Review - Travel - Texas - Arlington - Six Flags Over Texas 65th Anniversary and the All-New Tormenta Rampaging Run Roller Coaster

 

Six Flags Over Texas is my home park and I'm blessed enough to be able to attend their 65th Anniversary and to get to ride the newest roller coaster, Tormenta Rampaging Run.

This is the original amusement park of the Six Flags Corporation. It opened August 5, 1961.

So for the 65th Anniversary, Six Flags had some really fun "Then and Now" picture boards set up around the park. I first visited SFOT as a child when I first moved to Texas in 1980. Throughout the 80's I visited many times with my family or my school. I remember actually going to the top of the Oil Derreck (it's just decoration now). And the free-fall drop tower the Texas Cliffhanger (and later Wildcatter).

The Silver Star Carousel opened in Long Island, New York in 1926 so it's celebrating it's 100th birthday this year. It was bought by Six Flags and moved to this park in 1962.

Runaway Mine Train is 60 years old, opened in 1966. It's the oldest coaster in the park. American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) gave it a landmark award in 2006 for its significance as Arrow Development's first Mine Train Roller Coaster with steel tubular track.

Runaway Mountain Roller Coaster's 30th anniversary having opened in June 12, 1996. It was Premier Rides' first roller coaster.

Dive Bomber Alley is also 30 years old having opened on March 9, 1996 in time for Spring Break. It actually costs extra to participate.

Wile E Coyote's Grand Canyon Blaster also has a 25th anniversary and same birthday.

Bugs Bunny Cloud Bouncer celebrated its 25th birthday having opened March 10, 2001 on the park's 40th anniversary. It's a kid's ride that bounces up and down.

I love all the Historical Plaques around the park celebrating its rides.

This year is also America's 250th Birthday so Six Flags added some nice 250 touches around the park.

250th Photo Prop right past the park entrance (to the left of the Customer Service booths).

Some banners.

Bunting and decor.

Special 250th Anniversary Treats

Another Postcard Photo Op near the Texas land

Special Drinks

American-themed merch in the main shop near the park's exit

The swing ride (Texas Screamer) with red, white and blue theme. I got the sun hitting the star at the top.

I'm not sure how long the special treats and drinks will be available. Hopefully til the end of the year.

Ok and now for the newest and most exciting addition to Six Flags Over Texas in a looooong time - Tormenta!

To accommodate the massive ride, the land of "Spain" was remodeled. I'll need to dig out some previous pictures one day and show the transformation. For now, check these pictures out:

They've added some Spanish entertainment (check the mobile app for times).

An interesting history of Mexico and their independence from Spain.

Food trucks. You can order your food here and take it to a covered table in the nearby "plaza".

This is the remodeled entrance to the land called "Spain". A good sneak peak of the ride shows just over the gate.

Some interesting costumes the team members wear.

A nice covered shop just outside the ride's exit. There are benches to sit. Some people were sitting along the fence (shaded) while waiting for friends or family to exit.

Right now, at this shop, they only had 1 shirt design available.

I took this video from the "plaza" area where there were a few umbrella-covered tables and some benches to sit on. It was nice and quiet back here. So if you or your kids need a break, take a rest. There's a nice air-conditioned gift shop.

The Raging Bull statue. Take a pic with it after you exit the ride.

Really nice fountain area outside the ride exit (or to the right of the start of the queue line).

The World Records

This is where I stood for the videos I took of the ride. You can get most of the ride here.

I took this picture from the Carousel steps.

And this Farewell pic was taken in the parking lot.

Some stats on Tormenta Rampaging Run:
Opened as the first "giga dive coaster". It's also the tallest dive coaster at 309 feet. The track length is 4,199 feet (Longest Dive Coaster) and reaches top speeds of 87 mph (Fastest Dive Coaster). It has the longest beyond-vertical drop at 285 feet (95 degrees). The first inversion is 218 feet (an "Immelmann Loop") is the tallest of its kind and one of the tallest inversions. The vertical loop is 179 feet and is the tallest.

