Every year from around 1965 to 1974 my family would travel to Dallas for Spring break to see family and we would always go to Six Flags. I have some really precious memories of spending the day with family from open to close. I remember the first year of the Big Bend. My cousin and I bolted right to the ride when we arrived at the park to beat the lines. I remember that the Big Bend waiting area actually had cold air ducts overhead. Thanks for posting these vids.
As someone who grew up in Arlington, I've been to Six Flags more times than I could begin to count. Well over a hundred times, I'm sure. The Spinnaker was a huge favorite of mine. The lines were never too bad, and I just loved it. I would ride it several times when I would go. I was not a happy camper when it got removed. The Shock Wave was ride of pure genius. Not only was it the pinnacle of rides, it was also the perfect attraction to get people to go, because it sat right there beside I 30 interstate highway. And I remember as a kid, any time we would pass by that area, I would just hope and cross my fingers that the roller coaster would be doing it's double loop just as we would drive by. Ah the memories. So many.
I came of age to really enjoy theme parks in the early 70’s. Went for the first time around 1972. Still enjoyed Skull Island, La Salle’s Riverboat, and the Mexican Train.
Miss the Pink Thing frozen thing. We would hit the Speelunkers Cave when it got hot to cool off! Remember the blast of cold at he end? The Big Bend was awesome in the mid 70's but then came The Shockwave! That was so fun to ride at night! We came from Logansport Louisiana on the Texas border on high school fun band trips! Miss those easy days of the mid to late 70's!
@@Gatorbaitress I got the chocolate version of the Pink Thing. I'm a chocoholic. I think I did get pink once. Once I got off the Shock Wave I bought a t shirt that said I survived the Shock Wave! I said I was going to and I kept my word! My cousin said I lost all color in my face on the Shock Wave. Went pale. She said when the color came back I was green!
I hate that they removed Big Bend. Was there also a mini version called “Little Bend” or did I dream that? Spelunkers cave was a great way to get out of the heat for a bit.
I don't know about y'all but the shows at Southern Palace were just a bonus....the main purpose of that place was as an escape from the heat for a bit before heading back out to the rides!!😅
The decade when I first went to Six Flags Big Ben was the first coaster I ever rode would love one more ride on it for old times sake. I know they have one exactly like it at Six Flags Great America hopefully I can get there someday to ride it. I also remember Fiesta Train, Spinnaker, Roto Disco, Texas Chute Out, Petting Zoo, Happy Motoring Freeway, Shock wave, The Cave and Spindel Top. Great Memories of Six Flags as a kid. Thank you for the history and memories of the park.
By the things added I’m guessing my first visit was in 1971. Can still remember so many things there and wish I could go back to that time. I was just thinking about the famous “pink things” we used to eat.
My most favorite was the cave with the speelunkers! Then the missile chaser/scrambler ride, Mexican hat , runaway mine train,modern cars and the sky cars going over the park, don’t remember the name. My first visit in very early 60s I remember being on the stagecoach ride and going up in the twin sky cages, don’t remember name either. It was a great view! We never had a meal, existed on pink things. My first trip up the oil derrick we took the stairs all the way up, our legs were wobbly, got out on the top platform and there realized my great fear of heights! My friend and I accidentally went out the wrong door of a gift shop and were suddenly in the middle of a western gunfight. The men were shooting it out and there was laughter from the assembled audience as they stopped shooting till we hurried away 🤭. In 8th grade they stopped the cave ride and turned on the lights because a few were reaching out to touch things, oh the shame😂. I remember being inducted into the Confederate army nurses and I still have the certificate. I loved the old six flags soooo much, hate what it’s become!
Oh wow...the nostalgia of it all. Thank you for unlocking such great memories. This was my era, and I remember so much of it. I also can remember the Judge Roy Scream commercial that had the kind of Cowboy voice narration, but I think that was early eighties. But anyways, thank you, and well done.
