Fun Spot Atlanta closure - ArieForce One Six Flags relocation

[VonRolland]

The thing that intrigues me most about the ride's new location is how the operations will differ.

It could absolutely go to a park where attempting to ride it more than three times in one day is an active chore - whether it's due to awful loose article policies or terrible operations. Going from a park where 20+ consecutive laps on it is the norm, to potentially this, will be interesting.

I also wonder will the finale change and will they have to trim the ride with it over speeding so often

 

[kristalic]

The thing that intrigues me most about the ride's new location is how the operations will differ.

It could absolutely go to a park where attempting to ride it more than three times in one day is an active chore - whether it's due to awful loose article policies or terrible operations. Going from a park where 20+ consecutive laps on it is the norm, to potentially this, will be interesting.

That and whatever park it'll go to will care a lot more about actually checking restraints.

 

[zongafan53]

The thing that intrigues me most about the ride's new location is how the operations will differ.

It could absolutely go to a park where attempting to ride it more than three times in one day is an active chore - whether it's due to awful loose article policies or terrible operations. Going from a park where 20+ consecutive laps on it is the norm, to potentially this, will be interesting.

The fact that my one day there was a relatively crowded day and I've still seen significantly more crowded ACE event ERTs is crazy to me. Also hi rob

 

[TPoseOnTantrum]

@Hutch @Matt N Brian Knoebel told a room full of ACEr’s several weeks back that John Arie Jr phoned the park multiple times about buying the coaster. They eventually began treating these as prank calls.

 

[JJLehto]

Wow! Huge news. For financial reasons at the time I was unable to make it to Atlanta and I just assumed it would be torn down tbh and I've missed it, so this is great news! Unless it ends up somewhere outside the US or ridiculously obscure lol but this is great, glad such a world class ride wont be torn down or sit idle.

These guys have clearly watched the ZDT's Switchback announcement and taken inspiration.

It's kind of exciting that we now have two unique coasters from defunct parks that are expected to turn up again somewhere before long!

Wait, Switchback has found a new home!? I ran to look, I dont see any info on where so I guess it's not been announced yet. That's amazing!
Another ride that spited me. The year I was going to Texas I had to cancel and that turned out to be its last year.

Wonderful news all around!

 

[Gavin]

As much as I'm sure it'll likely go to one of the ex Six Flags parks, I would love for this to end up with one of the Asian chains (Sun World - Vietnam, Wonderla - India, Trans Studio - Indonesia) who have some form in this area though admittedly with older and much cheaper coasters. The absolute meltdown would be delicious.

 

[davidm]

Yeah SixFlags - not saying where yet though.

ARLINGTON, Texas, Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE:FUN), North America's largest regional amusement-resort operator, has acquired ArieForce One, the celebrated steel roller coaster that captured the imagination of thrill-seekers around the world and quickly earned recognition as one of the most acclaimed coaster experiences of the modern era. Six Flags will introduce the attraction at one of its parks during the 2028-2029 operating seasons.

Six Flags Acquires Iconic ArieForce One, Bringing Fan-Favorite Roller Coaster Back to Life

/PRNewswire/ -- Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE:FUN), North America's largest regional amusement-resort operator, has acquired ArieForce One, the...

www.prnewswire.com

 

[bratcurry]

So 2028-2029 means, it'll actually open in 2030 given that we're talking about Six Flags, the kings of losses in my suffering portfolio.

 

[Hyde]

Also of note, keeping the name for “history” purposes.

There’s a part of me that wonders if this is just going to SFOG if they’re keeping the original name. No one else in the world would understand the reference outside the great Atlanta area, and you know Six Flags just wants to name it Goliath.

 

[JoshC.]

Would be funny if it ends up at Six Flags Over Georgia tbf

 

[Peet]

Also of note, keeping the name for “history” purposes.

This is logical in the sense that the ride has a great reputation and they're clearly leaning into the "we bought the World's best roller coaster" angle, so why would they rename it.

To be honest though mostly I think it will just save a bit of money on repainting and rebranding.

Or did John Aire Jr give them a hefty discount to keep his name on it?

 

[zongafan53]

Really happy about it getting relocated, little let down that it ended up in the hands of one of the big guys but yeah kinda what i expected

 

[lukpac]

I thought I would add a bit to the conversation since I'm finally back home after nearly eight weeks on the road.

