March 5, 2011 marks the 50th opening date of Six Flags Over Texas. The Arlington, Texas amusement park is the oldest in the Six Flags empire. From the Alamo themed entrance to the top of the Oil Derrick observation platform to the cash register at Red River Fries and Hot Dogs, the cues of the Lone Star State are as obvious as a ten-gallon hat.

Many crowd favorites of past years make their return, and other attractions will debut at the 200+ acre park. And, one icon of the park will return with a new look and larger size that will surely find the favor of Texas residents, both young and old.

Six Flags Over Texas Thrill Rides

The human eye tends to take aim at the highest structure in any amusement park, and this place has a few eye-catchers. Among the roller coasters and thrill rides within park boundaries:

• Titan – Might as well start with this little cutie. Titan is steel roller coaster, the type that every amusement park needs to have if it wants to be competitive. At more than a mile long and with top speeds reaching 85 mph, this ride certainly fits the "Everything's bigger in Texas" theme. After the 3 1/2 minute ride, Titan fans have survived the tallest, fastest and longest roller coaster in Texas.
• Superman: Tower of Power – At 325 feet high, this is the highest spot for the aforementioned human eye to gaze at. Riders on the three towered structure are shot skyward at speeds of up to 55 mph by compressed air. (Unconfirmed reports indicate that this is the place to go if your car has a low tire)
• Mr. Freeze – At nearly 220 feet high, this is a rare two-train ride, with multiple cars on the track at once. Arnold Schwarzenegger and George Clooney were scheduled to be the first riders when the ride opened in 1998, but both were no-shows. Maybe the 70+ mph top speed scared them off.

Each of these rides has been a Six Flags Over Texas favorite for at least 8 years, but the icon of the park has been around since 1990.

Texas Giant

With a name like Texas Giant, a ride has to be big, and now it will be bigger. After being closed for an entire year, Texas Giant has undergone an extensive renovation project. Once voted the Best Wooden Coaster in the World, Texas Giant is now a hybrid, with a wooden super structure and steel track.

The ride will now be ten feet higher than before and will feature banked turns that are steeper than any wooden coaster in the world. Also, riders will reach more than 65 mph in cars that resemble the 1961 Cadillac Deville. These cars have cattle horns on the hood and saddle inspired seats.

Six Flags Tickets

In addition to the renovated wooden icon, other attractions will make their debut. A couple eating facilities, Mrs. Fields and JB's Smokehouse Barbeque will join a long list of dining options. But, nobody gets to eat the food or ride the rides without gaining entrance to the park. Happily, this doesn't have to carry a Texas-sized price tag.

Six Flags tickets to the opening weekend are priced at $19.61, and you win nothing if you can figure out why. For those who can't be there on the opening weekend, a Six Flags Season Pass is a good thing to consider. Frequent visitors to the park will find this to be a cost-effective option, and it is good at all Six Flags parks, includingSix Flags Magic Mountain.

With these new additions and renovations, Six Flags Over Texas sends the message that the first 50 years are only the beginning. Amusement park fans can expect Texas-size helpings of fun at this park for many more years to come.