Wonder Woman Lasso of Truth

An evening at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

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Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom has one of the most impressive skylines of any theme park – at least the views from the parking lot are stunning. The theme park however has a very odd layup with the entrance area being placed somewhat in the middle of the park, splitting the park into two major ride areas to the left and right of the entrance and the zoo exhibits directly Infront.

Batman The Ride

My first ride of the day was the S&S Free Spin Coaster Batman – The Ride. As always, the ride comfort on this type of coaster was pretty good. There were a few rollovers, but no big surprises. My ride on Batman – The Ride ended up being pretty solid; meaning the ride could have been better, but it could have been a lot worse.

Superman Ultimate Flight

Superman Ultimate Flight is the first Sky Rocket II from Premier Rides. You can now experience this ride five times in the USA alone.

The first launch on Superman Ultimate Flight is very similar to the initial acceleration of a modern swing boat, but after the change of direction it is much more powerful and we almost reach the top of the non-inverted loop. With a lot of momentum we are accelerated a third time and after a 180° turn we easily reach the top level of the ride. After a very short breather we enter the inversion of the ride, which is clearly visible from afar, where we experience a very pronounced hangtime. Shortly afterwards we dive back into the non-inverted loop. Another reunion with the apex of the element heralds the finale of the ride, whereupon, after another run through the station, we come to a precise stop and our wild ride comes to an end.

Wonder Woman Lasso of Truth

At the back end of the DC Universe area is Wonder Woman: Lasso of Truth. This giant pendulum ride is a blast; although, the ride is not as diversified as other Giant Discovery rides by Zamperla, as it does rotate only in one direction without varying the speed of the rotation too much.

Joker

The Joker hybrid coaster is a rebuilt version of the Roar wooden coaster, now re-launched with a slightly different layout.

The ride on the RMC I-Box Track rollercoaster begins immediately with a short pre-lift section consisting of several waves and smaller bends. Once we reach a height of 100 ft (30 m), we immediately plunge down a steep curve. We are immediately drawn into a step-up under flip, where we change direction in a brilliant overhead manoeuvre. After a left-hand bend, we are then pulled directly into a zero-G stall, where we experience several seconds of weightlessness while we are once again upside down. Back in the seat, we are immediately pulled into a turning curve consisting of several alternating waves, first to the left and then to the right. This is followed by several airtime hills, which are repeatedly interrupted by larger turning curves. Finally, there is a roll through the rafters and several smaller airtime bumps before we find ourselves in the final brake.

The Joker is a really good rollercoaster. The ride is extremely dynamic and simply great fun without putting too much strain on the passengers. Just like on Kings Dominion’s Twisted Timbers, you can easily do one lap after another here – something you can’t do on every RMC. It’s terrific! 

Flash: Vertical Velocity

Flash: Vertical Velocity is the most unique roller coaster at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. Originally, the ride opened as V2: Vertical Velocity featured the same layout as the ride in Six Flags Great America. Due to height restrictions, the ride had to be shortened the year after to a maximum of 150 feet (46 m). Interestingly, the spiral runs now at an angle, thus creating an Inversion over the entrance area to the park. Apart of the initial jolt, the ride is a very fun shuttle coaster and should not be missed when visiting the park.

Monsoon Falls

While the ride area to the left of the park’s entrance lacks any theming, apart of the DC comic billboards and the bat mobile, the path towards this area is actually pretty decent with Monsoon Falls being the highlight. This Intamin Spillwater features a nice ride moistening all riders the most efficient way possible.  

White Water Safari, Ark and Boomerang Coast-to-Coaster

Due to the Halloween event, many paths throughout the park functioned as one-way streets, therefore getting to the big ride area to the right of the park took a bit of time. First you had to pass the Wave Swinger, then the closed White Water Safari rapids ride before finally getting to the area where the Ark pirate boat and the Boomerang Coast-to-Coaster is located. Unfortunately, the Vekoma Boomerang was down on my day of visit.   

Sidewinder Safari

The Zamperla Spinning Coaster Sidewinder Safari is the newest addition to the park. The ride features the standard Spinning Mouse layout, which can be found in dozens of installations worldwide. Due to the low capacity of the ride, I only recommend riding this fun coaster, when the wait times are low.  

