Six Flags America facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Six Flags America

Previously known as The Wildlife Preserve (1974–1978) Wild Country (1978–1981) Wild World (1982–1992) Adventure World (1993–1998)
An aerial view of the park in 2016
Location	Woodmore, Maryland, U.S.
Coordinates	38°54′22″N 76°46′21″W / 38.90611°N 76.77250°W / 38.90611; -76.77250
Status	Defunct
Opened	July 15, 1974; 51 years ago (1974-07-15)
Closed	November 2, 2025; 9 days ago (2025-11-02)
Owner	ABC Attractions (1974–1978) Jim Fowler (1978–1980) Wild World (1980–1992) Premier Parks (1992–1998) Six Flags (1998–2025)
Area	523 acres (212 ha) (131 acres (53 ha) used for park operations)
Attractions
Total	28 (as of November 2, 2025)
Roller coasters	8
Website	(archived)

Six Flags America was a popular amusement park in Woodmore, Maryland, USA. It was owned by the Six Flags company. The park was located close to Washington, D.C. It also featured a fun water park called Hurricane Harbor Maryland.

The park started in 1974 as a wildlife center. It was first a drive-through safari where visitors could see animals. Over time, it changed into a full amusement park with rides and attractions. It was known by different names, including Wild World and Adventure World.

In 1999, the park became Six Flags America. This name was chosen because it was near the U.S. capital. The park's entrance even looked like colonial-era buildings. Six Flags America and its water park, Hurricane Harbor Maryland, closed permanently on November 2, 2025. The water park had closed earlier, on September 6, 2025.

Park History: From Animals to Thrills

The Wildlife Preserve: A Safari Beginning

The Wildlife Preserve logo from 1974

The idea for the park began in 1971. Two animal trainers, Frank and William Stephenson, wanted to open an animal park. They teamed up with businessman Ross Perot to make it happen. They chose a location in Prince George's County, Maryland.

In 1973, the ABC network took over the park's development. They bought more land for the project. The park, called The Wildlife Preserve, opened on July 15, 1974. It was a unique drive-through safari park. Visitors could see many animals from their cars.

However, not as many people visited as expected. The park struggled to attract enough guests. In 1976, ABC announced that The Wildlife Preserve would close. Most of its 350 animals were sold to zoos and other preserves.

In 1978, Jim Fowler, known from the show Wild Kingdom, bought the park. He planned to reopen it with train tours and a children's area. But due to money problems, the park stayed closed in 1979 and 1980.

Wild World: A New Amusement Park

The original Wild World logo from 1988

In 1980, new owners bought the park and invested money to expand it. The park was renamed Wild World and opened on June 26, 1982. It still had the animal safari, but also added several new rides. These included flat rides, kid's rides, a carousel, and waterslides.

In 1983, Wild World grew even more. It added a swinging pirate ship ride called High Seas and giant swings. The waterslide area became a full water park with more slides and a large wave pool. This wave pool was named 'Wild Wave'. Sadly, an accident occurred in the wave pool that summer, leading to important safety improvements.

The animal safari closed in 1983. The park focused more on rides and water attractions. In 1984, many adult rides were put into storage. The park aimed to become mainly a water park. However, it realized that having more rides was important for cooler days.

So, in 1985, the stored rides were brought back. The park also found a used wooden roller coaster from another park. This historic coaster, originally built in 1917, was renamed “The Wild One”. It opened in 1986 and became a very popular ride. A smaller coaster for kids was also added.

Over the next few years, Wild World continued to add attractions. These included a lazy river, more water play areas, and a log flume ride. By 1991, the park was put up for sale again.

Adventure World: Exciting New Rides

Adventure World logo from a ticket stub

In 1992, a company called Premier Parks bought Wild World. They renamed it Adventure World in March 1994. The park quickly added many new rides, including flat rides and kiddie rides.

In 1993, Adventure World added its second big roller coaster, the Python. This steel coaster had a loop and was moved from another Six Flags park. A thrilling water ride called Shipwreck Falls also opened. It sent a boat down a 45-foot drop into a splash pool.

Adventure World in 1996

Adventure World kept growing. In 1995, the Mind Eraser roller coaster opened. It was an inverted coaster where riders' feet dangled. In 1996, the Tower of Doom, a tall free-fall drop ride, was added. The water park also received a big makeover in 1997, with new slides and a remodeled children's area.

Six Flags America: A New Era

Roar, a wooden roller coaster, opened in 1998.

In 1998, Premier Parks bought the entire Six Flags company. Adventure World then became Six Flags America for the 1999 season. This change brought famous characters like Looney Tunes and DC Comics superheroes to the park.

A new wooden roller coaster called Roar opened in 1998. In 1999, the park added a new section called Gotham City, themed after Batman's city. Three more coasters arrived: Two Face: The Flip Side, The Joker's Jinx, and the family-friendly Great Chase.

An aerial view of The Mind Eraser in 2016

The park continued to add major attractions. In 2000, the huge Superman: Ride of Steel hypercoaster opened, offering big drops and high speeds. The next year, Batwing, a flying coaster, joined Gotham City. A river rapids ride, Blizzard River, was added in 2003.

In 2005, the water park was upgraded and renamed Six Flags Hurricane Harbor. It received new slides, including the Tornado. More water slides and attractions were added over the years, like Tony Hawk's Halfpipe in 2008.

