Figured it would be good to reflect on the removals nearly a year later, now that the dust has settled and we know what will be replacing at least some of these rides. I’ll start with the legacy Cedar Fair parks and then do Six Flags. For the sake of simplicity, I’ll only be talking about rides that we know are not going to operate again (for example, Timber Wolf won’t be included). If I missed any, or if anyone has differing/additional thoughts, please feel free to share.
Canada’s Wonderland:
1 removal
Time Warp
Zamperla Volare
Opened in 2004
It’s remarkable that no Volare had been scrapped up until last year and we saw two gone within a few months. The park’s lineup is better off without it (and there’s no longer a Volare in the chain), and I fully expect Flight Deck to be gone as well when they’re ready for a new coaster that utilizes the area.
Carowinds:
3 removals
Drop Tower: Scream Zone
Intamin Giant Drop
Opened in 1996
There really isn’t much to say here. It was likely just cheaper in the long run to take it out with Nighthawk right next to it.
EDIT: As @wasteman pointed out, this wasn’t located near Nighthawk as I believed it was. That said, with it being down more often than not and nearly 30 years old, it’s removal makes complete sense.
Scream Weaver
Schwarzkopf Enterprise
Opened in 1979
As one of 4 remaining permanent Schwarzkopf Enterprises, it’s a bit surprising that it lasted this long. Once CGA closes, there will be 2 left, and none within the chain.
Nighthawk
Vekoma Flying Dutchman Prototype
Opened in 2004 (2000 at CGA)
A complicated, relocated prototype of a model that only ever had 3 installations and was fairly polarizing was, unfortunately, a prime candidate for removal. It’s bizarre that the footers and station were left intact, who knows what the reasoning behind that was. I never did get to ride a Flying Dutchman, but I can’t imagine I would’ve been TOO upset about this even if I did. It’s mostly been a footnote in this whole saga.
Cedar Point:
2 removals
Professor Delbert’s Frontier Fling
Skycoaster
Opened in 1996
Skycoasters, and upcharge attractions in general, are going out of style, and rightfully so especially given the current economic climate. These take up a massive amount of space, especially for a park like Cedar Point, and it’s no surprise they’re disappearing as their leases end. They have a limited audience to begin with and it’s further limited to those actually willing to pay to ride them that can afford to do so.
Snake River Falls
Arrow Dynamics Shoot the Chute
Opened in 1993
As someone who LOVES Arrow, this isn’t surprising as a short lived model that’s slowly been dying over the past 20 years. I can’t imagine White Water Landing at Dorney is gonna be around much longer given that it’s now the last Arrow Shoot the Chute, but I’d love to be proven wrong.
Dorney Park:
2 removals
Apollo/Meteor
Soriani & Moser Swingaround/Zamperla Hawk Opened in 1984 (Apollo)/2002 (Meteor)
Lumping these two together because they’re probably the biggest head scratchers for me out of every removal, these ones just seem a bit odd. There’s a chance Apollo needed parts that are no longer supplied, especially given that this seems to have been the only Swingaround built by Soriani and Moser, but Zamperla has built a Hawk as recently as 2018, so Meteor doesn’t fall under that explanation. If staffing was an issue and these two had low ridership, why scrap them rather than leaving them SBNO or putting them in storage for a bit to determine their future?
Kings Dominion:
4 removals
Anaconda
Arrow Dynamics Custom Looping Coaster
Opened in 1991
I’m biased towards Arrow and never got to ride this, but my brother did and said it was the worst Arrow looper he had been on. Through POVs, I tend to agree that this likely would’ve been the one Arrow I could’ve had the chance to ride that I may have disliked. Truthfully, I hope its plot goes unused, as it really has opened up some great views of Lake Charles and Pantherian.
Berserker
Intamin Looping Starship
Opened in 1984
This was the last Looping Starship in the chain, the last in America, and one of 4 left in the world, there’s absolutely nothing surprising about its removal.
Peanuts Road Rally (thanks @paintervision!)
