Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is doing what it does best — thinking big. Over the next two years, the company is pouring $1 billion into its parks, betting big on a future filled with heart-stopping thrills, splash-filled laughter, and memories worth holding onto. Leading the charge is Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington, the flagship locale that’s about to get a whole lot flashier.
At the center of the buzz? A record-breaking dive coaster, set to pierce the Arlington skyline in 2026. Not to be outdone, Hurricane Harbor Arlington is making waves with “Splash Island,” a sprawling, interactive kids' area that promises to be the biggest investment the waterpark has ever seen.
“Six Flags is about creating unforgettable experiences,” says Richard Douaihy, president of Six Flags Over Texas. It’s the kind of statement you might expect, but there’s a certain conviction in his tone. “Our multi-year expansion plans are bringing cutting-edge thrill rides, revitalized family experiences, elevated dining, and expanded events.”
But every beginning comes with an end. To make room for the future, two staples of Six Flags Over Texas—La Vibora, a steel bobsled coaster that’s been slicing through the air since 1986, and El Diablo, the fiery giga loop coaster that debuted in 2019—are being retired.
“We understand saying goodbye to beloved rides is tough,” Douaihy says with a note of sincerity. “But these changes are part of our growth. We’re laying the groundwork for new adventures.”
Six Flags’ plans aren’t just a bold move; they’re a mirror reflecting the bigger trends in the world of waterparks and theme parks. According to a report from Hotel & Leisure Advisors, waterparks in particular are experiencing a surge of innovation. The industry saw 16 new indoor waterparks and 12 outdoor parks open in 2023 alone. Among the standouts? Kalahari Resort in Round Rock, Texas, an 11-slide wonderland complete with a lazy river and swim-up bars.
There’s competition in the air, and Six Flags isn’t shying away. The company’s planned merger with Cedar Fair will create North America’s largest operator of outdoor waterparks — a move that signals their intention to own the space, quite literally.
Here’s the lay of the land: Across the U.S. and Canada, 1,222 waterparks were in operation as of early 2024. The Midwest and South are where the action is, with nearly 850 parks between them. The South boasts the most outdoor waterpark resorts, while the Midwest leads in indoor waterpark properties.
It’s a world of chlorinated competition, where surf parks and lagoons are stepping into the limelight, blending waterpark attractions with wave machines to draw in a new kind of crowd. The thrill game is changing, and Six Flags is betting on being at the forefront.
For Six Flags fans, the wait is part of the excitement. The promise of a dive coaster reaching for the record books and a waterpark expansion unlike anything before hints at a future filled with awe. More details will be shared later this year, but one thing is clear: Six Flags isn’t just riding the wave of the industry — it’s making its own.
