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Six Flags Over Georgia

Coordinates: 33°46′04″N 84°33′02″W / 33.76787°N 84.55065°W / 33.76787; -84.55065
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Six Flags Over Georgia
The park's main entrance
LocationAustell, Georgia, U.S.
Coordinates33°46′04″N 84°33′02″W / 33.76787°N 84.55065°W / 33.76787; -84.55065
StatusOperating
OpenedJune 16, 1967
OwnerSix Flags Over Georgia, Ltd.[1]
Operated bySix Flags
General managerDavid Zellner
SloganThe Thrill Capital of the South
Operating seasonMarch through January
Area290 acres (120 ha)[2]
Attractions
Total43
Roller coasters12
Water rides3
WebsiteOfficial website

Six Flags Over Georgia is a 290-acre (1.2 km2) theme park located in Austell. Opened in 1967, it is the second park in the Six Flags chain following the original Six Flags Over Texas, which opened in 1961.

Six Flags Over Georgia is one of three parks in the Six Flags chain to have been founded by Angus G. Wynne. As with other Six Flags parks, it features themes from the Warner Bros. Entertainment library, including characters from Looney Tunes and DC Comics.

History

Development

The Georgia Cyclone, opened in 1990.

After the success of his original Six Flags Over Texas park in Arlington, Texas, park founder Angus Wynne began searching for a location for a second park, looking mainly in the Southeastern United States, with initial design work on the park starting in 1964. In August 1965, the Wall Street Journal reported that Wynne's development company, Great Southwest Corporation, had purchased 3,000 acres (1,200 ha) of land along the Chattahoochee River outside of Atlanta for a planned $400 million industrial park with an adjacent $7 million amusement park.[3] The land chosen was the site of the oldest permanent agricultural village in Georgia, home to Muscogee farmers from 200 BC to 500 AD. During development of the park the mounds were destroyed without being studied. The park itself sits on former dairy farm land known as Cole Brothers Dairy. The Cole Brothers sold their farm to Six Flags in the mid-1960s[4]

Wynne hired former Hollywood art directors Randall Duell and Hans Peters to develop the park, then named "Georgia Flags".[5] Like its sister park in Texas, the 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 two states shared the connections to Spain, France, Confederate States of America, and the U.S.; for Georgia, Great Britain would replace Mexico, and the flag of the state of Georgia would replace that of Texas, even though Georgia was never a sovereign nation, as Texas once was.[6] When Six Flags Over Georgia opened in 1967, Six Flags became the first theme park operator in the United States to operate parks at multiple locations.[7]

The 1960s

Six Flags Over Georgia opened to the public on June 16, 1967. Attractions first available included the Log Jamboree log flume ride, Jean Ribaut's Adventure (a boat tour similar to Disney's Jungle Cruise attractions),[8] the Six Flags Railroad, two driving attractions (the Happy Motoring Freeway and the Hanson Cars), two Satellite flat rides, the "Tales of the Okefenokee" dark ride, the Casa Loco tilt house, the Sky Lift/Astro Lift cable car and the park's first roller coaster, the Dahlonega Mine Train. The park's live entertainment offerings included a dolphin show, the Krofft Puppet Theater and the Athenaeum, later renamed the Crystal Pistol.[9]

After a successful first season, plans were set in motion to expand the park, and adjustments were made to existing attractions based on visitor feedback. A second Log Jamboree flume was added, a new show debuted in the Krofft Puppet Theater and the effects inside the Tales of the Okefenokee were upgraded with the help of Krofft Studios.[9] The park relocated Casa Loco out of its Spanish fort to make way for the Horror Cave haunted house attraction; a new adjacent building was built for Casa Loco's effects, which would become Casa Magnetica.[9] However, the largest improvement was the addition of the park's first new section, Lickskillet. Located outside the park's railroad tracks and named after a Georgia mining town in the late 19th century, Lickskillet added three new rides — the Spindle Top (a Rotor flat ride, the Wheel Burrow (a Chance Tumbler) and the Sky Buckets, the park's second cable car ride — along with several craft shops and a shootout show performed on the street. In 1969, Six Flags added still more attractions, the Sky Hook observation tower, which was relocated from Six Flags Over Texas, the Mini Mine Train, the park's second roller coaster[9] and the Chevy Show domed theater building.[citation needed]

The 1970s

In the early 1970s, Six Flags began augmenting its supply of costumed characters with creations from various Sid & Marty Krofft television series. Characters from H. R. Pufnstuf began appearing in the park in 1970, with characters from Lidsville added in 1972.[9] The 1970 production in the Krofft Puppet Theater was based on H. R. Pufnstuf, as well. These characters left the park after the 1974 season as Krofft decided to open its own amusement park, The World of Sid and Marty Krofft, in downtown Atlanta.[9] In Lickskillet, the Drunken Barrels flat ride had replaced the Wheel Burrow, and in 1972 Six Flags debuted the fully-restored Riverview Carousel on a hilltop adjacent to the section. This carousel, purchased from the defunct Riverview Park in Chicago, was built into a pavilion modeled after its original home.[9]

