Editor’s Note: This trip report was reformatted in 2022 to match the current style, including photo galleries and ride counts. Older trip reports, however, detailed every ride of the day, whereas newer reports only touch upon a handful of rides. In order to preserve what I wrote, you will still find each ride detailed below.
It looks like Sam earned herself five new credits today on her first-ever visit to Six Flags America (SFA). She even earned herself another park credit to increase her Lieutenant rank to six. Today also had an added bonus in that I also got to meet up with Chris from the Facebook group, Coaster Appreciation Society (CAS), as well as his daughter, Carrie. If anyone is looking to join an amazing group revolving around coasters, I have yet to find one better (not that I’m looking). It certainly went a long way to inspire me to want to get this site launched. Lots of good people there.
It turned out to be an ever hotter day than Friday, when Sam and I went to Hersheypark for the first time together. There she managed to nab 4 credits. Be sure to read “Summer of Sam – Hersheypark: Sam Rides Some Favorites” for the low down on that day. It’s quite detailed, so I am going to try to be a little more to the point on this entry. Plus, I’m quite exhausted myself. I just wanted to get this up with all the experiences fresh in my head.
Getting to the Park
We arrived at the park at our reserved time of 12:00 p.m. Chris and Carrie had been there since about 10:30 a.m. They had a four hour drive to come up to SFA, so they left early to arrive at the opening. Sam and I slept in with this being our last day of vacation. We wanted to go in fresh. With the park only opened until 7 p.m., we also knew we wouldn’t spend too many hours at the park. The plan was to pretty much get in as many credits as Sam felt comfortable getting, and then be on our way. I have been to SFA too many times to count, so I didn’t “need” to ride everything.
Sam Starts Off Strong
Superman: Ride of Steel - Sam Rides Her First Hyper
After meeting Chris and Carrie fresh off Mind Eraser, we made our way back to Superman: Ride of Steel (RoS). Sam wanted to go for the biggest ride first, although she ended up having some major reservations in the station. Since everything was a walk on, she had to make up her mind quick. She got, nabbing her first-ever, hyper coaster. I was proud of her.
For the entire ride, Sam was yelling, but I could tell it wasn’t in sheer terror. And guess what? When we pulled back into the station, I gave her a look and asked her if it was better or worse than what she expected. She said better and even said she kind of liked it. Things were looking up. For now…
Batwing - It's Down... What Else is New?
We tried our luck going back to Batwing. Anyone who has been to SFA knows that this ride has as much downtime as it does uptime, if not more. Chris had yet to get this elusive credit and had already made the long walk back to the ride before we had arrived. We made the walk with them this time and… Down again! Chris waited for about 10 minutes before deciding to come back and try again later. Hey, maybe the third time would be the charm?
Joker's Jinx - Looking Fresh!
We walked over to Joker’s Jinx next, which is looking mighty sexy with its fresh green and purple paint (see above). Seriously, I think I’m going to do an entire blog how a fresh coat of paint can make an old ride seem new again. Between this and Fahrenheit at Hersheypark on Monday, what a world of difference! No more faded paint.
Anyhow, Sam was uncertain about Joker’s Jinx. She has never been on a launched coaster and unfortunately, she still hasn’t. She got as far as sitting in the train, but changing her mind seconds prior to the staff coming by to push down restraints. Oh well, I know this is all a big step for her, so I rode with Chis and Carrie, getting in a really good ride.
Of course, while we were on Joker’s Jinx, I could see Batwing running with people on it. Chris rolled his eyes when I told him back in the station. He said we’ll go back again later, but for now, he wanted a quick bite to eat.
Great Chase - In "Chase" of New Credits
After lunch the four of us made our way to another credit that only I had – The Great Chase. And now, all four of us have this airtime filled, 10 inversion, 200 foot tall, kiddie coaster! Okay, so most of those stats are a slight stretch, but still, they jumped on and braved the Road Runner themed ride. Best part was, this was actually Chris’ first new credit of 2020. I marked the occasion with a post of him riding to the Coaster Appreciation Society page. Gotta celebrate the little things!
Ragin' Cajun, Wild One, & Roar - 3 More Credits for Sam
From The Great Chase, we made our way to Ragin’ Cajun, Wild One, and finally Roar. Sam rode each of those, rounding out her new credits for the day. Sadly, Roar was just unbearable. I usually defend Roar when I hear people say how rough it is. Until this year, I never experienced a ride on it that was this uncomfortable. Maybe Chris from Airtime Thrills is right. Time to call RMC! Guess he’s not the only Chris who dislikes this coaster, huh?
What about Firebird and Mind Eraser for Sam, you ask? Well, she wasn’t feeling up to either on this day. She’s still getting over some of the nerves that she gets from the idea of riding all these coasters. She’s coming along. I’m sure she’ll get there.
Back to Batwing Again & Wrapping Up
It was at this point, Chris and Carrie decided to go back and give Batwing another attempt. Chris really wanted to get the credit, especially now that he had The Great Chase. Getting Batwing would complete all active credits for the park. We said our good-byes and Sam and I stood around Firebird shooting some video content.
Chris shot me a text saying they were getting on and to have a good trip home. I was happy for him and Sam and I walked back to Joker’s Jinx and RoS to shoot some more footage. We saw Chris and Carrie on their way out (the park was empty all day) as I shot video of Joker’s Jinx. We said our final good-byes and Sam and I finished up at the park and made our way back to the car.
While leaving some credits on the table, I’m so happy for Sam getting in nine new ones during our vacation week. Had she just got on Cocoa Cruiser at Hersheypark, she would have made it to double digits! Oh well, she can pick it up when we go back on July 27. Actually, now that I think about it, she should have her 10th and 11th new credits in 2020 on July 13. We’re going to try to hit up Lakemont Park to get Leap the Dips and Skyliner. I’m hoping that Elaina, James, and Jason will also be able to join us. And guess what? I’m sure I’ll have a blog here talking all about that trip as well.
Final Ride Counts
Batwing (1: Chris, Carrie)
Great Chase (1: Carrie, Chris, Sam)
Joker’s Jinx (1:Carrie, Chris, Patrick)
Mind Eraser (1: Carrie, Chris)
Ragin’ Cajun (1)
Roar (1)
Superman: Ride of Steel (1)
Wild One (1)
Six Flags America Photo Gallery - July 6, 2020
CREW MANIFEST
The following flight crew members attended this park, & earned the respective credits below:
Patrick
CAG
New Credit(s): n/a
Sam
Lieutenant
New Credit(s): Superman: Ride of Steel, The Great Chase, Ragin' Cajun, Wild One, & Roar
Chris
Ensign
New Credit(s): Batwing & The Great Chase
Carrie
Ensign
New Credit(s): Batwing & The Great Chase
