Six Flags Over Georgia
 Six Flags over Georgia entrance | |
| Location | Austell, Georgia  |
|---|---|
| Opened | 1967 |
| Owner | Six Flags |
| Operating season | March through October |
| Area | 230 acres |
| Attractions | |
| Roller coasters | 11 |
| Water rides | 4 |
| Website | www.sixflags.com /parks/overgeorgia/ |
Six Flags Over Georgia is a 230-acre theme park located west of Atlanta, in Austell, Georgia. Opened in 1967, it is the second park in the Six Flags chain, after the original opening in 1961 in Texas.
Six Flags Over Georgia and its two sister parks, Six Flags Over Texas and Six Flags St. Louis, are the only three parks in the Six Flags Theme Parks chain to have been founded by Angus G. Wynne, and thus they are the only parks to have used the "Six Flags" name since their original grand openings. As with the other Six Flags parks, Six Flags Over Georgia hosts characters from the Warner Bros. animation library, notably the Looney Tunes characters and Justice League from DC Comics
History
After the success of his original Six Flags park in Arlington, Texas, park founder Angus Wynne began searching for a location for a second park. He settled upon a parcel of land located along the Chattahoochee River just west of the city of Atlanta, and design work started in 1963. When the park opened in 1967, Six Flags became the first 'multi-gate' theme park operator in the United States.[1] Before this time, many parks shared common popular names, like Coney Island or Luna Park, but these parks shared nothing more than the name. In the case of Six Flags, both parks reported to the same parent company.
Like its sister park in Texas and others, the initial design and theming of Six Flags Over Georgia was inspired by six different flags that have flown over the state (or, perhaps more accurately, the lands that are now part of it) during its history. The six flags in question are those of Spain, France, United Kingdom, the United States of America, the Confederate States of America and the state of Georgia. It can be argued that France's involvement in Georgia's history was very limited, at best; it can be further argued that Georgia was never a sovereign nation, as Texas once was. However, with some poetic license, the intent of the name can be considered valid. Over the years most of the original historical themes have been dropped in favor of cartoon and superhero themes.
The park is not owned by the Six Flags Theme Parks corporation. In an arrangement similar to that for Six Flags Over Texas, it is owned by a group of approximately 120 limited partners--some the heirs of Angus G. Wynn--and is managed by the corporation. In years past, this has caused significant friction, including legal action. Starting in 1991, the park was managed by Time Warner Entertainment. The partners sued Time Warner in 1997, claiming that they had neglected to invest in the park and overcharged the partners for the improvements it did receive. A Gwinnett County civil court jury agreed and awarded the partners damages in excess of US$600 million. 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.
Rides and attractions
Six Flags Over Georgia, like most amusement parks, prides itself on its roller coaster collection. With the arrival of Goliath on April 1, 2006, it became only the third amusement park (after Six Flags Great America and Six Flags Great Adventure) to operate four coasters from the design firm Bolliger & Mabillard. Six Flags Magic Mountain became the fourth park to do so when it opened Tatsu five weeks later.
Aside from the roller coasters, Six Flags Over Georgia maintains a large number of other rides and attractions. Two attractions of note are Acrophobia, installed in 2001 as the world's first "floorless" freefall tower ride, and the Riverview Carousel, one of only three remaining five-abreast carousels known to exist and a member of the National Register of Historic Places.
