The Old Dark Ride That Made Six Flags Over Georgia Special: Tales of the Okefenokee

The Ride Experience Starting in 1968

The refurbished Tales of the Okefenokee reopened at the start of Six Flags Over Georgia’s second season in 1968.

The exterior of the ride remained mostly the same with new flat characters now in the landscaping just outside the ride. Guests waited in the same lattice-covered queue that played the same sensational song that was heard in the same area from the original version of the ride.

The tune’s lyrics were unchanged and still told the story of the original version of the ride, even though the narrative of the attraction itself had been modified. Regardless, the ride at its core had the same main characters and carried through a very similar cadence with Mr. Fox and Mr. Bear chasing after Mr. Rabbit. That said, the song was close enough narratively; more importantly, since Tales of the Okefenokee received major improvements, the ride now matched the quality of the existing bright and extravagant song.

After queuing, guests stepped onto a dual-sided load and unload platform as they boarded the old six-passenger Native American style boats and floated toward the show building. To kick off the ride, two flat rabbits around the entrance held up signs—one reading, “Please keep hands inside the boat,” and the other jestingly stating, “Do not feed the bunnies.”

The experience officially began inside, introducing riders to the hand-crafted countryside wilderness. A choir of crows on the left welcomed riders with a chorus:

“Welcome, neighbor, welcome
To the Okefenokee
Welcome, neighbor, welcome
You surely made our day…
Let’s get on our way”

Spanish moss hung from above as owls hooted at riders passing by. Around the bend, the boat approached an old plantation reclaimed by nature; creatures relaxing on the side had lines cast into the fishing hole. This peaceful scene was the first time riders met Mr. Rabbit as well as Mr. Fox and Mr. Bear. Everyone was getting along while a raccoon enjoyed a picnic basket, a lazy turtle unashamedly snored, and other critters enjoyed the restful moment.

The river made a turn, passed through a dark cave, and was met with calamity on the other side. A band of creatures stood in a line on the banks, playing makeshift instruments like washboards and jugs. One bunny found themselves in a jam and managed to use a toilet plunger as a trumpet.

The sounds of this backyard band were quickly drowned out by the frantic harmonies of a carrot choir. While wearing expressive makeup, the carrots and their simple mouth moments sang:

“Save the rabbit
Save the rabbit
Whatever you do
Or else he’s gonna end up
In a kettle of stew”

All the characters on the ride up until this point were smiling and getting along, but the forewarning from the carrots soon became clear.

Up ahead was the ride’s first conflict: The giggling, guileful Mr. Fox and Mr. Bear were kidnapping Mr. Rabbit, stuffing him into a sack. In the background amid commotion, a chicken cried and clucked from the window.

The devious duo would meet their comeuppance in the next scene as owls clinging to a bed sheet swirled over Mr. Fox and Mr. Bear like a ghost. After being courageous moments earlier, the two cowered in fear from the ghostly prank.

They were teased even more in the following scene as two nearby rabbits played with unflattering marionette puppets, making a mockery of Mr. Fox and Mr. Bear. Across the river, a family of carefree rabbits enjoyed themselves by casually lounging outside, as one of them milked a cow. They were acting as colorful and laid back as the ride had been up to this point, but that wouldn’t last.

Tales of the Okefenokee featured one of the grimmest mood shifts in any dark ride. The singing crows reappeared—this time, perched on a log—to warn riders of the dangers and mysteries up ahead.

“Before you go further
We just thought we’d warn ya
There’s a creatures up ahead now
Are liable to scorn ya…
Go back! Go back!
Turn around! Go back!”

From here, the river led into a dark cave that curved to the left. At the turn, Mr. Fox and Mr. Bear waited along the banks with an arsenal of explosives. It was open fire; sounds of blasts filled the cave while the creatures pointed their weapons directly at the boat.

Riders, for the first time in the attraction, were in immediate danger. Gone were the happy-go-lucky scenes and antics—the ride’s tone took a complete one-eighty as children aboard the boats covered their eyes.

The flowing water led to a small lift hill with Mr. Fox and Mr. Bear dangling from a fallen tree above the ride path. They swung their orange-glowing lanterns, cautioning riders of the most terrifying scenes ahead.

“Beware, beware
Go back, go back”

The boats plunged into the darkest corner of the swamp, bobbing against the wave of a splash as a violent storm took over. Fans blew gusts of wind while creaking trees lunged forward, bats scurried above, alligators snapped their jaws, rattlesnakes intimidatingly shook their tails, owls hauntingly hooed, and lightning crashed to pierce the darkness.

The nightmarish scene ended by passing through a briar patch, which was believed to have actual briars.

The river led to the safety of the rabbit family’s underground burrow with roots bursting through the dirt ceiling. It was a holiday celebration as rabbits gathered around the table, peacefully enjoying each other’s company in harmony. With the sound of sleigh bells, the kids sang a festive Okefenokee carol while feasting.

Just outside the underground cave, Mr. Fox and Mr. Bear weren’t as jolly as the rabbits. They were plopped in a frog pond and drenched in defeat while croaking amphibians hopped on the sulking scoundrels.

They were quickly disturbed in the next scene as Mr. Rabbit teased a beehive with a long stick, keeping a safe distance. Buzzing bees strung across the scene swarmed Mr. Fox and Mr. Bear as they comically scurried their feet in complete panic. This was the last riders would see of the foiled Mr. Fox and Mr. Bear—their faces animated in distress.

With Mr. Fox and Mr. Bear scared off, the smiling rabbits and creatures reunited for one final hurrah in a chaotic yet celebratory fashion. In jubilee, the lush woods nearly transformed into a carnival as a rabbit juggled, a raccoon swayed with bunnies on their shoulders, a rabbit and a turtle bounced on a seesaw, a bunny swung from a playground without worry, a rabbit hula-hooped, a cottontail performed magic tricks, and another floated off with their hand full of balloons.

In the same way the ride started, the anthemic crows sang goodbye to the riders. Across the way, four singing watermelons joined in on the bright celebration. Finally, a raging sun above belted out jovial laughs, and Ms. Rabbit sent riders off with a warm invite:

“Bye now. Y’all hurry back, ya hear?”

The boats entered a cave lined with a kaleidoscope of multi-colored diamonds before being blasted with sunlight and returning to the real world.