Zamperla Convoy
Opened in 1990
Likely removed due to its high staffing requirement. If I’m not mistaken the track was also from 1978, making some parts of this ride nearly 50 years old.
Joe Cool’s Driving School (thanks @paintervision!)
Unknown car ride
Opened in 2000
This took up a fairly large plot for a kiddie ride. With the Berserker plot nearby now empty as well, they have plenty of room to add something large here.
Kings Island:
1 removal
Xtreme Skyflyer
Skycoaster
Opened in 1995
Refer to Professor Delbert’s Frontier Fling.
Knott’s Berry Farm:
2 removals
High Sierra Ferris Wheel
Eli Bridge Co. Ferris Wheel
Opened in 1983
KBF’s Camp Snoopy was in desperate need of an update and this was likely one of the more logical rides they could’ve removed. These kiddie ferris wheels never seem to have a wait, though I can’t speak to this one specifically.
Huff & Puff
Bradley & Kaye mine cart…thing
Opened in 1983
Always sad to see a unique ride go, but never surprising. Likely another one of the most sensible removals for an update of Camp Snoopy.
Valleyfair:
1 removal
Ripcord (thanks @paintervision!)
Skycoaster
Opened in 1996
Refer to Professor Delbert’s Frontier Fling.
Worlds of Fun:
1 removal
Monsoon (thanks @paintervision!)
Intamin Shoot the Chute
Opened in 1992
This was SBNO since 2022, nothing to see here but cleaning up a ride that wasn’t going to operate again in the first place.
Frontier City:
1 removal
Geronimo (thanks @paintervision!)
Skycoaster
Opened in 1995
Refer to Professor Delbert’s Frontier Fling. In addition, this seems to have not operated since 2021 to begin with.
Six Flags Fiesta Texas:
1 removal
Kid Flash Cosmic Coaster
Skyline Attractions P’Sghetti Bowl
Opened in 2023
This shouldn’t be a surprise to anybody and these were some of the biggest wastes of money in the company’s history. From the day these were announced, I was stunned that Six Flags had opted to purchase more coasters from Skyline after the disaster Harley Quinn Crazy Coaster. Anyone who gives Skyline a chance after this is a damn fool, and that’s about the nicest way I can say it.
Six Flags Magic Mountain:
2 removals
Superman: Escape From Krypton
Intamin Reverse Freefall
Opened in 1997
Unfortunately this is one of the least shocking removals in the chain, if not the world. A barely functional prototype which had already undergone an extensive refurbishment was a prime candidate for closure. I also think it’s highly likely that Lex Luthor only operates for a few more seasons, until they’re ready to replace Superman. I don’t know just how much of the structure they’d need to leave in place to continue operating LL, and despite being a very specific plot, it is still in the center of the park and I’m sure they’d rather not leave a massive coaster rotting there.
Scrambler
Eli Bridge Co. Scrambler
Opened in 2003 (1958 at Boblo Island)
What am I even supposed to say about this lmfao
Six Flags Mexico:
1 removal
Aquaman Splashdown
Hopkins Shoot the Chute
Opened in 1993
Removed for the construction of their family boomerang, makes complete sense to me. Shoot the chutes are fun, but I’d wager most aren’t too keen on getting soaked to the bone in a dry park barring unusually hot days. I definitely feel this way myself, the only one I’ve done to date is Great Adventure’s Movietown Water Effect.
Six Flags New England:
1 removal
Tomahawk
HUSS Frisbee
Opened in 1999
This was only going to survive off of the parts from SFFT’s HUSS Frisbee for so long. Outlasting it by 9 years is pretty impressive.
Six Flags Over Georgia:
3 removals
Kid Flash Cosmic Coaster
Skyline Attractions P’Sghetti Bowl
Opened in 2023
Refer to SFFT’s Kid Flash Cosmic Coaster.
Goldtown Racer
J&J Amusements Go-Karts
Opened in 1999
Go karts have no place in large scale amusement parks, in my opinion. Whatever replaces them will be a better option.
