Six Flags New England

History

Throughout most of the 20th century, the park was known as Riverside Park. It started out as a picnic grove called Gallup's Grove in 1870, and was eventually renamed Riverside Grove, then Riverside Park. Prior to 1900, most of the park's patrons arrived via steamship. The Springfield Street Railway extended its line to the park in 1900 and, although Riverside was at the end of the Springfield Street Railway, it was not owned by the railway and is, therefore, not considered a trolley park, contrary to published reports.

In the early 1900s, a few mechanical rides and a carousel were added. The park was purchased in 1911 by Henry J. Perkins who transformed the park from a picnic grove to an amusement park. He built the park's first roller coaster, The Giant Dip, in 1912, which proved to be so popular that another coaster, The Greyhound, was added in 1915. Under Perkins' ownership, the park continued to prosper and additional amusements were added, including a 300-foot-diameter pool that became known as Lake Takadip. The original Giant Dip coaster was replaced in 1920 by a new, more thrilling coaster that was twice the size of the Giant and was eventually named Lightning. A third coaster, Whirlwind Racer, was added in 1928.

Closure and re-opening

The Wall Street Crash of 1929 took its toll on the park, and by 1931 it had gone into foreclosure. For the 1932 season, the park operated only Wednesday through Sunday, and in 1933 it closed. Several attempts to reopen the park failed and it remained closed through 1939, although the grounds were occasionally used for company picnics. A drive-in movie theater operated in the parking lot from 1937 to 1939.

Edward Carroll Sr. purchased the abandoned park in 1939 and after making improvements, reopened Riverside Park on May 29, 1940. Carroll is credited with rescuing Riverside and turning it into the largest theme park in New England. He purchased the plans and cars of the 1939 New York World's Fair Cyclone Roller Coaster and opened a new coaster in 1941. That coaster, now known as Thunderbolt, is operating at the park, and is the oldest coaster within the Six Flags Chain of theme parks. The park continued to add new rides and removed some older ones. The theater and bowling alley were removed in the late 1950s, making Riverside Park a seasonal attraction.

Carroll took a liking to auto racing, a sport that was gaining popularity in the Northeast after World War II, and added it to his slate of attractions at Riverside, building the Riverside Park Speedway in 1948, replacing an open air bandstand. The 1960s was a popular period for stock car racing at Riverside Park. NASCAR began to hold events at Riverside Park Speedway in 1976. The winner of the first NASCAR-organized event at Riverside was Bob Polverari. In 1977, Riverside Park added its first looping roller coaster, The Loop Coaster, later known as Black Widow. The park continued to be successful throughout the 1970s, and a log flume ride was added in that period.

In 1983, Riverside Park added its third roller coaster, which was also the park's second wooden coaster. The owners originally wanted a coaster exactly like the Coney Island Cyclone, but space was limited, so the coaster would need to take up less space and would have sharper twists and turns. It became known as the Riverside Cyclone. In 1987, Riverside attempted to build a white-water rafting ride called the Lost River Water Ride. Plagued with problems, the attraction never opened and was subsequently abandoned. A majority of the ride was demolished in 1989 to make way for Wild River Falls, a waterslide complex consisting of three sets of slides: Riptide, Blue Lightning, and Pipeline. A popular attraction, Wild River Falls remained in operation until the opening of the Island Kingdom Waterpark in 1997.

In 1994, Riverside partnered with Lady Luck Gaming in a proposal to build a hotel and dockside casino complex at the park, one of several competing casino proposals in the state. The plan died after Agawam voters rejected a non-binding referendum in support of casino gambling in November.

Purchase by Premier Parks

During the 1996 season, the track on the Musik Express was damaged and the attraction remained closed for a portion of the year. A Chance Chaos was ordered and was scheduled to open for the 1997 season. During the winter of 1996, the Carroll family was approached by Premier Parks of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, which subsequently purchased the park. Premier Parks renamed the park as Riverside: The Great Escape.

