(BOWIE, MD)- June 9, 2011- Six Flags America announced today that June 11 through July 10, 2011 are the final days for guests to set sail on Skull Mountain prior to the ride’s retirement to make way for a new attraction in 2012. Guests are encouraged to bring their mateys for a final cruise of the seven seas before the ride hoists anchor to begin its journey to Davy Jones’ Locker on Sunday, July 10, 2011.
“For more than a decade, guests at Six Flags America have been thrilled and inspired by Skull Mountain, giving them the feeling of joining a one-of-a-kind pirates’ voyage in Maryland’s favorite theme park,” said John Winkler, Six Flags America park president. “It’s a piece of history for Six Flags America and we feel it’s fitting to give it one last stand.”

The Bon Voyage countdown for Skull Mountain begins the week of June 13, 2011 when a boat is placed on the theme park midway offering unique photo opportunities for guests. A Fare-thee-Well Weekend for Skull Mountain is planned for July 9 and 10, 2011 and includes a two-day Pirate Festival, featuring pirate makeovers for guests and special entertainment from the cast of The Blundering Buccaneers stunt show. In addition, Six Flags America will host a last-rider auction, with proceeds benefitting the National Roller Coaster Museum and Archive. The park will donate a boat from Skull Mountain to the National Roller Coaster Museum following the final voyage in July.

SIX FLAGS AMERICA PREPARES FINAL VOYAGE FOR SKULL MOUNTAIN
Maryland theme park announces final days to take the journey on an iconic ride before preparation begins for 2012 attraction

An iconic mainstay of the American Main, this half thrill coaster/ half water flume was introduced in 1997 as the Typhoon Sea Coaster, designed and manufactured by Intamin, Ltd. of Switzerland. The first of its kind, the ride made history with a seven-story descent, at the time the world’s tallest for a water-powered coaster. Redubbed Skull Mountain in 2007, the ride’s 2,200-foot track has undergone several changes during its tenure at the park, creating an entirely different experience from its first introduction.

For a limited time, lads and lasses of every age may enjoy a final ride on Skull Mountain, as well as the rest of the thrills at Six Flags America and Hurricane Harbor, while saving a few doubloons. Visit sixflags.com/America to learn more about Everyone Pays Kids’ Price at the park. Great values are also available with coupons from participating McDonald’s restaurants or on Coca-Cola products.

The new roller coasters will bring Magic Mountain’s total coasters to 18 eclipsing Cedar Point’s 17 roller coasters. The Coaster Critic’s Blog has more: Green Lantern Coaster & The Coaster Crown Are Coming to Magic Mountain

What do you think about Six Flags Magic Mountain’s 2011 plans? Leave a comment below.

The Great Escape invites guests to take a trip down memory lane

LAKE GEORGE, N.Y., (April 14, 2010) – The Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom announced today exciting new additions for the upcoming 2010 season. Beginning Saturday, May 8, guests will experience a piece of history with the newly restored Cinderella’s Castle and the all new Storytown Train.

“We are very fortunate to have wonderful traditions here at The Great Escape,” said Don McCoy, President of The Great Escape Properties.  “For 57 years, families have created lifelong memories with us and these two nostalgic offerings will strike a familiar chord as guests recall their childhood visits.”

The  updated Storytown Train will feature a journey through the early years of Storytown, USA and The Great Escape.  Popular elements from the nursery rhyme themed park have been renovated and given new homes along the train’s tracks.  The pieces will also represent the first years of Ghost Town and the popular Jungleland exotic wetland.  Exciting additions to the train include Humpty Dumpty, PoPo the Purple Cow along with Hickory Dickory Dock and more.

Cinderella’s Castle has served as a centerpiece in Carousel Plaza since 1979.  This year, young princesses will experience even more magic as the entire castle has been rebuilt from the ground up.  Created straight from the fairytale, the new structure and surrounding landscape will be the perfect backdrop to the Pumpkin Coach and, of course, Cinderella herself.

