Six Flags Over Texas just made a policy change ahead of the summer season. What to know
Heads up, kids: If you’re 15 years old or younger and you want to visit Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington any time after 4 p.m., you need to have an adult with you.
That’s according to Six Flags’ chaperone policy that went into effect Saturday, March 22, in an effort to cultivate a “safe, family-friendly atmosphere” at the park and to “ensure that all guests have the best time ever and leave happy and eager to visit again,” according to a statement on Six Flags’ website.
What is Six Flags’ chaperone policy?
All guests who are 15 years old or younger must be accompanied by a chaperone who is at least 21 years old in order to be admitted to, and stay in, the Six Flags Over Texas theme park at any time after 4 p.m. until closing time, according to the new policy.
Chaperones must present a valid, government-issued photo ID with their birth date on it upon park entry, and the chaperones must stay with their party during entry, stay in the park throughout the visit and must be reachable by phone throughout the entire day. A chaperone can accompany no more than 10 guests ages 15 or younger per day, according to the policy.
Anyone under the age of 15 found without a chaperone after 4 p.m. will be subject to ejection. This policy applies to all Six Flags Over Texas ticket and season pass holders.
This policy is new for day-to-day operations, but this isn’t the first time Six Flags Over Texas has implemented a chaperone policy. The theme park started using the exact same policy in 2024 for its Fright Fest events.
Why is Six Flags doing this?
Six Flags Over Texas cited “increasing incidents of unruly and inappropriate behavior at amusement parks and other major entertainment venues” in its statement about the policy.
In March 2021, a shooting involving teens outside the entrance to Six Flags Over Texas resulted in a teenage boy getting shot in the arm. Later that year, in June, a 16-year-old boy was shot to death during a fight in the Hurricane Harbor parking lot as the water park closed for the day.
Six Flags Over Texas closed early on Sept. 11, 2021 after a fight at the park resulted in the arrest of an 18-year-old man.
The Arlington theme park has not had any incidents like that since 2021, but other theme parks around the country, like Knott’s Berry Farm, Disneyland and Universal Orlando, have all reported incidents involving teens within the last three years.
