One of the most recognizable and extreme thrill rides in the world has officially reached the end of the line.
Six Flags Magic Mountain announced Tuesday that it will permanently retire X2, the landmark roller coaster in Valencia, California, that has served as a centerpiece of the park’s skyline for nearly two decades.
The decision to permanently shutter the attraction comes after the ride was temporarily taken offline over the summer amid mounting scrutiny and legal claims regarding rider safety.
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The Park’s Operational Announcement
In a statement addressed to the park community, Six Flags Magic Mountain Park President Brian Oerding confirmed the immediate, permanent retirement of the ride, reflecting on its long run while addressing guest sentiment:
“After almost 20 years, we have decided to permanently retire X2. Since X2 opened in 2008, it has welcomed more than 16 million guests and earned a passionate following among ride enthusiasts. We recognize the special place X2 holds in the coaster community, and we are grateful to our team members who operated and maintained it throughout its run.”
Addressing the decision to shut down the ride permanently, Oerding noted that while the coaster met technical benchmarks, maintaining visitor trust remained paramount:
“While X2 consistently passed a multitude of safety tests, we have decided to close the ride because we believe it’s the right thing to do. Ride safety is a cornerstone of our business, and when we see guest confidence affected, we take it seriously.”
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Heightened Scrutiny and Recent Investigations
The closure follows months of intensified focus on the attraction. As reported by CNN, an investigation published last month detailed a history of serious injuries, hospitalizations, and lawsuits connected to the coaster, including traumatic brain injuries reported by recent riders.
The ride was temporarily halted in July after two riders required emergency medical treatment within days of each other. Last week, attorneys representing multiple injured riders held a press briefing stating that more than 100 individuals had come forward with claims of varying severity regarding head and brain trauma sustained on the ride over the past two years.
Former riders and impacted families reacted to the permanent closure on Tuesday. Pamela Guillen, who previously spoke to CNN about requiring emergency medical intervention and ongoing rehabilitation after riding X2 earlier this summer, expressed relief over the announcement:
“I’m relieved that X2 is closing for good. I never should have been hurt, and neither should the others who were. … I also hope Six Flags will put better safety and inspection measures in place across all of its parks and rides.”
Similarly, the parents of Naomi Greer-Wilkinson, a 26-year-old rider who remains hospitalized following a medical emergency after riding X2 in July, told CNN:
“This is long overdue. Six Flags knew years ago that X2 was putting people at grave risk and chose to continue gambling with their lives anyway. This should have happened long before Naomi’s brain injury but we’re happy to hear that now finally no one else’s daughter or sister will ever be hurt on this ride again.”
The Legacy of the 4D Coaster
Originally debuting in 2002 as “X” before undergoing a major $10 million transformation and re-emerging as X2 in 2008, the coaster was groundbreaking in the amusement industry.
Engineered by Arrow Dynamics as the world’s first “4th-dimension” roller coaster, its seats extended off the sides of the track and rotated 360 degrees independently on a controlled axis, independent of the train’s main track direction.
Reaching speeds near 80 mph and featuring dramatic drops and inversions, it became a pilgrimage destination for coaster enthusiasts worldwide.
Six Flags has not yet announced future plans for the footprint occupied by the massive steel structure at the front of the park.
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