What Happens When A Ride Closes Forever?

Eventually all roller coasters close. But just what determines when this will happen, and what happens to the ride after the last rider steps off to when the last section of track comes crashing down.
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Music used under license from Epidemic Sound, songs listed in order:
Trust the Process - Ballpoint
Lost in Agadir - Ava Low
Darker Shades - ELFL

[@masontheis4489]

Fun Fact: Wicked Twisters launch drives and at least two of the car chassis were sent to Valleyfair for Steel Venom. I got pictures of before and after they were repainted to match the rest of the Steel Venom chassis. Also, if you ever go to Valleyfair, check out the Steel Venom test seat. If you look at the back, it has the pink shell on the back like what Wicked Twister had. It’s a Wicked Twister seat. Cool video.

[@Valzentia]

That's actually really cool!

[@fms7293]

I thought some parts went to dorney park as well? I believe wicked twister kept possessed alive too

[@hellacia8151]

Absolutely sucks that D-DoDonpa and Volcano never gave out final rides and had to close down. Two legends in fact.

[@randomdefender1532]

OG Top Thrill Dragster too

[@hellacia8151]

Only one thats reopening is TTD

[@randomdefender1532]

@@hellacia8151 Not the same though. The intnse 0-120 in 4 seconds launch is gone 🙁

[@hellacia8151]

@@randomdefender1532 Good thing ka still exists. God doesnt want us to have good launches...

[@HugeRMCFanBoY-bx3od]

@hellacia8151 ah yes I too love getting shaked around on a 100 mph coaster

[@randomdefender1532]

"It's sad then you see a ride you love removed" I think it's way sadder when you see a ride you wanted to experience but never got to removed. Also, somehow The Whizzer at Six Flags Great America was able to be saved and Shockwave was removed instead. I know it's unlikely but somehow enough people petitioned and protested that SFGAm kept The Whizzer and wonder if it's possible with other rides.

[@koalakris5613]

I agree. I’ve always wanted to ride Lightning Rod and Dollywood and I went last year but didn’t get a chance to ride it. I was planning to go again this year and then they said they’re changing the launch to a chainlift. Since that was the only wooden launch coaster in the world, there’s no other places I can go for a ride like that.

[@garrettbrooks6576]

People petitioned to save Thunder Road at Carowinds, if I recall, it was around 3,000 people who signed it. Despite that, Carowinds still removed it. Some rides, and I think that this applies to Thunder Road too, have issues with them that are unable to be righted. Perhaps Whizzer didn't have much operational issues, but just got in the way of expansion, and meanwhile, Shockwave had tons of issues with the track, and ridership, and overall wear and tear.

[@ThorneinSide]

Whizzer is a really fun coaster though I am glad it was saved over Shockwave.

[@TheRadioAteMyTV]

There's a Disney short from the 1940s (???) about a house being built and going through its whole life cycle until the end, and since it is a Disney film it is very sentimental. This video had that same feeling, where we were watching the life, death and then eulogy of a coaster, and finally the circle of life at the scrap yard, and mom and dad's explanation of why the coaster's time had come and it had to be put down. With the right music, this video could be a massive tear jerker.

[@TS_Mind_Swept]

"A small section of track will be removed and sold as exclusive merchandise" if only they didn't charge a small fortune for it..

[@lknanml]

Has anyone set up a VR ride conservation repository program? Scan and build a digital version that would let people "ride" their favorite defunct rides. Granted it won't have the thrills of a moving attraction but it could still be enjoyed as well as an active historical record... Moving sim rigs are getting cheaper by the year. Just stick a modulated fan in front of your face and trick your brain into having a good time. Watch out.. VR legs are a thing....... Bucket not included......

[@chadmrrsn]

I think defunctland was doing that

[@haunter_1845]

I like when parks are able to use ride components for theming. For example, Great Adventure has a loop top track section from Great American Scream Machine in their safari's monkey exhibit.

[@johnfoltz8183]

Walibi Belgium uses the flywheel of Psyké Underground as theming when they replaced it with an LIM launch.

