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Six Flags announces 2015 expansion plans

8/28/2014

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Six Flags Corporation announced their 2015 expansion plans for all of their parks today. Despite some leaks we are very excited for a few of the announcements, kind of perplexed by a few, but overall happy that some parks are choosing to not just focus on new rides but overall park improvements. 


Hopefully with the new rides will also come general park improvements around those rides. We'll start on the West Coast and work our way east. 

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

Dare Devil: Chaos Coaster
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Coming in 2015! Six Flags Discovery Kingdom’s newest roller coaster attraction is a perfect balance of anticipation and suspense, unbridled thrills and unmatched wonder – where you’re constantly at the cusp of heading into an inversion and you wonder when will it ever happen?

With the new Dare Devil Chaos Coaster, it is a matter of momentum that finally takes riders, seated face-to-face or back-to-back, looping full speed around the single circular track up to seven stories high, only to stop and suspend riders upside-down before reversing direction for more thrills and fun.

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Dare Devil Chaos Coaster marks the ninth roller coaster at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom that includes mega thrill coasters like Medusa, V2, Kong, Roar and SUPERMAN Ultimate Flight, plus milder coasters for younger riders like Cobra, Boomerang and Road Runner Express.

In a single looping track, riders will experience anticipation, suspense, anxiety and unbridled thrills making full revolutions both forward and reverse seven stories high.

Facts: Dare Devil Chaos Coaster
Single looping coaster
Travels both backwards and forwards
Top speed revolutions
Upside down at 70 feet high
Seats 24 passengers
Minimum height of 48” to ride. 

Six Flags Magic Mountain

Twisted Colossus
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Coming in 2015! Wood meets steel when the iconic woodie returns as the new Twisted Colossus — the longest, most innovative hybrid coaster in the world. Still in its landmark location along the perimeter of Six Flags Magic Mountain and nestled inside the tracks of the behemoth coaster, Goliath, Twisted Colossus will remain the coaster monument most recognizable to millions of people who pass by the park each year…but now with an exciting twist.

Integrated into the beautiful crosshatching of white wood will be intertwined track, steep banks and unrelenting rolls and spirals. Revel in the fun and excitement of traditional wooden coaster thrills while facing your fears on the latest state-of-the-art coaster technology. Twisted Colossus will be the best of both worlds, a modern marvel soon to make roller coaster history.

Twisted Colossus, the next generation of the beloved wooden roller coaster that thrilled millions of guests in its 36-year reign at the park, will be a unique technological marvel combining an iconic wooden structure with state-of-the-art Iron Horse Track. The advanced technology, available exclusively at Six Flags, provides ride experiences never before possible on wooden coasters, such as over-banked turns and inversions. Twisted Colossus will feature numerous exciting components including a “Top Gun” element, the western hemisphere’s first “High Five” element, and a Zero G Roll.
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With its unique construction, Twisted Colossus will feature:

  • “Top Gun Stall” – an inversion where the train slows down upside down
  • Western Hemisphere’s first “High Five” – where two trains pass through an overbanked turn facing each other with the illusion that you can reach out and “high five” other riders
  • Zero G Roll where track twists 360 degrees
  • A staggering 128-foot drop at an amazing 80-degrees
  • 18 airtime hills
  • Two lift hills
  • Four minutes of thrills on nearly 5,000 feet of track – longest hybrid coaster in the world
Twisted Colossus will be the focal point of the newly themed area, Back Alley, where you can expect the unexpected through whimsical experiences in entertainment, food and retail. The original Colossus wooden coaster opened on June 29, 1978 and offered its farewell run on August 17, 2014.
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Twisted Colossus — the World's Longest Hybrid Coaster
  • Opening Date: Spring 2015
  • Height Restriction: Must be at least 48” tall
  • Location: Twisted Colossus will be the focal point of the newly themed area, Back Alley, where guests can expect the unexpected through whimsical experiences in entertainment, food and retail.
  • Manufacturer: Rocky Mountain Construction

Six Flags Mexico

Sky Screamer

Six Flags Fiesta Texas

Batman: The Ride
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BATMAN™: The Ride is a world class 4D Free Fly Coaster that thrusts you into a totally immersive, high-speed Gotham City adventure. You’ll board Batman’s latest creation – a mind-warping thrill coaster loaded with special effects and cutting edge construction. The utterly innovative design of the ride delivers a brand new coastering experience that is the only one of its kind in the world. Magnetic fins cause you to flip as you fly over the top of a 12-story hill and two beyond vertical drops.

