54 replies to this topic

[TexasCyclone]

Six Flags announced today all of their 2012 additions to their US parks. It's going to be a great year with lots of stuff going on. You can see all of the announcements here.

New at Six Flags America, Apocalypse - The Last Stand:



New at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Superman - Ultimate Flight:



New at Six Flags Fiesta Texas, SkyScreamer:



New at Six Flags Great Adventure:
- 15 Story Tall SkyScreamer
- Bumper Cars
- Scrambler Ride
- Flying Elephant Ride
- Hurricane Harbor Drop Boxes

New at Six Flags Great America, X-Flight:



New at Six Flags Magic Mountan, Lex Luther - Drop of Doom:



New at Six Flags New England, Goliath (must have taken them a long time to come up with this name):



New at Six Flags St. Louis, Bonzai Pipeline:



New at The Great Escape, the Alpine Freefalls:



Six Flags Over Georgia and Six Flags Over Texas will both be getting new shows next year. It's time to get excited! Lots of stuff happening this year at Six Flags!

[Thunderhead]

Those slides like Alpine freefall are more fun then a roller coaster. I'm not even kidding.

[drachenfirebgw]

Most need in my opinion is Apocalypse at SFA even though it's an older stand-up. It's at least something new to a park that hasn't seen love in a long time. Do I think they could have placed it elsewhere and kept Skull Mountain? Yes but all is well. I can see the argument for Superman Ultimate Flight being the most needed, but I think SFA wins that because it's well... SFA.

X-Flight at SFGAm is really intriguing and the best in my opinion because it's a park that hasn't gotten a signature ride in a while despite removing Deja Vu and now Iron Wolf. It is also a fit style wise, park wise, and came out of left field for Six Flags to invest this much money in one place. Lex Luther also has huge excitement factor for me personally. I would have liked to see them keep the Deja Vu, but I'm a nut for drop rides and this has winner written all over it.

[Ryan Shrout]

Overall this is a great year for Six Flags. They're actually starting to address the real needs at some of these parks (SFMM getting a drop tower, SFGAd getting more flats, SFA and SFGAm getting new large coasters). I feel like that second question was really hard to answer actually. SFMM has needed a modern drop tower since they were invented, and especially after they lost their Intamin 1st gen. We all know about SFA and SFGAm being deprived of good coasters lately. SFDK hadn't gotten a new coaster in quite a while either. Every trip report I've seen from SFGAd mentions the horrific lack of flat rides at the park. I mean, this is just a very productive year for Six Flags in that regard.

The other big plus here is that, with the exception of X Flight at SFGAm and kinda SFDK's SUF, these are all relatively small capitol investments. SFA and SFNE are getting relocated rides, SFoG and SFoT are getting shows, SFGAd and SFFT getting flats Great Escape and SFSL are getting slide complexes, and the big winner of them all, SFMM is adding running rails, a lift motor and a catch system to an already existing structure to claim the title as World Tallest, Fastest Drop Ride. BTW, also notice the variety in these additions. This isn't like 7 CF parks getting Windseekers in 2 years, we really have a lot of variety here. Also, the relocated rides are going far enough away the most guests will have no idea of the rides previous lives, and honestly, probably haven't ridden anything of that sort before (I don't consider Shockwave at KD being anything near similar to IW ... er ... Apocalypse. Hmm, that'll take some getting used to).

To comment more specifically on a few of these new rides, first off, Giant Inverted Boomerangs and just plain awesome! To anyone of yall who are complaining that the park already has a standard boomerang, please stop. They offer totally different ride experiences in pretty much every aspect; the two similarities are the cobra roll and the loop. That's it. Even if you still insist on considering them to be the same type of ride, fine, then the park just got a HUGE upgrade with Goliath (even if it is a lame name).

X Flight looks to be absolutely stellar. Its great to see a custom designed coaster come to the park (first since Raging Bull in 1999). Also its going into an area of the park that has just been dead since the removal of Splashwater Falls and DejaVu, not to mention the recent loss of nearby Iron Wolf (and that spot is still open for another coaster to come in and replace it in a couple of years. Zacspin anybody?) Its also great to see theming (even if modest in scope and scale) coming back to Six Flags parks. XF doesn't have much but I feel like what it does have will greatly enhance the ride experience.

I've mentioned a couple places that SFMM is the big winner this year at least in terms of finances. LLDoD is going to have the quickest ROI that park has ever seen. Then again, it might break and have to be redesigned two or three times since this is Intamin custom designing a prototype ride system. But still, great way use what you already have. A couple interesting notes on this project. 1) that is going to be the loudest queue line ever! having to just stand there beneath Superman as it screams overhead is gonna get old really fast. 2) The tower sways slight when the cars go up it. Can you imagine being on a drop tower that sways as you go up (or fall down)? Not to mention having the Superman cars roar past you just behind your field of vision. This will definitely be one of the most unique drop tower experiences out there, no extra gimmicks required.