For the 1973 season, Six Flags added its second park expansion, the Cotton States Exposition, a development four years in the making.[9] In 1969, general manager Earl McKoy first proposed that the park install a wooden roller coaster, an idea to which Angus Wynne wasn't very receptive.[10] By 1971, however, the concept was approved, and designer John C. Allen and the Philadelphia Toboggan Company were contracted to design the ride, which opened in 1973 as The Great American Scream Machine. The Scream Machine, the largest roller coaster in the world at the time, was the anchor attraction for the Cotton States area, which was inspired by the 1895 Cotton States and International Exposition. In 1974, Six Flags added two new rides, the Mo-Mo the Monster Octopus ride in the USA section and the Phlying Phlurpus spinning ride in Cotton States; Mo-Mo would later move to Cotton States, as well.[11] The Spanish section received a number of children's rides for the 1975 season.[12] After the end of that season, the Happy Motoring Freeway was removed to make way for the Great Gasp parachute drop, which would be the park's new attraction for 1976.[13]

  • 1977: Added Wheelie (Schwarzkopf Enterprise)
  • 1978: Added Mind Bender.
  • 1979: Added Highland Swings (Chance Yo-Yo)

Present day

In late 2010, Six Flags began the process of removing licensed themeing from attractions. They terminated several licenses including their license with Thomas the Tank Engine. Thomas Town will be renamed and rethemed to Whistlestop Park in time for the 2011 season.[14][15] 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. Wynne—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.

On August 29, 2013, Six Flags officially announced it would add a Hurricane Harbor water park next door to the park for the 2014 season.[16] In late April 2014, the park announced that it will expand their season from October to January, to include the new Christmas event, Holiday in the Park for years to come.[17]

As part of Six Flags' 2015 capital investment program, Six Flags Over Georgia received two rides in its Gotham City section. The first, "The Joker: Chaos Coaster" is a Larson Giant Loop ride approximately 70 feet in height, while the second, "Harley Quinn Spinsanity", is a more traditional Tilt-A-Whirl family ride.[18] Both attractions are part of a broader renovation of Gotham City, which will also include a new character meet-and-greet area and improvements to the existing Gotham City Eatery restaurant.[18]

In 2016, Six Flags added two new children areas to the park – "Bugs Bunny Boomtown" and "DC Super Friends", the first in the Six Flags chain. On June 16, 2016, it was announced that Dodge City Bumper Cars would be closed and removed from the park to make room for a new ride in 2017.[19] On September 1, 2016, the park announced that an all new dark ride named Justice League: Battle For Metropolis would replace Dodge City Bumper Cars.

Rides and attractions

Six Flags Over Georgia, like most amusement parks, prides itself on its roller coaster collection. Goliath and Mind Bender routinely rank among the top steel roller coasters listed by Amusement Today magazine in its Golden Ticket Awards. The collection expanded most recently in 2018 with the addition of Twisted Cyclone, a steel track conversion of the former Georgia Cyclone by Rocky Mountain Construction.[20]

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.

Riverview Carousel is one of only three remaining five-abreast carousels known to exist. Located in an area of the park commonly referred to as Carousel Hill, The Riverview Carousel opened at the park in 1972. It is a 1908 PTC Carousel and is located in the Cotton States section after being moved from Riverview Park (Chicago). It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 27, 1995.

Roller coasters

Ride name Picture Year opened Manufacturer Current location Description
Batman: The Ride 1997 Bolliger & Mabillard Gotham City A steel inverted coaster. It is one of several identical rides operated by Six Flags Theme Parks using the same name.
Blue Hawk 1992 Vekoma Lickskillet A looping roller coaster. Ride moved from Wildwood, New Jersey's defunct Dinosaur Beach boardwalk. Inherited the Arrow trains from the Great American Scream Machine formerly located at Six Flags Great Adventure. Formerly named Ninja, it has had a full refurbishment and is now named Blue Hawk as of the 2016-2017 season.
Dahlonega Mine Train 1967 Arrow Dynamics Peachtree Square A steel mine train. The original design was a wood supporting structure with steel tubular rails; now, much of the wood is ornamental.
Dare Devil Dive 2011 Gerstlauer U.S.A. A Euro-Fighter with a 95-foot-tall vertical lift and three inversions.
Georgia Scorcher 1999 Bolliger & Mabillard Georgia A stand-up roller coaster. Last new B&M stand-up built to-date and is one of only two in the Southeast.
Goliath 2006 Bolliger & Mabillard U.S.A. A hypercoaster. One of the first hypercoasters in the Southeastern United States.
Great American Scream Machine 1973 John C. Allen / Philadelphia Toboggan Company Lickskillet A wooden roller coaster. Opened as the world's tallest and fastest roller coaster at a height of 105 feet (32 m) and speeds of 57 miles per hour (92 km/h).
The Riddler Mindbender 1978 Anton Schwarzkopf Gotham City A steel looping 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. In 1997, it was remodeled after The Riddler to fit the new Gotham City theme. Previously known as Mind Bender (1978-2019)
Superman: Ultimate Flight 2002 Bolliger & Mabillard Metropolis Park A steel flying coaster. It was the Southeast's first flying roller coaster, and the first B&M flying coaster in North America.
The Joker Funhouse Coaster 2004 Chance-Morgan DC Super Friends A family roller coaster. Re-themed to The Joker Funhouse Coaster in 2016 with green tracks and purple supports. Previously known as Wile E. Coyote Canyon Blaster (2004-2015)
Twisted Cyclone 2018 Rocky Mountain Construction Coastal A steel hybrid coaster that opened on May 25, 2018. Previously known as Georgia Cyclone, which was a wooden roller coaster constructed in 1990. Some of the original structure of the Georgia Cyclone was left in place, though heavily modified, to make the new coaster.
Kid Flash Cosmic Coaster 2023 Skyline Attractions Gotham City P'Sghetti Bowl model.[21] Georgia's first single rail coaster and only racing roller coaster in Georgia.[22]

