Full History of Tales of the Okefenokee & Monster Mansion (Six Flags Over Georgia)

This is the story of Tales of the Okefenokee, Monster Plantation, and Monster Mansion at Six Flags Over Georgia in Atlanta.
📚 ARTICLE VERSIONS:
Tales of the Okefenokee: storybookamusement.com/histor...
Monster Mansion: storybookamusement.com/histor...
📚 SPECIAL THANKS
Contributors, Historians, and Archivists:
Dick Hamilton
Bob Ryals
Reed Randolph
Tim Hollis
Dan Alexander
Skip Elsheimer
Tim Campbell
Okee68
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📚 LOGO BY NOOSH! STUDIOS
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📚 VIDEOS USED
Six Flags Over Texas
• Six Flags Over Texas ... (Six Flags History)
Tales of the Okefenokee/Vintage Six Flags
/ @okee6858 (Okee68)
• Six Flags Over Georgia... (Six Flags History)
• Six Flags Over Georgia... (Six Flags History)
• Six Flags Over Texas i... (Six Flags History)
• 6 Flags Over Georgia T... (J S)
• Early Six Flags over G... (Reed Randolph)
• Video (Dangerzone334)
Monster Plantation
• Original Monster Plant... (Hawg Gnarly)
• Monster Plantation - S... (Loopguy)
• Monster Plantation (Si... (Lunar Delta)
• Six Flags Over Georgia... (Rebecca0)
Six Flags Over Texas
• 1987 Six Flags Over Te... (DarylDallas)
• pov yosemite sam & the... (Menachem Piekarski)
Six Flags St. Louis
• Scooby-Doo and the Mys... (Sally Dark Rides)
Modern Six Flags Over Georgia
• Goliath Off-Ride Foota... (Canobie Coaster)
• Superman Ultimate Flig... (Canobie Coaster)
• Monster Mansion POV, S... (Canobie Coaster)
• LOOK! MonStore and Mon... (Cheaptoyman)
Splash Mountain
• Splash Mountain Magic ... (Dennis Smith)
📚 SOURCES
Tales of the Okefenokee
www.dafe.org/articles/darkrid...
/ @okee6858
Land Purchase
www.newspapers.com/image/3985...
Phil Mendez Interview
www.newspapers.com/image/8547...
Making of Monster Plantation/Mansion
www.newspapers.com/image/3993...
danalexanderdizmentia.blogspot...
www.parkworld-online.com/mons...
www.newspapers.com/image/4226...
Dick Hamilton Interview
• Bonus Content: Intervi...
DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide, I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you! Thank you for supporting the content on this channel!
#SixFlags #ThemePark #Atlanta

[@adventurepark9416]

Today, November 26, 2023, Marty Krofft Passed Away. He will alway be remembered for his tv shows, and for the theme park community, the rides he designed.

[@StorybookAmusement]

Thank you for sharing that here. RIP to a creative soul.

[@user-bn6jd8tc3z]

I thought of something. I'm planning on a Disney Park, so I thought I'd bring Tales of the Okefenokee in it. Imagine a revamped Splash Mountian.

[@worldofhorrorcrave8368]

I actually vividly remember riding this as a child and teen when it was Monster Plantation and it was definitely a favorite as a kid! Thanks for bringing back those fond memories and enlightening me on its history! I am sincerely happy that they've updated it, correctly removing the outdated elements, and refurbishing it for a new generation! I'm excited to ride it again someday soon!

[@StorybookAmusement]

Thanks for watching! The park actually gave the ride a facelift since I posted this video, so it's looking as crisp as ever these days. I hope you get to experience it again soon!

[@TheCarpetbagger]

Amazing video! Thank you for this excellent documentation

[@StorybookAmusement]

Thank you kindly!

[@rjrball1227]

Yo wassup carpetbagger I heard we found some documents we found on interspecies relationship 2 months ago

[@trulyiuliano166]

10/10 I’m surprised a video this well done isn’t getting the attraction it deserves

[@StorybookAmusement]

Thank you!

