It had been several weeks since I had met Greg and we were talking about going to a park together at some point. Throughout those conversations I asked him if he would like to come along for a Tuesday trip on August 11, 2020 with Sam, Renee, and myself. Our plan was to go to Camelback Mountain Adventure (CMA) and then to Dorney Park. It’s actually a trip Renee and I were supposed to do last month, but they were calling for heavy rain in the area, so we altered plans to Hersheypark instead. You can read about that day in the blog, “Hersheypark – A Great Day With Renee.”
Greg was totally up for the idea, so that was our plan. Well, for a few days anyhow. About a week prior to our plans, Dorney changed their operating schedule so that they’d only be open Thursday – Sunday. It seemed like this trip wasn’t meant to happen. Renee felt the same way. So… Tuesday was out. Or was it?
Greg mentioned wanting to go down to Six Flags America (SFA) at some point in some of our conversations over prior week. Since I had nothing to do and he was already going to be off as well, we decided to make Tuesday SFA and our group moved CMA and Dorney to Thursday. Sam and Renee were also able to make that work into their schedules. Problem solved and outcome, better.
We made our reservations for SFA for 1 p.m. and got to the park right around that time. We were through the screening and gates in no time as the park was pretty empty. That was good for us because I really wanted to make sure that Greg got all the credits he needed. The only one he had going into the park that he was sure of was The Great Chase, the Zamperla family coaster. He was pretty sure he had been on Wild One as well, but had no memories of the ride from when he was younger. So he kept it off his credit list until we were able to ride it.
Is This What it Means to Have a Six Flags Day?
We struck out with our first ride on the day. Oddly enough, we made the call to go to Mind Eraser, the oh so lovely, Vekoma SLC. It was running back on Monday, July 6 when Sam and I met Chris and his daughter, from Coaster Appreciation Society. On this day, however, it was roped off and never opened for the entirety of the day. So far, a Six Flags day!
Turning around, we retraced our steps and walked up to Roar. As we approached the station, everyone waiting turned around and left the queue. Many were grumbling about how it sucked that the rides are always down. We saw they were telling people it’s temporarily down and we turned around once more. We were now, 0-2.
Should've Went to the B&M
When all else fails, head to a Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) coaster. If you want reliability, it’s B&M – even when it is their very first coaster, Firebird (formerly Apocalypse & Iron Wolf). That decision paid off because after doing some videos upon entering the queue, we made our way onto the raised platform and go in our first ride of the day. It was a lot smoother of a ride than I had last year when it “debuted” as Firebird. After Greg bought his ride photo from Firebird (he collects ride photo key chains), we were off to the DC Comics section of the park.
More of the Same...
First up of the DC-themed rides, Jokers Jinx. Or so we thought. It too, was down. Man, I was starting to feel like Chris from Airtime Thrills. If you haven’t seen his video, “Is Six Flags America Really THAT Bad?,” you owe it to yourself to give it a view when you’re done here. Chris is one of my favorite YouTubers and this video has always made me laugh since the park is so close to me. I feel ya brother, I really do!
It Would be Super if Superman is Running
Now being 1-4 on ride attempts to start the day, it was time to hopefully give Superman: Ride of Steel, the Intamin hyper, a ride. Greg and I practically walked on to this ride, which was doing one train operations like the rest of the coasters at the park. When we could pick our rows, the last few were the only ones open. I decided to just go all out and get the back and get the most whippy airtime, if possible. And with that, we were dispatched and going up the lift hill.
With this being one of Intamin’s first hypers, a clone of Ride of Steel at Six Flags Darien Lake (SFDL), this ride doesn’t do a ton when compared to the hypers that have come since. It, and its mirrored sibling at SFDL, are mostly straight track and giant helixes. It’s become a meme of sorts on the internet, but I still like to get in rides on both versions whenever I’m at either park. I do enjoy the one SFDL more, but that is only because of the over the water setting.
Sadly, for Greg, the ride photos on Superman were down for the day. That might be the first time I’ve seen those down on that ride. It looked like they were frozen on some night shots of the track somehow. Believe me, it wasn’t nighttime. Oh well, we’ll just have to go again one day.
An Elusive Flying Dutchman Credit
Going into today, there was a particular coaster that Greg was very much looking forward to adding to his personal credit count. That coaster was none other than the Vekoma Flying Dutchman, Batwing. I have been on all three of the Flying Dutchmans created and I have always stood by Batwing as running the smoothest. Well, when it’s running, of course. That’s been the issue with this ride on many visits. Chris, during my visit with Sam, had to go to the ride on three occasions just to be able to ride it for his first time. It was an elusive credit for him as well. You can read, “Summer of Sam – Six Flags America,” for more information on that park trip.
Naturally, Batwing took a good time to load. I think that’s one of the problems with these Flying Dutchman models. The B&M flyers are practically an inverted seat, but with the extra ankle guards. You sit down as you normally would and away you go. With the Dutchmans, you have to half lay back, pull over the odd vest in two different pieces, clip them, have the restraints for your waist raised, then be collapsed backward. I also much prefer not having to go up the lift hill on my back with my eyes being burned out of my skull on the B&M’s. That is neither here nor there, though.
