Every year, coaster enthusiasts wait eagerly for July and August to finally arrive after months of scouring over planning documents, town meeting notes, land clearings, and online teaser campaigns. Why? Because announcement season is finally here. And perhaps the most exciting of all is “Coaster Christmas”, the announcement date when the Six Flags chain reveals all at once which new attractions will be arriving in each of their parks for the coming year. This year, that announcement comes on August 29th. So before all is revealed, we thought we would take a stab at predicting which attractions would be coming to each of the Six Flags parks for the 2020 season.
Six Flags Magic Mountain in 2020:
Shane: For Six Flags Magic Mountain, I think they will probably end up getting a family ride or a thrilling flat ride like the new Zamperla Endeavour Rides. They will be getting a large coaster this year, and they got a Zamperla Giant Discovery last year, so I think some family flat rides would fill the gaps in the park for families who don’t want to be riding coasters all day but are still looking for a step above the kiddie rides.
Andrew: We’re 2/3 of the way into 2019 already, and with Magic Mountain’s new “365” calendar, we still haven’t seen the first test run of the park’s “new-for-2019” coaster yet. I’m not sure what level of attraction is coming (though I doubt it’ll be another coaster), but whatever it is, I don’t foresee it opening super early in the 2020 season. Maybe the park will open another “Tourbillon” ride like opened at Six Flags Over Texas and Six Flags Great Adventure in 2018.
Eric: Over the last several years Magic Mountain has been steadily renovating each section of the park as they’ve added new rides. I think it’s a safe bet the plan is for that to continue around the park, which really just leaves a few areas left. The section near Tatsu (or up the hill by Ninja), the space in front of Viper, the area around of Goliath, and the kiddie section near the front of the park. The kids area is large (and has a lot of rides), but often feels kind of forgotten. I think it might be time for a makeover there. Of course, there have also been rumors about a Star Flyer attraction, and man, having one of those at the top of the center hill sure would have some nice views!
John: I think that 2020 will be a relatively quiet year for Magic Mountain. Given that West Coast Racers still isn’t open, I think the park will be able to market this well into the 2020 season. Perhaps they’ll receive a small- to medium-sized family-friendly flat ride.
Nick: Maybe West Coast Racers will be pushed back to 2020. Seriously though, does this park need anything else (I’ve never been.) Do people visit and not ride any coasters?
Six Flags Great America in 2020:
Shane: This is another park that got a coaster this year, so 2020 will be more of a down year for them. Just in the past few years, they have added an RMC wooden coaster, Battle for Metropolis dark ride, 4D Free Spin coaster, and of course a thrilling launch coaster this year, so this will most likely be a year off from anything thrilling. Because of that, I am predicting a DC Super Friends makeover for their kids area, and maybe some new kiddie rides to go along with it.
Andrew: There weren’t a lot of holes in Six Flags Great America’s Ride line-up when we visited earlier this year. Coming off Maxx Force in 2019, my prediction is that Great America will receive something smaller in 2020. Maybe a new water park attraction. Though, I would love for another dark ride, like Six Flags Fiesta Texas’ Pirates of the Deep Sea.
John: Based on some cryptic teaser videos that the park has released on social media (you can see them on the park’s Instagram page) my guess is that Hurricane Harbor will receive something big in 2020 such as a sizable water coaster.
If that isn’t the case, I think the dry side of the park might see a new flat ride. I’ve read rumors that the park is slated for a Zamperla giant pendulum ride like other large parks in the chain have received in recent years (Magic Mountain, Great Adventure, Over Georgia). However, the park already has a pendulum ride (Revolution) that would likely need to be removed, even though the massive Zamperla ride wouldn’t fit in such a small footprint. Perhaps this could replace the large plot of land occupied by the relatively unpopular Buccaneer Battle water ride. Or perhaps 2020 will be the year the park finally receives a SkyScreamer tower swing ride.
Nick: They filled a hole in their coaster lineup this year with the launch coaster Maxx Force. Having visited for the first time earlier this summer, I didn’t see any glaring needs. I wonder how long their log flume will stick around? Seems like the next time they do a major expansion I would look for that area as a possibility. Six Flags Great America seems like one of those parks that doesn’t have many off years.
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in 2020:
Shane: Discovery Kingdom was one of the parks to get a 4D Free Spin this year, and they have gone a few years without a family ride addition, so for this park I am predicting a new flat ride, either a classic ride like a scrambler or a tilt-a-whirl themed to the DC characters or a new water coaster like Fiesta Texas received a few years back at the Hurricane Harbor park near them. This would allow them to still market to the thrill-seeking crowd, which they have been doing the past few years, without spending too much money and adding a few rides to areas of the park that need one.
