New Thrills for a New Year

Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington to be home to longest log flume ride ever

The log flume ride at Six Flags Over Texas is about to get much much longer.

Six Flags Over Texas

For the first time in more than a decade, Six Flags is adding new rides, including a new-and-improved ride at Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington.

The attraction formerly known as El Aserradero — which was the world’s first log flume when it opened in 1963 — will soon become El Rio Lento, one of the world’s longest log flumes, in 2024. The improved ride will feature one new lift hill and two big drops, including a giant, steep nosedive.

Arlington is not the only Six Flags location in Texas to receive a refresh: Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio will see an expansion of the DC Universe land, with improvements to three rides:

Cyborg Cyber Revolution, with four individual arms rotating in fast, intermeshing orbits
Shazam Tower of Eternity, a rotating family drop tower
Metropolis Transit Authority, which gives passengers an aerial view of DC Universe land

According to a release, it's part of big round of investments in more than a dozen parks across the U.S. that include three new roller coasters - none of which are in Texas - being deployed at Six Flags parks in St. Louis, New York, New Jersey, Illinois, and Georgia.

“At Six Flags, our relentless drive for innovation is powered by our passion to create moments of pure joy and excitement for our guests,” said Selim Bassoul, President and CEO of Six Flags, in a statement. “This investment is central to our strategy to create fun and memorable experiences for every member of the family and reinforces Six Flags’ position as the leader in thrills."

The announcement of the new investments coincides with Six Flags' "Biggest Sale of the Year," which offers discounts of up to 70 percent on season passes and tickets available through September 5. Season pass holders receive admission throughout the remainder of 2023, including access to Six Flags Fright Fest.

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This week's hot headlines

Deep Ellum bar's closure leads this week's 5 most-read Dallas stories

On Premise

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Editor's note: Two big closures rocked the Dallas restaurant and bar scene this week. There was also an intriguing home for sale on Dallas' ritziest road, a new barbecue joint with an unusual focus, and more. Here's a look back at the top stories of the week. Looking for the best things to do this weekend? Those are here.

1. Dallas bar closes after surviving a decade in Deep Ellum. A Dallas bar that opened 10 years ago in Deep Ellum has closed its doors: On Premise, which rode a decade-long wave in the often-turbulent neighborhood, closed on October 31.

2. Authentic upscale Mexican restaurant at Turtle Creek Dallas closes. In major bummer Dallas restaurant news, authentic Mexican restaurant Jalisco Norte has closed: The upscale restaurant and bar at Turtle Creek Village clocked out after seven years.

3. Dallas and Austin are facing the same kind of housing issues. The state’s housing crisis is effectively a new problem for state and local leaders — mainly because, for the longest time, Texas used to be cheap. "YIMBY" activists in Dallas have pushed local leaders, with mixed results, to embrace the idea that the country’s ninth-largest city should make it easier to build homes besides standalone single-family homes on large lots and big apartment buildings.

4. 50s Dallas home for sale on swanky Strait Lane still has pink bathroom. A house on Dallas' Strait Lane that is possibly home to the last '50s-era pink bathroom on the tony thoroughfare is up for sale. The bathroom's days are probably numbered — but maybe in this one case, it's not a bad thing.

5. Barbecue spot Kafi BBQ coming to Irving will be smoking halal Wagyu. A barbecue restaurant with an unusual focus is coming to Irving: Kafi BBQ, which specializes in halal Wagyu beef, will open at 8140 N. MacArthur Blvd. #100, Valley Ranch, in the former Rafikiz Bar and Grill.