[biZarRo]

Lex Luthor looks really interesting. X-Flight is definatly the best, IMO. Iron Wolf going to SFA was a big win, as Drachenfire put it. SUF just looks like a gimmick. I have a strong feeling it will end up like the Bat at KI because of high maintenence. Really great to have a Vekoma Giant Inverted Boomerang so close to me (Goliath). Six Flags should've come up with a more original name, though. This is like, Six Flag's 5th coaster named Goliath. Why don't they call it David some time?

[Ryan Shrout]

SUF just looks like a gimmick. I have a strong feeling it will end up like the Bat at KI because of high maintenence.

I kinda doubt that. As far as launched rides go, Premiers are actually pretty good in terms of making high reliability rides, better than non-launched Intamin's actually.

[The BeastFan]

I'll give my thoughts on each.

Apocalypse @ SFA- While it did seem odd they'd be relocating a 20 year old coaster, I think as long as they add new trains like many have been speculating, it should be fine. I imagine the steel will go through some kind of refurbishment as well. Also going to a park that hasn't seen a coaster in over a decade.

Superman: Ultimate Flight @ SFDK- This came completely out of nowhere. I thought they'd be getting a flat package like SFGAdv got. I do think this ranks up as the most needed as this park is one I consider to be the most unique in the chain and its deserving to get rides to reflect such. Superman really hits a home run for them and its a nice follow up to Medusa which was added a while ago (I don't think capacity will be as big an issue as first thought).

Sky Screamers @ SFFT and SFGAd- This makes sense for these parks to get if the whole chain gets things this year. Both had coasters recently (albeit, both are re-locations). I have to scratch my head at the flat package at SFGAdv as it failed the previous try, though now they have more of a line up to possibly require a beefier flat line up. I have to admit, the brightly colored tower fits well at SFFT as they have a few tall attractions that are pretty vibrant (see their drop tower).

X-Flight at SFGAm- This is my choice for best ride in the chain for 2012. It goes to another park in the chain that hasn't seen a large, thrilling coaster in quite some time (since Superman). Its a perfect fit for the park and the ride layout looks stellar. I think this fills in the ever-so-wanted floorless coaster SFGAm fans have wanted well.

Lex Luthor Drop of Doom @ SFMM- I'm with Ryan on this. It'll be cheap to build as the structure already exists. Just the hardware needs to be installed, plus you get a drop tower (which a park of its stature kind of needs) and a record breaking ride at that. A 400 ft drop tower sounds insane. This is a close 2nd for best ride for SF in 2012. Also, technically this won't be a 'prototype' in the sense that Tower of Terror supports Giant Drop and that has worked ok. I do wish they'd add an L-shaped ride car to have more capacity (16 instead of 8 per vehicle).

Goliath @ SFNE- While I will say they are getting a great ride, I still won't be swayed from thinking this is completely stupid (they're putting it RIGHT NEXT to Flashback to add insult to injury, also the fact they took it away from SFMM after surpassing CP in coaster count). Hopefully, we'll see a departure of Flashback soon.

The water park additions and shows are pretty ok. New slides are always welcome additions to water parks, and SFoT and SFoG produced great rides last year.

I think La Ronde still has yet to announce and SFM is still alleged to get Pandemonium from SFDK.

I do think if Six Flags continues to bring these newer style rides in their parks, CF will have problems if they keep to Windseekers and Dinos. I'll put it to you this way, if I have to go by competition in parks close together, I'd rather be going to SFGAm than Cedar Point this year. Even with Leviathan in CF's line up, SF is blowing CF out of the water in 2012.

Edited by The BeastFan, 02 September 2011 - 11:42 AM.

[sethdawg17]

Apocalypse is obviously the most needed as SFA has not had a new coaster added in a long time. It's good that Six Flags is moving around rides to benefit all parks. X-Flight is the best coaster and probably the best addition, but I really like that SFMM added Lex Luthor: Drop of Doom as being the tallest drop tower while using an existing structure.

[Ryan Shrout]

Lex Luthor Drop of Doom @ SFMM- I'm with Ryan on this. It'll be cheap to build as the structure already exists. Just the hardware needs to be installed, plus you get a drop tower (which a park of its stature kind of needs) and a record breaking ride at that. A 400 ft drop tower sounds insane. This is a close 2nd for best ride for SF in 2012. Also, technically this won't be a 'prototype' in the sense that Tower of Terror supports Giant Drop and that has worked ok. I do wish they'd add an L-shaped ride car to have more capacity (16 instead of 8 per vehicle).

