Six Flags announces a billion-dollar investment to improve guest experience

So is it crazy to think this points to some sort or re-do for Kingda Ka along the lines of what Cedar Point did with TTD?

Seems reasonable to read that between the lines. I think that maybe though, they don't need to do a swing launch. They might have enough room to make it longer.

Well, they already have a record breaking launch coaster, that is rumored to close. So, I would venture to guess that Ka is getting a redo, and if history is anything to go by, it will be open in 2026 for a few days and then its fate will be in the air again.

• Michigan's Adventure will receive two new benches and a water fountain

That's a lot of money.

I find it interesting they gave such clarity on the 2026 announcements, I assume they want to keep the YouTube and rumors madness semi in check.

Does anyone know what the total capex for both chains was in the last few years? I am wondering if this is more or less ordinary, but now that it is Everything Everywhere All At Once, they get to throw around "One Beeeeellion Dollars!" in the marketing materials.

I have a sneaking suspicion that that's why they are combining both years in one announcement: to get to the $1B mark.

I definitely read into this being a re-do of Kingda Ka similar to TT2. Especially since they did not mention closing the attached drop ride.

Sharpel007:

I assume they want to keep the YouTube and rumors madness semi in check

I think we’ve reached the point in the size and complexity of rides that it’s impossible to construct anything more than an off-the-shelf design in a single offseason (and offseasons are shorter as well). So since the public can see the construction walls and steel going up, you might as well say what it is.

I doubt that what any of the Internets thinks is even remotely on their priority list of concerns.

The **** show on the interwebs for the Kingda Ka closing non announcement pretty much proves they don't give a crap about the internet chatter.

Extremely Online people are (a) the worst and (b) a very small minority.

Sharpel007:

I find it interesting they gave such clarity on the 2026 announcements, I assume they want to keep the YouTube and rumors madness semi in check.

Because getting out in front of it with a vague 10 word tease is going to do wonders to calm down the speculation?

Because getting out in front of it with a vague 10 word tease is going to do wonders to calm down the speculation

even remotely on their priority list of concerns

One thing I find new SF/CF good at, especially compared to old SF, is being able to take enthusiast energy and harness it on the GP, for better and worse.

This imploded for the TT2 hype but at least there where updates, compared to how many half built old SF coasters sat without knowing when they will open until the merger.

And I think clearly stating a launch coaster is coming, is playing into that discourse and speculation. And dropping that Carrowinds is getting another water ride, and so is CW means they have been listening. Also Knotts Soak City is the 2nd best attended Water Park in the chain, but no mention of Montezuma.

They.Don't.Care.About.Online.Speculation. That has no impact on their business operations whatsoever. They aren't playing into anything.

Justin Walker:

Especially since they did not mention closing the attached drop ride.

The park has confirmed that Zumanjaro is gone. It just was not mentioned in the press release.

https://x.com/ElToroRyan/st...7183585366

Not that I think that it's necessarily false info, but I'll believe it when someone else confirms it.

FWIW, Zumanjaro is not on the website (along with Kingda Ka, Green Lantern, etc.)

Whether they leave the top hat up or not, I wouldn't expect Zumanjaro to be running next year however.

Zumanjaro is such a neat ride, hopefully it doesn't go away. The slow climb to the top way up there is quite awesome.