Frequently Asked Questions

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Park Questions

Why is the park called Six Flags over Texas?

Given that Six Flags over Texas was the first "Six Flags" park and the park that started the Six Flags chain, it should be obvious that the name has some special significance for the park. Indeed, the name comes from the fact that six flags of various nations have flown over Texas throughout the state's history: Spain, Mexico, France, the Republic of Texas, the Confederate States of America, and the United States of America. The park's founder, Angus G. Wynne Jr., intended for the park to not only be a source of family entertainment and fun, but also an educational experience showcasing the state's rich history.

When the park first opened, it had six themed areas corresponding to each of the flags. Today the park has eight themed areas. More information about the historical significance of six flags of Texas can be found here.

Can I get discounted tickets to the park for me/my group?

Possibly, but not from us. GuideToSFoT.com is an unofficial, noncommercial fan site for the theme park and is in no way connected to or endorsed by Six Flags over Texas. We suggest visiting the park's official site for contact information to get in touch with park representatives that can fulfill such requests.

What is the oldest ride at Six Flags over Texas?

The oldest, still-operating ride at the park is the Six Flags Railroad, which has been open since the park's first season—1961. The second oldest operating ride at the park is the Chaparral Cars, opening in 1962, while the third oldest is El Aserradero (the log flume), operating since 1963.

What is the most expensive attraction at Six Flags over Texas?

The single most expensive attraction at Six Flags over Texas is the Titan roller coaster, which had an approximate price tag of $25 million.

Are the rides at Six Flags over Texas safe?

To put it simply, yes. Amusement rides in general are safe if you look at the statistics objectively, especially rides found at fixed site locations (in comparison to traveling fairs/carnivals). The odds of being in a fatal amusement park ride accident, about 1 in 4 billion, pale in comparison to the odds of winning the lottery or being struck by lightning. Statistically the drive to the theme park is far more dangerous than any attraction found at the theme park. Every year statistics prove amusement park rides to be one of the safest forms of recreation available.

Specifically, ride inspections at Six Flags over Texas begin long before the park opens, typically up to 4 hours beforehand. Each day, every ride is inspected and checked-off by mechanics. Wooden roller coasters have their entire track length walked to ensure the track is in good condition. On a yearly basis, rides go through extensive rehabilitation processes which include complete tear-downs and re-builds of trains and extensive inspection of track structures. Steel coasters inspections usually involve electromagnetic scanners that look for tiny, internal cracks due to fatigue while wooden coasters get equally scrutinous inspections from carpenters.

New rides are also thoroughly tested for safety, beginning long before any parts are actually manufactured. Computer simulations run a dynamic FEA analysis that not only determines the stress components will experience, but also the forces experienced by the rider. Once the rides are manufactured and built, rides cycle hundreds of times testing various safety systems. Dummies with accelerometers, similar to ones used in the automotive industry, are used to ensure the ride’s forces agree with the computer simulations. Only after the ride has passed exhaustive testing and cycling and certification will the public be allowed to ride.

In fact, Six Flags over Texas has only had one guest fatality in its 50 years of operation. To ensure you stay safe during your visit (to any theme park, not just Six Flags over Texas), be sure and follow all safety precautions — most accidents on thrill rides and roller coasters occur due to rider negligence.

What happens during the park's off-season?

Although it may seem as if Six Flags over Texas sits dormant during its relatively brief off-season between January and February, considerable work is done behind the scenes to prepare for the upcoming season.

Rides are disassembled and thoroughly inspected, and various weared parts are replaced. Ride structures are inspected while roller coaster trains are taken apart and reconditioned for the upcoming season. Buildings are cleaned and occasionally re-painted, while landscaping is also re-done. A new-employee career fair is also held while employee training is also performed a few weeks before the park opens.

Six Flags over Texas has a relatively short amount of time to do all these off-season tasks -- other theme parks with more severe winters (such as Cedar Point in Ohio) can have off-seasons that last from November through April or longer.

I don't like roller coasters. What can I do at Six Flags over Texas?

