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Day 9 - Sunday 14th June 2009 Trip Report from Six Flags New England |
Day 8 - Six Flags New England. Today we started reasonably early as we were getting involved with "Walk in the Park". This is a charity event that is run by Six Flags to raise money for Kids with Cancer. There were a good number of the public waiting in the car park, and refreshments were supplied by Dunkin' Donuts and various local retail sponsors. Once the main group of charity walkers set off, we all gathered for a group photo, then followed. Walk in the park is basically a stroll round the entire perimeter of the park, after which participants are allowed on park for the rest of the day. Many of our members donated some dollars towards the charity in return for t-shirts etc. to mark the event, so well done them!
The ERS soon followed on Bizarro. This ride is basically Superman - Ride of Steel that has had some special effects added and a repaint. The main changes include addition of water spray effects in 3 places and some fire cannons that fire off as the train goes by. The track has also been repainted purple. The cars have received audio speakers behind the riders head in each seat, and to facilitate this one set of 2 seats has been removed half way down the train which now has a box of electronics in that space.Generally, the ride went down very well with members as it's an excellent ride, but the general concensus is that it didn't need changing, given that it has been voted #1 steelie for the last 4 years. Many riders also found the audio annoying rather than adding value, but I guess we are coaster riders and pick up on things like this - for the average public rider, it probably does enhance the ride experience. Anyway, we all enjoyed the ERS even though there were a couple of technical issues, which caused a few minuted delay... nothing a reboot didn't sort out (oh, and a hammer!).
Following the ERS, people were free to do what they liked so as usual, everyone split off into groups to explore the parks. There were 9 other coasters on offer today which were all sampled, these included the 2 woodies, Thunderbolt and Cyclone. The steelies included a B&M floorless, Batman - The Dark Knight, Vekoma SLC - Mind Eraser, and others. All rides were working well, and the park looking great. The two woodies could really do with some paint though as they are looking a little tatty and unloved, but overall a good park. Six Flags has really been working hard to get away from it's old "Six Flag moments" image. A change is definately noticeable, and if you stop or appear to be looking at a map, it's only a short time before someone comes and asks if you need help. So they are definately getting there and our group all agree that on this trip there is a huge improvement, so well done Six Flags!
Anyway, we all boarded our bus at 17:00 for a 160 mile drive north towards The Great Escape and Bingo was played to pass some of the journey which is about as far as this report is going to get, as I am writing on the bus!! Tonight there's a Wal-Mart in the hotel and a bunch of restaurants, so we'll all be out doing various things, hopefully there will be a Karaoke bar again as Dan sang "Chocolate Salty Balls" by Chef last night to which most of us hadn't laughed so hard in along time, including the locals! That's it from me today, more tomorrow!
Please Note: All on ride photographs were taken WITH PERMISSION of the theme park and ride management. Under no circumstances should any member of the public or club member attempt to take photographs on rides without express permission from the theme park. Safety comes first - follow the rules!
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| Welcome from the park's boss | Group Photo before taking part in A Walk in the Park | Members pose with the looney tunes characters | Bizaro ERS | Bizaro ERS |
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| Mind Eraser | Batman - The Dark Knight | Pandemonium | Club Bingo! | Ryan ordered a pint of Beer and got served ROOT BEER!! |
