WILD ONE - SIX FLAGS AMERICA

Wild One, made by Dinn Corporation, is the older of the two wooden coasters at Six Flags America and has an interesting history.  Dating back to 1917, it has been through several incarnations.   Partially destroyed by fire not once by twice, it was finally restored to its original condition and acquired by Six Flags America.   Seating two across in rows of two with six cars for a total capacity of 24 riders, the train makes a left turn from the loading station and ascends a 98-foot lift hill before plunging 88 feet slightly to the right but mostly straight, reaching a maximum speed of 53mph.   This is followed by a couple of consecutive drops and right-banked turn.  The remainder of the ride is much of the same, the highlight being a series of bunny hills during which the train is really hopping!  These afford good airtime and have the riders fairly bouncing out of their seats. 

                                       

Because this coaster is a true classic, I wish that I had liked it more but found it a bit too rough for comfort.  To be fair, I would have to say that Wild One has stood the test of time and will no doubt appeal to many who enjoy a brisk, rollicking ride. 2 ½ out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Six Flags America, visit www.sixflags.com/america

ROAR - SIX FLAGS AMERICA

Built by Great Coasters International, Roar is one of two wooden roller coasters at Six Flags America.  With six cars seating two across in rows of two for a total capacity of 24 riders, the train makes a right turn from the loading station and ascends a 94.6-foot lift hill before plummeting 85 feet at a wicked right angle.   It then climbs, banks left and drops left.  From that point it’s a series of banked turns and angled drops on a 3,468-foot track that includes a 200-foot roofed tunnel.

                                                        

With a maximum speed of 50.5 mph and G-force of 3.5, this coaster is not exactly a blockbuster but because of the angles and relentless motion it is by no means lacking in thrills.  The airtime is excellent and the ride is nowhere near as rough as one would expect from a wooden coaster that’s been operating since 1998.  Roar is a gem.  4 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Six Flags America, visit www.sixflags.com/america

JOKER'S JINX - SIX FLAGS AMERICA

Joker’s Jinx is a Premier Rides launched coaster featuring a “spaghetti bowl” track.    With six cars seating two across in rows of two for a total capacity of 24 riders, the train launches to 60 mph out of the loading station and into a tunnel.   It proceeds into a cobra roll and goes through a series of twists and turns, sidewinder and corkscrew.   Without a mid-course brake run, it passes through a series of rings which resembles a giant slinky toy.

                                      

The 2,705-foot track is contained within a remarkably compact area.   Of the four inversions, the corkscrew at the end – IMHO - is the best.  It seemed to go fast and there was perceptible airtime.  As to the launch, in the dark this is a blast!

While not exceptional, Joker’s Jinx provides a ride that is seamless, smooth and highly entertaining.  3 ½ out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Six Flags America, visit www.sixflags.com/america

BATWING - SIX FLAGS AMERICA

This Vekoma Flying Dutchman coaster at Six Flags America is notable for its custom riding position and sudden changes of direction.   The train consists of 6 cars seating 4 across, for a total capacity of 24 riders.  After being heavily – and I mean heavily – restrained, the riders are tilted backwards as the ride ops rotate the train so that riders are a degree beyond being flat on their backs.  Upon dispatch, the train makes a left turn from the loading station and ascends a 115-foot lift hill.  After a short left turn the train goes into a twist (Lie to Fly element), flipping the riders over into a flying position and sending them down the initial 103-foot drop.  This is followed by a horseshoe curve, Fly to Lie (lying down)  element going into a vertical loop and Lie to Fly element leading into a turn and two consecutive in-line twists.  Finally the train enters a helix and returns the riders to a Fly to Lie position so that they return to the station in the same position as the one in which they left it.

The highlights of the ride for me were the vertical loop in the lying position and the double in-line twist in the flying position.  The loop was awesome and being flipped over twice during the consecutive in-line twists almost blew me away.  Through much of the ride I had the sensation of flying close to the ground, perilously close to the supports, with no awareness whatsoever of the track.   I also had the sensation of being about to pitch forward into nothingness and was thankful for the tight restraints.   This was my first ride on a Flying Dutchman coaster and the only Vekoma coaster I’d ever ridden that I actually liked.

Batwing is a well-designed coaster that provides a novel and exciting ride.  4 out of 5 stars.  Note:  The author is the one with the leg tattoos in the photo taken from the loading station.  For more information about rides at Six Flags America, visit www.sixflags.com/america.

SUPERMAN - RIDE OF STEEL - SIX FLAGS AMERICA

Superman – Ride of Steel is an Intamin mega coaster and by far the tallest ride at Six Flags America, towering over the landscape.   Seating two across with a total capacity of 32 riders, the train makes a right turn from the loading station and ascends a 197-foot lift hill, at the top of which is an awesome moment of hang time if you’re sitting in the front row.  (Even from the second row you get an almost unobstructed view due to the lowness of the seats.)  It then drops 205 feet at a 68-degree angle, reaching a maximum speed of 73mph.  The initial drop is pretty spectacular, offering some good ejector airtime for those sitting in the back.  This is followed by an overbanked (90-degree) right turn and 143-foot climb to the second drop, then an upward 540-degree right helix leading up to

a smaller hill.   Next is an extended 540-degree downward left helix before the train turns right, drops left, navigates some bunny hills and comes to an abrupt stop just outside the loading station.

This coaster offers some pretty good air time, significantly more if you’re riding in the back.  However, of all the Intamin hyper/mega/giga coasters I’ve ridden, this is the only one that failed to completely blow me away.  This is for two reasons: 1) I felt that the helixes were too long; and 2) I found the restraints uncomfortable.  As to the helixes, you do get the sensation of flying along but they could easily have been made shorter.  As to the restraints, the T-shaped lap bars include T-bars with plastic shin rests connected to the tops of the bars by metal poles.   The shin rests are made of hard plastic and they hurt during moments of airtime, when the legs knock against them.  My advice when riding is to keep your legs as far away from them as possible.  That being said, Superman – Ride of Steel is a topnotch roller coaster that provides a thrilling and action-packed ride.  4 ½ out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Six Flags America, visit www.sixflags.com/america