I remember so many cars having a Six Flags bumper sticker…I think it said ‘I’ve been to Six Flags!’, or something to that effect. Six Flags had employees who would put a sticker on every car during the day in the parking lots, unless you put your driver side visor down, or of course if you already had one on the car. I loved Spelunkers Cave, Runaway Mine Train and Spindletop. And as I got older and more brave, Shock Wave and Texas Chute Out. Great memories! Thanks for the video!
Such nostalgia! In the early days, it always felt like a huge part of your game plan had to be strategically timed access to AC. Like, queue up for and ride three rides, then sit through the Chevy show to cool down. Hit a few more rides and circle back to the Spee-Lunkers’ Cave, which had that initial blast of cool, musty air that was awesome. Later: Midway games, bumper cars, Rotodisco. You could squeeze in a couple extra queue-ups and rides if one of those rides got you wet or if you constantly cooled yourself down with Pink Things. 😂
This was my SFoT decade as well. Summer of '76-'79 we all had season passes, and it was summer day care. Mom's would take turns dropping us off and picking us up late at night. We probably went 4-5 days a week. Everything's pretty much covered by other's comments and in other posts, but remember Judge Roy's Nachos? The building is still there and until somewhat recently still have the "Law West of the Pecos" sign. If you're lucky you can nab a big rocker on the front porch for a nice rest. Anyway, back in the 70's they made the BEST nachos you could get in the park! Heaped up beans and ground beef, smothered in cheese and jalapeños....they were the BEST! Also, what was the name of the fried chicken place? The Plantation, or something? Fantastic fried chicken and chicken fried steak...with a huge cup of sweet tea.....Prettty much all I ate back then was fried chicken and nachos. (Well, besides Pink Things)
Went for years until 79 then didn’t go until 40 years later with my sons , and wow what a difference, for myself the adventure and imagination was gone and replaced with thrill rides which everyone enjoyed but missed river boat, the cave the cars skull island etc , thanks that was so much fun going down memory lane, remember the Chevy show?
The Chevy Show was incredible. I can still hear Tom T. Hall at the beginning talking. I even remember several of the scenes in the movie that would have you leaning side to side, or pressing on your imaginary brake pedals,
I remember seeing the H.R. Puffin Stuff show at Six Flags. He came out in the audience and hugged and "kissed" my aunt on the cheek. Scandalous! 😆 And when I was 15 years old, I saw K.C. & the Sunshine Band at the music mill amphitheater. The crowd waiting outside was pressing so hard against each other, I lost my sandals and couldn't bend down to pick them up, I was afraid I would be crushed like the people at the Rolling Stones concert, (or was it a Who concert? ) The concert was amazing though, once we were allowed in.
I worked there as a painter from 81' to 94' in maintenance. The Big Bend ride and Skull slide were still there, so was the Super Slide on the Oil Derrick and the petting zoo. I believe the zoo was removed when Bally took over and kiddie rides were put in about 82' or 83'. My coworker and I had to corral the animals because someone left the gate open right before the park opened for the day.
@@AmusementSource Thanks for the info!!! So France colonized Texas ever so briefly!!! Again, Six Flags was a totally killer place in the 1960s and 70s!!!
Hey, just wondering why you didn’t mention the discotheque from the mid-70s around 76 to 78. I believe the name was Rock Island. We used to call it disco Island. It was so much fun for us kids who had season passes to be able to go up there and dance without the threat of drugs and alcohol. Just curious?
Wow... 1st, my name is Rusty as well! 2nd) man, I used to live at the Rock Island Disco every night for a couple of years. All my friends and I used have season passes so we'd go to the Game area 1st. They had a challenge to lift a bottle up right on a tilted board-I could do it every time. SO I'd win the huge prize and look out for families who's kids were crying then sell the massive plushie to the Dad for about 20-40 bucks and that was my spending money. Course when they changed shifts, I'd go win another! But it was all for a good reason: Kept me from having to mow lawns! Anyway, lotta great times at Rock Island Disco - too bad I never took any pictures.
