About.com: New England Travel — May 28, 2009
Six Flags Rollercoaster Cuts: A Hair Razing Experience
By Kim Knox Beckius
The first Six Flags Rollercoaster Cuts opened in West Hartford, Connecticut's Blue Back Square in March 2009. I first heard the news that Six Flags — better known for its amusement parks including Six Flags New England — planned to venture into the children's haircut business from my colleague, About.com Theme Parks Guide Arthur Levine, who mused we'd soon be seeing Six Flags Tax Prep outlets, too!
The Six Flags chain has struggled lately, but I was equally surprised by this daring departure. Could Coaster Cuts really capture kids' attention and bolster Six Flags' plummeting profits? Why would the company choose to locate the first Coaster Cuts outlet 40 minutes from the nearest Six Flags park?
The only way to find out: Plan an outing to this flagship location with my six-year-old daughter.
"You're getting me excited, Mom," was her reaction when I first described Six Flags Rollercoaster Cuts and told her we had an afternoon appointment in May 2009. Keep your hands inside the car as we take you inside and share our thoughts on the Coaster Cuts experience.
L.L.: I went to Roller Coaster Cuts, and when I first went in, I felt a little scared because I thought the seat would be moving and bumping and going very fast — like you were really on a roller coaster. Looking at the screen feels like you're actually on a roller coaster, but it wasn't scary. It's like leaning back, and you're on a roller coaster. The roller coaster goes upside down!
Kim/Mom: The only thing scary for me about Six Flags Coaster Cuts was the price. I visited the Six Flags Rollercoaster Cuts Web site before our visit and was more than a little annoyed that there were no prices listed online for the salon's services. When I called to ask, there were no prices mentioned on the voicemail recording, either. Within a half hour, however, an employee returned my call and described the various pricing options, which range (as of 2009) from $21.99 for a shampoo and cut (or Shampoof and Cutz, as they like to call it) to the $39.99 Big Kapow, which includes Shampoof, Cutz, Blowblast, a crusader cape and a super hero or princess T-shirt. We opted for the $24.99 shampoo, cut and blow dry .
L.L.: When you get your hair cut, you get to watch a show or play a video game.
Kim/Mom: There's something to be said for providing children with entertainment while they're having their hair cut. Video games provide a good distraction for kids who are nervous about having their tresses trimmed and also help to keep fidgety little ones focused while they're in the roller coaster-style chair .
L.L.: When I heard I could play a Barbie video game, I wanted to play it. I did not know how to play, so I asked if she could help me. I finally got Barbie to the stable. It is really hard to get Barbie moving.
Kim/Mom: We've thus far resisted purchasing a video game system for our home, so my inexperienced daughter struggled to figure out how to play as her haircut got underway. Our stylist, Lead Hair Artist Brittany Benedict, tried to help, although she wasn't terribly familiar with the gaming system either. She also had scissors in her hand!
Kim/Mom: While my daughter was in the chair, I wandered around Six Flags Rollercoaster Cuts looking at the colorful merchandise for sale. A visit to Coaster Cuts can certainly add up for a parent who isn't prepared to say "no." On the bright side, if you need a gift for an upcoming birthday party, it's easy to multitask here. Six Flags Rollercoaster Cuts is also a neat place to host a birthday party for a small group of kids. Call the West Hartford store
(860-233-CUTS) or your local Coaster Cuts for pricing and details.
L.L.: Then, you had to put on a special art jacket, and you got to make body lotion, lip gloss or bath salts. I made the body lotion. You get to pick the color and the fragrance and put in all the ingredients. You can even put glitter in.
Kim/Mom: You didn't really think I'd get out of there for just $24.99, did you? After my daughter's haircut was finished at Six Flags Rollercoaster Cuts, stylist Brittany Benedict described some of the salon's other services including kids' manicures and pedicures, up-dos and the make-your-own Liquid Lab, which is popular for birthday parties .
L.L.: You have to shake the lotion up after you follow all of the directions.
Kim/Mom: Brittany, who guided my daughter through the steps to create her own lotion, said that the Six Flags Coaster Cuts in Connecticut actually does more haircuts for boys than girls. This surprised me, considering that most of the extra activities seemed to have girl appeal, but Brittany reminded me that little boys tend to need haircuts more frequently than girls.
L.L.: On the lotion, it says: "Once Upon a Time Lotion Created by Princess ________." Then, you have to write your name on the blank. I really like the lotion because it feels good on your body, and it leaves a little glitter sparkle on your skin.
Kim/Mom: Two weeks after our visit to Coaster Cuts, my daughter is still talking about and enjoying her custom-made lotion, so I feel better about shelling out the extra $7.99. As for me, I'm thrilled that she walked out with a really cute haircut. It was a bit more expensive than what I usually pay, but our stylist was a talented professional, and the service we received at Coaster Cuts was substantially better than at other kids-only hair salons we've tried.
L.L.: After you get your hair cut, you get a free picture. I love Coaster Cuts.
Kim/Mom: If you're still on the fence about spending a bit more than you might elsewhere for a kid's haircut, here are a few final things you should keep in mind. Each haircut at Coaster Cuts includes a free photo of your child sporting his or her new do. Also, if you intend to visit a nearby Six Flags park, you'll be able to purchase admission tickets at a substantial discount following your hair appointment. The Six Flags Rollercoaster Cuts in West Hartford, Connecticut, had Six Flags New England tickets available for $25: a whopping savings of $16.99 off what you'd pay at the gate and cheaper than other Six Flags New England discount offers I've seen for the 2009 season.
If a free photo and discounted theme park tickets aren't adequate enticement, consider this: Kids grow up so fast, and a Coaster Cuts outing is a memorable experience that allows them to feel pampered and special. Although we're not likely to become members of the Cuts Club loyalty reward program, I have a feeling we'll make visits to Coaster Cuts an occasional treat.
About Six Flags Rollercoaster Cuts
Six Flags Rollercoaster Cuts is located at 107 Memorial Road in Blue Back Square, West Hartford, Connecticut. While walk-ins are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, it is always a good idea to call ahead for an appointment: 860-233-CUTS. A second Coaster Cuts location is scheduled to open in Pennsylvania's King of Prussia Mall in July 2009.