[@deeanna8448]

I have a piece of wood from Thunder Road at Carowinds. That wad my first roller coaster as kid and I still miss it😢

[@jibbedyjoojajoo]

Thats really cool

[@jibbedyjoojajoo]

I never got to ride it since I only moved closer to Carowinds after it closed

[@pizzafroth1521]

I have a piece of Vortex at KI. And 2 wheels off of T3 at Kentucky Kingdom as well, plus an upstop wheel off of Thunder Run.

[@HugeRMCFanBoY-bx3od]

Are people immune to roughness how can you like thunder road?

[@deeanna8448]

@@HugeRMCFanBoY-bx3od a huge part of it is nostalgia. My family went every year, and I was so excited the first year I was tall enough to ride. I guess I was 9 or so, and yes I was immune to roughness.🤣 I was 41 when I rode it for the last time just before they demolished it . By then, I wasn't immune to roughness or motion sickness. I just popped a Dramamine and a couple of ibuprofen and carried on!

[@blainebasil6577]

I miss wicked twister so much was one of my personal favorite coasters at the park

[@fo-ef8qo]

that shot of the wicked twister spike crashing down was awesome. never seen it before

[@tabuoey]

its sad to think about favourite rides wont always be there in the future

[@HugeRMCFanBoY-bx3od]

I just realize steel vengeance will close one day 😫 I will probably be dead but still......

[@princesskristan]

This was really educational. I've always wanted to know how the whole process of closing a ride goes

[@JavaCake]

I think for rides such as Disney coasters, they will most likely just get a retrack, because I feel like some need it (space mountain)

[@chaseism]

Just wanted to say great job with this video! Your channel has popped up on my feed a few times and I'm only now connecting the videos. You do a great job walking folks through each part of closing a coaster. Can't wait to see more.

[@CoasterCollege]

Thanks!

[@RudyRedTop]

I reallllly enjoyed wicked twister. Right up there with disaster transport on my favorite gone rides.

[@HugeRMCFanBoY-bx3od]

Defunct* 🤓

[@raymondpastoral2311]

my dream is to save enough to fly to the US to ride roller coasters. the best that we have here is a vekoma boomerang and it's my dream to ride all those that i constantly watch here on youtube

[@Spike-sk7ql]

I want to go to Europe, or Japan to ride coasters, and do some history stuff. Problem is, we have 4 kids, so that's 6 tickets, 2 hotel rooms, and 6 plane tickets. Add to that, that there is about 150 animals at home that need tending. I know I'll never get to go experience Eejanaika. Heck, even California is not gonna happen for me. I do not fly. I would need enough Xanax to keep me comatosed for the duration of the flight.

[@cuca402]

@@Spike-sk7ql do you want to die never having done all the cool things you wanted to do? you should at least try!

[@Spike-sk7ql]

@@cuca402 dude, did you read what I wrote? I have 4 kids, AND a farm with 150 animals that need daily care. I can get a friend to tend the animals for a day or 2. No way I can get someone WHO I TRUST to take care of the animals. Also.... air fare for 6, halfway around the world from me. Also, I DO NOT FLY. There is plenty of cool stuff to do in America. There's plenty of cool stuff to do just in Ohio. A trip to another continent is just not in my cards.

[@cuca402]

@@Spike-sk7ql jesus christ, i thought you sounded disappointed so i just wanted to offer reassurance. forget i said anything

[@Spike-sk7ql]

@@cuca402 oh, I AM disappointed. I'm also content with the coasters I have around me. Travel just isn't in the cards for me, but it's ok.

[@ScottyMania313]

This is one of my favorite vids from you which says a lot as I am a huge fan of all that you do.

[@daniellemarcantel2487]

I have a piece of Thunderroad at Carowinds. Glad I decided to buy it as a memento. It's got what looks like a nail hole in it . I miss the coaster mostly based on nostalgia, since it was my first big coaster, bigger than a family coaster. I rode it every time I went to Carowinds at least once. Even got a picture on it that my mom took not long before they closed it. At least Copperhead Strike sits on part of its old land. It's a worthy successor to my favorite wooden coaster. ❤

[@reddcube]

I feel like opportunity cost also is why some rides are removed. To get new rides and experiences in a park, they need land to build on. And older ride usually are on land primed for redevelopment.

