Guest Blogger: Holiday in the Park

Ok I ate too much.  I’m currently trying to break free from a weeklong food coma and just can’t concentrate on this blog.  If I took the reigns on writing this one it would come out like “Pie! Pie pie, pie Six Flags pie.” And no one wants that.  Especially when there’s legitimate news to be brought to the masses.  Holiday in the Park is back at Six Flags Over Texas, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, and Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.  So I’m doing us all a favor and hiring a Guest Blogger.  Bruce Mather, Entertainment and Special Events Manager at Six Flags Over Texas, is much more equipped to discuss all things HiP.  Take a look while I continue to sweat gravy from my pores.

When the last guest has been frightened in our haunted houses and following the closing performances of our Fright Fest shows, our entertainment technicians invade the park to start the physical transformation from the hideous to the sublime. Gothic vampire castles become magical toyshops. Cobwebs and skeletons become evergreen garlands and lighted fir trees. All of it is crucial for setting the perfect holiday mood for our guests.  Our entry mall becomes home to “The Holiday Tree of Trees,” but this is by no small feat.  It takes a team of plumbers, electricians and mechanics to place the super-structure of our more than 85-foot park centerpiece.  It houses over 75 individual trees with six different colors of lights. The trees are stacked in wedding cake fashion to become a single entity.  After being programmed, the Tree of Trees comes to life in a beautifully choreographed dance of lights and special effects.

In late October, our ride operations team begins hauling over 400 tons of snow on our man-made snow hill.  Meanwhile, the Operations grounds crew preps our holiday campfires of fragrant oak firewood.  In-Park-Services begins early in the year selecting food vendors to enhance the park menus with everything from German bratwurst to roasted, spiced nuts.  The many offerings include carved bread bowls of soups, hot chocolates and tempting park favorites like funnel cakes with spiced apple and hot cherry toppings.

One of our biggest projects of the season is SantaLand, headquarters for all things Santa.  Guests reserve a time to visit Santa inside his workshop where they can listen to a story told by Mrs. Claus, browse the Reindeer Hall of Hooves, meet Santa’s head elf “Jingles”, and enjoy a personal visit with Santa, himself.  SantaLand also hosts The Reindeer Landing, where guests can visit with reindeer as well as the SantaLand Stage where many dance, vocal, and orchestral groups perform as part of our “Stars of the Season” program.  The stage is also home to Rudolf’s Holi-daze Dance Party, an all reindeer interactive street party for all of Santa’s guests!

 The spirit of the holidays is everywhere at Six Flags Over Texas, from the many shows and attractions to the joyful noise of children’s voices raised in Christmas carols, and the festive and tasty holiday foods. Holiday in the Park is said to be a “Family Tradition” in north Texas. Many, many guests return year after year for that special holiday visit. The many men and women of the Six Flags Over Texas family have taken great pride in being a part of creating that magical family moment during this most wonderful time of the year… from our Six Flags Over Texas family to yours, have a safe and happy holiday season.

Toldja Bruce would do a better job explaining HiP than I would.  The event runs through December so get some final use out of your Season Pass or pick up some tickets and check your local calendar here.

Fright Fest Recap

Well, it’s officially November.  You know what that means.  Yup, there is Christmas music currently playing in the Six Flags offices.  Hey, if we’re gonna start Holiday in the Park planning (which officially begins now), we gotta get in the proper spirit.  I look forward to hearing nothing but this for the next two months.  (Plus, if it were up to me that one Mariah Carey song would just play year round.  It’s super catchy.)

The last week of Fright Fest was a blast (save for those of us on the east coast who spent the weekend building snowmen.)  Thanks so much for coming out and braving what was, easily, the scariest Fright Fest in Six Flags history.  Definitely set the bar for 2012, as well.  And, speaking of Mariah Carey, please to enjoy this awesome photo of her husband and music superstar, Nick Cannon at Six Flags Great Adventure this weekend.

We got him to brave the electric chair and a chainsaw wielding maniac for this photo op. Not bad, huh?

And while we’re on the subject of Great Adventure, this Saturday and Sunday is the 2^nd Annual Six Flags Grape Adventure.  Wineries offering nearly 150 locally produced wines will be on hand for sampling and music.  Sign up for the Safari Tasting, which includes a private tour and stop in the Wild Safari. The under 21 crowd is welcome on the Safari Tour, as well, but the actual wine tasting is (of course) 21+.  No whining.  (Whining? You see what I did there? Yeah, I kinda hate me, too.)  Head over here for ticketing info.

So thanks again for an excellent Fright Fest and an excellent 2011 Season, guys.  I’ll leave you with the temporarily renamed Mr. FreeSe at Six Flags St. Louis for those of you who need a little World Series closure.  Hats off to all you Cardinals fans.

Over Texas, Fiesta Texas and Discovery Kingdom, get ready.  Holiday music is playing pretty loud right now.  That’s a sign of good things to come starting on November 25^th.

Mike