Guests can make plans now to experience the new Storytown Train, Cinderella’s Castle and all of the excitement of the 2010 season by purchasing a Season Pass to The Great Escape.  Season Passes are currently available for purchase for $69.99, the lowest price of the season online at sixflags.com.

For more information about The Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom, call 518-792-3500 or log on to sixflags.com.

“EDNÖR – L’attaque” – a first at La Ronde – ushers in a new era

Montréal, Thursday, April 15, 2010 – The launch of “EDNÖR – L’attaque” is a grand premiere for La Ronde and signals, according to management, the start of a new era as “amusement parks” continue their transformation into “theme parks.”

“EDNÖR – L’attaque” is the first ever totally themed rollercoaster and features a pre-ride show that will take passengers on a tour of a simulated interpretation centre dedicated to the study of sea monsters, including the now-famous resident of Lac des Dauphins, EDNÖR.

Located in the Village at La Ronde, the centre is a key part of the experience and leads to the boarding area. The centre is designed to inform passengers, who are about to experience an attack by the sea monster at La Ronde, about these strange creatures, starting with EDNÖR, of course, but also Nessie, Champ, Memphré and Ponik, to name but a few. At the centre, passengers will also experience the most recent events, including the monster’s attack on workmen Dany Gauthier and Steve Saint-Louis, which occurred on the evening of March 30.

In another first, La Ronde will take advantage of the sea monster’s presence in Lac des Dauphins to include its appearances as “special effects” as part of the ride. For example, during the ride, passengers will come very close to a powerful spurt of water from EDNÖR, a phenomenon previously described by the workmen involved in the March 30 incident.

On May 15 and 16, starting at 11:00 AM, only 2010 La Ronde season passport-holders will have access to the new ride, “EDNÖR – L’attaque.” The rollercoaster will be open to the general public as of May 22, also at 11:00 AM. Season passports are already available online atwww.laronde.com for $74. They come with a booklet containing discount coupons valued at over $200.

About Six Flags: La Ronde is the property of Six Flags, Inc., a publicly-traded corporation (SIXFQ) headquartered in New York City and the world’s largest regional theme park company with 19 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada.

WHAT: The Little Dipper, a vintage wooden coaster formerly of Kiddieland Amusement Park

VISUALS: Construction on the historic 60-year-old coaster being rebuilt at Six Flags Great America

WHERE: Six Flags Great America
542 N. Route 21
Gurnee, IL 60031
Employee Entrance

Gurnee, Ill. (April 13, 2010) – Six Flags Great America Keeps Chicago History Alive!  Construction begins on the Little Dipper, a 60-year-old wooden coaster Six Flags Great America purchased from Kiddieland Amusement Park last November. The vintage coaster has been a family tradition in Chicago for over 50 years, operating at Kiddieland from 1950 until September 2009 when the amusement park closed.  The family-friendly coaster will retain its original name and open Memorial Day weekend as the 14^{th coaster at Six Flags Great America.}

The Little Dipper was designed by Herbert Schmeck and built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company in 1950.  The coaster’s figure eight track features a three story tall lift   hill and runs  700 feet in length.  It has been honored by the American Coaster Enthusiasts with the ACE Coaster Classic award. “We wanted to preserve this important pieceof Chicago history for families to experience for many more years to come.” Hank Salemi, Six Flags Great America’s park president.

Six Flags Great America is located between Chicago and Milwaukee and offers fun for the entire family with heart-pounding roller coasters including Raging Bull, a free 15-acre water park, spectacular shows and three children’s themed areas.  New in 2010 – the Glow in the Park Parade, a nighttime illuminated parade with Cirque Du Soleil-style music and over 60 performers and MagiQuest, a new 10,000 square foot interactive gaming experience.

The Texas Giant over at Six Flags Over Texas will be the first wood coaster to get the “Super Hybrid” classification. Check out Rocky Mountain Construction’s web site for more information and a virtual look of how this system will integrate into existing wood structures.

