Six Flags Over Texas began its 65th season with a bang Saturday. Park officials held an opening ceremony detailing some of the improvements—both complete and ongoing—and emphasizing that it would be a monumental year for the original Six Flags park. Despite the February 28th date, the weather hit 82°F, proving both Aquaman and a newly-refurbished Flume 1 to be popular attractions despite the season.
Park officials including PR Manager Cyle Perez, Park Manager Mark Boyer, and Regional Manager Jeffrey Siebert spoke, emphasizing the historical importance of the park and its loyal fanbase.
Guests visiting were first greeted by a newly-paved entry road toward the parking booths, followed by a redone entry plaza made of bricks you will be able to buy and personalize. A big new sign adorns the Silver Star Carousel, with a new Six Flags over Texas sign installed in front of the entry fountain for a prime photo op.
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New sign for the Silver Star Carousel and park name photo op
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Guests can buy personalized brick to be placed in the entry plaza
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Signs indicating rides/projects still in the works for opening day 2026
Things did not start off without a hitch, however. Several rides apparently had opening day jitters in the early hours, with some suffering extended downtimes. The popular-yet-temperamental Mr. Freeze could not open with the rest of the park. A maintenance worker was seen later in the day high upon the ride’s “spike” tower, appearing to inspect a sensor while dangling from a cage (a rare sight indeed). As the day progressed, most rides appeared to open.
Maintenance works on Mr. Freeze’s spike during the 2026 opening day
Despite Freeze’s initial downtime we got to see a beautifully renovated queue line, featuring new decor and signage, a giant ice-blasting prop, and rejuvenated Mr. Freeze figure overlooking the station. And appropriate to its abandoned ice cream factory theme, it was actually cold inside again—something the summer crowds will definitely appreciate.
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A new freeze blast ray theming element added to the queue that occasionally blasts "ice"
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New theming elements in Mr. Freeze's queue
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Newly-renovated Mr. Freeze station
A park museum showcasing 65 years of history and memorabilia is set to open later this year in the Old South section, next to the Christmastime Keepsakes store that debuted in Holiday in the Park 2025. Across the path, the building previously used for Antique Photos and most recently Santa visits will become an indoor character meet-and-greet location in the spring.
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A new indoor character meet-and-greet in the Old South section
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A museum will open later this year showcasing the park's history
New Merchandise and Food Offerings
Six Flags Over Texas also showcased some of the new merch and food offerings.
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Selection of some of the new merch guests can grab in 2026
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Selection of some of the new merch guests can grab in 2026
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Preview of what the personalized entryway bricks will look like
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Jalapeno-cheddar sausage and smoked chicken wings
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New hand-dipped corn dogs will be served at the new Texas Corn Dogs & Fries stand (formerly Texas Taco Bar)
Texas Taco Bar will convert to Texas Corndogs and Fries, serving up new hand-dipped corn dogs with spiral French fries and more.
The popular pull-a-part cinnamon sugar bread added during Holiday in the Park is set to remain permanently on the menus at Los Dulces and Etienne’s.
Bubba’s now offers an Outlaw Dog made with jalapeno-cheddar sausage, while JB’s Smokehouse now serves up delicious in-house seasoned, smoked chicken wings (another menu item made permanent from Holiday in the Park). We can attest to the smoked chicken wings being quite tasty and flavorful from the meal we had at the park.
Smoked chicken wings with smashed potatoes, cornbread, and banana pudding from JB’s Smokehouse
Finally, Smith Street Ice Cream Parlor offers new desserts such as sundaes, banana splits, handmade waffle cones, and “extreme milkshakes.”
Southern Palace Theater
The park’s premier indoor performance venue, the Southern Palace Theater, has also been undergoing a multi-year, multi-phase renovation. Exterior and lobby work was completed last year while installation of new theater-style seats has started. Other upgrades include audio, lighting, and production systems, improved guest flow, and increased capacity.
The first show that will premier in the renovated theater will be the Gazillion Bubbles Show (March 14-22), followed by The Perondi’s Stunt Dog Experience weekends April 3-May 3.
Pirates of Speelunker Cave Renovations
Announced late last year was that Pirates of Speelunker Cave would be refurbished for 2026. A sign in front of the attraction implies the work is ongoing. During our ride, we noticed new figures and themed items added, whereas other features were off (one of the cave screens, various audio cues and music). We expect the park will continue working on the quirky, fan-favorite dark ride.
Tormenta Rampaging Run Progress
Tormenta trackwork completed through the post-midcourse drop
Constructions crews have made tremendous progress on the new-for-2026 Tormenta Rampaging Run in the past few weeks, completing trackwork through the second Immelmann, midcourse brake run, and drop out of the midcourse.
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Tormenta's second Immelmann leading into the midcourse brake as seen from Spain area
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View of Tormenta's progress along with the station (and remains of Conquistador's fountain)
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Workers constructing Tormenta's station
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The steep drop after the midcourse brake run
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2/3 of Tormenta's trackwork is complete as of opening day 2026
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The twisting element into the midcourse brake run
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The Immelmann inversion's size does not translate well to photos due to the track gauge
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Tormenta's towering Immelmann as seen from the front gate
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First catwalk installed on Tormenta's midcourse brake run
Station work has also progressed, with some of the finishes installed revealing the decorative styling. An official Tormenta opening date for has still not been announced, though many speculate towards a late April or May opening.
Closing Thoughts
It’s not often that we post park updates or trip reports and are unable to mention every new thing that we saw around the park, but that is the current reality of Six Flags Over Texas. There is an unprecedented amount of investment and work being put into the original Six Flags park to restore it to former glory (and very well beyond) for this significant year, and it shows.
We’re excited to see continuing enhancements to current attractions, improvements in ride and park operations, and of course the opening of Tormenta Rampaging Run alongside the reimagined Spain area and Cocina Abuela restaurant later this year.
Big thanks to Six Flags Over Texas for inviting us to the opening day event. We’ll continue to cover all the park updates as we see them.
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