Aqua Twist

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.

Aqua Twist
La Ronde
Coordinates45.524097°N 73.534199°W / 45.524097; -73.534199
StatusOperating
Opening dateJune 1, 2013 (2013-06-01)
Six Flags St. Louis
NameTsunami Soaker
AreaChouteau's Market
StatusOperating
Opening dateMay 24, 2014 (2014-05-24)
ReplacedPowder Keg
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
NameThe Penguin Ride
AreaDC Universe
StatusOperating
Opening dateMay 31, 2014 (2014-05-31)
ReplacedWave Jumper
General statistics
ManufacturerMack Rides
ModelTwist 'n' Splash
Vehicle typeBoats
Height restriction36 in (91 cm)
Platform diameter20 m (66 ft)
Vehicles9
Riders Per Vehicle6
Flash Pass Available

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
NameParkAreaOpening dateRefs
Aqua TwistLa RondeJune 1, 2013[2]
Tsunami SoakerSix Flags St. LouisChouteau's MarketMay 24, 2014[8]
The Penguin RideSix Flags Discovery KingdomSkyMay 31, 2014[9]

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]

References
  1. MacDonald, Brady (August 30, 2012). "Six Flags unveils new attractions for every park in 2013". Los Angeles Times. Tribune Company. Retrieved August 14, 2013.
  2. "Aqua Twist". La Ronde. Archived from the original on September 3, 2012. Retrieved August 14, 2013.
  3. Kleiman, Joe (May 16, 2013). "Canadian Six Flags Park La Ronde Prepares to Open for 47th Season". In Park Magazine. Retrieved August 14, 2013.
  4. "L'Aqua Twist, un nouveau manège à La Ronde en 2013 à Montréal". Huffington Post (in French). May 31, 2013. Retrieved August 14, 2013.
  5. Lau, Rachel (May 30, 2013). "'Aqua Twist' guarantees family fun at LaRonde". Global News. Retrieved August 14, 2013.
  6. Six Flags Theme Parks, Inc. (June 28, 2013). "Aqua Twist". Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS). USPTO. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  7. "New for 2014". August 29, 2013. Archived from the original on September 1, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
  8. "Six Flags St. Louis' New Tsunami Soaker Delivers a Spinning, Spraying Water Adventure". Six Flags. May 22, 2014. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  9. "New Tsunami Soaker Promises a Wet, Wild Good Time". Six Flags. May 22, 2014. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  10. "The Maniacal, Twisted New Coaster, The Joker, Makes Its Highly-Anticipated Debut at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom". Six Flags. May 25, 2016. Retrieved May 28, 2016.
  11. "La Ronde introduces Aqua Twist". Park World Magazine: 14. June 2013.
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