Typically, hearing that a Six Flags park opened a new roller coaster is about as surprising as hearing that water’s wet. But once in a while, the (soon-to-grow) coaster-focused park brand introduces something genuinely new. Usually, that’s an audacious record-breaking ride that’s the tallest, fastest, or wildest of its kind. But this year, we’ve seen something very different – but no less impressive – from a pair of twin rides at Six Flags Fiesta Texas and Six Flags Over Georgia.
Both parks just barely managed to open their new-for-2023 rides by the year’s end, with copies of Kid Flash Cosmic Coaster opening in November. (It’s probably for the best. The further they can get from June’s film flop The Flash, the better.)
It’s notable that the two family-sized racing “P’Sghetti Bowl” model coaster installations appear to be the first successful installations manufactured by Skyline Attractions. (Its “Skywarp” ride model came in both a vertical and horizontal arrangement. Exactly one of each was sold – one as “Harley Quinn Crazy Coaster” at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, and the other as “Tidal Twister” at SeaWorld San Diego. Both were short-lived.)
But the real selling point of the new Kid Flash Cosmic Coaster duos is something astounding: its track. Using the unique “Aurora LED” system that Skyline debuted at the 2022 IAAPA industry conference, both coasters come with LED screens affixed to the top and sides of Skyline’s unique single-rail track. Seeing the technology in testing helps show just how dynamic this technology can be.
“Aurora is the most innovative and exciting roller coaster lighting system on the market,” said Jeff Pike, President of Skyline Attractions. “It allows us to create truly unique and immersive experiences for our customers and their guests.”
Think about it: each of the hundreds and hundreds of panels is synchronized and calibrated precisely, giving park operators the ability to create holiday overlays, sponsorship opportunities, private event add-ons… it even allows the coaster to synchronize with a nightly fireworks display or nighttime spectacular.
Couldn’t this Aurora-equipped P’Sghetti Bowl ride be dropped into Toy Story Land as a Duke Kaboom coaster? Or plopped into Pixar Pier as an Incredibles family ride set in the helix of the Incredicoaster? It’s hard to see the Halloween-themed track package and not think of an Oogie Boogie themed coaster in a Nightmare Before Christmas land at Disney World!
What do you think? Does Skyline’s Aurora LED lightning package offer compelling opportunities for major industry players like Disney and Universal? Or is this technological lighting package a gaudy, glowing gimmick that won’t age well? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
