Rides – Page 6 – Parktimes.com

El Sombrero – The Hat Ride

Year Installed: 1965
Last Year Operated:
Section: Mexico
Manufacturer: Chance Rides
Other Names and Nicknames:

The El Sombrero, or the “Hat Ride” as it is known, was first opened in the park in 1965. This makes it the seventh oldest operating ride in the park. Most likely manufactured by Chance Rides, the Hat is a generic carnival ride, often know as the Wagon Wheel, the Tabrant, or the Chaos. The ride is designed to look like a giant Mexican Sombrero. The riders sit is a circle of two adult seats which constitute the rim of the hat.

The ride begins by spinning around on an off-center axis. As the ride picks up speed, an arm raises the ride in to the air at approximately a 45 degree angle. These leave the riders spinning in all directions, around the circle of the hat, up and down at the angle of the arm, and around the platform.

The ride was originally installed at the site of the short lived La Cucaracha Roller Coaste r, in an area next to the current location of the Silver Star Carousel. It was later moved to its near the The La Vibora (Avalanche Bobslide) Ride, at the current site of the Tea Cups. It’s currently location is at the Border of the Mexico section, near the front gate plaza.

The ride is currently painted with a yellow base. Earlier, the ride was painted blue.

(c) Davis McCown, 1998, JANUARY 1, 2020 by DAVIS_MCCOWN (Edit)

Sidewinder Rollercoaster

Submitted on Sun, 08/15/2010 – 10:55

Year Installed: 1961
Last Year Operated: 1964
Section: Mexico
Manufacturer: Herschell Company
Other Names and Nicknames: La Cucaracha

One Rollercoaster – Two Names

The Sidewinder has the distinction of being the first roller coaster at Six Flags. It was also the only roller coaster in the park for the first four years of operations.

The ride, a “Cat and Mouse”, style metal roller coaster consisted of individual units, each of which could hold one or two riders. As with most coasters, the cars were pulled up a lift hill. Instead of traveling down a straight fast and steep drop, however, they descended down a winding track with sharp turns. The wheels were set back to the rear of the unit, so that as the car approaches a curve, the front end sticks out over the edge of the track before the car started turning. This design creates the illusion that the cars are constantly about to run off of the track.

The ride only operated as the “Sidewinder” for first season. For the 1962 season, it became the first ride in the park to be moved to a second location as it was relocated to the Mexican Section a and renamed the “La Cucaracha”.

The “Sidewinder” in the Modern Section – 1961
Future Site of Happy Motoring Track II

The ride was manufactured by Herschell Company under the name of the Mad Mouse.

La Cucaracha in the Mexican Section

Pandemonium

Year Installed: 2008
Last Year Operated: Currently Operating
Section: Modern USA
Manufacturer: Gerstlauer
Other Names and Nicknames: Tony Hawk Big Spin

The Pandemonium opened in 2008 on and around the former site of the Cliffhanger. It was originally named the Tony Hawk Big Spin for the extreme sport athlete, Tony Hawk, and his “big spin” skateboarding maneuver. The name was changed in 2010 to The Pandemonium.

Tony Hawk Big Spin, later renamed the Pandemonium.

The ride consists of eight single car units with four seats each. Each unit is mounted on a round base that allows it to spin around in a 360 degree circle as it travels around the track.

The ride was built by Gerstlauer Amusement Rides of Germany at a cost of $6.5 million dollars.

The ride lift is 53 feet high with a 27-foot initial drop. The units travel around the 1,351 foot long at 31 mph.

The ride is designed for a throughput of 800 riders per hour with a ride run of 1 minutes and 51 seconds.

The Big Spin is similar to other Tony Hawk’s Big Spin rides that opened the season before at Six Flags Fiesta Texas and Six Flags Saint Louis. The ride opened as Mr. Six’s Pandemonium at Six Flags New England in 2005. Another Big Spin opened at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in the 2008 season. The Texas, Fiesta Texas, and St Louis rides are identical, while the Discovery Kingdom ride varies somewhat.

Missilechaser

Year Installed: 1961
Last Year Operated: 1977
Section: Modern USA
Manufacturer:
Other Names and Nicknames:

The Missilechaser was a scrambler type ride. It opened with the park in 1961 and was removed from the park at the end of the 1977 season. The area where it was located was later used for the Sensational Sense Machine attraction. This area is no longer open to the public.

The ride was the first of three scrambler rides installed in the park. The second scrambler, also named the Missilechaser was added in 2000 at the current site for the Superman Ride. It was removed at the end of the 2002 season.

The park’s current scrambler is known as the “Sidewinder” and is located in the Texas Section. It was added as part of the 10 new rides of 2006.

Submitted by parktimes on Sat, 08/14/2010 – 23:09

Happy Motoring Freeway

Year Installed: 1961
Last Year Operated: 1986
Section: Modern USA
Manufacturer: Arrow Development
Other Names and Nicknames:

The Humble Happy Motoring Freeway (known as the “Modern Cars”) opened with the Park in 1961. The track ran along the South edge of the Modern Section from near the Zoo to the area that would become Boomtown.

