Six Flags Fiesta Texas (SFFT) Discussion Thread

I still think it is too early to speculate as to if the ride will be longer or not. At the same time, I think no one can slam the ride (having not ridden it) if it happens to end right after the tunnel. Either way, the ride looks awesome, and I am sure it will be awesome. Based on the former layout, the only thing that can happen after the tunnel is some sort of hill into an upward spiral/helix into the brakes (Nothing to cry about if you don't get it).

I think of rides like Volcano at KD which builds all of this adrenaline rush with the launches and then has all this potential energy to unleash as it dives back into the volcano at the end of the ride. On my first ride, I thought all hell was going to break loose after diving back into the volcano but instead there were brakes and the ride was over. However, your heart is racing, you are still screaming, and you want more. This makes people want to ride again and again. I think the same effect will happen with IR if indeed it ends right after the tunnel.

The question I have is, with NTG, it runs with 3 trains (understandably with the mid course block brake), so will IR have only 2 trains?

Looks like Iron Rattler will only have 2 trains, just because of the block layout. No mid-course brake run or an exit station would make a 3rd train operation impossible. The station will have to be fixed anyways considering it was configured weirdly due to the 5-car PTC trains.

Considering that Fiesta Texas is a much smaller park compared to Over Texas, this really doesn't need a 3 train operation.

I'm glad to see how well this is coming. Probably won't ever have a chance to go down that way to go to either Six Flags park, but hoping to see a nice POV for it, unless Six Flags decide to give out a butchered one like they did with Texas Giant. Also it is just me or are there 2 different track colors? I noticed on the lift it's the orange, but the former helix area is red.

I'm glad to see how well this is coming. Probably won't ever have a chance to go down that way to go to either Six Flags park, but hoping to see a nice POV for it, unless Six Flags decide to give out a butchered one like they did with Texas Giant. Also it is just me or are there 2 different track colors? I noticed on the lift it's the orange, but the former helix area is red.

Its all one color of orange... here is some pics of the helix!

Actually, it wouldn't be that difficult for them to open up the station for more cars. The original Rattler trains were 7 cars. Later on they downsized it to 5 cars per train. When they did that, all they did to change the station was remove two of the airgates and block off the unused boarding section.

Speaking of ... I can't wait to see the trains!

Looks like Iron Rattler will only have 2 trains, just because of the block layout. No mid-course brake run or an exit station would make a 3rd train operation impossible. The station will have to be fixed anyways considering it was configured weirdly due to the 5-car PTC trains.

 

Considering that Fiesta Texas is a much smaller park compared to Over Texas, this really doesn't need a 3 train operation.

 

I'm glad to see how well this is coming. Probably won't ever have a chance to go down that way to go to either Six Flags park, but hoping to see a nice POV for it, unless Six Flags decide to give out a butchered one like they did with Texas Giant. Also it is just me or are there 2 different track colors? I noticed on the lift it's the orange, but the former helix area is red.

We used to run 3 train operation on the Rattler when I was a Rattler ride op from 96-99, not really sure when they got rid of the third train but I believe it was in the mid 2000's. Even with all the newer coasters added over the years it was still the coaster with the longest line everytime I visited the park through out the years after I stopped working there. I'm sure with the ride being a bit shorter, 2 train operation is what they'll run fir iRat considering no mid course brake. In any case, I can't wait for it. It's gonna be amazing. The drop already looks pretty good just driving by. Dunno if they're working during the holiday weeks but I'm gonna drive by this Saturday to see if there is any progress.

When they announced Iron Rattler, they said it would be a two train operation. I also got a flyer from the park as well that said two trains.

Speaking of ... I can't wait to see the trains!

Yes the new trains look awesome from the pictures

Its all one color of orange... here is some pics of the helix!

Ah... I see it's orange! For some reason I think in some of the pics, it looks almost red.

Actually kind of glad that Fiesta Texas babied this coaster as much as it was an engineering failure when it opened. After I figured out RCCA was the one who designed it and the rush on it to beat Mean Streak, it kind of made sense. I'm sure we are looking at a new station setup anyways with it bumping to a 6-car train config. From what I could tell from pictures, the air gates look like they were torn out for the other 2 cars.

Six Flags does have a few PTC parts floating around now with Texas Giant and Rattler's old trains. I figured that is what happened to Rattler's 3rd train if it just ended up disappearing one year, a parts donor.

Yeah I305, only has 2 trains, but because the course is short, low to the ground, and the ride hauls a$$, the trains is ready to advance into the station before the prior finishes its restraint checks allowing. I305s line moves much faster most of the other rides at KD. I think IR could end being a people eater.

Decided to drop by the park yesterday since I was getting pretty bored staying at home. Thought 45 degree drizzly weather should keep the crowds small. The crowds were definitely pretty light.

Here's the entrance to Iron Rattler.

The brake run.

Another shot of the brake run

Brake run going into station.

The station brake run.

More of the quarry tunnel to station. Looks like it might be straight from the tunnel exit to brake run.

More of the quarry tunnel to station.

Station exit.

Double lift hill shot.

Looks like pieces of the old Rattler.

