Operating season Roller coasters 12 Area 86 ha | Total 44 Opened 5 August 1961 Phone +1 817-640-8900 | |
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Six Flags Over Texas is a 212-acre (86 ha) theme park located in Arlington, Texas, east of Fort Worth and about 15 miles (24 km) west of Dallas. It was the first Six Flags Theme Park, but because of later acquisitions it is not the oldest park of the Six Flags chain (that particular title is held by Six Flags New England). The park opened on August 5, 1961, following just a year of construction and an initial investment of US$10 million by real estate developer Angus G. Wynne, Jr.
Contents
- Titan on ride six flags over texas
- Initial planning and construction
- Origin of the name
- Grand opening
- 1960s
- 1970s
- 1980s
- 1990s
- 2000s
- 2010s
- Firsts and ones of a kind
- Records
- Awards
- Events
- Areas Attractions
- Star Mall
- Mexico Spain
- Texas
- Old South France
- USA
- Bugs Bunny Boomtown
- Goodtimes Square
- Gotham City
- Boomtown
- Tower
- References
The park is managed by the Six Flags Entertainment Corp., which also owns 53.1% interest of the Texas Limited Partnership that owns the park. A similar arrangement exists with the partnership that owns Six Flags Over Georgia. Six Flags Over Texas Fund, Ltd, a private-equity, and asset management firm headed by Dallas businessman Jack Knox, purchased the park in 1969. Over the years the various companies that managed the park, exercised options to purchase interest in the fund. Six Flags Entertainment has an option to purchase the remaining 46.9% in 2028. Starting in 1991, the park was managed by Time Warner Entertainment. In 1998, Time Warner sold its interests in the Six Flags parks to Premier Parks of Oklahoma City, which later changed its name to Six Flags Theme Parks, Inc.
Titan on ride six flags over texas
Initial planning and construction
Following a visit to Disneyland, in Anaheim, California, shortly after its opening, wealthy real estate developer Angus G. Wynne, Jr. decided that his home state of Texas should have a local park for entertainment. Planning for such a place began in 1959, under the leadership of Wynne and the Great Southwest Corporation, along with the backing of various New York City investors. Construction on the park began in August 1960.
Origin of the name
The name "Six Flags Over Texas" refers to the flags of the six different nations that have governed Texas: Spain, France, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the United States of America, and the Confederate States of America. Wynne originally intended to name the park "Texas Under Six Flags." Various legends have attributed the name change to his wife Joann; a group called "The Daughters of The Texas Republic" — of which his wife may, or may not, have been a member; or his entertainment director, Charles Meeker, stating that, "Texas isn’t 'under' anything." The original park was divided into six separate themed areas for each of the six governing entities that have ruled over Texas. Although additional themed areas have been added, the original six can still be found within the park.
Grand opening
Six Flags Over Texas opened its gates from July 29 to August 4, 1961, to several local corporations that Wynne had invited as part of a "soft-test opening." The park held its grand opening ceremonies on Saturday, August 5, 1961. Dignitaries included the mayors of Arlington, Dallas, Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, and Irving. Park attendance reached 8,374. Admission was $2.75 (or $22.00 in 2017) for adults and $2.25 (or $18 in 2017) for children (cf. admission prices of $62.99 and $47.99 for the 2013 season); parking was 50 cents (or $4.00 in 2017) (cf. $20.00 in 2013); hamburgers were 35 cents (or $3.00 in 2017), and soft drinks were 10 cents (or $1.00 in 2017). On opening day, guests could visit the six original themed sections: Mexico, Spain, France, The Confederacy, Texas, and Modern (representing the USA). According to the 1961 Park Map there were 46 "major attractions" listed. The park's first season, lasting only 45 days and ending on November 25, 1961, was a success with over 550,000 visitors.
