Six Flags Over Georgia
Encyclopedia
Six Flags Over Georgia is a 290 acres (117.4 ha) theme park
located west of Atlanta
, in unincorporated Cobb County. Opened in 1967, it is the second park in the Six Flags
chain, after the original opening in 1961 in Texas
.
Six Flags Over Georgia and its two sister parks, Six Flags Over Texas
and Six Flags St. Louis
, are the only three parks in the Six Flags Theme Parks chain to have been founded by Angus G. Wynne
, and thus they are the only parks to have used the "Six Flags" name since their original grand openings. As with the other Six Flags parks, Six Flags Over Georgia hosts characters from the Warner Bros.
animation library, notably the Looney Tunes
characters and Justice League
from DC Comics
and now "the face of Six Flags", Mr. Six
.
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. When the park opened in 1967, Six Flags became the first 'multi-gate' theme park operator in the United States. Before this time, many parks shared common popular names, like Coney Island
or Luna Park, but these parks (save the Luna Parks built and managed by Frederick Ingersoll
) shared nothing more than the name. In the case of Six Flags, both parks reported to the same parent company.
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 state (or, perhaps more accurately, the lands that are now part of it) during its history. The six flags in question are those of Spain
, France
, United Kingdom
, the United States of America, the Confederate States of America
and the state of Georgia
. It can be argued that France's involvement in Georgia's history was very limited, at best; it can be further argued that Georgia was never a sovereign nation, as Texas once was. However, with some poetic license, the intent of the name can be considered valid. Over the years most of the original historical themes have been dropped in favor of cartoon and superhero themes.
The park is not owned by the Six Flags Theme Parks corporation. 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. Wynn—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.
In late 2010, Six Flags began the process of removing licensed theming 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.
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, one of only three remaining five-abreast carousels known to exist and a member of the National Register of Historic Places
.
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.
Amusement park
thumb|Cinderella Castle in [[Magic Kingdom]], [[Disney World]]Amusement and theme parks are terms for a group of entertainment attractions and rides and other events in a location for the enjoyment of large numbers of people...
located west of Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
, in unincorporated Cobb County. Opened in 1967, it is the second park in the Six Flags
Six Flags
Six Flags Entertainment Corp. is the world's largest amusement park corporation based on quantity of properties and the fifth most popular in terms of attendance. The company maintains 14 properties located throughout North America, including theme parks, thrill parks, water parks and family...
chain, after the original opening in 1961 in Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
.
Six Flags Over Georgia and its two sister parks, Six Flags Over Texas
Six Flags Over Texas
Six Flags Over Texas is a major amusement park located in Arlington, Texas , east of Fort Worth and about west of Dallas. It is the oldest park of the Six Flags chain. The park opened on August 5, 1961 following just a year of construction and an initial investment of US$10 million by real estate...
and Six Flags St. Louis
Six Flags St. Louis
Six Flags St. Louis , is an amusement park owned by Six Flags, Inc. It is located in Eureka, Missouri, USA . Opened in 1971 as the third theme park of the Six Flags chain, this was the last park that was built under the Six Flags name...
, are the only three parks in the Six Flags Theme Parks chain to have been founded by Angus G. Wynne
Angus G. Wynne
Angus Gilchrist Wynne, Jr. was a land developer, founder of Wynnewood Shopping Center and community development in Oak Cliff, a suburb of Dallas. He also developed Six Flags Over Texas and Six Flags Over Georgia and Six Flags St. Louis theme parks in Texas, Georgia, and Missouri...
, and thus they are the only parks to have used the "Six Flags" name since their original grand openings. As with the other Six Flags parks, Six Flags Over Georgia hosts characters from the Warner Bros.
Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc., also known as Warner Bros. Pictures or simply Warner Bros. , is an American producer of film and television entertainment.One of the major film studios, it is a subsidiary of Time Warner, with its headquarters in Burbank,...
animation library, notably the Looney Tunes
Looney Tunes
Looney Tunes is a Warner Bros. animated cartoon series. It preceded the Merrie Melodies series and was Warner Bros.'s first animated theatrical series. Since its first official release, 1930's Sinkin' in the Bathtub, the series has become a worldwide media franchise, spawning several television...
characters and Justice League
Justice League
The Justice League, also called the Justice League of America or JLA, is a fictional superhero team that appears in comic books published by DC Comics....
from DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
and now "the face of Six Flags", Mr. Six
Mr. Six
Mr. Six is an advertising character, first featured in a 2004–05 advertising campaign by the theme park chain Six Flags. Appearing as a bald, decrepit, wrinkled old man wearing a tuxedo and thick-framed glasses, he invites stressed and over-worked people to Six Flags by performing a frenetic dance...