The Puppet Theater had a fantastic show called Hooray For Hollywood. I'm thinking this was in 1977 or 1978. It featured lots of "Old School" Hollywood types such as Charlie Chaplin, Ginger Rogers & Fred Astaire, and The Andrew Sisters. There was even an orchestra pit made up of more Hollywood stars; Laurel and Hardy were part of this group. My friends and I saw this show on each visit and sometimes twice in one day.
One ride that I hear will be gone in a few years is the Silver Star Carousel. Astroworld in Houston sadly and unexpectedly closed its doors to the amusement enjoying public in 2005. Six Flags Over Texas, the first park with the Six Flags name, is now doomed. While it is still in operation for now, we only have a few short years left to visit and enjoy this legendary theme park. The current owner, Premiere, was ruthless enough to close Astroworld, and will close Six Flags Over Texas due to poor attendance, and will demolish the park. Just the land this park is on is worth far more than the park is anyway. Six Flags Over Georgia, and Six Flags Saint Louis are also knocking on deaths door.
I have a lot more hope for the park with the new merger with the Cedar Fair folks - those people know their parks and coasters! I just hope that they get more power than the Premiere folks do in the long run.
And if your older brother or sister got to go & you didn’t,your day was shot to Hell.’78 had the live muppet band called “Noise”.One of the characters would say,”Well,I think we blew it”,& the loudest flash pot pyro would detonate!!And don’t forget the dolphin show!
I didn't like the removal of the fiesta train which was at the time a second train ride in addition to the Six Flags and Texas Railroad which still runs today and it's the last original attraction from the inaugural season of 1961
The Runaway Mine Train ruled. Big Ben was fast, but too smooth. Season Passes. Good concerts. Rode the Sky Hook the last weekend it was there. 😢 The bank robbery shoot-outs, and canoes were very authentic. Meet the girls in Good Times Square, then take 'em on a ride on the train. If you got their phone numbers, score. But if they were from Dallas county, that was a long-distance call. 😞
Every year from around 1965 to 1974 my family would travel to Dallas for Spring break to see family and we would always go to Six Flags. I have some really precious memories of spending the day with family from open to close. I remember the first year of the Big Bend. My cousin and I bolted right to the ride when we arrived at the park to beat the lines. I remember that the Big Bend waiting area actually had cold air ducts overhead. Thanks for posting these vids.
I miss the Big Bend, LaSalle's Riverboat, The Cave, and The Fiesta Train.
I remember once I got to "steer" the boat on La Salle Riverboat ride
I found footage of the circus in fiesta train
Me too
The cave is gone?
@@TheJeffro451 Yes. The ride is still there, but there are no spelunkers and no music. Just a bunch of noise. And it's no longer a dark ride.
As someone who grew up in Arlington, I've been to Six Flags more times than I could begin to count. Well over a hundred times, I'm sure. The Spinnaker was a huge favorite of mine. The lines were never too bad, and I just loved it. I would ride it several times when I would go. I was not a happy camper when it got removed. The Shock Wave was ride of pure genius. Not only was it the pinnacle of rides, it was also the perfect attraction to get people to go, because it sat right there beside I 30 interstate highway. And I remember as a kid, any time we would pass by that area, I would just hope and cross my fingers that the roller coaster would be doing it's double loop just as we would drive by. Ah the memories. So many.
I grew up in Arlington too! The spinnaker was my favorite ride as well. Man, those where the days!
@@texassalt8999 They were definitely the days. What year did you graduate?
I came of age to really enjoy theme parks in the early 70’s. Went for the first time around 1972. Still enjoyed Skull Island, La Salle’s Riverboat, and the Mexican Train.
