Six Flags has axed yet another of its iconic roller coasters.
Compared to the likes of Disney and Universal, Six Flags has long set itself apart by prioritizing high-intensity thrill rides over themed experiences, earning a reputation as the go-to park chain for adrenaline junkies.
In 2024, however, Six Flags merged with Cedar Fair, ushering in a new era for its parks. The past few months have seen Six Flags quietly announce the permanent closure of several attractions, as well as dropping hints that it may choose to sell some of its underperforming properties.
Most notably, last year saw Six Flags axe Kingda Ka. After weeks of rumors, Six Flags Great Adventure quietly confirmed that it had closed the ride—which was once the world’s tallest and fastest coaster—without giving its biggest fans a chance to say goodbye. It has since demolished the ride for good.
Six Flags Magic Mountain Icon Closes For Good
Now, Six Flags has axed yet another roller coaster.
As per the Orange County Register, beloved Southern California theme park Six Flags Magic Mountain—which had a rough start to the year thanks to January’s LA wildfires—has decided to close Superman: Escape From Krypton.
“Just like other roller coasters within the theme park industry, there’s a life cycle with these coasters,” Magic Mountain President Jeff Harris told the Orange County Register in a video conference call. “It’s just reached a point in time where we need to make a wise decision on where we really should reinvest funds that improve the guest experience the most. It just doesn’t make a lot of sense from a business perspective to put it back into Superman.”
Superman: Escape from Krypton – originally known as Superman: The Escape until 2011 – was a high-speed launch coaster that catapulted riders from 0 to 100 mph in just seven seconds. Opened in 1997, the ride sent guests 415 feet straight up before plunging them back down in reverse. Its towering structure and intense launch made it one of the park’s most iconic thrill rides.
Harris noted that Six Flags had initially hoped to fix the ride after closing it for maintenance in September. However, the required parts were unavailable. “Some of the parts are obsolete,” he said. “It’s really tough to even get parts to keep it alive.”
Strangely, the Lex Luther: Drop of Doom ride attached to the roller coaster tower will remain open, suggesting the actual structure isn’t going anywhere any time soon. Harris confirmed that they can’t yet comment on its replacement.
“It’s too early to disclose what we’re going to do with the actual track, cars, queue, building structure and everything else that comes with the attraction,” Harris said. “That’s yet to be determined, but we’re working through what that potentially could look like for the future.”
With the ride’s closure, Six Flags Magic Mountain is left with 19 roller coasters, which is more than any other theme park in the world. A new roller coaster set to debut in 2026 will bring the park’s coaster count back to 20.