Under Premier Parks, various changes were made to the park. For the 1997 season, the new owners invested upward of $20 million on general improvements and several new attractions. Attractions included the Island Kingdom Waterpark, which featured children's water play area, several tube slides, a couple of body slides, and a wave pool. Other attractions included a Mind Eraser (a Vekoma Suspended Looping Coaster), Shipwreck Falls (a Shoot the Chute ride), Time Warp (a Vekoma Air Jumper), and Chaos, which was quickly replaced by Twister, (a HUSS Park Attractions TopSpin). The children's area, Kiddlie Land North, was re-themed and renovated as Startoon Studios. In the process, some older rides such as the Bayern Kurve were removed, leaving only the Bumper Buggies (kiddie bumper cars) in what was Kiddie Land South and the Flying Elephants, Kiddie Himilaya and Rickie's Little Twister coaster in Startoon Studios, which then added several rides from Zamperla; Speedtrap, Rio Grande train, Bigfoot Trucks, Crazy Bus, and Kiddie Swings.

In addition to new attractions, many parts of the park were renovated and themed. Main Street U.S.A. was substantially redesigned, and the Southern Center midway was themed to a 1950s city and renamed Rockville. In the north section of the park, a Balloon Race attraction was installed, replacing the Wave Swinger, which was relocated to the center of the park in the former location of the park offices. Other improvements included a children's play structure called Paul Bunyan's Buzzsaw Company, new children's rides, a new entrance plaza, and the carousel being renovated and relocated to the front gate.

In 1998, the park added several attractions, improving the water park with new features that included lazy river, another children's play structure named Hook's Lagoon, a speed slide tower called Cannonball, a family raft slide named Swiss Family Tobaggan, and a multi-slide tower called Big Kahuna. The water park expansion was added to the south end of the park next to the park's log flume, replacing two rides: Tri Star and Swiss Bobs. In addition, the park relocated the Spider next to Mind Eraser, and relocated the Mind Scrambler (which was enclosed) to the north end under the park's Sky Ride, where it sits now. With The Spider being moved next to Mind Eraser, the park's Sea Dragon was moved next to the Antique Cars. The park also added The Hellevator, an S&S Worldwide Turbo Drop tower measuring 21 stories tall, which was originally painted red. The park also brought back Chaos and located it next to Mind Eraser, and installed a (HUSS Breakdance) named Barrels of Fun next to the kiddie bumper cars and the entrance to the waterpark. A new food court was added to the north end, located partially in Startoon Studios.

Six Flags

On April 1, 1998, Premier Parks acquired the larger Six Flags chain of parks from Time Warner. The park continued to be known as "Riverside" until the end of the 1999 season. In 1999, the Riverside Park Speedway was removed, and the waterpark was doubled in size. Additions included adding a new slide tower named Shark Attack and a second wave pool called Hurricane Bay. The park added a Hopkins river raft ride named Blizzard River to the North End, replacing a set of dry slides and the old Bumper Cars. Blizzard River was themed to incorporate the Penguin character from the Batman franchise, but the name of the ride was never changed when the park was allowed to use characters from DC Comics on their rides. A new western area called Crack Axle Canyon was added, and included four rides, three of which were new to the park.

In 2000, Riverside was rebranded "Six Flags New England", reflecting similar changes made at other Six Flags properties. The main street running through the park was renamed "Carroll Drive" in honor of the family that had owned the place for much of its history. The park added a new front gate plaza. On the former site of the racetrack, a new DC Comics-themed section of the park was installed. The area featured several new rides, including Superman – Ride of Steel, a hypercoaster designed by Intamin. In addition, the park added a Vekoma Boomerang coaster named Flashback, which had been relocated from Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom. Startoon Studios was renamed Looney Tunes Movie Town, and the Flying Elephants ride was replaced by a similar ride with a "Marvin the Martian" theme. Other additions included an expansion to the Hellevator, which consisted of two additional towers, capable of operating in three different ride formats: Turbo Drop, Space Shot, and Double-Shot, with the original tower operating in Turbo Drop mode.

In 2001, the parking lot was moved across Route 159, and an overpass was built above the road to allow access to the park entrance. Paul Bunyan's play structure became a small children's area called Tiny Timber Town, with the addition of three new children's rides: a children's Ferris wheel and helicopter was built within the play area and a Zamperla LoliSwing replaced the Sea Dragon. Batman – The Dark Knight (B&M Floorless coaster) was added in 2002, the water park was doubled in size and renamed Hurricane Harbor in 2003, and two new rides were introduced for the 2005 season: the spinning coaster Pandemonium (originally themed to Mr. Six) and a water coaster named Typhoon.