Other rides and attractions

Ride Name Year Opened Manufacturer (Ride Type) Current Location Other Notes
Six Flags Railroad - Marthasville and Rabun Gap 1967 Guiberson-Harpur Corp. (Train) Peachtree Square and Piedmont 3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge[23] train ride around the park; the locomotives used to run on steam but were converted to Diesel hydraulic power in the mid-2000s.
Hanson Cars 1967 Arrow Development (Antique Cars) Carousel Hill Moved to current location in 1990; originally located where Georgia Cyclone is in the Coastal section.
Log Jamboree 1968 Arrow Dynamics (Log Flume) Georgia Originally operated with two separate flumes, current ride is the second flume.
The Riverview Carousel 1972 PTC (Carousel) Carousel Hill Moved from Riverview Park; listed on National Register of Historic Places. Originally opened in 1908. The carousel model number is PTC #17.[24]
Thunder River 1982 Intamin (River rapids ride) ScreamPunk District River rapids ride with 12-passenger boats.
Acrophobia 2001 Intamin (Stand-up gyro drop tower) Peachtree Square
DC Super Villains Swing 2004 Zierer (Wave Swinger) Gotham City Purchased from Thrill Valley Amusement Park in Japan (along with 4 rides that went to Six Flags New Orleans).

Formerly known as Gotham City Crime Wave 2004-2019

Rockin' Tug 2004 Zamperla (Rockin' Tug) Carousel Hill
Up, Up & Away 2004 Zamperla (Balloon Race) Carousel Hill
Paradise Island 2005 ProSlide Technology, SCS Interactive Discovery (Water Play Structure) Hurricane Harbor Only open during summer season.
Monster Mansion 1967 Arrow Development (dark ride) Piedmont Other Names: Tales Of The Okefenokee (1967–1980), Monster Plantation (1981–2008).
SkyScreamer 2013 Funtime (StarFlyer) Lickskillet Park's tallest ride standing at 242-foot (74 m) tall.
Harley Quinn: Wild Whirl 2015 Larson International (Tilt-A-Whirl) Gotham City A modern twist on a classic tilt a whirl
Justice League: Battle for Metropolis 2017 Sally Corporation, Oceaneering International (Dark Ride) Metropolis Park A 3D shooting dark ride.
Pandemonium 2019 Zamperla (Giant Discovery) ScreamPunk District A Zamperla Giant Discovery ride.
Catwoman Whip 2020 Zamperla (Endeavour) Gotham City An enterprise like ride.
Poison Ivy: Toxic Spin 2020 Eli Bridge Scrambler Gotham City A classic scrambler ride.

Children's rides and attractions

See also: Whistlestop Park
Ride Name Year Opened Manufacturer/Ride Type Current Location
Tweety's Tweehouse 2001 Zamperla Jumpin’ Star – junior drop tower. Originally known as Tweety's Clubhouse until 2015. Bugs Bunny Boomtown
Yosemite Sam's Wacky Wagons 2016 Zamperla Mini Ferris Wheel - junior Ferris Wheel Bugs Bunny Boomtown
Acme Trucking Co. 1992 Zamperla Convoy - kiddie truck ride. Originally known as Convoy Grande until 2015. Bugs Bunny Boomtown
Daffy Duck's Bucket Blasters 2016 Mack Rides Spinning Boat Ride - Spinning flat ride where riders are equipped with water blasters Bugs Bunny Boomtown
Speedy Gonzales Speed Boats 2016 Spinning flat ride with riders in miniature speed boats Bugs Bunny Boomtown
Looney Tunes Adventure Camp 2010 Moved from Whistlestop Park to Bugs Bunny Boomtown in 2016. Originally known as Whistlestop Park Playground. Bugs Bunny Boomtown
Superman: Tower of Power 2016 Zamperla tower ride DC Super Friends
The Batcopters 2016 Spinning flat ride where riders can change the altitude of their vehicles during the ride DC Super Friends
Wonder Woman Flight School 2016 Larson Flying Scooters - Spinning flat ride where riders control their vehicle DC Super Friends

