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Six Flags 2012 Announcement Summary

Mike — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 04:49:00 +0000

Six Flags chose to release many of their parks’ 2012 plans in one big day. In case you missed any of the action, here are the details:

Six Flags Great America Announces X-Flight for 2012

Mike — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 15:04:33 +0000

Today Six Flags Great America announced the long rumored Wing Rider roller coaster which will be located on the site of the former Splashwater Falls. The 3,000 ft long ride will climb 120 ft before heading through 5 inversions topping out at 55 mph. Will provide more details as they come, but check out the press release below.

Gurnee, Ill. (September 1, 2011) – Get ready to take flight! Six Flags Great America announces plans to add a state-of-the-art roller coaster for the 2012 season. X-Flight is a ground-breaking wing coaster featuring cutting-edge technology. The Gurnee theme park is the first to announce plans for a wing coaster in the U.S.

X-Flight will take riders on a flight that defies gravity, with no track above or below them. Riders sit in pairs, suspended on either side of the track with their feet dangling, as they begin their climb up a 12-story plunge launching them into speeds of 55mph through 3,000 feet of intense drops and five inversions, including a barrel roll and zero-g roll. One of the most adrenaline-pumping moments on the ride is an extreme fly-through where the coaster speeds straight toward a structure, before making a last-minute vertical flip to fit through a keyhole cut-out.

“Six Flags Great America has a long history of introducing legendary rides and first-of-its-kind roller coasters,” said Hank Salemi, Six Flags Great America Park President. “What makes
X-Flight so unique is soaring through 3,000 feet of high-speed drops, loops and turns, with nothing above or below you. The coaster’s train actually looks like a plane with seats suspended on either side of the track. It’s like nothing you have ever experienced before. We are thrilled to bring this revolutionary wing coaster to our guests for the 2012 season.”

X-Flight is designed by acclaimed Swiss manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard, who also designed Six Flags Great America favorites: Raging Bull, SUPERMAN: Ultimate Flight and BATMAN: The Ride. The wing coaster will make its home in the County Fair section of the park. Construction begins this Fall. X-Flight is scheduled to open Spring of 2012.

Six Flags Great America is located between Chicago and Milwaukee and offers fun for the entire family with 14 heart-pounding roller coasters, a free 20-acre water park, spectacular shows, a nighttime illuminated parade and three children’s themed areas. Soar on X-Flight all season long with a 2012 Season Pass, now on sale for $64.99 for four or more. Buy now and get a
2012 Season Parking Pass free. Sale ends October 30, 2011.

Check out more details on the Six Flags Great America website.

2012 Great America Coaster Looking More Like a Wing Rider

Mike — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 14:35:20 +0000

Six Flags Great America has been slowly pulling back puzzle pieces on their 2012 roller coaster announcement poster. Up until recently, the ride was very much up in the air. The last few clues, however, definitely point to Wing Rider. The train shown is long, so it isn’t a Green Lantern type. The text behind the piece on bottom says “Nothing Above,” which probably says “nothing above and nothing below.” It also points to a number of drops and possible 3 loops. It also looks like the train will be red. Any other ideas?

Iron Wolf to Leave Six Flags Great America

Mike — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 15:42:29 +0000

It is with mixed emotions that I have to report that Six Flags Great America will be removing Iron Wolf from it’s roller coaster collection. The last day it will be open is September 5. So many fond memories of the ride at my home park, it was the first ride I ever did an onride video on. It has definitely seen some brighter days and has gotten rough these last few years. All may not be lost, however, as there are rumors that this ride may be on its way to Six Flags America. It also begs the question of what is next for Great America. After being passed over for Kentucky Kingdom’s Chang (now Green Lantern at Great Adventure), Great America appears due for a thriller. Can anything big fit in Wolf’s spot?

Six Flags Great America Announcement Coming Soon

Mike — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 23:11:33 +0000

Six Flags Great America will be announcing their 2012 plans soon and have started to release a number of clues through their facebook page. A number of rumors suggest that Iron Wolf will be relocated to Six Flags America and a new roller coaster will be built at Great America for the 2012 season. Rumors for the new ride range anywhere from a ZacSpin like Green Lantern or a Wing Rider like Raptor.

UPDATE

Apparently this announcement was just that the American Eagle roller coaster will run its blue train backwards until Fright Fest. The park will be announcing their 2012 plans at a later date.

Opening Day 2011 Six Flags Great America

Mike — Sat, 14 May 2011 16:05:59 +0000

A trip report from Six Flags Great America’s opening day was posted over at Theme Park Review. The new water slides look like a lot of fun and should be a great hit! Wipeout in particular looks incredibly fun!