Roller coasters
| Ride | Year Opened | Removed In | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dahlonega Mine Train | 1967 | Arrow Dynamics steel "mine train" roller coaster. The original design was a wood supporting structure with steel tubular rails; now, much of the wood is ornamental. | |
| Mini Mine Train | 1967 | 1988 | An Arrow Dynamics mini mine train kiddie roller coaster, was also named Yahoola Hooler for a short time. |
| Great American Scream Machine | 1973 | John C. Allen designed wooden roller coaster, built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company. Opened as the world's tallest and fastest roller coaster at a height of 105 feet and speeds of 57 miles per hour. | |
| Mind Bender | 1978 | An Anton Schwarzkopf terrain-following looping steel coaster. The park has claimed that it was the world's first triple-loop coaster. However, the second "loop" is actually an inclined helix and does not turn riders upside-down. | |
| Z-Force | 1988 | 1990 | Intamin Space Diver roller coaster, moved from Six Flags Great America, moved to Six Flags Magic Mountain. |
| Georgia Cyclone | 1990 | Summers and Dinn Corp. wooden roller coaster, whose design is a mirror image of the Coney Island Cyclone, with some minor differences. | |
| Ninja | 1992 | Vekoma steel looping coaster relocated from Wildwood, New Jersey's defunct Dinosaur Beach boardwalk. | |
| Viper | 1995 | 2001 | An Anton Schwarzkopf shuttle loop roller coaster, moved from Six Flags Great America, moved to Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom and operates as Greezed Lightnin'. |
| Batman: The Ride | 1997 | B&M inverted steel coaster is one of several identical rides operated by Six Flags Theme Parks using the same name. | |
| Georgia Scorcher | 1999 | B&M stand-up roller coaster, the Scorcher appears to be the last one built to-date and is one of only two in the Southeast. | |
| Déjà Vu | 2001 | 2007[2] | A Vekoma Giant Inverted Boomerang, it was one of only four GIB's in the world. |
| Superman: Ultimate Flight | 2002 | B&M flying roller coaster. It was the Southeast's first flying roller coaster, and the first B&M flying coaster in North America. | |
| Wile E. Coyote Canyon Blaster | 2004 | A Chance-Morgan custom-designed family roller coaster, built into the park's iconic Spanish fort. | |
| Goliath | 2006 | B&M hypercoaster is currently the longest coaster in the southeast, and is tied for the tallest with Busch Gardens Africa's SheiKra, another B&M creation. |
Current adult rides
- Log Jamboree (Arrow Dynamics Log Flume) - opened in 1968; located in Georgia section
- Gotham City Crime Wave (Zierer Wave Swinger) - opened in 2004; located in Gotham City; purchased from Thrill Valley Amusement Park in Japan (along with 4 rides that went to Six Flags New Orleans).
- Shake, Rattle & Roll (Eli Bridge Scrambler) - opened in 2004; located in USA section (inside former Chevy Show building)
- Monster Plantation (dark ride) - opened in 1981; located in French section
- Six Flags Railroad (train ride around the park) - opened in 1967; stations in the Confederate and French sections.
- Acrophobia (Intamin stand-up gyro drop tower) - opened in 2001; located in Confederate section
- Confederate Sky Buckets (Von Roll) - opened in 1967; located in Confederate section
- Lickskillet Sky Buckets (Von Roll) - opened in 1967; located in Lickskillet section
- Splash Water Falls (Hopkins Shoot-the-Chutes water ride) - opened in 1986; located in Lickskillet section
- Thunder River (Intamin Rapids water ride) - opened in 1982; located in Lickskillet section
- Wheelie (Schwarzkopf Enterprise) - opened in 1977; located in Lickskillet section
- Dodge City Bumper Cars (Soli bumper cars) - opened in 1973; located in Cotton States section
- The Riverview Carousel (1908 PTC Carousel) - opened in 1972; located in Cotton States section; moved from Riverview Park; listed on National Register of Historic Places
- Rockin' Tug (Zamperla Rockin' Tug) - opened in 2004; located in Cotton States section