Plenty. Even if you don't like roller coasters, Six Flags over Texas still offers dozens of other rides ranging in intensity from mild, family-friendly rides to more extreme thrills. Shows at the park can also be a major source of entertainment to non-riders. Interactive shows let guests steal the spotlight by singing karaoke or playing name-that-tune-style game shows. Shopping at the park can also provide plenty of entertainment. Sure there's the standard souvenir shops, but stores like Indian Village and the Ole Woodcutter can provide especially unique gifts. Six Flags over Texas also has numerous arcades full of classic and modern video games, some of which award points that can be traded for prizes. And speaking of prizes, midway games are scattered throughout the park, so if games of skill are your thing, you'll be in luck during your visit.

Site Questions

Is this the official website for Six Flags over Texas?

Absolutely not! Guide to SFoT is a noncommercial, unofficial fan site for Six Flags over Texas. We are not endorsed, sponsored by, or affiliated with the park in any way. Because of this you also should not use our Contact form to send park-specific questions that are better answered by Six Flags over Texas' Guest Services.

To visit the official Six Flags over Texas website, click here. To contact the park, click here.

Why a guide for Six Flags over Texas?

Why not? Six Flags over Texas is not only a theme park full of world-class roller coasters and thrill rides, but it's also a park rich in history and was the park that started the Six Flags brand and chain. A number of theme park firsts occurred at Six Flags over Texas and it continues to reinvent itself with continual improvements and new rides while maintaining many of its historical roots.

Many also consider Six Flags over Texas to be one of the more underrated Six Flags parks, often being overshadowed by parks with larger or record-breaking attractions such as Six Flags Magic Mountain, Six Flags Great Adventure, or Six Flags over Georgia.

Why did you list the manufacturer of various rides as Arrow Development? Wasn't it Arrow Dynamics?

Before it went bankrupt and was purchased by S&S Worldwide, Arrow Dynamics was one of the most authoritative amusement ride designer/manufacturers in the world. The company's rides dominated in popularity throughout the 1970s and 1980s.

The reason we list the manufacturer of rides like El Aserradero and the Mine Train as "Arrow Development" is because this was the company's name while those attractions were created. Arrow Development later changed their name to Arrow Dynamics after creating numerous rides for Six Flags over Texas.

Why do you list Pandemonium as located in the USA section of the park when the official site says it's in the Boomtown section?

The roller coaster Big Spin is located on the edge of both the Boomtown and USA sections of the park, and could very well be considered to be in either section of the park. Logically though, the theme of Boomtown is that of an old mining town and every other ride located within is themed as such. We therefore ask you, what section of the park does a coaster originally themed to extreme sports and skateboarding better fit in, the all-American USA section, or the mining-themed Boomtown section? We felt the former and listed it as such, despite the park doing the opposite. Ultimately it's essentially a non-issue.

Technical Questions

Why does this site look strange/messed up?

If the site somehow looks strange (extra white space, items/menus placed in weird locations), it's likely because you're using an outdated web browser. The site has been successfully tested in all modern, up-to-date browsers (including Internet Explorer 9, Firefox 3, and Google Chrome 4) and works fine in these CSS-compliant browsers. If you're using an older browser, why not do yourself a favor and upgrade? This is especially true if you're still using Internet Explorer 6, a 9-year-old, unsecure, outdated, unsupported, horrible excuse for a proper web browser.

Why do some links have a dotted line under them?

These are links that link to external websites. They have a dotted line under them so you can easily recognize and open them in a new tab/window, if you wish. You can open the link in a new tab or window usually by holding down Ctrl or Shift while clicking the link.

How was this site created?

Guide to SFoT was created using Adobe Creative Suite 5 (Design Premium version), including Dreamweaver CS5, Photoshop CS5, and Fireworks CS5. The development computer consists of an Intel Core i7 machine with 8GB of RAM running Windows 7.

A vast majority of photos were taken with a Nikon d5000 dSLR camera using 18-55mm and 55-200mm lenses.

Original content Copyright ©2010-2013 GuideToSFoT.com. All Rights Reserved. Use of this website is subject to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Guide To Six Flags over Texas is an unofficial Six Flags over Texas fan site. Visit the park's official site at SixFlags.com.

The Six Flags "Exclamation Point" logo and all related park/attraction indicia are copyrighted/trademarked Six Flags Theme Parks Inc. No claim of ownership is implied through this website.