You won’t need a Batsuit to ride – just Batman-level bravery!
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BATMAN™: The Ride represents the latest coastering technology and design, delivering a fully unique, total environment thrill coaster which employs the world’s first magnetic coaster technology. The utterly innovative design of the ride delivers a brand new thrilling experience that is the only one of its kind in the world. Magnetic fins cause you to flip as you fly over the top of a 12-story hill and two beyond vertical drops. Then you’ll take flight over a steel track which delivers six full inversions. You’ll descend down two beyond-90-degree raven drops, incorporating the stomach-shaking sensation of true freefall right in the middle of the ride!

BATMAN: The Ride employs ultra-modern magnetic technology, which causes riders to flip head over heels with the feeling of pure weightlessness. There’s no other coaster in the world which feels like this! A full-scale Batmobile, the Bat-Signal, plus cutting edge special effects throughout the ride make this the ultimate way to experience the world of BATMAN.

  • 12-story lift
  • 6 full inversions
  • 2 beyond 90-degree raven drops

Six Flags Over Texas

Justice League: Battle For Metropolis
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Coming in 2015! JUSTICE LEAGUE: BATTLE FOR METROPOLIS! It’s the ultimate superheroes adventure mission during this 3D interactive dark ride experience. Get ready to match wits against Lex Luthor, The Joker and his henchmen as you join the JUSTICE LEAGUE Reserve team.

After touring the fully immersive 3D Hall of Justice, you’ll receive your very own stun gun to battle the bad guys then it’s a swift ride through a dazzlingly designed Metropolis cityscape, deep into the shadows of Lex Corp. Lifelike animatronics, cutting edge special effects, 3D video, eye-popping graphics, real-time gaming and a mind-tingling sound-scape make this journey to justice an utterly interactive experience. Will you help SUPERMAN and BATMAN rescue the other members of the JUSTICE LEAGUE from Lex Luthor’s and The Joker’s evil plans? Join the JUSTICE LEAGUE Reserve Team today to save your favorite superheroes!

JUSTICE LEAGUE: BATTLE FOR METROPOLIS is a cutting edge, fully immersive dark ride experience which places you right in the middle of the action – in 3D!

As you explore the interactive Hall of Justice, you’ll be given special 3D glasses and a working stun gun to help you battle Lex Luthor and The Joker. They’ve hacked into BATMAN’s computer and kidnapped the world’s favorite superheroes, SUPERMAN, BATMAN, WONDER WOMAN, and GREEN LANTERN. Now you must bust into Lex Corp. to rescue them!

Board motion-based vehicles for a wild journey through the Metropolis streets, where you’ll meet up with life-sized animatronics.

Everywhere you look, state-of-the-art 3D imagery will draw you deeper into the adventure. Your unique transporter will take you piloting through a realistic 3D environment.

Can you thwart The Joker’s evil plan to infect the city with laughing gas? Only if you’re brave enough to join the JUSTICE LEAGUE Reserve Team!

Facts: JUSTICE LEAGUE: BATTLE FOR METROPOLIS
  • All new 3D interactive dark ride which utilizes lasers, computer graphics, film elements, interactive game play, animatronics and a programmable conveyance system.
  • Walk through an interactive queue line and loading area before boarding six-passenger, motion-based vehicles to begin your hunt to stun the bad guys.  These state-of-the-art cars will be programmed to twist and turn at 360° to ensure you do not miss any of the action while on this adventure.
  • Suit up with 3D glasses and arm yourself with laser guns then engage in a full-sensory journey while battling against The Joker and his henchmen to save BATMAN, SUPERMAN, WONDER WOMAN and GREEN LANTERN.
  • This project is collaboration with some of the biggest and most innovative names in the theme park industry.  Sally Manufacturing will design the animatronic super heroes that come to life before your eyes.  Pure Imagination will oversee the production of the3D graphics and film using high-tech Computer Generated Imagery.  The interactive and state-of-the art interactive gaming elements will be developed by Alterface and the fully programmable, multi-DOF vehicles that will transport you through the city of Metropolis will be designed by Oceaneering.
  • At Six Flags Over Texas, JUSTICE LEAGUE: BATTLE FOR METROPOLIS will make quite an impression in the U.S.A. section of the park spanning nearly 20,000 square feet. The ride is scheduled to open in the spring of 2015.

