X2 at Six Flags Magic Mountain - Future?

[Rob Coasters]

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. On around 22/08/2026 it was confirmed that he passed away due to head trauma.

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.

 

[i305_zack]

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.
View attachment 43171

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.

As a local of Cali, I visit SFMM probably 3 times a year and x2 is the absolute main reason I visit, if it’s not open, I won’t even bother going. If they close this thing down it will be absolutely devastating for the park. Only other amazing coaster there is Twisted Colossus and that’s not enough to get me to drive 3 hours for. I hope that Sfmm invests the money in a good retracking for this coaster and give the trains an upgrade so it can continue to thrill riders for years

 

[ECG]

... I hope that Sfmm invests the money in a good retracking for this coaster and give the trains an upgrade so it can continue to thrill riders for years

Can't imagine spending that kind of money on anything other than a replacement. I can even see the park closing Viper at the same time to bring in a "record-breaking" coaster, like at Great Adventure, where Bakunawa replaced Kingda Ka and Green Lantern. X2's days are numbered, and I hope the park doesn't wait for another incident to call it a day.

 

[Rob Coasters]

Can't imagine spending that kind of money on anything other than a replacement. I can even see the park closing Viper at the same time to bring in a "record-breaking" coaster, like at Great Adventure, where Bakunawa replaced Kingda Ka and Green Lantern. X2's days are numbered, and I hope the park doesn't wait for another incident to call it a day.

This was my theory. If they make the decision to close X2, they'll use that as an excuse to close Viper at the same time, and replace both rides with one singular larger attraction.

However, we saw recently with post-merger Six Flags that we are almost past the time of when every defunct ride got a replacement. We're seeing a LOT of removed rides with no plans for their replacement, but I suppose this same thing has been happening for years now...

 

[rideguy70]

While I obviously concede X2 can be a bumpy ride, I can also think of lots of other rides that are just as rough, if not more so, that are still around. I mean, literally Viper next door is not exactly smooth, and TBH, gives me more of a headache than X2 does.

But also as a SoCal local, I can tell you that this ride is still hugely popular among regular SFMM guests. IMO, it's the #1 ride guests rush to at rope drop, and it always maintains lines all day long. Okay, some of that is because of slow ops, but the point is, people are even willing to wait out out a long line with slow ops to ride this.

Will this have to close eventually? Sure. But when/if it does, SFMM has to know they're are going to have to replace it with something equally impressive. Because their guest attendance will likely take a huge hit until they do.

 

[i305_zack]

While I obviously concede X2 can be a bumpy ride, I can also think of lots of other rides that are just as rough, if not more so, that are still around. I mean, literally Viper next door is not exactly smooth, and TBH, gives me more of a headache than X2 does.

But also as a SoCal local, I can tell you that this ride is still hugely popular among regular SFMM guests. IMO, it's the #1 ride guests rush to at rope drop, and it always maintains lines all day long. Okay, some of that is because of slow ops, but the point is, people are even willing to wait out out a long line with slow ops to ride this.

Will this have to close eventually? Sure. But when/if it does, SFMM has to know they're are going to have to replace it with something equally impressive. Because their guest attendance will likely take a huge hit until they do.

Obviously can’t speak for everyone but it will for sure affect me with how often I visit the park..worthy replacements to me include like a Mack extreme spinner, Intamin multi launch, S&S 4TH dimension, a giga by either Intamin, Mack, or B&M, and lastly a Mack hyper

 

[VonRolland]

Get the blowtorches and C4 at the ready, this puppy is coming down

 

[JJLehto]

I think the roughness of X2 was a different beast, it wasn't just rough but the janky spinning on top of it. I know I was kinda startled how not totally smooth the rotations were felt a little more "segmented" and there's the part were going straight the seats did briefly but kinda violently jerk back and forth. BUT that was part of the experience. That said, I see why it's gained its reputation even among us, and sadly I do think it's days are limited. Multiple injuries now, maintenance issues....we know how this goes.

It will also limit my interest. Maybe I'm off the rails here but while I like it, SFMM never was toooo high on my list. I dont think it has a terribly strong lineup. If X2 goes, if I was in CA I may not want to bother stopping here and what its replacement is will indeed be a huge factor. If its meh then yeah I wouldn't really prioritize SFMM.

