The Odd History of Six Flags’ First Dark Ride: Speelunker’s Cave

An Original of Six Flags Over Texas

The amusement industry forever changed when Disneyland welcomed its first guests in 1955.

Most amusement parks at the time had standard attractions lining the midway. They very much felt like you were at an amusement park. However, Disneyland was different because it transported guests to realistic lands of fantasy and lands far away. A park with that level of quality, storytelling, and theming was bound to inspire those who visited.

In Disneyland’s opening year, a Texas real estate developer, Angus G. Wynne, went to the newly opened Disney theme park and, with his ambitious mind, started thinking of ways he could bring this type of entertainment to his local area.

Following the foundation Walt laid down, Wynne envisioned a new park that was different than regional parks at the time. His idea would have a focus on design and theming mixed with family fun to create a complete experience beyond just rides plainly placed around the park.

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The First Six Flags is Created

Years later in 1959, Wynne along with a team of property developers and investors began planning a new amusement park eventually to be named Six Flags Over Texas.

The name “Six Flags” defined the park’s theme, as each flag symbolized the six dedicated lands in the park, each representing different nations that at one point had control over a portion of or all of Texas. These flags included Spain, France, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the United States of America, and the Confederate States of America.

Much of the park was designed by Randall Duell, who had been a set designer on Hollywood productions. Duell implemented a winding pathway layout that encouraged guests to explore the park. This concept was intended to further separate guests from everyday life when at Six Flags Over Texas.

Six Flags Welcomes Guests

With a $10 million price tag, Six Flags Over Texas opened Aug. 5, 1961, as more than 8,000 guests experienced the brand-new theme park. The public loved the clean, family-friendly, and pleasantly presented theme park. Reviews were positive, and Six Flags would continue to make improvements over the coming years.

Profits for the growing park nearly tripled between its second and third seasons, leading management to invest in a new attraction. As for the type of attraction, well, new caves were being discovered around Texas throughout the decade, so someone suggested that a cave ride would be a nice fit for the park. However, that idea was turned down almost immediately because the park didn’t have faith it would turn into an exciting attraction.

Park founder Angus Wynne kept the idea in mind and thought it could be useful at some point.

As a part of the park’s process for developing the upcoming ride, production designer Randall Duell hired a fellow set designer from the entertainment industry, Walter McKeegan. While working for Six Flags, McKeegan created a set of original characters to be used on the upcoming attraction.

Angus Wynne still had the cave ride idea in his back pocket and knew it was the perfect match with these characters for the next Six Flags ride.