.
History
Arlington, Texas
Arlington is a city in Tarrant County, Texas within the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area. According to the 2010 census results, the city had a population of 365,438, making it the third largest municipality in the Metroplex...
, 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
Chattahoochee River
The Chattahoochee River flows through or along the borders of the U.S. states of Georgia, Alabama, and Florida. It is a tributary of the Apalachicola River, a relatively short river formed by the confluence of the Chattahoochee and Flint Rivers and emptying into Apalachicola Bay in the Gulf of...
just west of the city of Atlanta, and design work started in 1964. When the park opened in 1967, Six Flags became the first 'multi-gate' theme park operator in the United States. Before this time, many parks shared common popular names, like Coney Island
Coney Island
Coney Island is a peninsula and beach on the Atlantic Ocean in southern Brooklyn, New York, United States. The site was formerly an outer barrier island, but became partially connected to the mainland by landfill....
or Luna Park, but these parks (save the Luna Parks built and managed by Frederick Ingersoll
Frederick Ingersoll
Frederick Ingersoll was an inventor, designer, and builder who created the world's first chain of amusement parks and whose manufacturing company built 277 roller coasters, fueling the popularity of trolley parks in the first third of the Twentieth Century...
) shared nothing more than the name. In the case of Six Flags, both parks reported to the same parent company.
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 state (or, perhaps more accurately, the lands that are now part of it) during its history. The six flags in question are those of Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, the United States of America, the Confederate States of America
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
and the state of Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. It can be argued that France's involvement in Georgia's history was very limited, at best; it can be further argued that Georgia was never a sovereign nation, as Texas once was. However, with some poetic license, the intent of the name can be considered valid. Over the years most of the original historical themes have been dropped in favor of cartoon and superhero themes.
The park is not owned by the Six Flags Theme Parks corporation. 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. Wynn—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
Oklahoma city
Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma.Oklahoma City may also refer to:*Oklahoma City metropolitan area*Downtown Oklahoma City*Uptown Oklahoma City*Oklahoma City bombing*Oklahoma City National Memorial...
, 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. They terminated several licenses including their license with Thomas the Tank Engine
Thomas the Tank Engine
Thomas the Tank Engine is a fictional steam locomotive in The Railway Series books by the Reverend Wilbert Awdry and his son, Christopher. He became the most popular character in the series, and the accompanying television spin-off series, Thomas and Friends.Thomas is a tank engine, painted blue...
. Thomas Town will be renamed and rethemed to Whistlestop Park
Whistlestop Park
Whistlestop Park is a themed kid's area with various rides at several Six Flags amusement parks.-History:Before being named Whistlestop Park, these themed areas were named Thomas Town from 2007 to 2010....
in time for the 2011 season.
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 expands in 2011 with the announcement of Dare Devil Dive, a Euro-FighterGerstlauer Euro-Fighter
The Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter is a popular roller coaster design built by Gerstlauer. It was launched in 2003 and now has many installations around the world, including a number yet to be completed. The trademark feature of the roller coaster is its 'beyond vertical' drop, which reaches an angle...
roller coaster from German designer Gerstlauer
Gerstlauer
Gerstlauer Amusement Rides GmbH is a German manufacturer of stationary and transportable amusement rides and roller coasters, located in Münsterhausen, Germany.-History:...
.
Aside from the roller coasters, Six Flags Over Georgia maintains a large number of other rides and attractions. Two attractions of note are Acrophobia
Acrophobia (ride)
Acrophobia is the name for a free-fall tower ride located at Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell. The attraction was designed by Intamin Worldwide of Switzerland, and is marketed by Intamin's Liechtenstein-based subsidiary Ride Trade...