[@frisco557]

I just spent yesterday at Dorney's Winter Chill Out event. Hearing the kinda of power required to operate Possessed makes it very clear why Wicked Twister was going to removed soon. We also got a chance to see inside the electrical room and see some of WT as well Volcano's spares stators stacked in the back.

[@melissametivier4]

My all-time favorite ride. Cedar Point broke my heart.

[@HugeRMCFanBoY-bx3od]

Your favorite ride is a mediocre launch coaster with 2 spikes?

[@melissametivier4]

Nah, my favorite ride is Magnum XL-200, since Wicked Twister is gone.

[@HugeRMCFanBoY-bx3od]

@melissametivier4 that's still a hot take though..... You have maverick millennium force and steel vengeance why is magnum your favorite?

[@melissametivier4]

It has a lot to do with my first experience on a ride. Magnum and Wicked Twister each had something that was completely new for me at the time (no-lift second hill and high speed launch, respectively). Maverick, Millennium Force, and Steel Vengeance all broke records and combined ride elements in unique ways, but nothing I'd never felt before. Edited to add: As Magnum and I both age, Millennium Force is threatening to take over the top spot. Increased shakiness of the ride and decreased stability of my joints, ow.

[@Benthetrainkid]

Some removed rides are also relocated to other parks

[@StamfordBridge]

Some days I’m SBNO.

[@gameslikes0grolls]

Damn.

[@HugeRMCFanBoY-bx3od]

Relatable

[@soltrooper]

They closed Goliath at SF New England and I’m heartbroken. I loved that ride so much and it’s gone forever. I had no idea so the last time I ever rode it was in 2016 because I moved to Florida. It got sent away last year or the year before 😢

[@mythicalcreaturesfantasy]

I miss riding Scooby Coaster even though it's just getting refurbished

[@professorhallewell840]

Literally one of my favourites, last time we went it was closed and I was real bummed learning about the refurb

[@kaitlinschwarz3644]

Where is that located?

[@mythicalcreaturesfantasy]

MovieWorld Gold Coast Australia ​@@kaitlinschwarz3644

[@stevesadventure3036]

⁠movie world gold coast Australia

[@toainsully]

In special occasions, parts of the roller coaster may be put on display or as part of the scenery. Examples include: Corkscrew, Alton Towers - Its iconic corkscrew piece was placed at the entrance as a memorial The Incredible Hulk Coaster, Universal's Islands of Adventure - The old track was used as the ride entrance scenery after the ride's renovations

[@adamdurbin6895]

I love the fact a lot of rides are getting retracked and upgraded operation systems. Couple rides that still bug me that didn't receive this treatment are Volcano the blast coaster and The Big Bad Wolf. The thinking seems to have shifted when it comes to stand out attractions just look at the complete retrack of nemesis opening at Alton Towers today and the coming soon reopening of the Loch Ness Monster at busch gardens. I really enjoyed this video 👍🏻

[@daniellewoolley8607]

@adamdur, you live in Virginia? I thought they got rid of the Big Bad Wolf and the Loch Ness Monster.I haven't heard about those two in a very long time since i was a teenager. My sisters and brothers-in laws and i used to drive to Williamsburg Virginia to spend the day at Busch Gardens Williamsburg

[@beowolf9480]

​@@daniellewoolley8607big bad Wolf was removed, but Loch Ness Monster is still there

[@Valzentia]

@daniellewoolley8607 They just did a huge retrack of Loch Ness Monster

[@kaylawhipple7570]

Interested to know about relocating vs scrapping

[@jackschissler255]

When BGW removed Big Bad Wolf it was so sad. It was one of the better Arrow suspended coasters, I only got to ride it 3 or 4 times but it was a fantastic coaster, when they removed it, I actually cried, I told myself that the Wolf was very sick and they had to put him to sleep, boy did that rip me apart, so sad 😞