Skycoaster
Skycoaster
Opened in 1996
Refer to Professor Delbert’s Frontier Fling. This one also opened up GOREGOUS views of Great American Scream Machine.
Six Flags Over Texas:
2 removals
La Vibora
Intamin Swiss Bob
Opened in 1986 (1984 at SFMM)
It’s truly a shame to see the Intamin bobsleds go extinct, but it was only a matter of time after Alpine Bobsled closed and La Vibora was the last one standing. A coaster that can only operate in perfect conditions is already a headache, let alone one that was 40 years old and the last of its kind, and the giga dive is very clearly going to be a more popular ride. Glad I got to experience Disaster Transport the day before it gave its final rides.
El Diablo
Larson Super Loop
Opened in 2019
I’m more just surprised that SF purchased a brand new Larson Loop in 2019. I really don’t think the vast majority should be too upset about this one.
Six Flags Great Adventure:
9 removals (2 previously SBNO)
Air Safari
Zamperla Jets
Opened in 2007
Breaking my own rule a bit as we don’t DEFINITIVELY know it won’t operate again, but this was blown so far out of proportion when it was removed from the app/site that I feel as though I have to mention it. It hasn’t operated since 2022 and is one of THREE kiddie jets rides in the park (although, oddly enough, the newest one). It’s long overdue for them to stop letting it sit there and rot, and the reaction to its site removal was nothing short of ridiculous.
Cyborg Cyber Spin
ABC Tourbillon
Opened in 2018
I’m genuinely baffled that it was even included in renders for Flash and wasn’t slated for removal sooner. Since its installation Cyborg has been broken down more often than not, and the plaza in front of Flash looks better without it. A fun ride, but not surprising at all that the ABC Tourbillon has gone extinct.
Dare Devil Dive
Skycoaster
Opened in 1997
Refer to Professor Delbert’s Frontier Fling.
Green Lantern
Bolliger & Mabillard Stand Up Coaster
Opened in 2011 (1997 at Kentucky Kingdom)
This was always logically the next coaster to go in the park. Polarizing, aging VERY disgracefully, the only relocated coaster in the park (and only the second in its history, coincidentally the other being the Intamin standup Shockwave), and sitting on some of the park’s most valuable land. I fully believe Lantern would’ve been removed this year at the latest, merger or not.
Parachuter’s Perch
Intamin Paratower
Opened in 1983 (1978 at SFStL)
The fact that this has been erroneously credited by so many as a post merger removal is astounding. Parachuter’s Perch gave its final rides in 2022 and was gutted in 2023, well before the merger was even announced. This closure was also not announced prior by the park, instead being announced in a random Facebook comment reply, again, before Cedar Fair, and months after it had given its final rides. I’ll take a press release after the fact over this (granted, they still haven’t technically announced Cyborg or DDD’s removals). I’ve seen a lot of people say they should’ve just left it there like Coney Island’s Parachute Jump, but Parachute Jump is incredibly disconnected from Luna Park and is not in the middle of an area being actively redeveloped like Parachuter’s Perch was. Even if Boardwalk wasn’t in the middle of the biggest renovation in its history, it was surely just a matter of waiting for Lantern’s removal to give them ample space to implode it.
Skyride
Von Roll Sky Ride
Opened in 1974 (towers in 1960 at Freedomland USA, original gondolas in 1964 at New York World’s Fair, current gondolas from various other locations throughout the years)
This was the most egregious removal throughout the chain and one of the worst in Great Adventure’s history, really only rivaled by Rolling Thunder. Yes, I think this was worse than Kingda Ka (by a long shot) and that’s a hill I’m willing to die on. That said, this is entirely the fault of legacy Six Flags and their inability to give a single flying fuck about proper routine, let alone preventative, maintenance at Great Adventure. This was one of 3 rides with history that predates the park (the others being the carousel, built in 1881, and Air Jumbo, built in 1960), it was the last remaining transportation ride in a massive park, and it was one of the few remaining opening year attractions (Giant Wheel, Runaway Mine Train, Saw Mill Log Flume, and the carousel). The sheer lack of care required for the Skyride to reach a state where it couldn’t feasibly be saved can’t be overstated. This is the one 2024 removal that truly pisses me off, rather than being sad, but that anger is not directed towards Cedar Fair in any way and is entirely aimed at legacy Six Flags.
