Six Flags AstroWorld was a theme park that was part of the Six Flags chain. It was located adjacent to and outside of 610 Loop in Houston, Texas, south of the Reliant Park complex. It was the fourth park to be included in the Six Flags family of amusement parks. It was also the first park to be purchased by Six Flags instead of being built. The park was closed on October 30, 2005 and demolished in early 2006. Nickname: Location in the state of Texas Coordinates: Country United States State Texas Counties Harris County Fort Bend County Montgomery County Incorporated June 5, 1837 Government  - Mayor Bill White Area  - City  601. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Theme Park is a simulation computer game designed by Bullfrog Productions, released in 1994, in which the player designs and operates an amusement park. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Interstate 610 (abbreviated I-610 or in Texas IH-610) is a freeway that forms a loop around the city of Houston, Texas. ... Nickname: Location in the state of Texas Coordinates: Country United States State Texas Counties Harris County Fort Bend County Montgomery County Incorporated June 5, 1837 Government  - Mayor Bill White Area  - City  601. ... Photograph of a sign at the entrance to the Reliant Park Complex, with Six Flags Astroworld in the background Reliant Park (formerly the Astrodomain) is a complex in Houston, Texas named after the energy company Reliant Energy. ... October 30 is the 303rd day of the year (304th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 62 days remaining. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

AstroWorld was originally a part of the "AstroDomain", the brainchild of local philanthropist and former Houston mayor Judge Roy Hofheinz, who intended it to complement the Astrodome. ^[1] The bridge crossing Loop 610 which connected AstroWorld to its parking lot was the only publicly-accessible, privately-owned bridge to cross an interstate highway in Harris County, Texas. As of 2007, the bridge continues to stand and is the last remaining structure from AstroWorld. Roy Mark Hofheinz (April 10, 1912–November 22, 1982), popularly known as Judge Hofheinz, was mayor of the city of Houston, Texas from 1953 to 1955. ... The Reliant Astrodome, formerly just the Astrodome, is a domed sports stadium in Houston, Texas, and is part of the Reliant Park complex. ... Harris County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. ...

Notable attractions

Ozarka Splash with Mayan Mindbender in background

Six Flags AstroWorld's major attractions were the Texas Cyclone, which, when built, was one of the largest wooden roller coasters in the United States; the Ultra Twister, which was widely regarded as one of the most unique rides in the United States. The park was also famous for Greezed Lightnin', a shuttle roller coaster that accelerated from 0 - 60 mph in roughly 4 seconds. Also unique is that the ride is a shuttle loop type coaster, meaning riders traveled both forwards and backwards during the course of the ride. Greezed Lightnin's 1 millionth ride occurred on October 15, 2005. Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... The Texas Cyclone is a roller coaster in Six Flags Astroworld in Houston Texas, and is known for its airtime, speed, and feeling of being out of control. ... A typical roller coaster The roller coaster is a popular amusement ride developed for amusement parks and modern theme parks. ... Ultra Twister was a steel roller coaster located at the now defunct Six Flags AstroWorld. ... Greezed Lightnin is a steel roller coaster at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom in Louisville, Kentucky. ... A shuttle roller coaster is any roller coaster which ultimately does not make a complete circuit, but rather reverses at some point throughout its course and transverses the track it initially went through backwards. ... is the 288th day of the year (289th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The Alpine Sleigh Ride was a popular attraction during the park's early years. Riders passed through a mountain and an avalanche of artificial snow, and finally into the 10 degree Fahrenheit room. The ride also included an appearance by the "Abominable Snowman," a glacier and a waterfall. ^[2]

History

Park opening and early years

Alpine Valley themed area

The theme park opened on June 1, 1968. It was designed by Randall Duell, ^[3] who also designed Six Flags Over Texas. The original eight themed areas and some of the attractions consisted of: Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... June 1 is the 152nd day of the year (153rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the 1968 Gregorian calendar. ... Six Flags Over Texas is a major amusement park located in Arlington, Texas (USA), east of Fort Worth and about west of Dallas. ...