[@RoseBlackBones]

While it is sad when a ride you love closes what replaces it tends to make up for it, like for me The Black Hole at Alton Towers was my fav as a kid, it may have come much later but The Smiler is my fav ride, (for now, if I ever go back to the US I may change my mind lol)

[@samexahr3326]

Theres a ride thats closed for good at my local park. The Vicking River Splash Rapids at Legoland Winsor. I don't believe a major factor was reduced ridership authough it had a few blows due to regulation. Noteabley significantly reduced water effects and a few downgrades to themeing. It was expensive to run, especially given the regulation leading to needing more staff to run it including lifeguards. the water pumps would have been expensive too. There original solution was generally to keep the ride closed for a lot of the year. They kept it open more constantly in before closure and gave it a farewell. They may have kept it till they had plans for the area, however Ive heard there were foundation issues which may have later caused issues. Its on a artificial hill which had started to slide. A issue which would be a death setance for any large ride like vickings. (Keep in mind the ride had survived since 2008, so the issue isn't exclusive to how it was built). Obviously the regulation will likely mean a similar ride is unlikely to replace it. As far as im aware its practicaly in opirating condition. I say that as theres a lot of work going on elsewhere on park so I doubt doing major work to uninstall components of the ride would have been done. That major work round park, may have been why they chose to close Vickings when they did. As they have opened a new major ride this year. 'minifigue speedway' There have been a few theories and ideas surrounding the rides and zone replacement. One likely is, a new zone with multiple rides.

[@ryantheridemechanic]

Great video! BTW it’s not the same topic haha! So that’s a plus for both of us!

[@CoasterCollege]

Glad we're not stepping over each other, looking forward to your video!

[@ryantheridemechanic]

@@CoasterCollege for sure. I would have just delayed mine by a bit and had to deal with the whole “you ripped off coaster college” haha!

[@richardperhai8292]

The oddest was the Hulk at Islands of Adventure. The entire ride portion - tracks, supports, breaks - were torn down. And then repbuilt with all new track with the exact same layout. I don't know if thats ever happened before.

[@BasEerdenKeuning]

Is it true all rides will be demolished? My parents first rollercoaster still stands today and likely will stand for a long time. Its also the oldest rollercoaster in the Netherlands

[@Bxyzfnf]

can you do a flatride of the week about the KMG xxl or the kmg speed-32? either is okay

[@mrb4691]

I've always wondered this about Space Mountain at Disneyland. That ride consistently breaks down and I'm sure the operating costs are through the roof. That said, they do have a extremely high ridership.

[@CookieCookGames]

I don’t think loggers leap in Thorpe park got a last ride celebration. They just announced it wasn’t going to reopen for the 2015 season which is a shame

[@Yeen125]

My favorite part of Fright Fest at Six Flags Great America has always been the graveyard for the rides that permanently closed throughout the years.

[@Valzentia]

same

[@markvolpe2305]

Darien Lake used to have a Halloween section (Carnevil I think it was called?) where they put retired ride vehicles in an area with scare actors.

[@SpoiledSavage]

wild jokers jinx sighting!

[@williamhaynes7089]

When SFMM Colosus closed we had rode it the day before, we went back to park next day and they were removing the lift chain etc right away.

[@Sokobansolver]

I still to this day don't know why T3 is still standing despite being supposedly retired. Do they not have the funds for demolition yet? Wonder if it and Deluge will still be standing come 2035.

[@guillelopezd427]

I saw this video shortly after seeing that Do-DoDonpa closed forever, thanks for the information i guess lol

[@joshslater2426]

I never like it when there’s a last ride. Any ride can be enjoyable and give great memories, so it should really be maintained and refurbished in order to keep it intact for the foreseeable future.

[@Sleepyhead080808]

I appreciate the send off. Sometimes it takes demolition of an unpopular ride and revived interest in its replacement to revitalize an entire park. No one wants to see a park close, and trimming the fat can keep a park profitable.