I headed to Atlanta the day after I got home from my 14-game, 11-city, six-week World Cup stint to marathon the coaster with Joe Draves. The first few days were relatively quiet, with the queue extending to the bottom of the stairs inside the station. We got plenty of rides in, especially at park closing, when they let everyone not in the front or back seats stay on the train until everyone waiting in those queues got their front- or back-row rides. That allowed us to get four back-to-back rides in on single-train operation days and three in a row on Thursday and Friday when both trains were operating.

I didn't take many photos, but here are a few, starting with Joe riding in the front row with our friend Dan, who worked with Joe at GCI and is now at Hersheypark.
View attachment 42968

A friend found this photo online of John Jr. and Joe talking with Enchanted Parks CEO James Harhi, who rode and inspected the coaster with a couple of his staff members, but hasn't made an offer for the ride. (That's me on the far left.)
View attachment 42975

Wednesday's moon was amazing...
View attachment 42969

...Thursday's even more so.
View attachment 42971

On Friday morning (before everyone arrived), I took my bike for a ride around John's property and found some abandoned vehicles hidden in the brush about half a mile behind the park's parking lot. They were left there by the park's previous owner,
View attachment 42972

View attachment 42973

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Alan Schilke, Scott, and @AndHart120 arrived that afternoon, when the queue went from the station entrance door in the morning to over an hour-long wait by the afternoon due to operational problems (one of the trains was overshooting the gates).

The queue went from ten to around 30 minutes by the time Alan arrived.
View attachment 42977

This photo made the rounds online of Alan and Joe riding with me in the row in front of them.
View attachment 42978

Joining the party late...when did Alan get there on the 31st? I was there until about 5:30 but had to run to catch my flight. That was quite the crazy day.

Glad to see it's going to find a new home, wherever that may be.

 

[ECG]

Joining the party late...when did Alan get there on the 31st? I was there until about 5:30 but had to run to catch my flight. That was quite the crazy day.

Glad to see it's going to find a new home, wherever that may be.

It was around 2:30 pm on Friday, so he was there well before you left.

 

[Boodangy]

This is logical in the sense that the ride has a great reputation and they're clearly leaning into the "we bought the World's best roller coaster" angle, so why would they rename it.

On one hand I respect it

On the larger hand Arieforce One is still in contention for the worst rollercoaster name ever with names like Velokolukskiy Myasokombinat-2, so I'd honestly rather they named it Goliath because at least Goliath is easy to say.

 

[emoo]

I'd prefer the effort and consideration they put into not renaming it was instead used to rename it. But whoever did and whatever the ops become, I'm really pleased this will resurface.

 

[Remix]

This is going to be a fun time guessing where it goes! Very pleasantly surprised that they will keep John Arie’s name but probably because the rollercoaster already has a good brand around it.

 

[Matt N]

Regardless of where it’s headed, keeping ArieForce One as the name confuses me.

That name was arguably one of the worst things about the ride and barely made sense in its old location, let alone in a location that isn’t Fun Spot and has no ties to John Arie!

 

[Gavin]

There's nothing "historical" in keeping the name of a coaster that's only 3 years old. It might be well-known to enthusiasts, but outside that, very few people will have any idea, so there's nothing in terms of branding either. The narcissist ex-owner has clearly made it part of the deal.

 

[lukpac]

Regardless of where it’s headed, keeping ArieForce One as the name confuses me.

That name was arguably one of the worst things about the ride and barely made sense in its old location, let alone in a location that isn’t Fun Spot and has no ties to John Arie!

They are leaning hard into its reputation:

"Built by Rocky Mountain Construction and originally opened at Fun Spot America Atlanta in 2023, ArieForce One became an instant sensation among coaster enthusiasts for its relentless pacing, powerful airtime and unforgettable ride experience.

"From the moment ArieForce One closed, we knew how much this coaster meant to the enthusiast community and to guests who made the journey to experience it," said Mark Pauls, Chief Operating Officer of Six Flags. "We're thrilled to preserve its legacy, invest in its future and bring this extraordinary attraction to a new generation of guests.""

ArieForce One Joins Six Flags for a New Chapter in 2028/2029

ArieForce One is officially joining Six Flags and will debut in 2028. Learn about the iconic coaster's next chapter and speculate where it will land.

www.sixflags.com

That's a bit surprising to me, but the fact that Six Flags bought it at all is a bit surprising to me.

There's nothing "historical" in keeping the name of a coaster that's only 3 years old. It might be well-known to enthusiasts, but outside that, very few people will have any idea, so there's nothing in terms of branding either. The narcissist ex-owner has clearly made it part of the deal.

Not historical, but a name that's been in the news a lot.

Do we really think Fun Spot is in any position to be dictating such terms to Six Flags?