Six Flags debuts 7 new coasters

Covered separately in the past by Lifthill, Six Flags today announced the launch of its 2008 thrill and family offerings ahead of Memorial Day Weekend and the start of daily operations. The company is rolling out seven new coasters across seven parks, in additition to new water rides, children's areas, and a nighttime parade.

"Six Flags is now recognized for better service, better value and broader entertainment that increasingly appeals to every member of the family," said Mark Shapiro, Six Flags President and CEO. "This summer our aim is to take each and every guest on a magical journey of fun and adventure that's close to home, yet far enough away from the day-to-day challenges of today's economic climate."

Six Flags is also announcing that it will institute an "Everyone Pays Kids Price" for all guests in several markets surrounding its 12 domestic theme park locations. "Six Flags is a one-tank daycation and with more operating hours, a longer season than ever before and an unforgettable ride line-up, we're poised to deliver thrills like never before," said Shapiro.

Below is more information from the official press release.

Six Flags Great Adventure and Six Flags Great America:

More than just a ride, The Dark Knight Coaster features the world renowned DC Comics characters in a coaster chase that utilizes storytelling, physical movement, video, sound and special effects to bring guests a one-of-a-kind dark ride thrill. From the moment they enter the queue line, guests will be completely immersed in the movie and transformed into citizens of Gotham City — caught in the middle of a city under siege and torn apart by The Joker. The ride also introduces new, customized footage featuring District Attorney Harvey Dent (as portrayed by Aaron Eckhart), produced and shot specifically for The Dark Knight Coaster.

Six Flags Magic Mountain:

X2 — the most popular, state-of-the-art coaster is taking extreme to the next level. The $10 million investment features completely redesigned, sleeker trains and all-new, innovative visual, audio and sensory effects. This 5-dimensional coaster sends riders screaming around its 3,600-foot steel maze aboard massive wing-shaped trains where the seats extend off the track to the sides of the vehicle allowing them to independently rotate guests head over heels, forward and backward. X2 is one of 14 coasters at Six Flags Magic Mountain.

The park also welcomes Thomas Town — a newly-created Thomas & Friends themed area. Designed to entertain children of all ages, Thomas Town features a Thomas the Tank Engine replica that transports guests on a journey through Thomas' home on the Island of Sodor. Other attractions include Percy, a pint-sized roller coaster and Cranky the Crane water jet fountain play area.

Six Flags Fiesta Texas:

Fiesta Texas unleashes its eighth roller coaster, Goliath; a massive inverted, steel ride that towers 105-feet high and sends riders soaring at 50 mph. The ride experience includes five inversions, two vertical loops, two corkscrews, an 80-foot drop and a zero-gravity heartline spin. The ride has ushered in record crowds since debuting on April 18.

Six Flags Over Texas and Six Flags Discovery Kingdom:

A proven fan favorite, Tony Hawk's Big Spin is the ultimate spinning coaster. Defying gravity just like skateboarding legend Tony Hawk, four riders sit facing each other in a car that simulates tricks and maneuvers, traveling through banked fan turns, quick hairpin curves and steep, low-to-the-ground drops, all while freely spinning in circles. The spinning coaster cars, designed to resemble one of Tony Hawk's authentic skateboards, spin independently throughout the ride so that no two ride experiences are alike. Each passenger car is also equipped with a video camera to capture all the excitement and is available for purchase as a DVD keepsake.

Six Flags St. Louis:

Evel Knievel — The Legend Rides On. This intense, unrelenting, wooden coaster is deserving of the name of America's Greatest Daredevil. Standing at 8 stories tall, Evel Knievel takes would-be daredevils through high banked turns at up to 67 degree angles, camelbacks, fan curves and 16 hills as they race over 2,700-feet of track. This compact twister crosses over itself an amazing 14 times and exhilarates riders with a breathtaking first drop of 80 feet at a 90 degree angle. Six Flags St. Louis now boasts 8 coasters, with Evel Knievel marking the park's third wooden marvel.

Six Flags America:

The park debuts the first-ever Tony Hawk's Halfpipe. This edgy water slide, standing four stories tall and designed to resemble a skateboarding halfpipe, sends guests flying down one side of the "ramp" and up the other on inner tubes. This unique attraction allows riders to experience on water what skateboarders experience on a dry ramp: zero gravity.

Six Flags Over Georgia:

Annie and Clarabel join Thomas the Tank Engine as passenger cars for an exciting ride to take in the sites from the Island of Sodor including Tidmouth Shed and Cranky the Crane. Sir Topham Hatt, debuts in this new themed area which features a playground structure with five interactive games, Harold the Helicopter and Bertie the Bus crawl-throughs. For a keepsake, there's a merchandise store featuring the latest Thomas & Friends books, toys, train sets and apparel.

The Great Escape and Splashwater Kingdom:

The Wiggles, the world's most popular children's franchise, are coming to another park — the 4th Wiggles World themed kids area in the Six Flags system. This newest addition offers enjoyable rides like The Big Red Car, The Big Red Plane, and Dorothy's Rosy Tea Cups. Dorothy the Dinosaur, Captain Feathersword, Wags the Dog and Henry the Octopus perform live each and every day.

Glow in the Park Parade:

An all-new nighttime parade lights up the night at Six Flags Great Adventure and Six Flags Mexico. Glow in the Park is the brainchild of world-renowned creative director Gary Goddard, the mastermind behind a host of major attractions including the Amazing Adventures of Spiderman, Star Trek: The Experience, and The Jurassic Park River Adventure at the Universal theme parks. Goddard has enlisted one of Cirque Du Soleil's premiere composers, Benoit Jutras, to create the music for the parade. For float designs, the internationally acclaimed conceptual parade designer Raul Rodriguez was commissioned. Michael La Fleur, whose resume includes artistic coordinator for Celine Dion's "A New Day" in Las Vegas and Imagineer for Disney, will create fluid choreographed numbers for the Glow in the Park performers.

More Water Rides, More Fun:

Six Flags is also expanding its water park offerings with the new Mega Wedgie at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor in Arlington, TX; Splashwater Kingdom in Lake George, NY; and Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom in Louisville, KY.