Eric: With the opening of Batman and the official rebranding of that section of the park to “DC Universe”, Discovery Kingdom is finished with their DC thrill rides for now. Part of me thinks that means they turn their focus to the “zoo” part of the park, the part that makes it unique. The park transferred its last elephants a couple of years ago, and there’s a big section on that side of the park that is currently unused. Adding a new animal exhibit there, in between the tiger “stadium” and the vet clinic (currently home to an adorable lion cub) seems like a perfect thing to do when taking a break from thrill rides. Of course, I’m not sure how much Six Flags still wants to deal with animals, but there’s a big space for something new there!
Six Flags Darien Lake in 2020:
Shane: Darien Lake is a newer acquisition to the Six Flags parks, a re-acquisition actually, so they don’t have too many of the typical Six Flags attractions that we have been seeing in recent years, so I think a Larson Super Loop or a 4D coaster would fit well at this park as well. I also think that the DC characters and the Looney Tunes will be introduced at the park this year.
John: What a ride this park has had—Darien Lake to Six Flags Darien Lake to Darien Lake and now back to Six Flags Darien Lake. After the addition of SkyScreamer this year, I predict that 2020 will be a quieter year for the park as it adjusts once again to life as a Six Flags park. Perhaps we’ll see the addition of a new special event or another entertainment offering.
Six Flags Over Georgia in 2020:
Shane: The most popular rumor right now for Over Georgia is a floorless conversion of their standup coaster Georgia Scorcher. The ride was just repainted this year, and the chain already did the same transition with Firebird at Six Flags America, so this makes the most sense in terms of a relatively low-cost and marketable addition to the park.
Andrew: Hurricane Harbor hasn’t been updated since it opened in 2014. I think Six Flags Over Georgia may be overdue for a water park attraction in 2020.
John: I hope they don’t touch Georgia Scorcher. It’s great just the way it is. And since it was just repainted this year, I don’t think converting it to a floorless coaster the following season would be a smart marketing move. Even though I’m not particularly fond of the S&S 4D free spin coasters, Six Flags Over Georgia is one of the medium/large Six Flags parks that hasn’t received one yet. And as there isn’t one anywhere in the Southeast, I think this would be a great fit for the park.
Nick: Seems like all the Southern Six Flags parks could be in line to get a Mack Power Splash, if not this year then maybe in the near future.
La Ronde in 2020:
Shane: It seems almost unanimous among enthusiasts that La Ronde will be the new home of the soon-to-be-relocated Green Lantern coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain. They have closed and refurbished many rides in the last year, so it makes sense for them to get a “retracked” Green Lantern for the 2020 season.
Andrew: Could 2020 be the year for a “new” coaster at La Ronde? The park hasn’t opened a “new” coaster since 2006, and no new coaster at all since 2010, which was the SLC that operated at Astroworld. I think La Ronde is overdue for a coaster of some kind!
John: I think La Ronde would be a great candidate for an S&S 4D Free Spin.
The Great Escape in 2020:
Shane: Great Escape is notorious for being the most neglected Six Flags park when it comes to announcements, and in recent years they have been focused on family rides and waterpark rides, so I am predicting a new slide complex for their waterpark. However, wouldn’t it be crazy if this was the park that Green Lantern from Six Flags Magic Mountain was going to? It would certainly draw a more teenaged and adult crowd to the park, even though that’s not really the market they seem to be interested in.
John: This park seems to be geared toward the family vacation crowd, so I could see the park installing a family-friendly ride such as a SkyScreamer tower swing ride that can be found at many Six Flags parks. However, with Darien Lake receiving one in 2019, that may be too close to warrant The Great Escape from receiving one. Regardless, I predict we’ll see something that the whole family can ride in 2020.
Six Flags America in 2020:
Shane: I think the only major gap in Six Flags America’s lineup as of now besides an RMC is a 4D Free Spin, and Six Flags shows no sign of stopping the 4D spree, so I would be surprised if this park doesn’t end up with a Batman/Wonder Woman/Joker for next year.
Andrew: If I told you the most recent new coaster to come to Six Flags America that wasn’t a “hand-me-down” from Six Flags Great America was now old enough to vote, would you believe me? I don’t care if it’s a family coaster, an S&S 4D Free Spin, or Roar goes under the RMC knife…Six Flags America NEEDS a new coaster. PLEASE?!
