Raptor Track

A visit to California’s Great America

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California’s Great America

A visit to California’s Great America was the main reason for coming to California in the first place. The park opened by Marriott in 1976 is one the great American theme parks constructed in the 70s. For the first years of operation, the park offered the same line-up as its sister park in Gurnee, Illinois (nowadays known as Six Flags Great America). In 1985, Marriott sold the park to the City of Santa Clara with Kings Entertainment to operate the park. Four years later, the city sold the park to Kings Entertainment. In 1993, the group was purchased by Paramount and in 2006 by Cedar Fair.

Carousel Columbia

From opening day, the Carousel Columbia is the icon of the park. This double-decker carousel sits majestic at the end of a large pool featuring all kinds of water fountains. It is the first ride guests see when entering the park.

Gold Stiker

The GCI wooden coaster Gold Striker is probably the most popular ride at California’s Great America, due to its location right next to the park’s entrance. Gold Striker’s first drop gives the Star Observation Tower a very nice backdrop.

Like many GCI, the ride starts with a small pre-lift section. With best views onto the observation tower, we then climb the lift hill. When approaching the top of the lift, we then enter a tunnel and shortly thereafter, we take the first drop. After a righthand curve close to the ground, we race over a small bunny hill right next to the station. Following a large incline, we now race through a large left-hand turn consisting of multiple hills. After changing direction, we race over a series of small airtime hills. An inclined left-hand turn then leads us into a series of close to the ground turns before reaching the brake section of the ride.

So far, Gold Striker is probably my least favorite GCI wooden coaster. Albeit the ride maintains its velocity until the end, the ride lacks a bit the airtime and out of control sensation many GCI wooden coasters are known for. Furthermore, it did not run smooth on my day of visit. To be fair, I could only ride it once, so my perception might have changed when experiencing the ride more often.

Patriot

When filming Berverly Hills Cop III, the Vortex was Paramount’s Great America’s newest roller coaster and hence can be seen a few times within the movie. In 2017, the ride received new trains, transforming the old Stand-Up coaster into a floorless Sit-Down coaster. 

After leaving the station in a lefthand turn, we immediately reach the ride’s lift hill. Once at the top, we plunge down the first drop in a steep curve and into a vertical loop. This is followed by a horseshoe turn around. After a short bend to the right, we take a helix travelling through the loop. Back on the ground, we then take another bend to the right, diving into a corkscrew immediately after. A turn to the right then leads us into the final incline. After a short straight section, we then hit the brakes.

Albeit being the second oldest B&M coaster, Patriot still feels great. I just wish, I could have experienced the ride in its old configuration, as I truly enjoy Stand-Up coasters, yet I don’t mind the fun floorless coaster it currently is.

Whitewater Falls

The Shoot the Chute Whitewater Falls is the large water ride in the front section of the park. The ride made to soak every rider features a nice double drop descent. Interestingly, after my turn, the ride broke down for the day.

Berserker

California’s Great America has a surprisingly large collection of flat rides made by the German company Schwarzkopf. The very nice looking Berserler is one of them. Unfortunately, the ride was down on my visit to the park.

Railblazer

Railblazer is the second installation of a Raptor Track coaster by RMC: a roller coaster which due to its Monorail-esque track design, allows for very tight and compact elements. Of course, the narrow track doesn’t come without downsides, as the seating arrangement within the cars is not optimal for a great throughput.

After boarding the vehicle, the ride starts with a very fast climb to the top of the lift hill. Once we reached the top, the train descents a small drop and moves through a curve. We now hit a small hill after which the vertical drop of the ride awaits us. As the top of the hill is very tight, we are immediately thrown out of our seats and experience an amazing airtime filled drop shortly after. Faster than we could possibly imagine, we already hit the next valley and make our way towards the top of the Dive Loop. A second later we twist ourselves sideways in a large camelback. Another second later, we initiate a curvy incline leading into the second airtime filled drop. This is followed by a Cutback element and a classic Corkscrew. After another curve we already slam into the brakes and the 50s long journey of endless insanity comes to an end.

Railblazer is absolutely awesome and together with Wonder Woman: Golden Lasso Coaster at Six Flags Fiesta Texas is the best RMC roller coaster I’ve ridden so far. You simply cannot describe the insanity of the layout – you have to experience it. It is just awesome.

