Six Flags Over Texas Decade in Review | 1980 - 1989

[@bryangraham1971]

Worked in Boomtown 1987. Six Flags was a major concert venue then. Saw Beach Boys, Duran Duran, Thompson Twins. Spinnaker was my fav ride.

[@bigroy38]

Best time to be in junior high & high school:the’80’s.Remember hearing about the Von Erich’s making an appearance there,& it got so crowded,the fire marshall shut the park down.

[@warrenwatkins9650]

At 16:16 the man working on the carousel horse is John Gavia. He's head of the Art & Sign shop at this time. He's used to drive the Mexican train and worked at Six Flags since it first opened. He's gone now, but he was an incredible artist and so were all the sign painters.

[@xtremejay2000]

It is amazing how people's memories are different without the internet. The shock wave is OLDER than Judge Roy Scream?? I am 40 (same as the Judge apparently) my mom would tell me stories of going to SFOT as a teen and riding Judge Roy. She remembers riding it. Must be that whole Mandela Effect thing. Was there a different wooden coaster pre 80's? Guess I will have to check out the 70's decade video when it drops. Also I am so glad you found a clip of the gorilla on the Oil Derreck. I remember seeing "King Kong" climbing it when I was very little when we would drive past six flags but no one else knew what I was talking about. I hadn't thought about that memory until your tiny bit about it. I have lived in DFW my whole life. Thank you for making these retrospectives, doing all this research and tracking down footage.

[@tismejaytee]

And somehow Shock Wave still provides a better ride than JRS

[@xtremejay2000]

@@tismejaytee It is such a good ride. Every year I worry it will be the last.

[@AmusementSource]

Schwarzkopf was very ahead of his time. Hope we never lose that coaster!

[@bransrubar]

I was surprised as well to learn Shockwave is the older coaster. I like Shockwave a lot

[@narosser]

In August of 82, I took my new girlfriend (and now wife of almost 40 years) to Six Flags - we drove down from Oklahoma and stayed at my aunt’ s house in Bedford. We had an AWESOME time and I like to think that trip to Six Flags was the beginning of our great life together, with three grown kids, three (as of now) grandkids and wonderful memories. To me we owe it all to Six Flags!! Hahah

[@texasfrog17]

Agree about the mistake of going in the direction of licensed characters/naming/theming. Just robs the park of any actual "character". Started with the Looney Tunes stuff, and just got worse with all the DC Comics schlock.

[@ChristianHansard]

These are my fond memories years. I hated when they took out the Rotodisco. And in those days the Cave was still the Cave. I remember when the Avalanche Bobsled and Flashback were new and the lines were ridiculously long at least for the Bobsled you didn't have to wait on one train. (still bitter about that Rotodisco)

[@highjinx6519]

The lines were still ridiculously long for the boblsled in the 90’s if I recall. Sometimes up to 2 hours or more. And in the Texas heat. The things we do for a few min long adrenaline rush 😆

[@WhiteTrashGOD]

Man this video made me feel like a wide-eyed 7-year old again. So many memories!

[@coolmovieman1]

lots of rides closed in the 80's The two I miss the most are Roto Disco and Spindel Top. I understand you have to keep moving forward. Some new rides that decade I still ride today Judge Roy Scream and Conquistador. Enjoying all your Documentaries on park history thank you

[@highjinx6519]

Came to this video to see if he missed the spindletop or not. Couldn’t remember if it was there til the late 80’s or early 90’s. One of my favorites, the gravitron fair rides remind me a lot of it.

[@thomasnew8606]

@Mitchell Waldrep It s great now. Staff is normal for these times but the rides are much better. I am 40 now so went a lot in the 80s and 90s

[@wednesday181]

Rotodisco was awesome as a kid, but Spindletop SCARED THE TAR OUT OF ME. Nobody that spoke directly to young child me beforehand explained that the floor would fall away!

[@bransrubar]

I am learning so much! I never imagined Six Flags used to be so different. A Pac Man area?! I never would have guessed. Makes me want a time machine lol

[@LadyBean1201]

80s and 90s were the best for me as a kid. I worked there for a summer and loved every minute of it. Best summer job I ever had ! I miss it looking more authentic. Too modern for me.

