Pandemonium at Six Flags St. Louis has been in operation since 2007. Designed and manufactured by Gerstlauer, this is a spinning family roller coaster.
Pandemonium at Six Flags: History and Overview
The original Pandemonium was installed at Six Flags New England in 2005 at that time known as Mr. Six’s Pandemonium. When Pandemonium was built for St. Louis it was originally themed to pro-skateboarder Tony Hawk. Since this is a Six Flags park, once the licensing agreement ran out they switched the name to its current moniker of Pandemonium.
Up to four riders sit in one car that goes up a 55-foot chain lift. This single-car coaster traverses light dips and tight helixes. This is all the while the car is spinning depending on the weight distribution and where it’s at on the track. Your little ones can get started on roller coasters with this one. You only have to be 42 inches tall in order to ride with an adult supervisor who is at least 47 inches tall.
Pandemonium at Six Flags: Spin little or hard
One of the coolest things about Pandemonium is that no ride is like another. Depending on who you’re with, where you’re sitting in the car, and what car you in this coaster will spin differently. Sometimes it barely spins, if you have the weight evenly distributed throughout the car. If two people sit on one side with no one on the other then get ready to spin hard!
The Good
My favorite element of Pandemonium is towards the very end. Right after it goes into a mid-course break-run it has a drop that gives you massive amounts of air time! Another thing I love about this coaster is how you’re able to sit facing the riders that you are with. It is fun sitting across from your group and having a good time as this coaster spins you about.
The Bad
The drawback of Tony hawk is that it is a spinning roller coaster. I am not a rider who loves spinning attractions. So if it is assured that this won’t spin very much then I do have a good time. Yet if this is going to spin out of control it will put me out of commission for the rest of the day. In addition, I also think that coasters lose something without the group mechanic. There’s something special about a full train of people laughing and screaming going through the track while the coaster roars. In contrast, Pandemonium feels silent and weird. People don’t make a lot of noise on it. The coaster itself doesn’t make any either. These things combined make Pandemonium feel like less than a real roller coaster.
Final Verdict
I do miss the Tony hawk element of Pandemonium. Six flags often ignores the “theming” elements that make rides a step above. While I may still like riding Pandemonium it is my least favorite coaster in the park. This is actually one of the more popular rides in the park. Constantly packing in large groups of people into its queue line. Riders look very pleased when stepping off of this ride. So while it may work for most this one is just not built for me. On a scale of one to ten, I give Pandemonium a five.
Pros: Some good airtime, seating facing your group
Cons: Lost Theming, single car coaster
If you liked this post or found it helpful then please consider sharing with your friends, family, or fellow coaster enthusiast. Share your memories or thoughts on Pandemonium in the comments. Looking for another family coaster? Read our review River King Mine Train. Check out the RCDB page for Pandemonium.