From this area, the paths split, creating one giant loop around the lake at the back of the park, where the Monkey Business and Thrilla Gorilla flat rides are located and the path along the big Toyota Stadium – where the dolphin show Drench! takes place – leading to the big ride area to the right of the entrance.

Cobra, Kong and Sky Screamer

In this area you find the family coaster Cobra featuring a double-8 track layout, as well as the Sky Screamer Star Flyer and the suspended looping coaster Kong, which is a ride only for the daredevils, as it is quite jolty even for a Vekoma SLC.

Medusa

The last big roller coaster on our tour of Six Flags Discovery Kingdom is the B&M floorless coaster Medusa. The ride on Medusa begins immediately with a short curve out of the station, whereupon the ride’s lift hill awaits us. As soon as we reach a height of 150 ft (45 m), after a small pre-drop and a short bend to the right, we immediately head towards the abyss. An oversized loop is immediately followed by an equally oversized dive loop, which presses us very firmly into our seats. After a large zero-G roll, we are immediately drawn into a sea serpent roll – a very unusual element for a B&M. After a steep turn, we reach a block brake. Without adjusting our speed, we immediately descend another steep turn at the end of which the entrance to the first corkscrew awaits us. After a helix, we immediately enter the second corkscrew and another helix – this time very close to the ground. A short ascent with a left-hand bend then leads us into the braking section.

Medusa is an extremely impressive roller coaster. The ride has a rather unusual layout for a B&M and some very cool elements. Unfortunately, however, the ride is now a little lacking in ride comfort, so that contact with the shoulder restraints is unfortunately unavoidable during the ride, which is why I have only ventured on a few rides on Medusa.

Pictures Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

Conclusion Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom is the weakest Six Flags theme park I have visited so far. The ride portfolio itself is pretty good and theoretically the park also offers a large zoo similar to the SeaWorld theme parks. However, as I didn’t experience any of this – thanks to the very limited offer on the day I visited – I can’t include this point in my rating. However, the layout of the theme park is relatively strange, thanks to the two large rollercoaster clusters to the right and left of the entrance that were added by Six Flags. The rest of the theme park then goes back to its history as the Marine World theme park. 

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Click here for the next report of the California Adventure Tour

California Adventure Day 18 to 20 / Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

Having a great day at Six Flags America

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Six Flags America

Main Street 1776

The first impression on entering Six Flags America is extremely positive. From 1776 Main Street, the paths lead to the themed areas Looney Tunes Movie Town, Chesapeake, Mardi Gras and the extremely attractive Hurricane Harbor water park, which is also included in the admission price. In addition to the carousel, wave swinger and teacup ride, you can also take a ride on the vintage cars of Minuteman Motors.

Looney Tunes Movie Town

Looney Tunes Movie Town, home to Zamperla’s Great Chase rollercoaster, is one of two children’s areas at the theme park.  In this area, there is a good chance you will meet your favourite Looney Tunes characters.

Mardi Gras

The Mardi Gras themed area offers a very nice ambience and some very cool rides. In addition to the French Quarter Flyers – the classic flying scooters – there is the Big Easy Speedway go-kart track, the Chance Rides Falling Star Zydeco Zinger, which unfortunately can only be ridden in twos, the Bourbon Street Fireball flat ride and the absolutely brilliant Intamin Voodoo Drop freefall tower. You can also experience the Ragin’ Cajun and Wild One roller coasters in this area.

Ragin’ Cajun

The Reverchon Spinning Coaster Ragin’ Cajun fits perfectly into the Mardi Gras themed area, which is perhaps due to the fact that the ride was already operated in the Mardi Gras themed area of the Six Flags Great America theme park between 2004 and 2013. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to experience the ride on the day I visited.

Wild One

Although the Wild One wooden coaster only came to the park in 1986, it is the second oldest roller coaster in America. Prior to that, the wooden giant stood for 68 years at Paragon Park in Massachusetts, where the ride was known as the Giant Coaster. Wild One is now over 100 years old.

