Six Flags St. Louis (SFStL) Discussion Thread

[HWFan]

@HWFan

 

Do you have any pictures or updates about Battle for Metropolis for us? Maybe a New Years gift for us?

At this time, there isn't really much more to see (to my knowledge). January 5th is the day that they are scheduled to begin building all of the walls and other details needed to be installed before Sally comes in around the end of January. I'll be going back to the park around the 8th, so I'll get some pictures then.

[HWFan]

^ Scratch that! I just checked my email, and Dave Roemer had sent a picture of the construction. I'm glad that they are ahead of schedule then. I'll get more pictures and info soon hopefully.

 

Also, this photo was taken on December 29th.

A lot has been accomplished in two weeks.

[cfc]

I think the force of the stream on the guns is too strong. If you get hit in the face and the eyes it actually hurts, especially if you have sensitive eyes.

 

hmmmmm... Is it bad that this actually motivates me to want to ride it?

 

Yeah, getting shot in the eyes in never fun.

 

It's good to hear that they're ahead of schedule for the new dark ride. To me, this is the one of the most intriguing project Six Flags has undertaken in years (right up there with the RMC coasters). The U.S. needs more quality dark rides outside of Disney and Universal.

[jray21]

^I'm also glad we're seeing more dark rides added. I love them and wish the parks had a lot more. I'm looking forward to this ride, and glad to hear they are ahead of schedule!

[thrillrider]

I just posted a trip report from the park here......

 

http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=69668&start=10

[TNT]

Deleted 

[SteveStL]

Has anyone else heard anything more about the possibility of namtab?

Rumors are pointing to it being sent to either SFFT or SFGAd next. Anything's possible, though. It would be cool if they did it backwards during Fright Fest so you could ride it in the fog and in the dark.

 

Last time I talked to Dave about namtaB he said that it most likely won't becoming to SFSTL. However things can change, all I can say is wait and see.

 

I don't see why, they did it with Freeze. Not that I am excited about the notion of namtaB but just flip the train around - big whoop. Seems SFSTL translates into 'No, that ain't gonna happen'. I am intrigued by the new dark ride, but in my opinion, it is not what the park needs (Scooby was doing just fine popularitywise). Holiday World will outshine SFSTL in 2015 for sure with Thunderbird. Lose the Ninja and get a modern Steel coaster!

[TNT]

Deleted 

[Woodie Warrior]

Has anyone else heard anything more about the possibility of namtab?

Rumors are pointing to it being sent to either SFFT or SFGAd next. Anything's possible, though. It would be cool if they did it backwards during Fright Fest so you could ride it in the fog and in the dark.

 

Last time I talked to Dave about namtaB he said that it most likely won't becoming to SFSTL. However things can change, all I can say is wait and see.

 

I don't see why, they did it with Freeze. Not that I am excited about the notion of namtaB but just flip the train around - big whoop. Seems SFSTL translates into 'No, that ain't gonna happen'. I am intrigued by the new dark ride, but in my opinion, it is not what the park needs (Scooby was doing just fine popularitywise). Holiday World will outshine SFSTL in 2015 for sure with Thunderbird. Lose the Ninja and get a modern Steel coaster!

That's not how Batman Backwards works. They can't just turn the train around. There is a special train chasis and there is only one in the chain, which is why only one park can have it at one time.

[HWFan]

It is interesting how the Boss can really be popular with visitors at the park though. And the Ninja to a lesser extent.

[prozach626]

I wasn't stoked about namtab by any means, but at least it would be a new experience to try out. I definitely wouldn't want the ride to stay backwards. Again, just another one for the long list of thrills that have been turned down.

[Iron Wolf 90-11]

I wasn't stoked about namtab by any means, but at least it would be a new experience to try out. I definitely wouldn't want the ride to stay backwards. Again, just another one for the long list of thrills that have been turned down.

Were you ever on namtab up at Great America? It is a great change compared to the original ride and is a bit more intense at moments. On media day, I rode it over 30 times and enjoyed it. It is just a nice and temporary change.

[HWFan]

I wasn't stoked about namtab by any means, but at least it would be a new experience to try out. I definitely wouldn't want the ride to stay backwards. Again, just another one for the long list of thrills that have been turned down.

I'm still jaded over Mr. Freeze being turned backwards. Out of my 150 credits, it would still be one of my favorites today if it had not been altered. I loved the hell out of it, but when they turned it backwards it completely ruined the experience for me. Although from the sounds of it the majority of the public enjoyed the change, backwards launches do nothing for me. I saw it as nothing but a typical SF gimmick to try to market an old attraction as a new attraction.

I would actually figure your opinion would be the opposite. Mr. Freeze makes more sense for turning the trains around because it was designed to travel half of the circuit in reverse anyway. Batman is a very intense ride as it is. Plus, you lose one row of seats in the special backwards train compared to the regular trains. If SFSL would have turned down Mr. Freeze Reverse Blast, would you consider it "just another one for the long list of thrills that have been turned down?" And I don't think anyone really thought Reverse Blast was a new attraction but rather a new way to experience an existing attraction. Also, I thought SF corporate was the main decision maker for which park gets the special train next. As someone who experiences some amount of grayout and pain whenever I ride Batman (insane amounts of stimulants send my blood pressure through the roof, which I know isn't recommended by the ride manufacturer per se), I am hoping Batman stays how it is now, but I know that's my more selfish reason.