Demon

The Demon is the classic roller coaster of California’s Great America. Born as Turn of the century, the ride first featured a set of camelbacks which later got replaced by the vertical loops.

The ride starts by entering a dark tunnel. After a short bend, the lift hill is reached. Once at the top, we soon enter a long bend to the left, before taking the big drop. After hitting the ground, we directly hit the vertical loops one after the other, only slightly interrupted by a short straight section. After this breathtaking sensation, we then race through a very funky tunnel featuring some very awesome old-school light effects. Soon after, we take a gentle incline, race through a braking section and initiate our return to the station. A short drop into a rather demonic rock formation is followed by the two iconic corkscrew inversions directing us into the ride’s final helix. Shortly thereafter, we reach the brakes and our great ride comes to an end.

Grizzly

The Grizzly is the park’s large scale wooden roller coaster. The ride based on Coney Island’s Wildcat design starts its journey with a curve leading towards the lift hill. Once at the top, we directly take the big drop of the ride. Interestingly, the valley is slightly bended, leaving us with a rather odd sensation when racing through. After a incline, we take a wide turning curve. After the second drop, we take a very gentle hill with a slight bend to the left. This is followed by another elevated turning curve featuring a ramped entry and exit. After a curve close to the ground, we initiate the second lap through the layout by going parallel to the already experienced track for a while. After the valley following the large turning curve, we then climb into the brake section of the ride.

Pacific Gliders and Drop Tower

Even though California’s Great America is closing in a few years, the park is still adding a few rides here and there. With the addition of the Pacific Gliders flat ride this year, the whole section of the park got a small make-over and even the old Intamin Drop Tower shines in a new light. The ride on the drop tower is a delight, even though not all gondolas were available during my visit.

Psycho Mouse

One of the rarest roller coaster models is Arrow’s Psycho Mouse. Born during the big popularity boom of the modern Steel Wild Mouse roller coasters in the 90s, this Arrow creation sure takes some adventurous new routes. While the first half of the ride does not differentiate too much from its German role model, it’s the part after the hairpin bends which characterises this model.  After the sloped curve, we directly take the large drop of the ride. Then, after passing through a brake section, we take a slightly inclined curve to the right which directs us into a medium sized drop. Another brake section is followed by a curve and two back-to-back drops. Last but not least, our return to the station in initiated by two inclined curves with a straight middle section in between. Soon after, we hit the brakes and our great ride comes to an end.

Centrifuge

The second classic Schwarzkopf ride on our tour through the park is the Centrifuge. Interestingly, the ride is one of the last remaining Calypso rides by the German manufacturer and hence a ride everyone should enjoy on his visit to the theme park.

Woodstock Express

I normally don’t struggle to get into a roller coaster, yet the belts on the Woodstock Express were extremely tight. The small family roller coaster is one of the oldest rides to be manufactured by Intamin and features very gentle slopes and a helix.

Planet Snoopy

I always enjoy the large Snoopy areas in the Cedar Fair parks, as they always provide a good amount of rides for the whole family. At California’s Great America, the most noticeable among them are the HUSS Break Dance Peanuts Pirates, the children’s roller coaster Lucy’s Crabbie Cabbies and the seesaw Gr8 Sk8 – a ride which many people might have experienced as X-Scream at a height of 264 m on top of the Statosphere Tower in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

Delirium

The swing ride Delirium is right next to the entrance to the water park South Bay Shores – which was already closed for the season. The ride on the Chance Rides Fireball offers a great and intense cycle.

Orbit

Next to the Rip Roaring Rapids – a Rapids Ride by Intamin, which was not in Operation during my visit –, you can find the Orbit. This treasure of a flat ride, is one of the last Schwarzkopf Enterprise rides left in operation and therefore an absolute must-do ride for every enthusiast.

Flight Deck

Flight Deck, originally known as Top Gun, is the park’s medium sized Inverted Coaster. After climbing the lift hill, the ride directly guides us into the vertical loop after a steep curve to the left. After experiencing a lot of pressure, we then gain some altitude in a very tight helix. After another drop, we then fly over the entrance area of a nearby theatre in a nice Zero-G Roll. We then turn left, race through an elevated bend and take a drop into the ride’s final inversion – a very powerful corkscrew. After being whipped to the side, we then experience a very tight helix over a lake, whereupon we take a curve into the brakes and our very powerful rides soon comes to a stop.    

