Wicked Cyclone is a steel hybrid roller coaster at Six Flags New England in Agawam, Massachusetts, built by Rocky Mountain Construction and designed by Alan Schilke. It opened on May 24, 2015, standing 109 feet tall, stretching 3,320 feet of track, and reaching a top speed of 55 mph through three inversions.
When it debuted, Wicked Cyclone earned the distinction of being the first hybrid coaster on the East Coast. Its signature elements include a 200-degree zero-g stall, two zero-g rolls, and a run of roughly 14 airtime hills packed into the back half of the layout — a combination that made it an instant hit with enthusiasts and earned it a second-place finish in the 2015 Golden Ticket Awards for Best New Ride.
Quick Answer
Wicked Cyclone is a 109-foot-tall RMC hybrid coaster (steel track over a wooden support structure) at Six Flags New England that hits 55 mph, drops at 78 degrees, and delivers three inversions plus roughly 14 airtime hills across 3,320 feet of track. Riders must be at least 48 inches tall, the back row delivers the strongest airtime, and the ride is best suited for guests already comfortable with intense, ejector-heavy coasters.
Stats at a Glance
Park: Six Flags New England, Agawam, Massachusetts. Manufacturer: Rocky Mountain Construction (I-Box track). Designer: Alan Schilke. Opened: May 24, 2015. Height: 109 ft (33 m). Top Speed: 55 mph (89 km/h). Length: 3,320 ft (1,010 m). Max Drop Angle: 78 degrees. Inversions: 3 (one 200-degree zero-g stall, two zero-g rolls). Airtime Hills: approximately 14. Trains: 2 trains, 6 cars each, 24 riders per train. Minimum Height: 48 inches (122 cm).
Height Requirement, Restraints & Who Should Ride
Wicked Cyclone requires riders to be at least 48 inches (122 cm) tall, in line with most major steel inversion coasters at the park. There is no published maximum weight limit, but as with any RMC hybrid, riders need to comfortably fit the individual ratcheting lap bar restraint — a lap bar and seatbelt setup rather than an over-the-shoulder harness, which is part of why the ride’s ejector airtime feels so intense.
Because the layout mixes sustained inversions, sharp direction changes, and strong lateral forces low to the ground, Wicked Cyclone is rated as an extreme coaster. It’s a great fit for riders who already enjoy hybrid or launched coasters, but it is not a gentle introduction for first-timers or younger kids who just cleared the height line.
The Ride Experience
Riders board one of two 24-passenger trains and ascend the 109-foot chain lift hill before plunging at a 78-degree angle. The layout blends airtime-heavy hills with three inversions: a massive 200-degree zero-g stall that briefly holds riders upside down, followed by two zero-g rolls that deliver a floating, twisting sensation.
The combination of Rocky Mountain Construction’s I-Box steel track — layered over the original wooden structure — produces a remarkably smooth ride despite the intense lateral and ejector forces throughout. The back half of the course dives into a rapid-fire sequence of low-to-the-ground airtime hills and quick direction changes, making full use of the 3,320-foot layout. Because the I-Box rail eliminates the jackhammering common on traditional wood coasters, Wicked Cyclone is regularly cited by enthusiasts as one of the smoothest RMC conversions anywhere, not a rough ride.
Best Seat: Front Row or Back Row?
Seat choice makes a real difference on Wicked Cyclone. The back row gets yanked hardest over every airtime hill, delivering the most intense, prolonged floater and ejector airtime on the ride — most enthusiasts rank it as the top spot to sit. The front row trades some of that airtime punch for unobstructed sightlines through the inversions and the drop, plus the best view of the layout ahead, though the surrounding scenery is limited to a park walkway on one side and a road outside the fence on the other. Middle rows split the difference, offering a smoother, slightly less jarring ride for anyone riding with a nervous first-timer.
From Cyclone to Wicked Cyclone
Wicked Cyclone’s story begins with Cyclone, a traditional wooden coaster that opened at Six Flags New England on June 24, 1983, and carried more than 15 million riders over three decades. By 2014, the aging structure was closed and handed over to Rocky Mountain Construction for their signature RMC conversion treatment, which replaces the wooden track with steel I-Box rail while retaining the original wooden support structure.