The ride consisted of small go-cart sized vehicles with sport car bodies. Each of the twenty-two cars were powered with a 7½ horsepower rear gas engine. The gas pedal on the driver’s side actually moved the car forward, while the steering wheel controlled the direction of the cars travel.

The cars traveled around the track at six miles per hour, passing billboards and waiving by-passers. Just to make sure that there was no rush hour grid lock, the roadway contained a metal guide-strip directly in the middle. The guide-strip prevented the cars from leaving the track while still allowing the driver to steer the cars on the track.

The ride was favored by the younger crowd, because it allowed them to actually “drive” the car, controlling both the speed, and within limits, the direction of the car.

Eventually the body style of the cars changed in order to keep the appearance of the cars up to date with actual car styles and designs.

Due to the popularity of the ride, in 1962 a second Happy Motoring Freeway was added next to the first track. The queue house used by the Sidewinder Rollercoaster was converted into the queue house for the second happy ride.This increased the number of cares on the two tracks to 38. In order to make room for this second track, the Sidewinder roller coaster in turn was moved to the Mexican section.

Six Flags would operate with two Happy Motoring tracks until the end of the 1980 season. At that time, the original track was removed. The track added in 1962 continued to operate as the lone track until 1986, when it also was removed.

DECEMBER 26, 2019 by DAVIS_MCCOWN

Petting Zoo

Year Installed: 1961
Last Year Operated: 1983
Section: Modern USA
Manufacturer:
Other Names and Nicknames:

The Petting Zoo was located in the Modern Section in what is now Looney Tunes Land. It was an original attraction when the Park opened in 1961,

The zoo, initially, sponsored by Southwestern Life Insurance was a place guests could visit and pet friendly farm animals, such as cows and goats, as well as birds, and a giant tortoise.

There was also a small seal pool. For a nominal fee, guests could purchase dead fish to feed the seals.

The highlight of attraction of the Zoo was “Sis” Flagg, the Baby Asian Elephant. Although a baby elephant, Baby elephants grow so fast that Sis had to be replaced nearly every season with a younger elephant. The original “Sis” was purchased from Thailand for $2,000.

By 1968, the season of the last “Sis”, eight elephant will have lived in the park under the same name. Representing the other political party was Sis’s companion, Tulip, the white burro. The Zoo was a significant attraction in the park until the early 70s. It dwindled down over the years until only the Seal Pond remained in the mid 70s. Over a period of a few years, it was gradually downsized until nothing remains of it today. Looney Tunes Land now occupies the space which held the Zoo.

The Story of Sis, the Six Flags Elephant is now online at: Sissy’s (The Six Flags Elephant) Story.

Ten New Rides for 2006

Six Flags over Texas is adding 10 new rides for 2006. This expansion will be the largest in park history. The ten new rides include:

USA Section:

1) ACME Rock-n-Rocket – A ride similar to the Conquistador, only shaped like a firecracker rocket. In addition to the different shape, the Rock-n-Rocket swings you a round to a full 360 degrees. The ride is located next to the Ultimate Adventure Theater, which is currently showing Sponge-Bob Square-Pants.

Goodtimes Square:

2) Cloud Bouncer – This is an up and down ride in which the riders sit in Hot air balloon Baskets. The balloons rise up into the air, go around in a circle and come down. The ride is located by the majestic theater (the Goodtimes Square Theater.)

3) Crazy Legs – A centrifugal force ride with 3 arms that go up and down and spin you around. This ride is located near the exit of the Flashback. This ride Is NOT the same Crazy legs that was added to the park in 1971. It is however basically the same ride, with just a little bit of differences.

Gotham City:

4) Bat wings A ride similar to the Dumbo ride in Disneyworld. The little Bat cars send you up and down and around and around. This ride is located by Mr. Freeze.

5) Gotham City Sprayground – This is basically a playground with water. It is located across from Batman the Ride.

Tower Section:

6) Caddo Lake Barge – Similar to the Conquistador, this ride slides you on a curved track instead of swinging from a support. While it slides you back and forth, it also spins you around. This ride is located on the lake by the superman tower of power.

Texas Section:

7) Rodeo – This ride is similar to the teacup rides, only instead of tea cups you ride in bulls. While the bulls spin you in around they also buck you up and down. Hold on to you hat!!! This ride is located by the Cave Ride.

8) Sidewinder – A classic scrambler ride, the Sidewinder is similar to the Missile Chaser that was in the park. There was also a Scrambler Ride where the superman was. The ride was put in after the Park took down Air racer. It was a filler until they could figure out what to do with the space. They finally decided on the Superman. The new Sidewinder will be located by the Titan. The Sidewinder was also the name of the first roller coaster in the park.

9) Boot Scootin’ – This ride is a merry-go-round with boots. While you spin the boot gently jolt up and down. This ride is located directly across from the Chaparral Antique Cars.

Mexico and Spain:

10) La Fiesta De Las Tazas –This ride is a basic teacup ride.The name roughly translates to: The “Party of the Teacups (cups)”. This ride is located by the La Vibora Bobsled, where the Mexican hat used to be. The Mexican hat was moved in order to build this ride.