Six Flags St Louis

Justice League: Battle For Metropolis
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Coming in 2015! JUSTICE LEAGUE: BATTLE FOR METROPOLIS is recruiting new superheroes for the ultimate adventure mission – a 3D interactive dark ride experience! Get ready to match wits against Lex Luthor, The Joker and his henchmen as you join the JUSTICE LEAGUE Reserve team.

After touring the fully immersive 3D Hall of Justice, you’ll receive your very own stun gun to battle the bad guys then it’s a swift ride through a dazzlingly designed Metropolis cityscape, deep into the shadows of Lex Corp. Lifelike animatronics, cutting edge special effects, 3D video, eye-popping graphics, real-time gaming and a mind-tingling sound-scape make this journey to justice an utterly interactive experience. Will you rescue SUPERMAN, BATMAN, WONDER WOMAN, and GREEN LANTERN from Lex Luthor’s and The Joker’s evil plans? Join the JUSTICE LEAGUE Reserve Team today to save your favorite superheroes!

JUSTICE LEAGUE: BATTLE FOR METROPOLIS is a cutting edge, fully immersive dark ride experience which places you right in the middle of the action – in 3D!

As you explore the interactive Hall of Justice, you’ll be given special 3D glasses and a working stun gun to help you battle Lex Luthor and The Joker. They’ve hacked into BATMAN’s computer and kidnapped the world’s favorite superheroes, SUPERMAN, BATMAN, WONDER WOMAN, and GREEN LANTERN. Now you must bust into Lex Corp. to rescue them!

Riders will board motion-based vehicles for a wild journey through the Metropolis streets, where you’ll meet up with life-sized animatronics.

Everywhere you look, state-of-the-art 3D imagery will draw you deeper into the adventure. Your unique transporter will take you piloting through a realistic 3D environment.

Can you thwart The Joker’s evil plan to infect the city with laughing gas? Only if you’re brave enough to join the JUSTICE LEAGUE Reserve Team!

Facts: JUSTICE LEAGUE: BATTLE FOR METROPOLIS
  • Interactive dark ride
  • Six-passenger motion-based vehicles
  • Each rider is equipped with 3D glasses and a stun gun
  • Lifelike animatronics
  • Cutting-edge special effects

Six Flags Great America

40 Seasons
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Join Six Flags Great America as we celebrate 40 seasons of thrills in 2015, honoring the park’s history and applauding its growth. This season will see many new projects and events throughout the park. Namely the return of classic kiddie rides, a weekly event highlighting one of our world-class rides, and the refreshing of the Carousel Plaza and Hometown Square areas of the park.
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Great America opened in 1976 in honor of the bi-centennial and to celebrate rich American history. Over the years, Six Flags Great America has evolved greatly, striving to create lasting memories for families.

From its conception in the 70s through today, Six Flags Great America has always pushed the envelope in thrills, entertainment and innovation. This park has seen 40 incredible seasons providing memories for millions of families. These memories live on for generations to return and pass on to their children. Join us in 2015, as we commemorate our 40 seasons at Six Flags Great America.

  • 40th season celebration
  • Complete refresh of the Carousel Plaza and Hometown Square sections
  • Coaster celebrations
  • In-park festivities and weekly events
  • Restoration of three original chiildren's rides
    • Tots Livery Surrey Carriages
    • Red Baron Airplanes
    • Lady Bugs
Six Flags Great America today includes:

  • 80 rides, slides and attractions
  • 100 acres of fun
  • 20-acre water park
  • Home to Goliath, the world's tallest, steepest and fastest wooden roller coaster!
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Six Flags Over Georgia

The Joker Chaos Coaster and Harley Quinn Spinsanity
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Coming in 2015: It’s epic. It’s chaotic. It’s devious. And, it’s waiting for you and 23 other riders! It’s the all-new THE JOKER Chaos Coaster. Experience the insanity of facing off against one another and rocking back and forth through seven stories of looping mayhem. It may seem like the madness is slowing down, but you are about to be thrown for a loop, upside down, 72 feet in the air. And, it’s not over yet. Get ready to be sent in the opposite direction for even more looping havoc.

If twists and turns are more to your liking, get ready for a thrill by spinning through an adventure bigger than ever before on the all-new Harley Quinn Spinsanity. Hop on this classic ride with your entire family with a new twist, as you challenge other riders to see who succeeds to spin around the most then stand up without feeling dizzy.

The new THE JOKER Chaos Coaster and Harley Quinn Spinsanity will be located in the Gotham City area of the park along with the likes of BATMAN: The Ride, Mind Bender and more!

