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Photo TR: Six Flags America 5/31/09


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In preparation for our Midwest trip starting late next week, my girlfriend Kelly and I made the two-and-a-half-hour trip to Six Flags America to validate our 2009 season passes (Kentucky Kingdom and Great America, here we come!). Kelly grew up not far from SFA, but hadn't been in about a decade. She (and I, based on my observations last year) was amazed how nice the park was. Her first words in the park: "I feel almost... safe!"

 

Anyway, we had a great time riding rides, emptying our respective savings accounts on lunch and watching the best horrible stage show in theme park history. Enjoy!

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After the monstrosity that was "Freedom," we decided to clense our ears by taking in a performance by Billy Hill and the Hillbilles.

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OMG, was this thing bad! It was like they mashed together a bunch of random songs they could get the rights to and added patriotic lighting and a five-minute slideshow of people saying "The United States of America" over and over (really). On the plus side, at least the Osmonds' choreographer is still getting work! After the show, the performers stood by the exits and waved goodbye to everyone. I couldn't even look them in the eye... and not just because they told me to "Have a Six Flags Day!" What does that even mean?

 

My two-second review: It was air conditioned.

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We were waiting for the 3:30 show... but we didn't know which time to believe!

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...and "Freedom: A Musical Tribute."

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There, we saw two things we had never seen before: a coin-operated cell phone charger...

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After lunch we decided to cool off with a show in the Grand Theatre.

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This was the most exciting thing I saw all day! No, not Mr. Six... Porky Pig's butt!

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Now you can honestly say you've seen a picture of Marvin the Martian doing the Macarena.

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I say, I say, that there's Kelly with Foghorn Leghorn.

 

Come to think of it, the tenders we split for lunch must have come from a pretty famous chicken, too. For four of them, fries, two drinks and a small bag of cinnamon-roasted pecans we paid $22!

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By the way, did I mention this place has Looney Toons?

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Apparently stuffed snakes were the hot item of the day!

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Well isn't that just funderful?

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The cynic in me wants to believe Jeff Johnson would count this as a credit. So I will let the cynic have his way.

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If they put this on a shirt, Tyler would so buy it.

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And suddenly it feels like we're in Six Flags Over Texas....

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...and Mind Eraser.

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...Renegade Rapids (which wasn't operating that day--sorry, Michael)...

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...Sonora Speedway (upcharge!)...

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...Skull Mountain...

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...Rodeo...

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...Tower of Doom...

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...Falling Star...

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...defunct water slides...

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...Around the World in 80 Days...

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...The Octopus...

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Other rides in the park (that we didn't ride) included Pirate's Flight (because pirates are well known for their flying abilities, apparently)...

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Five flags, less fun?

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When it was all over, I caught her (in the purple) making eyes at the creepy-looking guy next to her. Good thing I'm not the jealous type!

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As the day got hotter, Kelly decided to take a ride on Shipwreck Falls. Being Dan-like in my dislike of water, I stayed behind and took photos.

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Speaking of signs this one has replaced the "My family comes here too" slogan used on all the trash cans and T-shirts last year.

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"I enjoy laughing at your pain, Ba Wing riders! Wak wak wak!"

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I was bored while Kelly was waiting to ride, so I busied myself by taking pictures of every sign in the cue. Now you get to see them, too.

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The sign actually bears very little resemblance to the real thing.

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...and Batmobile.

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Bat-vehicles that are not similar in name to coasters at SFA include the Batcycle...

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This is the Ba Wing's station, where Kelly went to wait in line while I stayed behind. Because rides like the Ba Wing make me throw up.

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This, on the other hand, is the Ba Wing. It's a roller coaster.

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And these are the schematics of the Batwing.

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For those who need a primer, this is the Batwing, Batman's plane.

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Batwing was right next door.

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...or should I say "Aily Panet" Gifts?

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The ride exited through Daily Planet Gifts...

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"We're done with the seatbelt check. You can put your arms down now."

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Going up (up and away)!

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See that big red "S"? That's how you know you're in SFA and not Darien Lake.

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No Bizarro here!

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Superman: champion of truth, justice and $30 T-shirts.

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Which is the exact opposite of "Terminator: Ride of Wood."

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Alpine Bobs is now The Avalanche. For those keeping track.

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"Easy on the nose as long as it's froze!"

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Jahan, we miss you!

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Fun fact: That's also what your intestines look like after you ride it.

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Why so serious?

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Who knew the entrance to Gotham City was through a roller coaster?

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OMG! OMG! Backstage! OMG!

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This is the park's other train. Her name is Beatrice. For $5, she'll do things Sir Topham Hat never dreamed of.

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"The Disneyland and Santa Fe Railroad now boarding for a grand circle tour of Walt Disney's--" Oops, wrong park.

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The train, on the other hand, didn't look like Thomas at all. It looked more like a Ralph.

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Is it just me, or does the Capital Railways logo look like Thomas the Tank Engine with his face whited out and a Six Flags logo pasted in its place?