[@venturereclipse6833]

I was actually at the park yesterday! MM has fallen into some disrepair, which makes me very sad. It had a minor refurbishment earlier this year, but it could do with a major update. I’d love to see the ride brought back to its former glory.

[@StorybookAmusement]

The park announced they're making updates to the ride throughout the season. The new scene 1 was just the beginning, apparently. I've been on it a few times this season and think it's in overall better condition than last year. But the music is waaaay too quiet now, and the new scene 1 is...questionable. I hope they keep the ride's personality with the upcoming updates.

[@ClothoidLooper]

Excellent work! Thanks for telling the story of this treasured dark ride! It's truly a miracle that this ride still stands today among a chain of parks fully focused on thrills and practically no theming or immersion. Monster Mansion is such a special ride for me as I've ridden it hundreds of times over many years of being a Six Flags Over Georgia local. The attraction is the heart and soul of that park, and people still fill the queue to ride it today. I really hope Six Flags understands how important the ride is to the park and keeps it around for many years to come.

[@StorybookAmusement]

Thank you! Ah, it's really such a special ride. They take pretty good care of it, so I'm pretty confident they'll protect it for a while. A lot of regional parks would be lucky to have a ride as good as this one. Really glad you enjoyed and have a connection to the Mansion too!

[@jreed2688]

Monster Mansion scared the shit out of me as a kid and everyone I know refuses to believe it’s horrific

[@StorybookAmusement]

I refuse too 😅 but I'm sorry it caused so much trauma!

[@cameronblevins708]

I'm a big fan of animatronics of any kind and sixflags over Georgia is my local park, that's the first ride I go on every time I visit and I go on there again before leaving the park ,the artistic quality of Animatronics have definitely improved over time

[@StorybookAmusement]

It's a must! Glad to hear you appreciate it so much.

[@RFO1502]

that’s so cool! just a side note, the characters in the okefenokee where not animatronics! they were figures with short animated movement loops, usually in the arms and legs! animatronics usually has full body movements. but it’s so cool ghat you got to experience it!!!

[@dougyeager6812]

As a former Disney Cast Member; I laughed every time I see former Disney Imagineers taking trade secrets to other companies. Early concept for Haunted Mansion was a boat ride 😂

[@KnottsBear-yTalesPreserved]

How funny that I am watching this as I am working on a Kooky Trails character inspired by the Okefenokee...

[@StorybookAmusement]

👀 I can't wait to see how it turns out

[@funnyfroge]

thanks for this video! i was so excited to see so much footage of both rides. i rode the monster mansion ride for the first time in 2009, although i saw signs in 2008 that said something about it updating. (i don’t remember very well as i was fairly young) but i made my mom promise to take me back the next year when it was open. it was definitely my favorite ride then and still is today!

[@StorybookAmusement]

Oh I love that story! You have good taste!

[@ChuckE.CheesesIllinois]

I honestly want them to bring back Tales of the Okeefenokee

[@StorybookAmusement]

It would be great to at least see a tribute. Another commenter suggested they bring back the theme and characters for a kids' show, which is a nice way to hang onto Monster Mansion too.

[@GorgeousFaustina]

@@StorybookAmusement reminds meof another defunt ride from disney, you guessed it?

[@sharonyyoung-rt7tk]

You've got to be kidding!

[@Crysisplaya]

Monster Plantation/Mansion was a far better update

[@SesamemeFrog429]

It does actually look like a lot of fun

[@AdventuresWithParker]

The history of this ride has always fascinated me, so THANK YOU for creating this! It makes me so happy that Six Flags has decided to keep and maintain classic dark ride for all of these years instead of axing it somewhere along the line. Can’t wait to ride it myself one day!

