Theme Parks Up Close
‘FUN CENTRAL,’ Texas Is The Ticket To Thrilling Meetings
Site Visit By Peyton Posey 
The new Dallas Cowboys stadium is currently under construction. |
There’s a reason the legendary wooden roller coaster of Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington (located near Dallas) is called the “Texas Giant” that provides an “old-school rickety thrill.” It looms 14 stories over the park, reaches speeds of 62 mph and provides a two-minute, screaming experience that leaves riders bewildered as they exit—you can take my word for it. Earlier this year, I toured the amusement park and Arlington, which has been tagged FUN CENTRAL, Texas.
The Texas Giant is one of more than 50 rides within the Six Flags park designed for visitors of all ages. During the summer months, fans that spray water are located throughout the park, but groups can also cool down and get soaked on the Roaring Rapids ride.
The park can accommodate groups from 100 to 20,000 in private picnic or pavilion areas, complete with audio/visual equipment. Tickets can be pre-printed prior to an event with a company or association name, which can provide the group with entry to the park without waiting in long lines. Once inside, groups have the option of either catered meals and clean-up service, or vouchers for on-site restaurants and snack bars.
In addition to Six Flags, Arlington is also at the location of Hurricane Harbor waterpark, featuring 26 rides, pools and slides. Visitors can test their wills on the Sea Wolf, the Tornado or the Black Hole, then relax in the shade under any one of the 12 cabanas available for rent. Each one has tables, chairs, private food service and various amenities.
In the way of lodging, Arlington is home to both full- and limited service hotels. If groups book accommodations through any of the
Arlington Convention and Visitors Bureau’s (CVB) Preferred Partner Hotels on the website, they can receive discounts to Six Flags Over Texas and other area attractions.
During my tour of the city, I stayed at one of the partner hotels, the Hilton Arlington, which is conveniently located in the center of the entertainment district directly across from Six Flags. The hotel has 308 rooms, September’s Lounge, Conrad’s restaurant and a health club. The complex completed a two-year renovation in May and all guest rooms showcase dark wood décor, premium bedding, and floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the outdoor pool or the amusement park. The hotel has more than 11,000 square feet of meeting space and can accommodate catered events for up to 600 guests.
Transportation is available through a trolley system that links the hotels along a designated route. The trolley is able to shuttle guests within the entertainment district that contains Six Flags Over Texas, Hurricane Harbor, Rangers Stadium, Lincoln Park Shopping Center and the
Arlington Convention Center. “Guests can earn complimentary trolley hours based on the number of guest rooms occupied,” said Arlington CVB Vice President of Communications Diane Brandon. “This way groups can receive shuttle service to sporting facilities, restaurants and attractions along the route or arrange for service outside the route for an extra fee.”
If you are still looking for other forms of entertainment, the CVB can work with groups to secure package deals and discounts to Major League Baseball’s Texas Rangers games held at the newly constructed Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. The city will soon be home to the National Football League’s (NFL) Dallas Cowboys stadium, which will be a premier, state-of-the-art complex slated for completion in 2009, Brandon said.
“It’s very special when we have groups come to our city and they can parlay the event with tickets to one of the theme parks or a major league game. They can also visit the Legends of Game Museum (and Children’s Learning Center at Rangers Stadium) and the new Cowboys stadium which, when completed, will have an on-site Hall of Fame. It’s incredibly cool for kids or for adults for that matter,” Brandon said.
