Six Flags Magic Mountain has outlined plans to introduce an entirely new category of roller coaster to its Southern California theme park in 2027.
The upcoming attraction aims to merge the mechanics of flying, motorbike, and suspended coasters into a single, cohesive ride concept.
Manufactured by Vekoma exclusively for the park, Thrill Glider will seat riders in hovercycle-style vehicles. Guests will be positioned face forward in a prone stance, suspended directly beneath the track. The custom layout will follow the local terrain across a 3.5-acre site, delivering an 80-second ride that incorporates 20 distinct track elements. According to the operator, the design incorporates synchronised onboard audio and immersive lighting effects throughout the journey.
During the experience, the coaster will launch multiple times, accelerating to top speeds of 50 mph. The track extends to 3,380 feet in length, equivalent to more than half a mile, and reaches a maximum height of 107 feet. Riders will experience 12 airtime moments and navigate five inversions. These inversions include a wing over, a zero-g roll, an overbanked stall turn, a barrel roll, and an upward barrel roll. The physical track sequence then concludes with a high-speed station fly-by.
Sci-fi storytelling
The ride features a science fiction narrative centred on a fictional technology company named QuantumPulse Propulsion Systems, headed by an inventor character named Rebecca Silva. The queue area, designated as The Futurist Pavilion, will function as a sleek showcase facility displaying holographic presentations and scientific exhibits.
These displays concern the discovery of ‘PSR B417’, presented as a powerful new energy source. Riders will pass towering hexagonal energy collectors embedded in the hillside before boarding their vehicles in a load station designed with aerodynamic architecture, illuminated blue energy lines, and pulsing atmospheric audio.
Accessible thrills
“Thrill Glider is more than a new attraction. It is the latest milestone in Six Flags Magic Mountain’s renaissance and a reflection of the park’s enduring role as an industry innovator,” said Brian Oerding, park president of Six Flags Magic Mountain. “With a decades-long reputation for introducing record-breaking attractions and genre-defining rides, Magic Mountain is uniquely positioned to pioneer an entirely new coaster category and bring Thrill Glider to life.”
The new coaster is currently under construction on the former site of the Golden Bear Theatre, located between the existing Full Throttle and LEX LUTHOR: Drop of Doom attractions, adjacent to Looney Tunes Land. With a minimum height requirement of 48 inches, the park intends for the ride to be accessible to a wide demographic, encompassing both traditional enthusiasts and first-time coaster riders.
Whilst the peak season for 2026 has come to an end, popular seasonal events such as Fright Fest, Tricks and Treats, and Holiday in the Park await guests before the new coaster opens at Six Flags Magic Mountain.
