It looms over the Connecticut River like a massive, red-and-blue skeletal monument to adrenaline. Honestly, if you’ve ever driven down Route 159 in Agawam, Massachusetts, you’ve seen it. You probably felt a little knot in your stomach just looking at that 208-foot lift hill.
Superman The Ride at Six Flags New England isn’t just another roller coaster. It’s a legend. Since it opened in 2000, it has been renamed, repainted, and even fitted with (now-removed) virtual reality headsets, but the core experience remains arguably the best steel coaster experience on the planet. I’ve ridden hundreds of coasters. Some are taller. Some are faster. None of them balance intensity and "airtime" quite like this Intamin masterpiece.
What Makes Superman The Ride at Six Flags New England Different?
Most people think a great coaster is just about the drop. They’re wrong. A truly elite ride is about the pacing, the transitions, and that elusive feeling of "ejector airtime" where you feel like you’re being tossed out of your seat.
The first drop is a 221-foot plunge at a 77-degree angle. You hit 77 miles per hour. That’s fast. But the real magic happens in the layout. After the first drop, you go into a massive camelback hill. This is where you experience sustained weightlessness. It feels like it lasts forever. Then, the ride dives into a tunnel—a literal hole in the ground—that makes you feel like you’re going to lose your head. You won't. But the "head-chopper" effect is terrifyingly effective.
Intamin, the Swiss manufacturer, designed this ride with a specific "U-shaped" track profile. Unlike modern "box" tracks seen on B&M coasters, this feels raw. It’s snappy. It’s aggressive.
The Name Game: Superman vs. Bizarro
If you haven't been to the park in a decade, you might remember this ride looking a bit different. In 2009, Six Flags decided to rebrand it as "Bizarro." They painted the track purple. They added flame effects. They put shields on the sides of the cars. They even added a soundtrack that blasted movie quotes and rock music into your ears.
It was... fine.
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But it felt cluttered. The fire was hot on summer days—too hot. The speakers in the headrests were heavy and muffled the actual sounds of the wind and the track. Fans complained. Eventually, the park listened. In 2016, they stripped away the purple paint, ditched the heavy speakers, and returned it to its original glory. Today, Superman The Ride at Six Flags New England is back to its iconic red track and blue supports. It’s faster now because the trains are lighter without all that extra Bizarro gear.
The Science of the "Third Hill"
Ask any "thoosie"—that’s shorthand for a roller coaster enthusiast—about this ride, and they’ll talk about the third hill.
After the first giant drop and the second massive hill, the coaster turns toward the river. You enter a series of high-speed overbanked turns. Then, you hit a smaller hill. This is the "speed hill." Because the train is still carrying so much kinetic energy, you don't just float. You are violently, yet safely, pushed into the lap bar.
It’s addictive.
The ride finishes with two S-shield shaped helices and a series of "bunny hops" through the support structure. By the time you hit the brake run, your legs are usually shaking.
Safety, Restraints, and the "Big Boy" Seat
Let’s be real for a second. This ride has a history. In the early 2000s, there were serious incidents involving the restraint systems. It’s a heavy topic, but it’s part of the ride’s story. Because of those events, the safety protocols on Superman are some of the strictest in the world.
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- The T-Bar: Originally, the ride had a simple T-bar restraint.
- The Modification: Now, the bars have "shin kicks" and extra padding to ensure your legs are locked in a specific position.
- The Fit: This ride is notorious for being "unfriendly" to larger riders. If you have a larger chest or thighs, the "go/no-go" light on the restraint might not turn green.
If you’re worried about fitting, there is a test seat located right at the entrance of the queue. Use it. It’s better to know there than to wait 90 minutes in the sun only to be told you can’t ride.
The Best Way to Ride Superman
Timing is everything. Six Flags New England gets crowded. Really crowded.
If you want the most intense experience, head for the back row. The back of the train gets "whipped" over the hills, meaning you spend more time out of your seat. If you want the best view and the purest sense of speed, the front row is worth the extra wait.
Pro-Tips for the Agawam Heat:
- Hydrate: The queue for Superman is mostly outdoors. Even with the fans, it gets brutal in July.
- The Locker Situation: You cannot take bags or loose items in line. They will make you put them in a locker near the entrance. They aren't free, so bring a few bucks or a card.
- Flash Pass: If the line is over 60 minutes, the Flash Pass is worth it just for this ride. Superman is the highest-capacity ride in the park, but it still moves slower than you’d think because the ride ops are very thorough with the safety checks.
Is it Still the Best in the World?
Every year, Amusement Today releases the Golden Ticket Awards. For years, Superman (and its Bizarro alter-ego) took the #1 spot for Best Steel Coaster.
Lately, it has some stiff competition. Rides like Fury 325 at Carowinds or Steel Vengeance at Cedar Point have taken the crown. Even within its own park, Wicked Cyclone—the hybrid coaster nearby—gives Superman a run for its money in terms of sheer craziness.
But Superman has something those rides don't: soul. It’s a landmark. It’s built into the terrain. It’s not just a pile of wood or steel; it’s a sequence of perfectly timed physical sensations that tell a story from start to finish. It’s the reason people travel from Europe and Japan just to visit a relatively small park in Western Massachusetts.
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The ride is nearly 25 years old. In "coaster years," that’s middle-aged. Yet, it still runs smoother than many rides built last year. That’s a testament to the engineering of Intamin and the maintenance crew at Six Flags.
Practical Steps for Your Trip
Don't just wing it. If you’re planning to tackle the Man of Steel, here is how you do it right.
Check the Weather
Six Flags will shut down Superman if there is high wind or lightning within a certain radius. Unlike some smaller rides, Superman's height makes it a target. Check the Agawam, MA forecast. If it looks like a stormy afternoon, ride Superman first thing in the morning.
The "Early Bird" Strategy
When the gates open, 90% of the crowd runs toward the back of the park for Wicked Cyclone or Superman. If you are at the gates 30 minutes before opening, you can usually get two rides in on Superman before the line hits the one-hour mark.
Watch the "Single Rider" Status
Occasionally, the park offers a single rider line for Superman. It’s not always open, and they don't always advertise it. Look for signs near the Flash Pass entrance. It can save you hours of standing in the hot sun.
Check the Calendar
Avoid Saturdays in August. Seriously. If you can go on a Tuesday or Wednesday, you’ll find a much more relaxed atmosphere. The "Fright Fest" nights in October are great for atmosphere, but the lines for Superman can become astronomical—sometimes 2 to 3 hours.
Final Verdict
Superman The Ride at Six Flags New England remains a bucket-list item for anyone who loves thrills. It’s a masterclass in kinetic energy. It’s scary, it’s fast, and it’s beautiful. Whether you’re a local who has ridden it a hundred times or a tourist making the pilgrimage, that first drop never gets old. Just remember to breathe when you hit the tunnel.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Download the Six Flags App: Check live wait times before you leave your hotel or house.
- Wear Secure Shoes: No flip-flops. You will lose them during the airtime hills, and the park won't stop the ride to find them for you.
- Pack Light: Use a fanny pack or a zippered pocket for your phone and keys to avoid paying for lockers every time you switch rides.
- Visit the Test Seat: Save yourself the potential embarrassment and check your fit before joining the main queue.