, installed in 2001 as the world's first "floorless" freefall tower ride, and the Riverview Carousel, one of only three remaining five-abreast carousels known to exist and a member of the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
Roller coasters
| Ride Name | Year Opened | Removed In | Manufacturer/Ride Type | Current Location | Other Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dahlonega Mine Train Dahlonega Mine Train The Dahlonega Mine Train is a steel roller coaster located at Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell, Georgia, west of downtown Atlanta, Georgia. The ride has three lift hills with brief elements between each that wind through a wooded, hilly landscape. This is a family coaster that is named after... |
1967 | Arrow Dynamics Arrow Dynamics Arrow Dynamics was a roller coaster and amusement ride design company based in Clearfield, Utah, United States. In 2002, the company went bankrupt but was quickly bought by fellow amusement ride manufacturer S&S Power to form S&S Arrow. During its peak, Arrow Dynamics was responsible for some of... steel Steel roller coaster A steel roller coaster is a roller coaster that is defined by having a track made of steel. Steel coasters have earned immense popularity in the past 50 years throughout the world... "mine train" roller coaster. >Update to track by O.D. Hopkins |
Peachtree Square | The original design was a wood supporting structure with steel tubular rails; now, much of the wood is ornamental. | |
| Mini Mine Train Mini Mine Train Mini Mine Train is a steel roller coaster located at Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington, Texas.This is a junior roller coaster built shortly after the original Runaway Mine Train roller coaster opened at Six Flags Over Texas. It is designed for families with smaller children not yet tall enough to... |
1967 | 1988 | Arrow Dynamics Arrow Dynamics Arrow Dynamics was a roller coaster and amusement ride design company based in Clearfield, Utah, United States. In 2002, the company went bankrupt but was quickly bought by fellow amusement ride manufacturer S&S Power to form S&S Arrow. During its peak, Arrow Dynamics was responsible for some of... mini mine train kiddie roller coaster |
Originally named the Yahoola Hooler. | |
| Great American Scream Machine | 1973 | John C. Allen John C. Allen John C. Allen was a roller coaster designer who was responsible for the revival of wooden roller coasters which began in the 1970s. He attended Temple University. He started working for the Philadelphia Toboggan Company in 1934 as a coaster operator and rose to become president of the company by... designed wooden roller coaster, built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company Philadelphia Toboggan Company The Philadelphia Toboggan Company is one of the oldest existing roller coaster manufacturing companies in the world.Mack Rides of Germany dates back to 1781, but it did not start building coasters until 1921 Based in Hatfield, Pennsylvania, it was established in 1904 by Henry B... . |
Cotton States | Opened as the world's tallest and fastest roller coaster at a height of 105 feet (32 m) and speeds of 57 mi/h. | |
| Mind Bender Mind Bender (Six Flags Over Georgia) Mind Bender is a steel roller coaster located at Six Flags Over Georgia near Atlanta, Georgia. Billed as "the world's first triple-loop roller coaster" when it opened on March 31, 1978, Mind Bender maintains its popularity some three decades after it opened... |
1978 | Anton Schwarzkopf Anton Schwarzkopf Anton Schwarzkopf was a German engineer of amusement rides, and founder of the Schwarzkopf Industries company, which built numerous rides and large roller coasters for both amusement parks and travelling funfairs.... terrain-following looping steel coaster |
Gotham City | The park has claimed that it was the world's first triple-loop coaster. However, the second "loop" is actually an inclined helix Helix A helix is a type of smooth space curve, i.e. a curve in three-dimensional space. It has the property that the tangent line at any point makes a constant angle with a fixed line called the axis. Examples of helixes are coil springs and the handrails of spiral staircases. A "filled-in" helix – for... and does not turn riders upside-down. |
|
| Z-Force Flashback (roller coaster) Flashback was a steel roller coaster made by Intamin of Switzerland. The coaster was located in the Six Flags Plaza area of Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California.... |
1988 | 1990 | Intamin Space Diver roller coaster | Moved from Six Flags Great America Six Flags Great America Six Flags Great America is a Six Flags theme park in the Chicago metropolitan area, located in Gurnee, Illinois. It first opened in 1976 as Marriott's Great America. Six Flags purchased the park from the Marriott Corporation in 1984, making it the seventh park in the chain... , moved to Six Flags Magic Mountain Six Flags Magic Mountain Six Flags Magic Mountain is a theme park located in Valencia, California north of Los Angeles. It opened on Memorial Day weekend on May 30, 1971 as Magic Mountain, by the Newhall Land and Farming Company. In 1979, Six Flags purchased the park and added the name Six Flags to the park's title. In... and renamed Flashback. Was scrapped in 2008. |
