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Six Flags America

Coordinates: 38°54′22″N 76°46′21″W / 38.90620°N 76.77257°W / 38.90620; -76.77257
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois.
Six Flags America
Previously known as
The Wildlife Preserve (1974–1978)
Wild Country (1978–1981)
Wild World (1982–1993)
The Great Escape: Adventure World (1994–1998)
Adventure World: The Thrill Park (1998–2000)
LocationWoodmore, Maryland
Coordinates38°54′22″N 76°46′21″W / 38.90620°N 76.77257°W / 38.90620; -76.77257
StatusOperating
OpenedJuly 15, 1974; 50 years ago (1974-07-15)[1]
OwnerC.T. Industries (1971-1973)
ABC (1973-1976)
SloganGo Big!
Operating seasonMarch through October
Area523 acres (2.12 km2)s (131 acres currently used for park operations)
Attractions
Total28
Roller coasters9
Water rides16
WebsiteOfficial website

Six Flags America is an amusement park in Woodmore, Maryland, United States,[2][3] near Upper Marlboro,[4] adjacent to the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

Founded as a wildlife center in 1974 by Ross Perot, ABC television operated the park as a drive-through safari called The Largo Wildlife Preserve, from 1974[5] until its closure, in 1978. The property was bought by Jim Fowler's Wild Kingdom; thereafter, the site was gradually converted from a wildlife preserve into a theme park named Wild World. In 1992, the park was renamed “The Great Escape: Adventure World” after being acquired by Premier Parks, before being edited again to “Adventure World: The Thrill Park”. Ultimately, the park would be rebranded as the tenth Six Flags park, after Premier Parks acquired Six Flags Inc., and adopted its name, in 1999; the name-change to Six Flags America—and all associated IP and theming—was unveiled for the park’s 2000 operating season. The "America" in the park's name was chosen due to the park's close proximity to the U.S. capital; the park’s entry plaza and “promenade” also features colonial-era architecture and related theming of Colonial Maryland.

History

[edit]

Early years

[edit]
The Wildlife Preserve logo 1974

In June 1971, Irish brothers Frank and William Stephenson, who were both animal trainers, approached Texas billionaire Ross Perot about financing an animal park they wanted to open “somewhere on the East Coast of the United States”.[6] The Stephensons and Perot formed the company C.T. Industries, Inc. to build and run the park. Ultimately, they narrowed their decision down to the D.C. area, and purchased 280 acres (1.1 km2) of land in Prince George's County, Maryland. On December 22, 1971, they applied to the Prince George's County planning board for a special zoning exception.[6] The park was announced to the public in February 1972, with a projected opening before the end of that year.

It's quite a lot of fun to see these two fellows [Frank and Williams Stephenson] put this together... I didn't know them at all until they walked into my office with their idea... I'm convinced they have the ability to do this well. I'm just a guy standing there with a grease gun. I can lubricate their idea with financial encouragement.[6]

— Ross Perot

In 1973, plans for the park were taken-over by ABC’s Scenic & Wildlife Attractions division (ABCSWA).[7] On April 28, 1973, John E. Campbell (ABCSWA President) confirmed they were negotiating the purchase of another 125 adjacent acres for the park.[8]

The Wildlife Preserve, a drive-through wildlife park, opened on Monday, July 15, 1974.[9][1] Initially, estimated attendance was approximately 850,000 visitors a year.[10] However, those reasonably ambitious attendance numbers never materialized. In 1975, the park added narrated tours through four-car, 150-person-capacity shuttle trains. However, the park failed to promote itself, effectively enough, to generate public interest or profits. In an effort to save-face, ABCSWA announced a $30m amusement park expansion to the struggling drive-through safari (around $171.6m in 2023).[11]

Plans for the expansion were scrapped, and, in February 1976, it was announced that the park would close permanently. ABCSWA released a statement, claiming that the park had experienced “unacceptable attendance and revenues” in 1974 and 1975; The Wildlife Preserve itself was said to be a $4m liability for ABC, for the year 1975 (approximately $22.8m in 2023).[12]

The park stayed open with a decreased staff in 1977, but was closed altogether for the 1978 season.