The first live-action, interactive game of its kind comes to Six Flags Great America

Gurnee, Ill. (Feb. 25, 2010) – Pixies, Powers and a Princess!  New in 2010, Six Flags Great America announces MagiQuest, a live-action interactive game developed to bring families together and move children from the couch to physical play.  Players immerse into an 8,000 square foot fantasyland powered by a “magical” wand.  The wireless remote technology unlocks more than 80 special effects allowing the player to navigate the levels of the game.  Each player, called a Magi, gathers coins, powers and befriends pixies in their quest to defeat the Dragon and save the Princess.

Co-inventor Denise Weston, a mother and trained psychologist, sought to create a game that would stimulate the mind of children and promote teamwork, strategic thinking and family bonding in a fun yet educational platform.

“MagiQuest is a perfect way to combine physical play and computer play while kids or the entire family work together to solve problems and make great memories,” said Denise Weston, co-founder and Director of Imagination at MagiQuest. “The beauty of MagiQuest is that kids are engaged, challenged, learning and most importantly having fun.”

MagiQuest opens this spring in the County Fair area at Six Flags Great America. Also new in 2010, the Little Dipper, a historic wooden roller coaster formerly of Kiddieland Amusement and Glow in the Park Parade, a new nighttime illuminated parade with Cirque Du Soleil-style music and more than 60 performers.

“We are thrilled to be adding MagiQuest to our lineup of new additions to the park for the 2010 season,” said Six Flags Great America Park President Hank Salemi. “We are the first theme park to launch an interactive educational family attraction of this type and are confident our guests will enjoy this new attraction the whole family can experience together.”

Six Flags Great America is located between Chicago and Milwaukee and offers fun for the entire family with 14 heart-pounding roller coasters, a free 15-acre water park, spectacular shows, and three children’s themed areas.

February 18, 2010 – Agawam, MA – New England’s largest water park, Hurricane Harbor, proves once again why it’s the ideal family destination, today announcing a new attraction for 2010 – Mr. Six’s Splash Island.  Based on Six Flags’ popular rater of fun, Mr. Six’s Splash Island will open to the public on May 28 with 16,000 square feet of drenching thrills and relaxation for the entire family.

Mr. Six’s Splash Island will boast a 30,000 gallon shaded wave pool designed specifically for the little ones, a 150-foot interactive lazy river with dumping coconuts, rain curtains and squirting effects to keep kiddos cool in the hot New England sun.  The fun continues with water bubblers and fountains throughout the area.  Mom and dad can relax in style with ten new luxury cabanas set poolside and offering lounge chairs, personal lockers, refrigerators, a flat screen TV and a personal wait staff.  Also new for the 2010 season Johnny Rockets the place where everyone can enjoy all-American favorites – hamburgers, shakes and fries served with a smile located next to Mr. Six’s Splash Island!

“Mr. Six has become an iconic character at Six Flags and we are excited to have the first Mr. Six’s Splash Island,” said Larry Litton, Six Flags New England’s park president.  “Hurricane Harbor is a huge draw in the New England region and with the addition of Mr. Six’s Splash Island we are solidifying our commitment to providing a wide array of fun, affordable family entertainment.”

Mr. Six’s Splash Island will join a host of thrilling attractions in Hurricane Harbor including the Typhoon water coaster, Tornado, over 25 unique water slides and two 500,000 gallon wave pools.  Bigger, better and wetter than ever before, Hurricane Harbor is ready to keep New Englanders cool all summer long.

More Flags.  More Fun.  More Affordable.  2010 Six Flags New England Season Passes are on sale now for the lowest price in years, only $54.99.  A Season Pass offers unlimited visits to Six Flags New England and Hurricane Harbor, free tickets for friends, more than $300 in savings on in-park food and fun and free access to exclusive Season Pass events.

Hurricane Harbor opens for the 2010 season on Friday, May 28.  For more information on Hurricane Harbor and on the operating schedule, go to sixflags.com/newengland.

