Six Flags New England

[PollyannaMom]

Planning a day trip to Six Flags NE (about 2 hours away for us.) Does anyone have advice or favorites to recommend?

Info - We will be going on a weekday, DH IS a roller coaster person, and DS is 7, but just misses the 48 inches. He's also into Scooby Doo.

Thanks in advance

 

[littlewitch34]

If your DH is into roller coasters, he'll be in Heaven!

Six Flags NE has some cool coasters (that I will not set foot on!). I've been on the Batman coaster, and would do that again, because the track is beneath the car. Every other coaster, I believe, is a suspended-feet dangling coaster, and I will not ride on those.

(ETA: Superman attaches you to the coaster beneath you, no dangle-feet, but I will NOT go on that either!)

I don't really go to the "kiddie" parts of the park, but they looks cute. I think one has a big fountain with Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck on it, and if it is hot, he can get a little wet. Also, there is Wiggles World, which has some child rides, and I believe Thomas the Tank Engine world. My brother was really into Thomas when he was seven.

There is also a water park at Six Flags NE, but I have never been inside it.

If you and your son are comfortable with heights, the Skyway is a nice little ride over the park in a big cagey-looking ball. My dad is afraid of heights and seemed to deal okay.

Also, there is a parade with Bugs and the Loony Tunes gang. I think Scooby Doo might be in it as well. I only half-watched it the last time I was there (I was eating!)

 

[Kim1964]

We went for Father's Day and had a great time. The park opened at 10:30 and we got there a little before 10. This got us parking close to the tram and front row for park opening, which my kids enjoyed. Scooby Doo was part of the opening and gave my DD (6 yo) a high five. Toward the back of the park (through Wiggles World and down a staircase) there's a tame coaster that your son should be tall enough for as long as he rides with an adult. Blizzard River is a raft ride reminiscent of Kali, and we all had a great time on that.

We bought our tickets online that morning and paid $29.99 instead of $39.99. I don't know what the gate price is, but it was nice to print the tickets at home and go directly to the turnstiles.

 

[scrapquitler]

When we go, we don't take the tram, we just walk to the park entrance...unless the tram is loading right as you get to the loading area, the walk is faster, and honestly, it is NOT very far.

Mr. Six's ride has a single rider line. Definitely use that. I think that a couple of the other big rides might have single rider as well. They are very very strict about making sure you are buckled into the Superman coaster, they double and triple check and they make you remove flip flops, etc.

There are three separate kiddie ride areas, the loony toons area, the thomas area and the wiggles world area. Keep in mind that at the wiggles area (and maybe the thomas one, I can't remember) that two rides are operated by one ride operator, so if kids are riding on ride A, don't wait in line to ride that one, get in line for the one next to it because they alternate running the rides A, B, A, B. Its a PITA and I hate that they do that.

 

[Aurora410]

If your DS is into Superman, Batman and the Justice League, they have a meet and greet near the Superman coaster. My DS is a huge huge fan of Flash, and he got to meet the "real Flash" and was on cloud 9. DS even wore his Flash costume and Flash was just so stunned! (I have a feeling Flash may not get many fans there just to see him) Anyway, they characters are really great. There is also a smaller coaster in that area that your DS will be able to go on.

The water park was pretty fun as well, I could have spent all day there.

The kiddie areas are great for preschoolers, but probably would be too young for your DS.

Have fun!!

 

[dopey67]

They are offeing the lower rate of 29.99 since the price of gas is killing them to. I like the water park area.

 

[pinkiesue]

it cost $15 to park
but if you belong to AAA they might have a discount of a few dollars
they did last year
if you have time and will be going in summer try doing the water park it's free
if your son likes coasters he might be able to do the one by superman, it's called cat women's whip and my dd loves it. it's a small one, but fun i even like it

 

[klineyqueen]

We are also going there in August. We have never been to Massachussetts. We are staying 3 nights. We were going to go there for 2 days but we think it may be overkill. Is one day enough? Do you have any suggestions for the other day if you think we should do something else too.

BTW on our first day we are going to yankee candle and hood park.

 

[Kim1964]

One day is plenty for Six Flags.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Thanks for all the great tips so far!

 

[LovinPooh]

Yankee Candle is one of my most favorite places! Just beautiful and only a couple hours from the park!
I havent been to Six Flags since it was Riverside. God do I feel old now! I am sure there are a few classics still there that you must ride, like Cyclone. A great wooden coaster. If the Mind Eraser is still there, I would avoid it. It slammed my head around so much that me and my friend had headaches for the rest of the day.
Have fun.... i think I need to go there again.

 

[kerrynic78]

We are also going there in August. We have never been to Massachussetts. We are staying 3 nights. We were going to go there for 2 days but we think it may be overkill. Is one day enough? Do you have any suggestions for the other day if you think we should do something else too.

BTW on our first day we are going to yankee candle and hood park.

I could spend one day alone just at the Yankee Candle Factory!

 

[klineyqueen]

I could spend one day alone just at the Yankee Candle Factory!

I could too....but I will have a 2 and 5 year old!

 

[PollyannaMom]

For anyone who subscribed to find out more themselves -

We went yesterday, and had a great time! (It's not Disney, of course, but was fun for a quick day trip.) Here are my condensed tips:


Use your AAA card! It's a discount not only for parking, but also for food and shopping.

