Coronavirus Comeback

Six Flags whirls into newest list of Dallas-area attractions reopening

Everybody scream!

The summer heat has arrived, and so has the hankering to get out and have some fun. As restrictions on businesses have loosened per Gov. Greg Abbott's plan to reopen Texas after COVID-19 shutdowns, more venues around Dallas-Fort Worth are reopening their doors.

In these first days of June, more waterparks, movie theaters, and amusement parks — welcome back, Six Flags! — have announced their opening dates. In almost all cases, guests should reserve tickets online, plan to wear masks, and be patient with new rules about temperature-taking, capacity limits, social distancing, and sanitizing.

Here are the latest Dallas-area amusements and attractions to welcome back visitors. The list will be updated as more places reveal their plans.

Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington will reopen to the public June 22. Season pass-holders and members get to come back early, June 19-21. The park has implemented new safety measures and hygiene protocols, which are explained here. Guests should wear masks and prepare to their have temperature checked. Reservations are required to stagger arrival times for social distancing and crowd control. Parking reservations are encouraged, too. For more information, reservations, and parking, visit the website.

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor in Arlington reopens June 18-21 for members and season pass-holders, and June 22 for the general public. The waterpark has implemented new safety measures and hygiene protocols, which are explained here. Guests will have their temperature taken, but masks are not required. Reservations are required to stagger arrival times for social distancing and crowd control. Parking reservations are encouraged, too. For more information, reservations, and parking, visit the website.

Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden set an opening date of June 1, then chose to close at 3 pm that day out of an abundance of caution due to a scheduled protest in the area.. It now has reopened with limited capacity and new safety protocols. Reservations must be made online, and tickets are timed. More information in this story.

Reunion Tower has reopened for amazing city views, but sadly, no dinner at Wolfgang Puck's restaurant. Face coverings are encouraged, and guests should expect limited occupancy, including in the elevators. Find information about limited hours, special packages, and ticket sales online.

Cinemark Theaters are reopening in a four-phase plan that will begin on June 19. The first phase will be a test run, with five movie theaters in the Dallas-Fort Worth area opening first. The Plano-based chain's remaining theaters will reopen in phases, concluding on July 10. More information in this story.

Ipic upscale movie theater chain has begun a phased-in reopening, including its Fairview location, which opened June 4.

Medieval Times has reopened for dinner and a jousting show. "Guests must wear a mask to enter Her Majesty's castle ... and (we) ask that you please stay at a sword's length from your fellow Royals," they say. More information and ticket sales on their website.

NRH20 Family Waterpark in North Richland Hills reopens for its 25th anniversary season June 15. Guests can expect updated safety and cleaning protocols, as well as new procedures designed to allow for social distancing. Tickets and season passes can be purchased online.

Great Wolf Lodge resort and waterpark in Grapevine will reopen June 16, providing a convenient staycation location for families. Their new "Paw Pledge" program focuses on keeping families healthy and safe through sanitization, physical distancing, personal protection, and minimizing surface interactions. Guests may pick up complimentary masks at the front desk. For reservations and discounts, visit their website.

Sweet Tooth Hotel will reopen June 6, with their new exhibit, Intangible — A Fiber Fairytale. The Instagrammy attraction will allow just 10 guests at a time, masks are required, and temperatures will be taken. More information and tickets on the website.

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Dallas Cowboys News

Metal roof piece at Cowboys' AT&T Stadium in Arlington falls on field

AT&T Stadium Facebook

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ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — A piece of the roof at the home of the Dallas Cowboys fell to the field while the retractable portion of it was being opened at least three hours before a 34-10 loss to Houston on Monday night, officials said.

AT&T Stadium was mostly empty when the incident occurred, and team officials said nobody was injured. The roof was closed without incident about an hour later.

Officials said winds gusting to 30 mph during the day contributed to the incident, which was being reviewed to ensure the roof can be opened safely at some point in the future. The roof hasn’t been opened for a Cowboys game in their $1.2 billion stadium since the 2022 season.

“I know we opened it long before any fans or anybody is in there,” owner Jerry Jones said after the game. “The reason they do that is to make sure everything is working to avoid those kinds of risks if there’s any fans or anybody in here.”

Jones said there wasn’t any risk in going on with the game, which meant a delay or postponement wasn’t a consideration.

“They wouldn’t have done this game, or started this game, had there been any risk at all,” Jones said. “Not only the NFL wouldn’t, but I wouldn’t if there was any risk at all. And there was no risk at all when we started the game.”

The arches that support the roof are nearly 300 feet above the field at their highest point. The 80,000-seat venue opened in 2009.The falling debris came a little more than a week after Dallas receiver CeeDee Lamb said the sun was in his eyes on a throw he didn’t react to in the end zone in a 34-6 loss to Philadelphia.

AT&T Stadium has an unusual east-west alignment from end zone to end zone, as opposed to most venues being north-south. On clear days, the sun shines through the large glass windows on the west side during the first half of games that kick off in the afternoon.

There is usually a call for curtains on the west side of the stadium when the sun becomes an issue, but Jones says he won’t put up curtains. He says both teams have to deal with the sun.

When AT&T Stadium hosted the Super Bowl in 2011, six workers were injured when ice and snow fell from the roof. The event was plagued by a historic ice storm that gripped the Dallas area for days.

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