For more information, click here: https://www.sixflags.com/overtexas

Park map (which is available in the app): https://qr1.be/H70R

Book Review - The Geek Atlas: 128 Places Where Science and Technology Come Alive by John Graham-Cumming

For those who are curious about inventions or gaining a better understanding on scientific concepts, you will enjoy the suggested locations in this hefty book.

The book is divided out into countries in alphabetical order. Under the United States, the chapter is further divided out into states. The last chapter, "Miscellaneous" has two discussion items of interest - Magicicada Brood X (a cicada bug periodically emerging along the Eastern United States coast) and the Magnetic North Pole.

Some highlights: Parkes Radio Telescope in Parkes, Australia.

Mendel Museum of Genetics in Brno, Czech Republic

Institut Pasteur in Paris, France

The Escher Museum in The Hague, Netherlands

Greenwich in London, England

Chernobyl Exclusion Zone in Ukraine

Titan Missile Museum in Sahuarita, Arizona, US

National Cryptologic Museum in Fort Meade, Maryland, US

Keep in mind that this book was published in 2009, so double-check operating hours and fees before heading out.

Overall, this is good book to add must-see locations to your itinerary or to get an overall lesson on scientific notions. Try to find it at your local library.

Title: The Geek Atlas: 128 Places Where Science and Technology Come Alive
Author: John Graham-Cumming
ISBN: 978-0596523206
Pages: 542

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Event - #Travel - #Texas - New Braunfels - The Peddler Show - August 7-9, 2026

New Baunfels, Texas - The Peddler Show
August 7-9, 2026
New Braunfels Civic and Convention Center
Since 1977, New Braunfels has hosted this vendor-oriented show with a small gap and now it's back!
Come browse over 70 booths of shopping, services, food and drinks. Christmas is only four months away so what a great place to get your shopping done early while support local and small businesses.
While you're in town, check out these other activities:
Preschool/Toddler Dance Party - August 7th from 10:30am CST - 11:00am CST at the Main Library Branch (700 E. Common St). (FREE) Bring your kiddos for some fun dancing and book reading time.
First Friday Art Haus - August 7th from 6:00pm CST - 9:00pm CST. (FREE) Opportunity to enjoy art, live music and entertainment with others in the parking lot on the Main Plaza (263 Main Plaza).
Night Hike at the Fischer Park Nature Education Center on August 8th from 8:45pm CST - 9:45pm CST. ($8 per person; kids under 3 are FREE).

Address: 375 S. Castell Ave, New Braunfels, TX 78130
Hours: Friday 12:00pm CST - 6:00pm CST; Saturday 9:00am CST - 6:00pm CST; Sunday 11:00am - 4:00pm CST
Fees: Everyone over age 12 will pay $10.00 to enter.

For more information, click here: https://peddler.tixonlinenow.com/newbraunfelsaug/

Review - Travel - Florida - Orlando - Walt Disney World - Disney Springs - Fourth of July Weekend and the New Level 99

Yep, I'm a month late posting my July fourth weekend travels. It seems my calendar has been booked solid this last month plus some weekend trips here and there which I'll get to - eventually. Anyhoo, Fourth of July weekend at Disney World is always busy because most families take a long weekend to visit Orlando.

What is Disney Springs?

Disney Springs, if you've never been, is the giant outdoor mall of Disney World. There are a lot of high-end brands (Tommy Bahama, Anthropologie, Coach, Lily Pullitzer, and more) and some trendy brands (Corkcicle, Everything But Water, and more). You can find lots of restaurants and food stalls. Amorette's Patisserie is highly recommended for their Disney-themed cakes and their cake-decorating classes. Everglazed™ Donuts and Cold Brew has fun donut flavors in addition to more normal flavors and a cool prop for photos outside. And of course you can find lots of Disney-themed stores and the World of Disney store is the biggest Disney store in the world. Uniqlo is a fun Japanese casual wear store which offers Disney-themed merchandise only here. San Francisco-based Gheradelli's is here and they have the same menu items (nothing special for Orlando or Disney). They used to have free chocolate candy samples in their store which wasn't the case the last time I visited due to the remodel but they might have brought it back. You can also get free cups of water here without waiting in the order queue.

