mikeagimp

Six Flags Over Texas, Arlington

Most of my family was in town for a long week of bickering, secrets and miss-communication but in the midst of all that we made it out to Six Flags for some good ol' family fun.  I love the thrill of roller coasters and being on the controlled edge so it's even more perfect when I get to skip the lines and head straight to the front row.  Of course my family doesn't mind either.  In fact it's sort of a ritual now when they come down for a visit.  Anyways - here's my review.

Parking - mikeagimp rating 3 out of 5

We arrived pretty early on Thursday morning, just after the park opened, so traffic was non-existent.  At the parking toll booth I casually mentioned to the nice young girl that I was in a wheelchair.  Her only response was "$15 dollars."  In the back of mind I remembered that parking was free on previous trips.  None-the-less the girl didn't mention anything else; where to park, where to go inside the park, no different map, nothing.  Which is fine, it's a parking lot and I'm sure I'll see the blue.  Well I did see the blue.  They have rows and rows to choose from.

Ticket Booth - mikeagimp rating 1 out of 5

There were a few small lines at the ticket booth as expected but one of my cousins was so fascinated by the idea of getting to cut the lines that she thought I was able to do it everywhere we went.  So she kept saying "we can go to the front right?"  Once at the ticket booth another young lady failed to mention anything that we needed to do once inside the park.  Lucky for us I had been there before and so I knew I needed to stop at "Guest Relations" to get a wrist band so I could skip the lines.  To me this is the most important information I or any other disabled guest would need to know.  The ticket booth is the first line of defense.

Guest Relations - mikeagimp rating 1 out of 5

A very cute girl was working the office and aside from her nice smile, really had nothing else to offer.  She barely spoke, asked no questions, made no comments ... nothing.  She simply asked if the bracelet was for me and then put it around my wrist.  She didn't proceed to say you need to go up the exits on most rides or that this ride is considered ADA accessible so I needed to wait in line.  Nothing.

Ride Attendants - mikeagimp rating: 2 out of 5

I wish I could say that on this particular trip the ride attendants were overly helpful or even remotely helpful but for the most part we were lucky to even be approached.  We had to initiate contact and ask the questions.  I mean we don't know what the procedures or protocols are!  On top of it we're a little embarrassed to be standing there with everyone in line staring at us and thinking "Great, the dude in the wheelchair is here and now I have to wait even longer!"  It's an uncomfortable situation and I rely on the employees of the park to make it as seamless as possible.  Not once did a ride attendant offer assistance getting on the ride.  Not once did they ask if they could help with my chair and push it to the side.  Not once did they even tell us where to put it.  Maybe the policy is they can't help for liability reasons, I don't know but isn't that the point!?

Conclusion - mikeagimp rating: 4 out of 5

Six Flags Over Texas, Arlington is a great place to go and benefit from the luxuries of being on wheels.  It's great the amount of rides that are very easily accessible and thus we can enjoy the park with family or friends, together.  It's a wonderful thing being able to bring five of my friends and skipping the lines because it's one of those small things I can do for them.  Payback for all the nice things they help me with or do for me.