Pandemonium
Six Flags over Texas added the Pandemonium roller coaster in 2008. The four-seater cars freely spin guaranteeing that no two rides will ever be the same. Tight turns, spiraling helixes, and swooping drops are some of the coaster’s trademarks.
Pandemonium was designed and manufactured by German coaster company Gerstlauer, who also designed the New Texas Giant’s trains. The ride stands on the former site of Wildcatter — the Intamin first-generation drop tower — on the border of the USA and Boomtown sections.
The Ride Formerly Known as Tony Hawk’s Big Spin
Originally the ride was named “Tony Hawk’s Big Spin” and featured extreme sports theming throughout the queue line and ride. In 2010 Six Flags announced it had ceased a number of costly licensing deals, including the Tony Hawk trademarks. As a result, the ride’s name was shortened to “Big Spin” and the Tony Hawk theming removed.
Six Flags once again changed the name of the ride to its current “Pandemonium” in the early 2011 season.
Queue Entrance
Entrance to Pandemonium
Spinning Cars
The first half consists of tight turns to get the cars spinning
Track Dip
The second half is full of drops and helixes to finish with a bang
Hill
Riders dip down before the final helix
Spinning Car
The spinning action never stops
A Quick Dip
Riders speed down an incline
Twisted Track
The track has plenty of twists and turns
Speeding around a Turn
Riders speed around the final turn
Car Design
Pandemonium’s uniquely-designed that spin freely
With the Texas Chute Out
Pandemonium with the now-defunct Texas Chute Out in the background
Mining Theming
The coaster stands on the former site of Wildcatter
Station
Theming on the then-titled Big Spin coaster station
Aerial View
Aerial view of Pandemonium
Choose your Dizziness
The more unevenly Pandemonium’s cars are loaded, the more they will spin out-of-control during the ride. For example, if only 2 people are riding and both sit on the same side next to each other, the car will likely spin violently throughout the ride.
Pandemonium Stats
| Ride Type: | Steel spinning coaster |
| Height: | 53 ft |
| Top Speed: | 31 mph |
| Length: | 1351 ft |
| Year Introduced: | 2008 |
| Inversions: | 0 |
| Manufacturer: | Gerstlauer |
| Duration: | 1 min, 51 sec |
| Height Requirement: | 47 in. (42 in. with adult) |
| Status: | Operating |
| Flash Pass Enabled: | Yes |
Where to Sit?
With Pandemonium’s free-spinning cars, the weight distribution in the car determines how much it will spin. An unbalanced load with heavier riders on one side of the car will make for a dizzying experience.
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