How do I get to Disney Springs?

You can get dropped off (by bus, Disney bus if you're a paid guest, uber/lyft, etc) or you can park in one of their massive parking garages (named, appropriately for Florida, as Lime, Orange or Grapefruit). You will see signs letting you know if a particular garage is full (then just go to the next garage). Inside each garage is a board letting you know which floors have spaces available and each floor has parking available lights at the ends of the rows and above each parking spot (red means not available and green means available). There is also surface-level parking but it fills up really quickly especially if there's a Cirque du Soleil show.

Everyone goes through the security line to get into the shopping area. I recommend keeping umbrellas and phone chargers out because those always set off the alarm for extra checking.

You can bring strollers. You can bring food and drinks.

Will I see Fireworks?

This year there were no drone shows or fireworks or other displays.

You may be able to see small bits of the nightly EPCOT fireworks show from a really high spot at Disney Springs such as Aerophile - The World in Balloon ride (if you time it right), the top level of the parking garages, the top level of the Coca Cola store.

The AMC movie theatre at Disney Springs plays the latest movies and there's a special Star Wars Galactic ID Maker machine inside to try before heading to watch your movie. The fun part, in my kids' opinions, is having food delivered to your theatre seat. Of course it's fun when someone else is buying.

Do they have special treats for Fourth of July?

Absolutely! You can find special treats and drinks at many of the vendors. Because this year was also America's 250th birthday, they also had products and deals to coincide with that. So for next year, keep your eyes out for special Fourth of July cakes and cocktails.

If you're planning a trip soon, they already have Halloween-themed treats and drinks for sale.

Should I bring the kids to Disney Springs?

I always do. Keep in mind two things - if you're on a budget, inform your kids up front because there will be a lot of "I want this" type of whines. And the second thing will be the amount of walking. I always bring a stroller for the younger kids even if they insist on walking. There are some experiences you can purchase like the carousel and the train. There are also a lot of entertainment that is free especially in the evenings. If you visit during the holidays you can get a scavenger hunt type map and stickers to keep kids entertained while you browse the shops.

One place I always take my kids is the Lego Store. There's a queue to get into the store which in the evenings can run long. But once you're inside, there is some hands-on minifig building and on the way out they have brought back the car build and race ramps. If you're kids are real Lego fanatics, you might not be able to leave empty handed so consider that before getting in line. They do have a great wall of parts where you can fill a box with any part you want from the wall display and then pay a set price. That's how my family has ended up with hundreds of Lego pink heart pieces.

Level 99 is the newest entertainment venue at Disney Springs which caters to teens (aged 12+) and adults. It took over the spot formerly occupied by Disney Quest and then the NBA Experience. Young kids will not be admitted and I've seen plenty crying outside because their parents didn't know. The games are challenging and timed so it makes sense. The premise is hands-on puzzles you work through as a team of 2-6 players. Each puzzle takes about 1-4 minutes. My older kids really enjoyed it. There are two options for length of play - 1.5 hours or 2.5 hours. The site has dynamic pricing so tickets for 1.5 hours starts at $29.99 and goes up. For 2.5 hours it starts at $39.99 and goes up. There is also food and drinks available for sale which is great for a rainy day so you can stay inside.

Also if you visit during the Christmas holiday, be sure to check out the decorated trees, plants and photo-ops.

Visiting Disney Springs Tip - bring your umbrella. Almost every time we visit there is a drizzle or what locals call a five-minute-downpour. If it's not raining, you can always use your umbrella to make your own shade on a hot and humid afternoon.

Overall, Disney Springs is a nice break from the amusement parks and a good opportunity to "chill" for a few hours.

If you need more information, check out https://www.disneysprings.com/

More info on Level 99 can be found here: https://www.level99.com/?loc=disney-springs-fl