coaster to sacrifice, it would either be Boomerang or American Thunder.

 

Huh? American Thunder is one of the best rides in the park!

[Arrow Dynamics fan]

I know the Ninja crowd drawing abilities are minute, but the question is what can you fit in its rather small footprint that it occupies that will draw crowds?

 

Intamin vertical lift looping coaster.

 

If I had my pick on which coaster to sacrifice, it would either be Boomerang or American Thunder.

 

Huh? American Thunder is one of the best rides in the park!

90% of the time the American Thunder is a walk on. The other two wooden coasters consistently have longer lines than it does and have more airtime. I've never cared for this coaster nor felt that this belongs in this park. It would have been a better fit at SFOT or SFFT.

[therick311]

90% of the time the American Thunder is a walk on.

 

While this is true, I have never understood why this thing doesn't draw bigger crowds, especially being right near the front of the park.

 

The other two wooden coasters consistently have longer lines than it does and have more airtime. I've never cared for this coaster nor felt that this belongs in this park. It would have been a better fit at SFOT or SFFT.

 

I respect your opinion of the ride, but I think it does fit the park. There is the classic woodie, the large modern woodie, and the twister.

[jk1w]

If I had my pick on which coaster to sacrifice, it would either be Boomerang or American Thunder.

 

I had a good laugh when I read this, just because I tried to keep American Thunder out of my mouth for a while, just because the general public and a lot of people seem to love this ride while I think it eh at best, more of a last good couple of rides before you leave the park. But like you said Arrow Dynamics fan, the coaster is always usually a walk on, though the longest I have waited was 15 min because some foreigner desired to take his camera on board and they had to shut down the ride.

 

The other two wooden coasters consistently have longer lines than it does and have more airtime. I've never cared for this coaster nor felt that this belongs in this park. It would have been a better fit at SFOT or SFFT.

 

The other rides always do, I think the main reason AT lines are short is that it is located in relatively "dead" area, the only other draw is the log flume and the pitiful moon cars.

 

My opinion, is I would think it couldn't hurt for Six Flags to try the new Vekoma MK-1212 trains on the Ninja to see if it makes it more enjoyable for those whom don't know how to ride it.

 

That would be awesome to see new trains, come on Six Flags do it lol

[Arrow Dynamics fan]

90% of the time the American Thunder is a walk on.

 

While this is true, I have never understood why this thing doesn't draw bigger crowds, especially being right near the front of the park.

 

The other two wooden coasters consistently have longer lines than it does and have more airtime. I've never cared for this coaster nor felt that this belongs in this park. It would have been a better fit at SFOT or SFFT.

 

I respect your opinion of the ride, but I think it does fit the park. There is the classic woodie, the large modern woodie, and the twister.

In my view, the reason why this coaster does not draw crowds is the GP cares more about height and airtime hills than twists and turns. Aside from hard core enthusiasts, I never hear anyone talk about twisting and turning on a coaster. Please understand that it isn't that I hate this coaster or that I think it is bad coaster (see Rattler and Mean Streak), it just doesn't offer anything (aside from Millennium Flyers) that the other coasters didn't already offer or do anything better. While it is liked more by enthusiasts than the Boss is, it is clear that the Boss despite its flaws has maintained its popularity. The fact that most of the attractions at the park that are next to it are rather old (Highland Fling & Carousel) and that it is in the back of the park seems tells me that this ride is why this area is so busy. The fact that the American Thunder does not draw crowds despite being so close to the entry is an indication that this was not the right addition. Frankly, I'd rather have the full Moon Cars track over the American Thunder.

 

I think this would have been much better served as a Judge Roy Scream replacement (a not so impressive classic coaster that is shorter, rougher, and has less airtime than Screamin' Eagle) or as an addition to SFFT whose only wooden coaster (Rattler) was by far the worst coaster experience of my lifetime and as a result of the RMC transformation has no wooden coaster. In my view, either of these parks needed it much more than SFSTL, and SFSTL had a few more significant holes in their coaster line up (a kiddie coaster, hyper, newer looper) than a twisted wooden coaster. The Pandemonium addresses the need for coasters that twist as did the KRMT. I also think it is wiser for the park to fix what they have instead of adding coasters which do not address the parks weaknesses.

[prozach626]

Not that I want a wing rider, but X-flight has a pretty small foot print. If you get creative, I think you could use the space wisely.

[StLCPfan]

Two train operation on a ride that only lasts a minute and a half from start to finish is going to move the line quicker than two train operation on a three minute plus ride. Some of you say popularity is an issue with American Thunder, but most people I talk to prefer it over Eagle, and almost everyone prefers it to The Boss.

[megametal]

American Thunder was my favorite coaster at the park last year. The only wooden coaster there that had any airtime and it was definitely the smoothest too.

[BenFreeze]

^I agree. American Thunder has had a line at least down the stairs to the station every time I've visited park.