• Alpine Valley: Alpine Carousel, Alpine Sleigh Ride, AstroWay (Von Roll aerial tramway)
• Americana Square: Entry plaza
• Children's World: Barnyard Petting Zoo, Maypole (tea cups), Rub-a-Dub (nursery rhyme themed boat ride)
• European Village: Le Taxi (taxi car ride)
• Modville: AstroWheel (double Ferris wheel), Orbiter (scrambler), Spinout (sports car ride)
• Plaza de Fiesta: Lost World Adventure (jungle boat ride through Rio Misterio),
• Oriental Corner: 610 Limited Train (station), Black Dragon (spider/monster ride)
• Western Junction: Crystal Palace Theater, Mill Pond (bumper boats), Shooting Gallery, AstroNeedle (double-decker Intamin Gyro Tower), Wagon Wheel (Chance trabant).

Von Roll was a Swiss aerial tramway manufacturing company, it was taken over by Austrian manufacturers. ...

70's - 80's

AstroWorld was sold to the Six Flags family of theme parks in 1975. It was marketed as "AstroWorld: A Member of the Six Flags Family" so as to not confuse patrons with the Arlington-based original park Six Flags Over Texas. Similarly, Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio, Texas is marketed as "Fiesta Texas: A Six Flags Theme Park". Year 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Arlington is the name of many places: // Canada Arlington, Nova Scotia Arlington West, Nova Scotia East Arlington, Nova Scotia Long Harbour-Mount Arlington Heights, Newfoundland and Labrador Arlington, Ontario Arlington Place, Ontario Arlington Woods, Ontario Arlington, Prince Edward Island Arlington Beach, Saskatchewan Arlington No. ... Six Flags Over Texas is a major amusement park located in Arlington, Texas (USA), east of Fort Worth and about west of Dallas. ... Six Flags Fiesta Texas is a 200-acre theme park located at 29. ...

The Texas Cyclone

Texas Cyclone at 4:30 p.m. on October 30, 2005, Astroworld's last day of operation

During construction of the Texas Cyclone, a tropical storm destroyed the entire north end turnaround section (as seen in the film Brewster McCloud) causing it to have to be rebuilt and the opening pushed back to June 12, 1976. ^[4] The Texas Cyclone is a mirror image of the original Coney Island Cyclone in New York. ^[5] More than 25,000 gallons of paint were used on the Texas Cyclone. The coaster was constructed of Douglas Fir lumber. It had over a dozen drops and was one of the few full sized roller coasters in the world to operate without a mid-course brake run. In 2001 it was determined that modifications made to the ride deemed the head-rests unnecessary and they were removed enabling riders a greater view during the course of the ride. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (800x607, 164 KB) Summary Picture of the Texas Cyclone going to coaster heaven 1 hour before Astroworld Closes forever on 10-30-05. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (800x607, 164 KB) Summary Picture of the Texas Cyclone going to coaster heaven 1 hour before Astroworld Closes forever on 10-30-05. ... The Texas Cyclone is a roller coaster in Six Flags Astroworld in Houston Texas, and is known for its airtime, speed, and feeling of being out of control. ... This article is about weather phenomena. ... Brewster McCloud is a 1970 movie directed by Robert Altman; it centers on a young recluse who lives in a fallout shelter of the Houston Astrodome building a pair of wings so hell be able to fly. ... Species See text Douglas-fir is the common name applied to coniferous trees of the genus Pseudotsuga in the family Pinaceae. ...

Six Flags WaterWorld was built adjacent to AstroWorld and opened in 1983. Admission to the water park was separate for almost 20 years, when in 2002 it was decided to allow admission to both parks with one paid ticket. Waterworld was a water park located in Houston, Texas. ... Year 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar). ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ...

90's - 2000's

AstroWorld was home to what once was the only pipe-line barrel roll roller coaster in North America, Ultra Twister, planned and designed with Intamin AG, the world's first river rapids ride Thunder River, and the world's first successful suspended coaster XLR-8. It was also home to Batman The Escape, once was the only stand-up roller coaster in the state of Texas. AstroWorld was also the park to debut "SWAT", the prototype S&S Power 'Sky Swatter' ride. Diablo Falls was the world's tallest spinning water ride. World map showing North America A satellite composite image of North America. ... Ultra Twister was a steel roller coaster located at the now defunct Six Flags AstroWorld. ... Expedition GeForce Intamin AG is a designing and manufacturing company in Wollerau, Switzerland. ... Piraña Efteling in the Netherlands Manufacturer: Intamin A River Rafting Ride is an amusement ride that simulates whitewater rafting. ... The XLR-8 was the worlds first successful suspended roller coaster. ... Official language(s) No Official Language See languages of Texas Capital Austin Largest city Houston Area  Ranked 2nd  - Total 261,797 sq mi (678,051 km²)  - Width 773 miles (1,244 km)  - Length 790 miles (1,270 km)  - % water 2. ... S&S Power is company known for its pneumatically powered rides. ...

