SAN ANTONIO \u2013 At Six Flags Fiesta Texas, the thrills take center stage. When it comes to the weather operations, safety is the top priority.<\/p>\n
In a region known for fast-changing weather conditions, park officials rely on real-time data to make critical decisions that protect guests. <\/p>\n
Monitoring the weather <\/p>\n
Six Flags Fiesta Texas tracks the latest weather conditions directly inside the park. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe have so many things in place and a very well trained staff,\u201d said Cyle Perez, the park\u2019s regional manager of public relations. \u201cWe actually have four weather stations here on property that monitor wind speed, gusts, weather and temperatures.\u201d<\/p>\n
The park can identify where the nearest lightning strike within a 15-mile radius. That level of precision allows park officials to act immediately when conditions become unsafe. <\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s say there\u2019s lightning five miles within us. So that\u2019s going to put down some of our coasters here,\u201d Perez said. \u201cWe do that based off of what we have at the weather stations actually here on property.\u201d <\/p>\n
From there, staff members begin to coordinate responses, alerting ride operators and following manufacturer guidelines for each attraction. <\/p>\n
But it\u2019s not all stormy weather. Six Flags Fiesta Texas also has multiple ways to cool down at restaurants and shops. <\/p>\n
\u201cOf course, we have Hurricane Harbor San Antonio. Which has a Texas-shaped Wave pool, which is a lot of fun to get into,\u201d Perez said. <\/p>\n
For thrill-seekers, few can beat the old-fashioned way of feeling natural air conditioning while whipping by on a roller coaster. <\/p>\n
Smart coasters add another layer of protection<\/p>\n
In addition to weather monitoring systems, some rides are equipped with built-in technology that tracks environmental conditions in real time. <\/p>\n
One example: some roller coasters can detect wind speeds on their own and signal when conditions aren\u2019t ideal for operations. <\/p>\n
Park officials acknowledge that weather-related ride closures can be frustrating for guests. The pauses, however, are a necessary part of keeping everyone safe. <\/p>\n
\u201cSafety checks are every single day \u2014 for every single coaster \u2014 before we open,\u201c Perez said. \u201dEvery day, everything gets a safety check.” <\/p>\n
Perez said anyone planning their next Six Flags Fiesta Texas visit should keep the Six Flags app handy for important updates and where to find a cool place to wait out the weather. <\/p>\n