It’s not even May and despite the hype for the park’s landmark year, Six Flags over Texas’ 65th season has already seen more ups and downs than one of the park’s roller coasters.
Perhaps it was an omen on opening day when the park couldn’t get Mr. Freeze running, but SFOT’s season thus far has been marred by numerous reports of attraction closures and extremely long queue lines.
Some guests in online groups brushed off the park’s first few weeks of rocky operations as a consequence of the 2-month closure (seemingly forgetting that the park had an off-season for virtually all of its existence except for the past few years) and that all would be back to normal soon. But then came Spring Break, widely known to be one of the busiest weeks of the park. Again, guests reported significant ride closures (apparently due to staffing issues) and coasters that were open were only running single trains resulting in multiple-hour waits.
Feedback from SFOT Facebook Group
Even as May approaches, New Texas Giant continues to run a single train resulting in queues reaching an astonishing 3+ hours. Reportedly the other two trains are still undergoing preventative maintenance, something most parks strive to complete during their off-seasons to avoid situations like this during the busy spring season. Mr. Freeze also continues to run a single side.
Feedback from SFOT Facebook Group
Park operations have been so bad in fact, that conspiracy theories have floated that SFOT is intentionally limiting ride throughput to sell Fast Lane. This doesn’t seem likely, however, as single-train operation also makes Fast Lane lines unbearably long as well, leading to equally frustrated Fast Lane users.
Park Leadership Changes
Despite the rocky start, many park fans remained optimistic due to regional manager Jeffrey Siebert now being at the helm. His enthusiastic passion for SFOT’s “Golden Renaissance” was evident from every in-park encounter or interview given, as he was widely credited for a variety of improvements of Fiesta Texas during his tenure there.
But then Six Flags announced it was reversing course on its decision last year to eliminate park president positions, and that a number of parks (SFOT included) would be getting a park president again. But more shocking was the news that Siebert was departing Six Flags as part of the shakeup. Online reports claim Siebert may have been offered the SFOT President position but declined it, as it would have meant relocating his family (not to mention a reduction in responsibility and compensation). Fiesta Texas was not included in the list of parks regaining a park president position, leading to further online speculation that the park may be the next to be sold off.
Pete Carmichael will be the new SFOT Park President, having most recently been the regional GM of Northeast parks and prior to that, president of Six Flags New England. Carmichael, who has already been spotted around the park, definitely has his work cut out for him. SFOT’s season so far proves that not even a world record-breaking roller coaster and a slew of other improvements can’t make up for poor ride operations.
It will be especially important for the park to improve by summer when nearby AT&T Stadium will host 9 World Cup matches (including a semi-final), putting the city on a global stage with an influx of international visitors.
Hopefully the park will find its operational groove again by the time Tormenta is unleashed (for which we still have no idea for a date) and starts bringing in even more guests.
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