Upon Six Flags over Texas’ 1961 opening, Skull Island was one of the park’s premier attractions. The area thrilled park guests for 20 years with its variety of activities including bouncy bridges, raft, slides, treehouses, and more. Skull Island brought kids’ imaginations to life and gave adults a nostalgic trip.

Part of the Skull Island’s thrill was getting there. Originally accessible only by raft, guests had to embark on a short aquatic trip to get to the secluded section. The “Skull Rock” was the focal point and namesake for the island, doubling as a slide for children.

Skull Island on the park’s original 1961 map

Evolving Space

Skull Island slowly evolved over its existence at Six Flags over Texas in reaction to its popularity. After initially opening with only a few slides and the raft ride to get to the island, the park gradually added to the attraction over the years.

In 1962 a pirate ship, cave, and exploration trails were added north of the original attraction. 1964 brought a suspension bridge and additional “swamp tree slides,” further adding to its slide count.

Families were treated to a pirate puppet show as Captain LaFeet’s Flagship Follies was introduced in 1977, replacing the tree slide. The park removed the rafts the same year to clear space for a new spinning ride known as Spinnaker.

Removal

Six Flags over Texas removed Skull Island slowly over the course of several years as newer attractions required its space.

In 1965 the park removed the pirate ship and cave.

At the conclusion of the 1968 season, crews cleared Skull Island’s suspension bridge and swamp slides to make room for the Oil Derrick observation tower. This change effectively reduced the attraction back to its original size after removing the expansion added in ’62. It also meant guests could skip the raft ride to the island by instead using a bridge near the Tower to access the area.

The addition of Spinnaker in 1977 resulted in the removal of the raft ride to the Island, making guests instead take the bridge.

Skull Island lost its namesake skull rock and pirate theater in 1978, effectively ending the attraction’s run.

The final remains of Skull Island were removed in 1982 in preparation for Roaring Rapids, the world’s first river rapids ride.

Legacy

As one of Six Flags over Texas’ main attractions at its opening in 1961, Skull Island was crucial in establishing the park throughout its early years. The attraction’s popularity led to the park sporadically updating it until its eventual removal over 20 years later in favor of newer attractions.

Guests to the park in the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s likely have fond memories of Skull Island. The crowded raft trip to get to the island, the sinister-looking skull complete with glowing eyes at night, and the variety of activities on the island that seemed straight out of fantasy books.

As theme park ride technology developed and park visitors sought newer thrills, Six Flags removed Skull Island to clear space for newer rides, but the nostalgia of the attraction and its impact on building the park’s legacy can’t be overlooked.

References

• McCown, Davis. “Skull Island” Six Flags Over Texas | Parktimes.com. Web. 26 May 2018. <http://parktimes.com/pxcontent/skullisland>.
• Skinner, Clint. Six Flags Over Texas: 50 Years of Entertainment. Createspace, 2013.
• “Six Flags over Texas Former Employee Forum” Six Flags over Texas Ex Employee Pages. Web. 26 May 2018. <http://www.sfot.net/sfot-forums/>.