Six Flags Over Georgia


Six Flags Over Georgia is a theme park located west of Atlanta in unincorporated Cobb County, Georgia, United States. Featuring characters and themes from a variety of Warner Bros. properties such as Looney Tunes and DC Comics, the park opened to the public in 1967 as the second of three theme parks built by Six Flags. It features 11 roller coasters, including top-ranked Mind Bender and Goliath that have been recognized annually by Amusement Today, and over 30 other rides, shows, and attractions. Hurricane Harbor, a water park included in the price of admission to the amusement park, was added in 2014.

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 1964. As the park opened in 1967, Six Flags became the first multi-gate theme park operator in the United States.
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 lands that have comprised present-day Georgia during its history. The six flags at the Georgia park are those of Spain, France, the United Kingdom, the Confederacy, the United States, in the state of Georgia. Over the years most of the original historical themes have been dropped in favor of cartoon and superhero themes.
Six Flags Over Georgia is not wholly owned by Six Flags Entertainment Corp. In an arrangement similar to that for Six Flags Over Texas, it is owned by a group of investors, Six Flags Over Georgia Ltd. and is managed by the corporation. As of 2018, the corporation owned 31% of the limited partnership. In years past, this has caused significant friction, including legal action. When the park was managed by Time Warner Entertainment, the limited partnership sued Time Warner in 1997, claiming it 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.
In late 2010, Six Flags began the process of removing licensed theming from attractions. Several licenses were terminated including the license with Thomas the Tank Engine. Thomas Town was renamed and rethemed to Whistlestop Park in time for the 2011 season.
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. 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.
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. 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.
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. 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 in 2011 with the addition of Dare Devil Dive, a Euro-Fighter roller coaster from German designer Gerstlauer.
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

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. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 27, 1995.

Roller coasters

Ride namePictureYear openedManufacturerCurrent locationDescription
1997Bolliger & MabillardGotham CityA steel inverted coaster. It is one of several identical rides operated by Six Flags Theme Parks using the same name.
Blue Hawk 1992VekomaLickskilletA 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 1967Arrow DynamicsPeachtree SquareA 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 2011GerstlauerU.S.A.A Euro-Fighter. 95-foot-tall vertical lift and three inversions.
Georgia Scorcher 1999Bolliger & MabillardGeorgiaA stand-up roller coaster. Last new B&M stand-up built to-date and is one of only two in the Southeast.
Goliath 2006Bolliger & MabillardU.S.A.A hypercoaster. One of the first hypercoasters in the Southeastern United States.
Great American Scream Machine 1973John C. Allen / Philadelphia Toboggan CompanyLickskilletA wooden roller coaster. Opened as the world's tallest and fastest roller coaster at a height of and speeds of.
The Riddler Mindbender 1978Anton SchwarzkopfGotham CityA 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. Formerly known as Mind Bender 1978-2019
2002Bolliger & MabillardMetropolis ParkA 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 2004Chance-MorganDC Super FriendsA 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
Twisted Cyclone 2018Rocky Mountain ConstructionCoastalA 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.

Other rides and attractions

Ride NameYear OpenedManufacturer Current LocationOther Notes
Six Flags Railroad - Marthasville and Rabun Gap1967Peachtree Square and Piedmont narrow gauge around the park; the locomotives were converted to Diesel hydraulic power in the mid-2000s and used to run on steam.
Hanson Cars1967Arrow Development Cotton StatesMoved to current location in 1990; originally located where Georgia Cyclone is in the Coastal section.
Sky Bucket1968Von Roll ScreamPunk District and Peachtree Square
Log Jamboree1968Arrow Dynamics GeorgiaOriginally operated with two separate flumes, current ride is the second flume.
The Riverview Carousel1972PTC Carousel HillMoved from Riverview Park; listed on National Register of Historic Places. Originally opened in 1908. The carousel model number is PTC #17.
Thunder River1982Intamin ScreamPunk DistrictRiver rapids ride with 12-passenger boats.
Acrophobia2001Intamin Peachtree Square
DC Super Villains Swing2004Zierer Gotham CityPurchased from Thrill Valley Amusement Park in Japan.
Formerly known as Gotham City Crime Wave 2004-2019
Rockin' Tug2004Zamperla Carousel Hill
Up, Up & Away2004Zamperla Carousel Hill
Paradise Island2005ProSlide Technology, SCS Interactive Discovery Hurricane HarborOnly open during summer season.
Monster Mansion2009Arrow Development PiedmontOther Names: Tales Of The Okefenokee, Monster Plantation.
SkyScreamer2013Funtime LickskilletPark's tallest ride standing at tall.
Harley Quinn: Wild Whirl2015Larson International Gotham CityA modern twist on a classic tilt a whirl
The Joker: Chaos Coaster2015Larson Gotham CityA Larson fireball ride.
2017Sally Corporation, Oceaneering International Metropolis ParkA 3D shooting dark ride.
Pandemonium2019Zamperla ScreamPunk DistrictA Zamperla Giant Discovery ride.
Catwoman Whip2020Zamperla Gotham CityAn enterprise like ride.
Poison Ivy: Toxic Spin2020Eli Bridge ScramblerGotham CityA classic scrambler ride.