|
| Georgia Cyclone Georgia Cyclone The Georgia Cyclone is a wooden roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia in Atlanta, Georgia. Opened in 1990, it is a mirror image of the legendary Coney Island Cyclone. Ten feet higher than the Cyclone, it stands at and has a track length of and a top speed of... |
1990 | Summers and Dinn Corp. wooden roller coaster | British | Design is a mirror image of the Coney Island Cyclone Coney Island Cyclone The Coney Island Cyclone is a historic hybrid roller coaster in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn, New York City. On June 18, 1975, Dewey and Jerome Albert, owners of Astroland Park, contracted to operate the Cyclone under an agreement with New York City... , with some minor differences. |
|
| Ninja | 1992 | Vekoma Vekoma Vekoma Rides Manufacturing B.V. is a roller coaster and thrill ride designer with its facilities based in the Netherlands. The company was founded in 1926 by Hendrik op het Veld under the name "Veld Koning Machinefabriek" and had first manufactured agricultural machinery and mining equipment... looping roller coaster |
Cotton States | Ride moved from Wildwood, New Jersey Wildwood, New Jersey Wildwood is a city in Cape May County, New Jersey, United States. It is part of the Ocean City Metropolitan Statistical Area and is a popular summer resort destination. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's year-round population was 5,325... 's defunct Dinosaur Beach boardwalk. Inherited the Arrow trains from the Great American Scream Machine formerly located at Six Flags Great Adventure. |
|
| Viper | 1995 | 2001 | Anton Schwarzkopf Anton Schwarzkopf Anton Schwarzkopf was a German engineer of amusement rides, and founder of the Schwarzkopf Industries company, which built numerous rides and large roller coasters for both amusement parks and travelling funfairs.... shuttle loop roller coaster |
Moved from Six Flags Great America Six Flags Great America Six Flags Great America is a Six Flags theme park in the Chicago metropolitan area, located in Gurnee, Illinois. It first opened in 1976 as Marriott's Great America. Six Flags purchased the park from the Marriott Corporation in 1984, making it the seventh park in the chain... , moved to Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom Kentucky Kingdom is an amusement park located in Louisville, Kentucky, USA. The park is located on of land which includes a collection of 27 amusement rides and a water park named Splashwater Kingdom... , operated as Greezed Lightnin' until the park was closed in 2010. |
|
| Batman: The Ride Batman: The Ride Batman: The Ride is a steel inverted roller coaster found in many Six Flags theme parks, as well as other parks around the world, including Six Flags Great America, Six Flags Great Adventure, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Six Flags Fiesta Texas , Six Flags Over Georgia, Six Flags St. Louis, Six Flags... |
1997 | B&M Bolliger & Mabillard Bolliger & Mabillard Consulting Engineers is a roller coaster design consultancy based in Monthey, Switzerland. The company was founded in 1988 by Walter Bolliger and Claude Mabillard, with Bolliger acting as president and Mabillard as vice-president... inverted steel coaster Inverted roller coaster An inverted roller coaster is a roller coaster in which the train runs under the track with the seats directly attached to the wheel carriage. This latter attribute is what sets it apart from the older suspended coaster, which runs under the track, but "swings" via a pivoting bar attached to the... |
Gotham City | Is one of several identical rides operated by Six Flags Theme Parks using the same name. | |
| Georgia Scorcher Georgia Scorcher Georgia Scorcher is a roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia. The second design from Bolliger & Mabillard to be built at the park, Georgia Scorcher opened in May 1999 as the last new stand-up roller coaster to have been constructed anywhere on Earth... |
1999 | B&M Bolliger & Mabillard Bolliger & Mabillard Consulting Engineers is a roller coaster design consultancy based in Monthey, Switzerland. The company was founded in 1988 by Walter Bolliger and Claude Mabillard, with Bolliger acting as president and Mabillard as vice-president... stand-up roller coaster Stand-up roller coaster A stand-up roller coaster is a roller coaster designed to have the passengers stand through the course of the ride. These roller coasters are very intense, and generally carry taller height restrictions than other rides.-History:... |
Georgia | Last new B&M stand-up built to-date and is one of only two in the Southeast. | |
| Déjà Vu Giant Inverted Boomerang A Giant Inverted Boomerang is a type of steel shuttle roller coaster manufactured by Vekoma. The ride is a larger, inverted version of Vekoma's popular Boomerang sit down roller coasters... |
