Best Rides – Worst Service
Written: Jun 19 '00 (Updated Jun 19 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great Thrill Rides
Cons: Unfriendly, Incompetent Staff
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| benagee's Full Review: Six Flags Over Texas |
Six Flags Over Texas is jammed pack full of thrilling rides. If you are into riding roller coasters and similar thrill rides, then Six Flags is where you want to go. I have been to quite a few theme parks, but Six Flags tops them all in thrill rides. Even with all of the thrill rides, there was plenty to keep our 6 six old, 5 year old, and even our 3 year old busy for the entire day. Six Flags would obviously not be “the” theme park for younger children, but there is still plenty for them to do there.
Since I now live in Fort Worth, we have made a couple of trips to Six Flags over the past two years. This year we went on Father’s Day. We picked a great day because the lines were short and the park was not crowded. However, our negative experience was with the park staff. My bad experience with the staff could be because it was Father’s Day and they did not want to be there, but I found the staff to be unfriendly and incompetent in general. In spite of this, the rides are so good that I still highly recommend a trip to this park.
The Gripes
The most annoying thing is that every ride was held up with the operators measuring EVERY child that was close to the minimum height requirements. Rather than measuring them at the beginning of the line, they would make them get off of the ride to measure them after they had stood in the line. If you have a child that looks anywhere near one of the cutoff heights (36”, 42”, or 54”), you will want to go straight to customer service when you arrive to get an official measurement and a armband that proves the height. This will save you tremendous time on each and every ride. I’m not sure why Six Flags does not require this rather than holding up every ride measure kids.
The rides were being operated by teenagers who did not appear to care about anything. There were several times that the ride was held up because two or more of the operators were yelling back and forth across the track to each other. It was almost like they were not sure what they were doing. In the Escape from Dino Island 3D Turboride the workers who were responsible for being sure that all seatbelts were bucked did not know what they were doing. The operators in the “booth” of this ride would call out numbers of unbuckled seats and they were not able to find the right seats. The operators in the booth were spending the time laughing at the other operators rather than coming out and helping them. We spent a good three to five minutes waiting on the show to get started because of the incompetence and uncaring attitude of the staff members.
Perhaps the icing on the cake happened as we were leaving. We noticed Sylvester and Daffy Duck standing out as if they were there for pictures. When we took our children up to hug on them for a picture, Sylvester and the staff member who was with the two cartoon characters pushed them aside with no explanation. I told Julie that I don’t think Mickey Mouse would have ever done that regardless of what the reason might have been.
The Thrill Rides
Batman The Ride: This is the newest of the thrill rides and I think the best. This is an inverted roller coaster. The minimum height to ride this ride is 54”. The maximum speed is 50mph. You climb 10 stories before being hurdled into a 77 foot vertical loop and then into corkscrew loops and another vertical loop.
Escape from Dino Island 3D: This “ride” was good, but I’m not sure it would be worth the line that is probably normally there. Even with the very light crowd, we had to wait in line a while here. This is a simulator movie. You are issued a set of 3D glasses as you enter into the theater. You will be buckled into a pod that will shift around as the movie is played to make it appear even more real. The special effects were good, but the movie was blurry. The minimum height to experience this show is 36”.
Mr Freeze: This ride was added to the park last year. This is perhaps the fastest, but shortest roller coaster ride you will ever experience. You will be propelled out of the launching pad at a speed of 70 mph (in 3.78 seconds), through two loops, straight up a “needle” and then fall back through the same path and back into the dock. The entire ride takes 33 seconds. This is the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the state of Texas. The minimum height to ride this ride is 54”.
The Texas Giant: I thought that the Texas Giant was the most “wicked” of all of the roller coasters. It has been named as the #1 wooden roller coaster in the world and is known as “America’s Coaster.” The big hill is 14 stories tall and the top speed is 62 mph. The ride lasts for 2 minutes and it is a full 2 minutes of constant shaking as the coaster flies up and down hills and around corners. You must be 48” tall to ride this roller coaster.
Runaway Mountain: This roller coaster is located inside a 65-foot tall mountain. The top speed is 40mpg, but seems much faster in the dark. You must be 48” tall to ride this ride.
The Flashback: This roller coaster takes you upside down six times. You go through three loops going forward, up a hill, and then back through the same three loops. If you are a tall person (I am 6’5”), this ride is painful when you back through the loops. If you are tall, there will be tremendous pressure on your shoulders from the harness. I love the loops, but cannot ride this ride again for that reason. This ride lasts for 1 minute and 50 seconds and reaches a top speed of 50mph.
Shock Wave: The shock wave was the first roller coaster in the world with back-to-back vertical loops. The ride reaches a top speed of 60 mph and lasts for 1 minute and 58 seconds and you are taken through two 70’ vertical loops. You must be 42” tall to ride this coaster.