 

[StevenX]

I've been to SFMM maybe three times since X2 opened, and have never got on X2. It's been closed all day every single time Ive been, and I've largely given up on it and wouldn't make the trip specifically in the hopes of getting on it, living in the UK. I've been on Eejanaika a bunch of times and it's one of my favourites though - although I imagine X2 is a bit jankier, it'd be a shame to see it go. You do wonder what Six Flags' appetite for keeping it is at this stage though.

I'd have loved to have seen more of these in the wild; Eejanaika is hugely popular at FujiQ, so despite the intensity, people do seem to love them. Sadly, I expect they cost a fortune to build, run and maintain.

 

[Nitefly]

It’ll be sad if it closes. There’s hasn’t been anything else like it that I’ve been on.

I saw someone have a full on panic attack and collapse after they got off it… and tbh I’m not surprised, even as a hardened enthusiast it made me feel pretty anxious.

I mean, those restraints are like a child’s life jacket… with your lower half totally exposed. I definitely remember thinking “surely not…” as I strapped myself in. I was in proper panic mode by the time I got to the top.

Gotta’ respect it. Terrifying.

 

[Newtrek5]

Unlike a decade ago, there are new coaster models that would have the immediate impact that X2 has, without the baggage.

Extreme spinners

Intamin multi launchers

Mack Hypers/ Stryker coasters

Giga Dives

S&S Axis

RMC Split Rex

They no longer are forced to stick with X2 as a draw.

 

[i305_zack]

Unlike a decade ago, there are new coaster models that would have the immediate impact that X2 has, without the baggage.

Extreme spinners

Intamin multi launchers

Mack Hypers/ Stryker coasters

Giga Dives

S&S Axis

RMC Split Rex

They no longer are forced to stick with X2 as a draw.

Not the giga dive…if a giga dive replaces x2 im going to be so mad, i know my opinion doesn’t matter at the end of the day but i would be extremely disappointed with that

 

[Hixee]

Not the giga dive…if a giga dive replaces x2 im going to be so mad, i know my opinion doesn’t matter at the end of the day but i would be extremely disappointed with that

The way B&M are going, a giga-dive wouldn't even be an improvement to the roughness either...

 

[bratcurry]

Because X2 tried to break my calves and knees, I'm not at all sad about it being closed forever. My only sadness would be that my gf would never have the ability to tie my cred count lol.

 

[JJLehto]

Because X2 tried to break my calves and knees, I'm not at all sad about it being closed forever. My only sadness would be that my gf would never have the ability to tie my cred count lol.

Or guess it gives you a 1 cred permanent edge, if it's a contest

But yeah we enthusiasts are a nutty bunch, I do wonder how the "GP" felt. We can find a weird enjoyment in the experience and the unhinged nature (some of us) but I know the twice I went and it was open...the lines were short, they just moved dreadfully slow but I was like hmmmm wonder if people don't like this ride. And I couldn't blame em if so. I still am 100% unsure my feelings, I decided X2 is an "experience" and unsure if I feel more than that.

Anyway we have confirmation of the worst, the injury was a fatality. Already bad and I guess we'll find out if there were any unknown conditions that contributed BUT seems the cause of death was head trauma and LA County medical examiner believes the violent jolts of the ride likely contributed. Family seems to be suing. Yeah...its over for X2.

 

[SeanC]

That's sad. Wouldn't that be the second person who died of head trauma in less than 5 years? If that's the case, the ride should close for good.

If they wind up opening the vekoma thing next year and it's decent, they can demolish both X2 and Viper and replace it with a thrill coaster that's better than both. Maybe a giant tilt if the vekoma relationship is good. Or a giga dive. It would need to have that eye-catching element as the first thing you see when you drive to the park.

 

[JJLehto]

That's sad. Wouldn't that be the second person who died of head trauma in less than 5 years? If that's the case, the ride should close for good.

If they wind up opening the vekoma thing next year and it's decent, they can demolish both X2 and Viper and replace it with a thrill coaster that's better than both. Maybe a giant tilt if the vekoma relationship is good. Or a giga dive. It would need to have that eye-catching element as the first thing you see when you drive to the park.

