Six Flags saves ArieForce One after Fun Spot Atlanta closes

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Courtesy of American Coaster Enthusiasts

ATLANTA – Fun Spot America Atlanta could also be gone, however its most well-known curler coaster is getting a second chance.

ORIGINAL STORY: Fun Spot America in Fayetteville closes after 36 years

What we all know:

Shortly after the Fayetteville amusement park completely closed its gates following 36 years of operation, Six Flags Entertainment Corporation introduced it has acquired ArieForce One, the towering metal coaster that turned the comparatively small Georgia park right into a vacation spot for curler coaster followers from world wide.

And sure, ArieForce One will trip once more.

Six Flags says it plans to dismantle, transfer and reassemble the coaster at one in every of its parks, with its return deliberate for the 2028 or 2029 working season.

Exactly the place? That’s nonetheless a thriller.

From Fayetteville to Six Flags — someplace

Six Flags is not revealing ArieForce One’s new house but, virtually guaranteeing loads of hypothesis amongst coaster followers.

“Part of the excitement is that the story isn’t over,” Six Flags Chief Operating Officer Mark Pauls mentioned. “We know fans will immediately begin theorizing about which Six Flags park is the perfect fit.”

Six Flags operates amusement and water parks throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. The firm says further particulars about ArieForce One’s new location, building timeline and reopening will likely be introduced later.

One factor is not altering: the title.

Six Flags says it can proceed calling the coaster ArieForce One, preserving its connection to Fun Spot America and the Arie household.

Why ArieForce One grew to become such an enormous deal

ArieForce One wasn’t round very lengthy, nevertheless it made an impression.

The Rocky Mountain Construction coaster opened March 31, 2023, after Fun Spot made a serious funding within the Fayetteville park. It was named in honor of Fun Spot America founder John Arie Sr.

The trip stands 154 ft tall — roughly 15 tales — with a 146-foot first drop. Riders attain speeds of as much as 64 mph whereas touring roughly 3,400 ft of observe.

And then there are the inversions. Four of them.

Among the coaster’s signature components are the world’s largest zero-gravity stall, a Raven Truss Dive, an outward-banked airtime hill and quite a few moments designed to carry riders out of their seats.

The complete trip lasts about two minutes.

ArieForce One shortly developed a following amongst coaster lovers, with some touring lengthy distances particularly to trip it.

A brief trip involves an finish in Georgia

Despite all the eye, ArieForce One’s Georgia run lasted just a bit greater than three years.

The coaster gave its remaining rides Aug. 2, weeks earlier than Fun Spot America Atlanta completely closed.

The park itself had a for much longer historical past. It opened in Fayetteville in 1990 as Dixieland Fun Park, finally changing into The Junction USA earlier than taking up the Fun Spot America title in 2017.

Fun Spot America continues to function its parks in Orlando and Kissimmee, Florida.

ArieForce One by the numbers

For anybody questioning why coaster followers are so joyful it was saved, this is what Six Flags is getting:

• Height: 154 ft
• First drop: 146 ft
• Top pace: 64 mph
• Track: About 3,400 ft
• Inversions: 4
• Ride time: About 2 minutes
• Manufacturer: Rocky Mountain Construction
• Opened: March 31, 2023
• Closed: Aug. 2, 2026
• Expected return: 2028 or 2029