Six Flags Over Texas is tired of teenage shenanigans, and the days of simply dropping your kids off are officially over. The famed park has drawn a harder line on who gets through its gates unsupervised, expanding its chaperone policy just ahead of spring break in what amounts to one of the most aggressive crowd-management moves by a major American theme park.
The Arlington location now requires all guests 17 and younger to be accompanied by a chaperone at least 21 years old, effective from park opening, not just evenings. “In response to increasing incidents of disruptive behavior across the industry and at other entertainment venues, we are implementing enhanced policies to maintain a safe, family-friendly environment,” the park’s updated code of conduct reads. Each chaperone may bring no more than five minors, down from the previous limit of 10. They must also remain on park property for the entire visit.
The shift is substantial. Last year’s version of the policy applied only to guests 15 and under, kicked in after 6 p.m., and offered chaperones considerably more latitude. “This policy is significantly stricter than the one implemented last year,” the Dallas Morning News reported. FOX 4 confirmed that guests found without a chaperone face “immediate removal.”
Of critical note, the timing—spring break week in many Texas school districts, with “teen takeover” disruptions plaguing parks all over the state/country—suggests Six Flags views the change less as a seasonal patch than a permanent recalibration. “We believe these updates will help preserve the positive atmosphere that millions of guests have come to expect,” the park states.