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Six Flags Atlantis

Six Flags Atlantis was a 65-acre in , situated at the southeastern intersection of Stirling Road and Interstate 95. It opened on May 28, 1983, after , the parent company of at the time, acquired the partially constructed site and completed development with a $12 million investment. Billed as the world's largest water-theme park upon opening, it featured numerous water slides, wave pools, and other aquatic attractions targeted primarily at local visitors from the tri-county area. Operated seasonally by from 1983 to 1988, the park drew crowds with its family-oriented and added dry attractions in later years. In 1988, amid financial challenges for the chain, it was sold to Inc. for $16.5 million and reverted to its original name, Atlantis the Water Kingdom, under operation by Florida Recreation Associates. The park continued operations into 1992, but sustained severe damage from on August 24, 1992, leading to its permanent closure on August 30 of that year; the site was subsequently cleared and redeveloped into the Oakwood Plaza .

History

Origins and Opening

The concept for Atlantis the Water Kingdom, a marine-themed emphasizing aquatic entertainment, emerged in the early in . Initially announced as the world's largest water theme park, the project targeted an opening in October 1982 on a 65-acre site located off Stirling Road near Interstate 95. Construction began under private developers but stalled due to severe funding shortages, leaving the site partially built and abandoned for several months. To rescue the venture, Bally Manufacturing Corporation, the parent company of Six Flags, intervened by acquiring a 62.2% controlling interest through Six Flags Atlantis Ltd. following a lawsuit against the original developers. This financial involvement enabled the resumption and completion of construction, including key infrastructure such as slide towers and a central lake. The total development was completed at a reported cost of $12 million, reflecting the challenges of the interrupted build. Atlantis the Water Kingdom grand opened on May 28, 1983, with promotional events highlighting its innovative water-based attractions and drawing strong initial attendance as a novel summer destination in . However, early operations encountered hurdles, including a one-week delay in opening the water slides for final safety checks and difficulties in staffing amid the seasonal rush. These issues were compounded by visitor feedback noting the park's unfinished feel in some areas due to the funding delays, though the overall novelty helped establish its early popularity. Subsequent ownership shifts under would occur later in the decade.

Six Flags Acquisition and Operations

The acquisition led to immediate efforts to incorporate ' corporate identity, including updated signage and promotional materials that emphasized family-oriented water adventures. campaigns targeted local tri-county residents, accounting for 85-90% of visitors, with limited outreach to out-of-state tourists due to high advertising costs in a competitive market. Operational enhancements under focused on minor infrastructure improvements, such as modernizing arcade games and introducing more thrilling water features to boost appeal, alongside standardized safety protocols consistent with the chain's other properties. The park ran seasonally, operating weekends through early summer before full daily hours during peak months, with closures from January through most of March to manage costs. Attendance grew steadily, reaching about 650,000 visitors in 1987, driven by summer crowds and revenue streams like season passes that encouraged repeat regional visits, though the park generated roughly $8 million in annual gross revenue while operating at a loss.

Independent Reversion and Final Years

In 1988, sold the property of the to Hollywood Inc., a development firm led by Swerdlow, who leased it to Recreation Inc., a Puerto Rico-based firm under the Fonalledas Group, for operations on a three-year while planning . The company's slides and equipment were acquired by Recreation Inc., which took over operations starting in 1989 and reverted the name to its original the Water Kingdom. Management was handled by Creative Entertainment Management Inc., led by former executives Lamar Parker and Gene Weeks, who committed to maintaining the park as 's largest water attraction with ongoing safety and fun enhancements. Florida Recreation aimed to extend operations beyond the initial lease, announcing plans for new Atlantis locations in Broward and Dade Counties to capitalize on the growing demand for water parks. The park introduced features like the Be A Star Backyard Show to draw families, operating daily during the summer season. Into the early 1990s, the park faced headwinds from a statewide that curbed and led to attendance declines at major attractions. Competition intensified from established rivals like Wet 'n Wild in Orlando, which reported over 1.1 million visitors in 1989 and continued strong draw through innovative slides and marketing. The 1992 season proceeded with standard operations, including water slides, pools, and entertainment, without significant expansions, leading up to the summer months.

Closure and Immediate Aftermath

On August 24, 1992, , a Category 5 storm with sustained winds exceeding 165 mph, made landfall near , devastating including the Hollywood area where Six Flags Atlantis was located. The hurricane caused severe structural damage to the park's water slides, pools, and buildings, rendering many facilities unusable. Although the park had announced on August 20 that it would close at the end of the season on August 30 due to the expiration of its lease with owner Hollywood Inc., the hurricane accelerated the shutdown process. Park staff evacuated the site prior to the storm's arrival, and post-storm assessments confirmed extensive irreparable harm, leading to the permanent closure just days after the announcement. had been strong in the preceding months, but the damage eliminated any possibility of reopening or relocation. In the immediate aftermath, Hollywood Inc. initiated the of assets to recover limited funds amid the financial strain from the . An of salvageable equipment, including damaged slides and rides, took place on October 5 and 6, , marking the end of operations. The closure highlighted vulnerabilities in coastal amusement infrastructure to , though no specific disputes or owner proceedings were publicly detailed at the time.