Before the year 1978 came to an end, however, the park was sold to Jim Fowler, the host of Wild Kingdom. For the 1979 season, the park reopened with a guided train tour through the safari exhibits, and a smaller park with a children's playground, animal shows, and a petting zoo.[13] Alas, the park continued to flounder in terms of public interest, yet nevertheless remained operational for the summer, through the 1979 season. Fowler's company ultimately bowed out as well. The park again was closed for the 1980 season.

Wild World

[edit]
Original Wild World Logo from 1988

In the Summer of 1980, the safari was sold to a group of local businessmen, who invested $11 million into expanding the park.[14] The animal drive-through safari remained, and the park added three flat rides, two kid's rides and a carousel. The park was named Wild World and open by June 26, 1982.[15] In addition to the select amusement rides, four tube waterslides were added, along with two body slides and a children's water play area. This brought modest improvements in revenue.

The 1983 season saw the addition of four more flat rides, including the High Seas (a swinging pirate ship attraction) and giant swings. The waterslide area was expanded, at the time, to a full water park; with the addition of more water slides and a large wave pool, a more successful 1983 season was underway. Dubbed the 'Wild Wave', $2 million was spent adding the wave pool and it officially opened May 30 for the 1983 season.[16]

Tragically, a 9-year-old boy named Christie Davis died late that summer[16] while in the wave pool, which resulted in operational safety changes.[17] The park's attendance had improved, but the park was still unable to break-even. During the 1983 season, the safari was closed; instead, a guided train tour would pass through a few of the animal areas, stop at Safari Village, and tour the rest of the animal exhibits, before arriving back at the station. The Safari Village featured elephant, camel and pony rides, a petting zoo, various eateries, arts-and-crafts, and games; the crowd favorite, “Guess Your Age Or Weight” (featuring Regina Williams), proved so popular that it was relocated to the main park. The animals were sold and moved after the 1983 season ended. In 1984, most of the adult rides were removed from the park and held in storage, leaving only three, plus a few of the children's rides. The park opted to move in the direction of being solely a water park. A new stadium was built that year, along with several more water slides. The park would perform very well on hot days, but faltered a bit more in cooler weather, due to the shift in predominantly swimming- and water-based attractions.

In 1985, the rides were therefore brought back out of storage. That year, Wild World's management wanted to build a major wooden rollercoaster for the park in the 1986 season, but the costs were too high. There was widespread opposition to the plan from the surrounding community.[18] In addition to adding a roller coaster, the park intended to add a 3000-seat amphitheater, and an overnight campground for guests.[19]

At the time, Knoebels (amusement park in Pennsylvania) had acquired a used rollercoaster, Phoenix, from a defunct park in Texas; Wild World's management team was inspired and began looking for a used coaster for Wild World. With Massachusetts’ Paragon Park closing at the end of 1984, their “Giant Coaster”, which had operated since 1917, was for-sale; in the spring of 1985, Wild World acquired the old PTC coaster, rebranding it “The Wild One” and placing it in an area of the former animal park. The coaster opened in the spring of 1986 to very positive public reviews, and is still running to this day.[20] A kiddie coaster was added to the park at the same time.[citation needed]

For the 1987 season, Wild World added another water play area and a lazy river. In 1988, the park would see a renovation to its buildings and midways, and a few new flat rides. In 1989, a log flume was added, along with a family raft waterslide in the waterpark. In 1990, the park began to have maintenance issues with many of their carnival-style flat rides, with several unable to be repaired. In 1991, only nine flat rides remained and the park was ultimately put up for sale.

