Celebrating
a Decade of Thrills, Chills and Adventure!
|
|
Celebrating
a Decade of Thrills, Chills and Adventure! |
|
|
| Six Flags Saint Louis has a wonderful new attraction this year that puts the park on our Must-Do list. Is it a new coaster? No. A thrilling flat ride? No. Some sort of tower ride? No. It’s a dark ride, suitable for the whole family. You might wonder why a “family ride” makes a park a mandatory stop. This is a great family ride. Let’s start out at the queue area. | 
This is the entrance to the queue area. © TPA
|
| The line twists through a shaded maze with lots of warning signs to let the younger guests get used to the idea that this could be scary. Scooby is happily emblazoned above the entrance and the word "scary" is prominently displayed. But kids get the idea that it could be fun to be scared. There are lots of fun warning signs strengthening the message, but always in a simple, positive way. Of course, no scary swamp would be complete without a gargoyle, so the Scary Swamp doesn’t disappoint! You walk through a door and get a small taste of the theming. Since this is not a totally new ride, some of the past decor that works with the new theme is retained. It is a wonderful combination of old and new. | 
These signs do a fantastic job of conveying that it can be good to be scared, a little! © TPA
|
| The ride vehicles consist of the totally revamped boats that were part of the old attraction; 22 in all, that are complete with laser “fright lights” to activate over 100 targets. The boats include a scorekeeping device that keeps track of up to four different contestants, so the whole family can engage in a little friendly competition. One thing we noticed on the boat in front of us were the little heads looking, shooting and laughing so hard they were rocking their boat! The ride lasts somewhere around five minutes, with 25 different scenes stretched out over 650 feet of river. And did we mention that it is air-conditioned? This makes for a relaxing ride for the young at heart, as well as the true Scooby fans. And the Scary Swamp offers a very welcome respite from the heat of the St. Louis summertime. | 
Combining a cartoon icon with an interactive, relaxing, ride, sets a new standard for Six Flags St. Louis. © TPA
|
| Hitting the various targets is easy due to actually being able to see where your “fright light” is striking the target. Hitting the different targets scores you points, and also activates various gags throughout the ride. With the guests controlling targets, each ride is different. Unfortunately, it also makes it wildly popular. The line was long, so we didn’t ride it again. We will save that for the next time we visit. | 
We loved how they gently increased the warnings to the little riders. We heard lots of parents discussing these signs with their children. © TPA
|
| The various scenes include the creepy castle, haunted hut, ghostly graveyard, crazy circus, dank dungeon, and the explosives room.
There are falling bookcases, water geysers and many other stunts that Sally Corp., the Great American Dark Ride Company, is famous for popularizing.
Blacklighting, psychedelic colors, fog and an impressive alligator with red laser eyes add to the excitement.
Sounds seem to come towards you from all directions and the flying ghosts do make you duck.
All in all, it's a fantastic ride with something for everyone, whether it is seeing the your favorite cartoon characters come to life, or doing some serious laser target shooting with your best
friends. Thanks to Elizabeth Gotway of Six Flags St. Louis for her help in researching this report. |
Despite the increasing intensity of the warnings, we didn't see any kids wanting to back out of going on the ride. In fact, most of them wanted to do it again! © TPA
|
On occasion, the gargoyle comes to life and squirts unsuspecting guests. He also rotates from side to side as he does this. © TPA
|
Having never experienced this ride before, this was our first indication that we would be riding a boat. © TPA |
The alligator is left over from the previous theming of the ride. A nice touch of continuity for regular guests. © TPA |
These are the newly decorated boats. You can see the "fright light" in the front rider's hand. © TPA
|
Blacklighting and cool colors abound! © TPA
|
The simulated flame lamps make this scene delightfully spooky. © TPA
|
As you shoot up the Crazy Circus, various gags are activated. Remember it well, for it will be different the next time you ride! © TPA
|
There is no mistaking the warning here, but the boat takes you in anyway! © TPA
|
A pass though the explosives room. Shooting at things here has some disastrous consequences! © TPA |
