ArieForce One Closing Farewell Aerials

Announced in late June, ArieForce One and Fun Spot America Atlanta will close permanently on August 2, 2026. Following the news of ArieForce One closing, coaster enthusiasts are flocking from across the nation (and beyond) for their final rides on the acclaimed Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC) steel IBOX track coaster.

Update: Six Flags has purchased ArieForce One and will reopen it at a yet-to-be-announced park in 2028 or 2029.

During a recent trip to Atlanta, I spent an evening at the park for my final ride and brought my drone with me to fly before and after my visit.

Disclaimer: I am an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate-holding drone pilot following the FAA’s Small UAS Rule (Part 107).

The coaster’s towering 155-foot-tall lift hill taunts motorists as they pass by the park.

During my visit, the coaster was only running one train, and dispatches were slow. Knowing I would only have limited time at the park, I didn’t have the luxury of waiting to take photos of a train maneuvering the course.

However, I was able to see one train cycle.

Unfortunately, with a drone, I had to choose between photo and video. While I would have loved to see the coaster speed through the layout again and again, I’m glad I captured the coaster in photos.

The coaster’s dive loop is shrouded by its steel latticework-style supports.

The coaster’s outward banked airtime hill will remain one of my favorite coaster elements.

Although ArieForce One isn’t the only RMC to have a “zero-G stall” element, ArieForce One’s seemed especially intense compared to others.

Once the sun began to set, I flew on the opposite side of the park to capture the coaster’s second half as well as the park as a whole.

I sure hope I’m able to experience this bizarre outward-banked element again someday.

As you can see, there is a slight change in elevation (40 feet) that would have to be taken into account when relocating the coaster to another park.

But that isn’t an impossible feat. Rarely are coasters moved to a new location with identical terrain.

The relentless ejector-style airtime on ArieForce One was unrivaled, at least in the Southeast US.

While flying, rain began to fall from a dark cloud that had been hanging over the park. It was a poetic end to my time with the coaster — in this location, at least.

It appeared that the coaster had ceased operations — I was worried I might not get at least one more ride before leaving. Although I was grateful to see the park from this angle, I knew I couldn’t leave without a proper goodbye.

Thankfully, the rain eventually cleared, and I was able to get one last ride in (my first nighttime ride!). It is rare that I ride a coaster knowing it will be my last ride, at least in its current home. I still think about my trek to Orlando to bid Dueling Dragons/Dragon Challenge adieu in 2017.

As of this posting, the coaster’s future remains unknown. I hope that a buyer is able to relocate and reopen the coaster for future generations to enjoy.

For more ArieForce One photos, see our coverage of the media event to celebrate its opening in 2023.

Listen to our podcast episode where we hypothesize (dream) where the coaster might go.

ArieForce One will close at 7 p.m. on Sunday, August 2, 2026. For more information, visit the Fun Spot America Atlanta website.