Aqua Twist Explained

Aqua Twist
Location:La Ronde (amusement park)La Ronde
Status:Operating
Altname2:Tsunami Soaker
Location2:Six Flags St. Louis
Section2:Chouteau's Market
Status2:Operating
Previousattraction2:Powder Keg
Altname3:The Penguin Ride
Location3:Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
Section3:DC Universe
Status3:Operating
Previousattraction3:Wave Jumper
Manufacturer:Mack Rides
Model:Twist 'n' Splash
Vehicle Type:Boats
Custom Label 2:Vehicles
Custom Value 2:9
Custom Label 3:Riders Per Vehicle
Custom Value 3:6
Restriction In:36
Virtual Queue Name:Flash Pass
Virtual Queue Image:Fastpass availability icon.svg
Virtual Queue Status:Available
Custom Label 1:Platform diameter
Custom Value 1:20m (70feet)

Aqua Twist is a water-based teacup ride located at La Ronde, with two other versions of the ride, located at Six Flags St. Louis, and Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. Designed by Mack Rides, a German ride manufacturer, the attraction is one of their "Twist 'n' Splash" models. Since 2013, Six Flags has installed Aqua Twists in three of their parks.

History

On August 30, 2012, La Ronde's owner Six Flags announced that they would be adding Aqua Twist to the park in 2013.[1] On June 1, 2013, the attraction officially opened to the public, making La Ronde the first amusement park in North America to install a ride of its kind.[2] [3] [4] [5]

On June 28, 2013, Six Flags filed for a trademark with the United States Patents and Trademark Office for the name "Aqua Twist", leading to speculation that the company has plans for future installations at its other parks in the United States.[6] On August 29, 2013, Six Flags officially announced the ride would be installed at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom and Six Flags St. Louis for the 2014 season under the name Tsunami Soaker.[7] Tsunami Soaker at Six Flags St. Louis was the first to open in the United States on May 24, 2014, replacing the Powder Keg (also known as Hannibarrels) ride that had sat idle since 1997.[8] A week later, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom open their new Tsunami Soaker on May 31, 2014, which is located at the former location of Wave Jumper located next to the wooden roller coaster, Roar.[9]

In 2016, Six Flags renovated Roar at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom and reopened it as The Joker, which led to the re-theme of Tsunami Soaker to The Penguin Ride, themed after the DC Comics villain Penguin to fit the theme of the area of where the ride is located.[10]

Installations

Name Park Area Opening date Refs
Aqua Twist
Tsunami Soaker Chouteau's Market
The Penguin RideSky

Ride experience

Riders board one of the nine boats. Before the ride's operational cycle begins the floor under the boats get filled with water, resulting in the boats floating. Once the ride begins the boats rotate like a traditional teacups attraction from an amusement park. There are six water guns that are equipped onto the boats as a way to splash other riders and bystanders.[11] The ride operates with nine boats that feature six seats each, resulting in 54 riders per cycle.[8]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: MacDonald. Brady. Six Flags unveils new attractions for every park in 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20120929145334/http://articles.latimes.com/2012/aug/30/news/la-trb-six-flags-2013-national-20120830. dead. September 29, 2012. August 14, 2013. Los Angeles Times. August 30, 2012. Tribune Company.
  2. Web site: Aqua Twist . https://web.archive.org/web/20120903100731/http://www.laronde.com/larondeen/aqua_twist.asp . dead . September 3, 2012 . La Ronde . August 14, 2013 .
  3. Kleiman. Joe. Canadian Six Flags Park La Ronde Prepares to Open for 47th Season. In Park Magazine. May 16, 2013. August 14, 2013.
  4. News: L'Aqua Twist, un nouveau manège à La Ronde en 2013 à Montréal. August 14, 2013. Huffington Post. May 31, 2013. French.
  5. News: Lau. Rachel. 'Aqua Twist' guarantees family fun at LaRonde. August 14, 2013. Global News. May 30, 2013.
  6. Web site: Aqua Twist. Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS). USPTO. Six Flags Theme Parks, Inc.. June 28, 2013.
  7. Web site: New for 2014 . August 29, 2013 . August 29, 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130901054320/http://content.sixflags.com/comingin2014/ . September 1, 2013 .
  8. Web site: Six Flags St. Louis' New Tsunami Soaker Delivers a Spinning, Spraying Water Adventure. Six Flags. May 22, 2014. June 11, 2014.
  9. Web site: New Tsunami Soaker Promises a Wet, Wild Good Time. Six Flags. May 22, 2014. June 11, 2014.
  10. Web site: The Maniacal, Twisted New Coaster, The Joker, Makes Its Highly-Anticipated Debut at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom . Six Flags. May 25, 2016. May 28, 2016.
  11. La Ronde introduces Aqua Twist. Park World Magazine. June 2013. 14.