About Six Flags:
Six Flags, Inc. is a publicly-traded corporation headquartered in New York City and is the world’s largest regional theme park company with 19 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada

Maryland theme park to be home to North America’s largest permanent destination based on Thomas & Friends™
Six Flags America, the Nation’s Capital of MORE FLAGS and MORE FUN today announces details of Thomas TownSM, a new family entertainment area based on the popular Thomas & Friends™ brand. Thomas Town is the park’s largest expansion in over a decade and will feature eight rides and attractions and a new retail store and a new character. Opening this summer, Six Flags America’s Thomas Town will be the largest Thomas Town in North America.

“Thomas & Friends have entertained and educated more than three generations with messages of teamwork and friendship,” said John Winkler, Six Flags America park president. “Now families who visit the park will have a new, permanent, place — the largest in North America — to enjoy and interact with these wonderful characters. We are delighted to welcome Thomas Town to Six Flags America and offer our guests more ways to experience family-friendly fun together.”

Gary Krakower, senior vice president for consumer products and live events at HIT Entertainment, parent company of Thomas & Friends, said, “We are thrilled to be working with Six Flags theme parks, as they have an outstanding reputation for providing quality family amusements. The wholesome appeal of Thomas & Friends comes to life at Thomas Town and allows children to experience the themes of discovery, perseverance and friendship that are synonymous with the Thomas & Friends brand.”

Encompassing more than three and a half acres of the popular theme park, the cornerstone of
Thomas Town will be a train ride on a Thomas the Tank Engine™ replica that will take guests on a journey through Thomas’ mythical home on the Island of Sodor. Other new rides and attractions in the all-new Thomas Town include:

In addition to these fun rides and attractions, Sir Topham Hatt, Controller of the Railway — a new character at Six Flags America — will greet visitors and pose for photos throughout the day. The Knapford Station Shop, the park’s first retail location since 2005, will feature themed merchandise, including the popular Thomas & Friends die cast trains, apparel, and storybooks.

The addition of Thomas Town will nearly double the number of thrilling family attractions at Six Flags America. The park is also home to LOONEY TUNES Movie Town with rides, shows, and attractions; and Crocodile Cal’s Caribbean Beach House and Buccaneer Beach, both located in Hurricane Harbor water park.

With more than 100 awe-inspiring rides, games, shows, and family attractions, Six Flags America is the Mid-Atlantic’s premier destination for family fun. The park boasts seven thrilling roller coasters — headlined by the hyper-coaster SUPERMAN: Ride of Steel, one of the tallest coasters on the East Coast and BATWING, Maryland’s first flying coaster. Hurricane Harbor features slides and splashes for thrill seekers of every age, including the six-story funnel of FUN Tornado and Hurricane Bay, one of the largest wave pools in the United States. Six Flags America theme park opens Saturday, March 27 and is open for Spring Break through Monday, April 5, then weekends in April and May, with daily operation resuming Memorial Day weekend. Hurricane Harbor begins its season on Saturday, May 22.

Six Flags America offers family-friendly value all season long with a 2010 Season Pass. Passholders enjoy unlimited admission to Six Flags America and Hurricane Harbor Water Park as well as receive exclusive benefits, including free tickets for friends and more than $300 in savings on in-park food and fun. For a limited time, Season Passes are just $49.99, a $20.00 discount from the regular Season Pass price of $69.99. Visit sixflags.com to purchase Season Passes online and learn more about park hours and special events.

“We are deeply disappointed to be leaving such a great fan base in the greater metropolitan area of Louisville and we are grateful to the thousands of employees at Kentucky Kingdom and the millions of guests for their dedication, support and loyalty over the years,” said Mark Shapiro, Six Flags President and CEO.

“This action relates solely to Kentucky Kingdom,” Shapiro continued. “The substantial lease payment has been a significant hurdle for this park in recent years. Our other parks, which reside largely on company-owned land, will be completely unaffected and will open as scheduled for the full 2010 season.”

For information on season passes, employees, and more visit the official announcement page.