THE JOKER Chaos Coaster and Harley Quinn Spinsanity will transform the iconic and guest popular Gotham City section of the park in 2015. The park’s 12th roller coaster will pit you against 19 other riders as you rocket up and down the sides of the seven story roller coaster before ending up suspended at the top looking straight down at the ground. Harley Quinn Spinsanity will spin, twist and roll you and your family each time you take on Gotham City’s second newest challenge. 

Facts: THE JOKER Chaos Coaster
  • Twenty rides will start by “facing-off” against each other
  • Rocket up to seven stories high, forward and backwards through a bedlam of loops
  • Hang in peril, upside down at 72 feet high before the coaster releases you to even more loops of mayhem
  • The coaster is set the guest-popular BATMAN™: The Ride and Mind Bender roller coasters in Gotham City
Facts: Harley Quinn Spinsanity
  • Spin-sanity rules on this classic ride experience
  • Twist, spin and roll around a cycle of fun in Gotham City’s newest challenge
  • Riders spin around as many times as they can handle, as fast as they can handle as the seven cars rotate around the circular track
  • The ultimate ride to experience with your family to create new memories that will last a lifetime

Six Flags America

Bourbon Street Fireball
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Coming in 2015! Bourbon Street Fireball, a seven story, chaotic looping roller coaster, will be unlike anything you have ever experienced. This sizzling steel monster towers over the Mardi Gras section of the park, delivering 360-degree thrills to those who are brave enough to ride!

You’ll rock back and forth in a uniquely designed train that will reverse direction mid-loop. Then, you’ll hang suspended upside down just long enough to catch your breath, this fireball will shoot you through a series of heart pounding full-circle revolutions. The unpredictable Bourbon Street Fireball looms high over Mardi Gras classics like Ragin Cajun and Wild One, serving up world class excitement at Six Flags America.

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Bourbon Street Fireball is a seven-story tall looping steel roller coaster. This ultimate thrill machine is ready to create chaos with its uniquely designed train seating riders in a forward or backward, face to face position.

You’ll experience a pendulum-style take off before hanging suspended upside-down 70 feet off the ground. After a moment of being completely inverted in space, you’ll race through a series of full 360 loops changing direction halfway through the ride! Bourbon Street Fireball is the 10th world-class coaster to be built at Six Flags America.

Facts: Burbon Street Fireball
  • Seven stories high
  • Seats 24 riders
  • Pendulum style takeoff with multiple 360⁰ revolutions
  • Suspends riders more than 70 feet off the ground

La Ronde


Maison Rouge

Six Flags Great Adventure

Looping Dragon
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Six Flags Great Adventure Announces New Looping Coaster and Bigger Fright Fest for 2015

JACKSON, NJ — August 28, 2014 — Six Flags Great Adventure, the world’s largest theme park, plans for more roller coaster thrills and Halloween scares in 2015. The 510-acre theme park, which was recently voted America’s second best theme park by USA TODAY readers, debuts the park’s thirteenth roller coaster — Looping Dragon, and expands its notoriously scary Fright Fest Halloween festival.
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Looping Dragon Roars into Six Flags

In 2015, Six Flags Great Adventure introduces its thirteenth roller coaster,Looping Dragon. Twenty-four riders sitting in “face-off” seats rocket forward and backward pendulum style until the train gains enough momentum to complete a full revolution seven stories in the air. The coaster then kicks into high gear, completing full revolutions until it stops momentarily with riders suspended upside down, and then reverses direction for even more thrills.

Looping Dragon joins the park’s Golden Kingdom section, which is home to the world’s tallest and fastest drop ride, Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom, and the world’s tallest and fastest roller coaster, Kingda Ka.

“Looping Dragon is a great addition to our diverse roller coaster collection because it delivers speed and thrills that appeal to both our younger and more experienced thrill-seekers alike,” said Park President John Fitzgerald. The park’s roller coaster collection includes three of the world’s top roller coasters — Kingda Ka, El Toro and Nitro — plus unique coaster experiences that allow Guests to fly head first, stand and ride floorless. Looping Dragon will have a 48-inch height requirement. The ride is expected to debut in the late spring of 2015.

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Fright Fest Terrorizes with Two New Indoor Mazes

 The Northeast’s largest Halloween party will become even larger in 2015 with the addition of two new indoor haunt mazes and two additional operating days.