Miss the Pink Thing frozen thing. We would hit the Speelunkers Cave when it got hot to cool off! Remember the blast of cold at he end? The Big Bend was awesome in the mid 70's but then came The Shockwave! That was so fun to ride at night! We came from Logansport Louisiana on the Texas border on high school fun band trips! Miss those easy days of the mid to late 70's!
@@Gatorbaitress I got the chocolate version of the Pink Thing. I'm a chocoholic. I think I did get pink once. Once I got off the Shock Wave I bought a t shirt that said I survived the Shock Wave! I said I was going to and I kept my word! My cousin said I lost all color in my face on the Shock Wave. Went pale. She said when the color came back I was green!
The mid to late 70's were the best years of six flags. Earlier years were good too. But it is barely a reflection now of what it used to be.
I hate that they removed Big Bend. Was there also a mini version called “Little Bend” or did I dream that? Spelunkers cave was a great way to get out of the heat for a bit.
I don't know about y'all but the shows at Southern Palace were just a bonus....the main purpose of that place was as an escape from the heat for a bit before heading back out to the rides!!😅
Gawd it is so crazy seeing I-30 looking so dead!!! Lol I wish it was like that now! My trips to work would be so amazing 😆
The decade when I first went to Six Flags Big Ben was the first coaster I ever rode would love one more ride on it for old times sake. I know they have one exactly like it at Six Flags Great America hopefully I can get there someday to ride it. I also remember Fiesta Train, Spinnaker, Roto Disco, Texas Chute Out, Petting Zoo, Happy Motoring Freeway, Shock wave, The Cave and Spindel Top. Great Memories of Six Flags as a kid. Thank you for the history and memories of the park.
Me too
By the things added I’m guessing my first visit was in 1971. Can still remember so many things there and wish I could go back to that time. I was just thinking about the famous “pink things” we used to eat.
My most favorite was the cave with the speelunkers! Then the missile chaser/scrambler ride, Mexican hat , runaway mine train,modern cars and the sky cars going over the park, don’t remember the name. My first visit in very early 60s I remember being on the stagecoach ride and going up in the twin sky cages, don’t remember name either. It was a great view! We never had a meal, existed on pink things. My first trip up the oil derrick we took the stairs all the way up, our legs were wobbly, got out on the top platform and there realized my great fear of heights! My friend and I accidentally went out the wrong door of a gift shop and were suddenly in the middle of a western gunfight. The men were shooting it out and there was laughter from the assembled audience as they stopped shooting till we hurried away 🤭. In 8th grade they stopped the cave ride and turned on the lights because a few were reaching out to touch things, oh the shame😂. I remember being inducted into the Confederate army nurses and I still have the certificate. I loved the old six flags soooo much, hate what it’s become!
Oh wow...the nostalgia of it all. Thank you for unlocking such great memories. This was my era, and I remember so much of it. I also can remember the Judge Roy Scream commercial that had the kind of Cowboy voice narration, but I think that was early eighties. But anyways, thank you, and well done.
I remember so many cars having a Six Flags bumper sticker…I think it said ‘I’ve been to Six Flags!’, or something to that effect. Six Flags had employees who would put a sticker on every car during the day in the parking lots, unless you put your driver side visor down, or of course if you already had one on the car. I loved Spelunkers Cave, Runaway Mine Train and Spindletop. And as I got older and more brave, Shock Wave and Texas Chute Out. Great memories! Thanks for the video!