Pictures California’s Great America

Conclusion California’s Great America

My visit to California’s Great America was a delight. It was the last park on my trip through California and I truly enjoyed the park, as it has a very nice family-friendly atmosphere. The park still feels like one of the Great American theme parks built in the 70s and has a great line-up of rides on offer. It’s sad to see it gone in a few years of time; especially since its only competitor is a rather underwhelming Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.  

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California Adventure Day 21 / California's Great America

Going on a Great Adventure

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Six Flags Great Adventure

Six Flags Great Adventure has a rather unusual park layout, with visitors entering the park at its narrowest point in the centre. Here there is a long midway that runs across the entrance, with the Giant Wheel at one end and a land of milk and honey themed area with a carousel and a tea cups ride at the other.  The main attraction in this area is the Sky Screamer swing ride.

Wonder Woman Lasso of Truth and Cyborg Cyber Spin

To the right of the Ferris wheel is the large Movieland themed area. In addition to the interactive dark ride Justice League: Battle for Metropolis and the two roller coasters The Dark Knight Coaster and Batman The Ride, there is also the large swing ride Wonder Woman Lasso of Truth and the flat ride Cyborg Cyber Spin. Unfortunately, the latter wasn’t on my schedule during my visit, so I didn’t get to ride an Intamin Tourbillon.

Justice League: Battle for Metropolis

Developed by the Sally Corporation, the Justice League: Battle for Metropolis dark ride combines large plastic scenes with 3D screens where you have to fend off all sorts of Lex Luthor’s gadgets before he manages to capture the entire Justice League with the help of the Joker. It’s great fun, as you’d expect from Sally, and a surprisingly well-made dark ride that can be found in many Six Flags theme parks.

The Dark Knight Coaster

The Dark Knight Coaster is proof that Six Flags can do theme rides when they want to. The indoor Wild Mouse offers an amazingly fast ride in total darkness, with the hairpin turns in the upper part of the ride being themed throughout. The wilder part of the ride on the lower levels takes place mainly in the dark. All in all a great attraction!

Batman The Ride

Directly after the great success of the B&M inverted coaster Batman: The Ride at Six Flags Great America, the Dark Knight found his place at Six Flags Great Adventure in 1993.

After climbing the lift hill, passengers can expect a pre-drop before the train finally plunges down the first drop in a steep curve. On the descent, passengers can expect high G-forces before entering the first loop. The second inversion, a zero-G roll, follows in no time at all. Then another loop is taken. The blood pressure in your feet rises instantly as you go through a steep bend and a straight section of the track. It then heads mercilessly towards the bottom, where the first corkscrew awaits us. This element is pure madness if you are travelling at the back of the train, as the acceleration changes abruptly. The second corkscrew follows after a short right-hand bend. After that, a left-hand bend takes you straight into the braking section.

Batman: The Ride is still one of the best inverted coasters out there. The ride offers an intense ride layout with lots of positive G-forces on a relatively small footprint. Apart from the theming, the ride experience does not differ between the different rides, which is a good sign.

Nitro

Since the release of the computer game Roller Coaster Tycoon 2, Nitro has become one of the most famous hyper coasters in the world.

After a turn, the ride immediately begins on the 230-foot lift hill. Once at the top, the ride immediately descends. Interestingly, we change direction on the very first hill. The momentum takes us through another valley and over a classic camelback before we change direction in the best out-and-back style in a horseshoe turn. Another airtime hill is followed by another hill where we turn left. With plenty of speed we then enter a powerful helix that gets tighter and tighter and ends in a block brake. We then ride a series of very nice airtime hills to the final brake.

Nitro is a very cool old school hypercoaster. Although you only get floater airtime during the long ride, the many hills make it a real experience. The highlight of the ride is the intense helix before the block brake. In short, a really great coaster.

Jersey Devil Coaster

Past the Intamin Rapids Ride Congo Rapids, which was unfortunately closed on the day of my visit, we now head to the park’s newest rollercoaster, the Jersey Devil Coaster. The ride on the RMC Raptor Track begins immediately with the ride’s lift hill. After reaching the starting height of 40 metres in no time at all, we plunge straight down a very steep descent. After a quick ascent, it’s straight back down again in a dive loop. With brutal airtime, we then go over a huge camelback and immediately afterwards into a zero-G stall. A steep ascent then leads us into a very tight turn. Now we descend again quite abruptly and immediately enter a zero-G roll. Another ascent then leads us into a block brake. Without much delay, we then enter the next descent, after which another turn awaits us. Still very fast, we now race over a series of airtime bumps before reaching the final brake.