For the 2006 season, Six Flags New England received two rides from the now-defunct Six Flags Astroworld: A Sky Swat ride named Catapult, and the Diablo Falls ride (now renamed Splash Water Falls). In 2007, two new children's areas were added: Wiggles World and Thomas Town. Wiggles World took over the Tiny Timber Town area, retheming the existing rides and removing the play structure. Wiggles World also added new rides, wet and dry play elements, and a live stage show. Thomas Town was added next to the main entrance and included a train ride on Thomas and two new kiddie rides. The Hall of Justice was also built into the vacant building of the Joker's Wildcard near Superman: The Ride.

In 2008, Six Flags New England was to open The Dark Knight, an indoor MACK Wild Mouse coaster based on the upcoming film of the same name. The park's other Batman-based attraction had its name changed from Batman – The Dark Knight to Batman: The Ride to avoid confusion. However, due to apparent permit issues, the ride was cancelled and dismantled. The ride would have cost the park $7.5 million in exchange for bringing $280,000 in taxes for the state of Massachusetts. The cancellation angered the city of Agawam, which stated that issues with the ride were not evident. Instead, the park announced the new "Glow in the Park Parade". On November 8, 2008 the Town of Agawam allowed Six Flags the right to build roller coasters up to 200 feet (61 m) in height. This paved the way for many future roller coasters in the park. On September 15, 2008, Six Flags announced that there would be enhancements, including an in-ride soundtrack and special effects, to the Superman roller coaster. . The coaster was renamed Bizarro after a fictional supervillain who was a distorted mirror image of Superman portrayed in the DC Comics universe. The makeover included a repaint of the track to purple. It has the same basic features of the old ride, but enhanced with pyrotechnics and special effects.

In February 2010, Mr. Six's Splash Island was announced, featuring 16,000 square feet (1,500 m²) of children's water rides, and a 30,000-gallon shaded wave pool, as well as a 150-foot (46 m) interactive lazy river. However, at the end of 2010, Six Flags again dropped the Mr. Six moniker, and the area was renamed Splash Island. Later that year, Six Flags began removing licensed theming from their attractions, including The Wiggles and Thomas the Tank Engine. In 2013, Thomas Town reopened as Whistlestop Park. Wiggles World was rethemed KIDZOPOLIS. On September 1, 2010, the park announced the addition of a new wild mouse coaster that previously resided at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom. The ride's name was "Gotham City Gauntlet: Escape from Arkham Asylum", and was added to the D.C. Comics area on February 7, 2011.

In August 2011, several media sources reported that the park was receiving Déjà Vu, a Vekoma Giant Inverted Boomerang, in the 2012 season, to be moved from Six Flags Magic Mountain. Then on September 1, 2011, Six Flags New England announced that the ride would be named Goliath, and opened for the 2012 season on the former site of Shipwreck Falls.

In July 2012, Six Flags New England proposed a 385-foot (117 m) tall Funtime Star Flyer ride, similar to the SkyScreamer found at other Six Flags parks. The new swing ride was approved by the city of Agawam on July 30, 2012, which also announced that the park could increase the height of the tower up to 410-foot (120 m), to maintain its status as the world's tallest. On August 30, 2012, Six Flags New England announced the Bonzai Pipelines, a SplashTacular DownUnder water slide at their Hurricane Harbor water park. Bonzai Pipelines will feature six different slides on one complex tower with each slide going in different directions.

In February 2013, Six Flags New England announced the removal of Catapult. Six Flags also announced the addition of New England SkyScreamer for the 2014 season. SkyScreamer was installed in the North End section, replacing Taz's Dare Devil Dive, and dubbed the world's tallest Swing ride at over 400 feet (120 m).

On June 24, 2014, Six Flags New England announced the closure of Cyclone, Much of the structure was later incorporated for Wicked Cyclone, a Rocky Mountain Construction Hybrid Rollercoaster. It opened on May 24, 2015.

On September 3, 2015, Six Flags New England announced the addition of Fireball, a Larson Super Loop. It was also announced that Bizarro would revert to the name of Superman - The Ride.

On September 1, 2016, Six Flags News England announced for the 2017 season, the addition of an S&S Worldwide 4D free-spin coaster called the Joker.

