And another thing about Six Flags...

[quasigeostrophy]

*dons flame-proof Underoos*

semperfiona and I were discussing this when we were leaving the park Saturday evening. We're both confident they used to fly all six of the different flags which inspired the name of the chain. We noticed that on the six poles in front of the park each was flying a U. S. flag. Now, I'm all for patriotism, and in a big way, but this, combined with other decorative touches we saw that seemed different from the last time I was there, strikes me as almost jingoistic.

We were also quite thrilled to see all the metal detectors in front of the ticket booths. Looked just like an airport, sans TSA agents.

Comments

[futabachan.livejournal.com]

Which six flags were the original ones?

[quasigeostrophy.livejournal.com]

They were the six flags that have flown over Texas (I think that's the birthplace of the amusement park chain):

- France
- Spain
- Mexico
- The Republic of Texas
- Confederate States of America
- United States of America

[lightning-rose.livejournal.com]

I dunno if it's another example of mis-placed patriotism, or just marketing.

When I was a kid they had just one park called Six Flags Over Texas, located in (wait for it...) Texas. Once they branched into other states they dropped the "Over Texas", no doubt because it made little marketing sense.

But if you're going to call something "Six Flags", you'd better have six flags of something.

[circumspectly.livejournal.com]

yeah, they used to fly all six flags. i'm assuming that y'all went to the o'fallon one? (i think it's o'fallon). that's the only one i've ever been to, and i used to have a ball there when i was a kid...that was when they only had the runaway mine train for roller coasters...a loooooooonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnng time ago.

[quasigeostrophy.livejournal.com]

Eureka, MO (out on I-44 to the southwest of St. Louis).

The runaway mine train ride was, unfortunately, closed on Saturday. I did learn that I must be getting too old for the big wooden coasters - The Boss just about did me in.

Eureka!!

[circumspectly.livejournal.com]

yeah, that's it. not o'fallon...o'fallon was where the bar was that my friend an i used to go to. hehehe

The Boss...hmmm...never heard of that one...i haven't been to that six flags for well over 10 years, though, so that could explain why i never heard of it. the runaway mine train has been there for YEARS...it's pretty herky-jerky, but still my favorite in a lot of ways. that could change of course...if i ever make it back there.

Re: Eureka!!

[quasigeostrophy.livejournal.com]

I used to love the big wooden coasters, like The Beast at King's Island. My new favorites are the suspended steel ones like Batman The Ride in Eureka - even though it turns you every which way, it's a smooooooooth ride!

Re: Eureka!!

[lightning-rose.livejournal.com]

If you ever get to Denver be sure to check out The Cyclone at Lakeside Amusement Park. When the Cyclone open c1940 I believe it was the tallest and fastest coaster in the world. It's still a wicked fast ride and I especially recommend it when there's a lightning storm over the Rockies. :)

Lakeside is one of the last family owned amusement parks in the US and although small it still has a 40's era flavor with a lot of Streamline Moderne architecture. It's also dirt cheap at less than $20 for admission and all day rides with less than 10 minutes wait per ride, even on weekends.

http://www.lakesideamusementpark.com/

(Warning! Horrible karn-evilish midi music)

Re: Eureka!!

[quasigeostrophy.livejournal.com]

Cool! As many times as I've been to Denver, I've not yet managed an amusement park there, and I know they have a Six Flags now, with the addition of Elitch Gardens to the line-up. Lakeside definitely looks cooler, though!

Re: Eureka!!

[bandhiaduit.livejournal.com]

I considered it a badge of honor to have ridden the old wooden "Cyclone" at Coney Island when my family visited New York in 1971.

That said, I, too, find that I'm not energized by the roller coasters they way I used to be when I was young and immortal. Maybe I've learned something about physics (which *should* make me feel more secure), or maybe I've learned something about fluke accidents. Whatever it is, they scare me sh*tl*ss nowadays. Alas!