1960s
The 1960s were a decade of growth for Six Flags Over Texas. The park added numerous attractions, including two new sections: Boomtown, named after the boomtowns that sprang up rather quickly during Texas' oil boom era, and the "Tower Section", named after the Oil Derrick observation tower built in 1969. The park also witnessed the birth of two classic theme park attractions: El Aserradero in 1963 and the Runaway Mine Train roller coaster in 1966. Attendance reached close to 2 million visitors a year by the end of the decade. Six Flags Over Texas was one of the locations used for filming parts of the theme song for the TV show The Banana Splits in 1968, in which fan club scenes were also live action. In 1969, Six Flags Over Texas was sold by Angus G. Wynne to a new limited partnership managed by Dallas investor Jack Knox.
1970s
The park's growth and expansion continued through the 1970s. It was the setting for the opening sequence in the 1971 Sid and Marty Krofft television show Lidsville, in which lead character Mark (Butch Patrick) sees a magician perform in one of the theaters, then sneaks backstage after the magic show, causes the hat to enlarge, falls through it and lands in Lidsville, "the land of living hats." The park underwent new management in 1971 with the Penn Central Railroad. The park added two new roller coasters, more rides, and a new section called "Goodtimes Square". The park also removed many of its less popular aging attractions in this decade as well. In 1975, a new mascot, Cyrus Cosmo - the inventor - was created and led many ad campaigns. By 1978, Six Flags Over Texas had had over 30 million visitors.
1980s
The 1980s were another period of change for Six Flags Over Texas. The park added three roller coasters as well as a children's section themed after Pac-Man in 1983 and later changed to Looney Tunes in 1985. Six Flags Over Texas also introduced three popular festivals in this decade. Spring Breakout, introduced in 1984, brought live bands and excitement to the park for students on Spring Break. Six Flags also introduced Fright Fest and Holiday in the Park to increase attendance and extend the season.
1990s
The 1990s was a rather rough decade in comparison from decades past. The decade started off with a bang when Six Flags Over Texas introduced the Texas Giant roller coaster. After a record year, Six Flags Over Texas went into a lull with management changes and name changes as the Looney Tunes characters began to take over starting in 1991. The Spee-lunker's Cave was restructured to feature Looney Tunes characters in place of the Spee's who had inhabited the ride since the early days of the park—the park was managed by Time Warner Entertainment. In 1998, Six Flags Over Texas started it off with its addition of Mr. Freeze. When the ride opened it was one of the most technology advanced roller coasters with lims propelling it forward.Time Warner sold its interests in the Six Flags parks to Premier Parks of Oklahoma City, which later changed its name to Six Flags Theme Parks, Inc. In the late 90s, the park experienced a period of growth by adding new coasters and rides. Six Flags Over Texas also introduced FastLane, later Flash Pass, which was similar to FastPass at Disney theme parks. Many of these new additions (including the new Gotham City section) were far from the original Six Flags Over Texas theme. By the end of the decade, Six Flags Over Texas had added ten roller coasters to its list of attractions.
2000s
During the first decade of the 21st century, Looney Tunes USA was restructured. In 2001, the park introduced its tallest, fastest, longest roller coaster, Titan. Built by Giovanola of Switzerland, it climbs 245 feet (74.7 m) and features a top speed of 85 mph (137 km/h). It is the tallest, fastest, longest roller coaster in the park and in the state of Texas. In 2002, the park kicked off the Best of Texas Festival, which brought Texas history back to the park. The park has also made steps toward bringing back the past when they reopened Casa Magnetica. In 2003 Six Flags Over Texas opened the Superman Tower of Power. This was the tallest ride of its kind in the world at the time of its opening. In 2006, the park celebrated its 45th Anniversary by adding ten new attractions geared toward families. Since then, Six Flags Over Texas had placed more emphasis on families by offering a daily parade and more characters (including Scooby-Doo and the Justice League). Six Flags Over Texas also introduced Festival Latino. For 2007 and 2008, Six Flags Over Texas was home to "Cirque Dreams Coobrila", a high energy cirque-acrobatic-type show housed in the Music Mill Amphitheater. On May 17, 2008, Six Flags Over Texas introduced its first roller coaster in seven years, called Tony Hawk's Big Spin. In 2009, debuted the "Glow in the Park Parade", a nighttime parade filled with thousands of lights.
