| Six Flags New England 5/18/02
Weather: Cold Wintery Mix of Rain, Sleet, Wind, and Sunshine
As the weekend approached, we watched the weather reports. Downpours were predicted for Friday with A.M. showers followed by clouds and sunshine on Saturday. PERFECT WEATHER for coastering AND avoiding long lines and obnoxious crowds.
The weather was intense Saturday morning. We hit Wal-
Mart to purchase rain coats and rubbers for our shoes, without which the trip could have turned miserable. With proper clothing and provisions secure, we headed to the park.
We arrived around 11:30AM and fou nd that we could park in the parking lot near the entrance (as opposed to the lot across the street - where I had to park during my first visit in 1999). As is the custom at Six Flags, they robbed us of $10 for parking. A stream of visitors in various states of dress, showing a complete ignorance of the weather conditions, moved efficiently to and through the gates. As we entered the park, it was around 34 degrees and sleeting. Not to be deterred by the extreme weather, the Six Flags paparazzi accosted us for a photograph as the sleet and hail pelted our faces.
We headed to the nearby carousel and took a spin as it was an escape from the bad weather. Imagine, a Six Flags park and we were the only two people on the carousel! We saw the trains running empty on the Cyclone and headed in that direction. The weather was taking a turn for the worse and we wanted to ride a coaster, so we walked onto Flashback. As we rofde, the hail hit our faces with such velocity it felt like needles were piercing our skin.
We walked to the Cyclone and found it down due to weather. Making our way back to the center of the park, it was apparent that rides were shutting down. We headed for the Joker, as it is one, if not the only, indoor ride at the park. Completing that and with the rain continuing (but at a lower intetnsity) we headed to the Night Wing. Surprised it was running, we walked on, got strapped in and sat soaking for nearly ten minutes as the slow, wet staff tried to get the thing going. It wasn't meant to be - it shut down and we were off to find someting to do.
We wandered around the near empty park and were struck by just how pretty it is. I have visited SFGrAdv, SFA, and SFDL, and this park seems to be in a class of its own, My coaster buddy has visited SFMM, SFoT, SFoG, SFF, SFStL, SFGrAm, SFWoA, SFAstroworld and he had the same opinion. Perhaps because it is new and hasn't had the chance to look "typically run down" as Six Flags parks do, this park has nice theming through out, beautiful landscaping (we were VERY impressed by the abundance of newly planted trees), and, although small, a nice layout.
Just as an FYI: we did talk to a ride operator who told us ride do not run in sleet (obviously due to track icing) and they do not operate in temperatures under 40 degrees. TAKE NOTE!
As the weather improved, the coasters opened and we rode 'em all! The Coasters:
Batman Knight Flight - According to my buddy, a clone of the one at SFWoA (but with a nicer color scheme of deep purple & blue). I found that this floorless had an enjoyable and disorienting track layout. A nice first drop into a loop and a nice reversal back to ward the lift hill. I enjoyed the tight ending as well. It was a flawless floorless as we have come to expect from B&M. However, I don't think it matches the likes of Medusa at SFGrAdv or Kraken at SWO. (One Train Running: 20 Minute Wait)
Mind Eraser - By this or any other name, it is the same Vekoma SLC clone we deride publicly but enjoy secretly as a guilty pleasure. I think it does everything I want an inverted to do AND I prefer two across seating to the sight-limiting 4 across of B&M. Like Vekoma's Boomerang, they're ubiquitous, but consistent. (One train running: 30 Minute wait)
Flashback - Vekoma Boomerang. Does what it is supposed to do, but as I get older I like backwards loops less and less. (Walk-On)
The Great Chase - As an enthusiast, I just needed to check it off. Me and my buddy (ages 39 & 34) rode this alone. Fun bunny hops. We loved the theming. The ride ops loved us for riding!
(Walk on)
Poison Ivy's Tangled Vione - A nice family coaster with no great drops, just twists and turns. An unusually long train. Don't be embarrassed - enjoy the ride and check it off on your list. (Walk-on)
Thunderbolt - A 1941 classic. This is an excellent ride. I was happy to see it is veryt much appreciated by the SFNE guests. I daresay, it seemed more popular than the Cyclone. A figure 8 coaster it executes its elements with near perfection. Only detraction was the screams for oil from the tracks as we rounded the turnarounds. A beauty. (One train running: 5 - 10 minute wait).
Cyclone - I was VERY disappointed to see the new first drop and equally surprised to see that the old TERRIFYING first drop remains under the new construction like a testament to the past. The ride, although not as ABSOLUTELY, WONDERFULLY, DIABLICALLY TERRIFYING as it once was, still packs a wallop. My buddy, who never rode it with the original track design, described it as "evil". This ride, even with the new profiling, is one of the best and most terrifying coasters around. Each drop (including the new first one) seems to rip you from your seat (we sat last or next to last row each of the 6 times we rode). After the first hill the ride kicks into hyper-speed and NEVER lets up. The superstructure is gorgeous. William Cobb must rank with John A. Miller, Herb Schmeck, and John Allen as one of the great coaster designers of all time. THIS IS A TOP 20 WOODIE. The ride ops on this ride were the most entertaining of any ride in the park. (Walk on)
Superman: Ride of Steel - My buddy has ridden nearly every Hyper with the exception of Goliath. I told him this was the BEST out there and he had his doubts. After 5 rides, he admitted, Milennium is faster and scarier, but this hyper is the most fun of any he has ridden. It is as near to flawless as a coaster design can be. The tangle of helices and bunny hops at the end guaranty a smile on EVERY rider's face. The first two drops are tremendous, but the thrill comes at the hill after the photo camera (the one that crests and drops the beginning of the lift hill before the ending tangle of hops, turns, tunnels, and laughs. (One train - 15 minute wait)
This was my second visit to this park and, again, I have to say it is the most beautiful Six Flags park out there. Theming, landscaping, cleanliness, ride variety, and layout. We loved it and highly recommend it.  |
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