Twister
HUSS Top Spin
Opened in 1999
This was a fun ride, don’t get me wrong, but I’ve been seeing rumors of its removal almost annually since 2010 and therefore I think it’s the single least surprising closure the park could’ve possibly announced. Being rumored for removal for over half of its tenure at the park tends to do that. I do kind of wish it stuck around one more season, just for the hilarity of outliving its spiritual successor in Cyborg. Granted, Cyborg didn’t operate in 2024 due to Flash’s construction, so close enough.
Kingda Ka/Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom
Intamin Accelerator Coaster/Intamin Drop Tower
Opened in 2005 (Kingda Ka)/2014 (Zumanjaro)
Saved the most controversial for last, and oh boy are my thoughts gonna be controversial to some. To preface everything I’m about to say, I loved Kingda Ka. It’s my #23 overall and there’s no coaster I’ve gotten more rides on at somewhere between 300-400, having grown up an hour away from the park. I’d leave work after an opening shift some days and go get a few laps in. All that said, its removal isn’t THAT shocking to me and I think after nearly a year we can be a bit more grounded about it. Merger or not, I don’t believe Kingda Ka would’ve been operating by 2030, at least in its original form. The rumors of Zumanjaro’s structural damage would explain the seemingly abrupt closure pretty clearly (in addition to Zu’s final season being incredibly short lived). That said, even if Zu was fine, which I have my doubts about considering it barely operated last year, its fate was ALWAYS going to be tied to Ka and we’re talking about one of the most complicated and expensive to operate coasters on the planet. Ka was also a vastly different structure than Superman EFK and Tower of Terror II, leaving the tower and Zu wasn’t an option in the way they have with Lex Luthor and Giant Drop, nor would it make sense with how comically unpopular Zu was due to its isolation from the rest of the park. Had Ka drawn in decent ridership, I do believe we would’ve seen a refurbishment/reimagining, but it’s seemingly been overshadowed that Ka wasn’t exactly the most popular coaster and, at times, an afterthought until there were rumors that its future was in jeopardy. In addition to this, I don’t think Ka had the iconic status to the GP outside of NJ that many enthusiasts seem to believe it did. Iconic to enthusiasts and residents of New Jersey? Absolutely, but since leaving NJ, I’ve been in many positions to speak about roller coasters and very few of those I’ve spoken to have had no idea Kingda Ka even existed, let alone where it was. Due to the nature of Intamin accelerators, if they had announced its closure they ran the risk of a catastrophic mechanical failure prior to its scheduled final day of operation that they would then either obligated to fix; putting even more money into a coaster they’re already tearing down; or they cut the farewell tour short and piss people off even further. While it may be harsh and I don’t necessarily agree with it, I can at least understand why its closure wasn’t announced ahead of time. Had I not been moving from Indiana to South Carolina during its final weekend, I certainly would’ve been there.
Part of my main goal in making this thread was to showcase that while there was a mass exodus of rides, they pretty much all have some logic and reasoning behind them (still a bit stumped on Apollo, Meteor, and SFMM’s Scrambler) and that many of them were pretty old. We’re reaching a point in time where a LOT of the main players in the coaster wars and the parks’ heydays of frivolous spending are aging, and as a result there’s a lot that needs to be addressed in terms of whether these rides justify being refurbished or not. In total, there were 37 ride removals throughout the chain, but how many of them are actually spoken of? I personally do not believe most enthusiasts would even be talking about this exodus if Kingda Ka wasn’t the headliner, let alone being this pissed off about it. Yes, a lot of rides were removed, but I don’t think the vast majority realize that we lost so many rides across the chain and are just laser focused on Ka’s closure. I get it, we’ve never seen the world’s tallest coaster close permanently during its reign (at least in modern times), but it was a damn good 20 seasons, and I find it comforting in a way that it kept the height record for its entire existence and wasn’t #2 or lower when it came down.
