Maryland Six Flags Theme Park Opens First Stand-Up Roller Coaster

Largo, MD — Six Flags America unleashes its newest roller coaster yesterday, Apocalypse – The Last Stand, with a train full of zombies for the inaugural first ride. This new "stand-up" roller coaster sends riders careening down 2,900 feet of track to 55 miles-per-hour through hairpin turns, inversions and a corkscrew all while standing up.

Apocalypse – The Last Stand standing ten stories tall is hard to miss. Located in the middle of the park it sports a bright orange and charcoal grey color scheme set against the backdrop of an enormous, looming skull, which is all that remains of the Skull Mountain water ride it replaces.

Six Flags has attempted to create a theme for their new attraction. As you approach the ride the area is surrounded with signs of impending doom and mayhem, including an airplane wreckage, burned out vehicles, evidence of the undead and scorching special effects. The idea is to create a sense that it's the end of the world, an apocalypse.

Six Flags America in Maryland opens the park's eighth roller coaster to the public today. The new 100-foot tall "stand-up" roller coaster includes a thrilling vertical loop and corkscrew inversions.

"We selected this ride for Six Flags America, complete with a timely 2012 Apocalypse theme, to broaden our roller coaster collection and give guests a multi-sensory thrill ride experience," said Rick Howarth, Six Flags America park president. "Zombies, roller coaster enthusiasts and all-around thrill-seekers are invited to stand up to their fear and ride Apocalypse!"

For the opening members of the American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) and a regional coaster club, gathered, many dressed as zombies to be among the first to ride.

"ACE members know and love their roller coasters," said Elizabeth Ringas, Mid-Atlantic ACE regional representative. "Apocalypse was built to deliver the excitement and rush of adrenaline that Six Flags is known for. We are thrilled to have a completely new coaster experience at Six Flags America!"

Apocalypse – The Last Stand was recently moved from Six Flags Great America in Illinois for the reopening in Maryland. The roller coaster was designed by Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) of Switzerland and the first coaster at the park from B&M.

The opening of Apocalypse brings the roller coaster count to eight at Six Flags America.