Regardless of the temperature readings, the Fall season is in full effect at Six Flags over Texas, with Oktoberfest and Fright Fest both running. We visited the park in mid September to catch up on all the capital improvements going on, as well as experiencing Oktoberfest for the first time.
Note: This update will be a bit light on Fright Fest, as getting full and hot from Oktoberfest meant not staying until dark to properly experience it. A future update will better cover the ghoulish event soon.
Two New Dining Options
Roller Coaster Coffee is now open in the entry plaza as soon as you get past ticket/pass scanning, in what used to be the season pass processing building. It serves standard Starbucks drinks and pastries. It’s a little strange for the new shop to be as close as it is to the pre-existing Roller Coaster Coffee added not that long ago, just a few steps away in Six Flags Universe, but both locations are reportedly here to stay.
Located in the former season pass processing building
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Interior of Roller Coaster Coffee
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Standard Starbucks items are served
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Cool old marketing materials hang throughout the coffee shop
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Tables added to the back of the location offers a relaxing, shaded area to enjoy your brew
Another newly-opened food option in Mexico & Spain is Tostito’s Cantina. Long considered by us to be an inexcusable oversight, It’s nice to get more Mexican-ish food in the Mexico and Spain area (beyond the very basic nachos served at Casa de las Banderas).
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The new dining option is located next to La Cantina by the Carousel
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No matter how you want to consume Tostitos (and you WILL if you eat here), the Cantina has you covered
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Small bar seating was added for the refurb
Oktoberfest Food Festival
Head over to our Oktoberfest Food Festival Guide to see the bulk of our pictures and information for this event. We missed the inaugural event last year so we were sure to experience it this year.
Oktoberfest takes place in the Old South and France section in the park
Overall we thoroughly enjoyed our Oktoberfest experience. The live music, decor, games, and food stands gave a really fun vibe that made us temporarily forget we were in what is usually an uneventful section of the park.
Though we bought a sampler pass, we found ourselves satisfied after 2 items (and beer of course) and will be saving the remaining punches for a future visit. The chicken apple sausage was smoky and savory with a satisfying snap in its casing, while the German potato salad was warm and tangy from the vinegar. The pretzel was hot and soft, and the accompanying beer cheese was also tasty (kudos for serving both hot, nothing is worse than lukewarm dipping cheese). Beer pours were generous with a variety of draft, and bottled/canned options.
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Chicken-apple sausage with German potato salad
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Bavarian-style pretzel with a side of beer cheese
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Several food offerings are served from a number of food stands
One suggestion to the park would be to make it more obvious that the sampler pass cannot be used for beer. Though it is specifically called a food sampler pass, other theme park food events (such as the ones at Sea World) do allow card punches to be used for alcohol, so it’s probably still worth emphasizing.
Fright Fest
Fright Fest has returned to Six Flags over Texas, bringing several new haunted houses, scare zones, and shows with it. Pictures of Fright Fest in daytime just aren’t the same, so we’ll be returning in the near future for a proper Fright Fest update.
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The infamous hearse makes another Fright Fest appearance
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Some friendly folks greeting guests into the park
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The entry has been decorated as the ride graveyard, featuring ghosts of past attractions
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Carousel stage is home to the Looney Tunes Dance-Off show during the day, and Marquis of Vaudeville at night
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This pop-up shop near the front entrance sells all sorts of Fright Fest merch
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Located In the gazebo in Mexico
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Featured in the Texas Ghost Town
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Special meals and snacks for Fright Fest can be found at several food stands
Haunted Houses
Fright Fest features 7 haunted houses this year, though it appears the new Wrong Turn on Canal Street, located by Pirates of Speelunker Cave, is still being worked on.
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Haunted house pricing during our visit (9/17/23)
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Piggy's Blood Shed is always a guest favorite haunted house
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One of the 2 haunted houses in the far corner of Gotham City
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Arania's Murder Mansion is located by where Harley Quinn Spinsanity used to occasionally operate
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The Curse of Ra haunted house entrance
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Aerial view of the Curse of Ra and Art of Torture haunted houses inside Texas Arena
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Art of Torture haunted house directional sign
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Lack of signage for the Art of Torture haunted house
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Aerial view of the Wrong Turn on Canal Street haunted house under construction
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This will eventually be the entry/exit for the Wrong Turn on Canal Street haunted house
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The Majestic Theater is home to the Reject Rows haunted house
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The line for Reject Row is near Texas SkyScreamer
Scare Zones
Seven scare zones are set up throughout the park. Most have clear signage, though we didn’t see anything for where the Lago de Miedo scare zone was. The Black Widow Walkway is placed along Big Bend walkway.
