Six Flags Parks 2012

Six Flags Great America:

While Dollywood is getting America's first Wing Coaster, SFGAm was the first American park to announce a Wing Coaster.

http://news.sixflags.com/2012news/2011/08/26/x-flight/

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.

About Six Flags Entertainment Corporation

Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is the world’s largest regional theme park company with 2010 revenue of nearly $1.0 billion and 19 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada. Six Flags Over Texas, the company’s flagship location, is celebrating its 50th anniversary season in 2011.

This kind of reminds me of Swarm going up at Thorpe Park. Anyways, I really like this ride (probably the most exciting out of all the announcements), especially that "keyhole" effect (hm... perfect for my IOA Wing Coaster idea)!

Six Flags Magic Mountain:

For next year, SFMM is building the tallest drop tower in the world:

Another one for the history books, Six Flags Magic Mountain, in partnership with Warner Bros. Consumer Products and DC Entertainment, announced today the world’s tallest vertical drop ride, LEX LUTHOR: Drop of Doom, will make its debut for the 2012 season. Named after one of DC Comics’ most dangerously intelligent super-villains and Superman’s greatest enemy, LEX LUTHOR: Drop of Doom will be an engineering phenomenon, attached to both sides of the iconic SUPERMAN: Escape from Krypton tower. Soaring at a sky-scraping 400 feet, LEX LUTHOR: Drop of Doom is slated for a spring 2012 launch.

Fearless riders will be seated inside floorless gondolas on two vertical tracks flanking each side of the SUPERMAN: Escape from Krypton tower. Passengers on the gondolas will be pulled to the top of the tower, experience a brief pause before being released and dropped at speeds of up to 85 miles-per-hour. After five seconds of freefall, the gondola will be stopped by a sophisticated magnetic braking system just a few feet from the ground.

“Six Flags is known world-wide as the industry leader in delivering world-class thrills, and Six Flags Magic Mountain is proud to be at the head of the pack, offering guests the biggest and the best,” said Bonnie Rabjohn, Six Flags Magic Mountain Park President. “We are excited to add another world record to our collection of record-breaking, first-on-the-planet attractions.”

Changing Magic Mountain’s legendary skyline, LEX LUTHOR: Drop of Doom will offer riders breathtaking panoramic views as they are lifted to the top of the tallest vertical drop ride ever built. Sitting eight abreast, riders will plummet 40 stories at an extreme speed before coming to a stop, all while the SUPERMAN: Escape from Krypton cars are blasted to the top of the same structure.

“Six Flags Magic Mountain continues to deliver powerful thrills to our guests year after year,” said Jim Reid-Anderson, Chairman, President and CEO of Six Flags Entertainment Corporation. “LEX LUTHOR: Drop of Doom is a tremendous addition and brings a new dimension of excitement to the park’s already remarkable collection of thrill rides.”

LEX LUTHOR: Drop of Doom is being manufactured exclusively for Six Flags Magic Mountain by Intamin AG of Switzerland.

Someone actually thought of the idea of a drop tower on the side of S:EFK at some point.

Anyways, this ride looks really... insane. Tallest drop tower in the world (at least 400 ft)! That looks like an awesome addition to an already amazing park like SFMM!

Six Flags New England:

Looks like Deja Vu is moving to SFNE and will now be known as Goliath:

http://news.sixflags.com/2012news/2011/08/26/goliath/

Six Flags New England, home to the largest collection of coasters in the Northeast, today announced the addition of Goliath a suspended looping boomerang coaster that will leave guests wondering which way is up! New England’s newest coaster will reside in the Crack Axle Canyon section of the park and will make its debut in late spring of 2012.

The ride experience will begin when guests are strapped into chairs suspended from the track above, Goliath sends riders dangling face-down out of the station and up the first tower. Once riders reach the top of the tower they are dropped into a complete vertical 18-story free-fall reaching speeds of 65 miles-per-hour before racing head-over-heels on the outside of a 102-foot-tall vertical loop followed by an enormous 110-foot-tall butterfly turn before rocketing up the second 19-story tower. Think that’s all…hold on, there’s more as guests are sent rocketing back through the entire experience all over again with nothing beneath their feet but earth and sky.

