Remember Mega Zeph the mighty wooden coaster. It once stood tall at Six Flags New Orleans. This is the story of its rise fall and eventual demolition.
Mega Zeph opened on May 20 2000 as Jazzland’s signature ride. It was a sight to behold near the Interstate 10 and 510 interchange. People marveled at its size and thrilled at its speed. The coaster’s name paid tribute to the original Zephyr at Pontchartrain Beach.
Let’s step back to September 10 1999. The topping-out ceremony celebrated the highest hump’s installation. Excitement buzzed as Mega Zeph neared completion. It promised to be Jazzland’s star attraction.
Mega Zeph was no ordinary wooden coaster. Custom Coasters International designed it with a steel frame. This hybrid design aimed to withstand hurricane-force winds. Termites were also kept at bay. The ride stood 110 feet tall. It stretched 4000 feet long. Riders reached speeds of 57 mph.
Now fast forward to August 2005. Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans. Six Flags New Orleans suffered severe flooding. Sadly Mega Zeph ceased operation. The park closed and the coaster sat idle.
Imagine the scene after the storm. Rides decayed and became unusable. Decisions about their fate were pending. Batman The Ride was the first to leave. It found a new home at Six Flags Fiesta Texas. Bayou Blaster and Sonic Slam went to Great Escape in New York. Road Runner Express moved to Six Flags Magic Mountain.
But Mega Zeph remained. It was a rusting giant. A large section of its track fell to the ground. Decay gnawed at the wood. Steel turned orange with rust. The lone train sat in Six Flags St. Louis used for parts. Fixing Mega Zeph would cost around $3 million.
Yet Mega Zeph found a new role. It starred in the 20th Century Fox film Percy Jackson Sea of Monsters. Lights lined the coaster for the shoot. A car zoomed in and out of frame. Six Flags New Orleans became Circeland in the movie.
The National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives preserved its neon sign. A piece of New Orleans history was saved.
Time marched on and finally on January 18 2025 a fire broke out on the coaster. Calls to 911 flooded in. Then on February 2 2025 Mega Zeph was torn down.
The ride layout was thrilling. Passengers climbed a 110-foot lift hill. A quick descent followed towards a high-speed turnaround. The ride’s unique steel and wood construction made it special.
Mega Zeph is now a memory. It serves as a reminder of Jazzland’s glory days. It reminds us of Hurricane Katrina’s impact. Though gone its story lives on.