Closure and demolition

Greezed Lightnin

On September 12, 2005, Six Flags announced that it would close AstroWorld at the end of the 2005 season and would sell the 109 acre park site. Six Flags cited reasons for closure as being the park's overall performance, site constraints and parking rights to Reliant Park, the Houston Texans football team, and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. ^[6] Image File history File linksMetadata GreezedLightnin. ... Image File history File linksMetadata GreezedLightnin. ... Greezed Lightnin was a steel Shuttle Looper roller coaster at Six Flags AstroWorld. ... Photograph of a sign at the entrance to the Reliant Park Complex, with Six Flags Astroworld in the background Reliant Park (formerly the Astrodomain) is a complex in Houston, Texas named after the energy company Reliant Energy. ... City Houston, Texas Team colors Deep Steel Blue, Battle Red, and Liberty White Head Coach Gary Kubiak Owner Robert C. McNair General manager Rick Smith Mascot Toro League/Conference affiliations National Football League (2002–present) American Football Conference (2002-present) AFC South (2002-present) Team history Houston Texans (2002–present... The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, also called RodeoHouston, with attendance approaching over two and a half million visitors per year, is the worlds largest livestock exhibition as well as the worlds largest rodeo event, requiring the support of sixteen thousand volunteers. ...

Angel/McIver Interests, a Conroe, Texas based land development firm, purchased the cleared tract of land. Six Flags reported the selling price of $77 million (and a demolition cost of $20 million) in a corporate earnings report. ^[7] Plans for the former site have not been determined. Local developers feel that the size and location along the 610 Loop near the Reliant Park complex and proximity to METRORail make it ideal for a dense urban type of development. Also the local MLS team Houston Dynamo is also interested in that land for a soccer specific stadium. The city of Conroe is the county seatGR6 of Montgomery County in the U.S. state of Texas within the Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown metropolitan area. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Interstate 610 is a freeway that forms a loop around the city of Houston, Texas. ... Photograph of a sign at the entrance to the Reliant Park Complex, with Six Flags Astroworld in the background Reliant Park (formerly the Astrodomain) is a complex in Houston, Texas named after the energy company Reliant Energy. ... METRORail is the light rail service in Houston, Texas, United States that started on January 1, 2004. ... ... Year founded 2005 League Major League Soccer Nickname Dynamo, Orange Crush, La Naranja, The Men in Orange, The Orange Stadium Robertson Stadium Houston, TX Coach Dominic Kinnear, 2006— Owner AEG First Game Houston Dynamo 5–2 Colorado Rapids (Robertson Stadium; April 2, 2006) Largest Win Houston Dynamo 4–0 Chivas...

Some of the park's rides and attractions were relocated to other Six Flags parks while many were scrapped or were too badly damaged during demolition to be reassembled elsewhere. Greezed Lightnin' was relocated to Joyland Amusement Park in Lubbock, Texas ^[8]. The Dentzel carousel was purchased by Brass Ring Entertainment and is being refurbished and prepared for an as-yet undisclosed museum location. Greezed Lightnin was a steel Shuttle Looper roller coaster at Six Flags AstroWorld. ... The Joyland Amusement Park is a small family owned traditional amusement park, located in Lubbock, Texas, within Lubbocks Mackenzie Park. ... Nickname: Hub City Location within the state of Texas Coordinates: County Lubbock County Government  - Mayor David Miller Area  - City 297. ...

References

See also

Houston Portal

• SplashTown Waterpark Houston
• History of Houston

Image File history File links Portal. ... SplashTown is a water park located north of Houston, Texas in the Spring CDP of Harris County, Texas. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

External links

• Six Flags AstroWorld (official)
• SixFlagsHouston.com (fan site)
• Remembering Astroworld (The Houston Chronicle)]
• The Alpine Sleighs at dafe.org
• SaveAstroworld.com (Save Astroworld Site)
• mikerobinson.net (Lots of Old Astroworld Pictures)
• Point of View Video of Texas Cyclone

• Maps and aerial photos Coordinates: 29.6755° -95.4074°
  • Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
  • Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
  • Topographic map from TopoZone
  • Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA