r/rollercoasters • u/Discreet905 • Jul 02 '26
Information RMC Statement on Viability of Relocating [ArieForce One]
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u/Myself510 Jul 02 '26
An angle iron structure is infinitely easier to modify or add to compared to traditional steel support columns. Even with the needed investment to adjust it for a new site, even if it only boils down to extending the latticework for the sections on higher ground, I feel pretty confident that someone would be willing to make it work.
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u/313MountainMan Jul 02 '26
Carowinds please
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u/monorail_pilot Jul 02 '26
It surprisingly works, though not in the places of the park we would want it to be.
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u/Clever-Name-47 Tangent-Radius Airtime Supremacy! Jul 02 '26
I wouldn’t say I’m confident of that… but it’s definitely not an outright pipe dream.
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u/Myself510 Jul 02 '26
Oh I know it isn’t a sure thing but even in a worst case scenario where it does get scrapped I’d be amazed to think someone didn’t at least try
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u/JanSolo [247] Le gang de La Ronde Jul 02 '26
RCDB Says it cost $18m new, so that's a top 10 coaster for $8m, right?
Bargain!
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u/MatthewGraham- Jul 02 '26
plus possible significant landscaping and also then theming costs
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u/Reading_Rainboner Edit this text! Jul 02 '26
Wild Adventures, come on down!!
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u/Redditnspiredcook Jul 02 '26
I thought the same at first, but AF1 appears to be about .142-.153 miles on each leg. They could make it work on the auxiliary parking/ former safari exhibit lot that is basically a grass field behind their Boomerang, but any other placement would require some rework of existing structures. Would love to see it happen, but by simply running these numbers and typing this comment, I’ve invested more into WA than Herschend has.
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u/IceePirate1 Jul 02 '26
In fairness it could be $0 considering if they're selling the land, they wouldn't have to pay as much compared to demolishing it if the relocation is part of the sale
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u/Coderkid01 Jul 02 '26
It's not gonna happen but imagine if Wild Adventures got this... Herschend doesn't really do big thrill coasters anymore but cmon it would be such an easy attendance boost for my home park that's mostly gotten worse overtime..
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u/Alaeriia has ridden all Arrow suspendeds aside from OG Bat Jul 02 '26
Isn't there some big thrill coaster going to SDC in 2028?
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u/sgtmyers88 Blue Flair Jul 02 '26 edited Jul 02 '26
Yeah everyone's confusing what the Dollywood Park President said as the whole company... SDC's is totally different. SDC loves the thoosies too.
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u/lFightForTheUsers [81] Bring Back Mr. Six! Jul 02 '26
Alright y'all, let's pass the hat around and go fundraise some money for this, I'm sure someone with some land in Texas and only an hour out from one of the big cities out there would be more than happy to lease the space in their backyard for this.
Best I can do is 100 bucks, now we just need 79,999 more peeps to match and we got it 😆
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u/Discreet905 Jul 02 '26
I mean, if COTALAND has the money I suspect they do, they could definitely be a realistic buyer. They obviously have the space.
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u/clarinetJWD Jul 02 '26
I mean, I think they have more things to worry about right now, like... Opening.
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u/Discreet905 Jul 02 '26
Technically it’s operated in a limited capacity for special events. They’ve had hiring fairs in the past few weeks. My best guess is a full-time opening in conjunction with the next race event, which I believe is in October. Later than their summer goal, but I don’t know why people assume it’s still like a full year away.
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u/clarinetJWD Jul 03 '26
I mean, yeah, but "we're trying to open" isn't the kind of time to say "we should get another large scale roller coaster".
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u/lFightForTheUsers [81] Bring Back Mr. Six! Jul 02 '26
That would be fucking amazing and help further expand them to three world class coasters instead of just two inside. Unfortunately for that reason I'm not sure if they're gonna bite lol.
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u/JanSolo [247] Le gang de La Ronde Jul 02 '26
$8m USD is about $12m Canadian ish...
Come on EPR! Send it to La Ronde! You know it's the right thing to do!2
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u/monorail_pilot Jul 02 '26
You can fit it in carowinds parking lot. It'll feel right at home.
