Before a recent visit to Six Flags St. Louis, I took some time to fly my drone from outside the park to capture some less commonly seen angles of the park.
Disclaimer: I am an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate-holding drone pilot following FAA‘s Small UAS Rule (Part 107) and did not fly the drone over Six Flags property.
Six Flags St. Louis, as seen from the southwest. This shot was taken not far from the Holiday Inn hotel.
A lush green hillside serves as a beautiful backdrop to the park’s respectable skyline of 10 coasters and a variety of flat rides.
At 218 feet, Mr. Freeze (still running in reverse) is an imposing feature on said skyline.
Boss stands over some of the park’s warehouses. The new-for-2024 Joker Carnival of Chaos can be seen to the right.
Okay, while we’re on the subject, let’s talk about Boss.
I know the chances of Boss getting the Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC) treatment are slim-to-none, but I’m going to keep speaking it into the universe.
This 2000 Custom Coasters International (CCI) has so much potential. The layout, the speed, the terrain — but it’s all offset by a jackhammer-like ride experience.
That said, I can’t imagine a trip to Six Flags St. Louis without at least one ride on the Boss. Love it or hate it, it’s a classic.
But man-oh-man, imagine what RMC could do with it.
Imagine the first drop replaced by a barrel-roll drop a la Storm Chaser at Kentucky Kingdom.
At the very least, replacing the wooden track with Great Coasters International’s (GCI) Titan Track steel would be a huge improvement.
But I digress. There is more than Boss at Six Flags St. Louis.
The Studio Backlot area is home to Ninja, Batman: The Ride and The Buccaneer swinging ship, formerly known as The Joker Inc.
Pictured in the center is the Illinois section of the park, which includes 2022’s Catwoman Whip (purple/green), Boomerang (green/orange) and SkyScreamer (multicolor tower).
American Thunder (formerly Evel Knievel) may not be the tallest or fastest coaster at Six Flags, but it still packs a punch.
Pivoting to the right, Ninja and Batman come into view.
The Colossus wheel stands 180 feet tall and offers the best views of the park (from within the park).
Six Flags St. Louis’ Batman: The Ride is the only Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) Batman clone in the Six Flags chain to still sport the original, all-black color scheme. All the others have been painted a combination of blue, yellow and/or dark purple. Personally, I think the all-black scheme works best for a coaster themed after the Dark Knight.
Ninja operated for a year as Scream Machine at the 1986 World Exposition on Transportation and Communication (Expo ’86) in Vancouver, Canada, before reopening as Ninja at Six Flags St. Louis in 1989.
Screamin’ Eagle, although rougher than I remember it being, is a beautiful and fun classic. The wooded setting makes it even more fun, especially at night.
Six Flags St. Louis may not have the most impressive coaster lineup in the country, but it sure does look beautiful against this hillside.
The layout of Batman: The Ride at Six Flags St. Louis is mirrored from the layout of the original Batman at Six Flags Great America.
I stopped on my way home to capture a few sunset shots from the southeast after the park had closed. Pictured in the center is the Studio Backlot area.
When viewed from the midway, Ninja’s four inversions are largely shrouded by the coaster’s lift hill and supports.
Batman’s track was illuminated by the setting sun, making for a stark contrast against the tree line.
Six Flags St. Louis holds a special place in my heart. Growing up in Memphis, it was the Six Flags. I spent many days there growing up, and it was very exciting to see the park like never before.
Recent Discussion