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Turns out it wasn't a cyclone at all; it was a Scrambler.

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Following Wild One, we took a ride on the Cyclone.

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A few Wild One facts. Because you know you were curious.

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Take the tunnel!

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The turnaround, for those of you who swing that way.

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Based on this shot, you'd think the coaster was located at some traditional park in scenic Pennsylvania... instead of just down the street from the murder capital of the United States.

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Told you so!

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See the red cars on top? The next time you see them, they'll be back in the station.

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...which may or may not have been renamed the Nougatizer.

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Next up: Wild One...

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Roar allowed me to "flyyyyy innntooo the danger zone!"

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Twisty coaster... with Coke!

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Someone apparently told the girl on the left this was a Vekoma.

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First coaster of the '09 season: Roar.

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The "Spirit of '76" features three brave men who fought for our country's freedom. Later, Porky Pig would dance in front of them.

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Why do parks have such a fascination with the Liberty Bell? You'll find representations at Kings Dominion and Idlewild (theirs is on a plaque), as well. SFA positioned theirs outside the men's room.

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And sure enough, there were flags! Six of them!

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AKA Six Flags D.C.

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Yep, that's SFA all right! Note the trim pulling loose beneath the second "A" in America.

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By the time the show was over, our free babysitting services had just about ended, so we had to go pick up Kelly's daughter (whom we opted not to bring due to past park experiences) from her friend's house and start our journey home. Goodbye, Six Flags America! Thank you for being less scary than either of us remembered!

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Kelly even made a new friend.

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Fortunately, they were better at singing country than the collection of minor hits of the '80s and '90s that populated the Grand stage. Plus there was table dancing!

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But instead we got "Rockin' the Country." And it was the same kids from "Freedom!" It was like they were following us!

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That was a great TR and it was hilarious, until I remembered,

 

I miss Jahan

 

Now there are few reasons for penguins to be awesome if they no longer drive people insane. Next year at WCB if we buy Jahan a penguin will it scare him and make him regress to his enthusiast ways(God I hope so,cause so far that's the plan)

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I'm making my first trip to SFA later this summer. I'm going in with extremely low expectations, that way I won't be disappointed. Your TR makes it seem like it is not as bad as it once was. It seems clean and I didn't see you mention any breakdowns/closed rides. It really seems like it has potential to be a good park.

 

How were the employees? Lethargic and slow like I've heard or have they improved?

 

On a different note, I'm glad they opened the train up to everyone this year. That's a good step towards the family-friendly atmosphere SF is going for.

 

Skull Mountain seems like such a unique and fun ride. Can't wait to ride it!

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I've been to SFA four (well, three-and-a-half) times, and I've yet to see that rapids ride in operation--although I did get to ride Skull Mountain.

 

Good TR--last year, Batwing was "B T Wing." They seem to have a lot problems with signage at SFA. I've had fun at this park, too, when it isn't too crowded.

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Someone apparently told the girl on the left this was a Vekoma.

 

Ugh, it might as well be. Roar is AWFUL! (Sorry Jason )

 

This, on the other hand, is the Ba Wing. It's a roller coaster.

 

Last year, it was the A that was blown over backwards, making it look like "Butwing." Add in one more T, and I think they've got it right.

 

But really, have they ever heard of nailing stuff down (like your mom?) Or using super glue? Or even scotch tape?! Jeeeeeez.

 

Five flags, less fun?

 

And that flag was missing last year, too! Come ON, SFA. At least PRETEND like you're trying.

 

Anyway, great trip report!

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Good TR--last year, Batwing was "B T Wing." They seem to have a lot problems with signage at SFA. I've had fun at this park, too, when it isn't too crowded.

 

Agreed. Operations are horrible, maintenance doesn't have a clue, and nobody is even keeping up with the signs?

 

I swear I hate this park, that's why I stopped going. I actually refuse to call this my home park (even though it is) and consider Hersheypark to be because it's much, much better.

 

I would not be sad to see this park go, with Wild One relocated of course.

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^Yes they are exact copies. So are Mind Eraser and Kong...they both suck equally bad.

 

 

 

 

Great photo TR. Looks much better now than the TPR visit there last summer. I never expected a Six Flags park to be so terrible - seriously.

 

 

 

Wow! Mr. Six is white in that park?

 

 

 

 

 

SFDK used to have a ride just like this until about 2006. Is this from SFDK, or has this been here longer?

 

 

*sigh* This was a sad sight to see when I was here. They looked like quite nice slides, being in the trees and all. Too bad they were rotting away and the splashdown pool was a mosquito infested green pond. They really need to just remove these already. It would be a huge step in the direction to making this park look less ghetto and rundown than it really is.

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SFDK used to have a ride just like this until about 2006. Is this from SFDK, or has this been here longer?

^

That ride has been around since before the park was branded by six flags. It has always been there along with the water park and the now defunct slides.

 

I love SFA, I wish I could become owner of the park and show it the love it needs and deserves.

