Six Flags in Maryland

[smilie]

Anyone been here? What was your experience?

 

[Breezy_Carol]

It's been ~6 years since I've been but it was a little rundown. It is in an urban area and there tended to be groups of teens hanging around. We went with our older teens but not sure how comfortable I would have been with young children.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

It's been ~6 years since I've been but it was a little rundown. It is in an urban area and there tended to be groups of teens hanging around. We went with our older teens but not sure how comfortable I would have been with young children.

"Urban area" is that code for there are a lot of black people there? Upper Marlboro is a very affluent suburb/exurb of DC, certainly not urban at all. I've seen groups of teenagers at every amusement park I've ever been to, unless it's someplace for little kids like Dutch Wonderland or Sesame Place. Why would that make one uncomfortable. The ones at Six Flags America are as well behaved as any other place.

OP, it's no Disneyworld, not as bright and shiny, and it's mostly rides and waterslides. On the other hand, it costs a lot less and it almost never has lines longer than 5 minutes. We go often and always have a good time.

 

[sbell111]

We went several years ago. It was a good theme park. It was exactly like every other Six Flags I've ever been to.

 

[wvjules]

I don't think I've heard very many good things about it. I would choose Hershey or Kings Dominion or Busch Gardens.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

I don't think I've heard very many good things about it. I would choose Hershey or Kings Dominion or Busch Gardens.

I think Hershey and Busch Gardens are in a different category -- they're the kind of places that one takes a family vacation, like Universal or Disney. Six Flags, and Kings Dominion aren't like that -- they're someplace to go for a day to have fun and get out of the city, smaller, less fancy, less costly, but still fun.

I love Six Flags, and have a season pass (which costs $60, compare that to WDW!) but wouldn't drive hours and stay in a hotel to go there, it's just not that type of place.

 

[MickeyMom2Boys]

I live about 30 minutes from the Six Flags. I love amusement parks. I went one time after it became a Six Flags (It was an independent park for many many years). I drive to Kings Dominion, Hershey Park or Busch Gardens instead. The last time I was there (granted that was several years ago), "rundown" was an understatement and they seem to have too many reports of coasters getting stuck on the tracks.

 

[lovemygoofy]

I am going tomorrow so I'll let you know. Tickets are not cheap though can buy online for 29.99 each.

 

[Silent1CB]

"Urban area" is that code for there are a lot of black people there? Upper Marlboro is a very affluent suburb/exurb of DC, certainly not urban at all. I've seen groups of teenagers at every amusement park I've ever been to, unless it's someplace for little kids like Dutch Wonderland or Sesame Place. Why would that make one uncomfortable. The ones at Six Flags America are as well behaved as any other place.

OP, it's no Disneyworld, not as bright and shiny, and it's mostly rides and waterslides. On the other hand, it costs a lot less and it almost never has lines longer than 5 minutes. We go often and always have a good time.

Perhaps the poster was thinking of the Six Flags in NJ, because that is frequently how I hear it referred to & often the same complaint. I've not heard good things about Six Flags in NJ or MA.

 

[Christine]

Perhaps the poster was thinking of the Six Flags in NJ, because that is frequently how I hear it referred to & often the same complaint. I've not heard good things about Six Flags in NJ or MA.

My kids have been a few times with school because it's close. It's just rundown and *can* be rowdy. No one really comes away saying good things but for a short, close trip for locals it's not *bad*. We can get there in 40 minutes and most people/kids don't ever ask to go back. That should tell you enough right there.

 

[mamamary]

I've been there and would not recommend it.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I knew that no matter how I worded it, it would be taken the wrong way. I tried to chose my words carefully. I can't remember the race of the teens but I felt like they were thugs and gang like. I won't go back.

Here are some reviews on Trip Advisor.

 

[Dancemom03]

I am going tomorrow so I'll let you know. Tickets are not cheap though can buy online for 29.99 each.

If you have coke rewards points, there are some deals that can be redeemed for meals in the park to save a few $$

It's only slightly closer than Hershey to us so I rarely go there, but IMO it is temptingly cheap for a day out, especially if you use a season pass, rewards points, or buy 1 get 1 coupons.