Circus Psycho, the park’s creepy clown section, introduces Big Top Terror, a 3-D, black light experience. Guests don 3-D glasses and wind their way through dark, disorienting halls, not knowing what is real or simply an illusion. “Big Top Terror will be a coulrophobiac’s worst nightmare,” said Tony Mandile, Fright Fest’s special effects expert.

Across the park in Movietown, guests can experience the terror and anxiety of death row in Condemned. Once they enter the dismal halls of this maximum security prison, they must fight to make it out alive.

Fright Fest runs weekends plus Columbus Day September 18 through November 1, 2015.

New Outdoor Grill and Upgraded Cabana Cove at Hurricane Harbor

Guests can enjoy the delicious smell and taste of freshly-grilled food when Six Flags Hurricane Harbor debuts its new, outdoor grill. This open-air kitchen will feature giant turkey legs, hot dogs, hamburgers and Mexican-style steak. The park will also introduce an upgraded Cabana Cove, with new, luxury cabanas surrounded by a lush, tropical landscape.


The Great Escape

Buccaneer Beach
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Coming in Spring 2015! Buccaneer Beach is the ultimate watery playground for families and pirates of all ages. Kids will love splashing down tyke-sized water slides, dodging fun pop-up spray jets, and chilling on the pool deck. Mom and Dad can relax in the shade while their little fishes are busy figuring out new ways to get drenched. Shiver me timbers!

This all-new pirate-themed expansion of the classic Noah’s Sprayground is the perfect spot for family fun. Nothing is too steep or deep, and there are tons of cool structures to climb on and splash around.

Buccaneer Beach is an all-new high seas pirate adventure world made just for kids. This world-class renovation of the beloved kids’ play zone Noah’s Sprayground features countless opportunities to have fun while getting drenched. Set sail for the middle of upper Splashwater Kingdom. There you’ll find a kid-friendly water playground stocked with a vast array of water games, pop-up spray jets, splash pads, and water slides that are the perfect size for children.

The entire beach has been reimagined as a pirate’s paradise, with little pirate ships to climb and water cannons to blast. This dramatic re-imagining of a Great Escape favorite also features a larger pool deck, plus lots of shaded seating for kids and parents to enjoy a cool breeze out of the sun. Coming in Spring 2015, Buccaneer Beach is the ultimate family destination for a kid-friendly, splish-splashin’ good time!

  • Water play area for our youngest guests
  • Spray jets
  • Water slides
  • Splash pads
  • Water cannons
  • Pirate ships
  • Enlarged pool deck
  • Expanded seating and shade
  • Located in Splashwater Kingdom at Great Escape

Six Flags New England

Wicked Cyclone
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The Thrill Capital of New England will be opening a new state-of-the-art roller coaster that integrates the latest in ride technology and innovation in 2015, Wicked Cyclone.

Wicked Cyclone will offer the ultimate in thrills and adrenaline combining the extreme characteristics of both steel and wood to build the first hybrid roller coaster to hit the East Coast.

The highly anticipated Wicked Cyclone, will be storming into Six Flags New England, summer 2015 and will be a “must ride” for the ultimate thrill seekers. Guests will travel from around the globe to visit as they experience this world class attraction.
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Riders will experience a smoother, faster and more intense ride along its 3,320 feet of track on Wicked Cyclone. The intense Hybrid coaster integrating both wood and steel stands 10 stories in the sky and reaches maximum speeds of up to 55 mph.

Once the twenty-four thrill seekers board Wicked Cyclone, it quickly climbs the 109-foot hill to then plummet at maximum speeds while providing riders with weightlessness and a truly wicked ride.

Wicked Cyclone will be the first coaster of its kind to have a 200-degree stall and two Zero-G Rolls. Riders will also be able to experience more airtime than any other coaster in New England on Wicked Cyclone.  

Facts: Wicked Cyclone
  • 3,320 feet of track
  • 10 stories
  • Speeds of up to 55 mph
  • 24 seats climbs the 109 foot hill
  • First coaster of its kind to have a 200 degree stall and two Zero G Rolls

So what do you think of these announcements? Which attractions are you most excited for and will any of these announcements have you making a special trip to any particular parks in 2015? 

If you live near any of these parks and would like to contribute updates, please send us an email, we'd love to share any pictures you take with our readers and of course, in exchange, if we are involved with any media days for the park you cover, you'd certainly be invited.

We will also be holding our first Live Chat right on this page tonight at 5:00pm (Pacific). So please join us. 