Canada’s Wonderland:
1 removal
Time Warp
Zamperla Volare
Opened in 2004
It’s remarkable that no Volare had been scrapped up until last year and we saw two gone within a few months. The park’s lineup is better off without it (and there’s no longer a Volare in the chain), and I fully expect Flight Deck to be gone as well when they’re ready for a new coaster that utilizes the area.
Carowinds:
3 removals
Drop Tower: Scream Zone
Intamin Giant Drop
Opened in 1996
There really isn’t much to say here. It was likely just cheaper in the long run to take it out with Nighthawk right next to it.
EDIT: As @wasteman pointed out, this wasn’t located near Nighthawk as I believed it was. That said, with it being down more often than not and nearly 30 years old, it’s removal makes complete sense.
Scream Weaver
Schwarzkopf Enterprise
Opened in 1979
As one of 4 remaining permanent Schwarzkopf Enterprises, it’s a bit surprising that it lasted this long. Once CGA closes, there will be 2 left, and none within the chain.
Nighthawk
Vekoma Flying Dutchman Prototype
Opened in 2004 (2000 at CGA)
A complicated, relocated prototype of a model that only ever had 3 installations and was fairly polarizing was, unfortunately, a prime candidate for removal. It’s bizarre that the footers and station were left intact, who knows what the reasoning behind that was. I never did get to ride a Flying Dutchman, but I can’t imagine I would’ve been TOO upset about this even if I did. It’s mostly been a footnote in this whole saga.
Cedar Point:
2 removals
Professor Delbert’s Frontier Fling
Skycoaster
Opened in 1996
Skycoasters, and upcharge attractions in general, are going out of style, and rightfully so especially given the current economic climate. These take up a massive amount of space, especially for a park like Cedar Point, and it’s no surprise they’re disappearing as their leases end. They have a limited audience to begin with and it’s further limited to those actually willing to pay to ride them that can afford to do so.
Snake River Falls
Arrow Dynamics Shoot the Chute
Opened in 1993
As someone who LOVES Arrow, this isn’t surprising as a short lived model that’s slowly been dying over the past 20 years. I can’t imagine White Water Landing at Dorney is gonna be around much longer given that it’s now the last Arrow Shoot the Chute, but I’d love to be proven wrong.
Dorney Park:
2 removals
Apollo/Meteor
Soriani & Moser Swingaround/Zamperla Hawk Opened in 1984 (Apollo)/2002 (Meteor)
Lumping these two together because they’re probably the biggest head scratchers for me out of every removal, these ones just seem a bit odd. There’s a chance Apollo needed parts that are no longer supplied, especially given that this seems to have been the only Swingaround built by Soriani and Moser, but Zamperla has built a Hawk as recently as 2018, so Meteor doesn’t fall under that explanation. If staffing was an issue and these two had low ridership, why scrap them rather than leaving them SBNO or putting them in storage for a bit to determine their future?
Kings Dominion:
4 removals
Anaconda
Arrow Dynamics Custom Looping Coaster
Opened in 1991
I’m biased towards Arrow and never got to ride this, but my brother did and said it was the worst Arrow looper he had been on. Through POVs, I tend to agree that this likely would’ve been the one Arrow I could’ve had the chance to ride that I may have disliked. Truthfully, I hope its plot goes unused, as it really has opened up some great views of Lake Charles and Pantherian.
Berserker
Intamin Looping Starship
Opened in 1984
This was the last Looping Starship in the chain, the last in America, and one of 4 left in the world, there’s absolutely nothing surprising about its removal.
Peanuts Road Rally (thanks @paintervision!)
Zamperla Convoy
Opened in 1990
Likely removed due to its high staffing requirement. If I’m not mistaken the track was also from 1978, making some parts of this ride nearly 50 years old.
Joe Cool’s Driving School (thanks @paintervision!)