Adventure World

[edit]
Adventure World logo from a ticket stub

In 1992, Wild World was purchased by Tierco Group Inc., later known as Premier Parks, which renamed the park Adventure World.[21][22] That year several flat rides and a few kiddie rides were added. In 1993, Adventure World added its second adult rollercoaster. Premier Parks had acquired Lightning Loops from Six Flags. This was a dual-track steel single looping shuttle coaster located at Six Flags Great Adventure. One of the tracks was sent to Premier Parks' Frontier City located in Oklahoma City (where it still operates today as the Diamondback), while the other track became known as the Python and would be located at Adventure World.[23] Also, a water ride called Shipwreck Falls, in which a 15-person boat would run up a steel track and down a 45-foot (14 m) drop into a splashwater pool, was added. More flat rides were added in 1994. By this time, the new additions were well-received, shown as Inside Track Magazine named Adventure World as the most improved amusement park in the country for a third consecutive year in 1994.[24][25]

Adventure World in 1996

On May 20, 1995, Vekoma's first Mind Eraser, an inverted looping suspended coaster, opened.[26] This was branded a SLC. In 1996, a free-fall drop-tower ride called the Tower of Doom, now known as Voodo Drop, made by Intamin was added. In 1997, the park added a second dry water ride called Typhoon Sea Coaster, which was a log flume/junior rollercoaster hybrid. It was later renamed Skull Mountain and eventually closed in July 2011[27] to make room for a new roller coaster.[28] In 1997, the water park was renovated, eliminating some older slides, adding newer slides and extensively remodeling the children's water play area.

Six Flags ownership

[edit]
Six Flags America - Upper Marlboro

In 1998, Premier Parks acquired the Six Flags amusement park chain from Time Warner, forming the company Six Flags Incorporated. The same year, a wooden roller coaster called Roar, which was built and designed by Great Coasters International, was added to Adventure World.[29] At the end of 1998 season, Six Flags announced that Adventure World would be branded with the Six Flags theme and renamed Six Flags America for the 1999 season. The park was officially renamed Six Flags America on October 28, 1998, and a large gala was thrown at the park to commemorate the change. Carrot cake was served in honor of Bugs Bunny the new mascot for the park. The name change allowed for the park to utilize the Looney Tunes and DC characters in its marketing.[30]

Other changes included the addition of Gotham City, a new section in the park, and three new coasters – Two Face: The Flip Side, The Joker's Jinx (the park's only launched roller coaster), and Great Chase replacing Cannonball in the kiddie area.[31] Python was closed and moved into storage.

Six Flags America - ROAR Wooden Coaster
Six Flags America - The Mind Eraser

For the 2000 season, a new hypercoaster called Superman: Ride of Steel from Intamin opened.[32] Its layout is a mirror image of Six Flags Darien Lake's Ride of Steel which opened the previous year.[33] The next year on June 16, the park opened Batwing, a Batman-themed Vekoma flying coaster located in the Gotham City area.[34] A bungee ride called Skycoaster also opened in the area in 2001. Several flat rides were added in 2002 and a river rapids ride called Blizzard River was added in 2003. In 2005, the Paradise Island water park was upgraded and retitled Six Flags Hurricane Harbor. The transition from Paradise Island to Hurricane Harbor saw the addition of a new Tornado water slide as well as renovations to existing attractions and buildings. Tony Hawk's Halfpipe water slide was added in 2008.[35]

In 2010, Six Flags America renovated the Hurricane Bay wave pool deck, adding a new stamped, concrete deck and additional shading. Also the same year, the Thomas Town family area opened featuring eight rides and attractions all themed to Thomas the Tank Engine. The 3.5-acre (14,000 m2) area was billed as North America's largest Thomas Town and marked Six Flags America's largest expansion in more than a decade. Several months later, Six Flags would announce the removal of several licensed agreements as a result of restructuring following the company's emergence from bankruptcy. Thomas the Tank Engine, Tony Hawk, The Wiggles and Evel Knievel themes would be removed from all Six Flags parks beginning in 2011. At Six Flags America, Thomas Town was renamed Whistlestop Park and Tony Hawk's Halfpipe slide was renamed Halfpipe.[36][37]