The ride on Wild One starts out quite leisurely with a long straight and a left turn before reaching the ride’s lift hill. Once at the top, you immediately enter the first drop. With a lot of speed you then go over the first airtime hill and immediately under the final drop of the park’s former log flume, which makes for a great near miss moment. After a double up you enter the high turn, which you ride at a good speed. With the best view of the now clearly visible remains of the log flume, the ride continues with a double down into the depths. Two big hills are on the way. A couple of smaller hills along the Mardi Gras themed area follow. After a left turn, the ride enters the big helix which is the finale of the ride.

The Wild One wooden roller coaster has a very fast-paced layout, but it slows down considerably towards the end. Unfortunately, the ride was also quite rough, which is why I ended up leaving it at one ride.

Gotham City

There are also plenty of rides in the Gotham City themed area. Alongside the classic Riddle Me This Round-Up ride, there is the absolutely fantastic Harley Quinn Spinsanity swing ride and the giant Wonder Woman Lasso of Truth Star Flyer.

Joker’s Jinx

After boarding the Joker’s Jinx we take off straight from the station. At full speed we immediately enter the extremely pressurised Cobra Roll before flying over the ground after two headstands. After a pressure packed valley we head straight up a sidewinder before cruising through the top of the ride. After a few turns we pass through a strange straight before entering the lower part of the ride. In a constant up and down motion we spiral down before changing direction after a wide left turn. We quickly approach the ground again before changing direction again. After two more steep turns close to the ground, we find ourselves upside down for a fourth time in a corkscrew, whereupon we reach the braking section and soon find ourselves back in the station.

The launch coaster Joker’s Jinx is a very solid roller coaster with a nice track design. It’s nice to ride the Flight of Fear coaster in an open area and see the spaghetti bowl in its full glory.

Penguin’s Blizzard River

A ride on a WhiteWaterWest Spinning Rapids Ride is always a pleasure. Unfortunately, Penguin’s Blizzard River was still closed for the season on the day I visited.

Superman Ride of Steel

There is hardly a better roller coaster than an Intamin mega coaster. The roller coasters, which are usually 200 feet high, offer a fast ride with a lot of airtime. At least that’s the case with the newer rides. Six Flags America’s Superman Ride of Steel is a carbon copy of the Ride of Steel coaster at Darien Lake, and the initial installation focused on a pronounced speed profile.

After the first drop, the ride goes straight into a low to the ground right turn and then over a large camelback. This is followed by a very long straight before entering a very flat 540° helix. Still at very high speeds, the track continues straight for a while before the second airtime hill follows. This is followed by another long straight and the second big helix of the ride. The finale is a bit unusual, consisting of three airtime hills before hitting the brakes.

Superman Ride of Steel is not a bad roller coaster, but not a good one either. Despite the excellent smoothness, the airtime and the high speed, the ride is a bit boring; after all, most of the ride is just long straights or even longer helices.

Batwing

Either Six Flags America has a lot of space or they had big plans when they opened the Batwing coaster. Vekoma’s Flying Dutchman stands a bit apart from the rest of the park.

But the coaster has nothing to hide. Once you have sat down on the train, pushed the bar down and put on the two-piece vest, the ride can begin. What you think is the back row turns out to be the front, thanks to an ingenious folding mechanism. Lying on your back, you leave the station and immediately enter the lift hill after a turn. Once at the top, we first enter a curve which gradually increases its banking and brings us into flying position. Looking down, we immediately enter the ride’s biggest drop. We enjoy our flight for a while in a big, steep turn, before lying elegantly on our backs in the next turn. After a descent we enter a loop which is simply breathtaking in this riding position. After a headstand 3/4 of the way through the loop, we whiz through the valley and change riding position again in a steep turn. Now we fly through a flat valley and a steep turn before turning twice on our own axis in a double inline twist. Finally we fly through a low to the ground helix before being flipped on our backs in a fly-to-lie element and shortly after reaching the brake section of the ride.

The ride on the Batwing is truly breathtaking. It’s just a shame that there are so few of the Flying Dutchman left. Compared to other Flying Coasters in America, Batwing has the edge and offers a really nice mix of positive forces and the feeling of weightlessness during all the flight manoeuvres. All in all, a great ride.

