What’s going on with Demon at Six Flags Great America? I was at the park for Fright Fest over the weekend, and while riding the Great America Scenic Railway train, I saw some concerning activity at the park’s historic Demon roller coaster.
Update: a reader shared on X (formerly Twitter) that Demon was operating on Saturday, Oct. 21Demon was operating on Saturday, Oct. 21.
The rockwork surrounding the coaster’s two vertical loops appears to be in the process of being removed. You can see that plywood boards are covering the track underneath. To me, that indicates that the park is protecting the track from potential damage. That’s certainly a good sign for those who want the coaster to remain open.
Rumors have swirled for years that the coaster’s days are numbered. It occupies a sizable amount of land between the County Fair and Southwest Territory areas of the park.
History of Demon at Six Flags Great America
Demon opened as “Turn of the Century” at what was then known as Marriott’s Great America in 1976. The coaster opened with only two inversions — a double corkscrew. The coaster’s two vertical loops were added in 1980 when the coaster was rethemed and renamed “Demon.” This is when the coaster’s detailed rockwork was added throughout the layout.
With a 42-inch minimum height requirement, the coaster is accessible to more guests than some of the park’s higher-octane coasters.
As of this posting, Demon’s page on the Six Flags Great America website is still live with no mention of it closing. I can’t imagine the park would close such an iconic ride without giving fans one last chance to ride.
The rockwork surrounding Demon’s sister coaster at California’s Great America in Santa Clara, CA (also opened in 1976 as Marriott’s Great America) was recently removed due to its deterioration. What we’re seeing at Six Flags Great America could be the same thing, meaning that coaster will reopen in 2024 — sans rocks (or at least with fewer than before).
And although its manufacturer, Arrow Dynamics, has been out of business for many years, other companies are stepping in to keep the former company’s coasters operating.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg announced recently that Loch Ness Monster would be receiving a full restoration during the off-season with “newly refurbished track.”
What do you think is going on at Demon at Six Flags Great America? Is the rockwork simply being removed? Or is the coaster’s 47-year life coming to an end? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Demon closing soon at Six Flags Great America to replaced a new coaster!
Re-track, new trains, and a third loop. That’s what I’d want for Christmas !
greaat