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Six Flags America: General Discussion

Matt N

TS Member
Favourite Ride
Mako (SeaWorld Orlando)
Sorry if we already have a thread for this park, but I couldn't find one, so I'm making this thread for Six Flags America, located near Washington DC. Anyway, the main reason I've made this thread is because the park has today announced that Apocalypse, the park's B&M standup coaster, is closing on 8th September:

Rather sad news if you ask me; despite only having opened at Six Flags America in 2012, the ride was actually B&M's first ever coaster, having originally opened in 1990 in the form of Iron Wolf at Six Flags Great America. Very sad to lose such an iconic ride for B&M, in my opinion.

But wait; there's more! Rumours on Screamscape have suggested that Apocalypse may well be becoming a B&M floorless coaster in 2019, similarly to rides like Mantis and Vortex in the Cedar Fair chain! So we probably won't be losing this classic B&M after all! One thing I will say, though, is that stand ups seem to be becoming an increasingly rare breed in theme parks, which makes me glad I rode Shockwave at Drayton Manor last week!
 
Matt, I am not sure what you typed but autocorrect changed it to 'classic' in relation to this heap of junk.
So are you glad it's closing, then? Is it really that bad?

The only standup I've ridden is Shockwave at Drayton, and while I found the standup riding position a bit uncomfortable (it would have been better as a sit down, in my opinion) and it was quite rattly, I certainly didn't find it to be the worst coaster I've ever ridden! I'd personally say it was good, but not great. Is Apocalypse the same, out of interest?
 
I'm not fussed either way, I have no plans to get back to SFA any time soon. I still don't understand this odd attachment people have to rides they have watched on YouTube.

The one time I rode it was like riding Shockwave whilst getting punched in the face.
 
Well, it's a B&M coaster using Intamin technology designed by B&M whilst they worked for Intamin!

Did the trains get replaced on this thing at one time? I'm pretty sure they did.
I thought Shockwave was an Intamin that was subcontracted to Giovanola, who utilised B&M's track design and were B&M's former employers before they formed B&M in 1990?
 
Shockwave is 100% Intamin. They continued to use that track on their stand-ups after B&M went their own way, as did Giovanola.

It's also crap.

Apocalypse on the other hand at least has some historical significance and so would it's demolition, but it'll hardly be a sad day for the industry. Stand ups were a failed experiment that went on far too long really.
 
@Martin @Matt N Shockwave is 100% Giovanola sold under the Intamin brand!

What I said (quoted below) was relating to Iron Wolf/Apocalypse

Well, it's a B&M coaster using Intamin technology designed by B&M whilst they worked for Intamin!

Did the trains get replaced on this thing at one time? I'm pretty sure they did.
 
Indeed. Giovanola built it. Intamin sold it.

Later, with Anaconda, Titan etc Giovanola did everything themselves under their own banner.
 
This is great news, death to the stand-up coaster please! Only four from B&M will remain.

:)
 
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This is great news, death to the stand-up coaster please! Only four from B&M will remain.

:)
If only Drayton Manor were able to convert Shockwave to one; Shockwave is a good coaster, but I think I'd prefer it sat down, personally.
 
If only Drayton Manor were able to convert Shockwave to one; Shockwave is a good coaster, but I think I'd prefer it sat down, personally.
I agree, but would B&M be happy to do it considering they didn't build the original in the first place?
 
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