Unknown car ride
Opened in 2000
This took up a fairly large plot for a kiddie ride. With the Berserker plot nearby now empty as well, they have plenty of room to add something large here.
Kings Island:
1 removal
Xtreme Skyflyer
Skycoaster
Opened in 1995
Refer to Professor Delbert’s Frontier Fling.
Knott’s Berry Farm:
2 removals
High Sierra Ferris Wheel
Eli Bridge Co. Ferris Wheel
Opened in 1983
KBF’s Camp Snoopy was in desperate need of an update and this was likely one of the more logical rides they could’ve removed. These kiddie ferris wheels never seem to have a wait, though I can’t speak to this one specifically.
Huff & Puff
Bradley & Kaye mine cart…thing
Opened in 1983
Always sad to see a unique ride go, but never surprising. Likely another one of the most sensible removals for an update of Camp Snoopy.
Valleyfair:
1 removal
Ripcord (thanks @paintervision!)
Skycoaster
Opened in 1996
Refer to Professor Delbert’s Frontier Fling.
Worlds of Fun:
1 removal
Monsoon (thanks @paintervision!)
Intamin Shoot the Chute
Opened in 1992
This was SBNO since 2022, nothing to see here but cleaning up a ride that wasn’t going to operate again in the first place.
Frontier City:
1 removal
Geronimo (thanks @paintervision!)
Skycoaster
Opened in 1995
Refer to Professor Delbert’s Frontier Fling. In addition, this seems to have not operated since 2021 to begin with.
Six Flags Fiesta Texas:
1 removal
Kid Flash Cosmic Coaster
Skyline Attractions P’Sghetti Bowl
Opened in 2023
This shouldn’t be a surprise to anybody and these were some of the biggest wastes of money in the company’s history. From the day these were announced, I was stunned that Six Flags had opted to purchase more coasters from Skyline after the disaster Harley Quinn Crazy Coaster. Anyone who gives Skyline a chance after this is a damn fool, and that’s about the nicest way I can say it.
Six Flags Magic Mountain:
2 removals
Superman: Escape From Krypton
Intamin Reverse Freefall
Opened in 1997
Unfortunately this is one of the least shocking removals in the chain, if not the world. A barely functional prototype which had already undergone an extensive refurbishment was a prime candidate for closure. I also think it’s highly likely that Lex Luthor only operates for a few more seasons, until they’re ready to replace Superman. I don’t know just how much of the structure they’d need to leave in place to continue operating LL, and despite being a very specific plot, it is still in the center of the park and I’m sure they’d rather not leave a massive coaster rotting there.
Scrambler
Eli Bridge Co. Scrambler
Opened in 2003 (1958 at Boblo Island)
What am I even supposed to say about this lmfao
Six Flags Mexico:
1 removal
Aquaman Splashdown
Hopkins Shoot the Chute
Opened in 1993
Removed for the construction of their family boomerang, makes complete sense to me. Shoot the chutes are fun, but I’d wager most aren’t too keen on getting soaked to the bone in a dry park barring unusually hot days. I definitely feel this way myself, the only one I’ve done to date is Great Adventure’s Movietown Water Effect.
Six Flags New England:
1 removal
Tomahawk
HUSS Frisbee
Opened in 1999
This was only going to survive off of the parts from SFFT’s HUSS Frisbee for so long. Outlasting it by 9 years is pretty impressive.
Six Flags Over Georgia:
3 removals
Kid Flash Cosmic Coaster
Skyline Attractions P’Sghetti Bowl
Opened in 2023
Refer to SFFT’s Kid Flash Cosmic Coaster.
Goldtown Racer
J&J Amusements Go-Karts
Opened in 1999
Go karts have no place in large scale amusement parks, in my opinion. Whatever replaces them will be a better option.
Skycoaster
Skycoaster
Opened in 1996
Refer to Professor Delbert’s Frontier Fling. This one also opened up GOREGOUS views of Great American Scream Machine.