Eric: This is the Roar that actually SHOULD have been RMC’d, but I’m not sure that’ll actually happen.
John: Six Flags America has gained notoriety for being the “hand-me-down” park in the chain, having received two coasters from Six Flags Great America. Perhaps they would be a candidate for Six Flags Magic Mountain’s Green Lantern. But I’d rather see the park receive a brand new 4D Free Spin as Shane mentioned.
Six Flags St. Louis in 2020:
Shane: Six Flags St. Louis is somewhat of an oddity for a Six Flags park, they do not have an RMC coaster, a Giant Discovery pendulum ride, or a 4D Free Spin coaster. However, I do not think they will receive any of these for 2020. My guess is this park will be the next park to install an RMC single-rail “Raptor” coaster, a cloned coaster identical to Wonder Woman Golden Lasso Coaster at Fiesta Texas. This park is up for a major coaster addition, and I think this compact crowd-pleaser would be the perfect fit.
John: I love Six Flags St. Louis — it was my go-to Six Flags park growing up. It seems that Six Flags doesn’t know what to do with it. It always seems to get the short end of the stick season after season. Its last new coaster was a Boomerang relocated from Six Flags Over Texas. I’ll never give up hope that the Boss will someday receive the RMC treatment that it deserves (even though its recent modification and re-tracking of the finale dampened that dream). But like Shane, I would be happy with an RMC Raptor model, even if it was a clone of Wonder Woman. That seems like a great fit for this medium-sized park.
Nick: I agree, RMC Raptor was my first thought of the top of my head. Or imagine if West Coast Racers was built here instead, it would be the marque attraction and would bring in the coaster enthusiasts.
Frontier City in 2020:
Shane: Another recent acquisition for the company, Frontier City seems like the perfect park to get a Star Flyer attraction, just like at Darien Lake. This is a great addition because it can be a thrilling experience, but it is mostly a family ride that provides great views of the park and the surrounding area.
Andrew: With Frontier City’s 2019 addition enhancing their kiddie area, including a new coaster credit, I think something more intermediate, thrilling but still family-friendly. I think we could see a Zamperla Discovery at Frontier City in 2020.
John: Frontier City seems to excel in the family-friendly market. Perhaps they’ll continue with the addition of a medium-sized family-friendly flat ride.
Six Flags Over Texas in 2020:
Shane: This is one of the only confirmed additions for a Six Flags park next year. Rumored for a while, but confirmed a few weeks ago by shipping and planning documents, SFOT will be receiving the Mack Power Splash coaster. I think this is a very exciting addition not only for the park, but for the chain as a whole. If this ride is popular, I could definitely see it being cloned and sent to other parks, which would be totally okay with me.
Andrew: I’m with Shane here. Depending on what corners of the internet you frequent, this one has been all-but-confirmed by utilizing shipping websites. I’m excited to see a Mack Power Splash make its way stateside, with hopes that they start popping up at even more parks in the country.
John: For a park of this size in such a large market, I’m surprised that a 4D Free Spin (Joker) is the only major new coaster the park has received in eight years since New Texas Giant opened. I’d like to see the park invest in a unique coaster — perhaps something like West Coast Racers. I think a launched, more family-friendly coaster would appease the guests who aren’t quite ready to ride Mr. Freeze.
Six Flags Fiesta Texas in 2020:
Shane: Fiesta Texas is a difficult park for me to predict because they have gotten a lot of high-quality additions recently, so I could see them taking a break and getting something smaller, or conversely going big again and keeping the streak going. However, I think this park will be in a cool-down mode now after so many big attractions, so I am thinking a smaller family ride or maybe a water park slide complex.
Andrew: Six Flags Fiesta Texas feels a lot like the “testing ground” for a lot of new Six Flags attractions, so I’m surprised that the Mack Power Splash is headed to Six Flags over Texas and not Fiesta Texas. That said, I think a Tourbillon or another flat ride could end up here in 2020.
John: I think a Mack Power Splash would fit terrifically given the hot summers at this park.
Six Flags New England in 2020:
Shane: Since this is my home park, I know a little more about what to expect in 2020 than most other parks in the chain. Recently, the park put up a mysterious hint on their theater marquees that read “252” on one line and “08/29/19” on the other line. Clearly, the latter is a date, but the 252 left me very curious. Some internet super-sleuths discovered that 252 is most likely referring to Action Comics (DC Comics) #252, the first appearance of Supergirl. This leads me to believe that the park will get a clone of the Zamperla Endeavour flat ride that the chain has been installing at other parks, including a version named Supergirl this year at Six Flags Saint Louis. I feel fairly confident of this, because the park now has two wipeout-style rides, after the addition of Cyborg, the older of which is in an area than can fit a much larger attraction. I am a little disappointed that the park didn’t go bigger for its 150th anniversary, but I feel like next year is our year for a big coaster.