I actually had no idea, but seems yes there was a death from brain injury in 2022. As well as several non fatal injuries and allegations of head/nerve damage but never proven I guess. Yikes.
And indeed, to the whole "would it lessen enthusiasts want to go" it really all depends on what replaces it. As noted above there's plenty of great options.

 

[SeanC]

Yeah as a SoCal local with a small child, it's the least appealing park to me. And it seems to be the least popular major theme park in the region behind disney, knotts, and seaworld. I had stuff stolen from my car in the parking lot there a few years ago. From a business standpoint, I'm trying to figure out what SF wants this park to be. If it's an ultra budget park, then I don't know that replacing x2 matters at all. They'll open up this new vekoma after a 5 year wait and it'll be fine and they can keep pinching pennies.

But if you want to give people a reason to go -- and I mean locals, not enthusiasts all over the world -- they need to open a headlining attraction. This is assuming F&F at USH opens to the public amid the noise complaints. That ride is better than any roller coaster at Magic Mountain. Yes, Universal is more expensive than Six Flags but guests will still be drawn more to Universal because it's centrally located in Los Angeles. Magic Mountain is in Santa Clarita and not conveniently located at all. I think without a new headlining attraction, most Angelenos looking for a theme park will swallow the extra $40 per guest and stay in LA to go to the better park that also has the best roller coaster west of the Mississippi.

So with the information I'm aware of, it feels like an existential moment for Magic Mountain. It has a poor reputation locally, has a ride that has killed 2 people, is out of the way for most of SoCal, and hasn't had a really standout new ride in over 10 years. I don't think this will happen, but SF could sell that land and focus on Knotts.

 

[Pokemaniac]

Yeah as a SoCal local with a small child, it's the least appealing park to me. And it seems to be the least popular major theme park in the region behind disney, knotts, and seaworld. I had stuff stolen from my car in the parking lot there a few years ago. From a business standpoint, I'm trying to figure out what SF wants this park to be. If it's an ultra budget park, then I don't know that replacing x2 matters at all. They'll open up this new vekoma after a 5 year wait and it'll be fine and they can keep pinching pennies.

But if you want to give people a reason to go -- and I mean locals, not enthusiasts all over the world -- they need to open a headlining attraction. This is assuming F&F at USH opens to the public amid the noise complaints. That ride is better than any roller coaster at Magic Mountain. Yes, Universal is more expensive than Six Flags but guests will still be drawn more to Universal because it's centrally located in Los Angeles. Magic Mountain is in Santa Clarita and not conveniently located at all. I think without a new headlining attraction, most Angelenos looking for a theme park will swallow the extra $40 per guest and stay in LA to go to the better park that also has the best roller coaster west of the Mississippi.

So with the information I'm aware of, it feels like an existential moment for Magic Mountain. It has a poor reputation locally, has a ride that has killed 2 people, is out of the way for most of SoCal, and hasn't had a really standout new ride in over 10 years. I don't think this will happen, but SF could sell that land and focus on Knotts.

SFMM has also had an unfortunate tendency to build coasters right before a paradigm shift happens to the coaster type. Nearly every coaster in the park appears to either be among a burgeoning manufacturer's first steps to develop a new ride type, right before subsequent iterations at other parks massively improve on the concept, or SFMM built the biggest and baddest of a ride type that turned out to have massive drawbacks and was permanently taken out of production shortly after. In either case, SFMM was left with coasters that managed to seem outdone or outdated within a few years of construction. X2 somehow managed to be both and neither at the same time. A big and overly advanced prototype of a coaster concept that never took off. But it was a great coaster, in its way, and an iconic crowd favourite. I doubt the park will be able to replace it with something at the same scope.

 

[i305_zack]

That's sad. Wouldn't that be the second person who died of head trauma in less than 5 years? If that's the case, the ride should close for good.

If they wind up opening the vekoma thing next year and it's decent, they can demolish both X2 and Viper and replace it with a thrill coaster that's better than both. Maybe a giant tilt if the vekoma relationship is good. Or a giga dive. It would need to have that eye-catching element as the first thing you see when you drive to the park.

Ima sound like an entitled enthusiast but please do not put a giga dive in x2 place I would love something like a Mack extreme spinner or maybe even S&S can come in and fix up the track and trains for x2, it’s such an amazing coaster and a icon at this point, sfmm would not be the same without it