Six Flags Over Texas:
2 removals
La Vibora
Intamin Swiss Bob
Opened in 1986 (1984 at SFMM)
It’s truly a shame to see the Intamin bobsleds go extinct, but it was only a matter of time after Alpine Bobsled closed and La Vibora was the last one standing. A coaster that can only operate in perfect conditions is already a headache, let alone one that was 40 years old and the last of its kind, and the giga dive is very clearly going to be a more popular ride. Glad I got to experience Disaster Transport the day before it gave its final rides.
El Diablo
Larson Super Loop
Opened in 2019
I’m more just surprised that SF purchased a brand new Larson Loop in 2019. I really don’t think the vast majority should be too upset about this one.
Six Flags Great Adventure:
9 removals (2 previously SBNO)
Air Safari
Zamperla Jets
Opened in 2007
Breaking my own rule a bit as we don’t DEFINITIVELY know it won’t operate again, but this was blown so far out of proportion when it was removed from the app/site that I feel as though I have to mention it. It hasn’t operated since 2022 and is one of THREE kiddie jets rides in the park (although, oddly enough, the newest one). It’s long overdue for them to stop letting it sit there and rot, and the reaction to its site removal was nothing short of ridiculous.
Cyborg Cyber Spin
ABC Tourbillon
Opened in 2018
I’m genuinely baffled that it was even included in renders for Flash and wasn’t slated for removal sooner. Since its installation Cyborg has been broken down more often than not, and the plaza in front of Flash looks better without it. A fun ride, but not surprising at all that the ABC Tourbillon has gone extinct.
Dare Devil Dive
Skycoaster
Opened in 1997
Refer to Professor Delbert’s Frontier Fling.
Green Lantern
Bolliger & Mabillard Stand Up Coaster
Opened in 2011 (1997 at Kentucky Kingdom)
This was always logically the next coaster to go in the park. Polarizing, aging VERY disgracefully, the only relocated coaster in the park (and only the second in its history, coincidentally the other being the Intamin standup Shockwave), and sitting on some of the park’s most valuable land. I fully believe Lantern would’ve been removed this year at the latest, merger or not.
Parachuter’s Perch
Intamin Paratower
Opened in 1983 (1978 at SFStL)
The fact that this has been erroneously credited by so many as a post merger removal is astounding. Parachuter’s Perch gave its final rides in 2022 and was gutted in 2023, well before the merger was even announced. This closure was also not announced prior by the park, instead being announced in a random Facebook comment reply, again, before Cedar Fair, and months after it had given its final rides. I’ll take a press release after the fact over this (granted, they still haven’t technically announced Cyborg or DDD’s removals). I’ve seen a lot of people say they should’ve just left it there like Coney Island’s Parachute Jump, but Parachute Jump is incredibly disconnected from Luna Park and is not in the middle of an area being actively redeveloped like Parachuter’s Perch was. Even if Boardwalk wasn’t in the middle of the biggest renovation in its history, it was surely just a matter of waiting for Lantern’s removal to give them ample space to implode it.
Skyride
Von Roll Sky Ride
Opened in 1974 (towers in 1960 at Freedomland USA, original gondolas in 1964 at New York World’s Fair, current gondolas from various other locations throughout the years)
This was the most egregious removal throughout the chain and one of the worst in Great Adventure’s history, really only rivaled by Rolling Thunder. Yes, I think this was worse than Kingda Ka (by a long shot) and that’s a hill I’m willing to die on. That said, this is entirely the fault of legacy Six Flags and their inability to give a single flying fuck about proper routine, let alone preventative, maintenance at Great Adventure. This was one of 3 rides with history that predates the park (the others being the carousel, built in 1881, and Air Jumbo, built in 1960), it was the last remaining transportation ride in a massive park, and it was one of the few remaining opening year attractions (Giant Wheel, Runaway Mine Train, Saw Mill Log Flume, and the carousel). The sheer lack of care required for the Skyride to reach a state where it couldn’t feasibly be saved can’t be overstated. This is the one 2024 removal that truly pisses me off, rather than being sad, but that anger is not directed towards Cedar Fair in any way and is entirely aimed at legacy Six Flags.
