Saturday 28 June 2008

Six Flags Over Texas

The next day and we were back over Texas. One of the worst things about Six Flags parks is the horrible security that "welcomes" you. What made it worse today was that whilst our bags were being searched David Lee Roth's "This Must Be Just Like Living In Paradise".

I hope not, the idea of having a metal detector around the Pearly Gates and St. Peter accompanied by a security detail doesn't make it particularly inviting.

This wonderful plaque makes it clear that concealed handguns are not allowed in the park. Unconcealed handguns however do not get a mention, so I guess that's OK...although I wasn't prepared to put it to the test.

The group make their way to the morning ERS coaster.

Nope, not Tony Hawks. We'd be riding that later.

The day started with Mr Freeze and Batman. As you'd have read from this report I've ridden quite a few Batman rides now so I hadn't planned on spending too much time repeat riding that. Mr Freeze however was a new one and I could see myself spending quite a bit of time there.

Take heed of this sign near the start of the Batman queue line. You do not want to have to walk this line anymore than need be. It was by far the longest queue line on the trip. Fortunately the line was empty.

In an attempt to placate what would be the bored queueing masses the TV show was showing people doing the cha-cha slide, which would drive me nuts...two times.

The ride itself, having finally got to it, was pretty decent to be honest especially given the time of day.

Mr Freeze was up next and was superb, one of the best rides on the trip (didn't I say that about Titan last night?).

You are launched out of the station and through that camelback, which due to it being taken on the inside is full of forces that push against your chest. Then you shoot up the spike before falling back and doing it all in reverse.

An absolutely great ride, and the good thing was that there would be another of these later on in the trip.

Stoopid photo opportunity as I try to get Jeppe under the anvil. Now if I could only have found the release switch.

Liking the theming on the Pirate Ship ride.

This was one of the stands from which you could win a cape. Now the game would probably cost $5 to play and the cost of the cape if bought from the park store....$5 too. So the "Winner Every Time" message is really just putting a positive spin on the purchase of the cape by making the buyer think they're winning something when they're actually not.

Start your season with a dick. Hmmm! They're sponsoring a basketball game where you have to score as many 3-point shots as possible with a limited number of balls and within a pretty tight time-limit. These games were at just about every park and pretty popular with those locals who love the sound of a basketball hitting the ground over and over and over again.


This one's for you Richard!

Inside the kiddy section we'd been allowed to ride the roadrunner ride, usually we wouldn't be. So thanks to the park for letting us do that. We could also see into the car park from the lift hill, and a lot of school buses were on their way in.

A strangely patronising message. Who's family exactly do they mean? The bins?

Tony Hawks was just like the one in Fiesta Texas. Not that exciting at all really. They really need to let these machines spin.

Win "your" ipod. Now if its your's you shouldn't need to win it, just take it. I didn't try that approach as I knew my ipod was back on the coach.

I wonder what these two are trying to take a photo of? No, it wasn't an upskirt opportunity.

They're just attempting to fit all of the drop tower into shot.

Shockwave is a double looping German designed coaster that was a lot of fun. What made this even more interesting was Heather the ride op. Fairly new to the park she was keen to ensure we enjoyed her ride and basically didn't shut up, but in a good way.


She was just genuinely excited to be doing her job and wanted us to know. A refreshing change from the majority of employees at parks who aren't really interested.



The ice cold drinks shop was closed, which was a shame as we needed them. It was ridiculously hot.

Nice theming, I don't think the guy in the foreground is digging for oil though.

Judge Roy Scream (daft name) is an old wooden coaster that is located in a separately fenced area away from the rest of the park. You have to access it via a tunnel.

It's really good and has been very well maintained, much better than Texas Giant.

The coaster seen from the park.

Calling your boomerang coaster something other than "boomerang" doesn't mean it'll be any smoother. It's still a head banger.

The park has two mine train rides. This is the kiddy one.

and this is the bigger kiddy one. Neither were that exciting.

Runaway Mountain is the park's indoor coaster which was closed down whilst we were queuing. Our chatty friend Heather came passed and told us that some one had been sick on it and she kept us entertained with more stories whilst we waited for it to re-open.

The park apparently has a school, so why weren't the kids in there!

Today wasn't June 7th so I have no idea what Texas Justice is. I'm guessing a show but there's a little piece of me that hopes its an electric chair for people who jump the queue lines or come into the park with a concealed weapon.

In the Western section the breakdance has a bovine feel to it.

That chair is actually 5 storeys high. I should have put a person in shot to give the sense of scale, only I couldn't find any midgets (little people for those of you who think that PC term is actually less of an insult than the original).

The Texas Ranger boat ride could easily be missed but shouldn't be. It's quite good and better than most of these rides.

This is the park's interpretation of the Alamo, which they apparently took from a movie set. I'm pleased I saw the original.

Yup, the dumb starburst posters were here too.

Six Flags Over Texas, big park and quite good. Titan, Mr Freeze and Shockwave were my favourite rides here.

Whilst being in Arlington I thought it would be a good idea to visit the military cemetery. That was until I was told that was Arlington, Washington DC, not Texas.


Not in Texas....

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