These descriptions are taken from the Press releases, computer generated photos and the video on the Six Flags website. The Cloud Bouncer and Batwings name were already changed from the initial press release. The original name was “Up, Up, and Away” for Cloud Bouncer. Batwings first name was “Blackbird”.

By: Katie McCown

Last Update: Wednesday, July 04, 2007

Chaparral Antique Cars

Year Installed: 1962
Last Year Operated: Currently Operating
Section: Texas
Manufacturer: Arrow Development
Other Names and Nicknames:

The Chaparral Antique Car ride is the second oldest continuously operating ride in the park, surpassed in age only by the Six Flags Railroad. The ride was first open in the park’s second season, 1962. The ride is known as “Chaps” to the employees and “the old timey cars” to the guest. It consists of a fleet of small gas power automobiles which are “driven” around a peaceful track by the guests. While the steering wheels and gas pedals are operational, a runner in the middle of the track keeps the cars from being driven outside the boundaries of the road.

*Chaparral horseless Carriages, Probably 1961.*
*Note the Uniforms of the Employees and the name Chaparral on the Grill.*
*The Cars were probably just turned for the picture.*

The ride was initially themed on the Chaparral Motoring Company of Cleburne, Texas, which produced Automobiles introduced in 1911. For years a sign inside the Chaps queue house documented the story of the automotive company. (The sign has since been removed.)

The ride was modeled after the Happy Motoring Freeway, which was essentially the same ride with more modern car bodies. Happy Motoring was opened in the first season and a second track was added in 1962 when the Chaparral ride was open. In contrast to the Chaparral cars, the Happy Motoring cars where know as the “Modern” cars by the Guests. From 1962 until Happy One was closed in 1980, the park operated three motoring tracks. (One Happy Motoring track was removed in 1980, the other in 1986).

The ride is located in the Texas station, near the Texas Railroad station, and for years sat in a peaceful location, far from the noise of any thrill rides or noisy attractions. Now it is in the shadow of the Texas Giant

When the ride opened, there were twenty-two cars. Little has change on the ride over the years. The Que house and garage are essentially the same as they were in 1962. Some of the attractions visible from the track have changed, but little on the track itself is different. One change that comes and goes is the removal of the car’s tops. In the early 1970’s the tops were removed, making the cars convertibles (see below picture). The tops were restored and have recently again been removed and the cars are now “convertibles”.

Chap Queue-house and cars as they appear today.

Astrolift Ride

Year Installed: 1961
Last Year Operated: 1980
Section: Texas
Manufacturer: Von Roll
Other Names and Nicknames:

The Astrolift was one of the original rides at the park’s opening in 1961. The ride was a suspended cable car ride similar to rides at the Texas State fair, the San Antonio Zoo, and other amusement parks. The 25 cars provided guests a panoramic view of the park as they traveled up to 55 feet high.

Astrolift ride over Confederate section, looking east towards the Modern section. Southern Palace is large white building in Middle. Sky Hook is in left upper corner.

The 2,100 feet ride traveled across the park from the Modern section to the Texas section. The Modern station sat near where the ‘Escape From Dino Island’ theater is now. The Texas Station was located near what is now the picture center for the Texas Giant. At various times the ride was two-way, allowing guests to return to their starting terminal, and one-way, requiring they exit and the opposite terminal.

While the ride originally traveled across the park, by the time it was removed, expansion placed the Modern station more towards the middle of the park.

Built by the Von Roll Co. of Berne, Switzerland, the ride cost $300,000.

Cliffhanger

Year Installed: 1982
Last Year Operated: 2007
Section: Modern USA
Manufacturer: Intamin
Other Names and Nicknames: G Force

The Cliffhanger was a 128 foot tall “L” shaped tower built by Intamin.

Riders sat in small gondolas which were lifted by an elevator mechanism 128 feet to the top of the tower’s structure. There they moved forward, outside of the lift mechanism, onto an outside track. Once properly positioned, the units were released for a free fall ten floors straight down the tower. Near the bottom, the track gradually curved, changing directions 90 degrees, so that it was parallel to the ground. The car then ran down the parallel track with the riders on their backs until it stopped.

The first of its kind ride cost the park 2.1 million dollars. A Six Flags press release for the ride notes that when riding the Cliffhanger, “the sensation is the same you would feel if you stepped off the roof of a ten story building.” As with the Flume and the mine train, the Cliffhanger was immediately copied.

Front view of Cliffhanger after being renamed.

Later, the Modern section was rethemed as an “Air Force Base and Astronaut training center” as part of the addition of the “Right Stuff Theater”. At that time the Cliffhanger was renamed as the “G-Force”, and themed as an astronaut training mechanism. Even later the ride was renamed as the Wildcatter and themed with the Boomtown section. Despite the fact that the ride became part of the Boomtown section, it was not physically moved. Its location was always on the border between the Boomtown and Modern Sections. Instead of moving the ride, the Boomtown section was simply expanded into the area around the Cliffhanger. The size of the Modern USA section was reduced accordingly.

The ride was intentionally imploded in 2007.