Six Flags Over Texas (SFOT) Discussion Thread

[Imagineer22I Guess Donkeys Are Okay]

Had a good time at the shoot today, even though there was WAY too many people there. What was with all the teenage girls??? Was at the shoot from 2:30 to 6:30 and only got 4 rides in. 2 back to back rides about 2hrs apart. Got my first two rides in right before the sensors went crazy from the smoke effects. It was great meeting a few TPR people (Chad and Josh), helped pass the long time between rides. Chad, thanks for helping kill the long down time as they changed the camera mount, I don't think I would have lasted the wait with all those teenagers alone.

The general discussion about this change has been, is it necessary? Having ridden all three renditions of Freeze (OTSR, Lap Bar Forward, Reverse Blast), Reverse Blast is definately the best and definately an improvement to an already awesome ride. The launch is nice and smooth, not uncomfertable like I feared it could have been. There are still plenty of forces going through the course backwards (couldn't keep my hands up). However when you hit the spike the ride goes from crazy to insane. Just when you think the climb up the spike is over the LIMS kick in and throw you forward just enough as you climb even higher. Lap Bar Only restraints give you incredible freedom, just throw your arms up and enjoy the verticle dive. You experience the same great forces going forward as you rocket through the course again. The only down side (if there are any) is the brake run. Not only is the ride over but entering the station forward you know exactly how far you have to stop safely. In the original setup I always felt a bit of anxiety entering the brake run backwards at some 40+mph in the dark and having no idea if the train would stop in time.

I think Six Flags has a winner with this one and will be a huge hit with the general public. The overall reaction sounded very positive from everyone I spoke with and conversations I over heard. However, I did find it interesting the team member over the mike kept saying the ride goes 60mph. When Freeze originaly opened it was marketed at 70+mph. Can anyone cofirm Reverse Blast is slower or is this classic

[johnychenWhat would donkeys be like on the moon?]

Can't wait to go. I will be there on May 12th for media day.

[texcoasterBonafide Donkey Expert]

I had a good time at the video shoot, although there were about 3 silly teenage girls for every real person there. They seemed to have invited a LOT more people than they needed, including a bunch from some Facebook contest. Whatever. Since I'm far from being a teenager, I and the other old guys were sent in on the last group as "dads." That actually worked out, since even though the rest of the groups got their rides in before us, we got three consecutive rides without getting off, since there wasn't another group waiting to go.

The ride: the reverse launch was smooth on the first ride, then kicked substantially on the two that followed. None of them were uncomfortable, nor did I fear that my head would fly forward and connect wih the headrest in front of me. I rode the back seat all three times and the sensation of reversing up the spike on the LIMs is wicked. It's really nice not to be blinded by the sun as you go up the spike, giving you a good opportunity to glance around and see the sights... assuming you can take your eyes off the spectacle of the GROUND, that is.

The return trip is a bit slower through the top hat and you notice some ridiculously close supports that I never noticed before. Oddly enough, they look closer from the left side of the train, even though they are on the right. The right side seats show that there's plenty of room, but they're still close.

Is it a winner? Hell yeah. Would I ride it again, even if I went on a non-ERT day? Absolutely. Would I suggest changing your travel plans to make sure you get to ride it? Not really, unless this is going to be a one-season-only thing. If they're planning to leave it reversed, it can wait until the next time you're at the park.

[jps2942 + 2 = donkey!]

Here is a video of the launch of Mr. Freeze: Reverse Blast!


YouTube Videolink


More pictures and videos will come along the day and Yes that is me!

[jps2942 + 2 = donkey!]

Here are some of my pictures!







To go back to I-30 from the employee parking lot we went on the road that goes under Titan that buses goes on until we saw the exit was closed so we had to turn around exit the way we came into the lot. But while turning around, I saw the other Mr. Freeze train still be refurbish...


More pictures and videos are posted at Amusement Park Authority!

[sammmmmyI wrote the book about donkeys!]

Fresh, new LIM fins!

[jps2942 + 2 = donkey!]

Here is another video that I just uploaded!


YouTube Videolink


Sorry for the weird angles!

[KCForceHave I mentioned how awesome donkeys are?]

I just found this new YouTube video (real good coaster porn, OMG) over at another board I lurk at.

RD, prepare yourself (and any other folks who practice Schwarzkopf as their religion, Blessed be Anton's name)...

the "Crystal Beach Cyclone" of our youth (well some of us - you know who we are *cough* RD *cough*: The Big Bend. The first extended jumbo jet/speed racer ever! (and the best as my old foggy memory recalls): Peace.


YouTube Videolink

[chadsterThe Pony Express can't find my teepee]

Freaking Awesome! Great find, it's very well put together, something you don't see much these days!

[-Edge of Beast-My brain is often hibernating.]

Very interesting video! It's crazy to see how rides of that time operated and looked. I noticed that in some spot the track appeared like a hanger, bent yet really straight. Kind of wonky and weird.

I enjoyed all of it! Excellently executed.