[@chelleglenney156]

When I was 13 in 1985 and had a season pass. We would hang out in the arcades more than ride rides, looking for boys of course. lol We watched the Southern Palace Show over & over each Saturday. It was called "Celebrate America" and went through all of ou holidays. I had the biggest crush on a male dancer, Jackie Sally and he was so kind to me with my little girl crush with him. I've been on the lookout for him or any of the other daners and would love to see a video o the show if anyone has it.

[@GavinsMarineMom]

In the 80's my sister and I rode the Cliffhanger when it malfunctioned and got stuck at the very top. We were stuck up there for quite some time while mechanics worked on it. At one point, we were told we might have to climb down the attached ladder outside the cabin to exit. Thank GOD they were able to get it working and we didn't have to do that 😊

[@Clinton3011]

Thank you for including the entertainment! It used to be such as big part of Six Flags parks.

[@wednesday181]

Mid-'80s through mid-'90s SFoT was my summer oasis as a child, my theme park, my roller coaster and thrill ride mecca. I miss so much about how it was back then (riding the Spinnaker a ridiculous number of times, the Spee-Lunkers in The Cave with the old school **actually scary** thunderstorm tunnel near the end of the ride, knowing that you had a 3-second count once the carriage at the top of the Cliffhanger clanged into place before you hit freefall and did the floating penny trick), and I hope they don't take the Shockwave out until after my own kid is old enough to have it be her first looping roller coaster too.

[@yugbe]

These were golden years for many at Six flags, with many shows and attractions gone. I went to most of the parks areas, but never rode spindletop. (Passed it every time)

[@okmrocksU]

I went there in the mid 80's as an adult, and it was the most miserable time I ever had a an amusement park. The lines for the rides, were so long that it took over and hour in line, to get on to each ride. It had turned from a theme park, into a commercial sales floor for gimmick items and souvenirs, with a few rides. It destroyed my fond childhood memories of attending in the mid 60's and I have never been back since and never will go back.

[@warrenwatkins9650]

Summers were always crowded at the park. Only go in Spring/ early Summer or Fall were the best times to go.

[@JBThrills]

I wish they kept good Times Square a 50s themed area because that would’ve been way better then Gotham city

[@GavinsMarineMom]

Argyle the Snake was HYSTERICAL! He was reptilian Don Rickles!😂😂

[@Phredd2k1]

Absolutely fascinating documentary. Good work!

[@Scottyboytx]

This is wild. SFOT was my first job. I started in the 85 season. I worked for most of my time at Gold Miners Diner. We never sold pizza while I was there. The Nachos Grande were fantastic! I worked as part of the Ice Cream Carts team selling Pink Things and Blue Things. I was assistant manager of both at one time where I made $4.35 an hour which was a raise from $3.75 per hour. This was a cool trip down memory lane. I remember full seasons that the Cliffhanger never opened. It was a mechanical nightmare.

[@worldtraveler930]

My Favorite place to be was at the Very bottom of the Texas Cliff Hanger when it rited itself and headed back those were the days of Tube Tops you could Imagine the Entertainment that was to be had at the bottom of that ride!!! 😳🥰👍

[@brendarico715]

So glad my kids grew up in this era😊❤❤❤❤

[@bigbangbop]

At the 10:45 mark, that's my sister and me on the rugged buggies ride. I posted that picture in the Facebook Six Flags group years ago, that must be where it came from.

[@EdwardNY8]

What a great video and brought back some awesome memories. Funny how in the 80/90s I could ride them all multiple times and run back in line. Now if I ride one I feel dizzy or not so excited as before 🤣

[@Joypyf]

Judge Roy Scream and La Víbora are underrated!! 💯

[@korwynias_yt]

14:26 I've been looking for any images or footage of the mine train mountain and couldn't find any. Awesome.

[@carollewis3912]

I went to Six Flags for senior night when I graduated high school in 1980. The park was open at night.

[@frednich9603]

Wow, you actually gave me credit for the marching band footage and the Commercial. That's rare in youtube land. Sorry the quality was so crappy.

[@swayzay6361]

Six flags over TX is way different I think I'd like the old days better but at the same time the rides now are way smoother

[@coastercrazy5878]

It has changed almost completely!!

[@tyler1783]

I’m going to this park in 2 Saturday’s, can it be done in 6 hours with no fast past? I wanna show up at open & hit vibora, NTG, titan & runaway mountain. Will freeze line be too long? Thanks

[@highjinx6519]

Freeze wasn’t bad the last several times I went a few summers ago because of the new riddler & Harley Quinn rides so hopefully it won’t be bad. It’s worth it though. I love the Riddler but Mr. Freeze may be my all time favorite.