Not too many people buying this today.

Fiesta Bay Boardwalk with Christmas lights

Big tree in Rockville

Scream with tree.

Lights

Lights

More Lights

Screaming lights.

There are a lot of lights here

Lights everywhere

Everything had lights

Spassburg lights.

The log flume was actually opened to any brave soul that dared to ride it in freezing weather.

Sparkly

Even the dragon was decorated.

The bumper cars were converted to a skating rink.

They had snow miser and heat miser on the screen.

The train covered in lights.

Lights set to music.

A festival of lights

Road Runner Express all lit up.

More dancing lights. Just imagine hearing Trans-Siberian Orchestra in the background.

You can have your picture taken inside a snow globe.

Fiesta de las luces.

Goliath all sparkly.

Goliath with cool blue lift hill lights. There was a very perky ride op there that sounded like Dory speaking whale.

One more light shot before leaving.

Goodbye Fiesta Texas.

^thanks for the photo update of Iron Rattler. It's looking good.

Looks like the park did a decent job with the Christmas lights.

Has anyone else noticed Poltergeist being a LOT slower this year compared to years past?

the couple of times mywife and I rode it this year, only the launch had any speed at all, and afterward the train just kinda limps and slouches its way through the rest of the ride?

Thanks for the photos! Looks like construction on this is just breezing along!

I hope that Texas is getting better!

Has anyone else noticed Poltergeist being a LOT slower this year compared to years past?

 

 

the couple of times mywife and I rode it this year, only the launch had any speed at all, and afterward the train just kinda limps and slouches its way through the rest of the ride?

I rode last Sunday when it wasn't too cold out and although I noticed it was lots quieter, it hauled ass through the entire ride with no slowing down at all. I used to remember a bit of a slow down right at the middle of the ride and then it would gradually pick up speed through the last twists and turns before the corkscrew. This year seemed quiet different I was totally surprised.

Thanks for the photos. Seems like a nice family event.

Has anyone else noticed Poltergeist being a LOT slower this year compared to years past?

 

 

the couple of times mywife and I rode it this year, only the launch had any speed at all, and afterward the train just kinda limps and slouches its way through the rest of the ride?

 

I rode last Sunday when it wasn't too cold out and although I noticed it was lots quieter, it hauled A$$ through the entire ride with no slowing down at all. I used to remember a bit of a slow down right at the middle of the ride and then it would gradually pick up speed through the last twists and turns before the corkscrew. This year seemed quiet different I was totally surprised.

I agree with you ArizonaGuy... When I rode Polty on 12/22/12 it was the best ride I ever had on the coaster with the speeds it gave. My family also agrees!

Also I did shoot a video of the launch of the day I went.

Nice pictures of the lights. I wish they would do more likes like that year round at parks. They don't have to be Christmas colors, and not everywhere, but those lights can really look good at night in a park. Kind of like Kennywood does it.

^Seconded! I was thoroughly charmed by the Starlight experience at Cedar Point in 2011, and I've enjoyed the nighttime lights at some other Cedar Fair parks like Worlds of Fun and Kings Island as well. The more lights, the better!

^I concur with both of you. Loved Starlight at KD last year. It's just a fun bonus for people that stay late. I always enjoy seeing the Disney parks light up at night too, and often they do just simple things to make things look nice.

Iron Rattler is looking good, as is Fiesta Texas's Christmas events. How many years have they been open over Christmas?

^ I could be wrong, but I believe they started in 2007 when SFDK started as well.

EDIT: Holiday in the Park started in '07. Apparently they did "Lone Star Christmas" from 1994 to 1997.

They have done a great job of expanding the Christmas event! The first few years it was pretty small and now it's a pretty large offering. I always loved going to HIP from 07 to 2010.

Agreed. I went yesterday and it seemed a lot better developed than it used to be.

Iron Rattler is looking good, btw. We even rode the RoadrunnerExpress kiddie coaster just so we could get a better look at the construction.

^ I could be wrong, but I believe they started in 2007 when SFDK started as well.

 

EDIT: Holiday in the Park started in '07. Apparently they did "Lone Star Christmas" from 1994 to 1997.

When six flags took over management at SFFT, the event was also called Holiday in the Park just as it was at SFAW and SFFT. From what I remember, SFAW's Holiday in the Park was the first to get pulled, then SFFT got cut after that. Lone Star Christmas was used 94-95 before Six Flags took over management. I remember working the event in 96-97 and the crowds were never as big as they are now. Also, I thought HiP started back up in 08??? I just remember going while Goliath was under construction. I didn't recall them doing it the previous year in 07.

I also agree with Jake. The have done a great job making it into a larger event than what it used to be. I was really surprised at how large the crowd was on 12/23/12. I'd say my favorite lights are in Los Festivales and Spassburg.

Went today 12/31 to get my season pass processed. Because of the weather, I am guessing the employees outnumbered the people. Every ride had no wait except for a 2 train wait for the front of Goliath. The park closed at 5:30 due to inclement weather and they gave everyone a free voucher that expires on 1/6.

Something missing in this picture.

Bugs bunny was alone