Six Flags America 07/28/06

Okay, so, up until this point, I've refrained from posting a trip report about Six Flags America. Why do you ask? Because, in the past couple of seasons, the park has shown improvement early in the season, come late June/early July the park disapppoints.

So, I decided today would be the day I would observe Six Flags America. I hop in my car. Head to Panera Bread for the morning necessities. A Asiago Cheese Bagel, reduced fat plaim cheese and a large iced tea. While eating my bagel, I realize I forgot the sun screen. My wife, who wasn't acommpanying me, said she would go back to the house while I stayed at Panera and surfed the web (needed to get my fix of Coasterbuzz and Screamscape before leaving). Fifteen minutes later, she was back and I was off to the park. On my way to the park, I encounter two traffic backups (duh! It's a weekday in Washington, D.C. and I should've realized this). One dude was pulled over and having his car searched. He didn't look to pleased about it. The other backup was the result of the state putting up sound walls so some guy that built his house a little to close to I-95 could live in peace. I finally arrive at the park at 10:45. I head straight for the back of the park and Superman.

Superman was my first coaster of the day, I walk past the test seat and I had a one train wait (one train operation) for the middle of the car. I knew I gained about 5 lbs while on vacation and wasn't likely to fit in the restraints. Especially since I barely fit into them before going on vacation. Sure enough, I didn't fit in them. Since I couldn't buckle the seat belt, I left the train so I didn't hold everyone else up. Like a good coaster enthusiast should do. However, I have rode Superman plent of times this season and can report the ride is giving some awesome air and is pacing the circuit at a fast rate of speed. The only bad part is, Superman has been on one train operation the past couple of weeks. Leaving Superman, I head for Batwing.

To the parks credit, even though they were running one side today, they have been running both sides of the station frequently this season. However, to the parks discredit (is discredit a word), they have cut back from four attendants per side to two attendants per side. Upon entering the queue for Batwing, I noticed some trash in the queue. More on that in a minute. I had a two or three train wait to ride Batwing. Not sure why, but Batwing was giving a rougher ride than it was earlier in the season. A awful lot of vibrating. As for the trash in the queue, I went back later in the day, the trash was still in the queue and the trash can was overflowing. Not to mention, there was a maintenance worker that three steps behind me that decided it was time for him t take a break on one of the parks benches. I bet the trash is still there when I go to the park on Sunday.

After riding Batwing, I headed for Joker's Jinx. Nope, not riding Joker's Jinx, they had a roll back and were pulling the train back in the station. One train operation on JJ. No sign of the yellow train. I did ride JJ a couple of weeks ago, a day or two after it reopened. There was a definte vibration in the wheel. It also felt a lot faster and rougher.

From Joker's Jinx, I head to Wild One. Where the crew was doing an exceptional job of loading and dispatching the trains. I'm not sure why, but I'm begining to sound like a broke record. Wild One is just given out of control rides this season. While riding Wild One, I did notice the trim break on the helix did kick in and the helix didn't seem as powerful as it was a few weeks ago, but still giving excellent rides.

From Joker's Jinx, I went to the Coyote Creek Saloon and had a grilled chicken sandwich (no, not because I couldn't ride Superman, I actually started my diet and going back to the gym last week). Now being diabetic and on a diet, I didn't want the baked beans and curly fries that came with the Chicken Platter. To much starch. All I wanted was the grilled chicken sandwich, side salad and a bottle of water. Well guess what, you can't do that. So I put the side salad back since I wasn't about to spend a dime more than I needed to. The grill chicken sandwich wasn't bad and I'll keep eating eat until I loose 20 lbs.

After lunch, I headed to the American Jukebox show. After several years of mediocre shows in the Grand Theatre, Six Flags America has had a couple of hit shows in this theatre the past couple of seasons. American Jukebox is one of them. A little bit loud but nonetheless, a great show with some great music. Now, I'm having trouble determing if the actors are really talented singers and dancers or if they're talented lip syncers and danceers. Let me know what you think.

My next stop was Roar. I must admit. Roar was one I almost skipped for the day. It's been rumored to be giving some pretty rough rides this season. While my ride was rough, it wasn't nearly as rough as it was in the past. It's still not Wildcat (HP) or Rattler (SFFT) rough but it could use a reworking of the wood and track in places. Someone, on another website, mentioned you can tell the difference when going through the tunnel. The track going through the tunnel is much smoother but the track more exposed to the elements is much rougher. Roar is almost 10 years old (if it's not already). I'm wondering if it's time for a major rehab of the ride.

Following Roar, I headed for the water park. Since I was by myself, I spent about an hour or so in the wave pool cooling off. The one thing I did notice was the carpet around the wave pool was D-I-S-G-U-S-T-I-N-G, disgusting. There was liter all over the place. Hairballs blowing around. All kinds of peebles and sticks. I have a couple of friends that have purchased 1/2 price tickets for the park. Specifically to go to the water park. I'm so ashamed of how the carpet around the wave pool looks, I'm thinking about buying their tickets from them and going to Water Country U.S.A. instead. Yes, I did file a complaint with guest relations a couple of weeks ago. It hasn't been followed up on.

