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 Review of Pandemonium @ Six Flags New England
1 Rating Posted by: Canobie Coaster on 7/22/2007 9:24:00 PM
Pandemonium is truly a coaster for everyone. I mean its got drops, speed, helixes, and spinning (enough to make the ride fun and unique, but not enough to make those with weak stomachs sick or queasy). Wanting to revitalize their rather dull North End and faced with limited land to install a massive new coaster, Six Flags contacted Gerstlauer who embraced the challenge in constructing Pandemonium, a coaster fit for riders of all ages.

First off, Pandemonium looks excellent. The lime green paint job really stands out and the way that the twisted track occupies the entire area is great and definitely visually appealing. There is one weakness with Pandemonium and that's its horrendous capacity. 4 riders per car at a busy park? Yeah it's a nightmare. Lines commonly are at least 60-90 minutes long even on weekdays! My recommendation is to hit it as soon as the park opens when the lines are calmer, or if you don't mind getting split up, the single-rider line works wonders since it gets me on in less than 5 minutes even on the busiest of days.

I actually have to applaud Six Flags for their loading/dispatching of Pandemonium. The station is diminutive, but very well organized since riders are pre-grouped to limit confusion and make loading as quick as possible. Once seated, the operators apply the restraints (seat belt & lap bar) without any hesitation. Some people find them tight and somewhat uncomfortable, but I don’t find them to be any problem at all.

The ride begins with a rapid ascent up the short 42ft tall lift. But it doesn’t last long and it’s immediately followed by a short, swooping drop that gives some unique sensations, especially if your lucky enough to be riding backwards, as it’s forceful and provides an incredible freefall sensation. Afterwards come some hairpin turns where the spinning generally begins to pick up, enhancing the intensity of this compact, little coaster. Afterwards comes a zippy downward helix where some great spinning typically occurs, and following that are some intense twists and turns where some of the ride’s best spinning occurs.

Amazingly the second half ramps up the intensity and level of enjoyment in my opinion. Beginning with a plunge off the brake run, the ride quickly traverses some small bunny hills that used circle around the now-removed Time Warp and simultaneously, the cars generally spin constantly during this section to provide a very unique sensation. Then after navigating yet another brake run, my favorite section of the ride occurs- the sensational finale. Beginning with a sudden, steep plunge into a pit where some great floater air occurs, immediately after is a sweet bunny hill teeming with gentle floater air, and wrapping up the entire experience is a very powerful upward helix where a good amount of spinning occurs. Afterwards comes the insane brake run. Now you may ask why a brake run can be regarded as insane? Well, simply it’s because the cars just keep spinning during the brake run like a tea cup!

Pandemonium really is a coaster for everyone. It's not that big so it appeals to families, but also its got spinning which makes every ride unique and somewhat thrilling, making it enjoyable for thrill-seekers as well. But the major reason for my love of the ride is the sheer reridability of it, as it’s quite possibly the smoothest, most comfortable coaster I’ve ever ridden, and not only that, but when combined with the unique ride experience, it makes for an excellent attraction that surprisingly claims the title for my third favorite ride at SFNE after Bizarro and Batman. Really my only complaints with the ride are its lackluster capacity and its rather short length since it’s just so much fun from beginning to end. Under no circumstances should this peppy little coaster be skipped on a visit to Six Flags New England since despite its size, it really packs one heck of a punch.
 
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