Pay-per-ride attractions

Ride Name Year Opened Manufacturer/Ride Type Current Location
Gold Town Racers 1999 J&J Amusements go-karts ScreamPunk District
Sky Coaster 1996 Skycoaster Lickskillet

Former rides

Ride name Manufacturer (Model) Year Opened Year Closed Description
Astro Lift Von Roll Holding (Sky Ride) 1967 1981 87-foot tall Sky Ride that transported guests between the Confederate and USA sections.[25]
Bugs Bunny High Sea Adventure Intamin Flying Dutchman 1992 2021 Originally known as Santa Maria until 2015. Removed in 2021
Casa Loco 1967 1967 Predecessor to Horror Cave
Casa Magnetica 1970 1983 "Gravity hill" attraction
Déjà Vu Vekoma (Giant Inverted Boomerang) 2001 2007 One of only five giant inverted boomerangs in the world. Purchased by Mirabilandia in Brazil in 2009
Dodge City Bumper Cars (Bumper cars) 1973 2016 Replaced by Justice League: Battle for Metropolis
Drunken Barrels Intamin (Drunken Barrels) 1971 1984 Spinning tea-cups ride with a tilted platform. Replaced by relocated Wheelie attraction.
Flying Dutchman Giovanola (Swinging Ship) 1980 1997
Freefall Intamin (Free Fall) 1983 2006 First generation free fall tower.
Georgia Cyclone Curtis D. Summers / Dinn Corporation (Wooden Roller Coaster) 1990 2017 A wooden roller coaster, which closed on July 30, 2017, was converted into a steel hybrid coaster.
Great American Force Round-Up 1986 1986 Replaced Mo-Mo the Monster for one season after it was damaged in a lightning storm
Great Gasp Intamin (Parachute tower) 1976 2004 Replaced by Goliath
Great Six Flags Air Racer Intamin 1984 2000 Replaced by Acrophobia.
Happy Motoring Freeway Arrow 1967 1975 Car ride replaced by Great Gasp
Highland Swings Chance Rides (Yo-Yo) 1979 1997 Located in the British section
Horror Cave 1968 1985 A Haunted attraction in the Spanish themed area, entered through a colossal head with a gaping mouth
Jean Ribault's Adventure 1967 1981 A boat ride modeled on the Disneyland Jungle Cruise; replaced by Thunder River
The Joker: Chaos Coaster Larson (SuperLoop) 2015 2022 A Larson fireball ride. Replaced by Kid Flash Cosmic Coaster in 2023.
Log Jamboree flume #1 Arrow 1967 1991 One of two side-by-side flume rides; replaced by Ragin' Rivers
Looping Starship #1 Intamin 1985 1985 Replaced Wheelie; removed after one season due to Six Flags' Ride Rotation Program
Looping Starship #2 Intamin 1989 2005 Second ride of this type in the park; removed for construction of Goliath
Mini Mine Train Arrow Dynamics (Miniature Mine Train) 1969 1988 A mini mine train kiddie roller coaster. Previously known as Yahoola Hooler.
Mo-Mo the Monster Eyerly (Monster) 1974 1991 Replaced Satellite rides, relocated to former Sky Hook site in 1978; moved to the former site of Phyling Phlurpus in 1983; removed due to lightning strike 1986, returned in 1987
Phlying Phlurpus Tread Corp. (Flying Mouse) 1974 1977 Unique Flying Scooters ride with a ride system that looks comparable to a chairswing attraction.[26]
Ragin' Rivers 1991 1998 Raft water slides; replaced Log Jamboree flume #1; replaced by Georgia Scorcher
Satellite #1 Chance (Trabant) 1967 1973 Originally on site of Chevy Show; moved in 1968 and replaced by Mo-Mo the Monster in 1974
Satellite #2 Chance (Trabant) 1968 1973 Placed next to Satellite #1 and replaced in 1974 by Mo-Mo the Monster
Shake, Rattle and Roll Eli Bridge (Scrambler) 1980's 2010 An indoor scrambler removed to make way for Dare Devil Dive
Sky Buckets Von Roll (Sky Ride) 1968 2020 Had stations in ScreamPunk District and Peachtree Square. The ride was kept closed during much of the 2020 season due to sanitization concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic, and by the 2021 season all references and signage for the ride had been removed.
Sky Hook Von Roll Holding (Sky Hook) 1969 1977 Observation attraction. Relocated from Six Flags Over Texas and relocated to Magic Springs and Crystal Falls.
Spindle Top Chance (Rotor) 1968 2001
Splashwater Falls Hopkins (Shoot-the-Chutes) 1986 2018 Boats glide on a 50 ft (15 m) tall flume and then drop down to a soaking pool. Now closed, and was recently dismantled.
Tales of the Okefenokee Arrow 1967 1980 Named after the Okefenokee Swamp, a flume-based dark ride based on the Uncle Remus stories by Joel Chandler Harris. It was redesigned in 1968 by Sid And Marty Krofft, brothers who were well known for their work as puppeteers in children's TV programs, with more complex animation. It was replaced in 1981 by Monster Plantation, which reused the same flume trough.[27]
Wheel Barrow Chance (Tumbler) 1968 1970 Only one of its kind; replaced by Drunken Barrels[28]
Wheelie Anton Schwarzkopf (Enterprise) 1977 2012 Replaced by SkyScreamer; relocated to Fun Spot America Theme Parks after removal.
Viper Anton Schwarzkopf (Shuttle Loop) 1995 2001 A shuttle loop roller coaster. Moved from Six Flags Great America, moved to Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom, operated as Greezed Lightnin' until the park was closed in 2010.
Z-Force Intamin (Space Diver Roller Coaster) 1988 1991 A space diver roller coaster. Moved from Six Flags Great America, moved to Six Flags Magic Mountain and renamed Flashback. It was scrapped in 2008.

