We visited the park on a brisk, late-February Saturday to see Aquaman continuing to test in preparation for its March opening, and also explore some of the other ongoing changes to the park in preparation for the 2023 season.
Aquaman Testing
As you’d hope for a ride under construction off-and-on for 3 years, Aquaman Power Wave is functionally complete, with technicians performing several test runs of the ride during our visit. A few days ago the park announced it will open March 11 for Spring Break, though some have floated rumors that it could open earlier for a passholder sneak preview.
-
View from the USA walkway
-
Aquaman logo added to the giant splash guard
-
Aquaman Test seat at ride entrance
-
Queue line entrance setup
-
Ride entrance sign installed
-
Additional signage/theming in-process
-
Ride station and controls
-
Turntable oriented to allow boat addition/removal from transfer track
-
View of the pump house and queue line from the train
2023 Events
Six Flags added several signs throughout the park highlighting the 2023 events. There certainly seems to be a push to have an event going on throughout the entire year.
Special events scheduled for 2023
Gotham Games Refurb
Nearly all the games in Gotham City are currently blocked off for what appears to be a large-scale refurbishment. Beyond the fences, games have been removed but not yet replaced with anything. It will be interesting if the park tries putting different types of games here, as these games haven’t seemed well-utilized by guests historically.
-
New basketball game replacing the ladder game near the railroad crossing by Freeze
-
Large section of Games near Batman is blocked off for construction
-
Games have been removed but not yet replaced with anything
-
Gotham Games construction
-
The entire area of games is fenced-off
Pirates of Speelunker Cave
Pirates of Speelunker Cave remains closed as the park continues repairs from last year’s flood. Kudos to the park for adding more descriptive signage (not only to Speelunker but to many others) that better explains why the rides are closed, versus the generic “this ride is closed” signs that left guests in the dark.
-
Pirates of Speelunker Cave Entrance
-
Sign explaining Speelunker's closure
Texas Path Open Again
The pathway in the Texas section that houses Rodeo is once again open. Nothing else seemed significantly different or new, making us question the point of the area’s extended closure.
-
This section of Texas has reopened
-
Rodeo is one of the rides reportedly being repainted in 2023.
-
This section of Texas has reopened
Mine Train Upgrades
Mine Train is currently one of the closed roller coasters as the park is reportedly upgrading the ride’s control system to run 3 trains.
-
Sign at Mine Train entrance explaining why it's closed
-
Addition to the station
-
Cabling work near lift 3
Pineapple Man Open
The new Pineapple Man stand opened last year in Tower across from Chop Six (which is closed). They offer a pretty unique selection of drinks and even a lobster bisque.
-
Pineapple Man food stand is now open
-
Varied selection of food and drinks
Rollercoaster Coffee Change
Well that didn’t last long. After about a year of Rollercoaster Coffee opening up inside Six Flags Universe (formerly Looney Tunes Mall) and serving Houston-native Katz coffee, the switch has been made to Starbucks. All hail the coffee overlord.
-
Roller Coaster Coffee now serving Starbucks
-
Roller Coaster Coffee in Six Flags Universe store
Other Noteworthy Items
-
El Sombrero is thankfully supposed to be repainted in 2023.
-
Courthouse Stage and all related signage is gone.
-
Judge is closed as it undergoes re-tracking in areas.
-
Have a seat. On the ground you peasant.
-
Giant's exit had all its exit completely re-boarded.
Recent Comments