“Six Flags New England is thrilled to announce the addition of Goliath to our already amazing arsenal of rides,” said Jason Freeman, Six Flags New England park president. “This ride delivers pure adrenaline from start to finish and solidifies our commitment to adding high volume fun for the entire family.” Goliath joins an incredible line up of coasters including: Cyclone, Batman The Dark Knight, Mind Eraser and of course the top rated steel coaster, Bizarro. When coaster enthusiasts are looking for thrills and excitement, Six Flags New England is their #1 choice! Six Flags New England is also home to three dedicated children’s areas, entertaining shows, FREE concerts and New England’s largest water park. Guests can experience Goliath-sized thrills all season long with a 2012 Season Pass! Buy three (3) 2012 Season Passes today for $59.99, and get one (1) FREE, plus receive FREE parking. Season passes must be processed by October 30, 2011 to receive FREE parking and can be used for the remainder of the 2011 season. Be sure to check out Fright Fest, New England’s premier haunted attraction, weekends in October. Don’t miss out on the fun, visit www.sixflags.com to purchase online.

About Six Flags Entertainment Corporation:
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is the world’s largest regional theme park company with 2010 revenue of nearly $1.0 billion and 19 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada. Six Flags Over Texas, the company’s flagship location, is celebrating its 50th anniversary season in 2011.

Weird how they called it "Goliath" when it seems more fitting for a hypercoaster... =/

This looks like a nice addition to SFNE, but I can think of two other weird things:

They are putting up Goliath right next to Flashback in the old boat site, RIGHT NEXT TO a Vekoma Boomerang (Flashback) with the cobra rolls facing each other (I thought it going up in SFNE was weird enough with the boomerang, but right next to it =/).

Another weird thing is that SFMM is even removing it. They worked hard on gaining the coaster crown from Cedar Point; now they're just going to let it go?

Glad to see the ride saved though. I actually saw it at SFMM last winter, and it looked pretty sick looking. Too bad it was down! =( But if I go to SFNE (yes IF), I can ride Deja Vu/Goliath!

Six Flags America:

The first B&M ever built is getting a new home in SFA, and will be known as Apocalypse (like SFMM's former Terminator Salvation coaster):

http://news.sixflags.com/2012news/2011/08/26/six-flags-america-announces-apocalypse/

The end is near as Six Flags America prepares to face the Apocalypse in 2012! Mayhem comes to Maryland’s favorite theme park in the form of a 100-foot mean machine roller coaster. Guests will take a stand against the end of the world in an all-new, stand-up, steel adventure.

Upon approaching Apocalypse, located in the Skull Island area of the park, guests will wind through a queue stepping further and further into an end of the world scenario. Just when it looks bleak, riders will break out to make the final stand against obliteration. They’ll stand four abreast together, while making the 100-foot ascent to the ride’s apex. For two minutes, they’ll hurtle along the 2,900-foot steel track, feeling the rush of 55 miles-per-hour speeds, hairpin turns, and pulse-pounding inversions.

The Apocalypse is planned to begin at Six Flags America on Friday, May 25, 2012 with a grand opening observance in the morning as the park opens and a thrilling display of fire in the sky that evening. 2012 Six Flags America Season Pass holders will be invited to be amongst the first to brave the ride in a two-day preview event on Saturday, May 19 and Sunday, May 20, 2012. Season passes are on sale today at sixflags.com/America.

Apocalypse has been designed by Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) of Switzerland. This is Six Flags America’s first B&M coaster as well as the park’s first stand-up coaster. Apocalypse promises to add to a whole new high-intensity thrill to Maryland’s favorite theme park, complementing the park’s arsenal of world-class roller coasters, thrill rides, and water park. The seven current roller coasters at Six Flags America are anchored by the 200-foot SUPERMAN: Ride of Steel; and highlighted by BATWING, Maryland’s first flying coaster; and the classic wooden Wild One, which celebrates its 95th year of thrills in 2012.

About Six Flags Entertainment Corporation
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is the world’s largest regional theme park company with 2010 revenue of nearly $1.0 billion and 19 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada. Six Flags Over Texas, the company’s flagship location, is celebrating its 50th anniversary season in 2011.

I'm glad Iron Wolf has been saved! I mean, while it is supposedly painful from what I hear, I respect it, since it is B&M's first coaster! =) Also glad that SFA is finally getting a coaster (I would have preferred a new one, but this is okay, especially if it gets the rumored new trains).

