ArieForce One Saved by Six Flags, Future Home to be Announced

Six Flags has purchased ArieForce One from the now-closed Fun Spot America in Atlanta and will reopen the acclaimed Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC) coaster at a yet-to-be-announced park “during the 2028-2029 operating seasons.” This follows Fun Spot America Atlanta’s closure in August.

From its opening in March 2023 until its final day of operation on August 2, 2026, ArieForce One amassed a fandom among roller coaster enthusiasts who traveled from across the country and around the world to ride the built-from-the-ground-up RMC coaster’s blistering speed, mind-boggling elements and relentless ejector airtime.

Following the announcement of ArieForce One’s closure, public outcry erupted from coaster enthusiasts and thrill seekers, pleading for someone to save the coaster.

ArieForce One was named in honor of Fun Spot America founder John Arie, Sr., by the family-owned Fun Spot America company that developed the attraction. Six Flags plans to retain the ArieForce One name, honoring the coaster’s history and preserving the identity that helped make it a fan favorite. Fun Spot America still operates parks in Orlando and Kissimmee, Florida.

“From the moment ArieForce One closed, we knew how much this coaster meant to the enthusiast community and to guests who traveled from around the world to experience it,” said Mark Pauls, chief operating officer of Six Flags.

“This is a ride that consistently generated excitement, acclaim and passionate fan support. We are thrilled to preserve its legacy, invest in its future and bring this extraordinary attraction to a new generation of guests. This acquisition represents our commitment to delivering world-class thrills and creating unforgettable experiences across the Six Flags portfolio.”

“When we built ArieForce One, we wanted to create something truly special. Something that would put Fun Spot America on the map with coaster enthusiasts and families around the world and create memories that would last a lifetime,” said John Arie, Jr., Fun Spot America CEO.

Seeing ArieForce One preserved and finding a new home with Six Flags means a great deal to me and my family. Its story isn’t ending, it’s beginning a new chapter, and we are excited that future generations will get to experience ArieForce One.”

Where will ArieForce One Reopen?

Six Flags currently operates the following parks across North America (listed by state):

• Knott’s Berry Farm, Buena Park, CA
• Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia, CA
• Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Vallejo, CA
• California’s Great America, Santa Clara, CA (Note: California’s Great America is slated to close within the next several years, so it is unlikely to be the new home of ArieForce One.)
• Six Flags Over Georgia, Austell, GA
• Six Flags Great America, Gurnee, IL
• Six Flags New England, Agawam, MA
• Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, NJ
• Six Flags Darien Lake, Corfu, NY
• Carowinds, Charlotte, NC
• Cedar Point, Sandusky, OH
• Kings Island, Mason, OH
• Frontier City, Oklahoma City, OK
• Dorney Park, Allentown, PA
• Six Flags Over Texas, Arlington, TX
• Six Flags Fiesta Texas, San Antonio, TX
• Kings Dominion, Doswell, VA
• Canada’s Wonderland, Vaughan, Ontario
• La Ronde, Montreal, Quebec
• Six Flags México, Mexico City, Mexico

Online chatter has suggested Six Flags Over Georgia, Kings Island and Carowinds as popular contenders for the coaster’s relocation.

“Part of the excitement is that the story isn’t over,” Pauls said. “We know fans will immediately begin theorizing about which Six Flags park is the perfect fit. The passion surrounding ArieForce One is unlike anything we’ve seen in recent years, and when the time comes to reveal its new home, we believe that announcement will be just as exciting as the acquisition itself.”

The coaster became a bucket-list attraction for enthusiasts and a fixture on best-in-the-world rankings, making its closure one of the most discussed stories in the amusement industry.

Since news of the closing began circulating, coaster enthusiasts have filled fan communities with theories about acquisitions and where the attraction might ultimately be installed. From parks already known for their world-class coaster collections to destinations seeking a marquee signature attraction, enthusiasts have begun making their cases for why their favorite park should become the new home of ArieForce One.

“The coaster enthusiast community has spent months wondering whether ArieForce One would be saved and where it might ultimately find a new home,” said Derek Perry, president-elect of American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE), the world’s largest amusement ride enthusiast organization.

“Preservation is central to ACE’s mission, so enthusiasts everywhere were hopeful this remarkable coaster would have a future beyond its original park. Today’s announcement answers one question and opens the door to another. The speculation about which park will receive ArieForce One is going to be enormous.”

Perry added, “Its farewell brought enthusiasts together from across the globe to celebrate a ride they love, and now they’ll be watching every clue and announcement as Six Flags prepares for its next chapter.”

ArieForce One Ride Stats:

• Manufacturer: Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC)
• Height: 154 feet
• First Drop: 146 feet
• Top Speed: 64 mph
• Length: Approximately 3,400 feet
• Inversions: 4
• Duration: Approximately 2 minutes
• Signature Elements:
  • World’s largest zero-gravity stall
  • Raven Truss Dive
  • Outward-banked airtime hill
  • Multiple high-intensity airtime (negative-G) moments
• Opening date: March 31, 2023
• Closing date: August 2, 2026

Additional details regarding the attraction’s future location, construction timeline and reopening plans will be announced at a later date.

Read our initial review of ArieForce One when it debuted in 2023. See drone photos of the coaster from July prior to its closing.

Where do you think ArieForce One will be rebuilt? Let us know in the comments section below.