For 2012, the park added Apocalypse, a stand-up roller coaster from Bolliger & Mabillard, which featured two inversions and a ten-story drop. The roller coaster had previously operated as Iron Wolf at Six Flags Great America.[38]

In 2013, the park added the six-slide complex Bonzai Pipelines to Hurricane Harbor.[39][40]

In 2014, Six Flags re-themed a section of the park to feature Mardi Gras. The area would feature a new roller coaster named Ragin' Cajun and a set of Flying Scooters named French Quarter Flyers.[41] Like Apocalypse, Ragin' Cajun was relocated from Six Flags Great America and it was placed in the former location of Two Face: The Flip Side which was removed from the park in 2007. The Mardi Gras section replaced Southwest Territory and the area's existing rides were rethemed to match the new Mardi Gras theme. Tower of Doom, for example, was renamed Voodoo Drop.[42]

In 2015, a flat ride called Bourbon Street Fireball was added.[43] This ride is commonly known as a Super Loop. Similar rides were also added to three other Six Flags parks.

In 2016, Six Flags America added a new family water play structure to Hurricane Harbor named Splashwater Falls, which replaced the former Crocodile Cal's Beach House.[44]

Six Flags America announced on September 1, 2016, that they would be adding a Funtime Starflyer model, similar to the many SkyScreamer rides at other locations in the chain. At 24 stories (~250 feet), Wonder Woman: Lasso of Truth is the tallest ride in the park.[45]

Announced in August 2018, Apocalypse was converted into a floorless coaster and renamed Firebird for the 2019 season.[46]

In 2023, the park announced that the park's Hurricane Harbor water park (now named Hurricane Harbor Maryland) would receive RipQurl Blaster, the DMV's tallest water coaster.[47]

Location

[edit]

The park is located in Upper Marlboro, Maryland and is situated about 15 miles east of Washington, D.C. and 30 miles (48 km) southwest of Baltimore. The park covers 523 acres (2.12 km2), with 300 available for expansion.

Themed sections

[edit]

Six Flags America is divided into seven themed areas inspired by the different extremes of the United States, as well as fictional settings like the City of Gotham, and Looney Tunes: Movie Town.

Main Street 1776

[edit]

Main Street 1776, also known as Liberty Street, or just Main Street, is inspired by Colonial North America set during the American Revolution. The buildings feature colonial design and host stores and restaurants.[48] A replica of the Liberty Bell is featured at the entrance of the street.

Chesapeake

[edit]

In Chesapeake guests can experience the motifs that surround life on the Chesapeake Bay. It embodies life on the water, featuring Life Savers and fishing nets caught on drift-wood. It is home to Shipwreck Falls, Firebird, and Roar. This area was split into two different sections, Skull Island and Olde Boston until Olde Boston was brought back in 2022. Skull Island focused heavily on the inclusion of pirates.

Olde Boston

[edit]

A colonial themed area.

Looney Tunes Movie Town

[edit]

Looney Tunes Movie Town is inspired by the Looney Tunes cartoons of the 1930s and 1940s and the aesthetic of the era. It allows guests the chance to visit the homes of the cartoons' stars, such as Bugs Bunny and Granny. The "town" features the Great Chase, a children's coaster that takes guests through the set of the next Looney Tunes cartoon being filmed, starring Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner.

Mardi Gras

[edit]

Formerly South West Territory, Mardi Gras is supposed to be an all year New Orleans Mardi Gras celebration. Added to the park in 2014, the new themed land features the Ragin' Cajun, a wild mouse coaster where guests are trying to escape the attack of alligators in the Bayou. This land also features The Wild One, a wooden coaster that turned 100 years old in 2017, as well as the Bourbon Street Fireball, a Larson International a 22M Giant Loop flat ride, themed to Fireball.

Gotham City

[edit]
Main article: Gotham City (themed area)

Added in the year 2000, Gotham City is a land that allows guests to experience the dark and dirty industrial district of DC Comics' most notorious city. Guests can be held hostage by The Joker and forced to ride his Jinxed carnival coaster. They can soar above the clouds with Superman, on the Superman - Ride of Steel, or hope to stay dry while rushing down the Penguin's Blizzard River.