2001 | 2007 | Vekoma Vekoma Vekoma Rides Manufacturing B.V. is a roller coaster and thrill ride designer with its facilities based in the Netherlands. The company was founded in 1926 by Hendrik op het Veld under the name "Veld Koning Machinefabriek" and had first manufactured agricultural machinery and mining equipment... Giant Inverted Boomerang Boomerang (roller coaster) Boomerang is a model of roller coaster built by Vekoma, and named after the hunting implement based on the traditions of the Indigenous Australians... |
It was one of only five GIB's in the world. Purchased by Mirabilandia Mirabilandia (Brazil) Mirabilandia is the only fixed amusement park in the Northeast.It's located between Recife and Olinda. Its area is of 57.000 m². Mirabilandia operates three traveling parks in Brazil, called Universal park, Golden park and American park.-History:... in Brazil in 2009 |
|
| Superman: Ultimate Flight Superman: Ultimate Flight Superman: Ultimate Flight is a steel flying roller coaster manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard. Themed to the popular comic book character, Superman: Ultimate Flight has been installed at three Six Flags theme parks around the United States. Superman: Ultimate Flight simulates flying like the... |
2002 | B&M Bolliger & Mabillard Bolliger & Mabillard Consulting Engineers is a roller coaster design consultancy based in Monthey, Switzerland. The company was founded in 1988 by Walter Bolliger and Claude Mabillard, with Bolliger acting as president and Mabillard as vice-president... flying roller coaster. |
Cotton States | It was the Southeast's first flying roller coaster, and the first B&M flying coaster in North America. | |
| Wile E. Coyote Canyon Blaster Wile E. Coyote Canyon Blaster The Wile E. Coyote Canyon Blaster is a Chance-Morgan steel roller coaster located at Six Flags Over Georgia in Atlanta, Georgia.This is a steel coaster designed for families and children. It is located in the Bugs Bunny World park section and threads in and out of an old Spanish-themed fort. The... |
2004 | Chance-Morgan Chance-Morgan Chance Morgan, a roller coaster and amusement ride manufacturer, was formed in 2001 with the merger of Chance Industries and D. H. Morgan Manufacturing . The main office is D. H. Morgan's former location in La Selva Beach, California and they utilize Chance Industries' former manufacturing... custom-designed family roller coaster |
Bugs Bunny World (Spanish) | Built into the park's iconic Spanish fort. | |
| Goliath Goliath (Six Flags Over Georgia) Goliath is a hyper coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia. Designed by Bolliger & Mabillard and opened in April 2006, Goliath reaches a height of , and a top speed of . Its of track is spread out over an site... |
2006 | B&M Bolliger & Mabillard Bolliger & Mabillard Consulting Engineers is a roller coaster design consultancy based in Monthey, Switzerland. The company was founded in 1988 by Walter Bolliger and Claude Mabillard, with Bolliger acting as president and Mabillard as vice-president... hypercoaster Hypercoaster A hypercoaster can mean one of two things:*Any continuous-circuit roller coaster with a height or drop measuring greater than 200 feetOr, more narrowly:*A style or model of roller coaster with three features:**A height of 200–299 feet... |
USA | One of the first hypercoasters in the Southeastern United States. | |
| Dare Devil Dive Dare Devil Dive Dare Devil Dive is a steel roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia. Designed by German company Gerstlauer, Dare Devil Dive is based on the company's Euro-Fighter model, and features a -tall vertical lift hill, a 95° first drop, three inversions and a top speed of... |
2011 | Gerstlauer Gerstlauer Gerstlauer Amusement Rides GmbH is a German manufacturer of stationary and transportable amusement rides and roller coasters, located in Münsterhausen, Germany.-History:... Euro-Fighter Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter The Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter is a popular roller coaster design built by Gerstlauer. It was launched in 2003 and now has many installations around the world, including a number yet to be completed. The trademark feature of the roller coaster is its 'beyond vertical' drop, which reaches an angle... |
USA | 95-foot-tall vertical lift and three inversions. |
Current adult rides/attractions
| Ride Name | Year Opened | Manufacturer/Ride Type | Current Location | Other Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Six Flags Railroad - Marthasville and Rabun Gap | 1967 | Train ride around the park | Peachtree Square and French | The Engines have been converted to Diesel hydraulic power. |
| Sky Buckets | 1967 | Von Roll sky way ride | Lickskillet and Peachtree Square | |
