El Diablo construction is rapidly progressing at Six Flags over Texas. Crews were working on the queue and surrounding area during our visit on Thursday, May 16th. Structurally the ride appears complete, though finishing touches on electrical or control systems could still be underway.

Although the park hasn’t announced an official opening date, the park typically tries to have new attractions open by Memorial Day. The park would need to hurry to put the finishing touches on the attraction to have it ready by next week if that remains the goal.

RIP Aquaman, Yosemite Sam?

As previously reported, Aquaman appears to be on its way out. Its pumps are missing and the ride’s signature Aquaman statue at the splashdown has been removed.

The big rumor for what’s replacing Aquaman seems unlikely. In case you missed it, we recently analyzed the idea that a massive, launched water coaster is replacing Aquaman. Whatever ends up replacing the park’s signature Shoot-the-Chutes ride, it will have great visibility near the park’s entrance.

Yosemite Sam’s is also obviously done for. The park removed all Looney Tunes references from the ride’s exterior and queue, blocking off the entrance, and suggesting something new is on its way. Anyone that had ridden Yosemite Sam’s in recent years shouldn’t be surprised at its impending removal/transformation, with more and more effects not functioning.

Also Gone: Boomtown Arcade and Lone Star Theater

It wasn’t immediately clear why Six Flags removed the Boomtown Arcade last year,  nor is it apparent this year either. Nothing took its place except for more asphalt and a small stage.

2019’s theme seems to be the year of removing things, and the latest deconstruction at the park is Lone Star Theater. Although its removal marks the loss of another entertainment venue, Lone Star Theater was so rarely used it shouldn’t matter much. Though its removal doesn’t exactly open up a lot of real estate for a large new ride, either.

Still Looking Bright

On a final note, Oil Derrick is still looking spectacularly bright and sharp with its paint job from last year. If you missed it, the park posted a great behind-the-scenes video of its repaint. With the Texas sun’s UV rays being abusive to park guests and ride paint alike, it’s worth taking note of a ride’s fresh paint before it inevitably fades.

Oil Derrick paint job

The Oil Derrick looking especially bright with its new paint job