SteamTown

[edit]

Recreating the pioneer days of the American frontier, the land drops guests in the frontier town of Coyote Creek. From its opening in 1994,[49] it has offered entertainment and attractions include Renegade Rapids, a white water rafting ride down the dangerous rivers of the west inspired by the Colorado River. Coyote Creek is home to the Crazy Horse Saloon, a nod to the western saloons where cowboys used to drink and relax.

Six Flags America announced in 2023 that Coyote Creek would be shut down and completely replaced into an appropriately named SteamTown. The portion of the park will feature a steampunk-esque theming with complete retheming to rides and shopping, as well as a new stunt show. It is scheduled for June 2024 release in anticipation with SFA's 25th anniversary celebration, as announced via Six Flags Americas' email newsletter directly to passholders. A specific date is unknown at this time.

New rides announced include: Steamwhirler, QuantumCanyon Rapids, Electro Derby, and Professor Screamore's Skywinder.

Current rides

[edit]

Roller coasters

[edit]
Ride Name Picture Opened Manufacturer Ride Type Status Location Notes
The Wild One 1986 Dinn Corporation Wooden Operating Mardi Gras
 Relocated from Paragon Park in Hull, Massachusetts as Giant Coaster. Built 1917.
Professor Screamore's SkyWinder 1995 Vekoma Suspended Looping Coaster Operating Steamtown The first "Mind Eraser"; Vekoma built 27 Suspended Looping Coaster with the same Layout.[50] Formerly known as Mind Eraser
Roar 1998 Great Coasters International Wooden sit down Operating Chesapeake The first "Roar" and the only one still standing; had one duplicate at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.
The Joker's Jinx 1999 Premier Rides LIM Spaghetti Bowl Coaster Operating Gotham City Similar layout to Flight of Fear coasters at Kings Island and Kings Dominion, and Poltergeist at Six Flags Fiesta Texas.
Great Chase 1999 Zamperla Family Gravity Coaster Operating Looney Tunes Movie Town
Superman:
Ride of Steel 		2000 Intamin Megacoaster Operating Gotham City Mirror image of Ride of Steel coaster at Six Flags Darien Lake.
Batwing 2001 Vekoma Flying Dutchman Operating Gotham City Similar to Nighthawk at Carowinds, duplicate was Firehawk at Kings Island.
Firebird 2012 Bolliger & Mabillard Floorless Coaster Operating Chesapeake Relocated Iron Wolf coaster from Six Flags Great America Which Was Opened In 1990. Formerly known as Apocalypse: The Last Stand from 2012 to 2018. The ride has been converted from a stand-up coaster to a floorless coaster.
Ragin' Cajun 2014 Reverchon Spinning Coaster / Original Operating Mardi Gras Relocated Ragin' Cajun coaster from Six Flags Great America on the site of Two-Face and Python.

