Six Flags theme parks across the country will be seeing some changes next season. From new rides to new shows, several of the 19 theme parks will be have something new for people to enjoy.
"Innovation is part of our DNA," said Jim Reid-Anderson, chairman, president and chief executive officer. "On the heels of a tremendously well-received lineup of rides and attractions in 2012, we are taking our creativity to an even higher level by delivering an unprecedented season of jaw-dropping experiences that only Six Flags can deliver."
Here is a rundown of what is to come for the 2013 season for various Six Flags parks around the country.
One of the biggest changes will take place at the Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey. The park's Wild Safari and the amusement park itself will be combined into one property, making it the world's largest theme park. The park will introduce a new Safari Off Road Adventure which will transport guests from the theme park to the safari that includes 1,200 animals. Guests will be able to hand feed animals or ride above them on a zipline.
Next door, Hurricane Harbor in New Jersey will reveal its new ride, the Big Wave Racer. This is a massive slide that sends riders head first on an aerodynamically-designed water toboggan.
Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California will be getting another roller coaster to go along with the many others. Full Throttle will be the world's tallest, fastest looping roller coaster. On this ride, riders will accelerate from zero to more than 70 miles per hour on two forward launches, and an unprecedented third backward launch. They will also go around and over a record setting 160-foot loop.
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo is the only theme park in the U.S. that presents wild rides in addition to wildlife and marine life. Adding to its many wildlife shows, the park will be getting a new dolphin show called Cirque Dream Splashtastic. This extraordinary show will combine performances by aerialists and acrobats and the park's bottlenose dolphins.
Six Flags Over Texas will be getting the world's largest swing ride. The Texas SkyScream is a 400 ft. swing that will send guests circling high above North Texas.
Six Flags Over Georgia will have a similar ride. Their SkyScreamer won't beat the one to come in Texas, but it will be the tallest ride in the park. The 24-story swing ride will send riders spinning around at 40 miles per hour.
Hurricane Harbor in Arlington, Texas will be celebrating its 30th anniversary by adding video technology to a popular water slide. The Black Hole of Doom 4-D will be getting themed holographic imagery and sound effects, giving riders an extra thrill in the water park.
Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio will be getting a hybrid rollercoaster called Iron Rattler. It will include four over-banked turns and complete barrel-roll inversion on its Iron Horse Track. Iron Rattler will be the second hybrid coaster in the world. The first was The New Texas Giant at Six Flags Over Texas.
A new show will be coming to Six Flags Great America near Chicago. igNIGHT - Grand Finale will be the most technologically advanced show in the park's history. It combines state-of-the-art lighting, sound, singing, dancing, and fireworks, creating an amazing display for guests before they end their day at the park.
Hurricane Harbor at Six Flags New England and Six Flags America will add Bonzai Pipelines, a water slide than can send up to six riders through individual twisted tubes. Guests will experience the state-of-the-art "Drenaline Drop" launching capsules before dropping through 200 feet of twisting and turning slides.
Six Flags White Water park in Atlanta will introduce Typhoon Twister. This giants thrill ride will send riders down a five-story drop before they shoot out into a 67-foot bowl. This ride will be the first of its kind in Georgia.
The Great Escape in upstate New York will be getting Screamin' Eagles. This is an interactive flying ride that allows guests to control their experience as they soar through the sky in high-speed open-air vehicles.
Six Flags St. Louis is getting the Boomerang. This 28-person car will pull guests backwards and up 125 feet to the top of the first lift hill. Then they're shot through1,650 feet of twisted turning track at 50 miles per hour. The train is then pulled up to another lift hill and is then sent through the entire course again.
Six Flags theme parks outside of the U.S will also see some new additions. Montreal's La Ronde will be getting a new interactive family ride. Six Flags Mexico will have its first Fright Fest in October.
These are just some of the highlights of what is planned and in the works for the 2013 season, however other additions may be announced in the fall.
Guests can buy their 2013 Season Pass now for a low price that will include unlimited visits for next season and for the rest of the 2012 season.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