| Hanson Cars | 1967 | Arrow Arrow Dynamics Arrow Dynamics was a roller coaster and amusement ride design company based in Clearfield, Utah, United States. In 2002, the company went bankrupt but was quickly bought by fellow amusement ride manufacturer S&S Power to form S&S Arrow. During its peak, Arrow Dynamics was responsible for some of... Antique Cars |
Cotton States | Moved to current location in 1990; originally located where Georgia Cyclone is in British section. |
| Log Jamboree | 1968 | Arrow Dynamics Arrow Dynamics Arrow Dynamics was a roller coaster and amusement ride design company based in Clearfield, Utah, United States. In 2002, the company went bankrupt but was quickly bought by fellow amusement ride manufacturer S&S Power to form S&S Arrow. During its peak, Arrow Dynamics was responsible for some of... Log Flume Log flume (attraction) Log flumes originally referred to a special construct used to transport lumber and logs down mountainous terrain to a sawmill by using flowing water. Today, however, the term is also used to refer to an amusement ride consisting of a water flume and artificial hollow logs or boats... |
Georgia | Originally operated with two separate flumes, current ride is the second flume. |
| The Riverview Carousel | 1972 | 1908 PTC Philadelphia Toboggan Company The Philadelphia Toboggan Company is one of the oldest existing roller coaster manufacturing companies in the world.Mack Rides of Germany dates back to 1781, but it did not start building coasters until 1921 Based in Hatfield, Pennsylvania, it was established in 1904 by Henry B... Carousel Carousel A carousel , or merry-go-round, is an amusement ride consisting of a rotating circular platform with seats for riders... |
Cotton States | Moved from Riverview Park; listed on National Register of Historic Places National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation... |
| Dodge City Bumper Cars | 1973 | bumper cars | Cotton States | |
| Wheelie | 1977 | Schwarzkopf Schwarzkopf Schwarzkopf refers to:- Place name :Germany:* Schwarzkopf , a mountain of Bavaria, Germany* Schwarzkopf , Berg im Nordschwarzwald* Schwarzkopf , a mountain of Bavaria, GermanyCzech Republic... Enterprise Enterprise (ride) The Enterprise is an amusement ride, manufactured primarily by HUSS Maschinenfabrik in 1972. The ride was an adaptation and improvement of a design produced earlier that year by Schwarzkopf, with an increased passenger capacity. Despite not owning the original incarnation of the ride, HUSS was... |
Lickskillet | Riders spin around in gondolas at high speeds the slowly rotate to an 89 degree angle then go back down. |
| Thunder River | 1982 | Intamin Rapids water ride River rafting ride A river rafting ride is an amusement ride that simulates whitewater rafting.-History:The river rapids ride concept was proposed by Bill Crandall and developed by Intamin AG... |
Lickskillet | |
| Splashwater Falls | 1986 | Hopkins Hopkins Rides Inc Hopkins Rides is an amusement ride manufacturer based in Haines City, Florida. The company has had experience in amusement rides for over 30 years.-Manufacturing:The company mainly focuses on water ride attractions. Their three types of water rides are:... Shoot-the-Chutes Shoot-the-Chutes Shoot-the-Chutes is an amusement ride consisting of a flat-bottomed boat that slides down a ramp or inside a flume into a lagoon. Unlike a log flume, a Shoot-the-Chutes generally has larger boats and one single drop.... water ride |
Lickskillet | Boats glide on a 50 ft (15.2 m) tall flume and then drop down to a soaking |
| Acrophobia Acrophobia (ride) Acrophobia is the name for a free-fall tower ride located at Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell. The attraction was designed by Intamin Worldwide of Switzerland, and is marketed by Intamin's Liechtenstein-based subsidiary Ride Trade... |
2001 | Intamin stand-up gyro drop tower | Peachtree Square | |
| Gotham City Crime Wave | 2004 | Zierer Zierer Zierer is a German company located close to Deggendorf. Zierer manufactures Tivoli and Force line of roller coasters, as well as panoramic wheels, wave swingers, flying carpets, Hextentanz and Kontiki rides... Wave Swinger |
Gotham City | Purchased from Thrill Valley Amusement Park in Japan (along with 4 rides that went to Six Flags New Orleans Six Flags New Orleans Six Flags New Orleans was an amusement park in New Orleans, Louisiana, which has been closed after Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005.The park was located in Eastern New Orleans, in the Ninth Ward of the city off Interstate 510... ). |
| Rockin' Tug | 2004 | Zamperla Zamperla Zamperla is a designing and manufacturing company in Vicenza, Italy. It is best known for creating thrill rides and roller coasters worldwide. The company also makes smaller coin operated rides commonly found inside shopping malls.... Rockin' Tug Rockin' Tug Rockin' Tug is a flat ride manufactured by Zamperla. The ride is manufactured in both traveling and park versions. It is the first of a line of new "halfpiperides". Zamperla's Disk-O is another popular ride from that "family". The difference is that the Tug has a friction wheel, while the Disk-O is... |