Six Flags Great America 6/22/09

Mike — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:11:05 +0000

I finally got around to going to Six Flags Great America this past Monday for the first time in 2 years. Boy was I impressed. The park has really come a long way since Mark Shapiro has taken over and the improvements were very noticable.

We started off the day getting my season pass processed which took about 15 minutes. My picture turned out hilariously and it looks like I am frowning, but I guarantee you that I wasn’t. Other than the poor camera work, the process was smooth and problem free. I was also very excited to find out that the season pass parking qualifies for the $25 Plus parking spots, making that $60 I spent seem somewhat worth it. I think I was even more excited to find out that I can use it for parking at any Six Flags park as I am moving to Texas and probably won’t make it back to Great America this year.

The first ride we went on was Raging Bull. Immediately I noticed the giant new TVs in the queue lines, speakers that you could actually here out of, and an abundance of trees and plants that I don’t remember being there. I was very impressed and I hope Six Flags keeps up their work with themeing/planting around the ride. The ride itself was just as amazing as it has always been, it actually felt a little faster though and the trim brakes were tuned just right for maximum airtime.

Next we rode the 2 wooden roller coasters that call Great America home. Viper was first up and after about a 20 minute wait we enjoyed this airtime machine. Afterward we headed over to American Eagle, but first enjoyed some Cheesebread from Papa John’s. I really love having Papa John’s in the park now, it is a brand people recognize and I think it is a positive relationship for both companies. American Eagle seemed to be running well, they even had both trains running. Unfortunately the helix’s are still very rough and almost ruin the rest of this fun ride.

Following Eagle we rode Iron Wolf. Still a great ride but its definitely been getting rougher over the years. Hope Six Flags can find a way to give this ride some love. Then we rode V2 which unfortunately was not running the holding brake today. Not sure if that was an on-purpose move or if there was something wrong with it but without it some of the excitement of the ride suffers. Next we headed across the midway to Batman and waited about 20 minutes. This ride still packs a punch and I love every minute of it.

We ate a quick lunch at Jimmy John’s (sorry Six Flags, its soooo much cheaper to leave the park) and headed back in to do the loop in reverse, starting with Superman: Ultimate Flight. We waited about 30-40 minutes and had some great G-Forces from the back row. Afterward we did The Dark Knight as I have never ridden it before. I give Six Flags credit for trying with the pre-show and dark ride, but it is still a wild mouse and therefore not very fun and kind of rough.

Next we rode Yankee Clipper and Logger’s Run (it was like 90 out), two log flume rides that really only have the drop going for them. After that we went over to Buccaneer Battle, the new attraction for 2009. This was a FUN ride. Not fast, not intense, but spraying strangers with water is extremely fun. Also, expect to get SOAKED! We had to ride Raging Bull afterward to dry off and we still were pretty wet. Also, you get to spray people on shore too depending on what side of the boat you are on. Unfortunately they also get to spray you back, for FREE! Finally a water ride you can interact with from land without it costing you. Anybody can just walk up and shoot people for 30 seconds. This ride is also a great workout for your right arm if you shoot a lot.

After the subsequent ride on bull we headed back around the park and hit Batman and Superman one more time before calling it a night. On the way out we stopped at the gift store and I got 2 T-Shirts for $13 (using a BOGO coupon in the season pass booklet). Best deal I’ve ever gotten on amusement park merchandise. I am happy that Six Flags is lowering their T-Shirt prices because it turns into free advertising for them when people wear them. Another big plus for Six Flags and I can’t wait to see what they do in the future.

Buccaneer Battle Opens

Mike — Mon, 18 May 2009 15:50:48 +0000

Media day coverage of Buccaneer Battle @ Six Flags Great America can be found at the Theme Park Review.

Silverwood Aerial Photos

Mike — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 01:43:15 +0000

A member @ Theme Park Review has posted some aerial photos of Silverwood Theme Park in Idaho. I just found out they bought Deja Vu from Six Flags Great America… hope the maintenance issues can be taken care of.

Six Flags Great America Brings Summer Early with More Days… More Value… More Flags… More Fun

Mike — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 17:16:14 +0000

March 25, 2009 – Gurnee, Illinois – Six Flags Great America, the premiere destination for affordable, close to home family entertainment in the Midwest, kicks off a new year of thrilling family fun on Friday, April 3. This year marks the longest season ever with 18 additional operating days, unprecedented pricing, a new interactive family water ride, an exciting concert lineup and the return of an old friend. Mr. Six – the ageless, dancing, rater-of-fun will be in park all season long showing off his signature dance moves, posing for pictures, and beckoning guests to have More Flags. More Fun. To kick off the 2009 season on April 3, guests who dress like Mr. Six – from his signature glasses and red bow tie to his bald head and black suit – will be able to purchase a ticket for just $6. Additionally, there will be a Mr. Six Look-A-Like and Dance Contest where Mr. Six himself will rate contestants and prizes will be awarded to guests who receive the ultimate “Six Flags” rating in each category.
As part of this incredible season long celebration, Six Flags Great America will offer a line-up of new shows and attractions that provide top-tier entertainment as well as guest benefits that ensure a value-packed experience for the entire family. Some of the major headlines this season include:

More Value!

