The US roller coaster community has been given an answer to one of the year’s most debated questions following the closure of a highly regarded thrill ride in August.
In recent weeks, speculation mounted regarding whether the track would be dismantled permanently or saved by another operator. Now, the future of the attraction has been confirmed, sparking a new wave of discussion.
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation has formally acquired ArieForce One, the steel roller coaster originally built for Fun Spot America in Fayetteville, Georgia. The ride is scheduled to debut at an undisclosed Six Flags park during the 2028 to 2029 operating seasons. In a move that preserves the attraction’s history, Six Flags currently intends to keep the original ArieForce One name.
Mark Pauls, chief operating officer of Six Flags, confirmed the company monitored the public reaction to the ride’s closure. “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,” Pauls stated. “This is a ride that consistently generated excitement, acclaim and passionate fan support.” He noted the acquisition aligns with their strategy of delivering thrill experiences across the company’s portfolio.
A new chapter
The coaster operated for just over three years, having opened on 31 March 2023. It was named in honour of Fun Spot America founder John Arie Sr. Fun Spot America chief executive officer John Arie Jr expressed his support for the transition. “When we built ArieForce One, we wanted to create something truly special,” he said. “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.”
During its original run, the coaster became known for its intense pacing and specific track elements, including a large zero-gravity stall, a Raven Truss Dive, and an outward-banked airtime hill. Manufactured by Rocky Mountain Construction, the steel track stands 154 feet tall and features a 146-foot first drop. The ride reaches a top speed of 64 miles per hour and spans approximately 3,400 feet in length. Over the course of a two-minute duration, riders experience four inversions alongside multiple negative-G moments.
These technical features secured its reputation prior to closing on 2 August 2026. The closure prompted immediate preservation discussions among fans and industry groups.
Continued speculation
Derek Perry, president-elect of American Coaster Enthusiasts, highlighted the group’s relief at the news. ACE, the world’s largest amusement ride enthusiast organisation with over 7,000 members globally, closely monitored the situation. “Preservation is central to ACE’s mission, so enthusiasts everywhere were hopeful this remarkable coaster would have a future beyond its original park,” Perry said. He added that the focus will now shift to identifying which park in the network will receive the track. “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.”
Six Flags operates more than 250 roller coasters across its properties in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Saudi Arabia. Pauls acknowledged that keeping the exact destination secret is intentional, suggesting the eventual announcement will generate as much interest as the acquisition itself. The attraction will be reassembled and enhanced before opening to the public again.
