Roller Coaster Testing Includes Water-Filled Test Dummies and Kids Trying to Wiggle Out of Restraints

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Ever wonder how they test a roller coaster? Before a coaster is even built today, computer modeling will verify things like the g-forces being within safe thresholds and that the track layout doesn’t have any “envelope” issues (places where a rider’s hands or other body parts could make contact with the structure). However, theoretical testing is not enough, practical testing is needed too. After the track is first inspected inch by inch, a car will then do a “pull-through” test, usually by a winch, to check everything. Often a large piece of plywood will be mounted on a seat to represent the maximum reach of a rider’s hands to check the “envelope” again. Then the train will cycle all or part of the course empty before the water-filled dummies below will get the first ride! Before a human sets foot on a new coaster, dummies like this will take dozens or hundreds of laps with sensors and cameras aboard to be sure everything is OK. The restraints are also tested long before construction and if you’re in the Orlando area you can potentially even help Skyline Attractions with this next Saturday, August 15, 2026!

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The New Bakunawa Roller Coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure is Based on a Mythological Moon-Eating Dragon From the Philippines!

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Bakunawa (Courtesy of Six Flags)

A lot of people were a bit surprised at the name and logo for Six Flags Great Adventure’s new coaster, Bakunawa? However, it actually has a really cool backstory. The Bakunawa is a legendary, dragon-like sea serpent creature from Philippine mythology. It’s known as the “moon-eater” and folklore credits it as the cause of eclipses, earthquakes and storms. Its name is a compound word meaning “bent snake”. Bakunawa was said to live in the ocean, but would fly to the moon to try to swallow it and thus cause eclipses. Filipino people would bang pots and pans during an eclipse to try to scare it away. It was largely an oral tradition, but below is 18th century engraving depicting a Philippine warship. Given the ride’s design and this name/mythology, there’s tons of ways Six Flags could use this in theming!

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The Story Behind the Iconic Pink Whale at Great Escape

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The Pink Whale at Six Flags Great Escape (now Enchanted Parks) is an iconic picture spot at the theme park. No doubt thousands of kids and families have their picture taken with it each season. The pink whale originated in 1954 when the park was known as Storytown USA. Charley Wood built the amusement park in Queensbury, New York, near Lake George and the Adirondacks. It would eventually be sold to Premier Parks, the Six Flags and now Enchanted Parks. Mr. Wood originally built it as a biblical “Jonah and the whale” display (you could argue Jonah had a “great escape”), but today a Moby Dick poem is on a sign beside it (see below). The whale was temporarily removed in 2005, but fan outcry brought it back. The whale is quickly approaching its 75th birthday, meaning it’s probably on its 3rd or 4th generation of families by now and hopefully will remain there for years to come.

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If You Love Theme Parks You’ll Probably Love Rock City

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Rock City is a famous landmark located in Lookout Mountain, Georgia, just outside Chattanooga. If you’ve driven across the south you’ve probably seen “See Rock City” pained on the side of a barn and this is the attraction they’re all pointing towards. Rock City describes itself as, “where gardens, hidden gnomes, ancient rock formations, and panoramic seven-state views unfold like a living storybook.” This is descriptive, but it doesn’t really do the place place justice. A simple review is that Rock City is a beautiful place filled with whimsy, story and fun, sort of like the most beautifully landscaped theme park you’ve been to, but without the rides.

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If you’re Visiting Atlanta, Georgia the Blue Ghost Arcade is Vintage Video Game Paradise

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The Blue Ghost Arcade is located in Woodstock, Georgia, a northern suburb of Atlanta. Their motto is, “Connecting an old generation of games with a new generation of players” and that couldn’t be more true. The Blue Ghost Arcade is a retro arcade featuring classic 80s/90s video games, pinball, consoles and board games. There’s a full bar, but it’s also totally kid friendly. The arcade uses a “pay-one-price” model with daily passes for unlimited free play on all games and complimentary popcorn. This is a great place to have a nostalgic video game experience with decor that matches down to a wall made completely of old VHS tapes! This is a review from a theme park fan of all the fun you can have at the Blue Ghost.

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New Six Flags Meal Credits May be a Good Option for Less Frequent Guests, but Not Everyone Happy with Meal Plan Changes

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Six Flags has made some big changes in its meal plans for 2027 and not everyone is happy. Many of the unlimited plans got eliminated or more expensive with the one able to be used at multiple parks now going for $400. However, there is a tad of a silver lining in that there is a new credit system available. At Six Flags Over Georgia, for example, you can get 20 credits (meals) for $89 and 30 meals for $129. That a little over $4/meal, about 25% of regular price. There is also only a two hour waiting period between meals (instead of the old 4 hours) and no daily maximum. On the downside though, these credits are only good at your home park.

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There’s Still an RMC in Georgia Called Twisted Cyclone and it’s Pretty Good

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Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC) roller coaster ArieForce One at Fun Spot Atlanta closed on August 2, 2026. Everyone is hopeful it will be relocated somewhere, but it probably won’t be in Georgia as its future is unknown. However, there’s still an RMC coaster in Georgia and it’s pretty darn good. Twisted Cyclone is located at Six Flags Over Georgia and opened in 2018 as a conversion of the former Georgia cyclone. Twisted Cyclone features 3 inversions and 10 airtime hills. It was designed by RMC coaster legend Alan Schilke. It’s on the shorter side at 2,400 feet, but packs one heck of a punch.

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Get a Taste of Buffalo with Anchor Bar at Six Flags Darien Lake

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When you think food and Buffalo, New York, one of the first things that comes to mind are buffalo wings. This spicy favorite originated at Anchor Bar in Buffalo and there are now several locations around the city to experience the original recipe. One of those locations happens to be at Six Flags Darien Lake meaning you can have a quintessential Buffalo experience while visiting the theme park!

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The Final Day of ArieForce One and Fun Spot Atlanta

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August 2, 2026 marked the last day for Fun Spot Atlanta and ArieForce One and Inwas lucky enough to be there. Lots of feelings for sure as I attended opening day of ArieForce One just a little over 3 years ago. This article isn’t about what might be next for the iconic coaster, but instead is just a recap of the day. I arrived at 9:30am and the ticket line was already long. ArieForce was already running as ACE had an ERT event that morning. John Arie, Jr. (Fun Spot owner) came out at 9:45am and gave a brief, but moving talk thanking the fans and the park staff and declared the park open a few minutes early.

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Free Refills All Season with a Souvenir Tumbler Drink Plan at Enchanted Parks

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Enchanted Parks purchased several locations from Six Flags including Worlds of Fun, Valleyfair, Six Flags St. Louis, Schlitterbahn Waterpark Galveston, Michigan’s Adventure and Six Flags Great Escape. Enchanted Parks has declared this a year of transition for the properties it purchased and that means the potential for a bit of confusion with things like drink plans. The good news is that if you have a drink plan like the “paper cup plan” from Six Flags it will be honored this year at Enchanted Parks and if you have a 2026 Six Flags all season souvenir bottle they will fill it. If you have neither, you can get an Enchanted Parks Souvenir Tumbler for either $19.99 for the day or $36.99 for the season. A single day bottle can be actived for another day for only $6.99.

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