Six Flags Great Adventure:

Looks like SFGAdv has entered the Star Flyer battle (along with another SF park that I'll mention after this):

http://news.sixflags.com/2012news/2011/08/26/greatadventure/

Six Flags Great Adventure, America’s largest regional theme park, today unveiled plans to add both extreme and family thrills to its current lineup for 2012. SkyScreamer, an extreme swing ride, will transform the Fantasy Forest skyline while three additional family rides are introduced to the whimsically-themed section below – bumper cars, scrambler and flying elephants.

Theme park guests will have more to scream about with the introduction of SkyScreamer. The newest sensation in tower rides, SkyScreamer will take swing rides to the next level and join the park’s already breathtaking lineup of thrills as it whisks guests up, up and away high over the park, feet dangling and hair blowing. Towering 15 stories above the ground, SkyScreamer will reside next to the classic Big Wheel. Thirty-two guests will board the ride and sit two across in open-air swings as they climb to the top of the SkyScreamer tower while spinning round and round. At full swing, guests will soar in a 98-ft. circle at speeds of 40 mph high above the park below.

For those wishing to keep their feet closer to the ground, the park is introducing two new, yet classic, family attractions – bumper cars and a music-themed scrambler. Guests will also be greeted with the return of the popular flying elephants ride, which formerly made its home in The Golden Kingdom section of the theme park.

“Although we are best known for our record-breaking thrills, families have told us they would like more attractions they can enjoy together. So this season we are introducing four rides sure to deliver fun for all ages,” said park president John Fitzgerald.

At Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, it’s go big, go extreme – with the addition of exciting, new drop boxes guaranteed to ramp up the thrill factor at the slide tower known as “The Falls.” Guests will climb into a clear, fully-enclosed launch capsule and begin the nerve-wracking countdown to the moment when the floor literally disappears beneath them and sends them into a freefall at speeds of up to 32 mph.

“Drop boxes are an innovative, exciting addition to our already thrilling speed slides,” Fitzgerald added. “They are not for the faint of heart. The sheer anticipation of waiting for the floor to drop will have our guests’ adrenaline pumping.”

The best way to enjoy the thrills of the 2012 season is with a season pass. 2012 season passes are currently on sale and a great family value at $59.99 per person, which includes the theme park and free admission to the Wild Safari; and for just $10 more provides admission to Hurricane Harbor water park. All season passes include free tickets for friends and unlimited access to this season’s Fright Fest Halloween celebration in October. Guests who process their passes by October 30, 2011 receive one free parking pass with every four season passes purchased-a $50 value. For more information, visit www.sixflags.com/greatadventure

Shocking how it will only be 15 stories high (presumably the smaller SFDK-esque version). I figured it would be WindSeeker-sized. But that will do! ;) I'm really intrigued by these drop boxes on water slides. Hopefully some water park in Florida (Rapids Water Park, Aquatica, Adventure Island, Wet N' Wild, and the two Disney water parks) will add a drop boxed-water slide.

Six Flags Fiesta Texas:

Yes, this park will also get a SkyScreamer:

http://news.sixflags.com/2012news/2011/08/26/fiestatexas/

September 1, 2011 – San Antonio, TX – Six Flags Fiesta Texas revealed plans today to give guests more to scream about in 2012 with the introduction of SkyScreamer. The newest sensation in tower rides, SkyScreamer joins the park’s already spectacular lineup of thrills as it takes guests skyward, high above the park. The addition of SkyScreamer continues Six Flags Fiesta Texas’ tradition of providing thrilling rides and award-winning live entertainment. A selection of new and returning show favorites will also be featured in 2012.

Towering 200-ft. above the ground, SkyScreamer will surpass the height of the park’s quarry walls. Thirty-two guests will board the ride and sit two across in open air swings as they climb to the top of the SkyScreamer tower while spinning round and round. At full swing, guests will soar in a 98-ft. circle at speeds of 40 mph with the rest of the park far below their dangling feet.

“SkyScreamer will provide a breathtaking, panoramic view towering above our unique park setting. From the vantage point of these thrilling, open-air swings, guests will have an unusual birds’ eye perspective of the San Antonio skyline as they soar to new heights,” stated Park President Martin Bozer.

By day, guests will have an aerial view for miles past the cliff walls and even into downtown. By night, SkyScreamer will provide a totally different experience. SkyScreamer will take flight in Spring 2012.

Guests may enjoy Six Flags Fiesta Texas all season long including the new SkyScreamer, concerts and special events with a 2012 Season Pass. Now through October 30, 2011 guests can purchase a 2012 Season Pass and get the rest of 2011 FREE including Fright Fest and Holiday in the Park! Guests who purchase and process a 2012 Season Pass 4-Pack by October 30, 2011 will receive a special price of $56.99 (plus tax) per pass and free Season Parking Pass. A Season Pass offers unlimited visits to both the theme park and White Water Bay water park and comes with over $300 of in-park savings on food, games and souvenirs, free tickets for friends and access to exclusive events. It is the best deal to experience the best thrills!

About Six Flags Entertainment Corporation
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is the world’s largest regional theme park company with 2010 revenue of nearly $1.0 billion and 19 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada. Six Flags Over Texas, the company’s flagship location, is celebrating its 50th anniversary season in 2011.

This also looks like a cool addition to SFFT.

And now the Star Flyer vs WindSeeker battle moves to the center of the USA (if Worlds of Fun gets one)...

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom:

Now, X-Flight may be my favorite of the announcements, but this is the most interesting one though:

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Announces New Thrill Coaster in 2012 — SUPERMAN Ultimate Flight


New Thrill Coaster is Park’s First DC Comics-Themed Attraction

The familiar refrain, “It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s Superman!” will become part of Six Flags Discovery Kingdom’s lexicon with the official announcement today of the park’s exciting new roller coaster, SUPERMAN Ultimate Flight. The ride, created in a partnership between Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Warner Bros. Consumer Products and DC Entertainment, is slated to open in spring 2012.

This one-of-a-kind super launch coaster features the tallest inversion west of the Mississippi and will rank alongside the tallest coaster inversions in the world. At 150 feet high, riders will experience lightning speeds of 62 miles per hour, with two upside-down twists and two vertical rolls over a track length of 863 feet.

“We’re excited to bring this caliber of ride to Discovery Kingdom,” said Dale Kaetzel, Park President. “Since we opened our super coaster Medusa in 2000, the public has been waiting for a ride to match that intensity. We believe that SUPERMAN Ultimate Flight will satisfy even the most fearless thrill-seeker, and then some.”

As Discovery Kingdom’s first DC Comics-themed ride, the new addition is the perfect complement to the park’s unique collection of marine life, wildlife and wild rides. Thrill rides include the aforementioned Medusa, along with Kong, Roar, Vertical Velocity and Boomerang, and SUPERMAN Ultimate Flight’s addition solidifies Discovery Kingdom’s standing as Northern California’s best place to experience thrills of all kinds.

Brightly painted in Superman’s colors — vibrant blue, red and yellow — the steel coaster will be visible from Highway 37 and beyond from its location on the eastern side of the park. Construction on SUPERMAN Ultimate Flight will begin in early 2012.

SUPERMAN Ultimate Flight is being manufactured for Six Flags Six Flags Discovery Kingdom by Premier Rides.

About Six Flags Entertainment Corporation
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is the world’s largest regional theme park company with 19 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada. Six Flags Over Texas, the company’s flagship location, is celebrating its 50th anniversary season in 2011.

At first when I saw this, I thought it would be made by Maurer Sohne (the people who did HRRR and some Skyloop coasters) but then I read it was Premier and got really intrigued. I mean, I know SFDK is known for having unique rides (V2, an Impulse that inverts (though that was because of height restrictions), and Medusa, B&M Floorless with a Sea Serpant roll) but... WOW! This is probably my 2nd favorite of the SF 2012 announcements.

This will supposedly replace Pandemonium, which may relocate to Six Flags Mexico soon.

Six Flags St. Louis:

SFSL is building a rather interesting water slide:

http://news.sixflags.com/2012news/2011/08/26/bonzaipipeline/

ST. LOUIS, MO – September 1, 2011 – Six Flags St. Louis today announced plans to add an extreme body slide, Bonzai Pipeline, to Hurricane Harbor in 2012. Bonzai Pipeline joins the
12-acre water park’s existing lineup of water attractions as the only looping body slide with a launching capsule. Hurricane Harbor opened in 1999 and remains Missouri’s only free water park with theme park admission.