I tend to agree with the "urban" reference though. It truly isn't a racial thing but more of an attitude/impression. Just a rougher atmosphere than I'm sometimes comfortable with if I have younger kids with me but usually nothing that would bother DD20. There are gangs of teens hanging out who could sometimes appear sort of thug-like, but maybe that's because you can buy a season pass for like $40 so it's easier for parents to use the park as a babysitter for older kids?

 

[shmoogrrrl]

I knew that no matter how I worded it, it would be taken the wrong way. I tried to chose my words carefully. I can't remember the race of the teens but I felt like they were thugs and gang like. I won't go back.

Here are some reviews on Trip Advisor.

Since there are gangs of all colors and economic situations, I don't really see why what you said was wrong. Six Flags has a 'reputation' in this area for problems with violence and illegal activity. I have no idea if there have been any recent incidents, but the reputation still exists.

We've had some pretty bad experiences with other guests in the three visits that we've had to that Six Flags. We've also experienced terrible costumer service as well. Of course, we also encountered good customer service also. The park itself is not well maintained (I suppose you could argue that we are spoiled by Disney and Busch Gardens) and every time we have been there we've encountered problems with rides breaking down often.

Is it worth the trip? I don't know, I guess it is a nice place to visit to say that you have, but with so many amusement parks within a few hours drive of this area, we don't bother with it anymore.

 

[smilie]

Thanks for all of the replies. It's the "company picnic" through my work. So it's free to get in, I'm just not too sure it'll be worth the 1 1/2 hour drive.

 

[Silent1CB]

This is my impression of the Six Flags in MA. On any given summer day, many many teens from nearby city take the bus to the park. They are not with any adults. They hang together, rude, and are very frequently seen cutting lines as a group. Park staff does nothing about that when you complain. The park & bathroom is dirty & in need of repair & paint. The big name rides are often down for repair. Some we have never ever seen running. Extremely crowded & congested in certain areas. Food yuck. And I'm NOT comparing it to WDW. I'm comparing it to what it was before it was Six Flags.

We enjoyed it before it became Six Flags. It was a nice small family owned park. Six Flags bought it. Changed the name, raised the price. Added a few rides. But the park can in no way handle the crowds that the Six Flag names draws. We have been 2 or 3 times since the 15 yrs it been Six Flags. I have no intention of ever returning again.

 

[flamingglobessigmund]

When we went, I think it was about 10 years ago, my kids were younger. The only things I remember were the lackadaisical attitude of the people working there, the crappy food, and the fact it was robbed at the gate the day after we were there.

 

[lovemygoofy]

I'm back from a very hot hot day at six flags in MD.

First thing I can tell you is there is a lacking of a/c around the parks. I was really hoping for some sit down and rest shows in the a/c but not really much to be found.

I thought the park was extremely clean and there wasn't really any teenagers running around wild and crazy. People were kept in line and being called on any bad behavior.

There really wasn't any waiting for the rides and I thought there was a good selection for all levels of riders just not alot of rides total.

One of the things I dislike at most amusement parks is the nickel and diming of the carnival games. I just don't like that stuff but it's a personal preference.

The water park is congested is compact but the wave pool is quite large. I did not like that you have to rent the inner tubes though supposedly there were free ones floating around somewhere. Because the water slide rides were so long we just hung out in the wave pool.

Lots of beach chairs around. Bring your own beach umbrella though as shade is lacking around the water park area.

Parking is not cheap at $15 at the gate. Would I pay $50/person hmmm I really don't think so but I think it's a good day's worth of fun.

 

[Disney+Family=Fun]

We tried it a couple years ago when we had two free tickets and got the other 2 from AAA.

NEVER AGAIN!!!!Not even if we had 4 free tickets!

I was filthy. People would leave gum stuck on ride seats-
Half the rides were down (not an exaggeration). Some for repairs, some because they did not have enough staff (it was near the end of summer).

You could pay for special passes to go to the front of the line. We finally bought some because we were tired of waiting while they kept letting people with passes on.