At the time this was published, anniversary plans weren't finalized (check back for updates), but it's clear that there will be plenty of new Six Flag rides for 2011. The previous management team (which exited during the 2010 season) had pledged to debut new rides, shows, and attractions at every park to mark the 50th birthday bash. It's likely there will at least be anniversary festivities at all locations, perhaps with a focus on the original Texas park.
There are some wild-sounding new coasters rolling out, particularly at Six Flags Magic Mountain in California and Six Flags Over Georgia. Along with some revitalized coasters, including The Texas Giant at Six Flags Over Texas and the repurposed Green Lantern coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey, Six Flags will keep its focus pretty much where it has been for most of the past half-century: on roller coasters and other thrills.
THE SIX FLAGS 2011 RIDE GUIDE
The Six Flags Ride Guide is arranged alphabetically by U.S. state. Montreal's La Ronde and Six Flags Mexico follow at the end of the list.
CALIFORNIA
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
Vallejo (near San Francisco), CA
SkyScreamer
A spinning swing ride, SkyScreamer will rise 150 feet into the air and reach speeds of 43 mph.
Six Flags Magic Mountain
Valencia, CA
Green Lantern coaster, revamped Superman: Escape from Krypton coaster, and Little Flash
With an additional two coasters coming in 2011, Magic Mountain will have a total of 18 and will reclaim the world's record for most number of coasters at one park.
- Read more about Six Flags Magic Mountain's new coasters, including the unique Green Lantern ride and the rest of its exciting 2011 season.
- 2011 season preview video
GEORGIA
Six Flags Over GeorgiaAustell (near Atlanta), GA
Dare Devil Dive
A "Euro-Fighter" model, the sleek new roller coaster will lift single cars straight up a 95-foot top-hat tower, pause them at the top, then send them down a beyond-straight drop at 52 mph. A series of acrobatic maneuvers will follow.
Six Flags White Water
Marietta (near Atlanta), GA
Nothing new announced to date for the water park.
ILLINOIS
Six Flags Great AmericaGurnee, IL
Riptide Bay
The water park, Hurricane Harbor (which is included in the general admission to Six Flags Great America), will be getting bigger with a new area that will feature a new FlowRider surfing attraction, new water slides, and and an activity pool with watery diversions for younger visitors.
- Are you wondering, "What the heck is a FlowRider?" Check out this review of a similar attraction at another water park: Six Flags Great Escape Lodge Boogie Bear Surf Ride
MARYLAND
Six Flags AmericaMitchellville, MD (near Washington, D.C.)
Zoomazon Falls
New Amazon rainforest themed attraction at Hurricane Harbor, the water park that is included with admission to Six Flags America, will offer riders a choice of four body slides. Six Flags America will also welcome four new shows including two based on popular television programs, Survivor Live! and Bob the Builder Live.
MASSACHUSETTS
Six Flags New EnglandAgawam, MA (near Springfield, MA and Hartford, CT)
Gotham City Gauntlet Escape from Arkham Asylum
Transplanted from the shuttered Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom, where it was known as Road Runner Express, the Wild Mouse-style coaster will climb about 50 feet, reach a top speed of 28 mph, and feature characteristic hairpin turns.
Also coming to Six Flags New England: Survivor Live
An interactive stage show based on the TV series comes to the park this season.
MISSOURI
Six Flags St. LouisEureka, near (...come on, you know what city it's near)
SkyScreamer
A spinning swing ride, SkyScreamer will rise 236 feet into the air and reach speeds of 43 mph.
NEW JERSEY
Six Flags Great AdventureJackson, NJ
Green Lantern
Not to be confused with the same-named ride coming to Six Flags Magic Mountain, this standup coaster is another attraction salvaged from the shuttered Kentucky Kingdom. It will climb 154 feet and hit 63 mph when it drops 144 feet.
NEW YORK
The Great EscapeQueensbury (near Lake George), New York
Nothing new announced to date
TEXAS
Six Flags Fiesta Texas
San Antonio, TX
Lone Star Spectacular
The park will introduce new nighttime fireworks and laser show.
Six Flags Over Texas
Arlington (near Dallas), TX
The Texas Giant
The famed wooden coaster will get a major overhaul when its aging wooden tracks will be replaced with prefabricated steel tracks. The "new" Texas Giant, which will be a hybrid wood/steel coaster, should be quite smooth.
CANADA
La RondeMontreal, Quebec
Nothing new announced to date
MEXICO
Six Flags MexicoMexico City
Terminator X
A new laser battle attraction, based on the Terminator movies, is expected to debut in 2011.
