Ride Profile
Hot new coaster makes its mark
Maryland’s first floorless coaster debuts at Six Flags America; North American editor, Paul Ruben has the story
new coaster offers custom, state-of-the-art trains for a sleeker, more thrilling experience as guests soar along 2,900 feet (884 m) of track. “Six Flags is the undisputed industry leader in innovation
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and thrills,” says Park President Rick Howarth. “Firebird is a game-changer, offering guests an unparalleled and completely new riding experience. This coaster is the perfect complement to an already stellar collection of thrilling rides and attractions for all ages and builds upon our commitment to offer members and season pass holders new reasons to visit year after year.”
ix Flags America, Upper Marlboro, Maryland, has opened Maryland’s first and only floorless roller coaster, Firebird, from Bolliger & Mabillard. This
Guests notice From 1990 to 2011 Firebird operated as Iron Wolf, a stand-up roller coaster and B&M’s first, at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois. Moved to Six Flags America, it then operated as Apocalypse: The Last Stand from 2012 through 2018. It has now been completely refurbished and rejuvenated, fitted with new floorless cars before being introduced as Firebird. Howarth explains why the change was made. “At Six
Flags America, we collect ridership data and we regularly survey our Guests after they visit. The data showed us that our Guests wanted a more comfortable yet thrilling ride for this spot in the park, and we felt making the switch to a floorless coaster would be a great way to do that.” Marketing a coaster whose track was previously in place
was not a concern. “Firebird is certainly a new, and much improved, experience so we are positioning it as a new ride,” notes Howarth. “That said, we don’t deny its provenance. To enthusiast groups we typically use phrasing such as ‘new coaster experience’ and even in the announcement video of the ride, we stated that Firebird was ‘rising from the ashes of the Apocalypse.’ When our guests ride, they definitely notice the improvement and we feel it has the impact of a new ride.”
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