[@StorybookAmusement]

Why thank you! I really appreciate you for checking it out. Maybe we can hop on it together when that day comes. 👀

[@Talesoftheokefenokeefan09]

On Friday the 13 of October this year, I was still visiting Georgia and on the second-to last day of my visit, I went to Six Flags Over Georgia and got to ride Monster Mansion, 2 Times!!! The ride has a really fantasy, nostalgic charm that makes people like me happy, the characters (Like Mizzy Scarlett, Marshall BillyBob Fritter, Busby, Papa Razzi, etc.), the ride has amazing amatronics, set pieces and murals, a fun, catchy soundtrack that you will never ever forget and more!!!This is an awesome ride and one of the best dark rides ever, and a must do whenever you go to Six Flags Over Georgia, even if you can do a few or one ride. Tales Of The Okefenokee on the other hand, is a great ride with fun characters that are reminiscent of Song Of The South and Splash Mountain! The animatronics are good, although they where designed be the legendary Sid and Marty Krofft, they not as great as the ones designed by Gary Goddard and his productions for Monster Mansion/Monster Plantation, but overall these two attractions are very clever and very fun rides and the building itself, from having the Okefenokee Swamp, to a plantation, to a mansion, this building over the years has been home to awesome attractions! P.S. STAY OUT OF THE MARSH!!!!!

[@darkridearts]

This is wonderfully done

[@StorybookAmusement]

Thank you kindly!

[@mojoproductions6799]

This is incredible, I’ve loved Monster Plantation since I was a kid. It’s great to see the history of it laid out so well! Bravo sir!

[@StorybookAmusement]

Well that's too kind! It's nice to hear from a fellow Monster enjoyer. 😄

[@FrederickMilkonson9]

Wow, I just got back in to the okeefenokee, thank you!

[@StorybookAmusement]

Nice! Enjoy! And thanks for watching. 😊

[@RankingTheMouse]

Storybook, this was seriously incredible. The research that had to go into this production does not go unnoticed. I knew a fair amount about Tales of Okefenokee but learning so much about Monster Mansion feels so untouched on KZbin. Fantastic, fantastic stuff.

[@StorybookAmusement]

I can't express how much this means! I really appreciate your words and appreciate you for dropping in. 😊

[@robmccullough8939]

Hey there - great job showing the history of a building and the shows that inhabited it for so many years. I also appreciate the photo credit during the video. I would like to point out a misspelling and mispronounation of a very important person in Six Flags over Georgia history. You referenced former park President Spurgeon Richardson as Surgeon Richardson. I worked with and knew Spurgeon and I know he was used to his name being mispronounced, but I wanted to be sure to leave a comment including it spelled correctly. He was a major figure not only within the Six Flags company, but Atlanta tourism as well. He served as the head of the Atlanta Visitors and Convention Bureau. More importantly, he was a hell of a nice man. All that aside - wonderful work. Thanks.

[@StorybookAmusement]

Hi. Thank you so much for your comment and input. I'm a bit embarrassed that typo slipped into the video, but I've updated the article version. Thanks for catching it. I suppose with 8,000 words and an hour's worth of content, something was sure to get by me! Thank you for honoring him here as well.

[@RhysMoritz]

This is my home park and I’ve been riding Monster Mansion since 2012. It’s truly amazing and has been maintained fairly well over the years. Thank you for such an informative video to commemorate the ride that has stood the test of time.

[@StorybookAmusement]

That’s amazing. Thanks for sharing, and I’m glad you enjoyed. Have a happy new year!

[@JeffGavinMusic]

I love Six Flags over GA. Such good memories there.

[@StorybookAmusement]

That's amazing. Thanks for watching!

[@MinnoMinori]

Got to ride Phantom Theater the last year it existed at Kings Island -- I had never been to a Disney park in the states for reference/likeness to HM. I can't explain how amazing it was to see the Pepper's Ghost of the theater hall with all the characters putting on their act after meeting them and watching them warm up...

[@StorybookAmusement]

You always have the best anecdotes about lost Kings Island! Phantom Theater seemed like a great dark ride for what it was. I'm sad I missed the tribute show this year.

[@rochellestanley9532]

I rode that boat ride many times in 70’s, great memories 😎

[@StorybookAmusement]

Ahh I wish I had the chance to experience Okee. I'm sure you have great memories there!

[@rochellestanley9532]

@@StorybookAmusement It was magical 🧙‍♂️ at that age 🔮

[@aromncoronado2005]

I wonder whatever became of the animatronics (or animated figures) of the first iteration

[@StorybookAmusement]

I would assume they were used for spare parts on Speelunker’s Cave or the boat ride in St. Louis. I’m curious too though!

