Six Flags Entertainment Corporation
Six Flags has been around for over 50 years. Founded in 1961, the name comes from the six countries that have reigned over texas. The first park opened in the same year. Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington, a suburb of Dallas celebrates Texan History with the thrills of rollercoasters and other innovative rides. Innovations and firsts include, First Pay one Price Admission, First Theme Parks to include Broadway Style Shows, The First Intamin Ride "Jet Set," First Log Flume "El Aserradro," First Mine Train Rollercoaster properly named "Runaway Mine Train," and First Freefall ride "Texas Cliffhanger." Before Amusement Parks were ran more like a modern day carnival with a little bit more class, patrons would pay per ride or per group of rides and general admission was free. The next parks to open would be Six Flags Over Georgia (1967) and Six Flags Mid-Over America (1971, renamed Six Flags St. Louis in 1996) Those are the only parks to have been built by Six Flags Entertainment Corperation. All other parks have been acquired and purchased, bought out from other companies. Most famously, these parks include Great America, Magic Mountain, and Fiesta Texas. Currently, Six Flags has 13 parks in 3 countries, and are expanding once again overseas, into Asia. Six Flags used to have more parks but were closed during the companies bankruptcy in 2008. Most famously, these parks would include Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom, American Adventures, and several parks in Europe that have been sold to Walibi. Since, Six Flags has bounced back and continues to add new attractions to all of their parks annually. These include RMC Iron Horse Treatments to classic wooden rollercoasters, including Texas Giant, and Colossus. Water Park Expansions have been added to dry parks, and New Dark Rides have opened.