Cotton States | |
| Up, Up & Away | 2004 | Zamperla Zamperla Zamperla is a designing and manufacturing company in Vicenza, Italy. It is best known for creating thrill rides and roller coasters worldwide. The company also makes smaller coin operated rides commonly found inside shopping malls.... Balloon Race |
Cotton States | |
| Skull Island | 2005 | SCS Interactive Discovery Treehouse/WaterColors with slides from Proslide Technology Inc. | Cotton States | Only open during summer season. |
| Monster Mansion | 2009 | water dark ride Dark ride A dark ride or ghost train is an indoor amusement ride where riders in guided vehicles travel through specially lit scenes that typically contain animation, sound, music, and special effects.... |
French | Ride was originally Tales Of The Okefenokee (1967–1980) and Monster Plantation Monster Plantation -Background:Monster Plantation is a popular family dark ride at Six Flags Over Georgia located in Austell, Georgia. Aboard 6-passenger boats, riders pass through nine scenes along the 700' foot-long flume, passing by over 107 original audio animatronic characters. Outside of Disney parks, it is... (1981–2008). |
Current kiddie rides/attractions
| Ride Name | Year Opened | Manufacturer/Ride Type | Current Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whistlestop Train | 2008 | kiddie Train ride | Whistlestop Park |
| Tweety's Clubhouse | 2001 | Zamperla Zamperla Zamperla is a designing and manufacturing company in Vicenza, Italy. It is best known for creating thrill rides and roller coasters worldwide. The company also makes smaller coin operated rides commonly found inside shopping malls.... Jumpin’ Star – kiddie drop tower |
Bugs Bunny World (Spanish) |
| Santa Maria | Intamin AG Intamin AG Intamin Worldwide is a designing and manufacturing company in Wollerau, Switzerland. It is best known for creating thrill rides and roller coasters worldwide. The U.S. division of the company is located in Glen Burnie, Maryland, and is headed by Sandor Kernacs. The Intamin brand name is an... Flying Dutchman, swing ride |
Bugs Bunny World (Spanish) | |
| Swing Seville | Zamperla Zamperla Zamperla is a designing and manufacturing company in Vicenza, Italy. It is best known for creating thrill rides and roller coasters worldwide. The company also makes smaller coin operated rides commonly found inside shopping malls.... Swing Ride – kiddie swings |
Bugs Bunny World (Spanish) | |
| Fiesta Wheel | Zamperla Zamperla Zamperla is a designing and manufacturing company in Vicenza, Italy. It is best known for creating thrill rides and roller coasters worldwide. The company also makes smaller coin operated rides commonly found inside shopping malls.... Mini Ferris Wheel - kiddie ride |
Bugs Bunny World (Spanish) | |
| Convoy Grande | kiddie convoy truck ride | Bugs Bunny World (Spanish) | |
| Little Aviator | kiddie biplane ride | Bugs Bunny World (Spanish) | |
| Toro, Toro | spinning kiddie ride | Bugs Bunny World (Spanish) | |
| Bugs Bunny's Playfort | kids play area with Bugs Bunny's Carrot Patch | Bugs Bunny World (Spanish) |
Current extra charge attractions
| Ride Name | Year Opened | Manufacturer/Ride Type | Current Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sky Coaster | 1996 | Skycoaster Skycoaster Skycoaster, most commonly also named Ripcord or Xtreme SkyFlyer , is an amusement park ride, produced and managed by Skycoaster, Inc.... |
Cotton States |
| Goldtown Racer | 1999 | J & J Amusements go-karts | Lickskillet |
Timeline
- 1967: June 16 opening day (rides included: Log Jamboree, Jean Ribaut's Adventure, Six Flags Railroad, Happy Motoring Freeway, Two Satellite (Trabant) rides, Dahlonega Mine Train, the Tales of the Okefenokee, and the Hanson cars).
- 1968: Added the Lickskillet area which includes the Spindletop (rotor ride), the Wheel Barrow (Chance Tumbler), several craft shops and a shootout show performed on the street. Sky Buckets added between Confederate and Lickskillet sections making the second sky ride in the park. Casa Loco tilt house is relocated outside the Spanish fort and renamed Casa Magnetica. The Horror Cave (haunted house) debuts inside the fort in the former location of the tilt house. Log Jamboree gets a second flume.
- 1969: Added Sky Hook to USA section relocated from Six Flags over Texas.
- 1972: The Riverview Carousel 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.
- 1976: Happy Motoring Freeway removed. Great GaspGreat GaspThe Great Gasp, a Intamin "Parachute Drop" ride, towered over Six Flags Over Georgia for almost 30 years. It became a beacon for the park and an icon of the region during this time.-History:...
added. - 1977: Added Wheelie (Schwarzkopf EnterpriseEnterprise (ride)The Enterprise is an amusement ride, manufactured primarily by HUSS Maschinenfabrik in 1972. The ride was an adaptation and improvement of a design produced earlier that year by Schwarzkopf, with an increased passenger capacity. Despite not owning the original incarnation of the ride, HUSS was...
) - 1978: Added Mind Bender.