After the water park, I headed for the Stunt Show. The Stunt Show had always been good at this park. I think the heat was getting to the actors today, they didn't seem like they were on top of the show. HOwever, it is still worth seeing.

After the stunt show, I walked around, took some pictures and then headed for the Batman Thrill Spectacular.

The stage for the Batman Show has received some off season work. More Pyrotechnics has been added but the story is stil the same and the case is pretty good.

After the stunt show, I deposited my cameras in my car and headed back in to catch the parade. The parade at Six Flags America looks like it was thrown together at the last minute. It's short and sweet but doesn't compare to the parades at other parks. Hopefully they will really put some money into making it a quality production for next season.

Rides that were down today include Tower of Doom, Typhoon Sea coaster and Rodeo.

Positives about the park this season:

Employees have a generally better attitude about their job.
The employees are dressed better.
The park looks decent for the most part but you will still find litter in areas. Mostly in the queues.

Negatives:

The litter in the queues and that carpet around the wave pool.
You will still find slow ride ops from time to time.
An awful lot of employees talking on cell phones. I'm also noticing a increasing number of employees using the Bluetooth Headsets.
One train operation on two of the parks big coasters.

That covers my day for today. Thanks for reading.

Great TR!

It amazes me how understanding/patient you are about not being able to fit on Superman.

Good luck, I'm sure you'll be riding it again soon!

Personal gripe (Not at all with you, Guts or your well-written report) but I want my Rodeo back.

How can you have an attraction like "El Toro" at Great Adventure, and lose the cows.

Is Tango a fruit bowl?

At least someone else had them.

Unfortunately, you couldn't ride them either.

Bummer!

OK - Rant over.

Is there some problem with Red Train on S:ROS because when i went a couple of weeks ago, Red was on the transfer and this was a busy sunday.

The red train was running today and the blue was on the transfer track. Not sure why they are running one train on Superman. All I know is they were having problems with one train hitting the brake run, stopping and then start coasting again. As it began to coast and the other one was going up the lift the whole ride would shutdown. Probably because the systems were seeing two trains on the circuit. I think they've pretty much replaced all of the proxy sensors at least once, if not twice. Superman is running exceptionally well as of two weeks ago, completing the course in 71 seconds.

Thanks Ride of Steel. I could've gotten back in line and tried another seat. The seat belts on Superman are different lengths, but I had better things to do than try each seat out to find one I could ride in. I'm about 2 lbs away from being able to ride Superman again. *** Edited 7/29/2006 11:33:51 AM UTC by coasterguts***

The yellow train on JJ is in the shop for rehab, from what I hear. Until recently, both trains were out of service, and the ride was closed, with a sign saying they were waiting for parts.

They've been having trouble with Typhoon SeaCoaster all season. I see some major work needed in the off-season on that one.

And I agree about the carpet around Hurricane Bay. How hard is it to move the chairs and either hose it down or give it a good sweep?

As far as the Wild One, that thing has been insane. I went this past Thursday, riding it first thing in the morning (front seat!), then six more times over the next few hours. It was pretty warm, and once the WO warmed up, it definitely lived up to its name! No better feeling than screaming into that helix!!

As for Roar, it was running a bit smoother than last time I rode it. And the tunnel track IS a bit smoother.

I have yet to ride any of the steel coasters. I tried for SRoS, but it was down when I got to it. It came back up later, but by then I was getting hot and tired. Gotham City needs more trees for shade!

Glad you enjoyed your visit! *** Edited 7/29/2006 1:02:10 PM UTC by ilovethewildone***

I believe it was me who mentioned the tunnel being smoother on your site Guts.When I was there back on the 15th they were having major problems with the red train on supes all day so they ended up pulling it.

Ritchie:did SFGRADV have the rodeo in 99? if so then SFA's isn't from SFGRADV because they added it for the 99 season.

TSC needs some major work during the offseason as it was down all day during my last visit...when it was extremely hot no less! as for Roar I seriously hope they'd swap out the PTC's for a set of M-flyers along with some much needed track work by next season.

JJ was testing by late in the day back on the 15th with the purple train & from what I heard re-opened the following day,last but not least for Guts you think the traffic was bad on your way to the park? the last two trips I took were terrible...especially the streaker who ran right past the car while we were stuck at the horrendously slow light at the 295 interchange.

Now if all goes according to plan I'll be at PKD in two weeks,I ohh so hope SFA can get it's act back together by september & certainly by october because it has been a less than stellar season thus far for them.

Sorry Batwing, "Wrong Herd." The Rodeo ride, I believe, was there last year.

It was a Huss breakdance with a "cow theme." I always thought the locking device, a long metal rod-like key, was hurting the heffers, who seldom complained.

Sorry to "steer" you wrong. (And that's no bull)

I went on sunday the 23rd....
All I can say is my time there was horrible... mainly because of my time at Roar and JJ. The ops around noon where absolutely out of their mind. They were acting up so much... One was even cursing out loud and yelling on the top of his lungs. The op at the controls was talkiing over the microphone to his co workers. (i mean general convo-- things that should be discussed on their break!!!) People in line were remarking and given wierd looks in response to these ops... THEY SHOULD BE FIRED..