 

I agree that alot of the small details are not acceptable by any means. Having taken on an internship at SFGAM which has in my opinion the best operations in the chain such things would be addressed. There is no excuse for such a visable flaw.

 

I would say though from the pics the park looked nice and scenic. I can't believe two face is gone.... is the site becoming Thomas Town?

 

What ever happened to that big exciting annoucement they were promoting on facebook but then took down. I swear SFI let me have at it. I would love to work at my own park in upper management.

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I'm making my first trip to SFA later this summer. I'm going in with extremely low expectations, that way I won't be disappointed. Your TR makes it seem like it is not as bad as it once was. It seems clean and I didn't see you mention any breakdowns/closed rides. It really seems like it has potential to be a good park.

 

How were the employees? Lethargic and slow like I've heard or have they improved?

 

On a different note, I'm glad they opened the train up to everyone this year. That's a good step towards the family-friendly atmosphere SF is going for.

 

Skull Mountain seems like such a unique and fun ride. Can't wait to ride it!

 

It sounds like a better operations park than it was for me. Avalanche, the train, Pirate Flight, Intamin Drop ride, and the Octopus were sometimes open, and sometimes not open when I went maybe 2 years ago. I say better operations, because it's a worse park with no Two-Face.

 

Batwing looks really horrible as in regards to paint. Why don't they get their priorities straight, and paint the thing. Also, paint the signs for the path up to Batwing. That is why yellow is a bad color to paint stuff. I never felt that when I went to the park that the people working the rides were "lethargic", but rather that this park is quite small (not enough rides to close so many), has some great stuff, and not everything is open. It's a corporate decision to sacrifice operations at this park for so long, and give it to the bigger parks that have made people not like this park.

 

Everyone might think that Two-Face, and the flying bobs aren't great rides, but when 2 out of 6 great rides aren't open imo at the park (Joker's Jinx, Wild One, Avalanche, Batwing, any Invertigo, and Superman: Ride of Steel) one becomes very disappointed, and thinks were else can I find those rides, and they will be operating no matter what day, or hour I visit the park?

 

Similar rides can be found imo at Kings Island. Diamondback might be close enough for me as a ride like Superman: Ride of Steel, Invertigo is at Kings Island, Firehawk is at Kings Island, or there is always Superman at Six Flags Great America, a version of Joker's Jinx is at Kings Island, and the Wild One really can't be find anywhere but there are different out and back rides. The flying bobs can be found at carnivals (I know of one event that has it every year), and at Indiana Beach.

 

It's not that the rides were bad (I thought 6 were great!), but when one of a person's favorite ride or rides aren't open, it's not like I can come back anytime I feel like.

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Cool TR. It's been a long time since I've been to SF. I've always found it cool that you can see the original track for Wild One on under the turn around.

 

*sigh* This was a sad sight to see when I was here. They looked like quite nice slides, being in the trees and all. Too bad they were rotting away and the splashdown pool was a mosquito infested green pond. They really need to just remove these already. It would be a huge step in the direction to making this park look less ghetto and rundown than it really is.

 

I agree. I've been down these slides, and they were quite fun. Nothing fancy but definitely fun slides.

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Very nice TR, it doesn't surprise me at all to see things in the park falling apart (like that sign) at a Six Flags park. I am heading up to Six Flags Great America on Tuesday, will be sure to note things up there for my TR

 

Not every Six Flags park is falling apart. New England was very clean, and all the signs had full words, no letters missing. At least from what I saw.

 

The park looks very scenic though. Nice TR.

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This park seems like it has improved since my visit a couple of years ago. They aren't going to make it great overnight, but they seem to be moving in the right direction. Unfortunately with this being a smaller park, they probably get the bottom of the barrel management wise, which would explain why it has taken so long for this park to improve at all.

 

Over the past couple of years the big parks have made drastic improvements under Shapiro. Perhaps they are just now getting the talent needed to have it filter down to the smaller parks. When SFKK had a great management team, they were poached for SFMM. Now that Shapiro and company have been doing this for a few years lets hope that the bad managers have been weeded out for the most part.

 

S:ROS is a fantastic ride if it is maintained and the rest of the park, while not great has enough to do. Throw in a classic woodie and a couple of average steels and its not that bad of a place if they can get the employees to smile, be friendly and pick up the trash.

 

Oh and I agree about those slides. They are right there in the front of the park when you come in if I recall. The pool was green when I was there over two years ago. There is no excuse for this. Surely they can budget some money to tear these things down, or better yet refurbish them!

 

Thanks for the TR!

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Having visited last August, I can honestly say the park is a lot better now than it was then, despite the slightly damaged signage in some areas.

 

How were the employees? Lethargic and slow like I've heard or have they improved?

 

The ride ops both this year and last were pretty good. I experienced more lethargic ops and other employees at Kings Dominion last year than at SFA this year or last. When we got our cone of cinnamon-roasted pecans, the vendor gave us the wrong kind (cashews), which we didn't know until we walked away and opened it. I took it back, and there was no problem making the exhange; the vendor was very friendly. That extended to the coasters, as well.

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