Six Flags in TX, MO, IL ???

[mamajoan]

Ok so the kids have talked me into going to several of the SIX FLAGS amusement parks while we are on our Road Trip in August.
We will have a Season Pass for the Amusement parks only, the water parks are not included with our pass.

DS will be 16 and DD 13.

What can you all tell me about the Parks in TX, MO, and IL?? Please tell me the Good, the Bad and the Ugly.. the more info I have the better it will be.

Thank you for your opinions I surely appreciate it!

Joan

 

[AspiringCindy]

While your at it, if anyone has info on the six flags in Ohio I would appreciate any tips.

 

[janette]

The park in Arlington isn't bad at all. It's relatively clean and has lots of rides for the older kids.

My 11yo DD prefers the coasters there over the ones at WDW.

 

[BarryHom]

The Six Flags in IL -- Six Flags Great America -- is supposed to be one of the better Six Flags. So is Six Flags Over Texas. I've never been to Six Flags St. Louis, but I'd like to go, only for Mr. Freeze. Apparently, the Mr. Freeze at SFOT is closed because of a problem with the site.

I've been to Six Flags Worlds of Adventure (the one in Ohio) and it's not the best Six Flags park. The good rides are Batman Knight Flight (B&M floorless) and X-Flight (an interesting flying coaster). Other than those rides and possibly Superman: Ultimate Escape, it rates an OK in my book. Honestly, I'd rather spend an extra day at Cedar Point.

 

[mamajoan]

Thanks folks.. and keep 'em coming!

I knew Mr. Barry Hom would respond.. he is most wise in the area of amusement parks!

 

[AspiringCindy]

Barry Hom
Thanks for the info. Fortunately, we have season passes for Great Adventure(NJ), so we will enter the park for free. By the way, is 3 days good for Cedar Point?
mamajoan- sorry to take over your thread!

 

[mamajoan]

no worries Cindy... you just added to the thread! I am sure others will use the info too!

 

[CourtasanSatine]

any cheap burger places near Six Flags over texas? Bf and I are going in June

 

[Fire14]

I personally would rather spend extra time at Cedar Point than go to Six flags great america in IL or the one here in Ohio. I grew up going to Six flags in Il every other year and got to hate it more and more as I got older. It's DIRTY over priced and not all that exciting. You can find me shopping at Gurnee Mills Malls if i'm in area of Six Flags Great America in IL.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

I have been to Six Flags Great America (IL) several times. The last being in 2000. I have always found the park to be pretty clean. And I really enjoy the roller coasters. We used to go every year in middle school and high school with friends.

Here is a good link! http://www.sixflags.com/parks/greatamerica/index.asp

Have fun!

 

[Pooh93]

Six Flags over Mid-America (Missouri) needs some clean up and by that I mean a new paint job etc. I'll be taking dd in June because she earned a free ticket through the reading program at school.

Here's a link.

http://www.sixflags.com/parks/stlouis/home.asp

 

[Planogirl]

Six Flags over Texas is relatively clean but has horrible food and rather surly employees for the most part. The park does have excellent coasters and is nicely landscaped and shaded. Do expect it to be VERY hot. Temperatures over 100 during that time of year are not unusual so plan accordingly. Six Flags Fiesta Texas is supposed to be nice but I would personally avoid Six Flags Astroworld. You might find this useful: http://www.themeparkinsider.com/sixflags/

I'm not very familiar with the restaurants around the park but I'm sure that all of the usual fast food places are close by.

 

[KimRaye]

Choose Illinois or, you're dead meat!

 

[HunnyPots]

I live an hour away from this park but we hardly ever go anymore. It does have some pretty great coasters but the lines in the summer are horrible. 1 1/2 to 2 hour waits are not unusual. Do them early in the day to avoid the long lines. Get there at opening!
If you aren't into the big coasters, there is very little else of interest there. It used to have great themed areas; the countries that once claimed Texas, like Mexico, Spain, France, etc. Now that's mostly gone and Bugs Bunny has taken it's place.
Food is AWFUL! Outside the park, there are several restaurants of the "Chili's" variety.
We have had many encounters with "less than helpful" employees. Some were just clueless, many were downright hostile.
Sorry I can't be more positive. I just really hate the way that SF has gone down hill over the last few years. I have wonderful childhood memories of this park but those days seem to be gone forever.