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Looks like the teddy bears recently ate, so you should be fine...
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Toys of Terror is located near the entrance of Gotham City
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Perhaps this is the Lago de Miedo scare zone?
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Venture through the haunted Texas section
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One of the scarezones between Bugs Bunny Boomtown and Texas SkyScreamer
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Also known as Big Bend walkway
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Coven Cove scare zone in Boomtown
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Scream of the Crop is in the Tower section by Newman's
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You'll never know which scarecrows might be alive in the Scream of the Crop
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Zone 6 Scare Zone is by the entry to Pirates of Speelunker Cave
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Zone 6 Scare Zone is by the entry to Pirates of Speelunker Cave
Kids Boo Fest
If your kids aren’t quite ready for bloodthirsty zombies lurking in the darkness, luckily the park has a daytime event designed just for them. They can participate in a screaming contest, paint miniature pumpkins, trick-or-treat through a hay maze, and party it up with Bugs and the gang.
Sign showing the activities at Kids Boo Fest
All events take place throughout Bugs Bunny Boomtown (except for the dance party, which takes place on the Carousel Stage).
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Screaming contest for the kids -- earplugs not included
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Show off your dance moves against Bugs and the Looney Tunes gang
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Kids can trick-or-treat through a hay maze at the Boo Fest
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Families can decorate miniature pumpkins at Boo Fest
Batman Repainting
Batman continues to be closed while its track and supports are re-painted. The track’s paint, which appears complete, is vibrant beyond photos (it was easy to get used to the faded color scheme of late). Painters have since moved on to the supports.
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A worker paints the supports dip before the first flat spin
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A worker paints the supports on the second loop
Panorama of the ride’s paint status
Other Observations
Six Flags Universe (aka Looney Tunes Mall) is currently undergoing a significant refurbishment to its interior, with half the store blocked off to guests.
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Remodeling of Six Flags Universe
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Remodeling of Six Flags Universe
We finally saw the “VIP Gazebos” in the Old South and France section have someone using them.
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Sign for the VIP Gazebos in the France section
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VIP Gazebos come with water, a locker, and other amenities
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Freeloading squirrel fully enjoying the lounge
Crazy Horse Saloon is currently operating as a VIP lounge, with a bar inside and various sports games playing on TV. It will be interesting to see if performances will ever return to the park’s oldest venue.
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Entry to Crazy Horse Saloon VIP lounge
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Inside a bar with TVs playing sports
A bunch of fun, faux cacti have been added throughout Mexico, whereas a large emblem has been installed onto one of Aquaman Power Wave’s spikes (not sure how long that’s been there). Speaking of which, the water ride was not operating during our visit, with an employee walking the track when we passed by. Reports indicate there may be issues with one of the boat’s sensors limiting it down to 1-boat operation. It’s common for new rides to go through break-in periods so hopefully the park can get it reliably running with 2 boats.
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Cacti theming added to the Mexico section
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Emblem added to Aquaman's tower
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Worker walking the track of Aquaman Power Wave
Concluding Thoughts
Our trip to Six Flags over Texas was very pleasant. It’s apparent the park is investing in improvements throughout, from painting rides and buildings, to adding small touches of theming and decor throughout. Renovations are continuing in the Boomtown restrooms after completing the Tower restrooms. Oktoberfest was surprisingly well done.
It’s was still hot (in the mid-90s), but only El Aserradero was running. Aquaman was down presumably to technical difficulties and Roaring Rapids was closed and drained for the season. No signs of El Rio Lento yet, though with the scant details initially announced by the park, it wouldn’t be surprising if the plans are still being hashed out.
The park wasn’t particularly crowded yet Pirates of Speelunker Cave had the longest line I’ve seen yet, with the queue snaking through all the queue houses.
We’ll return to the park in the coming weeks for an actual Fright Fest update. Visit our Facebook page to be notified when we post a significant update!
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