Six Flags America for free - my daytrip report About This Page:

[AKLRULZ]

Who?: Dad2jbj and family.

Where?: Six Flags America, just outside of Washington, DC.

When?: August 4, 2003

Why?: Had free tickets to use and everyone loves a good coaster ride.

We woke up leisurely the morning of our visit – what a great thing about regional parks - not having to drive a long distance to your destination! WAIT! We’re in the D.C. area – home of our Federal Government and home to the world’s WORST traffic! UGH! We’d also be facing the most terrifying ride of all today – the Springfield Mixing Bowl construction traffic! So upon realization that we’d most likely have quite the commute from my in laws in Northern VA to Southeastern Maryland, we high tailed it in terms of getting ready for the day.

Once up and out we encountered DARK clouds looming on the horizon – the weather forecast called for severe storms, but what the heck – the tickets were free and we’d been in storms at Disney before – off we went!

Surprisingly, the drive up was easy! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] No traffic to speak of (we’d left shortly after 9 AM – the tail end of the official rush hour in DC) and before we knew it we were over the Woodrow Wilson bridge, into Maryland, and pulling into the Six Flags parking lot shortly after 10 AM.

After taking out a small loan for parking ($9.00!!) [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] , we easily found a space right up front by the main entrance. Dark clouds continued to provide a sickening backdrop for the coaster hills we spotted from the lot. Anticipation was building!

The park officially was to open at 10:30 am, but the front gates opened at 10:15 to permit patrons to shop along Main Street. We spent most of this time in the Looney Toons store – which really was rather nice in terms of selection, but also rather shocking in terms of price! We made no purchases here much to the angst of three children.

10:30 - the time was here for the official park opening. As we meandered through the end of Main Street, Sylvester the Cat and Daffy Duck were making appearances. We’d left the camera home to dry out after getting caught in a torrential downpour at Arlington National Cemetery the prior day, but we let the kids introduce themselves.

Time for coaster wars! We passed a few of the big ones to get to the VERY biggest of all, Superman and Batwing – of course in the VERY back of the park. Superman is a Hyper-coaster topping out at 200 feet tall. No loops, just enormous hills and tight curves that threaten to eject you from your seat every time you crest! Unfortunately, Josh was not quite tall enough [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img] so waited it out with my wife while I took the older two on. We were luck to be on the first train out for the day and we rode in the very back seat – MAJOR airtime! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] We labeled this ride as the best in the park and one of the best coasters we’ve been on.

Batwing was up next – again, Josh was too short, however. What a trooper though as he cheered on his brother, sister, and dad. Batwing is a flying coaster – similar to the Superman ride in Georgia and New Jersey, but this one starts you out flat on your back in the station and flips you once you crest the big hill. Really strong G-forces and makes you feel like you are flying. No line at all so once we completed the circuit, my wife took the older two on for a second spin. She thought it was fun.

As we exited the Superman/Batwing area, the clouds were as dark as we’d see them all day and sprinkles began to fall – BUMMER! [img]graemlins/cry2.gif[/img] So what do we decide to do? Get in line for Penguin’s Blizzard River – a soaking water flume! [img]graemlins/ukid.gif[/img]

Coming up: A SPIN OUT [img]graemlins/dizzy.gif[/img] on Penguin’s River and farewell to the clouds!