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Quick Six Flags Magic Mountain update - Work continues on Ninja

7/14/2014

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We made our weekly trek to Hurricane Harbor this week for some waterpark fun so I made some time in our day to head over to Magic Mountain to check out what they are doing on Ninja. 
Not much has changed since our update on Wednesday but you can start to see just how extensive the work they are doing is going to be. 

We'd also like your opinion on our new watermark. Is it too much? Just right? Let us know in the comments below. 

Ninja remains closed (no surprises there) but no walls have been placed in front of the entrance which hopefully means it will be open sooner rather than later. 
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Sorry for the water spot ... I was using the waterproof camera. 
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Not sure how well you can see it, but a couple of the trees are marked with red tape which probably means they are on their way out. 
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A look towards the area where they were cutting last week
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You could hear some work going on behind the trees, but not cutting, actual "ride noises". Not sure if that means they are pulling out the 3rd train to work on it. 
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Since they weren't working today, Jet Stream was back open. I hadn't actually seen the lower queue building full in awhile. 
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The path between Apocalypse and Roaring Rapids was also open, probably due to them not working as well. 
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A look at some of the work being done from the other side. 
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Not sure if this was recently cleared or if it's been this way for awhile. 
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Some fence boards have been replaced, again, not sure if that's recent or not. Maybe they should just replace the entire thing while they are working in this area? This looks really tacky. I wouldn't even leave my own fence like this. 
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Guessing some trees on the other side of the path may be on their way out as well. It's sad because that's one of the things that makes Ninja great, but it's better than not having Ninja at all. 
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Just a couple of quick notes from the rest of the park. 

Ad's in the Apocalypse queue are advertising a chance to win a trip to ride Goliath at Six Flags Great America. Click to enter
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The Full Throttle Plaza just got a nice new paint job. This had to have been just since Wednesday because I certainly didn't notice it the other day. It's nice to see little projects like this. They go a long way in keeping the park looking nice. 
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I'm no prude, but this shirt caught my eye. Apparently they've been at Six Flags Over Texas since at least 2011. 
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It was another beautiful day at Hurricane Harbor. No cartoons or music in the wave pool again. Starting to think it's a safety thing, which is totally understandable. 
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New signs about the "Buttons, Zippers and Rivets" policy at the park. This isn't a new policy, but with the two new slides, no surprise they are letting people know about it. 
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That's going to wrap it up for this update. Not sure when we'll have another update, but probably in the next week or two depending on what news we hear from the park. 

Leave a comment below and let us know what you think about the new watermark. 


If you enjoyed this update please share with your friends and make sure you "like" us on Facebook and "follow" us on Twitter. 

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A few helpful hints for Six Flags Hurricane Harbor (SFMM)

7/7/2014

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We headed up to Hurricane Harbor for a bit of family fun yesterday (Sunday) and while I wasn't specifically planning on doing a report I did take the waterproof camera with me again. If you missed our previous Hurricane Harbor report featuring the new slides and park improvements, click the link. 

I want to start off with saying that we had another GREAT day, but sadly our visit didn't come without a few head-scratching moments. 

I'm not going to pretend to be an expert on running a theme park, I know a LOT of factors go into staffing, including funding, etc. 

What I am suggesting below are a few things that as a consumer and fan I think the park could be doing to make things easier not only on their park guests, but probably on them as well. 

The first issue we had was with the Gold Thrill Pass Early Entry. Let's start by the positive ... this is a GREAT incentive to get the Gold Pass. The early entry allows you to get in 10 minutes early, get your spot by the wave pool and probably ride a couple of slides rather quickly. 

The problem is that if they don't check passes when people get in the line (they weren't) then it's not an incentive at all. 

They had a survey taker going through the line, as he was scanning the passes it was clear that half of the people didn't have a Gold Pass, but they let them stay in the line, which before long stretched all the way to the gates of Magic Mountain. This meant that everybody going through the metal detectors had to go around the line or cut through the people standing in line. 

They did have some employees come and ask if everybody had a gold pass, but they took everybody's word for it. Once we got let in only about half of the people in the early entry line had the proper passes. Yet they let everybody in. It wouldn't take much to have somebody situated right where this sign is and have them check the passes before they get in this line. 

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Once we got into the park at 10:20 our first stop (as always) was to Red Eye's Kitchen to get our refill bracelet for our 2014 Souvenir Bottles. Again, another GREAT incentive to get the bottles as you need them on hot days. 
Sadly, as guests were entering the park, there were no food places open. Employees were inside, waiting to open, but they couldn't process any transactions at the time. Again, if you are going to have guests in your park at 10:20 for early entry, and it's already 90 degrees outside, and you can't bring in your own water ... then you need to have places open to get something to drink. 
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After getting our spot, we decided to ride the family raft ride (fun as always) and spend some time in the wave pool. Last time we were at the park we were VERY pleased to see cartoons playing on the big screen for the Dive In Movies as well as music in this area of the park. Yesterday, no such luck. 