[prozach626]

^ It's an experience. I wouldn't want it to be permanent what so ever. B:TR is almost perfect. As was Mr. Freeze.

[HWFan]

This photo was just posted by the park's Twitter account:

[pkgdel5]

Picture of progress!! So exciting!

[SFSTLMO]

Did anyone else see the Instagram post of Sfstl where they quickly go through the Justice League building? I'll try to post a link, but I might not be able to.

[HWFan]

Did anyone else see the Instagram post of Sfstl where they quickly go through the Justice League building? I'll try to post a link, but I might not be able to.

Here's the link:

 

It surprised me how fast construction is moving along.

[SFSTLMO]

I like how the comments are all sad, and they miss Scooby. When in reality, that was a fairly old and dated dark ride, albeit fun.

[HWFan]

I like how the comments are all sad, and they miss Scooby. When in reality, that was a fairly old and dated dark ride, albeit fun.

In an email conversation with Paula Werne at Holiday World in November/December 2009 (I think, as it was the removal of Paul Revere), she was talking about how they quickly learned that no matter how cool a ride's replacement is, removing rides gets a lot of sad comments fueled by nostalgia. Six Flags should have just bought the set pieces from Epcot's Maelstrom!

[SteveStL]

Do any of you STL Locals have any detail on this new Coaster at Union Station?

[prozach626]

^ Wait.... what?

[michaellynn4]

^ I think he's talking about this:

 

http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/will-a-roller-coaster-and-ferris-wheel-revive-union-station/article_e0de9649-c083-53d9-9342-2216aab31944.html

 

Construction could begin next month at Union Station on an entertainment area set to include a roller coaster and a 200-foot Ferris wheel.

Much of the $60 million project involves remodeling of the station’s largely vacant retail area as entertainment attractions.

 

Plans include a roller coaster that will pass over the small lake beneath the train shed and a Ferris wheel tall enough to give riders a panoramic view of downtown. Its enclosed gondolas will be heated and air-conditioned. Other planned attractions include a carousel and a “water mist light show,” officials said.

 

Bob O’Loughlin, chief executive of Union Station’s owner, Lodging Hospitality Management, said Thursday he anticipates construction will begin in February and be completed in 2016.

 

“We’re really excited about the project,” he said. “We think it will be good for conventions and tourism.”

 

The project moved ahead Wednesday when the city’s Tax Increment Financing Commission approved $18.5 million in TIF assistance for the project. LHM’s TIF request still needs approval by the Board of Aldermen.

 

TIF commissioners often limit TIF aid to about 20 percent of a project’s total cost. Union Station’s latest project is in line for about 30 percent in TIF assistance.

 

Richard Ward, a longtime economic development consultant and principal of St. Louis-based Ward Development Counsel, said that for Union Station the higher percentage of public aid might be justified.

 

From the perspectives of civic pride and maintaining a treasured building, more-than-typical TIF help for Union Station makes sense, Ward said. He added that a TIF incentive is “but/for money,” meaning that if it is unavailable, a project will not get done.

 

Union Station with a Ferris wheel, a roller coaster and other attractions would make it similar to City Museum as a magnet for children and their families, Ward said.

 

“I think (Union Station) has to be something special,” he said. “It’s not drawing people today.”

 

Otis Williams, executive director of the St. Louis Development Corp., said in a statement that the project will provide jobs, tax revenue and “another new reason to come or stay downtown longer.”

 

“It will complement existing destinations such as the Peabody Opera House and Scottrade Center nearby, as well as Busch Stadium and Ballpark Village,” he said.

 

The entertainment attractions will produce about 350 jobs and could draw 1 million visitors annually, SLDC officials said.

 

LHM, which bought Union Station in 2012 for $20 million, last year completed a $52 million renovation of the station’s meeting spaces, Grand Hall and 539-room hotel.

 

Excursion train service will expand this year, said O’Loughlin, adding that corporate outings will include trips to Chicago to see the Cardinals play the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

 

Between Nov. 22 and Christmas, 30,000 kids and their parents took brief “polar express” train trips that included visits from Santa, he said. Their popularity means more will be scheduled this year, he added.

 

Union Station, a National Historic Landmark, opened in 1894 and for decades was among the nation’s busiest passenger rail terminals. Amtrak pulled out in 1978 and the station remained dormant until the Rouse Co., of Baltimore, reopened it in 1985 as a “festival marketplace” after a $140 million restoration.

 

[prozach626]

Jesus. They're actually going ahead with it? I hope this is going to be some type of admission based attraction complex... otherwise:

 

This will be a nice new hangout spot for young thugs to commit retail thefts, vehicle burglaries, and get into gang fights.

Attractions + no admission + inner city + STL = Is it just me or does it feel really unsafe in here?

#stlouismillsmall

[SFSTLMO]

I don't see this thing lasting more than five years before it returns to the mess it is today.

 

EDIT: Forgot to ask, are there any specific details on the coaster? I bet that it will be small and simple, but I would like to know details about it.