Six Flags AstroWorld Map and Brochure (1968 – 2005)

Location: Houston, Texas

Years Active: 1968 – 2005

Six Flags AstroWorld, also known simply as AstroWorld, was a seasonally operated amusement park in Houston, Texas. Owned and operated by Six Flags, the park was situated between Kirby Drive and Fannin Street, directly south of I-610.

The park opened on June 1, 1968, and was developed originally and constructed as part of the Astrodomain, the brainchild of local philanthropist and former Houston mayor Roy Hofheinz, who intended it to complement the Astrodome.

The Hofheinz family sold AstroWorld to Six Flags in 1978.

Notable rides featured at the park included the Texas Cyclone, a wooden roller coaster built in 1976 that was modeled after the well-known Coney Island Cyclone, and Thunder River, considered the world’s first successful river rapids ride when it opened in 1980.

WaterWorld, an adjacent water park, was acquired and added to AstroWorld in 2002.

Following declining revenue, rising property value, and other issues facing Six Flags, the company closed AstroWorld permanently after its final day of operations on October 30, 2005, the final night of Fright Fest. Many rides were sold at auction or relocated to other Six Flags’ properties, and demolition of the remaining structures was completed by mid-2006.

Six Flags AstroWorld Map 2005

In 2005, Six Flags AstroWorld confirmed its permanent closure, with CEO Kieran Burke announcing on September 12 that the Houston park would shut down and be demolished at the end of the season. The park officially closed its gates on October 30, 2005. The closure resulted in the loss of 115 permanent jobs, while 1,500 seasonal positions remained unaffected. Equipment from AstroWorld was designated for use at Six Flags’ SplashTown water park, which continued operations.

Six Flags AstroWorld Map 2004

In 2004, Six Flags AstroWorld repainted multiple roller coasters with new color schemes. Ultra Twister was repainted with lime green track and navy blue supports. XLR-8 received an updated orange track with turquoise blue supports. Batman The Escape was repainted in yellow and black to align with the character’s color scheme.

Six Flags AstroWorld Map 2003

In 2003, Six Flags AstroWorld introduced two new attractions and repainted part of an existing ride. The SWAT Sky Swatter opened in the Plaza de Fiesta section. Diablo Falls, a spinning rapids water ride, also debuted that year. Additionally, the north end switchback section of Ultra Twister was repainted, marking a visible change to the coaster’s appearance alongside the addition of the two new rides to the park’s lineup.

Six Flags AstroWorld Map 2002

In 2002, Six Flags AstroWorld expanded by acquiring the adjacent WaterWorld water park, merging it into the property as a single-ticket themed area. During the Fright Fest event, XLR-8 was modified with its last four cars reversed, noted as the first instance of a suspended roller coaster operating in this configuration. Additionally, Ultra Twister received updates when its lift hill section was repainted, contributing to visible maintenance changes within the park that year.

Six Flags AstroWorld Map 2001

In 2001, Six Flags AstroWorld kept the Texas Tornado roller coaster closed, with the ride remaining standing but not operating throughout the season. Ultra Twister underwent maintenance improvements that year, including the installation of new anti-rollback racks and a new lift chain.

Six Flags AstroWorld Map 2000

In 2000, Six Flags AstroWorld dismantled and removed the Astroneedle observation tower after 32 years of operation. At the end of the season, the Texas Tornado roller coaster was closed permanently following operational issues, though it remained on site into the following year. Additionally, Greezed Lightnin’ received a refurbishment, which included repainting both the track and the trains, marking another key update to the park’s attraction lineup during the season.

Six Flags AstroWorld Brochure 2000

Six Flags AstroWorld Map 1999

In 1999, Six Flags AstroWorld opened the Serial Thriller inverted roller coaster, replacing Excalibur. The park’s waterpark, WaterWorld, added the Big Kahuna water slide. That year also saw the Taz’s Texas Tornado roller coaster renamed simply Texas Tornado. Meanwhile, the Astroneedle observation tower, which had last operated in 1998, remained closed but continued to stand at the park throughout the 1999 season without operating.

Six Flags AstroWorld Brochure 1999

Six Flags AstroWorld Map 1998

In 1998, Six Flags AstroWorld opened the Texas Tornado roller coaster on March 14, following its relocation from Germany. The park also closed the Excalibur roller coaster after 26 seasons of operation. At the end of the season, Excalibur was fully dismantled and removed from AstroWorld to be relocated to Frontier City in Oklahoma City, marking the year as one defined by the debut of a major new ride and the removal of a longtime attraction.

