Pac-Man Land was a Pac-Man themed children's play area located in the USA section at Six Flags Over Texas. It opened in 1983, as one of the first major attractions following Bally Manufacturing's acquisition of Six Flags that same year.[1] It later closed just two years later in 1985 and was replaced by Looney Tunes Land.
The so-called "Playport" area was primarily designed by playground designer Jack Pentes, who had been inspired by Eric McMillan, a fellow designer who had recently invented the ball pit, foam swamp, and many other famous playground set pieces.[1] It was built where the petting zoo had once existed, and the Red Baron and Ferris Wheel attractions were moved from their former spots to the new area.[2]
History[]
In 1983, Bally Manufacturing, one of the biggest video game companies at the time and the co-owner of the Pac-Man franchise along with Namco, bought Six Flags.[1]
In 1984, Six Flags acquired Marriott's Great America (now Six Flags Great America) from the Marriott Corporation. As such, Six Flags gained the licensing rights to the Looney Tunes franchise, which Marriott had been given in 1976 and had been using since the opening of the park. After the acquisition, Warner Bros. worked with Six Flags to expand the license to the other parks, which included Six Flags Over Texas, since Pac-Man was going out of style after the video game industry crash of 1983.[3]
In 1985, Looney Tunes Land opened, replacing Pac-Man Land. Several of the area's rides were simply given new theming and names. The air pillows became the Porky Pig Play Pen, the ball pit became Tweety Bubbles, the children's ferris wheel became the Elmer Fudd Fewwis Wheel, the Rugged Buggy became the Roadrunner Runaround, and the Red Baron became the Tasmanian Devil Flying Aces. A fourth ride, a boat carousel named Daffy Duck Lake, was also added.[3]
Six Flags may still own the rights to Pac-Man, as he appeared on a "Pardon Our Dust" sign in 2018 showing the history of the park.
See also[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Rouner, Jef (October 29, 2013). There Was Pac-Man Land at Six Flags Over Texas. Houston Press.
- ↑ History Timeline | Six Flags Over Texas. SFOT Source.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 http://parktimes.com/pxcontent/looneytunes
