TR: Six Flags St. Louis

[mb425]

I was in St. Louis from the 12th to the 18th and while we were there, we stayed at the Holiday Inn by Six Flags St. Louis, so needless to say we visited the park quite a bit. I have pictures that I took on a film camera, I just need to use up the rest of the pictures on the roll and get it developed (my Digital camera broke on the trip for no reason, it just decided not to turn on anymore).

 

Anyhow, I guess being from Ohio and consequently surrounded by Cedar Fair Parks, I have never been to an actual Six Flags Park since WoA in 2002, which I don't remember that well. I was actually surprised by how clean this park was based off what everyone says about Six Flags parks and how dirty they are. Granted, I was not looking for litter, but the average park guest isn't either.

 

One of the things I did notice that annoyed me is that the staff never made interval because they were always goofing around with their friends or coworkers. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind the op's trying to have a little fun, but I think they should at least pay attention when a train is in the station, especially if they are at panel. I thought at one time that while on River King Mine Train they were going to dispatch the train without lowering our safety bar. I had to motion someone over to finally get it closed while the two operators, one at panel and the other standing around doing nothing, tried to throw water on one-another. Screamin' Eagle also had the same problem, and the Boss was only running one train which made it have the longest line in the park (They ran 2 on Sunday, though).

 

I was also surprised at how accessible the panels were to guests. Except for Screamin' Eagle, the person working panel also checked restraints and left the panel, which is out in the open, unattended. The Batman panel was just in a box where you would expect a "dispatch ok" button to be. It did have a cover, and most op's (but not all) shut the cover when they left to check restraints. I was also surprised at how the spiels were done. All the rides except River King Mine Train had an auto spiel, but I could barley hear the Batman auto spieler (I mostly got, “Emergency Sensors have indicated that you’ve entered the Batcave with....access time. Apparently you’re in some kind of danger.........secure hats, glasses........you’re in for a bumpy ride.”), on Screamin’ Eagle, some of the ride op’s talked over the PA during the auto spiel, and on River King they babbled the spiel very quickly right before and during the trains dispatch (and the mic wasn’t that loud either). Finally, I was surprised where the op’s would stand during dispatches on Batman, that would never do in a Cedar Fair park! The Panel op as well as the front left op could easily be grabbed by a guest during the trains departure from the station!

 

I did have an enjoyable time, putting aside my slight anger whenever the train was ready for dispatch but the op's weren't because they had more important things to do, like talk or try and squirt others with water. I didn’t get the Mr. Freeze credit because it was closed, but I got everything else, that is except the kiddie coaster.

 

*Batman The Ride- My first Batman, I thought this ride was great! I liked everything about it, the length was perfect and I liked the timing of the inversions. 10/10

 

*Ninja- First Vekoma sit down! I remembered while in line that you should sit in the front...no, the back... oh no. I chose the back and the ride was actually ok at most times, but I still can't get over my falling out of the car feeling that I get on all the Vekoma's I've been on.

6/10

 

*River King Mine Train- Actually, this ride was very enjoyable once I got over being squished by the metal lap bar. I liked the big drop in the tunnel. 7/10

 

*Screamin’ Eagle- 30 years and still going strong! This is a great, smooth, fast paced ride. 9/10

 

*Boss- I am torn between this ride. I think the layout is amazing, but the trains are so painful! My left leg always came off screaming after riding, but I could not stop riding. 6/10

[CP_RULES]

Hmmmm, it sounds like operations at SFStL have gotten worse since last year! I cant believe you rated the River King above Ninja and Boss, it is slow slow and VERY trimmed. Other than that, it sounds like you had a great time at a great park, I am yet to get back there this summer but I plan to.

[mb425]

^ I actually didn't think it was trimmed very badly, once before the third lift hill for a brief moment, but other then that I had smooth sailing through all the helices, making for quite an enjoyable ride.

[St.LouisBOI]

Great TR! Can't wait for the pictures. Sounds like you had an enjoyable time which I always have when I go to SFSTL.

 

The Boss does need new trains even though I enjoy the coaster as it is now. I think that over the years since it opened in 2000, I have gotton used to the trains and I know how to prepare myself not to get "beaten up" as everyone says.

 

Did you get to ride Superman, Excalibur, or Scooby-Doo?

 

Well, glad you made it out to SFSTL.

[coasterboy76]

Im going out to the park on the 8th of October, it will be my last visit for the season. It's a shame to have gone all season and not been able to ride Mr. Freeze, hopefully next year it will be running. but we will also have the new spinning coaster next year as well.

 

as far as the Boss goes, yeah its a rough ride, but you just have to know how and when you brace yourself for the ultimate riding pleasure, I love riding the Boss, especially when there are first timers on it.. watching their faces as they go down the first hill, and once the train hits the second drop down and it takes off, they are always taken by suprise!