Six Flags St. Louis (SFStL) Discussion Thread

[SteveStL]

Screw Iron Horse. I'm now dreaming of T-Rex.

 

Careful... just setting yourself up for yet another disappointment

[prozach626]

I'm numb to them, Steve.

[Vonni]

^ Ditto. I was going to get 2016 Season Passes, but I decided to go with a Worlds of Fun (Cedar Fair) pass instead. No, Worlds of Fun isn't really pushing the envelope with new additions either, but I have not been there since 2006. At least it will be a little fresher environment and a new coaster credit (Prowler) for me.

[prozach626]

Happy Thanksgiving, jerks.

[piedude81]

Happy Thanksgiving, jerks.

 

Same to you, lol.

[HWFan]

Well, in honor of Thankgiving or something, I was able to grab a couple quick pics that you might find interesting. Or you might not.

 

[ytterbiumanalyst]

^Cool, it's Mr. Freeze's great grandpa!

[Vonni]

That's really cool! I find it interesting that the Mississippi Adventure layout is quite different than the Thunder River layout. All this time I thought they followed the exact same layout, just in the opposite direction.

[SFZIP]

The aerial photo is from sometime in the late 1970's (I know there are several of these around the park from different years, but I didn't know about this hidden old one).

[HWFan]

The aerial photo is from sometime in the late 1970's (I know there are several of these around the park from different years, but I didn't know about this hidden old one).

I've always enjoyed the pictures of the park (from the air and ground) that hang in different offices. The HR lobby has a few great ones and same for the training rooms. One of these days I'll remember to find out if I can get a hold of some digital copies to post here.

 

For me, the Mississippi River Cruise's existence really says a lot about the park. When it opened in 1971, the industry was a lot different than it is today. While I believe Disney made all of their animatronics in-house (by WED Enterprises), Arrow largely supplied the entire ride system for the Jungle Cruise when it opened in 1971. If you look at rides by manufacturer, Arrow built the Moon Cars, Log Flume, Injun Joe's Cave, Super Sports Cars, Mississippi Cruise, and the Mine Train.

 

I'm guessing the river cruise took a lot of money to maintain (the boats, animatronics, special effects, etc) and racked up huge staffing costs, with each boat having its own guide. (Quick tangent: I don't think people realize just how much theme parks pay for staffing. It blew my mind.) Plus, Six Flags was probably looking for something a bit more thrilling and innovative, so once Intamin came out with the river rapids ride, the cruise was gone.

 

Finally, while I haven't been up to see it myself unfortunately, there is a lot of work being done to disassemble the deck and pieces around RSF so that the ride can be removed. While this is just speculation, I am guessing the ride will be loaded in a few pieces onto trucks and then driven out past Tidal Wave to the perimeter road where the hayride goes. Once all of the ground work is done, I'd expect the removal to be fairly quick....as it needs to be. The ride still has to be polished up (although probably not at SFSL), secured on trucks, driven to Montreal, and put back together.

[ZeroGravity55]

I know we're beating a dead horse when it comes to the topic of Iron Boss, but I saw that horrible attempt someone took at trying to imagine what it would look like a few pages back, so I decided to post mine. I know this isn't 100% accurate. It's hard to nail the exact layout of the ride using google maps and Youtube POV's, but I think I got it pretty close.

 

[Vonni]

^ That is much better!

[SteveStL]

I know we're beating a dead horse when it comes to the topic of Iron Boss, but I saw that horrible attempt someone took at trying to imagine what it would look like a few pages back, so I decided to post mine. I know this isn't 100% accurate. It's hard to nail the exact layout of the ride using google maps and Youtube POV's, but I think I got it pretty close.

 

 

Nice Job... Love to see something that happen

[SteveStL]

dbl post... sorry

[TrippinBillie]

I know we're beating a dead horse when it comes to the topic of Iron Boss, but I saw that horrible attempt someone took at trying to imagine what it would look like a few pages back, so I decided to post mine. I know this isn't 100% accurate. It's hard to nail the exact layout of the ride using google maps and Youtube POV's, but I think I got it pretty close.

 

 

Nice Job... Love to see something that happen

 

We all would love to see that. It'll never happen. Such a shame too. Two birds, one stone.....Boss with happy riders and new steel (added bonus new coaster without having to lie about it and have it relocated from another park).