Flat rides

[edit]
Name Opened Manufacturer/Ride Type Location Notes
Capital Railways 1983 General Electric/Train ride Olde Boston The 3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge[51] train ride originally was opened during the Wild World years and was called Wild World Railroad. Under Premier ownership, it was mostly used for catered picnic customers only, it was opened to everyone in 2009.
Carousel 1983 International Amusement/Carousel Olde Boston The former stripe colors on the Carousel canopy were Yellow & Blue 1988–1998. Now 1999–present Red & White canopy was switched when Six Flags America opened.
High Seas 1984 Intamin/Swinging ship Chesapeake This ride was purchased from the defunct Little England Theme park in Florida
Pirate's Flight 1982 Intamin/Flying Dutchman Chesapeake Moved to the former site of the Curving Dervish in 1996.
Electro Derby 1990 Preston Amusements/Bumper cars Steamtown Formerly named Los Coches and Coyote Creek Crazy Cars
Cyclone 1993 Eli Bridge/Scrambler Chesapeake Originally called Scrambler. Moved to the former site of Pirate's Flight in 1996. Formerly known as Scrambler (1993-1996), the ride was renamed to Cyclone when it was moved to the area that where French Quarter Flyers currently resides in Mardi Gras. The ride was moved again to Chesapeake in 2011 in the location where The Octopus formerly resided.
Minutemen Motors 1993 Gould Manufacturing Antique cars Olde Boston Originally named The Great Race, based on the 1965 film of the same name. The attraction was renamed in 2023.[52]
Shipwreck Falls 1993 Hopkins Rides/Shoot the chute water ride Chesapeake
QuantumCanyon Rapids 1995 Hopkins Rides/Rapids water ride Steamtown Formerly Called Renegade Rapids
Tea Cups 1995 Zamperla/Tea cups Olde Boston A cover was added for the Tea Cups when park became Six Flags America.
Flying Carousel 1995 Zamperla/Flying carousel Main Street 1776
Big Easy Speedway 1996 J&J Amusements/Go-karts Mardi Gras Extra-charge attraction. Formerly known as Sahara Speedway (1996–2003) and Sonora Speedway (2004–2013), the ride was renamed Big Easy Speedway due to Southwest Territory being rethemed to Mardi Gras in 2014.
Riddle Me This 1983 Frank Hrubetz & Company/Round up Gotham City Originally Named World Wind, location moved to Gotham City section in 1999
Voodoo Drop 1996 Intamin/140 ft (43 m).tall Giant Drop Mardi Gras Formerly known as Tower of Doom (1996–2014), the ride was renamed Voodoo Drop due to Southwest Territory being rethemed to Mardi Gras in 2014.
Penguin's Blizzard River 2003 WhiteWater West/Spinning rapids water ride Gotham City
French Quarter Flyers 2014 Larson International/Flying Scooters Mardi Gras Located where the rock-wall formerly resided.
Wonder Woman Lasso of Truth 2017 Funtime / Starflyer Gotham City A 24-story (242 feet) swing ride, similar to other parks. It is the tallest ride in the park.
Harley Quinn Spinsanity 2021 Zamperla / Giant Discovery Gotham City
SteamWhirler 2024 Zamperla Nebulaz Steamtown

Kiddie Rides

[edit]

Six Flags America's Kid Sections are Looney Tunes Movie Town and Whistlestop Park.[37] Former Kid's Area was Thomas Town that only operated during the 2010 season.

Name Opened Manufacturer/Ride Type Location Notes
Up, Up & Away 1993 Zamperla/Family size ferris wheel Whistlestop Park Used to be located in Olde Boston as Around the World in 80 Days from 1993 - 2009. Moved in Thomas Town in 2010 as Sodor Carnival Ferris Wheel and rethemed in 2011.
Elmer's Around the World in 80 Seconds 1993 Zamperla/Kiddie balloon flight Looney Tunes Movie Town Named Balloon Flight until 1999
Foghorn Leghorn's Tinsel Town Train 1993 Zamperla/Kiddie train ride Looney Tunes Movie Town Named Circus Train until 1999
Looney Tunes Prop Warehouse 1999 Kiddie soft play area Looney Tunes Movie Town
Pepe Le Pew's Tea Party 1999 Zamperla/Kiddie tea cups Looney Tunes Movie Town
Sylvester's Pounce and Bounce 1999 Kiddie drop ride Looney Tunes Movie Town
Taz's Film Works 1999 Kiddie swings ride Looney Tunes Movie Town
Yosemite Sam's Hollywood Flight School 1999 Kiddie airplane ride Looney Tunes Movie Town Originally called Movie Town Airport (1999–2004).
Happy Junction 2010 Kiddie convoy ride Whistlestop Park It was known as Diesel Derby in 2010 in Thomas Town and rethemed in 2011.
Splash Zone 2010 Pop jet fountain Whistlestop Park It was known as Thomas Town Pop Jet Fountain in 2010 in Thomas Town and rethemed in 2011.
Whistlestop Bus Line 2010 Zamperla/Kiddie crazy bus Whistlestop Park It was known as Bertie the Bus in 2010 in Thomas Town and rethemed in 2011.
Whistlestop Park Playground 2010 Playground Whistlestop Park It was known as Thomas Town Play Structure in 2010 in Thomas Town and rethemed in 2011.
Whistlestop Train 2010 Family train ride Whistlestop Park It was known as Thomas the Tank Engine in 2010 in Thomas Town and rethemed in 2011.
Whistlestop Whirlybirds 2010 I.E. Park/Mini flight Whistlestop Park It was known as Harold the Helicopter in 2010 in Thomas Town and rethemed in 2011.

