Thu Dec 22, 2011 10:12 pm | 0 comments | Posted by BrandonR

For those wanting an in-depth historical perspective for the park, the Six Flags Museum website recently launched. Hundreds of archived news articles, photos, media and more showcase Six Flags over Texas from its inception 50 years ago to today.

Mon Sep 26, 2011 12:58 pm | 4 comments | Posted by Jenna

With October fast-approaching, it’s time for Six Flags’ Fright Fest – a Halloween-oriented event. Six Flags over Texas will feature additional attractions, including haunted houses and Halloween-themed shows referred to as “Monstertainment.” At night, costumed actors dressed as zombies, ghouls, and other creepy creatures will roam the park ready to frighten guests.

This annual event got its start at Six Flags over Texas back in 1989, later expanding to all of the Six Flags parks. Fright Fest starts this Friday night, September 30th, and then recurs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night in October.

The event’s website illustrates the amount of effort the park is putting into this year’s Fright Fest. On the “Attractions” page, every haunted house, show, and ride has been given its own “spooky” name and back-story. The site also features photos and videos from past Fright Fest events from all the Six Flags parks across the country.

For more information, visit:
http://frightfest.sixflags.com/overtexas
http://www.sixflags.com/overtexas/events/calendarevents.aspx

Sat Sep 17, 2011 6:36 pm | 0 comments | Posted by BrandonR

Six Flags over Texas' New Texas Giant was named the best new ride of 2011 during the annual Golden Ticket Awards. Presented annually by the industry's leading publication Amusement Today, the Golden Ticket Awards also named the New Texas Giant as the world's 6th best steel roller coaster. This was the highest debut of any coaster in 5 years in the annual ranking, voted upon by enthusiasts and industry professionals.

For more information, visit Amusement Today and the Golden Ticket Awards websites. The park's official press release can be found below.

Six Flags Over Texas, the Thrill Capital of Texas, is now home to the theme park industry's Best New Ride of 2011 -- the NEW Texas Giant. The honor was given today during the annual Golden Ticket Awards at Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana. The Golden Ticket Awards annually recognize the "Best of the Best" in the leisure entertainment industry. These awards, often referred to as "The Oscars of the Amusement Industry," are voted on by a panel of experts and enthusiasts from across the country. The awards range from best theme park to a variety of accolades focused on superior products offered to guests, including rides and attractions.

"The opening of the NEW Texas Giant has been a true labor of love by our team and we are thrilled to receive the award for Best New Ride of 2011," said Steve Martindale, Six Flags Over Texas park president. "Our theme park has built a reputation on being innovative and this new ride design definitely delivers in that category. This has been a real home run."

In addition to winning this top award, the NEW Texas Giant debuted at number six on this year's list of best steel coasters in the world. In the 14 years of the Golden Ticket Awards, this is the second highest debut of any steel tracked coaster and the highest debut of any coaster in five years.

"The original Texas Giant led the pack for many years and enjoyed a strong allegiance among coaster enthusiasts. Our goal was to merge that legacy with 21st century technology in the form of the Iron Horse steel track design," added Martindale. "The result was a win-win. Everyone who rides the NEW Texas Giant loves what we've created - literally the smoothest wooden coaster anywhere in the world."

The wooden and steel beast opened in April boasting the steepest drop of any wooden coaster in the world at 79 degree; three bank turns at more than 90 degree; and a state-of-the-art steel track that zips riders through an unforgettable, white knuckled 1 1/2 minutes of twists and turns from start to finish. The unique hybrid design of the coaster contains the classic features of a wooden roller coaster with the advanced scientific capabilities of a steel track fabrication.

The creation of the distinctive coaster was a cohesive collaboration between Rocky Mountain Construction, Gerstlauer, Centerline, and Six Flags Over Texas. The result is an exceptional ride that has received a top industry honor and will establish its own legendary status for years to come.

Fri Sep 02, 2011 6:43 pm | 0 comments | Posted by BrandonR

Six Flags Entertainment formally announced their parks' 2012 additions Thursday, September 1. Included in the midst of new rides was a new live show for Six Flags over Texas. While details have yet to come, the additions will include "several fan favorites on stage and venues throughout the park" according to Six Flags CEO, president, and chairman, Jim Reid-Anderson.

Fellow Texas Six Flags park Fiesta Texas will be getting a Sky Screamer attraction for the 2012 season, a swing ride that rises to a height of over 200 feet.

Sun Aug 14, 2011 7:39 pm | 1 comment | Posted by BrandonR

An unofficial book covering Six Flags over Texas' 50 years of innovations and attractions has been released. Written by Clint Skinner, one of the foremost experts in the park's history, "Six Flags Over Texas : 50 Years Of Entertainment" covers the inception, construction, and evolution of the park in extensive detail. The book is the perfect gift for those wishing to learn about the origins of the original Six Flags park or for anyone longing to take a nostalgic trip down memory lane and walk through the park as it was during its inaugural 1961 season.

The book is 224 pages, retails for $14.95, and can be purchased here: https://www.createspace.com/3655879

Sat Aug 06, 2011 12:07 am | 0 comments | Posted by BrandonR

August 5, 2011 marked the exact day of Six Flags over Texas' 50th anniversary. The park continued its "50 Days of Fun" celebration with ongoing events, historical displays, the continued temporary re-opening of Casa Magnetica, and a special closing show featuring Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders.

Six Flags over Texas opened for its first short season of operation on August 5, 1961. A lot has changed in the 50 years since then. Adult ticket prices were $2.75 and most of the rides were animal-powered, a stark contrast to the multi-million dollar roller coasters abundant at the park now.

Tue Aug 02, 2011 7:16 pm | 2 comments | Posted by BrandonR

Residents and businesses of Texas have been asked to help conserve electricity during this brutally-hot summer, and Six Flags over Texas has stepped up by voluntarily shutting down the Mr. Freeze roller coaster daily from 3-7PM, when electricity usage is at its peak. Mr. Freeze is easily one of the park's most energy-consuming rides, requiring roughly 2.4 million Watts of electricity for every train launch.

Texas, and much else of the country, is going through one of it's worst heat waves on record. 2011 has been the state's second hottest summer on record and it has now been over 31 days since Texas saw its last day that didn't reach 100°F or higher. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has asked Texans to help conserve electricity, or else the extreme strain on the power grid could result in more rolling blackouts that were last seen during the state's severe winter storm in February. The entire state is also suffering a severe drought and many counties are starting to enforce strict water usage restrictions.