All adventures must come to an end. After 44 years, the Conquistador sails off into the sunset.
On September 17, Six Flags announced that the iconic and much-loved Conquistador ride—commonly known as ‘the ship’—would be removed. The park’s Spain section is undergoing a major renovation, with the nearby La Vibora and El Diablo attractions being dismantled to make way for a new dive coaster opening in 2026.
The Conquistador, a swinging ship ride themed as a 16th-century Spanish galleon, was introduced at Six Flags in 1981. It was always a swashbuckling good time on the high seas. Sitting in the back row was a must; your stomach flipped and you felt like you might tumble out of your seat. A unique aspect of the ride was that the rows faced each other, so you could see other people’s reactions.
Conquistador in motion at Six Flags Over Texas
Photo Credit: SFOT Source
As a kid and even as an adult, a Six Flags adventure trilogy was a tradition. We’d ride the hat, the ship, and the bobsled—that is, El Sombrero, the Conquistador, and La Vibora—usually in that order since they were all near each other and close to the park’s entrance. Not to be overly dramatic, but I feel like a small part of my childhood has come to an end. A fair amount of people had similar reactions on social media, with many lamenting the loss of nostalgia and some even outraged at the removal. For many, it was their first ‘big kid’ ride, even a rite of passage—a step up from the kid’s stuff but not quite a thrilling roller coaster.
It was a fun ride and will be missed.
Six Flags Over Texas—Facebook post, 09-17-25
Blog post by Jason S. Sullivan, 09-17-25
Jason S. Sullivan 