originally posted on 10/14/2022 1:38:00 AM
Photo: Travis Shoemaker. View full-sized image.
On Saturday, September 7, 41 ACE members and
their guests from as far away as Connecticut headed to Eureka, Missouri, for
the 15th annual Daredevil Daze at Six Flags St. Louis. The day began with the traditional
walkback to the park’s 1995 addition, Batman: The Ride, for the first
ride of the day. After speeding around Batman’s 2,693 feet of drops,
inversions and helices, attendees were turned loose on Six Flags St. Louis’
rides and attractions for the day. Daredevil Daze takes place the last Saturday
before Fright Fest, which tends to keep crowds down, giving everyone plenty of
chances to spend time on the park’s collection of three wooden coasters and six
steel coasters, as well as the flat rides, log flume and Justice League
interactive dark ride.
Behind-the-scenes photos of The Boss were made possible by a special tour.
Photos: Paul Drabek. View full-sized image.
Batman The Ride. View full-sized image.
Lunch was served in the World’s Fair Picnic Grove with
smoked chicken, Caesar salad, mac and cheese, tater twists, and pulled pork for
lunch. The park gave everyone attending a coupon for a free Worlds Fair ice cream
cone and a front-of-the-line pass for two people.
After lunch it was time to walk off all those calories as
attendees were taken back into the hills of Missouri for a hike around the
park’s 2000 addition, The Boss. As with Screamin’ Eagle, it is hard
to appreciate how hilly the terrain on which The Boss was built is until
you hike it. Hiking the gravel road that circles the Custom Coasters-designed woodie,
everyone endured a workout as well as the ability to take photos of this
coaster from places only accessible behind the scenes. Attendees not only were
able to photograph The Boss from ground level but also were allowed to
climb part of the way up the stairway to the ride’s mid-course brake run for
some wonderful views. After hiking from Shazam, all the way around The Boss
and back to the Grand Carousel (that is slated to return restored and reborn in
2023), everyone was free to enjoy the park.
Photos: Paul Drabek. View full-sized image.
View full-sized image.
As night fell and the park emptied, the lure of the new
Catwoman Whip and the classic Screamin’ Eagle drew everyone to the back
of the park for the night’s ride session. The new Catwoman Whip, which was
originally set to open at the park in 2020 but was delayed two years because of
the COVID-19 pandemic, is a Booster ride by Fun Time. Similar to upcharge Skysccraper
rides, Catwoman Whip seats 16 riders in two pods at the end of a rotating 164-foot
boom that speeds up to 52 mph. As the pods spin around depending on how they
are weighted, riders rock and flip making the ride an unpredictable and
thrilling experience. As ERT began, ACEers lined up to try out this new thrill
that kept many riding for most of the session. Next door sat the park’s classic
John Allen-designed Screamin’ Eagle ready to go for ERT. Last year,
Daredevil Daze attendees had to miss out on the Eagle’s 3,872 feet of
track owing to the removal of the park’s Intamin-designed Superman: Tower of
Power freefall ride. This year, the Eagle was ready to make up for
missing a year of ERT with plenty of nighttime speed and airtime.
Attendees were able to check out the new Catwoman Whip.
Photos: Paul Drabek. View full-sized image.
View full-sized image.
By the time ERT came to a close, everyone had been flipped
on Catwoman Whip over and over and given their daily recommended dose of
negative Gs on Screamin’ Eagle. As with any event, it was a great time
to experience a park, spend time with old friends and meet several new ones.
Mark calendars as the tentative date for Daredevil Daze 2023 is Saturday,
September 16.
— Paul Drabek, ACE Heart of America Regional Representative
The night finished with ERT on Screamin’ Eagle.
Photo: Paul Drabek. View full-sized image.
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