The $10 million transformation — the park’s largest capital investment since 2002 — took roughly a year, and the result was a coaster that bore little resemblance to its predecessor in terms of intensity or layout. Where Cyclone was a classic out-and-back wooden ride, Wicked Cyclone became a terrain-hugging, inversion-packed hybrid that quickly rose into enthusiast rankings as one of the best coasters in New England.
Records & Rankings
Wicked Cyclone opened as the first hybrid coaster on the East Coast and debuted the world’s first ‘double-reversing bank airtime hill.’ It finished second for Best New Ride in the 2015 Golden Ticket Awards, and in the years since has repeatedly landed on enthusiast lists of top steel coasters, including a tie for #14 in the 2017 Golden Ticket Awards for top steel coasters — a strong showing for a regional park coaster competing against much larger installations nationwide.
Planning Your Visit
Wicked Cyclone is included with standard Six Flags New England admission — no separate ticket is required, though Fast Lane passes are sold to skip the regular queue. Like most seasonal parks, Six Flags New England’s operating hours shift by day and season, running shorter schedules in spring and fall and extended hours in peak summer, so it’s worth checking before you go rather than assuming a fixed opening time.
Ticket pricing follows the typical tiered model for regional theme parks: single-day gate tickets, discounted advance online tickets, and season passes or memberships that pay off with repeat visits. For current hours, ticket prices, and any seasonal closures, check the official Six Flags New England site, which also lists Fast Lane pricing and calendar details for Wicked Cyclone and the park’s other rides.
Wicked Cyclone roller coaster FAQs
What type of roller coaster is Wicked Cyclone?
Wicked Cyclone is a steel hybrid coaster built by Rocky Mountain Construction using their I-Box track system. It reuses the original Cyclone wooden support structure but replaces the wooden rails with smooth steel track, combining the classic feel of a wooden coaster’s layout with modern steel ride quality.
How many inversions does Wicked Cyclone have?
Wicked Cyclone has three inversions: a 200-degree zero-g stall and two zero-g rolls, all packed into the back half of the 3,320-foot layout.
How many airtime hills does Wicked Cyclone have?
Wicked Cyclone features roughly 14 airtime hills, delivering repeated ejector and floater airtime moments throughout the ride in addition to its three inversions.
What is the height requirement for Wicked Cyclone?
Riders must be at least 48 inches (122 cm) tall to ride Wicked Cyclone.
What kind of restraints does Wicked Cyclone use?
Wicked Cyclone uses an individual ratcheting lap bar with a seatbelt, rather than an over-the-shoulder harness, which is typical for RMC hybrid coasters and contributes to the intense airtime sensation.
Is Wicked Cyclone rough or smooth?
Wicked Cyclone is smooth. Rocky Mountain Construction’s steel I-Box track eliminates the jackhammering typical of older wooden coasters, so the intensity comes from speed, airtime, and G-forces rather than a bumpy ride.
What row has the best airtime on Wicked Cyclone?
The back row delivers the strongest, longest-lasting airtime as it gets pulled hardest over each hill. The front row offers the clearest sightlines but slightly less intense airtime.
Is Wicked Cyclone suitable for first-time thrill seekers?
Not really — Wicked Cyclone is rated as an extreme coaster due to its inversions, sharp direction changes, and strong lateral forces. It suits riders who already enjoy hybrid or launched coasters more than first-timers.
How does Wicked Cyclone compare to the original Cyclone?
The original Cyclone was a classic wooden out-and-back coaster that ran from 1983 to 2014. Wicked Cyclone kept the wooden support structure but replaced the track with RMC’s steel I-Box rail, transforming it into a smoother, terrain-hugging, inversion-packed hybrid with a far more intense layout.
Where is Wicked Cyclone located at Six Flags New England?
Wicked Cyclone sits in the North End section of the park, near the park’s other major thrill coasters.
Do you need a separate ticket to ride Wicked Cyclone?
No. Wicked Cyclone is included with standard Six Flags New England admission; only optional Fast Lane passes cost extra to skip the regular line.
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