Six Flags Fiesta Texas announces closure of The Rattler roller coaster

I notice they never used the word "removed." That leads me to believe there's a good chance it will get the TG treatment and be re-named/themed. So yes, the RATTLER will have carried its last passengers. Doesn't mean the ride itself will have done so. Then again, maybe removal IS the plan.

Another one I'll miss out on, although I've read more bad than good.

I remember first seeing Rattler in an old movie, possibly staring Macaulay Culkin. Does anyone know what movie that was?

Rattler looks like it has potential for becoming really great with a redo.

If Rattler got the NTG treatment, it would likely be a fantastic ride. I'm willing to bet that they could restore the first drop to all its original glory as well. It had a pretty nice layout with a bizarre helix that was actually quite fun.

At the coaster con last year I recall the park president mentioning that the Texas Giant treatment being a future possibility for the Rattler. It was also said that they wanted to see how TNTG did after a few seasons.

I also observed that many of the public still associated the Giant with it's old roughness. I wonder if they are going to rename/retheme the Rattler and if this is the part of the reason why?

I know that if they do put Iron Horse treatment on it, I will be making a trip to San Antonio as soon as it is done.

The park spokesperson says the ride is "going away." The article states that the coaster's last rider will be on August 5th. Also mentioned is that the park wanted to give fans a last chance to ride it.

Sounds like it's toast to me.

Isn't it the Rattler in that video that got passed around where it shows the wooden structure totally swaying ridiculously when the train passes?

Yes.

I find it odd that the park spokesperson keeps saying the "Ride will be going away" instead of some other term.

Makes me wonder if she's failing at being coy about the ride being given the TG Treatment (I honestly hope so...).

For what it's worth, in my totally anecdotal experience of overhearing conversations around SFoT, the New Texas Giant is a huge hit and everyone says it's way smoother than the original Texas Giant. It usually has a pretty significant line, as well (and not because of bad capacity either, though it may be because it's "new").

Yeah, I hear it has "near El Toro" notoriety. I feel moderately compelled to fly to Dallas to ride it.

LostKause said:

I remember first seeing Rattler in an old movie, possibly staring Macaulay Culkin. Does anyone know what movie that was?

I think Blank Check is the movie you're looking for. Lots of scenes from Fiesta Texas in there!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TbKnpoYuz4&t=4m50s

And it wasn't Michael Jackson's young friend Macaulay, but Alex P. Keaton's younger brother from Family Ties, Brian Bonsall. Movie's not as bad as one might expect, and Karen Duffy was cute. I don't remember amusement park scenes, though...

Another one I'll miss out on

I've been on it. You aren't missing a darn thing.

Since it's SFFT, here's the "Cliff" notes version of Rattler...

Initial drop thru helix, too rough. Helix - WAY boring. Drop into the cliff wall - VERY cool. After that, you meander into the station.

delan said:

Yeah, I hear it has "near El Toro" notoriety. I feel moderately compelled to fly to Dallas to ride it.

I'd say it's really solid for steel, but still a bit shy of some of my favorites (MF, PR, Bizzaro NE, Skyrush if the restraints weren't so bad). El Toro, on the other hand, is easily at the top of my wood list.

While I liked NTG, I felt that it didn't carry the epic intensity and exhilaration throughout that El Toro was able to accomplish. It's definitely an outstanding ride, but I'd put the big orange and blue Giovanola as the best coaster in that part of the park.

HAHA! Blank Check? The scene with Rattler was the only part of the movie that stuck in my mind, even though I DO remember that I saw it more than a few times when I was young. Rattler used to have a really cool first drop.

That movie would have been WAY more memorable with Mac in it.

Thanks for the classic Rattler footage!

Macaulay did Richie Rich around the same time..so they would have been essentially the same movie if he was in both. Oh wait..they ARE the same movie...

When I first rose this coaster (In March of 1993) The RATTLER went all the way to my Number One Spot. Then I read about the changes done to it, and if fell of my list.

Any bets on what's going to replace it? I'd say an Intamin or B&M Mega (Or even a Giga) Steelie, or perhaps a B&M Flying Coaster.