Wildcatter: This is the 10-story freefall.
Judge Roy Scream: This wooden roller coaster reaches a top speed of 50 mph. You must be 42” tall to ride.
Other Rides
Oil Derrick: This is a tower that has an elevator that carries you to the top for a spectacular view of the Dallas and Fort Worth area.
Dive Bomber Alley: Sends you diving 150 feet at high speeds (on a cable). There is an additional fee for this ride and you must be 42” tall to ride.
Rock Wall: Climb a rock wall – additional fee required.
Go Karts: Single and double-seat carts available. $5.00 additional fee to drive or $2.00 to ride.
Roaring Rapids: White-water river rapids. You are seated in a giant tube and ride down a manmade whitewater river. You must be 36” tall to ride and those under 42” must be accompanied by an adult.
Solver Star Carousel: Riders under 42” tall must be accompanied by an adult.
Splash Water: You are seated in a boat which takes you up a hill, around the corner, and down a steep hill for a big splash. You WILL get wet. You must be 36” tall to ride, but those under 42” must be accompanied by an adult. If you do not get wet enough on the ride, you can stand on the bridge and get drenched when the next boat comes down. Warning: I was standing at the corner waiting on my children to get wet on the center of the bridge and I got just as wet as they did – stand back further if you don’t want to get wet!
Looney Tunes Land: This is a whole section of small rides for children under 54” tall (they enforce it). If you have younger children, you will want to come spend a while at Looney Tunes Land while they ride some of their favorite rides.
Texas Chute Out: This ride takes you almost 200 feet in the air in a “parachute” and drops you. You must be 36” to ride, but those under 42” must be accompanied by an adult.
Bumper Cars: You must be 42” tall to ride and 54” tall to drive.
El Sombrero: Twirling, tilting Mexican hat. Riders under 42” must be accompanied by an adult.
Yosemite Sam’s Gold River Adventure: Animated boat ride through cartoon land. No height restriction.
Chaparral Antique Cars: Gas-powered cars that ride on a road. There is a track that keeps the cars on the road, so little ones can drive. Riders under 42” tall must be accompanied by an adult. Warning: It is difficult for younger ones (5 and 6) to keep the gas pedal pressed, so ride in the front with them and let the “drive” while you press the gas.
Train: This steam train circles that park and has two depots.
La Vibora: This bobsled ride sends riders down a freewheeling track. Riders must be 42” tall.
Conquistador: Swinging Spanish ship. Riders under 42” must be accompanied by an adult.
El Aserradero: This was the first log flume ride in the world. You will get damp. Riders under 42” must be accompanied by an adult.
Mine Train: This was the first tubular steel roller coaster in the world. It does not have large hills, but lots of turns and drops. Riders must be 42” tall.
Mini Mine Train: This is a smaller version of the Mine Train. It is designed for smaller riders, but you still must be 36” tall to ride. Riders under 42” must be accompanied by an adult.
Texas Tornado: This is a whirlwind swing. Riders must be 42” tall.
Missile Chaser: This ride takes you in a circular motion. Riders must be 36” tall.
Shows and Attractions
Six Flags has four shows. The Batman (Carnival of Chaos) show was a big hit with all of our boys. Other shows include Hooray for Hollywood, Illusionaria, and Lone Star Legacy.
Concerts
During the summer, Six Flags has regularly scheduled concerts (usually on Saturday afternoons). These concerts cost an additional $5.00 and are reserved seating. Season pass holders may get free tickets, but are subject to availability. Therefore, if you are a season pass holder and want to be sure you get to see a specific concert, you had better pay your $5.00 and get a reserved seat.
Admission Prices
General admission for Adults is $36.99, but you can find a variety of discount coupons. I have seen discount coupons in McDonalds, on Coke cans, and they are available from most employers. The best discount that we were able to find was $10.00 off each adult ticket and it was good on any day of the week all summer. Children under 48” are $18.50 and discounts for children are few and far between. Children 2 and under are free. Senior Citizens are $18.50. 2-day adult admission passes are $40.99. Season passes are also available for $54.99 per pass if purchased in a family 4-pack and are $64.99 if purchased individually. These prices do not include tax of 7.75%. You will also pay $8 to park your vehicle.
The season passes get you into any of the Six Flags theme parks (excluding water parks). Season passes also receive a bonus book that allows you to bring a friend on selected Bonus days. The bonus book also includes coupons and discounts for food, etc. in the park. When we were at the park, there were also advertisements that tickets to see the Texas Rangers (baseball) were available for ˝ price to season pass holders.
NOTE: All specifications and information for the descriptions of the rides were obtained from Six Flags website at www.sixflags.com/texas.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
benagee
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Member: Ben Agee
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Reviews written: 23
Trusted by: 40 members
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