Batwing was running as good as ever. I don’t find it rough and it certainly does have some more intensity than the B&M flyers. Greg also agreed and loved the ride. I was also able to stand around and get some good ride footage on this visit. The image above is from one of the clips.
No More Joking Around
After our long walk back from Batwing, we could see that Jokers Jinx was running again. That’s where we went next, with me getting lots of good footage of it on the way. This ride really does look amazing with its new paint job.
It was then time to get something to drink. We walked our way back toward the Mardi Gras portion of the park, home to the classic Wild One woodie and the park’s “newest coaster,” Ragin’ Cajun – the park’s second transplant from Six Flags Great America (SFGA). The other one was Firebird. I guess Six Flags is trying to make America Great? Get it? No? Okay… All I’ll say is I’d sure vote to make Six Flags America, Great America in 2020! Hell yeah! Send over Goliath, X-Flight, Maxx Force, Raging Bull, Batman The Ride, and any others they can spare. But I digress…
Round and a Round We Went
After we took a small break, we stopped to hit Ragin’ Cajun on the way to Wild One. Greg almost forgot about the small spinning coaster, but was super excited to give it a try. By the end of the ride, he was very pleased. It’s nothing big, but man, that spinning with throw you around if you’re the only person on that side of your seating area. Not having had more than two people on all my recent visits, that has always been the case for me – sliding back and forth the entire time.
You're a Real Wild One, Wild One, Wild One...
With Ragin’ Cajun done, it was time to tackle the park’s iconic wooden coaster, Wild One. I’ve been riding this classic all the way back to when the park was called Wild World (1982-93), even prior to the days of Adventure World (1994-98). It’s one of those coasters I have many memories of with my Aunt Cheryl and I riding together when I was much younger. Back in those days, Wild One was at the back of the park. It was much smaller then, with the water park and mostly just the right side of the dry park. The only thing that went back further than Wild One was the train tracks for the park’s train. Wild One was the star attraction. For some, it still very much is.
With Roar being down earlier, this was our first woodie of the day. I told Greg not to sleep on that helix. Elaina found out how forceful it can be on a visit we did a couple of years ago. She loves that coaster and that helix is the main reason why. By time Greg and I finished the ride, he understood why as well.
Roaring in Pain?
It was then time to go tackle the last remaining coaster we had yet to ride, the park’s other woodie, the Great Coasters International (GCI), Roar. As we approached the ride, I said that we should change the sign to read “Sore” instead of “Roar.” On the July 6 visit, Chris walked off the ride asking for Rocky Mountain Construction’s (RMC) phone number. Sam and I agreed. It was one of the roughest rides I had on it in a long time. I kept my fingers crossed that it wouldn’t be the case on this trip.
Thankfully, my wish came true. Roar wasn’t rough, although I wouldn’t classify our ride as smooth either. It was a little better than Hersheypark’s Wildcat, but not as good as it’s neighbor, Lightning Racer. As much as I do enjoy wooden coasters, however, I wouldn’t lose sleep if Six Flags ever decides to ask RMC to give Roar a makeover. They already did its twin at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom (SFDK) a few years ago. Maybe I can keep my fingers crossed for that too? I’d love to have an RMC closer than Twisted Timbers at Kings Dominion, although that is actually one of my favorite RMC’s. Still, having one only an hour away, not two and a half, would be amazing.
More Straight Track & Helixes
After Roar, we decided to do one last coaster before calling it quits. I let Greg pick and he chose Superman. The line was a bit longer on this go around, but not terribly long. We decided to do the front seat this time around. I always like doing a front and a back row on a ride, if possible. Even if it is less intense, there is something I like about an unobstructed view.
It was another great ride and sadly, the ride photos were still down. I know Greg was probably heart-broken, especially since it was the case for most of the rides during our trips this week. Like I said above, however, that just means we’ll have to go back again one day and hope they’re up and running.
With our last ride out of the way, we were both hungry and decided to head out for the day. The park was only open until 7 p.m. and it was about 6 p.m. We could have squeezed in another ride or two, but it was really hot and we were both a little beat, especially since I spent all day at Knoebels the day before. If you haven’t read that blog, be sure to check out, “Knoebels – Reporting, Riding, Recording, & Relaxing.”
Although I’ve been to SFA more times that I can count, and had been about a month earlier, I had a great time with Greg, doing our first park adventure together. Seeing him get new credits and experience new rides was awesome. It wasn’t the last time I was able to be a part of that for the week either. You’re going to want to check out the upcoming park reports for CMA and Dorney Park when I get to those soon. And if you find yourself at any of those parks, I’d love to go back. I’m sure Greg would too. Say hello to us if we cross paths and always know…
You can be my wingman anytime! (Top Gun, 1986)
Patrick
CREW MANIFEST
The following flight crew members attended this park, & earned the respective credits below:
Patrick
CAG
New Credit(s): n/a
Greg
Ensign
New Credit(s): Firebird, Superman: Ride of Steel, Jokers Jinx, Ragin' Cajun, Wild One, & Roar