Six Flags AstroWorld Map 1997

In 1997, Six Flags AstroWorld introduced Dungeon Drop, an Intamin drop tower ride that opened on May 3. Later that year, the park removed the Sky Screamer attraction, which was dismantled on November 2. These two changes defined the season, with the debut of a major new thrill ride and the removal of an existing attraction, marking both an addition and a subtraction to the park’s overall lineup of rides during the year.

Six Flags AstroWorld Map 1996

Six Flags AstroWorld Map 1995

In 1995, Six Flags AstroWorld opened the Mayan Mindbender, an indoor roller coaster that debuted on May 13. This addition marked the park’s defining change for the year, introducing a new themed indoor ride experience to its attraction lineup. The debut of Mayan Mindbender was the central update for AstroWorld’s 1995 season, with no other documented significant ride closures, removals, or rebrandings taking place during that year beyond this new roller coaster opening.

Six Flags AstroWorld Map 1994

Six Flags AstroWorld Brochure 1994

Six Flags AstroWorld Map 1993

In 1993, Six Flags AstroWorld opened Batman The Escape, a roller coaster that debuted on April 24 in the European Village section. That same year, the park’s annual Halloween event underwent a rebranding, with Fright Nights officially renamed to Fright Fest. These two updates—introducing a new major roller coaster and rebranding a seasonal event—defined the primary operational and entertainment changes to AstroWorld’s offerings during the 1993 season.

Six Flags AstroWorld Map 1992

Six Flags AstroWorld Map 1991

Six Flags AstroWorld Map 1990

In 1990, Six Flags AstroWorld added Ultra Twister, a roller coaster that reopened under the same name after being relocated to the park. This marked the defining change for the season, as Ultra Twister officially joined AstroWorld’s ride lineup in 1990. The introduction of this relocated roller coaster was the only significant documented update to the park’s attractions during that year, establishing it as the central operational change within the park for the season.

Six Flags AstroWorld Map 1989

In 1989, Six Flags AstroWorld opened Viper, a Schwarzkopf Looping Star roller coaster located in the Oriental Village section. That same year, XLR-8 received safety upgrades when its trains were fitted with oil-catching devices installed beneath the wheel assemblies in May. These two changes—introducing a new looping roller coaster and modifying an existing suspended coaster with updated train equipment—defined the year’s operational updates at the park, marking the central developments for the 1989 season.

Six Flags AstroWorld Brochure 1989

Six Flags AstroWorld Map 1988

In 1988, Six Flags AstroWorld introduced the Tidal Wave log flume, relocated from the 1984 World’s Fair, which officially reopened in March in the Oriental Village section. This new attraction replaced the Lost World Adventure riverboat ride, which was permanently closed earlier in the year. Additionally, XLR-8 received a secondary control panel in July, requiring dual operator approval for train dispatch.

Six Flags AstroWorld Map 1987

In 1987, Six Flags AstroWorld relocated the Warp 10 ride to the Plaza de Fiesta section, where it reopened under the new name Warp 2000. That same season, the Wacky Shack funhouse was permanently closed, and its building was repurposed as the park’s season pass processing station.

Six Flags AstroWorld Map 1986

In 1986, Six Flags AstroWorld installed the Looping Starship at International Plaza, replacing the former Warp 10 ride. The park also introduced Fright Nights, a Halloween-themed special event created to increase attendance during the fall season. Additionally, Studio A, a dance club located on park property and tied to the Videocity television show, opened that year.

Six Flags AstroWorld Map 1985

In 1985, Six Flags AstroWorld expanded its offerings with two key changes. Bugs Bunny and other Looney Tunes characters were introduced into the Enchanted Kingdom area, adding a new themed character presence. That same year, the park’s dimensions were enlarged with the addition of the Southern Star Amphitheater, a new outdoor stage facility.

Six Flags AstroWorld Map 1984

In 1984, Six Flags AstroWorld opened XLR-8, a suspended roller coaster, on May 12, 1984. To accommodate the ride, the Children’s World section was removed; the area was also closed, renamed Enchanted Kingdom, and relocated to the European Village site. That year, Marvel McFey’s tenure as park mascot ended, and Six Flags acquired the license to use Looney Tunes characters.

Six Flags AstroWorld Map 1983

In 1983, Six Flags AstroWorld introduced two new attractions and closed one. WaterWorld, Houston’s first major water park, opened in June as a separate facility adjacent to the park. That same year, the ten-story Sky Screamer, an Intamin freefall drop tower ride, debuted inside the park. Meanwhile, the Alpine Sleigh Ride closed permanently after the 1983 season due to high maintenance costs, with its area later incorporated into the Enchanted Kingdom children’s section.

