Six Flags Fiesta Texas
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Six Flags Fiesta Texas is a 200-acre theme park located at 29.5995, -98.6094 in northwest San Antonio, Texas near the intersection of Loop 1604 and Interstate 10. It is the 39th largest theme park in North America. [#endnote_7]
History
Development and construction
When the initial ownership group began investigating a possible major theme park development in San Antonio, Texas, they faced significant competition in the Texas market. There were similar established Six Flags parks in Dallas and Houston as well as the nearby SeaWorld of Texas, which opened in 1988. Based on the competition, the development team believed the opportunity in San Antonio (an established regional leisure destination) was there and that the stable, slow growth direction of the theme park industry in the U.S. was in their favor.The development team consisted of property owner USAA Real Estate Company, a subsidiary of the major insurance company, and Gaylord Entertainment, which owned the now closed Opryland USA theme park in Nashville, Tennessee. The original concept for Fiesta Texas was defined as "a destination market, musical show park" similar to that of Opryland USA. The primary focus on southwest music and culture rather than rides would be the unique element that would set the park apart from its competition.[#endnote_1]
Actual construction of the theme park took approximately 23 months, running from early 1990 to the park's opening in March 1992.[#endnote_1] Construction of the theme park was overseen by a joint venture of two general contractors, Lyda Inc. of San Antonio and Manhattan Construction Company of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Gaylord Entertainment managed and was a minority owner of the Fiesta Texas theme park. USAA Real Estate Company was the majority owner. Although attendance at the park met initial projections, Fiesta Texas was a money loser. After losing $16 million on the theme park in 1995, Gaylord sold its 14-percent stake back to USAA.
Change in ownership
In 1996, Time Warner took over ownership and operations of Fiesta Texas. Premier Parks, now known as Six Flags, purchased Fiesta Texas from Time Warner in 1998.[#endnote_4] Recent enchancements to Fiesta Texas include an expanded waterpark and boardwalk. On most nights the park closes with an animated laser show projected on the limestone quarry walls and fireworks.Rides & attractions
This theme park goes beyond thrill rides—it includes a water park, expanded and renovated in 2005 for the 2006 season, and music shows througout the park. Most nights conclude with a fireworks and laser show.Six Flags Fiesta Texas has six roller coasters:
- Boomerang (opened in 1999), at nearly 20 stories high, the Boomerang super coaster sends riders through loops, corkscrews, and then does it all again backwards.
- Poltergeist (also opened in 1999), state-of-the-art roller coaster that launches passengers from 0 to 60 mph in a riveting 3.5 seconds.
- The Rattler (opened in 1992), which was the world's tallest woodie when it opened.
- Rollschuhcoaster (opened in 1992)
- Roadrunner Express (opened in 1997)
- (opened in 2000), the largest steel and only floorless coaster in the Southwest.
- Scream, a 164-foot skyrocketing and ground-pounding, free-fall machine.
- The Gullywasher, a whirling river-rapids type ride.
- The Joker's Revenge (opened in 1996, closed in 2002, relocated to Six Flags New Orleans in 2003)
Nearby attractions
Six Flags Fiesta Texas is the major entertainmant component of USAA's La Cantera, a 1,600-acre (6.5 km²) master-planned development in northwest San Antonio. Six Flags Fiesta Texas is located in a former rock quarry in an area known as "La Cantera" — which means rock quarry in Spanish. The western area of the site is the resort zone, dominated by two championship golf courses, a Westin La Cantera resort hotel and other resort amenities.[#endnote_1] On the southern part of the site, there are a number of commercial and residential projects, including The Shops at La Cantera, a major regional shopping center and an entertainment complex that opened in September 2005.References
- ↑ [Theme park development case study]
- ↑ [Nashville City Paper article]
- ↑ [Thomas Enterprises]
- ↑ [Fiesta Texas history]
- ↑ [Amusement Today's 2005 Golden Ticket awards] (PDF) and [Golden Ticket award]
- ↑ [Six Flags Fiesta Texas unofficial website]
- ↑ http://library.corporate-ir.net/library/61/616/61629/items/163033/2004%20Annual%20Report.pdf (PDF) does not include revised stats since Hurricane Katrina closed Six Flags New Orleans; or the closing of Six Flags Astroworld in 2005.
External links
- [Six Flags Fiesta Texas website]
- [Six Flags Fiesta Texas Online (Unofficial Website)]
- [Lone Star Thrills]
- [Westin La Cantera]
- [The Shops at La Cantera]
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