The layout of the Jersey Devil Coaster single rail coaster has a really nice flow. The inversions are all very easy to ride and the airtime is also very nice. I at least really enjoyed the ride, even if it is a bit tame compared to the other Raptor Track Coasters from RMC.

Skull Mountain

Every Roller Coaster Tycoon player will remember the Skull Mountain indoor roller coaster for its façade. The ride itself is a family roller coaster from Intamin, which is located in an unfortunately rather bright hall.

The ride begins rather curiously with a two-section lift and a short panoramic ride through the first level. Once in the main hall, the ride continues upwards for a while before a steep curve takes you straight back down to the hall floor. After an incline, we quickly change direction and make our way round a wide left-hand bend. After a short right-hand bend, we immediately enter a longer Bayernkurve, which leads us further and further downhill over hill and dale. After a right-hand bend, we enter a helix. Finally, after a short climb, we reach the braking section and soon afterwards the station, where our wonderful ride unfortunately comes to an end.

Harley Quinn Crazy Train and The Joker

Directly opposite the popular family coaster Harley Quinn Crazy Train – a Zierer Tivoli coaster that has run several laps in a row in this park – is the S&S free spin coaster The Joker. As always, the ride comfort on this coaster was quite good and there were plenty of rollovers at the end. For this reason, I can only warmly recommend a ride on the free spin coaster The Joker.

Houdini’s Great Escape

While Vekoma Mad Houses are a very common sight in European theme parks, they are not at all well known to an American audience with Houdini’s Great Escape being one of only two installations in the United States. In the story, we take part in a séance to bring Houdini back from the afterlife. In reality, however, we only experience a clever trick in which the benches each swing 30° to the side while the room rotates around us. A great attraction!

Twister and Parachute Training Center: Edwards AFB Jump Tower

Right next to the unfortunately closed HUSS Top Spin Twister is one of the park’s major attractions from the 1970s, which goes by the long name of Parachute Training Centre Edwards AFB Jump Tower. The Intamin Parachute Tower offers a great view over the park and the ride is quite fast. The actual drop, however, is very leisurely.

Superman – Ultimate Flight

Superman Ultimate Flight is located next to the entrance. As it takes a little longer to clear the coaster, it is advisable to get to the ride as soon as the park opens.

The ride on Superman Ultimate Flight begins immediately after a right turn as you enter the coaster’s lift hill. After reaching a height of 106 ft, the ride immediately descends in a right turn. The ride then climbs a hill, which introduces the main element of the ride: the Pretzel Loop. We are now pulled down with all our might and then hurtle through a valley on our backs. Once back up in the air, the ride takes us through three very gentle turns that add to the feeling of flying. A helix is followed by a nice roll. We then reach the braking section and shortly after the station.

The ride on Superman Ultimate Flight is very leisurely for a flying coaster, with the pretzel loop at the beginning being the highlight of the ride. Without it the ride would be a bit boring.

Green Lantern

The Green Lantern stand-up coaster has been located on the site of the Great American Scream Machine since 2011. However, the ride itself is much older and was located at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom from 1997 to 2009, where it was known as Chang.

The ride on the giant stand-up coaster starts right away with the lift hill, which takes us to a height of 47 metres (154 ft). After a bend at a lofty height, the big drop awaits. In classic B&M coaster style, a very large loop awaits us and after a right-hand bend we enter the equally large dive loop. After a sweeping ascent, we pass through a high left-hand bend and immediately afterwards into an Inclined Loop. After a quick change of direction, the route then heads uphill again into a mid-course brake. Without adjusting the speed, we head downhill again. Here we enter the first corkscrew and after a crazy right-left bend, we immediately enter the second corkscrew. Another right-left bend then takes us into the final braking section of the rollercoaster.

Green Lantern is one of the most modern stand-up coasters, so the ride is relatively fast. The ride is very spectacular due to the impressive height and the huge inversions, but not quite as pleasant due to the frequent contact with the bars.

Runaway Mine Train

One of the theme park’s original attractions is the Runaway Mine Train. It is housed in a large fort. There is also a station for the Skyways gondola lift.

The ride on the rollercoaster begins with an unusually high lift hill. Once at the top, however, we first make our way through the treetops. The path first leads us through a long helix and then over several hills. After passing a block brake, we fall to the ground for the first time. Now the trail leads us into a surprisingly intense helix and over a flawless airtime hill. We then whizz over the lake past the fort before taking an incline and reaching the braking section of the rollercoaster shortly afterwards.

The Runaway Mine Train has a surprisingly high layout for an old school mine train. Although the start of the ride is not quite as exciting with the longer helix and the slightly descending and ascending straights, it gets really fast from the steep curve after the brakes. The Airtime hill and the bend at the lake around the fort characterise the overall very good ride.

Medusa

Passing the Saw Mill Log Flume, which was unfortunately still closed on the day of my visit, we now head to the back of the park, where the Medusa roller coaster is located. This rollercoaster is quite something and should definitely not be missed.

It is not to be missed. After climbing the coaster’s lift hill, you immediately descend into the depths. The ride takes you through the valley at high speed and immediately into the large loop of the coaster. A climb to the left turns out to be a dive loop and immediately brings us to the ground. With a lot of momentum we then go through a Zero-G roll and immediately into the Cobra Roll of the coaster. A climb then leads us into a block brake, where we get only a brief moment to catch our breath. A steep bend takes us downhill. We then enter an intense helix just above the ground. After changing direction we enter the Interlocking Corkscrews. A short turn to the left then leads us into the last incline of the ride, after which we enter the braking section of the roller coaster.

What a ride! The Medusa floorless coaster is an absolute fun machine with a breathtaking layout and a total of seven inversions. I always enjoyed getting on this ride, partly due to the very efficient handling of the ride.

Zumanjaro Drop of Doom

Unfortunately, the Zumanjaro Drop of Doom freefall tower, which is attached to the support structure of the KingdaKa rollercoaster, was out of service during my visit. This tower is the largest freefall tower in the world. Interestingly, in the early days of the attraction, the tower was only allowed to be operated when the rollercoaster was not in operation. This led to long queues for both attractions. However, this restriction has now been lifted and both rides can be operated at the same time.

Kingda Ka

Kingda Ka has been the theme park’s main attraction since 2005. The 456 ft high launch roller coaster from the manufacturer Intamin towers over the park and cannot be overlooked, casting a spell over everyone in its immediate vicinity.

Right at the start of the park, I was able to ride several laps in a row without having to queue for long. After all, the ride only takes a few seconds, during which you reach a top speed of 128 mph before climbing the tall Top Hat. We then cross its apex rather leisurely and with tension on the vertical slope directly in front of us. On the way down, we turn round once on our own axis. Finally, we race over a 130 ft high hill where the roller coaster brakes.

Kingda Ka is a damn short roller coaster, but also a damn good one. As the speed increases, you realise what forces are acting on the train before it goes up the top hat. You are really shaken up. The descent and the final rush of speed also provide enough endorphins to leave the ride overjoyed.

El Toro

Five years after Colossos revolutionised wooden roller coaster construction at Heide-Park in Germany, the El Toro roller coaster opened at Six Flags Great Adventure in 2006.

Here, too, the ride begins after a rapid lift hill with a high turning curve before entering the steep drop. We then experience the finest airtime and an unrivalled rush of speed over two consecutive airtime hills. After a lively turn, we ride over another airtime hill and then over a speed bump. At high speed, we are now drawn into a left-hand bend and immediately afterwards onto another airtime hill. This is followed by three quick turns in a row. With momentum, we then ride over a series of rather flat hills. Shortly afterwards, we reach the braking section of the rollercoaster.

El Toro is a really great rollercoaster with a genuinely good layout. Unfortunately, the ride characteristics of this wooden roller coaster are no longer the best compared to the other Prefab wooden roller coasters from the manufacturer Intamin. Despite being retracked during the seasonal break, the ride is quite bumpy. Accordingly, I like Colossos much better than El Toro, and not just because I have ridden Colossos hundreds of times and El Toro only once.

Pictures Six Flags Great Adventure

Conclusion Six Flags Great Adventure

My visit to Six Flags Great Adventure left me with rather mixed feelings. On the one hand, the park has a lot of really good roller coasters to offer, but on the other hand, the park simply has no charm. The existing buildings are all getting on in years, and the park really does have a lot of open spaces and lots of areas covered in concrete. Nevertheless, the park is very popular and was accordingly well attended on the day I visited. In the end, I was able to try out all the attractions except for the water rides, which were unfortunately closed. I think I’ll have to come back sometime in the middle of the season to experience the park in its entirety.

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Six Flags Great Adventure / The Stumbled Runner Day 8

The park in Fiesta, Texas

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It may be the Six Flags park with the most exotic name, as Fiesta Texas basically invites you for a good time with the Mexican background of Texas in mind; but the truth sometimes can be rather simple: Six Flags Fiesta Texas is a theme park in Fiesta, Texas. You simply cannot miss the exit to the park.

History of Six Flags Fiesta Texas

Before Six Flags Fiesta Texas became a thing, it started as a theme park by the Gaylord Entertainment Company – which back at the time was big in business operating their Opryland USA theme park in Nashville, Tennessee – and the USAA Real Estate Company. The site of the park, a depleted limestone quarry, was available for development in 1988. Despite the great competition by the Houston based theme park Six Flags Astro World and the Arlington based Six Flags Over Texas, both companies saw enough potential to develop a theme park in the San Antonio area – which was also due to the stable growth in the industry. The park opened to the public in 1992. Four years later, Time Warner took over the management of Fiesta Texas and changed the name to Six Flags Fiesta Texas. With Premier Parks purchasing Six Flags in 1998, they also bought the park of USAA.

Tour of the park Six Flags Fiesta Texas

Without any doubt, this park is impressive. Even the drive towards the parking offers a beautiful view. I used my platinum membership for preferred parking, as this was my last visit to a Six Flags park this year; even though I would not have needed it. With a great view onto the amazing looking water park White Water Bay, we now enter the park.

Due to its location, nearly all park guests directly head to the inverted roller coaster Goliath or the Boomerang roller coaster. I, on the other hand, was on a mission. As I did not have the time to collect my membership bottle the day before at Six Flags Over Texas, I directly went on the search for the membership services office. After some time and with a refillable bottle in my hands, it was time for the rides.

Bugs’ White Water Rapids, Whistle Stop Train and the Gully Washer

As a German, I always enjoyed the Spassburg section of the park with its funny ride names like the Rollschuhcoaster. Sadly, most of the names changed over the years. I was looking forward for a ride on Bugs’ White Water Rapids, Six Flags Fiesta Texas’ log flume. Unfortunately, this O.D. Hopkins ride was still under refurbishment for the season.

Instead, we get on the Whistle Stop Train at the Pilger Bahnhof and enjoy a round trip through the front sections of the park towards our next stop: The Gully Washer. This Intamin rapid ride features a nice journey along the quarry wall. It is a lovely themed rafting without any big highlights. The waterfall near the end of the ride was not used on my day of visit, so you can remain dry on your ride.

Road Runner Express

Next stop is the Road Runner Express where we experience the park’s preference for high elevated stations, which are only accessible via a network of ramps, for the first time. The ride itself is a mine train roller coaster by Arrow Dynamics. It is the latest one of its kind featuring a fast paced ride above and along Six Flags Fiesta Texas’ quarry wall.

After the lift hill climb, the ride immediately starts with a small drop into a turn to the left. After being tilted more and more to the side, the train shoots down its first major drop into a highly banked curve. After a forceful valley, we now race towards a camelback and then pass an upwards helix into the second lift. On top of the quarry wall, we take another turn to the left. After a short straight, we now perform a U-turn before reaching the edge of the cliff. In a wild cliffhanger manoeuvre, we perform a Figure-eight style combination of helices before reaching the brakes in full speed.

The Road Runner Express is a very fine mine train roller coaster. The coaster is very fast and forceful, but still family friendly. Its location is simply awesome and its appearance from the outside is nearly perfect, although is doesn’t feature any decorations whatsoever. It is a shame, that no one has bought another version of this kind of mine train roller coaster after this installation.

Iron Rattler

Right next door you can find one of the most legendary roller coasters out there: The Iron Rattler. Before this roller coaster became the second RMC masterpiece, it used to be the longest and highest wooden roller coaster out there. With a daredevil first drop and a lot of exciting elements along the 5080 ft long track, this coaster was not for chickens or structural engineers with concerns on the ride’s static. In other words: The coaster was famous for its highly visible vibrations of its support structure and its modest ride comfort. Nowadays, the coaster provides a fun and exciting ride loosely following the path of the original layout.