- Up, Up & Away (Zamperla Balloon Race) - opened in 2004; located in Cotton States section
- Hanson Cars (Antique Cars) - opened in 1967, moved to current location in 1990; located in Cotton States section (originally located where Georgia Cyclone is in British section)
- Skull Island (SCS Interactive Discovery Treehouse/WaterColors with slides from Proslide Technology Inc.) - opened in 2005; located in Cotton States section
Current kiddie rides
(all located in Bugs Bunny's World)
- Tweety's Clubhouse - (Zamperla Jumpin’ Star – kiddie drop tower) - opened in 2001
- Santa Maria (Intamin AG Flying Dutchman, swing ride)
- Swing Seville (Zamperla Swing Ride – kiddie swings)
- Fiesta Wheel (Zamperla Mini Ferris Wheel - kiddie ride)
- Convoy Grande (kiddie convoy truck ride)
- Little Aviator (kiddie bi-plane ride)
- Flying Bulls (spinning kiddie ride)
- Bugs Bunny's Playfort (kids play area with Bugs Bunny's Carrot Patch)
Current extra charge attractions
- Fearman's Manor (Haunted House) - located in USA section(Open only during October Frightfest)
- Goldtown Racer (J & J Amusements go-karts) - opened in 1999; located in Lickskillet section
- Fearless Freeps Dare Devil Dive (Skycoaster) - opened in 1996; located in Cotton States section
Timeline
- 1967: June 7 opening day (rides included: Log Jamboree, Jean Ribaut's Adventure, Six Flags Railroad, Happy Motoring Freeway, Two Satellite (Trabant) rides, Dahlonega Mine Train, the Tales of the Okefenokee, and the Hanson cars).
- 1968: Added the Lickskillet area which includes the Spindletop (rotor ride), the Wheel Barrow (Chance Tumbler), several craft shops and a shootout show performed on the street. Sky Buckets added between Confederate and Lickskillet sections making the second sky ride in the park. Casa Loco tilt house is relocated outside the Spanish fort and renamed Casa Magnetica. The Horror Cave (haunted house) debuts inside the fort in the former location of the tilt house. Log Jamboree gets a second flume.
- 1969: Added Sky Hook to USA section relocated from Six Flags over Texas.
- 1972: The Riverview Carousel relocated from Riverview Park in Chicago added to a new area north of the Spanish section commonly referred to as Carousel Hill.
- 1973: Added the Cotton States Exposition area, featuring the Great American Scream Machine.
- 1976: Happy Motoring Freeway removed. Great Gasp added.
- 1977: Added Wheelie (Schwarzkopf Enterprise)
- 1978: Added Mind Bender.
- 1979: Added Highland Swings (Chance Yo-Yo)
- 1980: Added Jolly Roger's Island, a new pirate themed area featuring The Flying Dutchman pirate ship.
- 1981: The Tales of the Okefenokee is remodeled and renamed The Monster Plantation. Jean Ribaut's Adventure riverboat ride is closed.
- 1982: Added Thunder River, made by Intamin AG (in the area formally occupied by Jean Ribaut's Adventure ride).
- 1983: Added Free Fall. Ten stories tall, made by Intamin AG. Taken out in 2007.
- 1984: Added The Great Six Flags Air Racer in the British section. This ride took riders to a height of 100 feet (the tower was 135 ft. tall). The planes traveled at a mere 35 mph. It was an Intamin Super Racer ride.
- 1985: Added Looping Starship. The attraction was removed after the end of the season because it was on a ride rotation schedule with other Six Flags parks.
- 1986: Added Splashwater Falls, a "shoot-the-chutes"-style water ride.
- 1988: Added Z-Force which is relocated from Six Flags Great America.
- 1989: Looping Starship is returned to the park in its original location. This was not the same exact ride but a sister ship. This ride was purchased from a park in Canada.
- 1990: Added the Georgia Cyclone. Removal of Z-Force to Six Flags Magic Mountain. Z-Force was on a ride rotation schedule within the Six Flags parks system. Hanson Cars (made by Arrow Dynamics) relocated to Carousel Hill.
- 1991: Ragin Rivers, a wet-dry waterslide tower, is added in place of one of the two Log Jamboree flumes.
- 1992: Added the Ninja relocated from Conkos Party Pier in New Jersey.
