originally posted on 2/3/2025
Anaconda.
Photo: Jason Wollenberg. View full-sized image.
Anaconda to Slither Off
It seems as if the removal of roller coasters in the U.S. isn’t slowing down, much to the dismay of coaster fans. Admittedly, many of the rides coming down have lost some popularity and/or have higher maintenance costs, but too often there is no warning and anyone who might have wanted a last ride is out of luck.
The latest is Anaconda at Kings Dominion (Doswell, Virginia). The 1991 Arrow multilooper, even with some clunky aggressiveness, still had some notable attributes, the first of which is that it was built over the park’s Lake Charles. The curving first drop dove into an underground tunnel, and all four inversions took place over the water. Midway through the ride there was a tangled “butterfly” element, which was sort of an experiment for Arrow. It was never repeated on another coaster.
Anaconda only ran with two trains, but it was still a people cranker.
Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit.
Photo: Howard Gillooly. View full-sized image.
Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit Closing in September
If one has to remove a ride, then Universal Studios Florida (Orlando) has at least given fans time to take some final rides in 2025. The park’s Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit has been confirmed to be closing in September.
Built by Maurer Rides in 2009, the coaster was positioned at the front of the park to give Universal Studios an iconic presence from City Walk.
The coaster has a rare noninverting loop, as well as a vertical lift hill, but perhaps its most signature feature is the rider’s ability to choose what song they wish to play on the onboard speakers in each seat. The light package on each car at night amplified a cool factor as well.
Photo: Cheri Armstrong. View full-sized image.
Alton Towers Plans for 2026 Junior Coaster
In December, Alton Towers (Staffordshire, England) submitted plans for a new roller coaster. It is expected to open in the 2026 season, and the park has confirmed it will be located in the CBeebies Land. It will be a junior coaster, which is fitting for the area.
The removal of rides isn’t just confined to the U.S. Alton Towers has removed The Blade (1980 Huss pirate ship) and Flavio’s Fabulous Fandango (a Wisdom Sizzler), and the park isn’t opening the Alton Towers dungeon in 2025 either.
Prairie Screamer.
Photo: S. Madonna Horcher. View full-sized image.
Prairie Screamer Screams Again
An issue this past fall caused a train on Prairie Screamer at Prairie Playland inside Traders Village (Grand Prairie, Texas) to stall. The ride had not been operating for a few months. According to a park spokesperson, both trains underwent a complete overhaul (instead of one at a time). Prairie Screamer resumed operation in December.
Before its relocation, the ride was originally built in 1995 at Scandia Amusement Park in Ontario, California. It is the tallest of any coaster manufactured by E&F Miler at 90 feet.
Traders Village is open year-round only on Saturdays and Sundays. The property is a flea market with the rides forming a recreational space in the center.
Photo: Dan Brewer. View full-sized image.
Six Flags Magic Mountain Files for Permit: 2026 Vekoma Coaster
The newly merged Six Flags/Cedar Fair corporation announced in November a first-of-its-kind coaster coming to Six Flags Magic Mountain (Valencia, California). Since then, the park has filed for permits.
A term “thrill glider” from Vekoma has come to light, although no detailed information has explained exactly what that is. All indications are that it features motorcycle-type seating while being suspended below the track. If so, it will be the fourth roller coaster that flies underneath the track at the park, the others being Ninja (Arrow suspended), Batman The Ride (Bolliger & Mabillard inverted) and Tatsu (Bolliger & Mabillard flying). The ground site is a sloped terrain where an old theater venue has been removed. The coaster will be erected between Full Throttle and Superman Escape From Krypton. Site plans suggest it will feature two launches.
The park already holds the world record for most coasters (20), and if Six Flags Magic Mountain somehow escapes the coaster removal crusade, it will give the park 21 coasters in 2026.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Photo: Harris Lanum. View full-sized image.
Big Thunder Mountain at Walt Disney World Closed for Lengthy Refurbishment
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom (Lake Buena Vista, Florida) closed in January for what is expected to be a lengthy refurbishment. The ride is not expected to operate in 2025 at all. Whether the long period of time is necessary for a major overhaul or is a consequence of other development in the Frontierland area hasn’t been specified. Just don’t plan to take a spin on the “Wildest Ride in the Wilderness” this year.
The roller coaster opened in the fall of 1980, a year after its cousin at Disneyland (Anaheim, California).
— Tim Baldwin, ACE News
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