[@WAFFLEBOYPHD]

I’m 22 and I have lived in Georgia my whole life. I remember it being both monster plantation and monster mansion. This ride is part of my childhood and one day when I have kids I wanna bring my children to this ride.

[@StorybookAmusement]

I love that! I hope you get to experience it with your kids someday. 😊

[@hidebehindstudios]

I absolutely love this! I grew up going to Six Flags Over Georgia, and the Monster Mansion was my favorite ride there. It’s really interesting to see the history behind it, and to understand a little more about the layout of the old Okefenokee ride, something I’ve always been curious about since I’d first heard about the Monster Mansion. This legitimately brought back so many nostalgic memories. Thanks so much for making this video!

[@StorybookAmusement]

Ah, that's great to hear! I really appreciate your comment. 😊

[@sophiehanssel2017]

Those bunnies might look creepy but they're some of the friendliest bunnies I know!🐰

[@StorybookAmusement]

They're incredibly lovable! Thanks for watching. 😊

[@sophiehanssel2017]

@@StorybookAmusement You're welcome

[@JBearwa]

Great documentation and presentation. Thank you for all your hard work on this.

[@StorybookAmusement]

I appreciate that!

[@cupajoe99]

very well put together!

[@StorybookAmusement]

Thank you!

[@buckeyeguy82]

I never been to Six Flags in Georgia or Texas, but I love history of theme parks. Thanks for making this video, I enjoyed learning about the history of this ride.

[@StorybookAmusement]

Thanks so much for checking it out. I appreciate it.

[@reed14567]

Fantastic!!!

[@StorybookAmusement]

Thank you once again! For everything!

[@carterdunlap9957]

Maybe they could bring this back somehow while keeping Monster Mansion. This is my idea It goes in the amphitheater where Bullfrog Bayou used to be. It is called Mr Fox and Mr Bear’s Okefenokee Adventure! The facade is a giant cypress tree with a waterfall flowing down the center. It follows an original story with Mr Fox and Mr Bear as the main characters with new music that would fit in with the original soundtrack. Guests get in line and load in a forested setting with vine covered columns. The story is that Mr Fox and Mr Bear are trying to catch fish, so, they buy a trap for catching fish. They test it on animals in their cave and it works. Mr Fox and Mr Bear go out into the swamp as a storm rolls in. An alligator attacks the duo and they defeat the alligator! Then, Mr Fox and Mr Bear enter a patch of singing crops where melons and carrots sing a song about fishing. Finally, Mr Fox and Mr Bear catch fish ant the original fishing hole and guests descend by a large drop into the Okefenokee Swamp, depicted with realistic gators, herons, reeds, and cypress trees! Guests get off the boat in the swamp and exit through a cave.

[@StorybookAmusement]

That's a great idea! I'd like to see them honor some of the park's history in a tasteful way like that while entertaining a new generation of kids. FYI, I regretfully didn't make it clear in my Bullfrog Bayou video, but that amphitheater location was just a theory of mine. I haven't seen confirmation that the show was located in that venue. Don't take that as gospel! Thanks for watching and sharing your ideas. 😊

[@misterrogersjrsneighborhood]

6:45 😆🤣😂

[@AndrewB..]

How do you have so few subscribers?? This is an amazing channel! I'm sure you'll get more soon

[@StorybookAmusement]

Well that's too kind! Thanks for your comment. 😊

[@PasqAnimatronics]

Great video!

[@StorybookAmusement]

Thank you!

[@CosmicCraw7]

Really great video!

[@StorybookAmusement]

Thanks so much!

[@belloq81]

Excellent video on a subject I was unfamiliar with!

[@StorybookAmusement]

Glad you enjoyed! Thanks for checking it out.

[@mellow9827]

Amazing work making of this documentary. If possible, can you make one for the horror cave at six flags over Georgia?

[@StorybookAmusement]

Thank you! That's a great suggestion, but I'm not sure if I'll ever cover it due to the lack of info and media of it. I'll definitely look into it.