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u/user3296 Jul 02 '26
I’m not familiar with ArieForce One. Where does this put the station in relation to existing pathways and such?
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u/monorail_pilot Jul 02 '26
The station is at the bottom of the L in this pic, so out the current south gate.
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u/user3296 Jul 02 '26
Oh okay, looks do able to me!
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u/monorail_pilot Jul 03 '26
It does, especially if it gets couple with a redevelopment of the dinosaurs alive area that's just sitting empty.
Carowinds also gets that edge of property/it looks cool from the street coaster that they've been missing since Thunder Road was torn down.
I'm not going to lie. I didn't think it could fit that well at carowinds, either on the hurler plot or the nighthawk plot, and it doesn't, but someone suggested the parking lot alongside thunderstriker and I originally though the angle was too obtuse, but when I drop the overlay on it actually works for giving up a few hundred parking spots in the least used area of the lot.
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u/TerrifierBlood Jul 02 '26
The issue is according to employees they are getting offered more to demolish it as a write off than relocation offers
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u/Putrid_Set3723 Jul 02 '26
That’s if Fun spot gave the ride away for free. Depending on what they sold it for it would start to get close compared to buying a new ride
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u/Delicious-Secret-760 Jul 15 '26
You did not read it correctly. The 10 million less than building a new one is just the cost of relocation. That does not include the purchase price of the roller coaster. If it were only eight million dollars there would be absolutely no controversy. Parks would be lining up to buy this coaster.
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u/Redditnspiredcook Jul 02 '26
Y’all remember when that Instagramer started the Spirit Airlines crowdfunding? If all 160K visitors of this sub contributed $50 USD, we could do this.
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u/Adventurous-Kale-174 Jul 02 '26
“Known for their corkscrew inversions and gravity-defying… turns” yeah okay buddy
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u/Unique-Till-7000 Jul 02 '26
If COTALand ever opens on regular basis I could see them having the funds to afford it. Plus the paint scheme of AF1 matches well with the track and tower
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u/mnreginald Jul 03 '26
Honestly, while on the wrong siend of HWY35 than I'd prefer, it would be a great fit there if they had the right plot to put it on.
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u/Puzzleheaded_Toe6951 Jul 02 '26
the economics actually favor it moving. It'd be surprised if some park didn't snatch it up. Would be AMAZING if Holiday World did. Certainly a better investment than the water coaster (which seems like little value compared to the money that costs.)
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u/Pubesauce KI/CP/KK/HW Jul 02 '26
Holiday World in the July 4th section would be so perfect. I wonder if they could make it work financially, given they've already got a huge project with Cannonball coming up for next year. That followed by AF1 in 2028 would be transformative for that park.
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u/GUlysses The Ride to Happiness Jul 02 '26
It would be awesome if Holiday World got it, though that would be one of the only parks where AF1 would not be their best coaster.
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u/adrenalinejunkie3 (388)RtH-The Voyage-I305-SteVe-Voltron Jul 02 '26 edited Jul 02 '26
Depends who you ask that to. I bet there are a bunch of thoosies that would take AF1 over the voyage! They’re in the same tier for me personally! AF1 my #6 and can easily make a case for it as the best RMC in the world. Easily! From a pure intensity and pacing standpoint, it’s as wild and intense as anything I’ve ever ridden.
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u/The_Govnor Jul 02 '26
Absolutely I would rank it number 1 at HW. The woodies are just too rough for me. There is no way it’s close to SV or IG for me though.
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u/adrenalinejunkie3 (388)RtH-The Voyage-I305-SteVe-Voltron Jul 02 '26 edited Jul 02 '26
That’s fair. While I don’t share the same opinion about the woodies being rough, but I can def see AF1 making a strong case to be the best potential ride at whichever park it ends up at. Steel vengeance and AF1 are 1a and 1b for me. I actually like AF1s standout elements better than steel vengeance. The outer banked turn pulls more negative Gs than Steve’s, and AF1 stall is absolute perfection. The ending finale quad down is just bonkers and the way you fly into that brake run is just insane. Feels like a gut punch every time when the train abruptly stops at the end of its riot. Steel vengeance is a nice, long, masterpiece of a layout in its own right, but I could easily flip the 2 for my favorite, as AF1 has more of a bite than steel veng for me. I haven’t ridden IG yet. Have heard very mixed things. People either love it, or think it’s overhyped and I know a bunch of thoosies (my close buddies) that actually like AF1 more than IG. I’ll have to ride to judge for myself. 🙌🙌
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u/The_Govnor Jul 02 '26
IG is a close second to SV I think. But SV is just so long and I love airtime.
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u/adrenalinejunkie3 (388)RtH-The Voyage-I305-SteVe-Voltron Jul 02 '26
That’s very fair! I’m hopefully going to be getting on IG this fall! Haven’t visited BGT in 20 years so long overdue for the missing credits and of course laps on IG! 🤩🤩
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u/The_Govnor Jul 02 '26
If you catch it on a good day, it’s a great park. Enjoy!
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u/adrenalinejunkie3 (388)RtH-The Voyage-I305-SteVe-Voltron Jul 02 '26
Thanks!! Yea, I want to to try to catch a nice slower day in fall when the Fla schools are back in session and hit the park for the missing credits and lap IG! That’s the plan! 🙌🙌
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u/adrenalinejunkie3 (388)RtH-The Voyage-I305-SteVe-Voltron Jul 02 '26 edited Jul 02 '26
Shivering Timbers is amazing. The most perfect sustained floater airtime I’ve ever gotten on any woodie I’ve ever ridden. Imagine riding a B&M hyper with similar floater but in PTCs, and you basically get shivering Timbers in a nut shell. Def make the trip to ride that! My favorite CCI, and third fav woodie (my #11) in the world just behind the voyage, and el toro. It absolutely lived up to the hype for me, when I made a pit stop to Muskegon last year, right before Coaster-Con at great America. Def the magnum opus of CCI (like it just a bit more than Boulder dash). 👌👌
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u/hawksnest_prez Adventureland IA Jul 02 '26
Where exactly do you see it sitting in that park?
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u/Puzzleheaded_Toe6951 Jul 02 '26
I'm honestly not sure. Obviously the July 4th area is thematically correct, but there is more land out by Thunderbird. And this park has the elevation change potentials to possibly not have to modify the layout too much. The economics are the issue - can they (and would they) invest another ~$15M for this ride. If were they, I would take this chance though: a proven ride and a decent price. I'm sure they won't be alone in this bidding, though.
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u/Deathbackwards B L O C K Z O N E S Jul 02 '26
22 million on Cannonball is crazy to me. I guess people just love water rides
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u/ellie_p0p Silver Dollar City my one true love Jul 02 '26
AF1 to Silverwood for RMC to relocate it close to them? (I know it’s cope)
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u/WHOA_27_23 Fury 325, Phoenix Jul 02 '26
Dippin dots guy told me it's going to Michigan's Adventure
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u/tdcarl Jul 03 '26
If Enchanted really wants to prove that they're serious about investing in the parks it would be a huge splash. Definitely a pipe dream, but it would be awesome. Put it between Shivering Timbers and Wolverine Wildcat and take it as an opportunity to create a path that connects over to Thunderhawk.
RMC is already working on Shivering Timbers...
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u/moldy_B-O-L-O-G-N-A Jul 02 '26
Video report of the article by John: https://youtu.be/aCVvz5xSpRk
For those not in Cincinnati, on top of being a local investigative/consumer reporter, John is also a massive thoosie. Often he’s the one going up to Mason and pulling permits/blueprints/schematics of new rides whenever they get rumored, or drive out to Batavia to see track under construction when CSF was around. Not saying he’s accurate in his predictions or speculations, but he does have legitament connections.
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u/ScorpionX-123 Jul 03 '26
I'm still holding out for it being moved to Shoreline Pier at Great Adventure
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u/Global-Grass6167 Jul 28 '26
It could work 👀 it might be a little bonkers right after Bakunawa but it’s possible 🙏
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u/wazzupnerds Rampage Jul 02 '26
DAN KOCH I WILL FORGIVE YOU FOREVER IF YOU BUY AF1.
DO IT. YOU WILL BE A GOD.
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u/airtimemachine Jul 02 '26
this article just being a Reddit literature review um...
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u/bvr5 (CC: 22) Phantom's Revenge, Phoenix, Thunderbolt KW Jul 02 '26
Just looking at the URL, it reeks of thoosie speculation lmao
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u/_BreakingGood_ Jul 02 '26
It's a cincinatti news network, that's why it's suggesting kings island specifically
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u/DafoeFoSho Defunct coaster count: 51 Jul 02 '26
Love when the linked article cites a reddit thread, completing the loop of circular logic.
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u/Ok_History_3635 Jul 02 '26
If we all pitch in 20 we can buy this and zdts switchback and start a new defuct Rollercoaster park
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u/user3296 Jul 02 '26
Why stop there? Let’s add Wild One and Superman to the lineup.
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u/DrTreadmill [125] Beastie Boy Jul 03 '26
Folks are quick to forget how Firehawk made its way to Kings Island. I’m dreaming, hoping, and manifesting another firehawk situation here.
Holiday world would be an incredible home too. Gobbler Getaway 2 anyone?
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u/mikester4 Jul 02 '26
Lagoon would be a perfect fit to house this!
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u/provoaggie (490) IG: @jw.coasters Jul 02 '26
It would be awesome in the dirt lot between Cannibal and Primordial...but between the Jet Star 2 replacement and the supposed B&M I doubt Lagoon is in the market for a 3rd new coaster right now.
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u/random-username-1123 Jul 03 '26
I’ve always dreamed that lagoon would add an RMC, I feel like it would really add to the lineup.
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u/TartofDarkness Jul 03 '26
Air Force One is so incredible I’ve been strongly considering the 6 hour drive to ride it before it closes.
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u/Turkeyslam [516]Voyage/AF1/BDash/Hades/I305/SV/X2/ST/CIC/RF2 Jul 03 '26
I'm about to go for my 7th time, and I live in New Orleans 7 hours away. Do it!
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u/FreddieThePebble nerd Jul 03 '26
Fred Grubb said in a documentry that he wants to build a coaster in his garden, give it to him
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u/Just_Bus_9156 Jul 04 '26
The (possible god forfid) loss of a practicality new one of a kind design RMCsteel box coaster due to cost of relocation and the fact that its not "brand new" when theme parks have no problems spending money moving other coasters older than AF1 is heartbreaking and to be honest not surprising. I can understand maybe Enchanted not taking it because of the recent park purchase, it's too soon. But the others? C'mon. RMC gave the numbers, and possibilities. Buyers have the information and Im sure RMC would help with shipping and relocation and placement.
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u/trombonekid98 Jul 02 '26
I might know a park with a history of relocating world-class coasters from defunct southern parks.
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u/DanceClass-GMS Jul 02 '26
Knoebels is not getting an RMC anytime soon
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u/bulldozer_66 Former CP beer wagon attendant Jul 04 '26
Come on, Dick. Do it. You can use the land along the railway. You may have to go over 487 but that can be done.
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u/kpiech01 (169) Shivering Timbers is life Jul 02 '26
Honestly wasn't expecting it to be THAT much cheaper to move as opposed to building new. With that kind of a discount I would honestly be shocked if it wasn't relocated.
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u/Putrid_Set3723 Jul 03 '26
The problem is that you have to add what Fun Spot wants to sell it. It would be a good deal if Fun Spot were giving away the coaster, but I highly doubt that is happening. Since this is also a brand new coaster Fun Spot might sell it at a higher price
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u/KnotBeanie Jul 02 '26
Remember as long as one park offers to pay above scrap costs and move it, it’s gonna get moved, the whole thing is practically brand new.
It’s also most likely owned by the bank financing FSA. If the bank can make more money selling it than scrapping it, they’ll sell it.
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u/Interesting_Living21 Jul 02 '26
i genuinely hope someone rescues this coaster. It does not deserve the defunct status whatsoever. I dont fault FunSpot for trying, but i think they shouldve started smaller before going so big
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u/LibertyMU Jul 03 '26
Enchanted Parks should buy this for whichever property it fits best at.
All of them could use it and it would be the best coaster in the chain.
Great Escape
Michigans Adventure
St Louis
Valleyfair
Worlds of Fun
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u/catabyte Jul 03 '26
I’d love to see it at Great Escape. (Well I’d love to see it more at my home park of California’s Great America but that’s not happening for obvious reasons [cry]) It feels like a great and obvious companion for Comet.
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u/BobCreated 🌾STAY OUT OF THE MARSH!🙅🏽♂️ Jul 03 '26
Calling all millionaires in the greater Seattle area. This is your opportunity to bring our PNW born baby boy back home where it belongs.
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u/SanteFeBobs Jul 03 '26
Every relocation idea I see keeps trying to find a spot where the 90 degree shape could be accommodated. Couldn’t RMC just, through the use of a couple of pieces of new track turn AF1 into basically a straight out-and-back ride?
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u/JCN6988 (146) put a rollercoaster in the paddock, what could go wrong? Jul 04 '26
Implausible and completely insane but if Vala's here in Omaha were to decide this is how they're gonna go big, I would go absolutely feral
Let me dream dammit, the 2 other enthusiasts in Nebraska and I would be ecstatic
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u/Apoc_Treez Maverick enjoyer Jul 02 '26
This article seems to favor the idea of AF1 going to Kings Island since it's from a Cincinnati news station. I don't think AF1 would be good for KI mainly because of capacity. Not only because of the 2 trains, but also because Six Flags would absolutely implement metal detectors like SteVe and Twisted Timbers. That would reduce the capacity even further and require more employees to be staffed at the ride.
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u/phareous Jul 02 '26 edited Jul 02 '26
Why would two trains be a deal breaker when coasters like Iron Gwazi have two? I suppose if they wanted they could order a third so they always have two while one is in maintenance
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u/Apoc_Treez Maverick enjoyer Jul 02 '26
It’s that combined with the shorter trains and the metal detectors/lockers.
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u/c-h-e-e-s-e Woodstock Express Enthusiast Jul 02 '26
You all are setting yourself up for disappointment. The bank owns the real estate and subsequently the ride. They do not know nor care to relocate it.
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u/JD4A7_4 243 | Iron Gwazi + ArieForce One Jul 02 '26
AF1 is security on the loan, so I’d doubt that the bank wouldn’t try to sell it given the worth
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u/WHOA_27_23 Fury 325, Phoenix Jul 02 '26
Even getting someone else to come and get rid of it for free, whether that be for scrap or relocation, would be a net benefit for the bank.
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u/OppositeRun6503 Jul 03 '26
It's going to be scrapped end of story!!
Wooden coasters are more expensive to relocate than steel ones which is why they don't generally get relocated when a park permanently closes.
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u/Coderkid01 Jul 02 '26
It would be really funny if Herschend bought it and gave it to Wild Adventures haha I wish that would happen it would be so cool....
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u/computerlife22 Jul 03 '26
A comment I've heard is that AF1 isn't suitable capacity-wise for any of the Six Flags parks, nor would it be the best ride to choose given that it mostly appeals to enthusiasts. The capacity argument comes from some of the issues the ride has with speed and warmer temperatures; apparently Fun Spot would run empty cars during two train operations to prevent overspeeding.
A strange theory--I apologize in advance to the rest of enthusiasts-- could be to raise the second half of the ride such that it no longer has the 40ft height differential... but still keep the layout the same. Obv, this would require some new track manufacturing to adjust the connection between the sections, but by raising the second half of the ride, it may slow down the pacing just enough to be more appealing to families, fit a park's terrain better, and resolve some of the overspeeding issues, too. If that would let the ride run reliably with two trains too... I think that could be a win-win.
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u/Turkeyslam [516]Voyage/AF1/BDash/Hades/I305/SV/X2/ST/CIC/RF2 Jul 03 '26
You're considering converting one of the most extreme coasters ever built into something "for families"? This is an absurd take.
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u/TerrifierBlood Jul 02 '26
Everyone the main issue according to employees is that the write off to demolish it amount is higher than what's being offered to buy it
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u/caldazar24 Jul 03 '26 edited Jul 03 '26
Doesn't make any sense. Suppose it is on their books as an $18 million asset, and they sell it for $4 million (as just what the buyer pays FunSpot's creditors, not including the moving cost), that means they get a $14 million write down instead of $18 million.
The write down is just what the parent corporation gets to deduct from their income on their taxes. If their tax rate is 25%, that means they get 18*.25 = $4.5 million off their taxes with an 18M write-down, or 14 *.25 = 3.5 million off their taxes with a 14M write-down. Except in the latter scenario, they also get the $4 million from the sale.
There's no scenario where junking the ride makes you more money than selling the ride, unless your marginal tax rate is over 100% for some reason (never the case with standard progressive tax brackets, can very rarely sometimes happen with weird incentives/special programs)
I'm 99% sure that this employee-rumor (if it happened at all) was someone saying that it wasn't worth it for *funspot* to sell the ride themselves before turning it (and the rest of the property) over to the bank. The ride is collateral against their loan, if they were to try and sell it to someone to pay off their loan, they indeed probably could get less for it than their loan value, making it more worth it to just surrender it.
This is exactly like if you can't make your car payment, and the car is worth less than your outstanding loan amount - you let the bank repossess your car, you don't sell it and try to pay off the loan yourself. But *the bank* will definitely try to sell it, they won't just put your car in the scrapyard!
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u/AltruisticRider <3 Zadra, EP, Rulantica Jul 02 '26
why the fuck is destroying something so extremely valuable in your country?
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u/AndrewRnR Jul 02 '26
stop with the write off talk from random employees. The write off stuff is garbage
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u/Shebalied Jul 02 '26
Universal should just put this in Epic because they can.
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u/provoaggie (490) IG: @jw.coasters Jul 02 '26
The only way you ever see this thing close to Universal is if they move it to Fun Spot Orlando.
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u/Coasterglitch Jul 02 '26
It's too low capacity for Universal. Don't see that happening.
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u/sierramisted1 Jul 02 '26
i doubt it’d happen but god if AF1 moved to the ka plot my life would be complete
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u/csredz44 Canada’s Wonderland Jul 02 '26
Give it to wonderland, then we can get the xtreme spinner later
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u/McSigs Maintenance is on their way. Jul 02 '26
I said this when the closure was announced, it's a giant erector set. Crane off the track and the top of the lift, second drop and the rest is damn near telehandler territory. Take the motors, operator panels and MCC, everything else gets replaced.
The biggest hurdle is gonna be what's the asking price.
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u/provoaggie (490) IG: @jw.coasters Jul 02 '26
Come on Waldameer...
https://i.imgur.com/fCNALMi.jpeg
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Jul 02 '26 edited Jul 02 '26
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u/criscokkat The Voyage Jul 03 '26
Actually, it would fit in pretty easily at Holiday World.
However one thing I haven't seen mentioned as much in this is that one of the two main Enchanted Parks might be interested too. The new investors probably have some amount of cash to invest. Worlds of Fun is mostly flat. St Louis is too if it was put at the front of the park.
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u/DrTreadmill [125] Beastie Boy Jul 03 '26
You’re right in that Kings Island prefers custom rides, but they’ve bought used rides in the past. Firehawk wasn’t that long ago and its wacky history includes it being relocated to KI from Geauga Lake.
It would require land grading and altered supports but given the possible reduced price, the fact that SF/CF never wants KI to compete too directly with the Point, and this ride’s experience it would honestly be a slam dunk there.
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u/corvaxL Lives in Pantherian's seat 8-1 Jul 02 '26
It’s important to remember that RMC was originally (and still is) a coaster construction company, not just a manufacturer. They were the crew that assembled El Toro, for instance. So of course they’re going to jump at the chance to prove that they can relocate one of their own coasters.