Bonzai Pipeline is the ultimate wipeout experience featuring twin, looping slides that sit side by side and the Proslide Skybox launching capsule. After reaching the top of the 6-story structure, guests will step into the enclosed capsule where the floor drops out beneath them, sending them free-falling down the slide and into a side “super loop.” Riders will surf the 290-ft. slide at up to 40 mph. Bonzai Pipeline’s clear tubes allow spectators below to watch riders as they shoot through the 360˚ loops and splash out into the water below.

“Hurricane Harbor is already a favorite of our guests during their visit to Six Flags St. Louis,” said Dave Roemer, Six Flags St. Louis park president. “The addition of Bonzai Pipeline makes the water park an even greater value while providing a new element of extreme thrill that we think guests are really going to love.”

Bonzai Pipeline, manufactured by Proslide Technology, Inc., is scheduled to open May 2012. The body slide will be located to the west side of the wave pool and will have a 48” height requirement.

Six Flags St. Louis is also launching the sale of 2012 Season Passes. For a limited time, guests purchasing four or more 2012 Season Passes will receive a special price of just $46.99 per pass, the price of a one-day ticket, and one free Season Parking Pass. Season Passes must be purchased and processed by October 30, 2011 for this special offer. A 2012 Season Pass will not only let guests experience all that Six Flags St. Louis and Hurricane Harbor have to offer including the new Bonzai Pipeline, but guests can use the Season Pass for the remainder of the 2011 season including Fright Fest in October. A Season Pass offers the best value with unlimited visits to the theme park and water park and comes with a coupon book featuring over $300 in special offers including limited free concerts. A Season Pass can also be used at all
Six Flags theme parks throughout the country.

This type of water slide is really cool looking! This is one I hope goes up in Adventure Island or Aquatica (or Rapids Water Park)! =)

The Great Escape:

TGE is adding a similar water slide to the one ^ above:

http://news.sixflags.com/2012news/2011/08/26/alpinefreefalls/

LAKE GEORGE, N.Y., (September 1, 2011) – The Great Escape’s popular outdoor water park, Splashwater Kingdom goes big in 2012! The Great Escape and Splashwater Kingdom today announced plans to add Alpine Freefalls, a two level water slide complex set to open May 2012. The new attraction will boast the park’s first free fall speed slide with Skybox technology and the Northeast’s first of its kind mat racer.

Guests will face their biggest fears when they take on the double black diamond Cliffhanger water slide. Perched six stories high, riders will count to three before the floor drops from below, plunging them at speeds of up to 32 mph down an 80 degree drop into six inches of water. The plummet slide will complement the popular Tornado water slide, offering thrill seekers the ultimate water park adventure.

For those looking for a little competition, Twisted Racer is a four-story, four-lane race through enclosed tunnels, giving guests the chance to compete with friends and family at speeds of over 25 feet per second. Riders will race on mats through pretzel shaped tubes before opening up into a final drop and a straight shot to the finish line where each competitor’s time will be displayed on LED boards.

“Alpine Freefalls will offer our guests an extreme water ride experience combined with friendly competition,” said Don McCoy, President of The Six Flags Great Escape Properties. “We believe this multi-slide attraction will be a great enhancement to the water park and offer guests an attraction that is as fun to watch as it is to ride.” McCoy added, “From our coasters and shows, to our two children’s areas and free water park, there is no other theme park in the area that offers the tremendous amount of thrills we do for one price.”

More information about Alpine Freefalls will be released during a hard hat tour of the attraction’s construction site in the spring of 2012.

Splashwater Kingdom, including the all-new Alpine Freefalls is free with park admission or season pass. 2012 Season Passes are now on sale. Buy yours today for $49.99 and visit during the rest of the 2011 season, including Fright Fest, FREE. Also, when you purchase four or more season passes, get FREE parking for the 2012 season. Offer ends October 30, 2011.

About Six Flags Entertainment Corporation
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is the world’s largest regional theme park company with 2010 revenue of nearly $1.0 billion and 19 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada. Six Flags Over Texas, the company’s flagship location, is celebrating its 50th anniversary season in 2011.

Overall these are nice additions SFI! 2012 is shaping up to be an epic year!