[prozach626]

I know we're beating a dead horse when it comes to the topic of Iron Boss, but I saw that horrible attempt someone took at trying to imagine what it would look like a few pages back, so I decided to post mine. I know this isn't 100% accurate. It's hard to nail the exact layout of the ride using google maps and Youtube POV's, but I think I got it pretty close.

 

 

Nice job. Thank you for not making the first drop a barrel roll drop.

[ytterbiumanalyst]

This is a really good video. I feel like a lot of No Limits "RMC" coasters just copy elements that have been done on other RMC coasters, and the whole thing just seems off. This one really captures that RMC feel.

[ZeroGravity55]

^ That is much better!

 

Nice Job

 

Thanks!

 

 

 

Nice job. Thank you for not making the first drop a barrel roll drop.

 

Yeah I like the straight drop better. The airtime in the back on this thing is insane.

 

This is a really good video. I feel like a lot of No Limits "RMC" coasters just copy elements that have been done on other RMC coasters, and the whole thing just seems off. This one really captures that RMC feel.

 

That's probably the best compliment someone could have gave me. Thanks!

[HWFan]

I haven't been at the park since last week, as I am now officially done with my work for the season (I get December off, but then it's 40-50hr weeks again starting January 4th). However, I am going in on Wednesday to enjoy a nice lunch and chat with Dave. Following that, we'll hop in his Ford F-150 and cruise around parts of the park as well as the back roads (aka perimeter road, aka bone yard, etc). I promise to get as many pictures as possible with a minimum of twenty. Either way, it should be a great time. In addition to the pictures, I'll post any interesting information that I am allowed to share.

[Vonni]

^ Yes! Looking forward to that update!

[ChrisGraslie]

So besides what may be or may not be coming to SFSTL in the coming years, does anyone know what's being worked on in the off-season?

[HWFan]

So besides what may be or may not be coming to SFSTL in the coming years, does anyone know what's being worked on in the off-season?

I've already seen a fair amount of work being done on Boss and American Thunder. There will also be a lot of painting done later in the off season. Thunder River is having ALL of its boats rehabbed (fiberglass, seats, etc) as well as some of the mechanics that run the river itself. Hopefully this will help with capacity. I'll probably know more after today, but when it comes to bigger projects, I shouldn't post anything until work has started.

[HARLEYGUYJB]

What about any TLC to any of the restaurants?

[HWFan]

Had a great afternoon having lunch and cruising around the park with the one and only Dave Roemer. Took tons of pictures, so I hope you enjoy them! (Note: The pictures were taken while riding in Dave's truck, so many of them have parts of the truck visible. Sorry.)

 

One thing I will say now is that Rush Street Flyer (soon to be Gravitron) is currently sitting on four flatbed trailers in the main parking lot. It'll ship out in the next couple days. Unfortunately I was asked to not post pictures of the ride pad or trailers in the lot for approximately two weeks.

 

Mr. Freeze and a drained Thunder River

Now we're back in the "boneyard" where the Wrecker's Salvage hayride took place

Heading up towards the Boss and got stuck in a traffic jam with some go karts.

Woodsy stuff with a couple rides in the background.

This is Dave's favorite view of the Boss. All of the tracks coming together. Also, if you look closely, you can see a couple maintenance guys doing track work.

More hayride bits.

The is one of my favorite pictures. It really shows off the Boomerang, flanked by the SkyScreamer & Tidal Wave. Nice and colorful.

Under the Boss & through the woods, to Screamin' Eagle we go! (Sang to the tune of "Over the river & through the woods, to grandmother's house we go!")

When you are called to see the Boss, your performance review starts nice & high, but things are all downhill from here.

This is the side of the midway that you want to see I'm sure. Nothing interesting on the other side.

The bunny hop before the "please let me pass out until the break run" helix.

"I SAW THE SIGN, AND IT OPENED UP MY EYES..."

Moving on...time for Screamin' Eagle!

Yea this pic is unfocused, but I forgot to take my adderall.

First turn after all of the airtime hills.

After turning around by Superman, we started driving back down the hill. You can see Marvin the Martian's Camp Invasion, which is like mini-Rush Street Flyer.

