History of The Cave

The Cave opened at Six Flags over Texas in 1964. Guests floated down a water trough in tub-like boats through a number of scenes with peculiar-looking creatures known only as “Speelunkers.” The Cave didn’t have any sort of backstory, instead offering random glimpses into the lives of the long-faced, elfish beings.

Time Warner’s purchase of the Six Flags chain in 1992 inspired re-theming The Cave to Yosemite Sam’s Gold River Adventure, taking advantage of the new Looney Tunes IP. Fans of the quirky Cave ride and its Speelunker inhabitants were saddened to see the change.

Unlike its predecessor, Gold River had a loose storyline of Yosemite Sam robbing the bank and Sheriff Bugs Bunny (and his deputies—the riders) tracking him down. If you never experienced the ride, spoiler: he was captured and the gold recovered.

As the years went on, Gold River’s animatronics and effects aged and the ride unexpectedly closed in late 2018 due to flooding and would never reopen. After years of remaining shut down and no official word from the park, Six Flags management announced in 2021 the ride would be re-imagined as Pirates of Speelunker Cave and opening the following year, alongside Aquaman Power Wave (whose opening would ultimately be delayed until 2023).

Pirates of Speelunker Cave pays significant fan tribute by adding the unique Speelunker characters alongside the non-licensed pirate theme Six Flags corporate has previously used on other rides.