The reason they can't use L shaped cars is because the back of the Superman Spike supports kick out a good ways to handle the additional stresses on the pull-up. And at least they are running two gondolas, one on each side of the tower. As to whether or not this is a prototype, this is definitely a prototype for Intamin. Tower of Terror's drop ride is essentially a super tall Intamin 2nd Gen freefall with three 4 passenger gondolas. These 8 wide drop car's we're seeing here, I don't think I've seen anywhere else.

[The BeastFan]

^Still pretty similar to Intamin's 2nd generation free fall rides. Upped capacity isn't really a 'new concept' incorporated to the ride. Its similar to how B&M added seats to the end of their Dive Machine stock.

[Tyler M]

Here are my thoughts...

Apocalypse at America - A new coaster was really needed at SFA and this isn't a bad addition at all. The coaster didn't work well at SFGAm because people were use to it and lost its luster years ago especially since it isn't the most comfortable. Some new trains, new colors, new theming, and new location might do the trick!

Superman Ultimate Flight at Discovery Kingdom - I was really happy to hear what they got. It was shocking indeed but very much needed to a park that has so many good parks just outside of it. It looks thrilling and all around has a really neat design. Finally something unique to the park!

SkyScreamers (SFGAdv and SFFT) - I think that both parks needed a flat ride addition. It would have been nice to see Fiesta Texas get a new coaster but this is a good addition none the less. Great Adventure has gotten their coasters the past decade and really needed a new flat ride. Good additions to both parks!

X-Flight at Great America - I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I was hoping it wasn't a Swarm or Raptor clone but at the same time I would have been grateful for whatever. This took a lot of us by surprise but in the end I knew whatever it was it had to be big. This park is SF's biggest money maker and one of their tops in attendance and it hadn't seen a larger coaster since Superman as Mike said. Terrific addition to a (previously) declining part of the park!

Lex Luthor: Drop of Doom at Magic Mountain - A wonderful addition to a park that really needed not only a drop tower, but any flat for that matter. SFMM is continuing their passion for thrills and by adding this just makes their lineup of exciting rides even better! I like how it's attached to Superman, similar to Dreamworld's design just a different structure.

Goliath at New England - Deja Vu's are a very fun bunch when working properly. If they can get this to work like Aftershock at Silverwood, this is yet again another great move by Six Flags.

The water park additions were really nice as it's always good to see water parks expand. St Louis and Great Escape got some really nice slide complexes. The shows, especially to Over Texas is always a plus.

This year (well next year technically), I give Six Flags a 11/10 for their moves and Reid-Anderson did say La Ronde's announcement is still to come.

[TexasCyclone]

Goliath at New England - Deja Vu's are a very fun bunch when working properly. If they can get this to work like Aftershock at Silverwood, this is yet again another great move by Six Flags.

I may never understand this move. Removing a coaster from SFMM, losing their world record, and putting it right next to a boomerang at another park. I'm just confused. Unless SF has something really good planned for that space in the future, that might change my mind. And the name is just so unoriginal. I have nothing wrong with Batman clones all having the same name, what I don't understand is when they name completely different coasters the same name. Goliath has now been used on 4 different models.

[Tyler M]

I personally dislike the name Goliath as well and I always didn't like that SFDK's new coaster's name is Superman Ultimate Flight. SFNE did need a big coaster even if it is another boomerang. They both have completely different experiences I believe. I do wonder if SFMM will replace the space with a compact, yet reliable and higher traffic attraction.

[TexasCyclone]

I personally dislike the name Goliath as well and I always didn't like that SFDK's new coaster's name is Superman Ultimate Flight.

I don't dislike the name Goliath for a coaster, but it is so redundant now that it's just too unoriginal. And while I don't like the fact that S:UF is a reused name, I dislike more the fact that it will be superhero themed in an entire park full of creature-themed rides. But hey (excluding the Deja Vu move), at least we only have the names to complain about. Six Flags has done a great job with the rest.

[Tyler M]

I should clarify that Goliath isn't bad, but it shouldn't be used on a ride like that. It's meant to be used on a ride with overall "Goliath" like stature. I'm excited to see what Six Flags might announce next year. Will they stay big (maybe not as big as these announcements) or go back to additions to only a couple parks?

[steel-Rock]

Drop of Doom and X-Flight will be the most thrilling.

Both America and New England need something, I'm just not sure if something painful or something that
will break every 15 minutes are what anyone needs.

