Astroworld of old Check out this link! If you remember Astroworld from the 70's or early 80's... If the name Marvel McFey rings a bell, if you remember the Alpine Sleigh Ride or River of No Return, you must check out this link!
Ahh, the Aquarena Theater. I remember as a little kid getting to be part of the show, I was pulled around in a little raft by one of the dolphins. That was the only time I've been called down from the audience ever.
sixflagshouston.com is a great site, though there is a little too much nostalgia for Excalibur. If any ride needed to be sent to the chop shop, it was that one... SWAT looks completely bad ass....
So that's where Dexter Freebish got their name from. A-train, are you talking about SWAT the movie or is there a new ride?
I got to drive the lost river boat a few times when I was little(yes I know it was on a track, but I didn't then). I loved going there. And SWAT is one of the new rides. CK
When I was a little kid I was all about the Alpine Sleigh Ride, the abominable snow man was the greatest. Driving the boat when your 4 you feel like Leo on the Titanic. I always felt sorry for those Dolphins living in that tiny pool, my first bought of political correctness. I had thought that Dexter Freebish was the lead singer of the band until I saw a picture of them and realized I went to high school with the singer.
I just went online to look at SWAT, and it honestly looks like a torture device. Does it just spin around and around? People are just going to get puked all over.
Thanks rockHEAD... that link brings back tons of memories. I took my 2.5 year old daughter to the doctor today off Fannin and when we passed by Astroworld she went, "ohhhh daddy, I want to go there"... Soon baby soon was all I could tell her.
My Brother worked at Astroworld from 1968 to about 1972. He started out on the Black Dragon, but also worked on the train and Dexter Freebish. I remember that he was fired for allegedly standing up while riding Dexter Freebish. Although, he was able to beg his way back onto the Astroworld payroll. I'm sure anyone who worked there from '68 to '72 would know him.
There are a couple of songs that remind me of old Astroworld. Stevie Wonder - Sir Duke Crap, I can't remember the other one.
What a great link, rockHEAD! I remember every single one of those great rides. When I was a kid, I lost my favorite Earl Campbell hat on that damn Excaliber Then everytime we drove by it on 610, my Dad would say, "Hey, there's your hat!". I was depressed when I found out The River Of No Return was taken down. That was my favorite!
Damn I sure do miss the Alpine sleigh ride, that was the only reason I always wanted to go. Marvel Mcfey was the mascot for the park until WB got the rights. The slanted haunted house was cool too.
Bobrek, The Taxi rides were cool, even as I got older. It was something that brought our family together. Now, I love the Looping Starship, Tidal Wave, Viper, Ultra Twister, Batman, Cyclone and anything fast and adventurous. I never cared for Excalibur, it was too weak for my tastes. I'm the guy who has to ride Looping Starship alone because everyone else was too squeamish or afraid.
man, i'm sorry, but I just laughed my @ss off reading that!!!! I feel your pain, dude.... I vividly remember Astroworld circa 1975-1984. I have these pictures from my first trip, Marvel McFey was a freak! He had like pink pants, purple shoes, a yellow hat, that fiddle... wacked out! The Alpine Sleigh, River of No Return, the little race cars, the bamboo shoot, I remember all that stuff... I too am glad this link was found!!
Thanks RH - that was sweet. Is XLR8 still around? Bamboo Shoot was pretty cool. I miss Excalibur and SkyScreamer. Oh and what about the Wagon Wheel, anyone remember that? They used to let us go over and over on that ride.