Timeline

  • 1967: Park opens to the public on June 16. Attractions included: Hanson antique car ride, Six Flags Railroad, Dahlonega Mine Train, Crystal Pistol revue theatre (labeled during the first few months as the Atheneum), Tales of the Okefenokee (a water-propelled dark ride), Castillo De Soto (a replica of a Spanish fortress off of which guests could fire wax cannonballs), Casa Loco (a walk-through attraction), the Porpoise Show, the Flying Jenny (a carousel-type ride powered by a live mule named "Joe"), Lafayette's Shooting Gallery, Jean Ribault's Adventure (a scenic narrated boat cruise), Petsville (a petting zoo), Happy Motoring Freeway, the Krofft Puppet Theatre, the Dual Satellites (a pair of Trabant rides flanking the entrance to the puppet theatre), the Astro Lift (a Von Roll sky ride), and the Log Jamboree (consisting of only a single flume).
  • 1968: Added the Lickskillet area which includes the Spindle Top (rotor ride), the Wheel Burrow (Chance Tumbler), several craft shops, and a shootout show performed on the street. Sky Buckets added between Confederate and Lickskillet sections, giving the park a second sky ride. Log Jamboree receives a second flume (with a tunnel over the final plunge). Casa Loco is removed, and the Horror Cave, another walk-through attraction, debuts inside of its former location. Tales of the Okefenokee is redesigned by puppeteers Sid and Marty Krofft. Satellite #1 (Trabant ride) is moved behind Satellite #2 to the right side of the Krofft Puppet Theatre. Chevy Show Cinema (painted red) is built on the original site of Satellite #1.
  • 1969: Sky Hook is imported from Six Flags Over Texas and added to the United States section. Yahoola Hooler is added.
  • 1970: An extension of the Spanish section featuring additional cannons and a variant of the Casa Magnetica tilt house attraction at Six Flags Over Texas is added. Flying Jenny is renamed Mule-Go-Round and moved in front of Casa Magnetica. Yahoola Hooler is renamed Mini-Mine Train. Chevy Show Cinema is painted blue. Wheel Burrow is removed from the Lickskillet section at the end of the season.
  • 1971: The Drunken Barrels ride replaces The Wheel Burrow.
  • 1972: The Riverview Carousel is 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. The Dual Satellite Rides are removed at the end of the season.
  • 1974: Added Phlying Phlurpus to Cotton States Exposition section. Mo-Mo the Monster replaces Dual Satellite Rides. Mule-Go-Round is removed at the end of the season. The Krofft brothers cease ties with Six Flags at the end of the season.
  • 1975 Happy Motoring Freeway removed at the end of the season. The Ferris Wheel, Gusano Contento (The Caterpiller), Regata De Botes (boat ride), rides and the Children's Theatre are added to the "Kiddie sub-section" of the Spanish Section. The American Pie Jamboree show moves into the Krofft Theatre.
  • 1976: Added Great Gasp Parachute Ride on April 9 at a cost of 1.5 million dollars.[29] Jumping Frijolies ride is added to the "Kiddie sub-section" of the Spanish Section. The Lickskillet Mill is added at the foot of the Lickskillet train trestle. The former Krofft theatre's exterior is remodeled adding a water feature along the outside walls and renamed "The Bicentennial Theatre".
  • 1977: Added Wheelie (Schwarzkopf Enterprise) to U.S.A section in March at a cost of half a million dollars.[29] Removed Phlying Phlurpus & Sky Hook at the end of the season. Plaza De Toros (The Matador ride) is added to the "Kiddie sub-section" of the Spanish Section. The Matador Ride replaced the Fort Cannons where guests would fire wax cannonballs out of cannons in front of the fort at a model of another fort in the little stream that flowed in front of the fort. Part of the stream was partially filled in (with a small pedestrian bridge crossing the remaining part of the stream) to place this ride in the park. This allowed for a new pathway (going between The Matador and Jumping Frijolies rides) that tied the kiddie section into Carousel Hill. On this path a Puppet Show wagon (similar to the Buford Buzzard wagon) was added. The petting Zoo was altered removing the Pyramid structure from over the entrance way.
  • 1978: Added Mind Bender at a cost of 2.5 million dollars. Mind Bender was designed by Anton Schwartzkopf of Musterhausen, West Germany (builder). The creator was W Stengel of Munich, Germany. "The World's only triple-loop rollercoaster is a one-of-a-kind thrill ride, each train, holding 28 passengers, catapults through 3 loops (two verticular) and travels up to 50 miles per hour. It has a "G" force of 5.4. Height of loops-56 linear feet and track length-3,370 linear feet. Weight of steel structure is 400,000 lbs. Length of ride 2 minutes 33 seconds".[29] Mo-Mo the Monster ride is relocated to the former site of the Sky Hook.