While waitin for roar which has 1 train running the ops were making fun of someone and talking about them after the train departed..they had no shame... they laughed and everything in front of us who were waiting. JUST RUDE!!!

IT was hot and the only watere ride to get u we t was the big boat dat creates that huge wave. TSC and RR ..... WHAT A WASTE whatt was SFA doing the off season ITS HOT!!!

Mind eraser bruised my arm lol all i could do was laugh at myself for putting myself through such torture... I couldnt help it because it looks so new.

Two Face was a walk on...

Batwing was running both stations.. and i had 3 train wait... i was pleased with my ride there... Im glad to see the line was not as long as I expected... mainly cuz most people were too clueless to walk over to the second station. People just starred at the steps that go under ground and didn't put two and two together.

Tower of Doom was a walk on
running 2 sides

I didnt ride any other flat ride
The swinging ship doesnt do anything for me,
Rodeo was closed, Bumper cars and the tilt-a-wirl also don't do anything for me.

SFA more Flats PLEASE!!!!! more that are high thrills and that go up side down becacusee SFA doesnt have one anymore.

The main things in which i enjoyed were Superman, Batwing, JJ despite the ops, and The Tornado water slide... WHICH I MUST SAY IS AWESOME!!!!!

oh and yeah... the Ops who were very nice on my visit were at The penguin... They were very nice.

Lastly... what is up with TSC... I thought it wasn't going to open... but they started up the ride. the boat that was on the lift moved up and stopped. Yet, the ride never opened. Also its funny that the sign out front recommends that people go and ride RR.

that's all I have to share

Not sure what the problem was with Renegade Rapids on the 23rd. It was running on Friday and I think I've only seen it down once this season. TSC is a different story, I hope the fact they are working on the ride is a sign they are working to improve the ride for the future. I was about to commend the Roar crew for a doing a good job dispatching the trains, until they started having personal conversations over the P.A. like you mentioned. Perhaps the same crew.

Oh yeah ... the area between JJ and Wild one looked very clean.. Last year it wasnt paved was it... I could definately see the park opening a section in there with some flat rides... Even UT if we're getting it

No sweat Ritchie,did they have psycho ops on SFGRADV's Rodeo that would run multiple cycles? the ops on Rodeo last season were pretty sadistic hitting the button twice! I swear I thought I was gonna lose my lunch for sure during that 2nd cycle.

For some reason the Roar crew always seems to be the downright worst when I'm there,I still recall what happened last season during FF when the girl checking trains on the load side was arguing with the op on controls threatening to quit...I swear what is up with the staff at this one ride?

That area in between JJ & WO has always been paved VaRyda,it's frequently used for storage of TSC's boats & serves as a maintenance area for JJ along with a performance araea for the train during FF.Besides UT wouldn't fit there if they decided to put it up.

The park is in desperate need of some flats especially inverting ones,they should look toward opening a new section that includes some flats & if anything one of those MS spinning coasters as Shapiro seems to like those things lately.

SFA & SFGAdv opened their Huss breakdance rides the same year. SFGAdv's ride was called Rodeo Stampede, while SFA's version is just called Rodeo.

I've felt for a while that SFA's version gave a better ride than SFGAdv's version. SFGAdv's was actually a larger version, sporting 4 groups of 4 cows instead of just 3 groups, as SFA's version has. Also, the platform that holds the cows looks different.

Glad SFA hasn't removed their version, though I wish Huss would have come up with a way to electronically release all the harnesses so that an employee doesn't have to release each one manually.

I can't remember if the new one at SFoT releases manually or automatically. I'm thinking manually.

---

BATWING FAN SFA said:
No sweat Ritchie,did they have psycho ops on SFGRADV's Rodeo that would run multiple cycles? the ops on Rodeo last season were pretty sadistic hitting the button twice! I swear I thought I was gonna lose my lunch for sure during that 2nd cycle.

For some reason the Roar crew always seems to be the downright worst when I'm there,I still recall what happened last season during FF when the girl checking trains on the load side was arguing with the op on controls threatening to quit...I swear what is up with the staff at this one ride?

That area in between JJ & WO has always been paved VaRyda,it's frequently used for storage of TSC's boats & serves as a maintenance area for JJ along with a performance araea for the train during FF.Besides UT wouldn't fit there if they decided to put it up.

The park is in desperate need of some flats especially inverting ones,they should look toward opening a new section that includes some flats & if anything one of those MS spinning coasters as Shapiro seems to like those things lately.

---

I had that on my last ride on the Wild One last Thursday. I don't mind the conversation, as long as they're doing their job, but when they start-stop-start-stop the train before finally sending us to the lift hill, when there doesn't seem to be a problem, then it just gets stupid. That's actually the first time I've had to deal with that. If there's another one, there WILL be some griping done!

^I've never had any problems with them stopping & starting rides before...what happened on Rodeo is that they let the thing run it's normal cycle once & then instead of opening restraints to let us off they simply started the ride up again.

I noticed your sig & recognized you as Roarfan from the other board,my SN is the same as it is here just minus the "SFA' part just so you know. :)