Children's rides and attractions

Ride NameYear OpenedManufacturer/Ride TypeCurrent Location
Tweety's Tweehouse2001Zamperla Jumpin’ Star – kiddie drop tower. Originally known as Tweety's Clubhouse until 2015.Bugs Bunny Boomtown
Bugs Bunny High Sea Adventure1992Intamin Flying Dutchman, swing ride. Originally known as Santa Maria until 2015.Bugs Bunny Boomtown
Yosemite Sam's Wacky Wagons2016Zamperla Mini Ferris Wheel - kiddie Ferris WheelBugs Bunny Boomtown
Acme Trucking Co.1992Zamperla Convoy - kiddie truck ride. Originally known as Convoy Grande until 2015.Bugs Bunny Boomtown
Daffy Duck's Bucket Blasters2016Mack Rides Spinning Boat Ride - Spinning flat ride where riders are equipped with water blastersBugs Bunny Boomtown
Speedy Gonzales Speed Boats2016Spinning flat ride with riders in miniature speed boatsBugs Bunny Boomtown
Looney Tunes Adventure Camp2010Moved from Whistlestop Park to Bugs Bunny Boomtown in 2016. Originally known as Whistlestop Park Playground.Bugs Bunny Boomtown
2016Zamperla tower rideDC Super Friends
Batman Batcopters2016Spinning flat ride where riders can change the altitude of their vehicles during the rideDC Super Friends
Wonder Woman Flight School2016Larson Flying Scooters - Spinning flat ride where riders control their vehicleDC Super Friends

Pay-per-ride attractions

Ride NameYear OpenedManufacturer/Ride TypeCurrent Location
Sky Coaster1996SkycoasterCotton States
Goldtown Racer1999J & J Amusements go-kartsScreamPunk District

Former rides

Ride nameManufacturer Year OpenedYear ClosedDescription
Astro LiftsVon Roll Holding 1967198187-foot tall Sky Ride that transported guests between the Confederate and USA sections.
Déjà VuVekoma 20012007One of only five giant inverted boomerangs in the world. Purchased by Mirabilandia in Brazil in 2009
Dodge City Bumper Cars19732016
Drunken BarrelsIntamin 19711984Spinning tea-cups ride with a tilted platform. Replaced by relocated Wheelie attraction.
Flying DutchmanGiovanola 19801997
FreefallIntamin 19832006First generation free fall tower.
Georgia CycloneCurtis D. Summers / Dinn Corporation 19902017A wooden roller coaster, which closed on July 30, 2017, was converted into a steel hybrid coaster.
Great GaspIntamin 19762004
Highland SwingsChance Rides 19791997
Mini Mine TrainArrow Dynamics 19691988A mini mine train kiddie roller coaster. Previously known as Yahoola Hooler.
Phlying PhlurpusTread Corp. 19741977Unique Flying Scooters ride with a ride system that looks comparable to a chairswing attraction.
Splashwater FallsHopkins 19862018Boats glide on a tall flume and then drop down to a soaking pool. Now closed, and was recently dismantled.
ViperAnton Schwarzkopf 19952001A 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.
Sky HookVon Roll Holding 19691977Observation attraction. Relocated from Six Flags Over Texas and relocated to Magic Springs and Crystal Falls.
WheelieAnton Schwarzkopf 19772012Relocated to Fun Spot America Theme Parks after removal.
Z-ForceIntamin 19881991A 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

Over the years, a number of incidents have occurred at the park, including some fatalities. 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.

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