The best part of the ride IMO.

The exit of Rush Street Flyer, which will probably be the exit for Fireball.

I was surprised by how crazy the terrain is below the ride.

The overflow switchbacks for Rush Street Flyer and Fireball soon.

"15 foot Clearance" - Luckily Dave and I only have two feet each, so our four feet passed safely.

Hmm, what is that?

This is on the other side of Screamin' Eagle track, headed back the way we came. This is the only point where Dave's four wheel drive truck had some trouble at about a 40 degree incline.

Lots of props & Fright Fest stuff being stored back here.

With Screamin' Eagle being built a long time ago, nobody trusted the banks, so the coaster's turns have minimal banking.

Ha! Get it? DEAD-a-head! Because scary!

The surrounding trees are horrified seeing Eagle & Boss, hoping they aren't chopped down for some retracking.

Six Flags is getting ready to open a new themed area whenever China takes over the US and the name is changed to Seven Flags.

A unique view looking towards the front of the park.

Tubes that were used in a couple haunted houses are now being used for storage.

Six Flags got their back road theming on fleek.

A wider shot of the one above.

Boss's station on the left, lift hill on the right, and MCBR in the center.

The "Ghost Town" type sets along the train tracks that have been used for various things in the past.

This was taken behind the seating area of the Old Glory amphitheater.

BATMAN

Eh, here's another almost "cloned" picture of the ride.

Going back under Screamin' Eagle's break run and hills.

I've always appreciated covered break runs on coasters like this. The ride leaves a couple of its lights on so that it doesn't get scared at night.

Knock knock. Who's there. Swinging Ship. Swinging Ship who? SFSL's Swinging Ship is called The Joker.

Ah, a perfect case of the old & the new, side-by-side. Err...the old & "new to SFSL" side-by-side.

A bit of water slides if you're into that sort of thing.

Waterpark on the left; train tracks & Batman on the right.

Do you think Superman may be overcompensating for something?

Thankful for Time Warner-era theming.

The Screamin' Eagle really makes a perfect backdrop for the park's skyline with its white paint.

No matter how you feel about the Boomerang being added in 2013, if we had to get a Boomerang, SFSL really did a fantastic job in the location, color, and way it interacts with the midway.

Fun Fact: It would be dangerous to drive across this path when the water park is open, as Guests could be run over. #TheMoreYouKnow

Wow, Screamin' Eagle really needs to check its White Privilege, so we'll end our Screamin' Eagle coverage with a picture of the first drop.

Some work trailers with a big Glow in the Park parade logo on it.

We've made it down to the front gate area!

Driving across the Guest parking lot looking back at Batman.

Passing the HR building (aka my home turf) means we've almost made it full circle.

The Proclamation from when the park opened. Full Disclosure: I didn't read it so not sure what it says exactly.

Ticket prices from 1971.

Mr. Freeze: Parking Lot Blast back seat POV.

Ah, see ya later HR building. Remember, if anyone is interested in a job at the park, apply in January/February at www.sixflagsjobs.com!

Edited December 2, 2015 by HWFan

[HWFan]

Decided to put a lot of the miscellaneous information in a post directly below the pics, so that I won't screw up the pictures somehow while trying edit the post.

 

What about any TLC to any of the restaurants?

Yes.

 

When the park closed for the 2014 season, I posted in the off season about how the park is on a fantastic path with its best years ahead. A big part of that was the unprecedented size of the infrastructure and renovation budget. The park was knocking out big projects one after another (e.g. Palace Theater renovation and the train refurbishment). The park also opened this spring with a ton of new paint and lots of small details, including the replacement of some wooden boardwalk with top quality stamped concrete.

 

The trend of lots of TLC will continue. The park has a lot of goals for next season that are focused on creating a more comfortable environment to enhance everyone's trip to the park. Some of the legacy attractions will be getting some parts replaced that cost insane amounts of money, which will allow the park to fire on all cylinders for years to come.

 

For those who want to know about JLBM and improving its reliability, according to my friend Donna with Sally Corp (you may remember her from some pictures I posted in April), Oceaneering arrived on site this past Monday and will be doing lots of fixes and upgrades.

Edited December 3, 2015 by HWFan