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Maryland

[edit]

Hurricane Harbor Maryland[47] is a water park located within Six Flags America and has additional charge for entry. During 2020. It was known as Paradise Island until 2005 when it was rebranded Hurricane Harbor.

Name Opened Manufacturer/Ride Type Notes
Calypso Cannonballs 1987 2 small tube drop slides Named Caribbean Cannonball Flume until 2004
Riptide Small body slides Named Luau Loop until 2004
Vortex Small body slides Named Luau Loop until 2004
Bamboo Chutes Small body slides Named Kid's Flumes until 2004
Hurricane Bay 1982 WaveTek[53]/Wave pool Opening as Wild Wave in 1983,[16] and later renamed Monsoon Lagoon until 2004; One of the largest wave pools in the world
Paradise Plunge 1994 Proslide Technology Inc./Pipeline Named Tahiti Twister until 2004
Reef Runner 1994 Proslide Technology Inc./Pipeline Named Tahiti Twister until 2004
Hammerhead 1997 Proslide Technology Inc./Giant twister Named Black Hole until 2004
Mako 1997 Proslide Technology Inc./Drop slide Named Bonzai Pipeline until 2004
Bahama Blast 2005 Proslide Technology Inc./Mammoth
Buccaneer Beach 2005 Kiddie/family activity area
Tornado 2005 Proslide Technology Inc./Tornado 60
The Halfpipe 2008 Water Fun Products/Sidewinder Waterslide half-pipe for one or two riders. It was known as Tony Hawk's Halfpipe from 2008 to 2010 and rethemed in 2011.
Bonzai Pipelines 2013 SplashTacular DownUnder Six slides on one complex structure.[39][40]
Splashwater Falls 2016 Family water play structure Containing 7 Slides, a Tipping Bucket, and Interactive Elements
Wahoo River 2018 Wave river Contains tipping cones, and rolling waves
RipQurl Blaster 2023 WhiteWater West water coaster The DMV's tallest water coaster.[47]

Former attractions

[edit]

Roller coasters

[edit]
Name Opened Closed In Manufacturer/Ride Type Former Location Notes
Python 1993 1998 Arrow Dynamics Launched Loop Southwest Territory Ride was moved from Six Flags Great Adventure (one half of Lightning Loops).
The Great Alonzo's Cannonball Coaster 1993 1998 Molina & Son's kiddie coaster A Day At The Circus
Two Face: The Flip Side 1999 2007 Vekoma Invertigo roller coaster Southwest Territory See Incidents at Six Flags parks for more information. This roller coaster was sent to Italy and opened in 2015.

Rides

[edit]