- 1993: Added Axis Arena. Initially home to a Batman-themed stunt show, the arena now hosts concerts and other events.
- 1994: Looney Tunes Land becomes Bugs Bunny World renaming all the rides in the area and removing Road Runner Runaround.
- 1995: Added Viper which was relocated from Six Flags Great America and renamed from Tidal Wave. Ultrazone (indoor lazer tag) added to Jolly Rogers Island.
- 1997: Added Batman: The Ride. Jolly Roger's Island transforms into Gotham City, including a repaint for Mind Bender in green/black paint scheme to match the Riddler. Highland Swings and Flying Dutchman pirate ship removed.
- 1997: 30th Celebration Season!
- 1998: Park entrance remodeled to become The Promenade. Back park entrance closes. Ragin Rivers removed.
- 1999: Added The Georgia Scorcher. Goldtown Racers (go-karts) added to former location of the park back entrance.
- 2000: The Great Six Flags Air Racer is removed at the end of the season.
- 2001: Added Acrophobia and Déjà Vu. Removal of Viper. Log Jamboree #2 renamed Deer Park Plunge. Tweety's Clubhouse added to Bugs Bunny World.
- 2002: Added Superman Ultimate Flight. Viper remains dismantled in the employee parking lot.
- 2003: Viper is relocated from storage to Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom and renamed Greezed Lightnin'.
- 2004: A group of five family-style rides is added throughout the park, including the Wile E. Coyote Canyon Blaster coaster.
- 2005: Added Skull Island, a water-park play fort. Removal of Great Gasp and Looping Starship.
- 2006: Added Goliath. Deer Park Plunge renamed Log Jamboree. Removal of Free Fall after end of season.
- 2007: Deja Vu closed after end of season.
- 2008: Adds Thomas Town, based on Thomas the Tank Engine.[3]
Events
Six Flags Over Georgia hosts several special events during the year:[citation needed]
- Kids' Fest – Features names like Raven Symone, Christy Carlson Romano, and Aaron Carter performing in concert at the park's Southern Star Amphitheatre.
- Salute 2 America – During the months of June and July, Six Flags Over Georgia throws a salute to the nation's armed forces with featured days and free tickets for each branch of the service.
- Country Jamboree – This festival spans three weekends in September and features arts and crafts from local artisans and popular country music acts.
- Latin Fest – A recent addition to the lineup of events, Six Flags Over Georgia dedicates a weekend in September to Latino culture and heritage. The event is highlighted by live bands, foods, and performances.
- Family Fright Fest – Family Fright Fest takes over the park during the month of October and features a total transformation of the park into a haunted wonderland. Walkways and paths are themed for the event, special shows and haunted houses thrill visitors to death.
- Park Slam - Professional wrestling events, organized by Deep South Wrestling, featuring DSW talent as well as World Wrestling Entertainment stars. Started in 2006 with three shows, current fate unknown since DSW's split with WWE.
- Atlanta Fest - Annual Christian Rock music event. Usually takes place on the second weekend in June. Although this event has occurred for over 20 years, it has only occurred at Six Flags over Georgia for two or three years as of June 2006.This year however it will not be hosted by Six Flags it has been relocated to Stone Mountain. Among previous performing artists scheduled at Atlanta Fest are: TobyMac, Kutless, Jeremy Camp, David Crowder Band, Third Day, Newsboys, Aaron Shust, and many more. On average, about 40 artists take the stage at this three-day event. More info at AtlantaFest.com [1].
See also
References
- ^ *O'Brien, Tim. The Essential Guide to Six Flags Theme Parks. Birmingham, Alabama: Oxmoor House, Inc. ISBN 0-8487-1247-1.
- ^ Déjà Vu (Six Flags Over Georgia)
- ^ Thomas Town: Six Flags Over Georgia
- Six Flags - Shows and Events. Retrieved Dec. 24, 2004.
- Theme Park Timelines. Retrieved May 21, 2006.