Twister
HUSS Top Spin
Opened in 1999
This was a fun ride, don’t get me wrong, but I’ve been seeing rumors of its removal almost annually since 2010 and therefore I think it’s the single least surprising closure the park could’ve possibly announced. Being rumored for removal for over half of its tenure at the park tends to do that. I do kind of wish it stuck around one more season, just for the hilarity of outliving its spiritual successor in Cyborg. Granted, Cyborg didn’t operate in 2024 due to Flash’s construction, so close enough.
Kingda Ka/Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom
Intamin Accelerator Coaster/Intamin Drop Tower
Opened in 2005 (Kingda Ka)/2014 (Zumanjaro)
Saved the most controversial for last, and oh boy are my thoughts gonna be controversial to some. To preface everything I’m about to say, I loved Kingda Ka. It’s my #23 overall and there’s no coaster I’ve gotten more rides on at somewhere between 300-400, having grown up an hour away from the park. I’d leave work after an opening shift some days and go get a few laps in. All that said, its removal isn’t THAT shocking to me and I think after nearly a year we can be a bit more grounded about it. Merger or not, I don’t believe Kingda Ka would’ve been operating by 2030, at least in its original form. The rumors of Zumanjaro’s structural damage would explain the seemingly abrupt closure pretty clearly (in addition to Zu’s final season being incredibly short lived). That said, even if Zu was fine, which I have my doubts about considering it barely operated last year, its fate was ALWAYS going to be tied to Ka and we’re talking about one of the most complicated and expensive to operate coasters on the planet. Ka was also a vastly different structure than Superman EFK and Tower of Terror II, leaving the tower and Zu wasn’t an option in the way they have with Lex Luthor and Giant Drop, nor would it make sense with how comically unpopular Zu was due to its isolation from the rest of the park. Had Ka drawn in decent ridership, I do believe we would’ve seen a refurbishment/reimagining, but it’s seemingly been overshadowed that Ka wasn’t exactly the most popular coaster and, at times, an afterthought until there were rumors that its future was in jeopardy. In addition to this, I don’t think Ka had the iconic status to the GP outside of NJ that many enthusiasts seem to believe it did. Iconic to enthusiasts and residents of New Jersey? Absolutely, but since leaving NJ, I’ve been in many positions to speak about roller coasters and very few of those I’ve spoken to have had no idea Kingda Ka even existed, let alone where it was. Due to the nature of Intamin accelerators, if they had announced its closure they ran the risk of a catastrophic mechanical failure prior to its scheduled final day of operation that they would then either obligated to fix; putting even more money into a coaster they’re already tearing down; or they cut the farewell tour short and piss people off even further. While it may be harsh and I don’t necessarily agree with it, I can at least understand why its closure wasn’t announced ahead of time. Had I not been moving from Indiana to South Carolina during its final weekend, I certainly would’ve been there.
Part of my main goal in making this thread was to showcase that while there was a mass exodus of rides, they pretty much all have some logic and reasoning behind them (still a bit stumped on Apollo, Meteor, and SFMM’s Scrambler) and that many of them were pretty old. We’re reaching a point in time where a LOT of the main players in the coaster wars and the parks’ heydays of frivolous spending are aging, and as a result there’s a lot that needs to be addressed in terms of whether these rides justify being refurbished or not. In total, there were 37 ride removals throughout the chain, but how many of them are actually spoken of? I personally do not believe most enthusiasts would even be talking about this exodus if Kingda Ka wasn’t the headliner, let alone being this pissed off about it. Yes, a lot of rides were removed, but I don’t think the vast majority realize that we lost so many rides across the chain and are just laser focused on Ka’s closure. I get it, we’ve never seen the world’s tallest coaster close permanently during its reign (at least in modern times), but it was a damn good 20 seasons, and I find it comforting in a way that it kept the height record for its entire existence and wasn’t #2 or lower when it came down.
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