Six Flags Mexico in 2020:
Shane: This might be a little out of left field, but I believe Six Flags Mexico will be getting a large coaster this year, specifically an S&S launch coaster similar to Maxx Force. The chain has been investing serious money into this park, and I think a high-thrill attraction like this could really boost their attendance and give them some international exposure. However, the park does not have a Larson Loop or a Giant Discovery, so who knows…
Andrew: It wouldn’t be a Six Flags announcement without at least one Larson Loop, and I feel like it’s going to land south of the border at Six Flags Mexico.
Six Flags Great Adventure in 2020:
Shane: I think that Great Adventure will have the standout attraction this year, and I’m going to jump on the bandwagon here and predict a Premier racing launch coaster similar to West Coast Racers. (Perhaps called East Coast Racers.) Despite being one of the chain’s largest parks, they have not gotten an original coaster since El Toro in 2006, which is unheard of for a flagship park. Another option would be a larger version of an RMC single rail raptor coaster or the long-rumored larger T-Rex track model. Whichever one it is, I think Great Adventure will fare well for the 2020 season.
Andrew: In the mid-late 2000s, Six Flags Great Adventure felt like it was going toe-to-toe with Cedar Point and Six Flags Magic Mountain in a bit of a coaster “arms race,” adding five coasters between 2005-2011. While that’s fallen off in recent years, I think that Great Adventure could be adding a coaster for 2020. What kind of coaster? I have no idea. But the last coaster addition at the park was Joker in 2016. While I’d love a ground-up RMC a la Goliath at Six Flags Great America, I’ll take what I can get!
Nick: I’m going to go similar to Shane except I’m going to go with S&S and guess we’re going to see essentially two Maxx Force coasters side-by-side.
What new rides and attractions do you think Six Flags parks will see in 2020? Share your ideas in the comments section below.
Sfne is my home park as well but i hope we get a new coaster
SFA has been confirmed to get a giant Discovery, and the new ride at SFGAm will be a “record breaker”, so I think Kiddie expansions and family rides are out of the question.
Darien Lake already has a Super Loop…
Six flags overrated stl no six flags biggest problem is every time I go there it seems like all the good rides are closed down and I always out of ice not to mention who likes waiting in line for an hour and then that the ride is currently not working properly all the time you’re sitting there watching it work just fine I could have just said hey it’s not enough workers here today I need a break give me 5 minutes please thank you I would have understood that not hey you can clearly see that the ride is working fine so let me make a total idiot out of myself and say it’s not working but in15 minutes it’s going to be back up working just fine again lol on a positive note where else would I like to spend four or five hundred bucks on absolutely almost nothing
I’m in agreement with…
– Six Flags Over Texas receiving a Mack Rides Power Splash ride.
– La Ronde possibly receiving Green Lantern: First Flight ride from Six Flags Magic Mountain.
– Six Flags Great America getting a new Hurricane Harbor attraction, possibly a Thunder Rapids water coaster ride.
I see Six Flags New England getting a launch coaster from S&S or Premier Rides for the 2020 season. Six Flags Great Adventure getting dueling möbius loop multi-launch coaster from Premier Rides. Six Flags Magic Mountain possibly receiving a 24-story SkyScreamer ride. Six Flags America getting a Zamperla giant discovery in their SkyCoaster area. Six Flags St. Louis getting RMC Raptor.
Beyond 2020… I could see RMC conversions being planned for The Boss at Six Flags St. Louis, Predator at Six Flags Darien Lake, and Roar at Six Flags America. Maybe La Ronde possibly getting a ground-up RMC I-Box coaster, considering that converting Le Monstre is unlikely. I could see Six Flags wishing to work with Mack Rides on a couple new coasters. Six Flags Feista Texas getting a GCI wood coaster. Six Flags adding a couple of Gravity Group wood coasters down the line.
I could see Six Flags Over Georgia choosing to convert Georgia Scorcher from stand-up to floor-less. Old Splash Waterfalls area, I could see that area being ideal for a spinning coaster or a relocated Boomerang coaster. If SFOG wishes to get a launch coaster, I could see it going next to their new Pandemonium frisbee ride, but not sure if the update Go-Karts attraction stays or goes.
Quit calling them 4d. They do not travel side to side.