Two Warnings - There are a lot of things that cost extra once you are in. And the maps are not great. We were a bit lost a first, but finally got the hang of it. (Except in the water park area. We thought there should have been posted maps there, with a list of height requirements.)

If you have a Scooby fan, and are there on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, go straigt to the Emporium when you get there, and you can buy tickets to "Sundaes with Scooby Doo." It's one of those affore-mentioned extras, but worth it. They set up in the BBQ place in Crack Axle Canyon, you make your own sundaes (Cold Stone Creamery ice cream!) and Scooby and Shaggy come around and take pics with each kid/family, and then play games with the kids.

There is a shortcut to the right of the main lockers into the backside of Crackaxle Canyon.

Places to eat that weren't crowded at what I thought would be peak times were the BBQ place in Crack Axle Canyon, and a place in the Loony Toons area whose entrance was on the backside, so not obvious from the main walkway.

There ARE roller coasters for the kids too little to ride the big name ones. The one in the Loony Toons area is the smallest (they can go on alone), then Catwoman's Whip in the Super Hero area is a step up from that (I did this one with DS, but there were some kids alone), then Pandemonium is a "family" coaster they can go on with you.

Our favorite rides:
Pandemonium - kind of the spinny format of Primieval Whirl at AK, but a lower height requirement. (It's gentler than it looks.) I loved this one!
The Skyway - DS loved being able to "see the whole park, Mommy!"
Batman - DH says he actually liked this better than Superman. He said it was more comfortable.
Bertie's Bus - DS isn't impressed by too many of the real "kiddie" rides anymore, but did list this one as a favorite.
The Houdini Illusion Ride - a bit of a hidden gem, tucked in the back of the Crack Axle Canyon area. It's a very neat trick!

On The Water Park:
Difficult to navigate, but some good stuff. We liked the family raft ride and especially the wave pool. - It is much smaller than Water Country's, so DS was able to be in the big waves at a shallower depth. He loved the freedom to stand next to us instead of being stuck in a float.
We (as parents) hated one of the children's areas - the island climbing structure thing with the big bucket that dumps - because it is impossible to see where your kids are. (DS of course, loved it, but we didn't let him go back in a second time.)
The "Lily Pad" crossing thing was neat. - DS loved it and it was fun to watch him.



Have to sign off now, but will add later if I think of anything.

 

[klineyqueen]

Thanks for the info.

Do you have any ideas of other things to do in the area? I am glad you had a nice day. How crowded was the park?

 

[PollyannaMom]

Thanks for the info.

Do you have any ideas of other things to do in the area? I am glad you had a nice day. How crowded was the park?

Not too crowded, actually! It was kind of an "iffy" day - a bit of a sprinkle in the morning, so I figure some local season pass holders didn't come. Then the weather ended up clearing. There were a couple of small school groups still, but you shouldn't have that in August, unless it is summer camps? (Even so, it would probably be kids older than yours, so not direct competition for rides.)

If your 2-uear-old is into The Wiggles, they have a whole section of that, also a Thomas section with a very cute train ride in Annie and Clarabel themselves.

We didn't go anyplace else, but I know Old Sturbridge Village is in the area. Also, the Basketball Hall of Fame is close, in Springfield.

 

[garmich]

Thanks for the info.

Do you have any ideas of other things to do in the area? I am glad you had a nice day. How crowded was the park?

Don't know what your interests are, but here are a few suggestions:

The Basketball Hall of Fame. Easy to get to, it's rigtht next to I-91 in downtown Springfield with plenty of free parking. I hate to admit it, I live nearby and I've never been to the Hall. I'm not a basketball fan.

Springfield Science Museum. It's not a huge science museum, but it has some interesting exhibits. They have the oldest continuously operated planetarium in the US. They also have a Dr. Seuss exhibit. He was a native of Springfield.

Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory, South Deerfield, MA. If you're into butterflies, this is a nice place to visit. If you go to Yankee Candle, it's just up the road on the left. http://www.magicwings.com

Lupa Zoo, Ludlow, MA It's a very small zoo and not expensive. Not too long ago it was completely free, but now there's a charge. http://www.lupazoo.org/zoo_info/planning/hours.htm

Just a few suggestions, I hope it helps.

 

[LovinPooh]

Magic Wings is incredible! When we go to Yankee Candle we normally make a day of it and go to Magic Wings.
Basketball Hall of Fame is pretty cool.
Ingleside Mall in Holyoke is a fun day of shopping. that is right off I 91 between Deerfield and Agawam.

 

[klineyqueen]

The reason we want to do this park is because DD is 2 and LOVES WIGGLES. DS is 5 and LOVES THOMAS!!! That won't last....KWIM? They will outgrow those characters soon!

 

[Whipperwhirl]

Buy the little electronic gizmo that lets you skip lines - I forget what they call it - but it is worth every penny - if you dont get in line to get it early you may not get one. Trust me - SFNE was one of my biggest clients when I was doing balloons.

Magic wings is very cool - but I dont think its anywhere near six flags - you will definatley want to map it out - that could be an hour ride or so.