Six Flags Permanently Retires X2 at Magic Mountain After Almost 20 Years

Six Flags Magic Mountain has officially announced the permanent retirement of X2, one of the park’s most recognisable and unusual roller coasters.

The announcement was made by Six Flags Magic Mountain President Brian Oerding on September 29, confirming that the ride will not reopen following its recent closure.

X2 Has Been Permanently Retired

In a statement published by Six Flags, Brian Oerding confirmed that the park has decided to permanently retire X2 after almost two decades of operation.

X2 opened at Six Flags Magic Mountain in 2008 and went on to welcome more than 16 million guests during its lifetime. Six Flags also acknowledged the ride’s particularly strong following among roller coaster enthusiasts.

The ride originally opened as X in 2002 before being transformed into X2 and reopening in 2008.

Six Flags said that, despite X2 consistently passing numerous safety tests, the decision was made because of concerns surrounding guest confidence.

“Ride safety is a cornerstone of our business,” Oerding said in the announcement, adding that the company takes guest confidence seriously.

Why Has X2 Been Closed?

X2 had already been unavailable to guests since July 12, 2026.

Its permanent retirement comes amid several lawsuits involving alleged injuries suffered by riders. ABC7 Los Angeles reports that attorneys representing plaintiffs have said more than 100 people have come forward with claims involving alleged brain injuries.

The allegations are disputed legal claims and should not be treated as findings against Six Flags.

Six Flags’ own announcement does not attribute the retirement directly to the lawsuits. Instead, the company says the decision was made after considering ride safety and guest confidence, while stating that X2 had continued to pass multiple safety tests.

One of Magic Mountain’s Most Unique Coasters

X2 was very different from a conventional roller coaster.

The attraction featured seats that could rotate independently of the track, creating a distinctive 5th-dimensional riding experience. Six Flags describes X2 as the world’s first 5th-dimensional coaster, with the seats capable of rotating 360 degrees forwards and backwards.

The ride featured a 200-foot drop and reached speeds of up to 76 mph, while incorporating the unusual “raven turn” elements into its layout.

That distinctive design helped make X2 one of the signature attractions at Six Flags Magic Mountain.

What Does This Mean for Six Flags Magic Mountain?

The retirement leaves Magic Mountain without one of the attractions that helped define its reputation as a major destination for roller coaster enthusiasts.

However, the park continues to operate a large collection of major coasters, including Tatsu, Twisted Colossus, Full Throttle, Goliath, Scream!, Wonder Woman Flight of Courage, The Riddler’s Revenge, Batman: The Ride and Viper.

Six Flags Magic Mountain continues to promote itself as the “Thrill Capital of the World”, with the 260-acre park remaining home to a large collection of major thrill attractions.

A Final Goodbye to X2

For coaster enthusiasts who have ridden X2 over the years, the announcement marks the end of one of the most distinctive attractions in the history of Six Flags Magic Mountain.

More than 16 million guests experienced the attraction since its 2008 reopening, according to Six Flags, making its retirement a significant moment for the park.

Six Flags has not announced what will eventually replace X2 or whether the site will be used for a future attraction.

For now, X2 is officially retired and will not return to the Six Flags Magic Mountain ride lineup.