Is There Six Flags in Orlando, Florida? - The Family Vacation Guide (2024)

posted byCharmaine Corteson December 10, 2022// last updated on June 12, 2023

Six Flags is one of the top amusem*nt parks in the world, and there are theme parks all over the United States, in Mexico, and in Quebec. Multiple states have Six Flags theme parks, but what about Orlando, Florida, one of the biggest entertainment cities in the world? Is there a Six Flags in Orlando, Florida?

There is not a Six Flags in Orlando, Florida, and there is not a Six Flags theme park in Florida at all. The closest Six Flags to Orlando, Florida, is the Six Flags theme park in Atlanta, Georgia. Six Flags Atlantis used to be in Hollywood, Florida, but it closed in 1992 from hurricane damage.

This article has everything you need to know about Six Flags in Florida, including why there is not one in Orlando, how many theme parks are in Orlando, and where all the six flags locations are.

Is There a Six Flags in Florida?

Florida does not have Six Flags, not even in Orlando, where there are many theme parks. There has never been a Six Flags in Orlando, but there used to be one in Florida called Six Flags Atlantis. The Six Flags Atlantis closed, which means there is no longer a Six Flags in Florida.

Six Flags is a theme park with roller coasters, shows, food, games, and entertainment for kids. It would fit perfectly with the other theme parks that are in Orlando or even Florida in general, but Six Flags does not currently operate any theme parks in the city or state.

However, there are plenty of Six Flags parks around North America that you can visit, but none of them are in Orlando, Florida. You can travel to any of the 11 states where Six Flags has theme parks. Or head to Quebec, Canada, or Mexico, where Six Flags are located.

So why is there not a Six Flags in Orlando?

There is not a big or known reason why Six Flags has not opened a park in Orlando, but there are a few reasons it could be. First, they might not want to compete with the big theme parks already there, like Disney World. Or, they might not be able to find the right property to open a park there.

What Happened to Six Flags Atlantis?

There used to be a Six Flags in Florida called Six Flags Atlantis. It was in Hollywood, Florida, which is near Miami, and it was the Six Flags closest to Orlando.

However, Six Flags Atlantis closed in 1992. But why did Six Flags Atlantis close?

Six Flags Atlantis closed in 1992 when the park suffered a lot of damage from Hurricane Andrew, which hit in August of that year.

Six Flags Atlantis was not originally going to be a Six Flags theme park, so there would never be a Six Flags in Orlando or Florida. It was going to be a theme park called Atlantis the Water Kingdom, which was a private park and not owned by any company like Six Flags or Disney. But, the private company ran out of money to fund the project, and they had to end the construction of the amusem*nt park.

Then, in 1983, Six Flags bought the partially complete park and completed it. It opened as Six Flags Atlantis, and Six Flags operated the park until 1989 when it sold it to a different private company.

The private company changed the theme park’s name back to Atlantis the Water Kingdom, as the original owners were planning to do. They also changed up some parts of the theme park to be slightly smaller.

However, just three years after Six Flags sold its Atlantis park, Hurricane Andrew hit, and the park was damaged. Instead of trying to repair the damage from the hurricane, the company sold what was left of the park and closed down.

Theme Parks in Orlando, Florida

You may be surprised that there is not a Six Flags in Orlando, Florida, since there are so many other theme parks in the city.

Here are some of the major theme parks you can find in Orlando, Florida:

• Magic Kingdom
• Animal Kingdom
• Universal Studios
• Epcot
• Discovery Cove
• Islands of Adventure
• Hollywood Studios
• SeaWorld

Most of these theme parks have attractions similar to Six Flags. So, while you might not be able to visit a Six Flags theme park while you are in Orlando, Florida, there are plenty of alternatives for you to consider. Most of these theme parks have rides, characters, shows, and restaurants.

Is there a Hurricane Harbor in Orlando?

If you were hoping to find a Hurricane Harbor in Orlando, unfortunately, you will not find one. Hurricane Harbor is Six Flags’ water park that usually accompanies a standard Six Flags theme park. But, since there is not a Six Flags in Orlando, it makes sense that there is also not a Hurricane Harbor in Orlando.

However, there are some other water parks that you can go to in Orlando. At these parks, you will also find water slides, wave pools, normal pools, areas for young kids, and chairs for relaxing by the pool.

Here are some water parks you can go to as an alternative to Hurricane Harbor:

• CoCo Key Water Park
• Universal’s Volcano Bay
• Nona Adventure Park
• Treasure Cove
• Orlando Watersports Complex
• Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park

All of these are good alternatives to Hurricane Harbor, but you will not find any roller coasters like you would at a regular Six Flags Park. If you want roller coasters, shows, and games, you should consider one of the parks in the section above as an alternative.

Final Thoughts

There is not, and there has never been a Six Flags in Orlando, Florida. The closest there was to Six Flags in Orlando was in Hollywood, Florida. However, Six Flags Atlantis closed in 1992 due to hurricane damage. And, at that point, it was not even actually still a Six Flags, as the company sold it in 1989. Currently, the Six Flags closest to Orlando, Florida, and Florida in general, is in Atlanta, Georgia.