In 2010, a family area called Thomas Town opened, featuring rides based on Thomas the Tank Engine. However, the Thomas the Tank Engine theme was removed in 2011, and the area was renamed Whistlestop Park.

In 2012, the park added Apocalypse, a stand-up roller coaster. This coaster had previously operated at another Six Flags park. In 2013, the Hurricane Harbor water park gained the six-slide complex Bonzai Pipelines.

In 2014, a section of the park was re-themed to Mardi Gras, celebrating the famous New Orleans festival. This area included a new spinning coaster called Ragin' Cajun. The Tower of Doom drop ride in this area was renamed Voodoo Drop.

In 2017, the park added Wonder Woman: Lasso of Truth, a towering swing ride that became the tallest attraction. In 2019, the Apocalypse roller coaster was updated with new floorless trains and renamed Firebird. In 2023, Hurricane Harbor Maryland added RipQurl Blaster, a tall water coaster.

Park Closure

In July 2024, the company that owned Six Flags America merged with another amusement park company. On May 1, 2025, Six Flags announced that Six Flags America and Hurricane Harbor Maryland would close permanently. Hurricane Harbor Maryland closed on September 6, 2025. Six Flags America officially closed its gates for good on November 2, 2025.

Park Location

The park was located in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. It was about 15 miles (24 km) east of Washington, D.C. and 30 miles (48 km) southwest of Baltimore. The park covered 523 acres (212 ha) of land.

Themed Areas

Six Flags America had several themed areas, each with its own unique look and feel. These areas were inspired by different parts of the United States and fictional places.

Main Street 1776

Main Street 1776 was designed to look like a town from Colonial North America during the American Revolution. It featured buildings with colonial architecture and had shops and restaurants. A replica of the Liberty Bell was at the entrance.

Chesapeake

The Chesapeake area celebrated life on the Chesapeake Bay. It had decorations like fishing nets and driftwood. This area was home to the Firebird and Roar roller coasters.

Olde Boston

This area also had a colonial theme, similar to early American cities.

Looney Tunes Movie Town

Looney Tunes Movie Town was inspired by the classic Looney Tunes cartoons. Guests could visit places themed to characters like Bugs Bunny. This area featured the Great Chase, a children's coaster.

Mardi Gras

This area was a year-round celebration of New Orleans' Mardi Gras. It opened in 2014 and featured the Ragin' Cajun wild mouse coaster. The historic wooden coaster, The Wild One, was also located here.

Gotham City

Gotham City was themed after the dark, industrial city from DC Comics. Here, guests could experience rides like The Joker's Jinx and soar high on Superman - Ride of Steel.

SteamTown

This area recreated the pioneer days of the American frontier. It was originally called Coyote Creek. In 2024, it was updated with a steampunk theme and renamed SteamTown. It featured rides like Renegade Rapids, a white water rafting adventure.

Park Attractions

Here are some of the main attractions that operated at Six Flags America until its closure.

Roller Coasters

Ride Name	Picture	Opened	Manufacturer	Ride Type	Location	Notes
Firebird	Firebird roller coaster	2012	Bolliger & Mabillard	Floorless Coaster	Chesapeake	This ride was moved from another Six Flags park. It was updated in 2019 to become a floorless coaster.
Great Chase	Great Chase roller coaster	1999	Zamperla	Family Gravity Coaster	Looney Tunes Movie Town	A family-friendly coaster themed to Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner.
The Joker's Jinx	The Joker's Jinx roller coaster	1999	Premier Rides	LIM Spaghetti Bowl Coaster	Gotham City	A fast, launched roller coaster with many twists and turns.
Professor Screamore's SkyWinder	Professor Screamore's SkyWinder	1995	Vekoma	Suspended Looping Coaster	Steamtown	An inverted coaster where riders hang below the track. It was originally called Mind Eraser.
Ragin' Cajun	Ragin' Cajun roller coaster	2014	Reverchon	Spinning Coaster	Mardi Gras	This spinning coaster was moved from another Six Flags park.
Roar	Roar roller coaster entrance	1998	Great Coasters International	Wooden sit down	Chesapeake	A classic wooden roller coaster known for its airtime hills.
Superman: Ride of Steel	Superman: Ride of Steel	2000	Intamin	Megacoaster	Gotham City	A very tall and fast roller coaster themed to Superman.
The Wild One	The Wild One roller coaster	1986	Dinn Corporation	Wooden	Mardi Gras	A historic wooden coaster that first opened in 1917 at another park.

Family Rides

Thrill Rides

Kids Rides (Looney Tunes Movie Town)

Former Attractions

These are some of the rides that were once part of Six Flags America but are no longer there.

Former Roller Coasters

Former Rides (Dry and Water)

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Maryland

Hurricane Harbor Maryland was the water park located inside Six Flags America. It required a separate ticket for entry. It was known as Paradise Island until 2005 when it was rebranded Hurricane Harbor. Hurricane Harbor Maryland permanently closed on September 6, 2025.

Images for kids

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  Great Chase roller coaster

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  The Joker's Jinx roller coaster

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  Professor Screamore's SkyWinder

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  Ragin' Cajun roller coaster

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  Roar roller coaster entrance

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  Superman: Ride of Steel

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  The Wild One roller coaster

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  Firebird roller coaster