Mega Zeph was a wooden roller coaster at Six Flags New Orleans, located in Mardi Gras. It opened with the park on May 20, 2000, and closed for Hurricane Katrina on August 21, 2005. It is currently SBNO (standing but not operating) as of February 2020.
Originally the signature attraction of Jazzland, the Mega Zeph stayed at the park through its transition into Six Flags New Orleans. The ride was sponsored by the New Orleans Zephyrs in 2004.
History[]
During Operation[]
Mega Zeph took its name from the original Zephyr or Big Zephyr coaster that operated in the now-defunct Pontchartrain Beach amusement park in New Orleans. The coaster celebrated its topping out ceremony on September 10, 1999, with the installation of the underpinnings of the coaster's highest hump. At the time of its completion, Mega Zeph served as both Jazzland's signature attraction as well as its most visible due to its location adjacent to the Interstate 10/Interstate 510 interchange. The coaster's opening would coincide with the grand opening of Jazzland on May 20, 2000.
After Hurricane Katrina[]
Shuttered since August 2005 due to severe flooding in the park as a result of Hurricane Katrina, the park has remained closed. In 2007, Six Flags was in the process of removing some its rides. The first ride to leave was Batman: The Ride, which was removed and taken to Six Flags Fiesta Texas, where it was refurbished and reopened as Goliath on April 18, 2008. Bayou Blaster and Sonic Slam were removed and taken to Great Escape in Queensbury, New York, where it was refurbished and reopened as Sasquatch on May 10, 2009. The final ride to leave Six Flags New Orleans was the Road Runner Express, which was removed in 2009 and taken to Six Flags Magic Mountain, where it was refurbished and reopened on May 28, 2011 under the same name. As of February 2016, the Mega Zeph has remained unused since August 2005, but may potentially reopen as part of a redevelopment of the park announced in August 2009 by New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin. Rumors still float around regarding the history of the park. A large section on the Mega Zeph track has completely fallen to the ground due to the decaying of the wood. The majority of the wood from Mega Zeph has decayed and the steel track has severely rusted. Also, the only trains have been sent to Six Flags St. Louis. They are now being stored under Batman: The Ride.
Ride experience[]
To be added
Characteristics[]
To be added
Gallery[]
Videos[]
Photos[]
References[]
External links[]
Mega Zeph at Wikipedia
Mega Zeph at the Roller Coaster DataBase