  • 1979: Added Highland Swings (Chance Yo-Yo). The Bicentennial Theatre is renamed the Contemporary Theatre.
  • 1980: Added Jolly Roger's Island, a new pirate themed area featuring The Flying Dutchman pirate ship. The Flying Dutchman opened March 13 at a cost of 1/2 million dollars. It was designed by A.G. Giovanola Freres for Intamin AG, Zurich, Switzerland. The Dutchman traveled 86 feet through a 150 degree arc reaching a maximum height in swing of 66 feet. The ship was 46 foot long, 9 foot wide, and sat 50 guests with a ride time of 2 minutes.[29]
  • 1981: Jean Ribault's Adventure is closed. Tales of the Okefenokee is removed and replaced with The Monster Plantation at a cost in excess of 3 million dollars. The ride was designed by Gary Goddard Productions of Los Angeles, CA and the technical side handled by AVG Productions of Valencia, CA.[29] The original Astro Lift, which carried guests between the Confederacy and United States sections, is removed at the end of the season.
  • 1982: Added Thunder River, made by Intamin AG (in the area formerly occupied by Jean Ribaut's Adventure ride) at a cost of 4 million dollars. The design began in 1979 with the structure being done by Bernard Johnson, INC (Atlanta).[29]
  • 1983: Added Freefall in the spring. Ten stories tall, made by Intamin AG at a cost of 3.3 million dollars.[29] Relocated Mo-Mo the Monster to Cotton States Exposition Section in the former spot of The Phlying Phlurpus. Six Flags was purchased by the video game manufacturer Bally, as a result the Spanish fort was turned into the Pac-Man Playfort. The playfort opened in March and was designed by Jack Pentes. It included Pipeline Crawl, Boppity Bags, Walk On Water, Ball Bath, King of the Mountain and more. The cost was a half million dollars.[29]
  • 1984: Added The Great Six Flags Air Racer in the British section in the spring at a cost of 2 million (1984) dollars. This ride took riders to a height of 100 feet (the tower was 135 ft (41 m) tall). The 12 six passenger planes traveled at a mere 35 mph (56 km/h). It was an Intamin Super Racer ride. The length of the ride was 2 minutes 30 seconds.[29] Hallmark's "Shirt Tales" characters are the park mascots for the season (apparently hanging in the next season as well even though the Looney Tunes start their takeover), as a result they move into the Character Theatre in the kiddie section. The Contemporary Theatre is renamed the Olympic Theatre.
  • 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. Relocated Wheelie to the Lickskillet section on the former spot of the Drunken Barrels. Horror Cave is removed at the end of the season. Looney Tunes characters become the park mascots. As a result, the Pac-Man Playfort is renamed Yosemite Sam Playfort. The Olympic Theatre is renamed The Looney Tunes Theatre.
  • 1986: Added Splashwater Falls, a "shoot-the-chutes"-style water ride. Due to a lightning strike SFOG temporarily replaced Mo-Mo the Monster with "The Great American Force", a trailer version of a Morgan Super Round-Up. It was removed before Halloweekends began, serving only 2–3 months in the park. As the Shirt Tales exited at the end of last season, the theatre is turned over to the Bill Clary Show.
  • 1987: Mo-Mo the Monster was returned to the park. The Dahlonega Mine Train is refurbished by the O.D. Hopkins Corporation during the season. Bally sells its Six Flags interest to Wesray Capitol and a group of Six Flags managers (Wesray 80% and Managers 20%). Total sale 610 million dollars.[30]
  • 1988: Added Z-Force which is relocated from Six Flags Great America. Attraction opened late spring. The Mini-Mine Train is removed at the end of the season.
  • 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. The Convoy replaces the Mini-Mine Train.
  • 1990: Added Georgia Cyclone. Hanson Cars (made by Arrow Dynamics) relocated to Carousel Hill. Log Flume #1 is removed at the end of the season.
  • 1991: Ragin Rivers, a wet-dry waterslide tower, is added in place of Log Jamboree flume #1. Z-Force 'is removed and relocated to Six Flags Magic Mountain at the end of the season. Mo-Mo the Monster is removed at the end of the season.
