A Six Flags "NO" Story- August 14th, 2004

A Six Flags "NO" Story- August 14th, 2004

Well, my family and I decided to go to New Orleans for a vacation, and stopped at Six Flags New Orleans on Saturday. So, let's start from the beginning.

Getting there:

There was a shuttle from the Sheraton to Six Flags New Orleans for $1.50 a person. Not bad. Got on the bus at about 8:50 to 9:00 and got to the park at about 9:40. We already had bought our tickets online, for a mere $24.99, compared to $34.99 at the gate.

Going in: We got to the entrance, and were greeted with some lovely metal detectors. Took my glasses case and watch off, and went through. The security guard made me just go through the metal detector with the items, and she wanded me. My zipper set off the metal detector and wand. Better than going through the metal detector SIX times at Great America. We walked through the ‘main street’ section, and we put our hands over our hearts for the national anthem. Then it was time for:

The rides and attractions: We headed to our right, as it seemed like everyone was going to Ozarka Splash, and rides on the left.

Zydeco Zinger- A Chairswings-type ride (Wave swinger?)

A long, fun ride. First it would just swing around in a circle, then it would begin to go up and down, like a wave swinger. Felt weightless on the top point of the ride- fun! (Not Rated, 0 Minute Wait, One Ride) We saw Mega Zeph testing, with people only on the very front and back seats, so we headed over that way.

Jocco’s Mardi Gras Madness (Sally Dark Ride)

A very basic shoot-em-up ride, with almost no sound throughout the ride. Still fun, but it could do with a soundtrack. My highest score was 7500. Men in Black is much better. (5/10, 5 Minute Wait, 30 Minute Wait, Two Rides)

Mega Zeph (CCI Wooden Coaster w/Gerslatuer trains)

I’ve heard good things about this coaster, bad things about this coaster. It was a little of both. Walked right up to the station on our first two rides. Rode in second to last seat for the first ride. 1st ride: Fun! Although the ride was very rough on the turns, I still liked it. The pull from first drop off the train was awesome, but the second double up killed! Man. The operator (SFNO manager!) asked how the ride was, and the lady said ‘Ow. That’s all I can say. Ow.’ And the operator replied ‘It’s not supposed to be ow, it’s supposed to be wow! You’ve got to take that in the back seat. I can take the roughness. (9/10, 5 Minute Wait)

2nd ride: Smoother! Rode up in the very front, and it was also very fun, a tad smoother. The only thing that was missing was the great pull from the first drop, that was in the back. (9.5/10, 5 Minute Wait)

3rd ride: Ouch! They added a different train while we were riding different rides, and it was horrible! Rode in the second to front seat, and the shuffling was bad, and the train was squeaking the whole way. It was near Mean Streak roughness (in the back). The trains didn’t have numbers (that I saw), but it was the one with two rows (including the very back one) closed off. Still, I love wooden coasters. (6/10, 25 Minute Wait)

Sonic Slam (S&S Turbo Drop)

Great! I hadn’t been on a Turbo Drop until now, and the airtime was great. I like it better than the Space Shot. The line moved a little slow, although it was short, because there was one operator loading both towers. (9.5/10, 10 Minute Wait)

Tried to go on Batman: The Ride, but ride while we were going to get on, the queue gates broke. So, we waited a good fifteen minutes, but we then moved on.

Joker’s Jukebox (A new-generation Schwarzkopf Polyp/Spider)The best spider-type ride I’ve ever ridden. There was a lot of spinning, but not too much to make me nauseous, and there was a fun weightless sensation. (7/10, 0 Minute Wait)

Took a break for lunch, and continued with more rides.

Gator Bait (Not sure, seems like a new-generation Huss Troika)

Reminded me of a Troika, but it seemed a lot smaller, and it was. There wasn’t a weightless sensation, and that was kind of disappointing, but the smaller radius circles was more fun. (5/10, 15 Minute Wait)

Muskrat Scrambler (L&T Systems Wild Mouse)Was broken down when we got there, but they got it working within five minutes. A good ride, although it was too short, and went through the switchbacks slow. Still fun, though, but not as good as Ragin’ Cajun (SFGAm). (6/10, 15 Minute Wait)

Spongebob Squarepants: The Ride (Simulator)It was an okay ride, but it wasn’t worth the wait. Everyone getting off the ride seemed disappointed. The ride has a very small capacity, as the vehicle only holds sixteen passengers. (3/10, 1 ½ hour wait)

Batman: The Ride (B&M Inverted Coaster)Broke down again while we were in line. This time someone had a protein spill, and it took them upwards of twenty minutes to clean it up. It is missing the themeing that all the other Batman: The Rides have, and that was disappointing. Still, the atmosphere for the ride was great, and it was smooth as glass. The ops were stacking like crazy though, with a 5 minute plus dispatch time. There was also a great foot chopper with the station/support. (9.5/10, 15 Minute Wait+ 20 Minute Breakdown)

Zydeco Scream (Vekoma Boomerang)

I had heard so many bad things about Boomerangs, that they were terribly rough, etc. I had just finished up riding Déjà vu at Great America, so I wasn’t too worried about this one, and it was very smooth. It was very disorienting, and the drops off the towers were fun, and I was actually dizzy after the ride. (8/10, 15 Minute Wait)

The Jester (Backwards Vekoma)

Ow. It was bad. But, one of the redeeming values was the loop and first drop- they were amazing. The corkscrews were also fun backwards. This ride has a very carnival feel to it, as the queue line was right next to the exit, and the only things dividing it was the police line (metal) –type things. (4/10, 15 Minute Wait)

Some random tidbits:

The karaoke stage, in the Mardi Gras section was great. Some very talented people were singing.

We were given a ticket to give to an employee that was doing a great job, for an ‘employee of the month’ type thing, and they wanted the guests to help. We found no one worthy of the ticket, so we didn’t give it to anyone.

There is a new ride coming, it said a new ride coming in spring 2005, in a sign by the Batman Show stage.

Why it’s Six Flags “NO”

The employees stunk. Little hustle. Oh well. Guess I’m spoiled by Six Flags Great America.

Understaffing was also a problem, including a person loading two different rides. So many rides closed, even on a Saturday! Including:

Pontcharian Flyer

Dizzy Lizzy

Krazy Krewe

King Chaos

Also many rides didn’t open until 12:00 or even 3:00!

Overall, I guess we go the typical bad Six Flags treatment. As you can tell, we enjoyed it. Overall: 6.5/10 (EDITED: Stupid Paragraphs) *** Edited 8/16/2004 11:26:38 PM UTC by coasterwiz*** *** Edited 8/16/2004 11:27:06 PM UTC by coasterwiz*** *** Edited 8/17/2004 12:17:20 PM UTC by coasterwiz***

At least they had two trains on Batman...but a five min. dispatch is RIDICULOUS! Talon's crew does it in like a minute.

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coasterwiz said:

Gator Bait (Not sure, seems like a new-generation Huss Troika)

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This is the ride you rode http://hussrides.com/41FamilyAirboat.htm

Maybe there going to get the rumored old Shockwave Coaster!?

Which half? ;)

Nah I don't think so. I could see SFNO getting a water park before adding another coaster.

the last several years at 6 flags ohio, i saw them do the 2 rides-per-op thing in the kid section of the park. parents were not pleased and i saw at least 5 parents arguing w/mgt over it... question: Is that legal?

It's been a problem at alot of parks the last few years to have SLOW employees. Nothing is worse than being at a park that really isn't crowded but the lines are long because operators are dragging their ass.