Such nostalgia! In the early days, it always felt like a huge part of your game plan had to be strategically timed access to AC. Like, queue up for and ride three rides, then sit through the Chevy show to cool down. Hit a few more rides and circle back to the Spee-Lunkers’ Cave, which had that initial blast of cool, musty air that was awesome. Later: Midway games, bumper cars, Rotodisco. You could squeeze in a couple extra queue-ups and rides if one of those rides got you wet or if you constantly cooled yourself down with Pink Things. 😂
This was my SFoT decade as well. Summer of '76-'79 we all had season passes, and it was summer day care. Mom's would take turns dropping us off and picking us up late at night. We probably went 4-5 days a week. Everything's pretty much covered by other's comments and in other posts, but remember Judge Roy's Nachos? The building is still there and until somewhat recently still have the "Law West of the Pecos" sign. If you're lucky you can nab a big rocker on the front porch for a nice rest. Anyway, back in the 70's they made the BEST nachos you could get in the park! Heaped up beans and ground beef, smothered in cheese and jalapeños....they were the BEST! Also, what was the name of the fried chicken place? The Plantation, or something? Fantastic fried chicken and chicken fried steak...with a huge cup of sweet tea.....Prettty much all I ate back then was fried chicken and nachos. (Well, besides Pink Things)
bummed you didnt mention rock island disco or crazy horse saloon shows!
Over Texas...where Six Flags all began
Went for years until 79 then didn’t go until 40 years later with my sons , and wow what a difference, for myself the adventure and imagination was gone and replaced with thrill rides which everyone enjoyed but missed river boat, the cave the cars skull island etc , thanks that was so much fun going down memory lane, remember the Chevy show?
Wasn’t old enough to see the Chevy show but have tons of archive pics!
The Chevy Show was incredible. I can still hear Tom T. Hall at the beginning talking. I even remember several of the scenes in the movie that would have you leaning side to side, or pressing on your imaginary brake pedals,
I remember seeing the H.R. Puffin Stuff show at Six Flags. He came out in the audience and hugged and "kissed" my aunt on the cheek. Scandalous! 😆 And when I was 15 years old, I saw K.C. & the Sunshine Band at the music mill amphitheater. The crowd waiting outside was pressing so hard against each other, I lost my sandals and couldn't bend down to pick them up, I was afraid I would be crushed like the people at the Rolling Stones concert, (or was it a Who concert? ) The concert was amazing though, once we were allowed in.
I bear the scars of the tower slide to this day!
Now, that was a ride. Have potato sack, will fly.
Nice!
The tower slide! 🙂👍🏻
I have a scar from the Treeslide on Skull Island
It was fun though.
Still have my parents ashtrays from six flags when they would take us during the early 80s. You won the ashtrays by pitching coins into them.
I worked there as a painter from 81' to 94' in maintenance. The Big Bend ride and Skull slide were still there, so was the Super Slide on the Oil Derrick and the petting zoo. I believe the zoo was removed when Bally took over and kiddie rides were put in about 82' or 83'. My coworker and I had to corral the animals because someone left the gate open right before the park opened for the day.
Six Flags Over Texas was a killer place in the 1970s!!! I loved the twin log rides!!! Is it true that France once owned Texas???
1684 to 1689 was when France colonized what is now known as Texas.
@@AmusementSource Thanks for the info!!! So France colonized Texas ever so briefly!!! Again, Six Flags was a totally killer place in the 1960s and 70s!!!
I'm so glad I got to ride Big Bend a few times.
@@mrtalleymon me to big time
Hey, just wondering why you didn’t mention the discotheque from the mid-70s around 76 to 78. I believe the name was Rock Island. We used to call it disco Island. It was so much fun for us kids who had season passes to be able to go up there and dance without the threat of drugs and alcohol. Just curious?
Wow... 1st, my name is Rusty as well! 2nd) man, I used to live at the Rock Island Disco every night for a couple of years. All my friends and I used have season passes so we'd go to the Game area 1st. They had a challenge to lift a bottle up right on a tilted board-I could do it every time. SO I'd win the huge prize and look out for families who's kids were crying then sell the massive plushie to the Dad for about 20-40 bucks and that was my spending money. Course when they changed shifts, I'd go win another!
But it was all for a good reason: Kept me from having to mow lawns!
Anyway, lotta great times at Rock Island Disco - too bad I never took any pictures.
