Six Flags 2006 Ride Guide

There will be plenty of new coasters, rides, and other goodies at Six Flags parks this season, but there is a bigger story brewing at the park chain. In late 2005, a new management team took over Six Flags. The new leadership is proposing major changes to improve profitability at the company (read more at my interview with Mark Shapiro, Six Flags' new CEO), but for the 2006 season, the refinements will be relatively minor. In addition to the new attractions (which you can explore in the Six Flags Ride Guide below), expect to see the following changes at all of the parks:

• On the downside, admission prices and parking fees will generally be higher, in some cases significantly higher.
• On the plus side, there will be more Loony Tunes characters roaming the park. Six Flags is also introducing Justice League D.C. Comics characters at the parks.
• Six Flags has banned smoking inside the parks.
• To help improve the guest experience, Six Flags is pledging to conduct more thorough and uniform staff training.
• The parks will be adding more parades, shows, and evening events, such as fireworks.

FLASH PASS 2006

Do you want to beat the lines at Six Flags? To learn more about Six Flags' line management program and see which parks are participating for the 2006 season, go to the Flash Pass program overview.

THE SIX FLAGS 2006 RIDE GUIDE

The Six Flags Ride Guide is arranged alphabetically by U.S. state. Montreal's La Ronde follows at the end of the list.

CALIFORNIA

Six Flags Magic Mountain
Valencia (near Los Angeles), CA
Tatsu

• Read all about the record-breaking flying coaster at the Tatsu overview.
• Tatsu Preview Video.
• Tatsu Preview Photo Gallery.

Six Flags Marine World
Vallejo (near San Francisco), CA
Tava's Jungleland
A new themed area, Tava's Jungleland (named after one of the park's elephants) will feature kiddie rides and wet and dry interactive play structures. Also, the park is tweaking its killer whale show.

COLORADO

Six Flags Elitch Gardens
Denver, CO
The Amazing Acrobats of China
There'll be no new coasters or major rides this season, but the park will be debuting The Amazing Acrobats of China, a high-energy circus act.

GEORGIA

Six Flags Over Georgia
Austell (near Atlanta), GA
Goliath
Read about the new Goliath Hypercoaster.

• Goliath Video Preview

ILLINOIS

Six Flags Great America
Gurnee (near Chicago and Milwaukee)
Tornado
There is a funnel ride coming to the park's Hurricane Harbor water park.To learn more about water park funnel rides, see my review and photos of High Anxiety at New Jersey's Mountain Creek water park.

LOUISIANA

Six Flags New Orleans
New Orleans
While Six Flags appears committed to reopening the Katrina-damaged park, it's unlikely it will open this season.

MASSACHUSETTS

Six Flags New England
Agawam, MA (near Springfield, MA and Hartford, CT)
Catapult and Splash Water Falls
Read more: Six Flags Catapults Two Rides to New England

MISSOURI

Six Flags St. Louis
Eureka (near...come on, you know what city it's near)
Bugs Bunny National Park and Superman Tower of Power
A new area designed for younger kids to enjoy with their families, Bugs Bunny National Park will include spinning tea cups, a miniature train, and other rides, plus an interactive water fountain and tree house play structure. Superman Tower of Power is a 230-foot drop tower ride imported from the shuttered Six Flags Astroworld.

NEW JERSEY

Six Flags Great Adventure
Jackson, NJ
Plaza del Carnaval featuring El Toro and Bugs Bunny National Park
Click for more info about Six Flags Great Adventure's new wood coaster, and new themed areas.

• El Toro Preview Video
• El Toro Preview Photo Gallery

Kingda Ka, the world's tallest (456 feet), fastest (128 mph) coaster launched last year, but was down for most of the season. This season therefore marks its effective debut for many.

• Kingda Ka Roller Coaster Ride Review
• Kingda Ka Malfunctions
• Kingda Ka Onboard Video
• Kingda Ka Opening Photo Gallery
• How Kingda Ka Works
• Preview Video of Kingda Ka
• Kingda Ka Preview Photo Gallery

NEW YORK

The Great Escape
Queensbury (near Lake George), New York
Six Flags Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Waterpark
Read more about the new indoor water park resort.

• Six Flags Great Escape Lodge photo gallery

Six Flags Darien Lake
Darien Center (near Buffalo), New York
Big Kahuna
The water park gets a 700-foot-long family raft ride.

TEXAS

Six Flags Astroworld
Houston, TX
The park closed permanently last season.

Six Flags Fiesta Texas
San Antonio, TX
New water park attractions
Armadillo Beach gets 3 new water rides, including the Whirlpool bowl ride. The new Splashwater Springs is an interactive water play area for younger kids.

Six Flags Over Texas
Arlington (near Dallas), TX
Ten new rides debut (some imported from Six Flags Astroworld), including La Fiesta de las Tazas teacups, the Sidewinder Scrambler, and an interactive water play area.

CANADA

La Ronde
Montreal, Quebec
Goliath
Read about the new coaster coming to the park.