[@highjinx6519]

And the 6 hour thing depends on how crowded it is. If you can get there earlier or stay later I would. We used to get there when they opened and ride til they kicked us out. My mom was the shit lol.

[@seanjis007]

I saw the band "Chicago" during the 80s. Grew here in the 80s

[@whyitmatterstome]

Anyone remember the smell of gasoline and tar at SF? Loved that smell!

[@joefw2446]

Yes around the Runaway Mine Train!

[@warrenwatkins9650]

That smell was Jenite. It's a product used for sealing and resurfacing the asphalt. Every year they would resurface all the asphalt in the park. I like the smell too.

[@whyitmatterstome]

@@warrenwatkins9650 Interesting. I always imagined it was the railroad tracks they used for some of the fencing, etc. but this makes more sense.

[@paulharris1354]

Does anyone remember the soundtrack that used to play on the outdoor speakers as you walked around the park in the early 80’s? I think it was chuck mangione, but not positive. I can still hear the music in my head but haven’t been able to find the song anywhere else.

[@jamestrimm5905]

1983 Good Time Theater was Broadway Follies puppet show by day and Spirit of the Olympics by night.

[@trumpsmessage7777]

Never got to ride the Cliffhanger. Stood in line twice and both times there were mechanical issues.

[@lesterine77]

I don't know why they closed that ride. It was great.

[@brendarico715]

Over crowds to see famous people it got crazy😊❤scary being separated from friends and family because of crowd control. Pushing shuffing and getting trampled is not fun. Flash floods are scary too. No rain checks😢

[@americanshaman9649]

Great video, thank you for this

[@UncleBuckRodgers]

when did they put the Spinager ride in behind roaring rapids, and in front of the chicken place. That was my favorite ride

[@AmusementSource]

Spinnaker lasted from 77 to 95.

[@brendarico715]

Its Sad😢people got hurt rides had to be replaced. My heart hurts for those injured and family lost😢 Still happening 40 yrs later

[@SuperMarbles13]

I was Baby New Year (Porky) in the 1st holiday revue. My dear friend Joey Funke was Argyle 😻

[@kenpalmer985]

This is so much like sf over ga. Great vid

[@missytucker5202]

Why did they remove the Spider Ride /I loved that ...

[@smar1968]

I worked PacManLand in summer '84, soooo hot and I still remember the sound track that played over and over....

[@bigroy38]

Does anyone have vids/documentaries on Seven Seas?

[@phoenxix-gaming]

It's sad the fact that these rides and attractions are gone and does anyone else feel like the park feels kind of small now

[@phoenxix-gaming]

southern palace is mainly is used as a weather shelter

[@phoenxix-gaming]

it feels like six flags lost its life

[@butterpecanbrielle]

Love this!

[@sodithegorilla8124]

I always get confused with JRS (Judge Roy Scream? Some people say it’s top speed is 53, some say it’s 45... I no get it...

[@mandatoe]

Wasn't Argyle the Snake an insult comic? (Or was he just particularly mean to me one day during audience participation?)

[@warrenwatkins9650]

Jeff Dunham used to work there but he wasn't Argyle the Snake. So did Kelly Clarkson, now look where she is today.

[@TexansForChrist]

Would love to see a copy of the Chevy Show somehow

[@brendarico715]

Having the time of my life❤❤❤❤❤

[@carlschindewolf5322]

If you had to bring back one ride that you never got to experience either because you were not tall enough, we're not born or just scared which would it be. For me big bend.

[@AmusementSource]

Big Bend for sure.

[@MauveCerise]

@@AmusementSource yes big bend it looks so fun

[@jcraigshelton]

I think that the pickup of the last track of Happy Motoring was a harbinger of things to come. Died a little when they took it. Died a lot when they destryed my beloved The Cave by kidnapping our Speelunkers in the dead of night, only to replace them with campy cartoon characters. Then some years ago, they got rid of the six flags, replacing them with American flags. Insult to the Republic of Texas. I guess I am just glad they haven’t been replaced with pride flags at this point.

[@cbjueueiwyru7472]

Judge Roy back wrecker

[@brendarico715]

Pacman fever😊

[@mikes.-zs3yl]

Love these videos, but they get bogged down with reports of every single eatery moving or being renamed.

[@diamondjplayer5599]

my left ear

[@swayzay6361]

What

[@jasonm07]

First