May 13 2008
Spinning coasters, which use single cars that randomly rotate as they travel along their tracks, have become quite popular over the last few years. Other than the Tony Hawk branding, the two coasters Six Flags have on deck for the 2008 season will be similar to off-the-shelf models found at other parks. With relatively low heights and speeds, the spinning feature will help make the Tony Hawk's Big Spin coasters moderately thrilling family rides.
Tony Hawk's Big Spin Stats
- Locations: Six Flags Over Texas near Dallas and Six Flags Discovery Kingdom near San Francisco, CA
- Type: Spinning coaster
- Height: 53 feet
- Drop: 27 feet
- Top speed: 31 mph
- Track length: 1351 feet
- Duration: 1:51
- Height Restriction: Minimum 47 inches to ride alone, 42 inches to ride with an adult
Ticket Info
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On-Board Coasting
The park chain already has a few Tony Hawk's Big Spin coasters that have been stirring up fun at Six Flags Fiesta Texas (in San Antonio) and Six Flags St. Louis (in...oh, come on now!). The two new rides debuting in 2008 will be similar to the coasters at the other parks. As with all spinning coasters, the cars will rotate freely, and the number of passengers, their sizes, their distribution, and other factors will help determine how the cars will spin along the track.Each car will accommodate up to four passengers, with two rows of two passengers facing each other. Even mildly wimpy coaster riders should be able to handle the Tony Hawk's Big Spin coasters, although guests prone to motion sickness will have to consider the spinning aspect of the attraction.
The Tony Hawk connection is clever in that skateboarding works well as a roller coaster theme, particularly for a ride that spins as it twists, dips, and soars. That said, Six Flags' Big Spin coasters could capitalize on the theme even more by incorporating half pipes and other elements (or at least a simulation of the elements) found in skateboard parks.