  • 1992: Added Ninja, relocated from Conko's 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, the former Tidal Wave from Six Flags Great America. Ultrazone indoor laser tag added to Jolly Rogers Island.
  • 1996: Added Feerless Freep's Daredevil Dive (Skycoaster).
  • 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. Black Friar restaurant becomes Whistlin' Dixie.
  • 1998: Park entrance remodeled to become The Promenade. Back park entrance closes. Ragin' Rivers removed.
  • 1999: Added 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.
  • 2003: Viper is relocated from storage to Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom and renamed Greezed Lightnin'. Viper has now been cut-up and sold for scrap.
  • 2004: A group of five family-style rides is added throughout the park, including the Wile E. Coyote Canyon Blaster roller coaster; Rockin' Tug; Up, Up & Away; The Gotham City Crime Wave & Shake, Rattle and Roll (in the former Chevy Show Cinema building) .
  • 2005: Added Skull Island, a water-park play fort. Removal of Great Gasp and Looping Starship. Whistlin' Dixie restaurant becomes Panda Express.
  • 2006: Added Goliath. Deer Park Plunge renamed Log Jamboree. Removal of Free Fall after end of season.
  • 2007: Déjà Vu closed after the end of the season.
  • 2008: Adds Thomas Town, based on Thomas the Tank Engine.[31] Which was rethemed in 2011 as Whistlestop Park. Before 2012, Whistlestop Train was removed from the park.[32] Tondee's Tavern becomes Johnny Rockets.
  • 2009: Renovation of The Monster Plantation into The Monster Mansion, with new characters and storyline.[33]
  • 2010: Batman the Ride repainted cobalt blue with dark blue supports. Shake Rattle And Roll removed for installation of Dare Devil Dive. "Fearless Freeps Dare Devil Dive" is renamed the "Sky Coaster" to prevent confusion with the New Dare Devil Dive coaster planned for the following year.
  • 2011: Adds Dare Devil Dive Euro-Fighter roller coaster.
  • 2012: Wheelie removed at the end of the season.
  • 2013: SkyScreamer, a 242-foot-tall swing ride,[34] is added in place of the Wheelie. Six Flags removes the 'Southern Star Amphitheater' at the end of the season.
  • 2014: Six Flags Hurricane Harbor and Holiday in the Park added. Hurricane Harbor is a new water park area replacing the Southern Star Amphitheater and included with park admission. Hurricane Harbor will feature an 800,000 US gallons (3,000,000 L) wave pool and two slide towers, along with new dining facilities and the existing Skull Island complex. Hurricane Harbor represents the first phase of a multi-year expansion program for the park.[35] Holiday in the Park is a new Christmas event that will extend the park's season through January.
  • 2015: Improvements to Gotham City, including a pair of flat rides: "The Joker: Chaos Coaster", a Larson Giant Loop; and "Harley Quinn Spinsanity", a Tilt-A-Whirl.[18]
  • 2016: Bugs Bunny World re-themed into Bugs Bunny Boomtown. DC Super Friends area added adjacent to Boomtown. Combined 12 new and re-themed attractions. Toro Toro, Swing Seville and Little Aviator removed.[36] Ninja repainted blue and gray and renamed Blue Hawk in June 2016. The Dodge City Bumper Cars attraction closes permanently on June 16, 2016.[19]
  • 2017: Justice League: Battle for Metropolis, an interactive dark ride adjacent to Superman Ultimate Flight, scheduled to open late May. Cotton States Exposition re-themed to Metropolis, with Great American Scream Machine and Blue Hawk roller coasters becoming part of Lickskillet.[37] Georgia Cyclone closed permanently on July 30, 2017.
  • 2018: A steel hybrid coaster called Twisted Cyclone opened on May 25, 2018. Previously known as Georgia Cyclone, a wooden roller coaster constructed in 1990, some of the original structure was left in place and heavily modified to make the new coaster. Old Georgia Cyclone trains added to Great American Scream Machine . Splashwater Falls closes and is left SBNO.
  • 2019: A Zamperla Giant Discovery called Pandemonium opened on May 24, 2019.
  • 2020: Two new flat rides added to Gotham City: Poison Ivy: Toxic Spin, a Scrambler; and Catwoman Whip, a Zamperla Endeavour. Mind Bender is refurbished and renamed Riddler Mindbender, although it stays closed during the season.
  • 2021: The Riddler Mindbender reopens in the spring of 2021. Sky Buckets is removed from the park after staying closed for much of the previous season. Demolition began on Splashwater Falls in May 2021, and completely been taken down in June 2021.