[Arrow Dynamics fan]

Two train operation on a ride that only lasts a minute and a half from start to finish is going to move the line quicker than two train operation on a three minute plus ride. Some of you say popularity is an issue with American Thunder, but most people I talk to prefer it over Eagle, and almost everyone prefers it to The Boss.

Granted, the American Thunder is a shorter ride and will have the trains run through more often can help the ride provide more riders per hour than the Screamin' Eagle; however, many times the American Thunder doesn't even have the entire train filled on days that there is still at least a good 10-15 minute wait on the Screamin' Eagle. Although there are times when the Screamin' Eagle can be almost a walk on, they are not nearly as frequent. Also remember that the Boss can have up to 3 trains in operation and the line is often 20 minutes or more. The American Thunder might be liked better by enthusiasts as reflected in the coaster ratings, but the Boss and Eagle have consistently longer lines (especially the Boss). The crowd that rides the American Thunder is generally younger and the Boss is generally H.S. or older despite both having the same height restriction.

[ZeroGravity55]

^ I'm assuming the park never runs 3 train operation, because without a separate unloading station, it's basically useless.

 

The GP rides The Boss, because it towers over the park and they're attracted to it. Just because they get in line to ride it, doesn't necessarily mean they like it better than American Thunder.

[StLCPfan]

Because of the midcourse brake, the Boss can run three trains on busy days when necessary. I'm not talking about enthusiasts preferring American Thunder to The Boss. PEOPLE prefer the ride. Several of my family and friends don't ride The Boss more than a couple times a season now. These same people will ride Eagle almost every visit to the park and Thunder multiple times on every visit to the park.

[jk1w]

^ I'm assuming the park never runs 3 train operation, because without a separate unloading station, it's basically useless.

 

The GP rides The Boss, because it towers over the park and they're attracted to it. Just because they get in line to ride it, doesn't necessarily mean they like it better than American Thunder.

 

I have seen the boss in 2 train operation, so three is possible ^

 

Also the boss does not tower over the rest of the park in terms of what we see, that would be Thunder as it is close to the front, or even more importantly Mr. Freeze Spike or Batman's lift hill. I never rode the boss the first 3 or 4 times that I was at the park, because I always forgot about the ride, or didn't know where the entrance was as you do got to admit the queue line is hidden and if you don't pay attention you can walk right past, like Pandemonium (which I still haven't got a chance to ride because of that very reason). Also the location, like Screamin' Eagle, is located in the woods; though you can see more of Screamin' Eagle because of the white paint, while Boss blends in with the scenery (which is nice and that's one of the reasons I like the ride).

 

I have a lot of friends that I have known that preferred Thunder over Boss (teens at the time) when Thunder was first built, so saying teens are drawn to Boss is an understatement.

 

PEOPLE prefer the ride. Several of my family and friends don't ride The Boss more than a couple times a season now. These same people will ride Eagle almost every visit to the park and Thunder multiple times on every visit to the park.

 

And StLCPfan said it best ^^

[therick311]

Since we are talking about wait times, I'll throw in my experience with Boss when it used to run 3 trains regularly. I remember the first time I rode it during its first season. I waited in a line that went all the way down to the bridge over the train tracks. It was about a 30-45 min wait because of three train ops. The point is, Boss can be a people eater if they run 3 trains and move quickly on the platform.

[HWFan]

Hello everyone! Fright Fest prep is in full swing! If you haven't been down to the park recently, the park decorations are going up slowly each week. The haunts are being put together inside of their locations, and a really awesome Blind Fury facade has gone up by the Thunder River queue. In front of the park, we have one of our new zombie paintball hayride wagons sitting between security and ticket sellers. It looks really cool!

 

Also, if you head over to the Hannibarrels location (future location of Tsunami Soaker), you can see the set up going on the the circus side show themed scare zone. It appears that they are setting up one of those spinning tunnels that you walk through. There are a bunch of weird animal statues with blood (red paint) inside the walls of our employee cafe area. Also, the giant wall to get to the employee cafe in that area was just painted a bluish color. It looks great compared to the old grey paint.

 

Next weekend, I'm going to take pictures of the circus statues and tents being stored there as well as a mini trip report of some of our backstage building including the old bumper cars and hayride wagons lined up in the parking lot. If anyone is going on the 14th, I'll be at the front gate all day. I'm in a wheelchair, so I'm easy to spot. Please come over and say hi. On the 15th, I'll be in season pass processing.

[TNT]

Deleted 

[Woodie Warrior]

What is coaster war?

[SFZIP]

The 9 coasters in 9 hours overnight marathon than was too have happened earier this summer is this Friday night into Saturday morning.

[nrs2420]

Anyone going to the coaster war on friday. I will be at Batman all night.

 

I never received a reply from them when I registered the first time. Did I have to re-register?

[djboss302]

This park needs a B&M

[TNT]

Deleted 

[prozach626]

This park needs a B&M

 

We have one.