Attractions and Features

Water-Based Rides and Pools

The core aquatic attractions at Six Flags Atlantis centered on a variety of water-based rides and pools designed to cater to families and thrill-seekers alike, forming the park's primary draw on its 65-acre site. The park's served as a central feature, functioning as a large artificial that generated waves to simulate conditions, allowing visitors to float or play in a beach-like . This attraction emphasized family-oriented with ample space for relaxation and . A prominent highlight was the seven-story slide tower, offering multiple high-speed descents for adrenaline enthusiasts. The structure included twisting and straight-lane slides made of , providing varied thrill levels from moderate drops to more intense free-fall experiences. Complementing the slides was a lake dedicated to water ski shows, where daily performances featured professional skiers executing jumps and tricks using boats, set against a viewing area for spectators. These marine-themed spectacles added an element to the aquatic offerings. The park also featured additional water slides and flumes, including various tube and body slides that provided options for group raft rides and solo plunges, enhancing the diversity of water-based activities available to visitors. Notably, the Yellow Submarine was a distinctive entrance .

Shows, Entertainment, and Amenities

Six Flags Atlantis provided a range of non-ride entertainment and visitor amenities that supported family outings and downtime between aquatic activities. The park's water ski shows, performed on its central lake, were a signature feature, consisting of scheduled daily presentations with choreographed jumps, formations, and thematic narratives that engaged audiences through narration and spectator participation. These shows operated throughout the park's run from its 1983 opening until closure in 1992, and were included in general admission pricing. In the season, the park expanded its entertainment offerings with a refreshed water ski production alongside special events, including rock concerts like a performance on March 20, a competition on March 30-31, a high school band festival on 13, and a Camaro show on April 14. These events drew crowds for live and competitive spectacles, diversifying the park's programming beyond water-based fun. Amenities focused on family convenience and dry , particularly after upgrades funded by $1 million in investments for attractions and landscaping. New additions included shaded children's play areas with kiddy zones for supervised play, an outdoor rink for casual activity, and a racing track designed for young visitors, allowing families to enjoy picnics and low-key pursuits amid groves and tables. These features supported all-day stays, complementing the water experiences by offering respite and child-friendly options.

Legacy and Site Today

Cultural and Economic Impact

Six Flags Atlantis operated from 1983 to 1992 and contributed to South Florida's amusement offerings as a local destination along Interstate 95. Its attractions, including a and multi-story slides, attracted visitors in the region's growing water park sector during the . The park provided seasonal entertainment options for families in Broward and Miami-Dade counties, operating as a closer alternative to venues like Wet 'n Wild, which opened in 1977. This positioned it within Florida's expanding water-based entertainment industry, where parks competed for regional visitors. Culturally, the park is remembered in nostalgic accounts of 1980s attractions, with retrospective coverage noting its place among defunct local parks. Community discussions and media, including a 2021 YouTube documentary "The Troubled History of Six Flags Atlantis" by Expedition Theme Park, preserve its stories and operational history. One artifact, the Yellow Submarine water slide, was salvaged and is occasionally referenced in local reminiscences.

Redevelopment and Current Use

Following the permanent closure of Six Flags Atlantis in 1992 due to extensive damage from and subsequent lease expiration, the remaining assets were auctioned off in 1993, marking the beginning of the site's transformation. commenced shortly thereafter, involving the systematic clearing of , water slides, pools, and other structures across the 65-acre property to prepare the land for commercial . This process razed nearly all remnants of the former , leaving the site leveled and ready for new construction by the mid-1990s. The cleared site was redeveloped into Oakwood Plaza, an open-air that opened in , encompassing the original 65 acres with a focus on stores, office spaces, and expansive parking areas. Spanning nearly one mile of frontage along Interstate 95, the plaza was designed to capitalize on high-visibility highway access, drawing significant daily traffic of over 280,000 vehicles. The layout of the center, with its broad parking fields and clustered buildings, adapted the park's former open terrain for commercial purposes. As of November 2025, Oakwood Plaza remains a vibrant hub totaling approximately 899,000 square feet of gross leasable area (), featuring a mix of retail outlets, restaurants, and big-box stores such as and . Ongoing redevelopment efforts include the approved 120,000-square-foot House of Sport, set to replace the former on an 8-acre parcel, with construction phased as part of a long-term mixed-use plan. In November 2025, the City Commission approved a for a 280-unit apartment building at the plaza, further integrating residential elements. No visible remnants of the original structures remain, with preservation efforts limited to minor salvaged artifacts. The site's proximity to Interstate 95 has been a key factor in its urban planning evolution, facilitating rezoning initiatives that transitioned the property from amusement-oriented zoning to a predominantly commercial district in the early 1990s, with further updates to mixed-use designations in 2021 and 2023 to support expanded retail, office, and residential integration. This strategic location near major transportation corridors and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport has sustained high commercial viability, attracting developers like Kimco Realty to invest in adaptive reuse projects that enhance regional economic activity without preserving historical elements.

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