Incidents

Main article: Incidents at Six Flags parks

Over the years, a number of incidents have occurred at the park, including some fatalities. Batman: The Ride has been the scene of two fatal incidents nearly identical in nature, where individuals were underneath the attraction while it was operational and were struck and killed by the train itself or by the riders' exposed legs.

Portions of Six Flags Over Georgia lie within the flood plain of the Chattahoochee River, which has caused occasional problems whenever the river overflows its banks. Most recently, in September 2009, the park suffered severe flooding, as did much of the surrounding area. The bulk of the flooding occurred during the week, at a point in the season when the park was closed on weekdays. The park managed to clean up the damage and open as normal the following weekend.[38]

On opening day of the 2024 season, police were called to the park by Six Flags Over Georgia security to help disperse "a sizeable unruly crowd" of 500 to 600 people "running through the park and fighting," Cobb County police said in a statement. According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigations, multiple people began shooting, hitting an unoccupied CCPD marked patrol car.[39] During the incident one CCPD officer fired his weapon, striking a 15 year old who was subsequently charged with criminal conduct.[40]

  • Acrophobia
    Acrophobia
  • Great Gasp entrance
    Great Gasp entrance
  • Splashwater Falls
    Splashwater Falls
  • Skycoaster
    Skycoaster
  • Gotham City Crime Wave
    Gotham City Crime Wave

See also

References

  1. ^ "Six Flags - Investor Relations - SEC Filings". Investors.sixflags.com. Retrieved 2013-03-17.
  2. ^ "Six Flags 2010 Annual Report". p. 8. Retrieved 2011-10-07.
  3. ^ Hollis, Tim (2006). Images of America: Six Flags Over Georgia. Charleston, South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7385-4358-1.
  4. ^ "Native American History of Carroll County, Georgia". July 2012. Retrieved 2021-05-19.
  5. ^ Hollis 2006: 10-11
  6. ^ Hollis 2006: 8
  7. ^ O'Brien, Tim (1996). The Essential Guide to Six Flags Theme Parks. Birmingham, Alabama: Oxmoor House, Inc. ISBN 0-8487-1247-1.
  8. ^ Hollis 2006: 75
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h Hollis 2006
  10. ^ Hollis 2006: 104
  11. ^ Hollis 2006: 108
  12. ^ Hollis 2006: 67
  13. ^ Hollis 2006: 91
  14. ^ MacDonald, Brady (25 November 2010). "Six Flags amusement parks prepare for thematic makeovers". LA Times. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  15. ^ "Kids' Rides: Six Flags Over Georgia". Archived from the original on 2007-04-28.
  16. ^ "New for 2014". August 29, 2013. Archived from the original on September 1, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
  17. ^ Six Flags Magic Mountain (April 28, 2014). "Six Flags Over Georgia's Holiday in the Park". Six Flags. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
  18. ^ a b c Tom Kelley (August 28, 2014). "Thrills times three: Six Flags gets ready for 2015". accessatlanta.com. Cox Newspapers. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
  19. ^ a b Poole, Shelia (June 16, 2016). "Say goodbye to the Dodge City Bumper Cars ride at Six Flags". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
  20. ^ "Twisted Cyclone". Six Flags. Retrieved 2021-01-03.
  21. ^ Marden, Duane. "unknown  (Six Flags Over Georgia)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
  22. ^ American Coaster Enthusiasts [@aceonlineorg] (January 14, 2023). "🚨 🚨 🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨 🚨 🚨 New @SkylineAttrax coaster coming to @sfovergeorgia in 2023! @ACEWGLR #NoCoasterCon #RideWithACE" (Tweet). Retrieved January 14, 2023 – via Twitter.
  23. ^ "Railway Preservation News • View topic - Six Flags Over Georgia".
  24. ^ "Riverview Carousel, Six Flags Over Georgia, Austell, GA". National Carousel Association. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  25. ^ Lomax, Lucius (July 28, 1978). "2 Rides at Six Flags Here Closed for Safety Checks". The Atlanta Constitution. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  26. ^ Kennedy, Jeremy (2016). Hang on Tight! A Retrospective Look at the 2nd Generation of Amusement Rides (1950s-1980s). Buford, Georgia: PM Assistant LLC. pp. 124–125. ISBN 978-0-9978813-2-5.
  27. ^ "The Rise and Demise of Tales of the Okefenokee - DAFE". The Dark Attraction & Funhouse Enthusiasts. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  28. ^ "86'd Rides Vol.1: Tumbler". The DoD3. 2014-02-06. Retrieved 2021-01-04.
  29. ^ a b c d e f g h i Six flags Ride Information Pamphlet 1984
  30. ^ "Amusement & Theme Parks".
  31. ^ "Six Flags Over Georgia Newsroom". Theme Park.
  32. ^ Six Flags Over Georgia (February 23, 2012). "Remove Whistlestop Train..." Facebook. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
  33. ^ "Monster Mansion". www.sixflags.com. Retrieved 2008-09-15.
  34. ^ "Six Flags Over Georgia and Six Flags White Water Announce New Thrills for 2013" (PDF). SixFlags.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-06-12. Retrieved 2012-08-30.
  35. ^ J. Scott Trubey (August 29, 2013). "Six Flags to add water park". ajc.com. Cox Newspapers. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
  36. ^ Tom Kelley (September 3, 2015). "Six Flags Over Georgia plans new family-friendly rides for 2016". ajc.com. Cox Newspapers. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
  37. ^ Tom Kelley (December 28, 2016). "New ride takes shape at Six Flags". ajc.com. Cox Newspapers. Retrieved December 28, 2016.
  38. ^ Kristi E. Swartz (2009-09-23). "Six Flags still hopes to open this weekend, will make decision before Saturday". Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  39. ^ https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/six-flags-over-georgia-opening-results-in-massive-brawl-one-teen-shot-by-police/ar-BB1jgHeJ
  40. ^ https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/15-year-old-shot-by-officer-near-six-flags-now-facing-charges-cobb-police-say/ar-BB1jjvZY
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