Tormenta Rampaging Run is one step closer to being unleashed with the record-breaking coaster beginning to test. We visited the park on a toasty Sunday, (May 31, 2026) to hopefully catch some of those test runs and see what else is happening at Six Flags Over Texas as its 65th anniversary transitions to daily summer operation.
We arrived at the park shortly after opening and were immediately greeted by 3 loud warning sirens, the precursor to Tormenta crews sending a train on a test run.
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A bull and a Tormenta logo have been added to the maintenance shed
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Another view of the post-midcourse Immelmann
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Tormenta's first Immelmann will seemingly have great hangtime
A test train freefalls down the first drop
It’s been said before, Tormenta looks deceptively small in photos due to the scale of the track. It’s only when a train is sent that you capture the true scale of the ride. The train’s speed through the first Immelmann seems slow (hangtime?) whereas it rockets through the vertical loop (positive G’s?).
Inside the park work continues in the Spain area with crews constructing the new Spain archway and Tormenta’s entryway.
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The Spain archway is being reconstructed for the redone area during Tormenta construction
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Structure for Tormenta's entrance
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The twist out of the second Immelmann into the midcourse brake
Unfortunately we only witnessed a handful of test runs before they stopped running trains, preventing us from getting any video.
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The swoopy second-half of Tormenta should provide some great views from the parking lot
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A test train speeds through the overbanked turn
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A test train exits the post-midcourse Immelmann
The scale of Tormenta’s first Immelmann is hard to comprehend
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Another view of the extreme transition out of the midcourse brake
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The steep drop out of the midcourse
Summer Entertainment
Summer has officially started with the park opening for daily operations and debuting a number of new shows. We were only able to catch one show during our short visit before succumbing to the heat—Western Daze Marionette Show. This entertaining performance incorporates a number of unique feats that you may not expect from a simple ‘puppet show.’ It takes place in a relatively new entertainment venue known as Texas Arcade (which makes sense if you’re old enough to remember there being an actual arcade here, and if you’re even older you may remember this housing a shooting gallery).
Western Daze Marionette Show during summer 2026
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Western Daze takes place in the Texas Arcade across from Crazy Horse Saloon
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Western Daze Marionette Show during summer 2026
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Western Daze Marionette Show during summer 2026
Though we didn’t catch it this visit, a new show called Celebrate! is taking place in Southern Palace. This musical revue highlights a popular song from every year from 1961 (SFOT’s opening year) through 2026. Celebrate! runs May 23-June 21, Thursdays-Sundays at 5 and 7pm.
The classic Texas Justice show has returned with a twist – its location has shifted down the path a bit towards Rodeo instead its usual location Courthouse Stage (which often created a lot of guest congestion). Over in Gotham City The Swelltones perform a 1950s-style doo-wop with an all-new performance. Though what’s puzzling about this show is why the park removed Gotham City stage late last year to apparently continue to have shows here, but now on a concrete pad instead of the stage.
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The Texas Justice show has shifted its location from its typical "Texas Courthouse" place
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The Swelltones performance takes place in Gotham City
We’re glad to see the Crazy Horse Saloon once again being used as an entertainment venue, with Miss Cameo Kate’s Western Burle Q Revue taking place throughout the summer.
Park Operations Observations
As Six Flags Over Texas starts its summer season, it still faces an unfortunate variety of ride closures and limited attraction availability. Mr. Freeze is still running a single side (the reverse side hasn’t run at all this season), while New Texas Giant continues operating a single train. Shock Wave has been closed all this year as it supposedly waits on replacement parts from overseas. The Six Flags Museum, a new addition for this 65th year, continues to be coming soon.
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Shock Wave continues experiencing an extended downtime
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The Six Flags Museum continues to be coming soon
Roaring Rapids remains closed despite previously having signs promising a Memorial Day reopening. This third water ride would have been a welcome addition on this 95°F May day. Oil Derrick was still closed, its entry blocked with a sign seemingly acknowledging the park’s operational failings this year. What’s funny is that we’ve seen this same sign throughout the spring promising a free ticket to return in summer, but now that summer is here, what differences (and when) should returning guests expect?
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A sign outside the closed Oil Derrick promising a ticket for another summer day
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Roaring Rapids remains closed as of May 31 2026
It seemed all but the major dining and shopping locations were closed, a not-uncommon thing for Sundays with lighter crowds.
We’ve previously reported on the operational issues and leadership changes that the park has faced this season, many of which can be traced back to corporate decisions as the chain struggles to escape its overall financial situation. We are now two weeks away from a series of World Cup games starting at nearby ATT Dallas Stadium where the park can expect an influx of international visitors, but it seems unlikely the park will be back to “full” capacity by then. The one ride we did do on this visit, Texas SkyScreamer, had a short three-switchback line that took over 20 minutes to get through due to crews with no sense of urgency, a recurring theme per social media posts.
Other Sightings
Despite the ongoing operational challenges, the park remains remarkably clean and visually appealing. Last year’s pushes for capital improvements and various beautification projects continue to pay off.
SFOT Front Entry during Summer 2026
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Natural park beauty as seen from a seating area (formerly the Blacksmith shop)
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The Old South section is always a welcome relief from the summer sun
We weren’t pleased to see a return of the gate blocking off direct access to Mr. Freeze and Batman, instead redirecting guests through the Games area to get to the rides. Over in Tower section, the building formerly housing the esports gaming (and selling cheesesteaks before then) remains unchanged. Hopefully this will convert back to a restaurant at some point, as its location off the beaten path was always a nice retreat from the crowds.
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No changes to the building formerly housing the gaming facility
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Gate blocking direct access to Mr. Freeze and Batman the Ride
Closing Thoughts
Six Flags Over Texas’ 65th season continues to be a mixed bag. A solid entertainment lineup and unprecedented anticipation over Tormenta (which we expect an opening day announcement any day now) contrasts with operations seemingly struggling to open and run rides at intended capacities. Whether the coming weeks bring meaningful improvement remains to be seen, but for now, Tormenta stands as both a symbol of what’s possible and a much‑needed spark of optimism for the season ahead.
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