Not sure if this was due to Lifeguard's being unable to hear but it was a great idea that we hope comes back. Consistency is key!! 
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This was probably my favorite picture of the day, taken from under the water in the wave pool looking up at the sky. 
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Next up ... this was the line for the all new Bonzai Pipelines and Black Snake Summit as of about 12:30 in the afternoon. they hold the line down here due to FlashPass ... which I have NO problem with. 
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I also want to give them credit for getting one of the Black Snake Summit slides open for now as they work on their water pressure issues. 
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The problem here, and it's not a new one, is that as I was watching people on the slides, the ratio of people riding the yellow slide (twisty) and the blue slide (Straight down) was about 3-1. Meaning that if you want to ride the blue slide, you must still wait in this long line and then once you get to the top they ask for people who want to ride the Blue slide. 
What is needed here is a separate line for the blue slide so that they can keep the line for that particular slide down and make sure they are getting maximum capacity. 
The same issue used to happen on Venom Drop as well. This would take little to no effort on the parks end. I'm hoping they just aren't aware of this discrepancy and it will be an easy fix. 
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And lastly, a pretty glaring problem. Below is the Crow's Nest, which is the closest food/drink location to the wave pool ... the most popular part of any water park. 
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This particular location has two walk-up windows and usually has 3-4 employees working inside and one specifically for drinks. What usually happens though is only 1 side is open for both food and drinks which means that even if you just want a drink or a refill, you are typically waiting 5-10 minutes as somebody waits for their food order. 
Easy fix, open the other window only for drinks. It's 95 degrees outside, refills are quick (no more than 30 seconds each transaction). As you can see from the line below (sorry for the water spot) is that most of the people in this line have a souvenir bottle and a couple have the wrist bands. But yet they have to wait in the line. 
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Overall I know that this may sound like I'm being nit-picky or just trying to find something wrong. I assure you that this isn't the point of this. We love Hurricane Harbor, we go there more during the summer than Magic Mountain. It's basically our pool since we don't have one. And we ALWAYS have a great time and this visit was no exception. These are just small things I think they can do to make the park even better. 

One thing I didn't notice last time were some new table's near the Crow's Nest for people to use. Didn't look like many people were taking advantage of them (Maybe because of no shade?) but more seating is a good thing. 
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What do you think? Have you visited Hurricane Harbor this year? Have you experienced any similar issues? Do you have any other suggestions that can make this fun park even better? 


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Six Flags Hurricane Harbor - Bonzai Pipelines and great off season improvements

6/2/2014

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Today we are going to take a look at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor. Of course the big draw this summer is the new Bonzai Pipelines, and they are great. But as fans of this park, and considering we go almost weekly during the summer, just as great are all of the off-season enhancements that have been made. 
If you missed our Six Flags Magic Mountain update from yesterday click the link. 

As we entered the park, I was glad to see that the Gold Pass Early Entry was back for 2014. Truly a great benefit. Allows you to get in, get your spot by the wave pool and ride a few rides before the bulk of the crowd gets in. 
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Entering the park, it was a perfect Southern California Day. 
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Let's start off with a look at the new Bonzai Pipelines. If you missed our coverage of the rides opening you can find that here. 

Great new signs. Unfortunately the Black Snake Summit tube slides that share a tower with the Bonzai Pipelines aren't currently open due to some water pressure issues. It is being worked on and they should be open soon. 
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A look at the two new slides. From this angle it almost looks like one big slide complex. 
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I first did the blue slide, if you squint you can see me in the "capsule" getting ready to launch. This was the scariest part for me, the anticipation. 
There is also audio and they play a "heartbeat" and there is a 3, 2, 1 countdown. 
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And here I am flying down the slide. Such a thrill. 
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As you can see, by the time I went down the slide and was getting up, the person riding the yellow slide was just reaching the bottom. That's how fast the blue slide is. 
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I did the yellow slide next and I honestly can't rank them as I enjoyed them both for very different reasons. Incredibly smooth and incredibly fun. I can't wait to ride them more this summer. 
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Just like with the old Venom Drop, the best views of the new slides is from the tram road. 
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The slides are truly great and you should go ride them. 