The Puppet Theater had a fantastic show called Hooray For Hollywood. I'm thinking this was in 1977 or 1978. It featured lots of "Old School" Hollywood types such as Charlie Chaplin, Ginger Rogers & Fred Astaire, and The Andrew Sisters. There was even an orchestra pit made up of more Hollywood stars; Laurel and Hardy were part of this group. My friends and I saw this show on each visit and sometimes twice in one day.
I remember the Dolphin show and I believe The Flying Wallendas performed their high wire act there in the '70s
I have a cherished photo of me at age 3 with my dad on the Jet Set ride in 1970. Thank you for the memories! 🙂👍🏻
I saw Chuck Berry twice at Six Flags. The first time was June 1974. It rained most of the day. I was soaked and cold but Chuck Berry was great.
Absolutely iconic! Glad you saw him!!!
@@meadowlane79 Me too!
Exciting to see my picture in Jazz Crazy at the Southern Palace! Great memories!
Trying to take a peek at Old Zeke.
As we got older we spent more time around Good Times Square.
Such good times and great memories. Thank you so much
Wish I could go back in time , sad to see good time square is now Gotham city .
One ride that I hear will be gone in a few years is the Silver Star Carousel. Astroworld in Houston sadly and unexpectedly closed its doors to the amusement enjoying public in 2005. Six Flags Over Texas, the first park with the Six Flags name, is now doomed. While it is still in operation for now, we only have a few short years left to visit and enjoy this legendary theme park. The current owner, Premiere, was ruthless enough to close Astroworld, and will close Six Flags Over Texas due to poor attendance, and will demolish the park. Just the land this park is on is worth far more than the park is anyway. Six Flags Over Georgia, and Six Flags Saint Louis are also knocking on deaths door.
I have a lot more hope for the park with the new merger with the Cedar Fair folks - those people know their parks and coasters! I just hope that they get more power than the Premiere folks do in the long run.
And if your older brother or sister got to go & you didn’t,your day was shot to Hell.’78 had the live muppet band called “Noise”.One of the characters would say,”Well,I think we blew it”,& the loudest flash pot pyro would detonate!!And don’t forget the dolphin show!
Season passes actually started in 1974. I had one. I've had one every year since then. Except 85,88 and 93.
3:25 what is that dance move called where the guys are linked by their elbows and swinging the girls around?
I really like You Bryant! And this was a great video. I had my first visit in october
I didn't like the removal of the fiesta train which was at the time a second train ride in addition to the Six Flags and Texas Railroad which still runs today and it's the last original attraction from the inaugural season of 1961
Was riding Spimnnaker once and the hydraulic pump died suddenly. Now THAT was a letdown!
😲
Do 1960 to 1969
He will, he’s going in order
i'm enjoying the videos, but you need to work on your volume leveling. thanks for posting
Great video!
Those outdoor shows in that Texas heat must have been horrible.
It wasn't for me as a kid. There are trees everywhere and most of the buildings had a/c. But the water rides really helped cool you off.
The Runaway Mine Train ruled. Big Ben was fast, but too smooth.
Season Passes. Good concerts.
Rode the Sky Hook the last weekend it was there. 😢 The bank robbery shoot-outs, and canoes were very authentic.
Meet the girls in Good Times Square, then take 'em on a ride on the train. If you got their phone numbers, score. But if they were from Dallas county, that was a long-distance call. 😞
This is pretty cool after this please do six flags fiesta Texas
We’ve got a couple for Fiesta Texas already. More coming soon.
ua-cam.com/play/PLpAN12tsDoQ9U6QsAsfTtzt4hI55eV100.html
Oh okay. Sorry about that. Awesome. Keep the videos coming.
All night parties at Six Flags🎉🎉😂🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
My brother and I went to those. 10:00am - 5:00am. We stayed there the whole time.
*1974* was my first time. I was 6 years old.
The shockwavewas my favorite
The candy shop by the creek was haunted
I hated the Spindle top! It gave me a migraine & made me sick!🤢🤮