 

[apnic]

I've gotta say as a Houstonian, you might want to skip Six Flags Astroworld. It is a real shame that the park is in the condition that it currently is, but I would consider it unsafe after dark, and daytime conditions are deplorable. With the hot Texas sun, there is very little relief in any of the ride queues, the employees are high school kids that would much rather be wandering around a mall - I wouldn't trust them with my life on a roller coaster. The food is beyond icky and the prices are outrageous.
Normally I'm protective of all things Houston, but this is one exception. Go to Six Flags over Texas or Fiesta Texas, but skip Astroworld.
-AP

 

[Texan]

I am originally from Houston, Six Flags Astroworld, awful, awful, awful. Have been in San Antonio for the past 15 years. Six Flags Fiesta Texas has been steadily on the decline in terms of cleanliness and employees, but the rides are pretty decent. Food is okay. We only go once a year and when we went last Sept. it was pretty much evident how they are not keeping up with stuff. Went we went to WDW and Universal in Feb., DH and oldest DS liked the Superman coaster at Six Flags Fiesta better than the Hulk. It is one of the best coasters. So, all in all, it is okay.

 

[Robin]

I live about 45 minutes from Six Flags over Texas... I know many people from this area that LOVE to go (mostly those that are NOT able to go to WDW). By WDW standards any Six Flags park is lacking.. but if your able to do it as a free day it's a great deal.. As others have warned do not eat there.... everything is prepackages and way over priced. Just outside the gates (maybe a 5 minute walk) the is a Cheddar's... good food and decent prices (It's similar to a Chili's)

School is starting very early in Texas this year... We start August 11th so crowds will be light. Be sure to check out the operating hours because I think it's weekend only past mid August.

Please be sure to let us know when your coming... the Dallas DISers try to get together a few times a year!


Fiesta Texas in San Antonio is a lot of fun... The park always seems less crowded than the one in Dallas. It also has a decent water park inside (and included in the price). Be sure to wear water shoes if you go... the side walks get very HOT in the summer months.

Even more fun the the two Six Flags parks (I agree.. don't even bother with Astro World) is a water park near Austin - Schlitterbahn. It's ranked the #1 water park in the country and is a wonderful way to spend a weekend... the park is huge and very much a family friendly place. You can pack a lunch and really enjoy yourself.

 

[lilallybean]

Have been to MO six flags many times. My lil sis used to work there. The park is fun and has some good rides. Thunder River is a fav but the line is generally very long. the ninja and mr. freeze, and batman are fun roller coasters. I have to suggest if youeat in the park go for the smoked turkey legs sold close to the log flume...YUMMY. My sis says that from here trips to the one in IL she would vote that one by far the best! She says they are the cleanest and the rides are better. Hope that helps and have a great time!

 

[mamajoan]

Well it looks like Astroworld (can I say that it is a wierd name )
is out.. Probably will do the one in San Antonio, Il and maybe Mo.

I figured out just the GeT to miles on this trip and it is over 5000...
sooo I think the kids are old enough to just drop off for a day at one of them. Mom will need a break! In Texas they will want to go with their Big Brother, if he is still at Ft. Hood and not in the Middle East. In MO. they could go with their Big Sister and her BF so that would be a riot for them. and for the Gurnee, Ill area.. well there are some special folks that we will get to hook up with up there.

I am understanding in that I am not expecting standards of WDW.. those are amazing standards to live up to!

I do have one ? tho that I have been unable to find on the website for Six Flags and that is..
Are you allowed to bring food into the parks, like are there a picnic areas available?

Thank you for all your advice, tips and opinions.. it really is helping me a great deal!

 

[HunnyPots]

It is a real shame that the park is in the condition that it currently is, but I would consider it unsafe after dark, and daytime conditions are deplorable.

Can you offer any more of an explanation, especially the "after dark" part? The reason I ask is, my dd will be at Astroworld on a band trip in a couple of weeks and this really jumped out at me.
We were there a couple of years ago and while we were not at all impressed with the park, I never thought about safety issues.
Thanks for any info you can provide.