Including Former Hurricane Harbor Water slides

Name Opened Removed in Manufacturer/Ride type Notes
Curving Dervish 1982 1995 Bayern Curve Exact history not known.
Aerial Elephants 1993 1998 Kiddie ride
Clown Around 1993 1998 Kiddie ride
Clown Town 1993 1998 Kiddie attraction
Flying Trapeze 1993 1998 Kiddie attraction
Kiddie Bumper Boats 1993 1998 Kiddie ride
Lippazanion Stallions 1993 1998 Kiddie attraction
Roller Racers 1993 1998 Kiddie ride
The Juggler 1993 1998 Kiddie ride
SkyEscaper 1983 2004 Fahtz / IAD Enterprise 16 The ride was closed in 2002.
Iron Eagle 1995 2005 Zamperla Rotoshake
Kids' Cove 1982 2005 Kids area Located in Hurricane Harbor
Krypton Comet 2000 2005 Chance-Morgan Chaos
Lily Pad Walk 1982 2005 Located in Hurricane Harbor
The Tilt 1989 2006 Tilt-a-Whirl
The Animation Department 1999 2007 Kiddie Carousel
Circus of the Stars 1982 2007 Kiddie bumper cars
Avalanche 1999 2010 Chance-Morgan Alpine Bobs Located in Gotham City. Named Penguins Bobsleds (1999–2003), Alpine Bobs (2003–2006) moved to former Krypton Comet location and renamed in 2006.
The Octopus 2000 2010 Sartori Polyp, monster style ride Located in Nantucket. On August 3, 2007, a 6-year-old girl was injured on this ride. See Incidents at Six Flags parks for more information.
Skull Mountain 1997 2011 Intamin Reversing Boat Ride 8 water ride Named Typhoon Sea Coaster, ride was modified and name changed in 2007. The ride took its last voyage on July 10, 2011, and was replaced by Apocalypse: The Last Stand[54]
Crocodile Cal's Caribbean Beach House 1997 2014 Kids' activity area Named Crocodile Cal's Outback Beach House until 2005 – the "Cal's" portion of the name came from Baltimore Orioles' player Cal Ripken. Located in Hurricane Harbor. Replaced by Splashwater Falls.
Sky Coaster 2001 2018 Skycoaster, Inc./Sky coaster Located in Gotham City. Extra-charge attraction. Removed for Harley Quinn Spinsanity.
ZoomAzon Falls 1982 2020 Four Water slides Located in Hurricane Harbor. Named Rainbow Falls until 2004, and Hurricane Mountain from 2005 to 2008. Formerly tube slides. Closed 2008–2010. Rethemed to an Amazon rainforest and reopened June 2011. Retired following the 2020 season.
Zydeco Zinger 1993 2023 Chance Rides/Falling Star Was located in Mardi Gras. Formerly known as Falling Star, the ride was renamed to Zydeco Zinger due to Southwest Territory being rethemed to Mardi Gras in 2014.
Bourbon Street Fireball 2015 2023 Larson International/Giant Loop Was located in Mardi Gras.
Rodeo 1999 2022 Huss/Breakdance Was located in Coyote Creek(Steamtown). A Huss Breakdance style 4/rodeo with cow themed cars.
Sky Jumper 2010 2023 Zamperla Family drop ride Was located at Whistlestop Park. It was known as Cranky the Crane Tower in 2010 in Thomas Town and rethemed in 2011. The ride was relocated to Six Flags Over Texas in 2024.

Rehabs

[edit]

These rides were renamed following an improvement to the ride

Name Opened Removed in Manufacturer/Ride type Notes
Castaway Creek 1982 2017 Lazy River Became Wahoo River.
Apocalypse 2012 2018 Bolliger and Mabillard Stand-up coaster Gained floorless trains and renamed Firebird.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Wild Animals Will Roam Farm: Safari Opens Monday". The Capital. July 13, 1974.
  2. ^ "2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP (INDEX): Woodmore CDP, MD." United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on January 13, 2017 Detail map p6.
  3. ^ "Directions to the Park". Six Flags America. Retrieved June 2, 2015. "13710 Central Avenue, Upper Marlboro, MD 20721."
  4. ^ Heideger, Carly (June 20, 2014). "Six Flags America launching new roller coaster this weekend". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
  5. ^ "Wildlife Preserve In Maryland". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. June 2, 1974. ProQuest 1901552367.
  6. ^ a b c Goldman, Ivan G. (February 20, 1972). "A Beast-Filled Park Eyed Near Bowie". The Washington Post. p. D4. ProQuest 148314517.
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Sources

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