Six Flags New England plans to "reinvent" Superman for next season

So it's pretty much EXACTLY what they did with X, only with a sit down coaster. So what does Superman have to do with fog clouds, flame effects, and pumping audio? Granted not much more than what they have now, but it seems more like Generic Coaster Name 10384 would make more sense than this loose tie in.

*gets off soap box*

They are trying to move into theming their rides with more than just a name and color choices. I think it will work.

Yes, but didn't you know that Superman can fly through fog clouds, flame effects, AND pumping audio unscathed? I bet he could even get through some serious strobe lighting without having a seizure or anything . . .

Hopefully they'll be smart enough to use music from the Superman cartoons and movies on the ride.

LOL Mole...when I first saw this last night (on another board), the first thing I typed was "X2 v2.0". Why is SF spending this kind of money upgrading the star attractions in the park...spend money upgrading rides, shows, infrastructure, anything. Don't spend money *enhancing* rides that all already drawing maximum lines as they are...."fixing what ain't broke". ;)

It's like putting lipstick on a pig, only it's the prettiest pig that doesn't need it.

Boneheaded waste of money if you ask me.

You shouldn't talk about Sarah Palin that way!!1!1!!!!11!

^^"Gilding the lily", as it were. "Lipstick on a pig", by most accounts, is spending money on the new SLC trains... ;)

Outside of adding speakers to the trains, how much are they going to "renovate" them? Correct me if I'm wrong, but these trains have already been hacked up with their updates to the restraints after the accident. I haven't been there since 2000, but how bad are the trains today? Are they in need of a paint job too?

They will probably end up with the OTSR treatment with speakers in the head rest.

The restraints seemed to be very similar to other intamin rides, like Millennium Force, except that there was an extra bar attached to it that would rest near the shin. I didn't think the extra bar changed the feel of the restraint too much. The thing I did notice is that it felt like the seats were a bit more cramped than Millennium Force.

My guess is they'll put the new El Toro style lap bars on them

Instead of revamping good rides, why doesn't SF invest in some NEW BIG rides?

I must say that even as a local I agree with everyone else. I would much rather have this money spent on a new attraction. Their last major roller coaster built was Batman in 2002. And that is not a very good floorless coaster compared to others. There last major thrillride of any kind was the catapult in I think 2005.

But the trains really are 'toe up' though. The last time I rode it I was aghast at the condition. Like Gator said though, spending the money on the SLC would be a better choice.

I think this is GREAT! I like this trend of re-launching rides that can still draw people from all over. It's a great business move and the ride in question gets a nice makeover. If each park does this to one of their marquee attractions every year, I thinks it's money well spent. And if you're going to do it, why not benefit finantially. I'd love to know if X2 paid off for SFMM this year.

I approve as well. In a tough economic environment, this sounds like an efficient use of cap ex bucks to make a big bang with the customers. I'm hoping CP will consider a similar makeover for Mean Streak -- no fireworks or special effects required, but a nice reprofiling and new trains would go a long way toward making the ride what it should have been. Millenium Flyers, anyone?

Ugh. Does that ride really need to be any better? The fog in the tunnels did greatly add to the ride (when it was working), so I can imagine that fire and audio might as well, but there have to be better places to put the money.

Wow, did the X2 renovation really make this much of a difference to the ride? They were overdue for new trains that would replace the current modified lap bars, I've heard the new trains will feature the same type restraints that El Toro utilizes with the U shaped lap bars and double lock seat belts. Whatever the case is, hopefully the ride will be better, and they will get the same ROI that SFMM has gotten with X2