$69.99 for Season Passes – the lowest price in five years and only $15 more than a one-day ticket. Season Passes offer unlimited visits to any Six Flags theme park in the United States, five free tickets for friends and more than $500 in savings on in-park food and fun. In addition, Season Pass holders will enjoy exclusive ride times as well as a private Season Pass Holder Appreciation night on Sept. 18.
Everyone Pays Kids’ Price – Everyone can have big fun at a small price! This $20 daily ticket discount is available online until June 7.

More Flags! More Fun!

Buccaneer Battle – a mutiny is brewing at Six Flags Great America as the park’s new water adventure ride gets ready to set sail in mid-May. Ten ships, each with room for eight crew members, follow a 450-foot channel through waves of interactive fun for the entire family. As the ships navigate the waters, the battle begins for passengers armed with a powerful soaker gun as they take aim at each other and targets along the way. Some targets respond while others display a variety of special effects, creating surprises at every turn. Buccaneer Battle also engages landlubber park guests along the ride’s banks as the freebooters on the ship supply random fire and observers shoot back in ship-to-shore fun.
STARBURST® Summer Concert Series presented by T-Mobile® – Music takes a front seat this season as the park debuts a new concert series with some of the industry’s hottest acts including Jesse McCartney, Raven Symoné and Miranda Cosgrove. All concerts are free with park admission or a Season Pass.
The Best of Dick Clark’s Bloopers – this new interactive show features a live host who encourages audience members to create their own blunders while watching some of the all-time great missteps from Dick Clark’s collection.
Six Flags Cyber Café presented by Comcast – Guests can now stay connected while visiting the park and upload their Six Flags fun instantly with free access to the Internet. The café will feature a menu selection of specialty coffees, homemade doughnuts, pastries and crepes.
Johnny Rockets Express – This all new restaurant features tasty favorites. World-famous Johnny Rockets shakes, fries, onion rings and chicken tenders are on the menu at this new express location of one of the park’s most popular restaurants.
M-porium – a chocolate lover’s dream. This new retail shop features M&M and Mars candies of every variety along with unique souvenirs.

“Six Flags Great America has always been the area’s premiere destination for affordable, close to home family fun, and it will continue to hold that title this year beginning April 3,” said Park President Hank Salemi. “With seven months of on-going entertainment, we’re offering our guests a summer of escape with value like never before.”

Six Flags Great America is located less than a tank of gas away from Chicago and Milwaukee and offers fun for the entire family with 13 heart-pounding roller coasters including Raging Bull, a free 15-acre water park, spectacular shows and parades four children’s themed areas with over 35 kids rides including Wiggles World and meet and greets with Six Flags’ world-famous cast of characters, including Mr. Six.

The Park will be open weekends in April with daily operations starting May 18. Visit sixflags.com for a complete list of operating hours and more information about Six Flags Great America tickets, shows, rides, attractions and events.

About Six Flags, Inc:
Six Flags, Inc. is the world’s largest regional theme park company with 20 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada, and soon will be expanding beyond North America with destinations in Dubai and Qatar. Since 1961, hundreds of millions of families have trusted Six Flags to combine friendly-clean-fast-safe service with affordable, value-packed thrills, record-shattering roller coasters and special events like the Summer Concert Series, Fright Fest and Holiday in the Park. Six Flags’ wide array of entertainment options reaches all demographics — families, teens, tweens and thrill seekers alike — featuring themed attractions based on skateboarding legend Tony Hawk, the ultimate daredevil Evel Knievel, movie franchises The Dark Knight and The Mummy; as well as world-renowned, kid-friendly brands including Looney Tunes, the Justice League of America, The Wiggles and Thomas the Tank Engine.

Six Flags continues to develop new avenues for growth, acquiring ownership and management of Dick Clark Productions, producer of such perennial television hits as the American Music Awards, the Golden Globe Awards, the Academy of Country Music Awards, Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve and So You Think You Can Dance. Six Flags, Inc. is a publicly-traded corporation (NYSE:SIX) headquartered in New York City.