- 1979: Added Highland Swings (Chance Yo-Yo)
- 1980: Added Jolly Roger's Island, a new pirate themed area featuring The Flying Dutchman pirate ship.
- 1981: The Tales of the Okefenokee is remodeled and renamed The Monster Plantation. Jean Ribaut's Adventure riverboat ride is closed.
- 1982: Added Thunder River, made by Intamin AG (in the area formally occupied by Jean Ribaut's Adventure ride).
- 1983: Added FreefallFreefall (ride)The Freefall is an amusement ride developed by Giovanola and marketed throughout the world by Swiss company, Intamin AG. Two generations of this ride were developed. First generation Freefall rides can be identified by the angled supports at the base of the lift tower. Second generation Freefall...
. Ten stories tall, made by Intamin AG. Taken out in 2007. - 1984: Added The Great Six Flags Air Racer in the British section. This ride took riders to a height of 100 feet (the tower was 135 ft (41.1 m) tall). The planes traveled at a mere 35 mi/h. It was an Intamin Super Racer ride.
- 1985: Added Looping StarshipLooping StarshipThe Looping Starship is an amusement ride manufactured by Intamin AG of Switzerland. The ride is a swinging ship that can spin a complete 360-degree revolution, which can be very scary at times...
. The attraction was removed after the end of the season because it was on a ride rotation schedule with other Six Flags parks. - 1986: Added Splashwater Falls, a "shoot-the-chutes"-style water ride.
- 1988: Added Z-Force which is relocated from Six Flags Great America.
- 1989: Looping StarshipLooping StarshipThe Looping Starship is an amusement ride manufactured by Intamin AG of Switzerland. The ride is a swinging ship that can spin a complete 360-degree revolution, which can be very scary at times...
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. - 1990: Added Georgia Cyclone. Z-Force 'relocated to Six Flags Magic Mountain. Hanson Cars (made by Arrow Dynamics) relocated to Carousel Hill.
- 1991: Ragin Rivers, a wet-dry waterslide tower, is added in place of one of the two Log Jamboree flumes.
- 1992: Added Ninja, relocated from Conkos Party Pier in New Jersey.
- 1993: Added Axis Arena. Initially home to a BatmanBatmanBatman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
-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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 2004: A group of five family-style rides is added throughout the park, including the Wile E. Coyote Canyon Blaster roller coaster.
- 2005: Added Skull Island, a water-park play fort. Removal of Great Gasp and Looping Starship.
- 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 EngineThomas the Tank EngineThomas the Tank Engine is a fictional steam locomotive in The Railway Series books by the Reverend Wilbert Awdry and his son, Christopher. He became the most popular character in the series, and the accompanying television spin-off series, Thomas and Friends.Thomas is a tank engine, painted blue...
. - 2009: Renovation of The Monster Plantation into The Monster Mansion, with new characters and storyline.
- 2010: Batman the Ride repainted cobalt blue with dark blue supports. Shake Rattle And Roll removed for installation of Dare Devil Dive
- 2011: Adds Dare Devil Dive Euro-Fighter roller coaster.
Incidents
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
Chattahoochee River
The Chattahoochee River flows through or along the borders of the U.S. states of Georgia, Alabama, and Florida. It is a tributary of the Apalachicola River, a relatively short river formed by the confluence of the Chattahoochee and Flint Rivers and emptying into Apalachicola Bay in the Gulf of...
, 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.
See also
- Incidents at Six Flags parksIncidents at Six Flags parksThis is a summary of notable incidents that have taken place at amusement parks, water parks, or theme parks currently owned or managed by Six Flags. This list is not intended to be a comprehensive list of every such event, but only those that have a significant impact on the parks or park...
- Great GaspGreat GaspThe Great Gasp, a Intamin "Parachute Drop" ride, towered over Six Flags Over Georgia for almost 30 years. It became a beacon for the park and an icon of the region during this time.-History:...
- Roller coasterRoller coasterThe roller coaster is a popular amusement ride developed for amusement parks and modern theme parks. LaMarcus Adna Thompson patented the first coasters on January 20, 1885...
s - Amusement ParkAmusement parkthumb|Cinderella Castle in [[Magic Kingdom]], [[Disney World]]Amusement and theme parks are terms for a group of entertainment attractions and rides and other events in a location for the enjoyment of large numbers of people...
s - Six Flags ParksSix FlagsSix Flags Entertainment Corp. is the world's largest amusement park corporation based on quantity of properties and the fifth most popular in terms of attendance. The company maintains 14 properties located throughout North America, including theme parks, thrill parks, water parks and family...