But the Bonzai Pipelines aren't the only changes this year at the park. Many of the parks splashdown pools, the lazy river and the wave pool have been completely redone. 

I can't remember the last time the lazy river looked this blue. 
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I also have to warn you, I was using a waterproof camera so some of these pictures may have water on the lens. 
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Underwater Selfie!! 
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The kids are also looks like it had some freshening up over the "winter". 
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Lost Temple Rapids also had some off-season work done if you recall they were doing some work on it a few updates ago. All of the platforms on the stairway have been redone. 
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The platform provides the best views in the park. 
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As you can see, the splashdown pool has been completely redone. 
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Tornado, always a favorite. 
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The sign for Tornado was missing, I'm assuming it's getting some TLC as some of the parks signs were re-done this off-season, like this one for Tiki Falls. 

The restrooms near Tiki Falls and the wave pool have also been re-done this offseason. 
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More redone signs and new paint jobs. Great to see the park getting some TLC. 
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Even the directional signs got some love. 
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Tube rentals are the same price as last summer. I REALLY wish they'd offer some kind of "Tube Pass" to add on to your Season Pass. We'd be all over that. 
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The Paradise Pan Band is back this year and they sounded great. 
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A look at the wave pool where they will be doing all of the Dive-In Movies this summer. 
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Lastly, the Lockers are now the electronic lockers with the kiosks, so no more long lines to get your lockers in the morning. I can't recall if these were in use last year or not, but another great change. 
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That's going to wrap it up for this update. We are really looking forward to spending our summer at the waterpark this year. Great improvements made during the offseason and the park is looking better than ever. 
The two new great slides are just the icing on the cake!! Hope to see you in the waves!! 


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Six Flags Magic Mountain update - Revolution and Speedy Gonzales 

6/1/2014

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We headed up to Hurricane Harbor today to get our first rides on the new Bonzai Pipelines, and they do not disappoint. They also made some HUGE improvements at the waterpark during the offseason. 
But that update is tomorrow, today we'll start at Magic Mountain as construction on the parks newest coaster, Speedy Gonzales: Hot Rod Racers, has finally gone vertical. We'lll also take a look at the newly reopened Revolution. 

Before we get inside the gates, this picture was taken at about 10:15am, so it looks like they are once again doing some kind of "rope drop". Wondering if this has to do with the new finger scanners. Either way, we hope this continues!! 
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Fast forward to a few hours later, it looks like they've installed some new shade for the employees at the front gates. 
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Just a few pics from Magic Mountain today. As you'll see they are still working on Bugs Bunny World. Plants are starting to grow in but there is no new sign yet. 
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"Vertical Construction" has started on the new coaster, it's not too often you see coaster track being installed by hand. 
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You can also get an idea of the themeing for the new ride, it fits Speedy Gonzales. 
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I'd anticipate construction being complete sometime this week. 
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I know a lot of people have been critical of the park for not having this open already, but remember this isn't just 1 new ride, they are totally redoing the entire Bugs Bunny World area. 

Elsewhere, Pepe Le Pews is back open. 
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Merrie Melodies Carousel still needs some work. 
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Looks like the stage is finished and shows could start at any time. 
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Moving beyond Bugs Bunny World, starting to wonder if the park has forgotten they have a ride called the Swashbuckler. No, these aren't pictures from January, February, March, April or May ... but June 1. 
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Revolution is back open, and I have to be 100% honest ... EASILY the best ride I've had on this since the OTSR's were installed. I only found myself having to "brace for impact" once during the entire ride. While it's NOWHERE near where it was, it's obvious some work went into the trains during it's recent closure. 
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As a point of reference, I did ride the train with the ad on it, not sure if you'll have the same ride I did on the other train. 
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I encourage everybody to ride it to see for yourselves. It didn't feel like I just got "lucky" because of my seat or something, everybody on the train seemed to enjoy it. 
Maybe if ridership of this goes up the park will finally invest in new lap-bar-only trains one of these years. 
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Not too much going on in the rest of the park. 

Walking Dead shirts now for sale at theme park prices!! 
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Looks like they are replacing a sign ... at 1:00pm on a Sunday? 
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The Full Throttle stage is back, showtimes are below. 
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And lastly, we'll have a HUGE Hurricane Harbor update for you tomorrow including lots of pictures and my review of the new Bonzai Pipelines. But in the meantime, how about some different angle SFMM pictures taken from the waterpark? 
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