Six Flags America Media Event - Backstage, New Firebird Coaster, and Food/Booze - Bowie, MD 5/16/19
Vložit
- čas přidán 18. 05. 2019
- One of the bigger regrets I’ve had as a CZcamsr was turning down an invitation to cover the 2012 grand opening of Six Flags America’s standing coaster, Apocalypse, due to a day job with an inflexible schedule. I was so jealous later that day when I saw all of the local news anchors riding the coaster and having a blast. “Stupid day job,” I said. “Never again!” So, when I learned last year that Apocalypse was shutting down and being replaced with a new Bolliger & Mabillard floorless coaster named Firebird, my first thought was, “I gotta hit up Tony at the Baltimore Post-Examiner and try to get invited to the grand opening media event for Firebird!”
Well, thankfully Tony and Six Flags America came through, and on the morning of May 16, 2019 Hannah and I arrived at my neighborhood park, ready to ride Firebird. The event started kicking ass as soon as we arrived on property, where we were directed to the Employee entrance and told to park in front of the Human Resources building. I’ve been to Six Flags America many times and had never been backstage, so this was a real “dark side” treat. Even better, once we got backstage we hopped in a car and were driven through the park, right up to the front of Firebird! Driving through a nearly-empty amusement park is definitely a unique experience, and I honestly could have gone home at that point and felt like the event had been totally worthwhile.
But the best was still in store, as Denise Stokes, the park’s Communication Manager, told us it was our turn to head up to Firebird, which had been rigged with a camera and microphones, ready to document our inaugural trip on the new coaster. I think the video speaks for itself - we obviously had a blast! Firebird is sooooo much more comfortable to ride than Apocalypse, which being a standup coaster with a floating between-leg restraint could leave you walking like a cowboy for the rest of the day. Firebird, on the other hand, is much smoother and just as thrilling, especially in the curve featuring the large pyro blast, which is a nice “plus” to the theming.
Up next was a culinary demonstration by Eric Poppe, the park’s Culinary Services Manager. As a Season Pass holder, the park occasionally sends me satisfaction surveys, and one of the main suggestions I’ve always had was that they offer more vegetarian options. Well, it looks like they finally listened, because the new Macho Nacho restaurant has multiple non-meat options, including nachos, burritos, and a cilantro-lime rice bowl. Eric cooked up one of the rice bowls for me, and I can easily say that it was the best thing I’ve ever tasted in the park - the quality and taste rival Chipotle, it’s a ton of food, and it’s relatively affordable, especially for amusement park food. Even better, right next to Macho Nacho is the new bar, La Cantina, which offers beer and frozen cocktails. Six Flags America used to only have one bar in the Mardi Gras section, so this new location is much welcomed by someone like me who enjoys imbibing cool libations while riding coasters and walking around on a hot summer day.
Finally, we were allowed to show ourselves out of the park via the back entrance. Walking through an empty park was a bit surreal, and getting to explore more backstage areas at our leisure was a real treat.
If you’re a Maryland or DC amusement park fan and haven’t been to Six Flags America yet, you’re missing out on some world-class coasters, a hopping water park, and high-quality food and booze. And if you’re still on the fence, they’re currently offering an insane Memorial Day sale on the Gold Season Pass and the Platinum membership, where you can basically get a full year’s worth of admission and parking for the price of a single day’s ticket! If I wasn’t already a loyal pass holder, I’d jump on this deal in a second.
www.sixflags.com/america/stor...
Keep up with Leonard's shenanigans and book news at:
/ leonard.kinsey.3
/ darksidedisney
www.leonardkinsey.com
For offbeat, alternative, and adult-oriented Disney-related books, posters, CDs, and other merch, visit www.bambooforestpublishing.com
It’s cool seeing six flags start up-ing their parks. The footage on the coaster looked so good!!! Must have been weird being in an empty park but that’s a perfect time for some DARK SIDE exploration 😆
Nice to see we got a coaster instead of another flat ride this year. Plus it’s not named after a super hero.
I agree! Hopefully next year we can get a dark ride, since the park doesn't have one yet.
Cool! Awesome drinking in the park is a plus. I didnt know Six Flags was allowing alc in the parks
Pretty cool experience for you guys! Its been years since Ive been to Six Flags in Bowie.
Definitely worth a visit, especially in the cooler months after summer vacation is over.
Another fun video. . We respect your integrity as a reviewer.
Thanks, Daryl!
We need more videos. Time to return to Disney and do some real darkside stuff.
Holy smoke, another vid so fast, yeah keep that up ;) food and booze looks fantastic.....
Yep, finally coming out of those winter doldrums. New Orleans is in a few weeks, and then an Alaskan cruise!
That park reminds me of kings island back home. Off topic question...I was rewatching some of ur older videos, whatever happen to ur girl draven star? Do u guys still talk? I bet she was fun to have around lol
Draven was a lot of fun to have around, but unfortunately we no longer speak.
Rougarou at Cedar Point is better.
Honestly sounds like a review begging to get to go to more press events. How can anyone get excited about the fact that Six Flags America's new ride this year was just new trains and a paint job to an existing ride.
I have no reason to beg for anything - I've already purchased a Season Pass, and I want to get my money's worth just like every other paying customer. As I said in the review, Firebird is a major upgrade to Apocalypse as far as ride comfort goes. Would I have preferred the Justice League dark ride be the new thing this year? Sure, but this is definitely better than nothing. Plus, we got the new bar and some decent vegetarian food. I'm a happy customer, and if I wasn't I'd say so in the review, just like I did in my DLP reviews.
@@DarkSideOfDisney I am also a local and had a season pass until two years ago. My kids got bored with the park since there was never anything new. Last year was a new lazy river with a few effects. This year was new trains for an existing ride. This may be your honest opinion but Coaster Studio's review of the ride sounded more honest. The new food options might be good options, but unless they have improved the service there, they will either be closed or it will take forever to get your food. Don't get me wrong, I think they should have done this update, but not as the ONLY update and announce it as if it is a HUGE thing.
@@jimsmith9545 That's cool, and I respect your opinion. Just wanted to make it clear that my review was in no way influenced by trying to get invited to more media events (especially considering they have maybe one event a year at most).
Thanks for the heads up on the Coaster Studio review - I'll check that out now.