[@andrewhoughton8606]

There is 2 other reasons safety concerns. Ie if track ext are worn out. Or if ride is uncomfortable. The other reason is that complaince with local laws ect

[@shealinbanta4169]

I love roller coasters and I hope none of my favorite ones closes down

[@nicenicechannel72]

Every single time I’m at six flags magic mountain, and I’m a season pass holder, viper never has full carts or a line forming. Probably because everyone knows how painful it is but I’m curious how much it cost to operate because they clearly won’t be closing it soon.

[@kevinquirarte2365]

Since its becoming an ACE Landmark and last operating 7 looper its kept around so they can improve it since they can always find a way to improve

[@alexdoublell7804]

I don’t know man, I feel like some of the rides at Disney World, (Big Thunder, Haunted Mansion, etc.) will be around until Judgement Day.

[@bullresay]

you tell me when a coster like ragging bull close at sfgm there will be a excluse thing going on ?

[@HugeRMCFanBoY-bx3od]

Dude speak English.

[@zanzabar4ky7]

I don't think cedar fair had made any moves to help the park's future. -CGA local. They did the minimum legally required to steal the park from the city after sueing then to sell it when the city was about to go bankrupt but had no risk of defaulting on any debt.

[@kaitlinschwarz3644]

Coaster College what happens though if the parks sells the ride to another amusement park? What is the demolition like then?

[@coolsnake1134]

Probably similar for most parts except part of the track might not be cut off and sold as a memento because it would be needed, and the removal of higher sections would involve careful lifts with cranes versus just cutting it and dragging it to the ground also all the equipment like stators controls spare parts etc wouldn't go to other parks or be retained by the park everything would go as a package to the buyer

[@happey123n]

One ride I wish I got the chance to ride for its last run would’ve been the world famous mindbender at west Edmonton mall galaxyland

[@ashmenser7959]

I own a piece of wicked twister. Cedar point was selling the pieces around my birthday and my fiance bought the piece for me. I believe my number is 238 but I can’t remember.

[@mrincredible9511]

Very difficult for purpose built rollercoasters like oblivion or nemesis

[@akabutt]

Mannn the wicked twister was one of my all time faves :(

[@harrychest4303]

Wicked Twister is Posessed at Dorney Park.

[@RonaldTrumpOfficial]

Nemesis on its way for its 60000th retrack

[@terryclouse3340]

Except for the Blue streak it's still going strong

[@urbex_coasters]

I wish. Mr Joseph belongs behind bars for what he did to Blue Streak.

[@Valzentia]

@urbex_coasters I think he means Cedar Point's Blue Streak

[@urbex_coasters]

@@Valzentia My comment still remains, Mr Joseph belongs behind bars for what he did to Blue Streak. Sick of land developers like him destroying small parks in violation of existing contracts about maintaining the structures there and getting away with it. Lock him up I say! Even if he didn't maintain it and just let everything go like the owners of Joyland in Kansas have done, at least it still provides joy to kids and young adults by being there. I'd obviously prefer they get Nightmare and Log Jam back to operational condition and replace rides like Wacky Shack and Dodgem with say, relocating Devil's Den, but even the status quo at Joyland is better than Todd Joseph's "burn it down and build condos" mentality.

[@ppipowerclass]

I have a giant section of the WT track in my garage. Idk what I am gonna do with it.

[@JeffreyPiatt]

wicked twister died to extendther spare parts for Dorney Parks Unit.

[@alextaylorstan]

RIP splash mountain

[@UwePieper]

Not entirely true. Some rides around the world crossed the line and became historic. Those are somewhat protected. Those might exist "for ever" by being replaced bit by bit.

[@UltimateCoaster2Creations]

I was told by a Ride op at Cedar Point that every time Wicked Twister launched/came in contact with the lim’s it cost $5,000 and one cycle was $10,000.

[@Leviathanliams_adventures]

Definitely not

[@UltimateCoaster2Creations]

It is true

[@known1443]

Wouldn't that make it over 1/4 - 1/2 million a day in running costs? Seems a bit excessive. I would assume its at least 2-3 factors smaller.

