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Six Flags Over Texas readies for spring break
Fort Worth Star-Telegram (TX) - Friday, March 7, 2003
Author: SEAN WOOD, Star-Telegram Staff Writer
ARLINGTON-- Six Flags Over Texas is looking to turn around an attendance slide from
2002 with a new ride, new shows and some new discounts in a tough and jittery
economy.
The park kicks off its 42nd season Saturday with its annual two-week Spring Break-Out
event.
The park will be open daily through March 23, followed by weekend-only operation until
May 4.
Daily operation for the summer season starts May 9.
General Manager Steve Calloway said he hopes the economy and concerns about war
won't keep people away.
"Our view is, at times like these, our guests turn to Six Flags to look for a fun diversion
from life," Calloway said. "In times like these, as well, families are looking for affordable
ways to spend time together."
Calloway said there will be $15 discounts on the park's $39.99 general admission price
during spring break. Last year, the discount was $8.
The park is also scheduling concerts during spring break with groups such as Lifehouse,
SR-71, Uncle Kracker and Bowling for Soup -- bigger acts than the park normally books.
This season, the park will also open a new ride, Superman Tower of Power. During the
next three weeks, however, guests will only get to gape at it.
The ride won't open to the public until March 29.
The presence of the ride, which measures 325 feet from the ground to the top of its
flagpole, has helped boost season pass and group sales, Calloway said, although he
declined to give figures.
That is good news for the park, considering it suffered a 10 percent dip in attendance in
2002 compared to 2001, according to Amusement Business, an industry trade
publication.
The economy, weather and a change in discounts were blamed by Six Flags Inc. for the
dip in 2002 -- to an estimated 2.7 million guests from 3 million in 2001.

It also didn't help that the park was coming off a near-record year in attendance and
profitability in 2001 because of a new roller coaster and a seasonlong 40th anniversary
celebration.
Calloway is expecting a turnaround. "Obviously with Superman we're looking for a big
year," he said.
Tim O'Brien, senior editor for Amusement Business, said a war and the economy may cut
down on how much people spend at amusement parks or how many trips they make to
the parks, but they won't stop people from going to the parks.
"In a year and a half that we've really been traumatized by the declining economics and
the horror of Sept. 11, have we noticed in all that trauma that people want to stop eating,
loving and playing?" O'Brien said. "No. If you're not mired in the battle, you're going to
play. If I can take 24 hours to get away from it all and take my kid for a day in a park, I'm
going to do it."
Tim Baldwin of Grand Prairie, a local roller-coaster enthusiast, said he plans to be at Six
Flags on opening day. It's a tradition.
"The opening of Six Flags is the start of the spring in my opinion," Baldwin said. "I like
to see what looks new and what looks fresh."
And, while he won't be able to ride Superman that first day, he said he can wait.
"Superman doesn't open until the 29th, but there's something about the anticipation and
the excitement that builds," he said.
Ticket prices
General admission: $39.99
Guests 48 inches and under: $24.99
Children 2 and under: free
Senior (55)/Disabled: $24.99
Groups of 10 or more (each): $20.99. Prices do not include tax
Parking: $9
Hours of operation:
* Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
* Sunday-March 14, March 16-21 and March 23, 11 a.m.- 7 p.m.

* March 15 and March 22, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
* Hours and prices are subject to change.
SOURCE: www.sixflags.com
ONLINE: www.sixflags.com