Six Flags AstroWorld Map 1982

In 1982, Six Flags AstroWorld expanded its overall size to more than 75 acres and featured a total of 12 themed areas. That same year, the park introduced the Skyscreamer, a free-fall ride that debuted as a new major attraction.

Six Flags AstroWorld Map 1981

In 1981, Six Flags AstroWorld rethemed the Country Fair section into Nottingham Village with a medieval theme, leading to the Dexter Frebish Electric Roller Ride being renamed Excalibur. That year also saw the removal of the AstroWheel double Ferris wheel, with its site replaced by the new Warp 10 ride.

Six Flags AstroWorld Map 1980

In 1980, Six Flags AstroWorld debuted Thunder River, recognized as the world’s first successful river rapids ride. That same year, the park also opened the Southern Star Amphitheatre, an outdoor concert venue located in the southeast corner of the property.

Six Flags AstroWorld Map 1979

In 1979, Six Flags AstroWorld constructed the Showcase Lagoon grandstands to provide seating and facilities for live shows. That same year, the park introduced stunt ski performances at the lagoon, marking the debut of a new form of entertainment within the property.

Six Flags AstroWorld Map 1978

In 1978, Six Flags AstroWorld introduced Greezed Lightnin’, a high-acceleration shuttle loop roller coaster that opened in the Western Junction area. That same year, Six Flags formally completed its acquisition of AstroWorld from the Hofheinz family, finalizing the park’s transition in ownership.

Six Flags AstroWorld Map 1977

In 1977, Six Flags AstroWorld introduced several new features and changes. The Magical World of Marvel McFey playground opened in the Children’s World area. Modville was renamed International Plaza at the start of the season. The Aquarena Theatre was constructed between Plaza de Fiesta and Western Junction, debuting dolphin shows featuring Skipper and Dolly. In the Country Fair section, the Boogie Fog Disco attraction was added, while the Country Fair Carousel was permanently removed from the park.

Six Flags AstroWorld Map 1976

In 1976, Six Flags AstroWorld opened the Texas Cyclone, a wooden roller coaster that debuted on June 12. The ride was part of a major 7-acre expansion introducing the new Coney Island/USA themed area. Alongside the roller coaster, the expansion also included a new theatre within the section.

Six Flags AstroWorld Map 1975

Six Flags AstroWorld Map 1974

In 1974, Six Flags AstroWorld added a new entertainment facility with the construction of a performance stage at the base of the Astroneedle (Skyrama) tower. This stage provided a dedicated space for live shows and performances within the park, marking the primary development for that season.

Six Flags AstroWorld Map 1973

In 1973, Six Flags AstroWorld removed the Swamp Buggy Ride, a small roller coaster previously located in the Fun Island area. The removal of this attraction marked the defining change for the park during the season, as no other documented new rides, expansions, or rebrandings were introduced that year. The Swamp Buggy’s closure and disappearance from the park’s lineup represented the only significant operational update at AstroWorld in 1973.

Six Flags AstroWorld Map 1972

In 1972, Six Flags AstroWorld completed its first major expansion with the opening of the Country Fair themed area, located between Americana Square and Oriental Corner. The new section introduced several attractions, including the Dexter Frebish’s Electric Roller Ride, the park’s first major roller coaster, along with the Darefinder Binder bumper cars and a new carousel. Additionally, 1972 marked the debut of Marvel McFey, who became AstroWorld’s official mascot character during this season.

Six Flags AstroWorld Map 1971

In 1971, the Modville section received two additions. The Barrel of Fun, a rotor ride, opened in Modville during the season. The Mod Box, a contemporary-themed gift shop, also opened in the same section that year. These two items constitute the documented Modville changes for 1971, comprising one ride addition and one retail addition located together within Modville and introduced concurrently as part of that season’s updates to the section.

Six Flags AstroWorld Map 1970

In 1970, Six Flags AstroWorld introduced Fun Island, a new themed area located in the lagoon between the Astroneedle and Plaza de Fiesta. The expansion featured several new attractions, including the Swamp Buggy roller coaster with a 55-foot drop, the Wacky Shack tilted illusion funhouse, and the Magnetic House funhouse. A wooden bridge was also constructed to connect guests to the new island, completing the additions that defined the park’s developments for the 1970 season.

Six Flags AstroWorld Map 1969

Six Flags AstroWorld Map 1968

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