More thrills, more fun as Six Flags opens for 2023

Season highlight features new air-conditioned VIP Lounge

By K eith O ’C onnor Special to The Republican

YOU KNOW THAT spring has arrived when amusement parks such as Six Flags New England open their doors to thrill seekers young and old for another season.

Billed as the Thrill Capital of New England, Six Flags New England opens its 2023 season on weekends and select days until summer beginning Friday.

While coaster fanatics won’t find a new thrill ride to test their fortitude this year, the park will benefit from a little sprucing up.

“For the 2023 season we continue to focus on creating a first-class guest experience through exceptional events, park beautification and enhancements and improved customer service,” said park president Pete Carmichael in a news release about the park’s opening. “As New England’s premier family entertainment destination, we’re laserfocused on elevating our guests experience each and every year. For the 2023 season our guests will experience new restaurants, new shade structures, increased seating, VIP Lounge, new game locations and so much more.”

The new VIP Lounge is really something to “scream” about, noted Jennifer McGrath, communications manager for Six Flags New England.

“For an additional fee visitors can enjoy our relaxing and fun new indoor mecca that features Wi-Fi, charging stations, televisions, cozy leather couches, and small bites, soda and other beverages,” McGrath said. “It’s a nice zone to catch up on social media and relax in air-conditioned comfort.”

Throughout the season

Six Flags New England will introduce a variety of new and returning events including SCREAM Break, Flavors of the World, Viva La Fiesta and Blues Brews and BBQs, while welcoming back park favorites such as July 4th Fireworks presented by Coca-Cola, Oktoberfest, Boo Fest, Fright Fest and a Veterans Day celebration. To kick off the season and to tie in with spring break for many school students, Six Flags will offer what they are dubbing “SCREAM Break” with unlimited nighttime access to heart-pounding rides and others such as Scream, Flashback, Tomahawk, Thunderbolt, Rock N Rodeo and Stampede Bumper Cars. Visitors will also experience haunts and other spine-tingling happenings such as roaming zombies, “BOOzy drinks,” live music provided by a DJ, and yummy treats to choose from. It all happens from 7 to 10 p.m. on select days April 14-23. Separate admission is required for the special event, however, admission is free with a valid

Above, guests are suspended 400 feet above the ground on the New England SkyScreamer ride at Six Flags New England on Aug. 5, 2021. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN, FILE)

Left, a group of children walk hand-in-hand with Looney Tunes characters Bugs Bunny and Tweety Bird while visiting Looney Tunes Movie Town at Six Flags New England. (FREDERICK GORE PHOTO) pass or membership.

“With limited capacity for SCREAM Break, we expect it to be a sellout with pass holders receiving a free event wristband. Otherwise, tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis only in person at the park,” McGrath said.

Visitors looking for a new ride will have to wait until May 27, May 26 if you are a pass holder, when the Dino Off Road Adventure is unveiled in the Kidzopolis area of the park. The new attraction for youngsters will feature life-size dinosaurs including a Tyrannosaurus Rex, Dilophosaurus, Maisasaura and others, several of whom will be roaring up a storm along with their life-like movement.

“The ride will be as much fun for adults as it is for their kids. It’s very immersive, all about science and learning, as riders come across adventure guides and view factoids about their favorite creatures. Riders will climb aboard a safari-like vehicle which runs on a track, while still allowing them to steer and push a pedal to keep it in motion. It features the best in sound and animatronic motion and is only to be found at Six Flags

New England right now,” McGrath said.

“Before or after the ride, you can stop at Fossil Fuel to enjoy a dinosaur funnel cake in the shape of a paw, as well as other themed snacks and even some prehistoric punch,” she added.

Visitors will also have to wait until May 27 when the much warmer weather hopefully returns to don their bathing suits and head to Hurricane Harbor in the park with its many water rides. Some 15 attractions await water lovers at New England’s largest water park from the Hurricane Falls water slide to Hurricane Bay where you can swim, dive, and enjoy splashing around to the Kiddie Pirate Ship play structure and Splash Island just for kids, with a small wave pool and lazy river to cruise down on their own.

The park opens daily for the summer season June 14.

Six Flags New England offers a variety of passes including unlimited admission, parking, and more with a 2023 pass, which includes exclusive benefits and events all season starting at $7.99 a month after initial payment. For one-day daily admission prices and more, visit sixflags.com.