I am glad to see that everyone is getting something (SFOG and SFOT got their thrills this year and they were
new and not clones).

[Vater]

I may never understand this move. Removing a coaster from SFMM, losing their world record, and putting it right next to a boomerang at another park. I'm just confused. Unless SF has something really good planned for that space in the future, that might change my mind.

Perhaps because in the grand scheme of things, having the most coasters isn't all that important. Judging by the recent reaction from Cedar Point's HR person regarding the claim that SFMM has the most coasters, Six Flags is not the chain that cares about holding that record.

I have nothing wrong with Batman clones all having the same name, what I don't understand is when they name completely different coasters the same name. Goliath has now been used on 4 different models.

Who cares? I mean, other than (some) enthusiasts...

[Tyler M]

I do have to agree with TexasCyclone that they could have come up with something better than Goliath. When Six Flags uses that for multiple ride types it shows they are trying to be imaginative. Not saying SF doesn't have an imagination as we see many great additions this coming year, but even keeping Deja Vu would have been better.

[TexasCyclone]

I have nothing wrong with Batman clones all having the same name, what I don't understand is when they name completely different coasters the same name. Goliath has now been used on 4 different models.

Who cares? I mean, other than (some) enthusiasts...

I over obsess about names just cause and while most people don't care, I just think the least six flags could do is to come up with something original.

[Vater]

It's funny how no one ever complains that there are multiple Space Mountains or Big Thunder Mountains.

[Tyler M]

^Even if they were't all made by the same manufacturer, all Space Mountains at Disney take place inside the same looking building and all Big Thunders take place on top of a mountain. SFNE's Goliath and SFMM Goliath look nothing alike. I guess the general public won't notice though.

I agree that SFA needed a new addition, but I felt with a coaster (possibly) leaving Discovery Kingdom that they needed a new thrill and got one. What I would like to see is standup trains on Apocalypse with the restraints not so narrow. I think that would help with head banging. I wonder if it's possible to have a hard outer bar that could go over and hold you in but have the inside of the harness that softer material found on B&M flyers and wing riders. It may be difficult with how close together the standup seats are though to use them.

[TexasCyclone]

It's funny how no one ever complains that there are multiple Space Mountains or Big Thunder Mountains.

Because it's the same basic idea with the same theme. Like I said earlier, I could care less if there are 6 batman clones all named batman because they are all the same, but there's no originality in stretching the exact same name over countless models (Invert, B&M Hyper, Intamin Mega, Vekoma GIB, Gionviola Mega) they are all different and should not be identified by the same name. At the end of the day I know it's not the most important thing but still

[Ryan Shrout]

As long as we're discussing overused names, here are a few others that don't get many complaints but are quite common.

• Python (9)
• Viper (11)
• Montanya Russa (14)
• Coaster (22)
• Jet Star (21)
• Jet Coaster (36)
• Cyclone (44)
• Roller Coaster (129)

For point of comparison, there are 6 coasters in the world bearing the name Goliath.

[Tyler M]

Most of those though are used with different park companies where Goliath seems to be mainly Six Flags. Plus, most of the overused names at other parks are smaller and won't be heard nearly as often if ever referred to again where all the Goliath's at Six Flags are more talked about. The Viper name can get confusing because I usually assume the SFGAm one where someone else might be talking about the one at SFMM. It sometimes gets confusing but not a big deal. The best solution is to just put the park's name next to it such as Goliath (SFNE) or Goliath (SFMM).

From the picture above it's hard to tell but is the Superman logo running in between the inversion?

[Coasterholic14]

In all fairness though Ryan, the last 6 names on that list are pretty old...most coasters with those names were done back a while ago before most of us were even born and before the name really contributed to the ride (after all, the first coasters were built more for the gimmick/experience than anything else). Also, the name Python, most of those are little kiddie coasters, so I don't really think that qualifies much either. Viper is about the only one that has numerous different coasters and models, but at least it's a pretty good name. I will say it's one of those names that I feel like it's overused.

As for Goliath...I'm of the party that doesn't like the use of the name. If it were another hypercoaster or something like that, then yea, go for it, call it Goliath. But it's not really all that "Goliath" of a coaster, especially with the taller and more intimidating Bizzaro at the park. I think that's what most people are getting at here is that it's pretty obvious they just used the name because they already have rights to it, even though it doesn't really fit the coaster all that well. I mean, Cedar Fair just named their smaller boomerang coaster Stinger and I think that's a perfect name, great logo, great idea (even making the scorpion look like the ride, or vice versa), Six Flags couldn't try a bit harder?

I know plenty of non-enthusiasts that won't care, if not most of them, but that doesn't mean we can't care.