Rob Coasters
Rob Poster
X2 is arguably the most iconic roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain - it is the only ride of its type in the Western hemisphere, featuring controlled seat rotation throughout the course and famous for its heavy responsibility in bankrupting its manufacturer. Lasting just five years after opening for the first time in 2002 before going under the knife for a major refurbishment, the 25-year-old ride has been a total headache for the park, but is debatably the single biggest reason for an enthusiast to visit with its extremely unique and intense experience.
However, the ride has gained a reputation for insane roughness even for hardened enthusiasts, and it has come into question on maybe if its roughness is getting a little too much.
In 2022, a 22-year-old male reportedly sustained a fatal brain injury as a result of the motions of the ride.
And now, as of July 2026, it has been closed for almost two months after a rider returned unconscious to the station. His current condition is not public.
Given that one of the trains for X2 has just received a major refurbishment, this is deeply concerning, and with the age and severe unreliability of the ride, are the days numbered for this ride despite the arrival of the new train? In just four years, there have been two separate serious incidents which were enough to close down the ride to perform a full investigation. While people are confident that X2 will eventually reopen, how long will it stay that way before a third person?
X2 is an insanely demanding ride which is also pushing 30 years old, which is the service life for an average well-performing thrill coaster. It remains at the top of most enthusiasts' wish lists, and tops the lists of the most insane roller coaster most normal people will ever ride. But there is an obvious and very serious problem that needs to be addressed.
It should be noted that a test train was sent on X2 on the 6th of August, though this may be a diagnosis of the issue which may have caused the rider to return unconscious.
This thread has easy potential to be a nothing-burger in the case of it reopening, but I think that with the age, mechanical complexity, severe roughness & injuries associated with the ride, I think the time feels right to make a thread concerning what the future may hold. With the recent closures of Kumba and ArieForce One, the demise of yet another top-tier thrill coaster may not be what people want to think about right now, but unfortunately I feel that it's a conversation that needs to be had.
However, the ride has gained a reputation for insane roughness even for hardened enthusiasts, and it has come into question on maybe if its roughness is getting a little too much.
In 2022, a 22-year-old male reportedly sustained a fatal brain injury as a result of the motions of the ride.
And now, as of July 2026, it has been closed for almost two months after a rider returned unconscious to the station. His current condition is not public.
Given that one of the trains for X2 has just received a major refurbishment, this is deeply concerning, and with the age and severe unreliability of the ride, are the days numbered for this ride despite the arrival of the new train? In just four years, there have been two separate serious incidents which were enough to close down the ride to perform a full investigation. While people are confident that X2 will eventually reopen, how long will it stay that way before a third person?
X2 is an insanely demanding ride which is also pushing 30 years old, which is the service life for an average well-performing thrill coaster. It remains at the top of most enthusiasts' wish lists, and tops the lists of the most insane roller coaster most normal people will ever ride. But there is an obvious and very serious problem that needs to be addressed.
It should be noted that a test train was sent on X2 on the 6th of August, though this may be a diagnosis of the issue which may have caused the rider to return unconscious.
This thread has easy potential to be a nothing-burger in the case of it reopening, but I think that with the age, mechanical complexity, severe roughness & injuries associated with the ride, I think the time feels right to make a thread concerning what the future may hold. With the recent closures of Kumba and ArieForce One, the demise of yet another top-tier thrill coaster may not be what people want to think about right now, but unfortunately I feel that it's a conversation that needs to be had.
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