We start our journey with an excellent view onto the mine train roller coaster Road Runner Express. After a turn we reach the ride’s lift hill. Immediately after reaching the maximum height of 179 ft, we drop down 171 ft following a twisted path of pure madness featuring a maximum angle of 81°. Following the path along the quarry wall, we now enter an airtime filled camelback before reaching the second highest point of the ride. With great momentum we now go over hill and dale before we plunge down the cliff once more. Following a valley, we climb and twist ourselves upwards, which culminates in the first and only inversion of the ride. After being screwed up by the Iron Rattler, we race along a series of harmonically optimised hills, before dropping down the wall a last time. With no contact to our seats, we hit the next valley hard before a curve through a tunnel leads us into the brake run of the ride.

If the Iron Rattler would be slightly longer, it would be my favourite ride. It is not as forceful as other roller coasters by RMC, but it is a very repeatable ride experience featuring amazing elements and a beautiful Zero-G roll. The first drop is insane and everything else is great – it just could be slightly longer.

Goliath

The next roller coaster in our list on the other hand is a very solid ride and doesn’t need to be longer. We now move back to the entrance of the park for a ride on Goliath, Six Flags Fiesta Texas’ inverted coaster. Before coming to Texas, this B&M roller coaster was located for some years in the Japanese theme park Thrill Valley before being relocated to Six Flags New Orleans. Due to its elaborated design, the coaster survived Hurricane Katrina back in 2005. After a refurbishment, the ride was installed at its current location in 2008.

Goliath is the third installation of a B&M inverted roller coaster with the Batman layout in Texas. Surprisingly, there aren’t any other suspended roller coasters in Texas, which really shows the passion of the Texans to this specific layout. Especially, the people of San Antonio must be huge fans, since two of the three installations can be ridden over here. Goliath is still something special as it is the only one featuring the mirrored layout and one of the longest and strangest ramps you can find within the park. Apart of that, the Goliath features a highly forceful ride through both of loops and the corkscrews.

Boomerang Coast to Coaster

A similar forceful ride can be found at Six Flags Fiesta Texas’ Boomerang roller coaster simply called Boomerang or Boomerang Coast to Coaster if you really want to be precise. It is a very pleasant and smooth ride – although I would recommend to only ride it after the morning rush. Along with Walibi Belgium’s Cobra, this Boomerang is one of the best ones out there and should not be skipped.

Superman Krypton Coaster

Following the paths towards the other side of the park, we now enter the queue for Superman Krypton Coaster – Six Flags Fiesta Texas’ signature roller coaster. It once featured the highest inversion of all roller coasters; a record which was being hold for a very long time till it was broken by the same company in 2013. As one of the first floorless coasters by B&M, Superman Krypton Coaster features a wild and exciting ride experience.

After a short turn, the train quickly climbs up the lifthill. Once arrived at the top of the quarry wall, we enjoy the view onto the shopping centre The Shops at La Cantera before dropping down an increasingly steep curve. Pressed into our seats, we now race through the first valley before entering the ride’s large loop. After another valley along the quarry wall, we decide to have a closer look on top of it. In a helix, we now race along the surface before plunging down to the ground level once again. In a giant Zero-G roll we turn ourselves upside down the second time, followed by an equally giant Cobra Roll element. A curve to the left leads us upwards and a short curve to the right directs us directly into the block brake section of the ride. Without any noteworthy reduction of the speed we enter the next drop which leads us into the first of the two corkscrews. After a short curve we hit the second one. Another curve and a short hill then lead us into the final brake of the ride.

Superman Krypton Coaster is a great and forceful ride. It features an interesting and unique layout with a great selection of inverting elements. In my mind, I always have to compare it with Parque Warner’s Superman – la attración de Acero (ride of steel) in San Martin de la Vega nearby Madrid, Spain as they are very similar rides with Superman Krypton Coaster being slightly weaker due to its lack of airtime. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed my ride on the Krypton Coaster.

