Disabled patrons who can wait in ride lines will be allowed to make an appointment for each ride and receive a blue pass. Patrons who are unable to wait will receive a yellow pass that allows them to move to the front of a line.
Workers in the parks' guest relations offices are being trained to determine which patrons receive which pass, said Sharon Parker, a spokeswoman for the Arlington parks.
The new policy applies to all 21 Six Flags theme and water parks, including Hurricane Harbor, also in Arlington, Parker said.
Before last year, the parks allowed all people with disabilities to move to the front of lines. They were identified by wristbands the park issued.
But the practice prompted complaints that some people feigned disabilities and that some people with disabilities shared their wristbands with people who were not disabled.
The parks changed the policy last year, requiring all people with disabilities to get a boarding time from a ride attendant. When they returned at the appointed time, they were allowed to go directly onto the ride. They still had to wait, but not in line. It was a system virtually identical to the amusement park company's "Flash Pass," available to all patrons.
But the policy prompted complaints from parents of children with disabilities, among them Joey Miller of Burleson, the mother of Noah, 8, and Mallorie, 10. Miller said that her children are autistic and that Mallorie also has epilepsy. Her children had particular difficulty waiting in line, she said.
Miller said she and some other parents started an e-mail and telephone campaign to Six Flags' cooperate offices in New York, asking for a policy change.
Happy ending
"It's been a happy ending," Miller said Tuesday. "We went on Saturday, and it was wonderful."
Parker said Six Flags has always valued the concerns of its guests.
"Our goal is to accommodate the needs of all guests, including our disabled guests," Parker said. She added that park procedures were developed with guests' safety and comfort in mind as well as equal treatment for all guests consistent with requirements of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.
Park schedule
The parks are open daily through March 23 for spring break.
After spring break, Six Flags Over Texas will be open weekends until May 17, when the park will be open daily through summer.
Online: www.sixflags.com/overTexas
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