[@UltimateCoaster2Creations]

@@known1443 I had heard this from my friend who was a ride op on Wicked Twister who was told by the rides main mechanic

[@PasleyAviationPhotography]

​@@UltimateCoaster2CreationsMy mom told me I'm handsome, don't believe everything you're told. Unless you're extremely gullible.

[@ThrillsofColdplay]

The most painful for any enthusiast

[@HugeRMCFanBoY-bx3od]

Volcano was mid fight me 😈

[@wendyjaa]

Omg, imagine when Millennium Force takes its last ride....

[@askjeevescosby2928]

Wicked twister closed because of dragster. They couldnt have 2 multi launch coaster running at the same time. It would stress the grid.

[@alaeriia01]

Maverick: Am I a joke to you?

[@theblondemo]

I mean phantasialand in Germany has 2 multi launch coasters in a way smaller footprint than any US parks, so idk if that's really part of the reason?

[@alaeriia01]

@@theblondemo Busch Gardens Williamsburg has three. SFMM has four if both sides of Superman are running. Cedar Point has its own dedicated electrical substation; I doubt it would have a problem with power.

[@askjeevescosby2928]

@@theblondemo yea but do they have 2 massive multi launch coasters and another regular launch coaster all running at the same time? It is going to take a MASSIVE amount of energy to launch trains 420 ft, having another coaster launching at the same time 200 ft and a 3rd magnetic lift hill that has a launch later in its layout that is a TON of energy being used at the same time. And since wicked twister used a lim launch it is even more energy. Synchronizing 3 launch coasters that have multiple launches on the same grid would be very hard. Eventually all 3 will launch at the same time and knock power out for the park.

[@askjeevescosby2928]

@@alaeriia01 do you remember what happened when batman and Robin the chiller tried to run both sides at the same time? Also wicked twister is 200ft top thrill 2 is 420 feet then you have maveric also launching twice. I get they have their own sub station but that is a enormous amount of power to be used at once. Not to mention wicked twister and maveric use lim launches which strain the grid even further. Cedar point has tons of other rides and coasters as well that use tons of power. Power tower has 4 massive air compressors that need to condense huge amounts of air for each launch. Having a hyper a d strata multi launch coaster running along with maveric and power tower would deffinatly cause brown outs. Back when wicked twister opened the park had brown outs all the time.

[@RakoonCD]

Still miss Splash Mountain.

[@jackschissler255]

Still there just rethemed

[@hassathunter2464]

Videp: No evil people are behind it.... Other video: They removed the ride to make it easier to sell their park 😂

[@HugeRMCFanBoY-bx3od]

It closes forever

[@tryhardheavy]

That wont ever happen to X2

[@Sonic-gy7kq]

"No ride will last forever"... yeah but if it lasts longer than your lifetime does it really matter if its "forever"? It's forever in your sense of reality.

[@kendallshoup9574]

Never example of a ride recently closing is the main vendor at Galaxy random Edmonton Alberta Canada. They close down officially a few years ago and only this past summer of 2023 was it Taking down in demolished after over 35 Years of service with only one accident

[@kevinquirarte2365]

Parts of it is sent to Indiana Beach because Quimera or American Drier Looper is a broken ride so parts of Mindbender not all off it but some necessary parts are donated to ADL at Indiana Beach remember quimera is a broken ride and this ride is needed in new parts since it was opened in La Feria De Chapuktepec so ADL can operate safely so damaged tracks can be compatible so each piece is measured if theh go well is kept and sent to indiana Beach but remember that Mindbender is a mirror image of ADL with an extra drop before the last loop. So parts that work on the mirror image will be shipped to indiana and other well sadly tk the scrappy some supports are also sent to Indiana Beach and even its vehicles because in 2019 the ride vehicles were severly damaged and its second train was a parts donor making it a frankentrain to be use as parts for the opersting train

[@VelocicoasterFanboy]

It becomes extinct

[@anamethename3327]

"closing sep 6 21" so it closed on one of the many furry days of 2021. Haha monosodium glutamate