2010s
In early 2010, the Texas Giant roller coaster was closed to be renovated into a steel hybrid coaster, by RMC, and was reopened on April 22, 2011, as the New Texas Giant for the park's 50th anniversary. In late 2010, Six Flags began the process of removing licensed theming from attractions. They terminated several licenses including their licenses with Tony Hawk. Tony Hawk's Big Spin was renamed Pandemonium in the middle of the 2011 season. Mr. Freeze was closed briefly to feature new backwards facing trains. The newly named Mr. Freeze Reverse Blast reopened on May 12, 2012.
On August 2, 2012, Six Flags Over Texas announced the last chance to ride Flashback and Texas Chute Out was September 3, 2012. On August 30, 2012, Six Flags announced the park will be adding the world's tallest swing ride at 400-foot (122 m) tall, called Texas Skyscreamer. Texas Skyscreamer is located in Goodtime's Square, in the place of the former Texas Chute Out. It features a Texas theme with red, white, and blue colors, along with a giant star with six other flags all on top of the tower. Texas SkyScreamer opened on May 25, 2013.
On August 29, 2013, Six Flags officially announced that they would expand their kids area into Bugs' Bunny Boomtown. The park will also add Wahoo Racer, a new water slide to the adjacent Hurricane Harbor park. In late March 2014, Six Flags Over Texas announced for a limited time in 2014 Batman: The Ride will become Batman: The Ride Backwards, as the park will reverse the trains.
On August 28, 2014, Six Flags announced Justice League: Battle for Metropolis, a dark ride themed to the Justice League for the 2015 season.
On September 3, 2015, Six Flags announced the expansion of the Gotham City section of the park for the 2016 season. The expansion will include two new rides, Catwoman Whip and The Riddler Revenge, and the renovation of Crazy Legs into Harley Quinn Spinsanity, The new rides are opening May 28, 2016. [1]
At the beginning of the 2016 season, Shock Wave was closed to get ready for The New Revolution. It reopened on March 10, 2016 for Season Pass Holders. It reopened to the public on March 25, 2016. On September 1, 2016, Six Flags announced The Joker, a 4D Free-Fly Coaster.
Firsts and ones of a kind
Records
Awards
Events
Six Flags Over Texas hosts several seasonal events throughout the year including:
Areas & Attractions
Guide to Rides & Attractions
Star Mall
The Star Mall serves as the entry gate for Six Flags Over Texas. It is one of the original sections of the park when it opened in 1961. It is named for the large star-shaped fountain located in the section.
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Mexico & Spain
The Mexico & Spain area consists of two sections both of which were originally part of the park in 1961. Both sections represent a flag that has flown over the state of Texas.
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Texas
The Texas section of the park was another original section when the park opened in 1961. It is named after the Republic of Texas flag that once flew over the state.
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Old South & France
The Old South & France area consists of two sections both of which were originally part of the park in 1961. Both sections represent a flag that has flown over the state of Texas. The Old South was originally called The Confederacy and featured Civil War reenactments, including performances representing the execution of a captured Union spy.
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USA
The USA area of the park opened with the park in 1961. It was originally named the Modern Section, but still represented the United States flag that has flown over Texas. The USA area is also home to the Bugs Bunny Boomtown sub-area.
Attractions:
Bugs Bunny Boomtown
Bugs Bunny Boomtown is a sub-section of the USA section of the park. It serves as the children's area of the park. It originally opened in 1983 as Pac-Man Land. With the introduction of Looney Tunes characters to the park, it was renamed to Looney Tunes Land around 1985. In 2001, the area was renamed once again when it was expanded to include new attractions. It was renamed Bugs Bunny Boomtown for 2014.
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Goodtimes Square
The Goodtimes Square section of the park opened in 1973. Over the years, it took on a loose 1950s theme. Some of Goodtimes Square was expanded to the Gotham City Section on the 2016 season.
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Gotham City
Gotham City opened in 1999 and is themed to the DC Comics Batman universe.
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Boomtown
The Boomtown section opened in 1963. It is based on the Texas boomtowns that sprung up in Texas during the oil boom era.
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Tower
The Tower Section opened in 1969 and is named after the Oil Derrick tower location in the section.
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