SIX FLAGS OVER GEORGIA theme park has come a long way since it opened its gates in 1967. Yet its formula for summertime fun remains the same. The park packages its collection of roller coasters (10 in all) and other gasp-inspiring thrill rides with family-friendly fare.
Sure, you can just show up, buy a ticket and explore the park with carefree abandon. But getting the most out of Six Flags requires a bit of planning. Try these tips for maximum smiles, shrieks and giggles.
BEAT THE CROWDS: The middle of the week is typically less crowded, so beat the long lines by visiting on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Or try arriving in the middle of the day when early birds are preparing to leave.
Out of vacation days? Save up some scratch and spring for the Flash Pass ($29), the park's electronic reservation system. A pager-sized device displays the wait times for the most popular attractions and allows visitors to make one ride reservation at a time. Pass holders enter through a special Flash Pass entrance. The Gold Flash Pass ($59) allows a shorter wait time of up to 75 percent.
WHICH RIDES ARE OPEN? Like anything mechanical, sometimes some Six Flags attractions are closed on particular days for repair or refurbishment. Before heading to the park, call and see if your must-see attractions will be open that day. Dial 770-739-3400 and press 0 for the operator.
RAIN, RAIN GO AWAY: Don't let summer showers dampen your day at the park. Some rides such as Shake, Rattle & Roll keep rolling during light rain, but it all depends on the severity of the weather. If lightning is in the area, all rides go down temporarily. Once storm cells have bid adieu, rides usually reopen within 30 minutes. Since some folks skip Six Flags on bad weather days, we suggest sucking it up, grabbing a cheap poncho and taking advantage of smaller crowds.
SHOW ME THE SHOWS: Looking for a break from the heat and queue lines? The park has seven shows, from goofy Western gunfights to kiddie story time. "The Looney Tunes Talent Show" and "Back to the Beach" draw the biggest audiences. The former, located in the Bugs Bunny World Theater, is a Looney Tunes-style send-up of "American Idol" starring Bugs Bunny and company. Check out the French Section's Beach Cove Theater for "Back to the Beach," a 15-minute ode to the season featuring upbeat summer tunes such as "Car Wash." Show times vary, so pick up an entertainment schedule at the park's front entrance.
PARK-ROCKING BEATS: Live music, free with park admission, takes place all summer long. The Live & Local series spotlights local and regional bands on select Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Sept. 21 (check Web site for schedule). These shows are located outside the Axis Arena in the park's Gotham City section. The Thursday Night Concert Series wraps up with pop rocker Gavin DeGraw on July 31. Other acts set to play include Boys Like Girls (July 27), Raven-Symone (Aug. 3) and a Christian rock festival starring Pillar (Aug. 9). These shows take place in the Southern Star Amphitheater next to Skull Island. Concert seating is first-come, first-served.
MEAL TIME: Six Flags has food, snacks and drinks at every turn. For meals, the cafeteria-style Chinese grub at Panda Express and the classic diner scene of Johnny Rockets are both usually good bets. Average adult-size meal runs $7-$10, excluding drinks. The park's Meal Deal program allows guests to buy vouchers for select meals, including an entree, side and a drink, at a lower price. Vouchers are available for purchase at Will Call near the park's front entrance. Other special Meal Deal vouchers can be found online (www.sixflags.com/overgeorgia). Prices vary.
BRING YOUR OWN: Outside food isn't allowed in the park, unless a guest has special diet requirements. Baby food, for example, is fine. The only outside drinks permitted are unopened bottles of water. But feel free to pack a picnic. A dozen or so tables are located in the east parking lot along the banks of the Chattahoochee River. Just make sure you get your hand stamped when stepping out for a picnic so you can re-enter. No alcohol allowed.
SPLASH AROUND: Spending the day beneath the baking sun and trotting over asphalt can take a toll. Guests can cool off at Skull Island, a mini waterpark in the Cotton States section. Both kids and adults can splash about the twisted web of water slides, waterfalls and liquid cannons that comprise Skull Island. A giant pirate skull towers from above and massive amounts of water dump onto guests periodically. Swimsuits are required. Lockers ($10-$15 per day) are available in the nearby changing facility.
> THE 411: Six Flags Over Georgia. $39.99 adults at gate, $29.99 online; $29.99 kids less than 48 inches tall; $44.99 Big Six Pass good for six visits in one season; $79.99 Season Pass permits unlimited admission. $15 parking; $20 preferred parking; $25 valet service weekends and holidays. Daily operation through Aug. 10. Weekends and some Fridays through Nov. 2. 275 Riverside Parkway S.W., Austell. 770-739-3400, www.sixflags.com
DON'T-MISS ATTRACTIONS
FOR THRILL-SEEKERS
Goliath: The king of Six Flags' coasters stands 200 feet tall at its highest point. At certain points when it plunges downhill, you feel zero-gravity sensations as guests hurl through the park at 70 mph.
Batman: The Ride: Cars hang from a suspended track so your feet dangle while the car soars through a trademark track boasting two vertical loops and two corkscrews.
The Great American Scream Machine: Yeah, there are fancier, more state-of-the-art thrills at Six Flags, but nothing quite touches this classic wooden coaster. The Scream Machine, which turns 35 this year, thunders along 3,800 feet of track over a manmade lake.
FOR KIDS
The Riverview Carousel: This ornate herd of horses turns 100 this year and resides on the National Register of Historic Places.
Thomas Town: A new kids section based on the popular Thomas the Tank Engine book and TV series with a playground, soft play area and, of course, a train ride.
Wile E. Coyote Canyon Blaster: A starter coaster for kids 36 inches and taller. It cruises at speeds less than 30 mph and meanders in and around a Spanish fort replica.
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