Hurricane Harbor Oklahoma City Announces June 19 Opening Date
Hurricane Harbor Oklahoma City, the largest waterpark in Oklahoma, today announced reopening date of June 19, 2020. In accordance with Governor Stitt’s Open Up and Recover Safely Plan (OURS), and following Mayor Holt’s recent proclamation allowing businesses to reopen the park will begin operating at reduced attendance levels and in preview mode June 19-21 for Members and Season Pass Holders only. After a short initial reopening phase, the parks will gradually increase attendance levels throughout the month. The parks are implementing extensive new safety measures and hygiene protocols, including several new advanced technology systems to protect guests and employees.
“Hurricane Harbor Oklahoma City is a summer tradition for many Oklahomans and we are excited to welcome families back to our park. The safety of our guests and team members remains our number one priority and the new guidelines we have in place will create a safer environment for everyone,” said Hurricane Harbor Oklahoma City director David Riddles. “We especially appreciate the support of state and local officials throughout this reopening process.”
As previously announced, the parks will employ a sophisticated online reservation system to manage attendance, schedule guests for entry by day, and stagger arrival times to minimize proximity exposure. Other new technologies include:
- State-of-the-art thermal imaging for temperature checks;
- Advanced security screening technology for touchless bag checks; and
- Expanded mobile food ordering.
The parks’ reopening plan, which the company developed with epidemiologist consultants, meets or exceeds federal, state, and local guidelines. It sets standards for executing at the highest levels of hygiene and social distancing protocols.
“We have developed a comprehensive reopening safety plan that includes best practices from theme park and waterpark industry experts, along with top destination parks from around the world, which will allow guests to experience our parks in the safest possible way. This ’new normal’ will be very different, but we believe these additional measures are appropriate in the current environment,” said Six Flags President and CEO Mike Spanos.
Reopening plans include:
Health Screenings for Guests and Team Members
- Contact-less IR thermal imaging will be used to screen temperatures of guests and employees prior to entry; and individuals will be asked if they are healthy and will be required to acknowledge the company’s health policies;
- Following CDC guidelines, all guests over the age of two and all team members will be required to wear face masks covering the nose and mouth throughout their visit/work day. Accommodations may be made on a case-by-case basis for persons with disabilities, health concerns, religious restrictions, or other circumstances that in Six Flags’ discretion warrant a modification of this face mask requirement; /li>
- All guests over the age of two and all team members will be required to wear face masks covering the nose and mouth throughout their visit/work day; and
- Any guest without a mask will be able to purchase one at the front gate.
- Masks will not be required on waterslides, attractions or in pools.
Strictly Enforced Social Distancing
- Easy to identify distance markers will be added in all park entry, ride, restroom, retail locations, and dining queue lines;
- A limited number of complimentary lifejackets will be available upon request; however, families are encouraged to provide their own coast-guard approved lifejackets for children under 42,” or those who are not strong swimmers. All Hurricane Harbor lifejackets will be sanitized before and after every guest use;
- Dining areas will be adjusted to allow ample space between seated parties;
- Guests will be allowed to ride on a tube with family/group members, but will not be sharing a tube with those not in their immediate party;
- Guests will no longer be allowed to bring their own tubes into the water park;
- Guests will be separated by empty rows and/or seats rides, and attractions;
- Advanced security screenings will enable touchless bag checks;
- Capacity at on some attractions including the Wave Pool and Lazy River will be reduced to meet social distancing requirements; and
Extensive Sanitization and Disinfecting Protocols
- Trained and dedicated cleaning teams have been put in place;
- Rides, and handrails will be cleaned throughout the day;
- Increased sanitization and disinfecting of high touch points, including: Public Seating, Tabletops, Counters, Doors, Trash cans, Deck Chairs, Life Jackets, Tubes and Rafts
- Restroom staff will be stationed to disinfect each stall, sink, and shower area on a frequent basis;
- Multiple hand-washing and alcohol-based hand-sanitizer stations will be located throughout the parks; and
- All team member work areas will be regularly sanitized and disinfected.
Sanitized Food Preparation and Service
- Modified menus and implementation of mobile food ordering will help facilitate touchless transactions;
- Self-service buffets and salad bars will be reconfigured to eliminate guest contact with food;
- Condiments, self-serve cutlery, and napkins will be provided to guests with their meals as required; and
- Beverages will be served by attendants, and guests will receive any drink bottle refills in a paper cup each time they refill.
Commercial-Grade Cleaning Equipment and Supplies
- All employees will be issued Team Member Action Packs which will include: a safety face mask, safety glasses, and disposable gloves;
- Low pressure backpack sprayers will be utilized for disinfecting large areas;
- Abundant supplies of sanitizers and disinfectants will be available;
- Microfiber cloths will be used to sanitize surfaces; and
- Queue line supplies, fencing, and tents will be in place to promote safe social distancing.
Multi-Layered Guest and Team Member Communication
- Frontline team members will go through extensive COVID-19 training;
- Safety messaging and reminders on Six Flags’ website, newsletters, in-park announcements, and recorded phone messages will occur frequently;
- Distance markers and physical distance indicators will be in place;
- Informational safety signage is posted throughout the park; and
Park Reservations System to Manage Attendance
Six Flags will establish attendance caps that will be well below the park’s theoretical capacity in order to allow for proper social distancing. All Members, Season Pass holders and all guests with a single-day or group ticket will need to make a reservation at www.sixflags.com/reserve. The process will take 5-7 minutes, and guests will complete the following steps:
- Enter their online order number, ticket number or Membership/Season Pass number;
- Select the day and the approximate time they want to visit;
- Watch a brief video describing new social distancing and sanitization procedures;
- Acknowledge their understanding of the company’s health policy; and
- Order pre-paid parking, if they do not already have a parking pass.
Guests may make reservations beginning June 4, and will be contacted electronically (either by email, text or both) the day before their scheduled visit. All Members and Season Pass Holders will receive booking priority over single-day and group ticket buyers.
The Six Flags brand is synonymous with family fun and thrills for all ages. These significant new changes are designed to improve the overall park experience while keeping guests and employees safe.
Six Flags Season Passes and Memberships are currently on sale. Members can enjoy priority park entry and tremendous discounts of up to 50% on nearly all food and merchandise all season long. Gold Plus, Platinum, Diamond, and Diamond Elite levels are available featuring all the perks of a Season Pass plus other benefits including admission to all Six Flags branded theme and waterparks, preferred parking, and points that can be redeemed for free food, merchandise, and special experiences. Visit the Membership Sales Center or go online to sixflags.com for more information and to sign up today.