On March 16, 2017, Six Flags New England announced via twitter that the Mind Eraser trains will receive new restraints and the new Galatic Virtual Reality program for the 2017 season.

Attractions

Six Flags New England is home to many rides and attractions, including Superman the Ride. It is 208 feet (63 m) tall and drops 221 feet (67 m) into a tunnel, reaching a top speed of 77 mph (124 km/h). It is considered one of the best steel roller coasters in the world according to the trade magazine Amusement Today, which awarded it the prestigious Golden Ticket award in 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009.

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor

Hurricane Harbor is a water park located within Six Flags New England. The waterpark opened in 1997 as Island Kingdom and was rebranded Hurricane Harbor in 2003. It features a number of family-oriented rides as well as thrill rides. The most recent addition is Bonzai Pipelines added in 2013.

Park entertainment

During the park's branding as a Six Flags in 2000, the Looney Tunes characters were added to the park. The line-up of Looney Tunes characters includes: Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Tweety Bird, Sylvester, Foghorn Leghorn, Porky Pig, Petunia Pig, Pepé Le Pew, Roadrunner, Wile E. Coyote, Marvin the Martian, Taz, Granny, Lola Bunny, Elmer Fudd, Speedy Gonzales, Yosemite Sam, and Gossamer.

In 2006, the park underwent a massive expansion in the entertainment department when Mark Shapiro took control of Six Flags. With this, Six Flags New England has added Justice League characters, along with the Hall of Justice. In 2007, enemies of the Justice League known as the Legion of Doom came to Six Flags. This addition brought the following characters to the park: Batman, Robin, Aquaman, Wonder Woman, Hawk Girl, Green Lantern, The Flash, The Joker, The Riddler, Sinestro, Cheetah, Lex Luthor, and Captain Cold. The Hall of Justice is located in the building where the Jokers Wild Card flat ride used to be, transforming it into a secret lair. Times are posted outside indicating when guests will be able to meet the characters and pose for pictures.

The park also has some of the characters from Mystery Inc including the great dane detective himself Scooby-Doo, his best friend Shaggy Rogers, and his nephew Scrappy-Doo.

In the 2008 season, the Glow in the Park Parade was introduced. It is the unique brainchild of world-renowned creative director Gary Goddard and features five custom-designed floats, 65 performers and over 35 support staff members and technicians. Each float is adorned with vibrant-multicolor lights that illuminate the park and surround the streets with custom-composed cirque-inspired music. The parade features drummers, puppeteers, singers, dancers, and kinetic stilt walkers to create an unparalleled nighttime spectacular. The parade did not return in the 2009 season, but it did return in 2010. The parade never got to complete its full season run in 2010. It was cancelled in July after new management took over the Six Flags Corporate office.

Fright Fest

During the month of October, the park gets transformed for its annual Halloween festival, Fright Fest. This transformation includes the addition of Halloween decorations to its Crackaxle Canyon, Main Street, South End, and Rockville areas, making them Haunt Zones with roaming characters to give the areas the themes of a ghost town, a demon area, a graveyard and an Area 51 complex, respectively. In addition, several shows and attractions are added, including Mayhem Mission and The Trick-o-Treat Trail for kids, Dead Legends Live on Main St., Haunting Illusions, Wheel of Fright, and three up-charged "haunts". Dead Legends Live has all past singers together and parody their songs about being dead. "Illusions of Terror" is a magic show in the Rockville Theater featuring illusionist David Garrity. The Wheel of Fright is a wheel and whatever you spin it to land on you have to eat or do. Such things to eat are cockroaches or worms. Prizes include season passes or exit passes. The five premium haunts are called Wicked Woods, Total Darkness, The Aftermath: Zombies Revenge, Slasher Circus 3D, and Midnight Mansion. Wicked Woods is in the picnic groves wooded area comprising a trail with people popping out at you and chasing you. Total Darkness is in the picnic grove and it is a walk through in a pitch black area, filled with frights. Slasher Circus 3D is in the picnic grove and is right beside Total Darkness, however this attraction is full of different lights and colors with a clown theme throughout. Midnight Mansion takes place on the ride Houdini. They transform the whole ride building into a haunted mansion. The Aftermath: Zombies Revenge is similar to Wicked Woods, but themed to the zombie apocalypse. In early 2009, Six Flags New England received an award within the chain for the best Fright Fest of 2008.