[@sonic23233]

My parents made me go on Monster Plantation. I was only maybe 4 or 5 at the time

[@StorybookAmusement]

A core memory

[@doctorteeth8895]

Great Work! Have you thought about doing a video on Voyage To The Moon at Story Land?

[@StorybookAmusement]

Wow, it’s Doctor Teeth! Huge fan of your music. But thank you! I will have to add that to my list. Thanks for the idea. 😁

[@ParallelDiscover]

Finished watching. Great as always. Weird that it had a happy ending. What's next?

[@StorybookAmusement]

Thanks! Hmm, back to the drawing board.

[@StorybookAmusement]

Thank you all so much for watching! What’s your favorite moment from Tales of the Okefenokee or Monster Mansion?

[@Talesoftheokefenokeefan09]

Every scene from both of those rides are awesome!!!

[@StorybookAmusement]

@@Talesoftheokefenokeefan09 Absolutely! Especially those dark sections in the middle 😳

[@Talesoftheokefenokeefan09]

@@StorybookAmusement The Arsenal Cave, The Marsh, The “BEWARE! BEWARE! GO BACK! GO BACK!” Scene, The Storm, The Drunk Monsters scene, The “STAY OUT OF THE MARSH!” Scene, The Crow Quartet’s Warning, Mr. Fox and Mr. Bear capturing Mr. Rabbit, The “SAVE THE RABBIT!!!” Scene, The Boat Eater scene, and the ghost scene are pretty dark and spooky scenes!!!

[@kenpalmer985]

Both great sf ga. Rides

[@StorybookAmusement]

You're right about that!

[@BSmith8181]

My only dislike with the mansion update, they should have kept the original voices for Mizzy and the Sheriff, and kept the grungy, run-down look the plantation version had

[@StorybookAmusement]

Are you talking about this past year's renovation? Yeah, the antebellum look is definitely missing. I'm glad the ride got some TLC though.

[@BSmith8181]

@@StorybookAmusement basically the 2008 update when they went from plantation to mansion

[@CarterCopeland-wg8gn]

I know they brought back the spelunker cave but can they bring back tales of the okefenokee?

[@StorybookAmusement]

It'd probably be tough to pull off with the source material, but I love that they still honor the attraction.

[@chipmiller4350]

They should bring the ride back.

[@StorybookAmusement]

But not in place of Monster Mansion please!

[@97dc]

STAY OUT OF THE MARSH

[@StorybookAmusement]

😈

[@rjrball1227]

Hey guys should I send my nemesis into the Marsh y'all

[@user-nl2yg3gm4z]

What happend to the cherry berries they went to funnel cakes everyone 😢😢😢

[@user-nl2yg3gm4z]

What happened to the Dolphins did they they go on strike or just swim to SeaWorld for better guest crowds😢😢😢

[@derfwolrah7583]

I love dark rides but that sucks!

[@StorybookAmusement]

Monster Mansion? 😭 Nooo it’s a masterpiece

[@Talesoftheokefenokeefan09]

What ride do you mean?????

[@ParallelDiscover]

First, yo

[@StorybookAmusement]

Welcome, neighbor, welcome

[@rocketrodlover]

Now that Disney is being stupid and getting rid of splash Mountain and destroying the Okefenokee story it would be a most perfect time for SixFlags to bring back tales of the Okefenokee with a lot of finesse and charm.

[@StorybookAmusement]

And get rid of Monster Mansion? 🥺 Some good things are best left in the past. It may be a good thing to move on from Splash and theme park renditions of these historic stories.

[@RolfeafireExplosion]

@@StorybookAmusement Well, I have a different proposal. Design a new ride based on the Mr. Fox, Bear, And rabbit characters. Don’t get rid of monster mansion, of course not, it’s too beloved. And may base the new ride on its own story, not one from the Joel chandler Harris books, but something completely original.

[@StorybookAmusement]

@@RolfeafireExplosion I would be happy to see that!

[@RolfeafireExplosion]

With the return of the speelunkers, it’s not completely out of the question

[@sophiehanssel2017]

Well why can't they make replicas of the animatronics and put them in a museum?

[@inlinechris]

Nice video dude

[@StorybookAmusement]

Thank you!