Whistlestop Park

Whistlestop Park is the second of the theme park’s two children’s areas. In addition to several rides from Zamperla, there is a miniature version of the Whistlestop Train to match the large Capital Railways park railway.

Chesapeake

The Chesapeake themed area is also home to some really cool flat rides, including Pirates Flight – a rare Flying Dutchman from Intamin – the High Seas pirate boat and a classic Eli Bridge scrambler called Cyclone.

Firebird

Like Ragin’ Cajun, Firebird was originally located at Six Flags Great America. Formerly known as Iron Wolf and Apocalypse, it is B&M’s first roller coaster. From 1990 to 2018, the coaster could be ridden standing up, but since 2019 it has been a sit-down floorless coaster.

The ride on Firebird starts immediately after a dip as you enter the lift. Once at the top, the ride descends in an increasingly steep curve. With a lot of pressure we then enter the loop of the ride. We gain height in a right turn. Another descent takes us parallel to the loop, where we enter a horizontal loop that circles and crosses the loop once. After a straight, which used to be a block brake, we descend again and at the same time enter the second inversion of the ride. After the corkscrew, it goes through a steep turn and a fun combination of figure-eight turns into the final braking section.

Unfortunately, B&M’s first ride is no longer a good coaster. Where you used to be able to ride a merciless stand-up coaster, you are now beaten by the restraints. The ride should have been demolished rather than desperately given a new lease of life. As an apocalyptic bird, the ride doesn’t really fit in with the pirate theme, but it looks good.

Roar

The wooden coaster Roar is the second coaster from GCI. Similar to Wildcat at Hersheypark, the twisting and playful layout promises plenty of action. It is the only GCI wooden coaster to use classic PTC trains instead of the Millennium Flyer.

The ride on Roar starts with a long right turn. After two short changes of direction you reach the lift hill. At the top we immediately enter a steep turn. A short climb then leads us into a steep left-hander, after which we cross the hill we just rode over at a 90 degree angle. After a classic camel-back, we take a steep, high-altitude turn over hill and dale before plunging down again. With a lot of momentum we now take a bend close to the ground and a hill directly into the next steep bend. Now we race through a covered section of track right across the course. Following a Bayernkurve and several low-hanging hills, we enter the final right-hander and slam on the brakes.

Like Wildcat at Hersheypark, Roar is a really good wooden coaster. The ride has a great layout with a really good flow and a consistently high speed. The ride characteristics are also really good for a wooden coaster of this age, which is why I rode several laps in a row.

Shipwreck Falls

Man, I love a good Shoot the Chutes, especially when it is an O.D. Hopkins ride. Unfortunately, like all the water rides on the day I visited, Shipwreck Falls was still closed for the season.

Coyote Creek

Der letzte Themenbereich in Six Flags America ist Coyote Creek. Dieser Western-Themenbereich ist wirklich gut gemacht und bietet neben dem Autoscooter Los Coches Locos auch das HUSS Break Dance Rodeo und die extrem coole (und leider geschlossene) Wasserbahn Renegade Rapids. Außerdem gibt es einen stilechten Saloon, der als Hauptrestaurant des Parks dient.

Mind Eraser

The main attraction of the Coyote Creek themed area is the Mind Eraser from Vekoma. The classic suspended looping coaster offers the tried and tested layout with roll over, sidewinder and the two inline twists towards the end of the ride. The ride characteristics during the ride are fine, so you can get on without hesitation.

Pictures Six Flags America

Conclusion Six Flags America

I really enjoyed Six Flags America. The park is really well designed for a Six Flags park. There are some very coherent themed areas and an extremely large number of flat rides, which makes the park feel more like a European theme park. I can’t agree with the often criticised slow loading times of the roller coasters, as on the day I visited there was not much going on, thanks to the forecast rain. As a result, I was able to ride every ride without having to wait. I also like the fact that the staff here are quite well equipped (with headsets etc), so that the trains were always sent on their way quite quickly. In short, I had a pretty good time at the park.

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Six Flags America / The Stumbled Runner Day 11

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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Click here for the next report of the Stumbled Runner tour. 

Six Flags Great Adventure / The Stumbled Runner Day 8