Batman – The Ride

Since we could not yet spend the visit with the DC villains, as the Giant Discovery Joker was not yet delivered and the Super-Villains Swing was not yet reassembled, we focused on the Dark Knight instead. Batman – The Ride was the first ever S&S Free Spin roller coaster and an initial success for Six Flags. With many of these rides being build basically everywhere, I was very interested to have a look at the prototype, especially since my ride on The Joker a day earlier at Six Flags Over Texas was absolutely nuts. After waiting a quite long time due to a breakdown of the ride I finally came to the conclusion, that this ride simply cannot be judged properly. The ride’s comfort is always good, but the experience varies by every ride. My ride on Batman – The ride was just okay. It could have been better, but it also could be much worse. Overall, this marble track roller coaster is quite interesting due to the used technology, which cannot be found on later installations.

The Poltergeist of Rockville

Batman – The ride is in the Rockville section of the park, which just looks awesome. The 50’s are back and brought some great rides with it – although none of them are from this time period. I really love the look of Six Flags Fiesta Texas’ teacup ride Hustler and the S&S combo tower Scream. Unluckily, the free fall tower was just operating one of the towers, which lead to a long waiting time. I also like the look of the spaghetti bowl roller coaster Poltergeist, which I could not test due to a breakdown around noon. The layout of this launch roller coaster simply looks nice and features some very exciting elements.

Fiesta Bay Boardwalk and Pirates of the Deep Sea

The last area of the park is the Fiesta Bay Boardwalk, home to a great selection of classic American flat rides. Next to the modern Tilt-a-Whirl Spinsanity, the Twister Waverunner, a Fireball and a Ferris Wheel you can find with Pirates of the Deep Sea a newly redesigned Sally dark time. The makeover of the old Scooby Doo Ghostblasters ride is just excellent. The ride fits into the theme of the area, although it doesn’t feel like a cheap tourist trap you properly find on a real seaside pier. Well done, Six Flags!

Pandemonium

At the end of the pier you can find the spinning roller coaster Pandemonium. I was quite confused by the queue of the ride, since it looks way longer than it is. People are always queuing from the start of the pier and therefore you can or would expect a very long waiting time. Especially since the ride by the German manufacturer Gerstlauer only features 4-seater cars. At the end, I did not wait as long as I thought it would be, which is quite positive. The ride itself gave me the spin of my lifetime, although I was the only one in the car.

Interestingly, when exiting the ride, you find yourself below the pier on the same level as the Gokart-track of Six Flags Fiesta Texas.

Wonder Woman Golden Lasso Coaster

The last attraction on our list is the Golden Lasso Coaster featuring Wonder Woman. As the actual name (Wonder Woman Golden Lasso Coaster) is quite long, I reduce it to either the Golden Lasso Coaster or Wonder Woman throughout my review.

The Golden Lasso Coaster was the first installation of an RMC raptor track roller coaster, which reintroduces a very old idea back into the roller coaster market: The monorail roller coaster. Due to its track design you are free to add very tight and compact elements to your layout. Of course, this doesn’t come without downsides, as the seating arrangement within the cars is not optimal for a great throughput. The focus on the heartline gives you an excellent and very thrilling ride, but the trains itself let you wait in line for quite some time.

After boarding the vehicle, the ride starts with a very fast climb to the top of the lift hill. Once we reached the top, the train descents a small drop and moves through a curve. We now hit a small hill after which the vertical drop of the ride awaits us. As the top of the hill is very tight, we are immediately thrown out of our seats and experience an amazing airtime filled drop shortly after. Faster than we could possibly imagine, we already hit the next valley and make our way towards the top of the Dive Loop. A second later we twist ourselves sideways in a large camelback. Another second later, we initiate a curvy incline leading into the second airtime filled drop. This is followed by a Cutback element and a classic Corkscrew. After another curve we already slam into the brakes and the 50s long journey of endless insanity comes to an end.

Wonder Woman features the best roller coaster of any DC superheroes up to date. This ride is absolutely awesome and the best RMC roller coaster I’ve ridden so far. You simply cannot describe the insanity of the Golden Lasso Coaster – you have to experience it. It is just awesome.

Pictures Six Flags Fiesta Texas

Conclusion Six Flags Fiesta Texas

Six Flags Fiesta Texas is a very nice theme park with a great selection of roller coasters, flat rides and shows. As the park’s offer was somewhat reduced, I can only conditionally recommend a visit at Easter. I really would like to come back to test all the rides I missed during my visit and have a look at the water park White Water Bay and the night-time spectacle Celebrate!. Till then I’m looking forward to my next visit in the San Antonio area.

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Six Flags Fiesta Texas / Texas Round-Up Day 3