X2 Is Done: Six Flags Permanently Closes One of Magic Mountain’s Most Extreme Coasters

X2’s run at Six Flags Magic Mountain is over.

The park announced today September 29 that it is permanently retiring the attraction, ending months of uncertainty surrounding one of Southern California’s most recognizable roller coasters. The announcement comes amid lawsuits alleging serious brain injuries associated with the ride.

For coaster fans, it’s a huge loss. But the circumstances surrounding its closure make this a much heavier story than the usual farewell to a beloved attraction.

Six Flags Makes the Closure Official

Magic Mountain President Brian Oerding said the decision reflects the park’s concern about guest confidence, while maintaining that X2 consistently passed numerous safety tests.

The park says more than 16 million guests experienced X2 after its 2008 debut under that name. Oerding also acknowledged its devoted following and thanked the employees who operated and maintained it throughout its run.

That following had plenty of reasons to be passionate. X2 was the kind of attraction that could become the entire reason for a Magic Mountain visit. For some guests, it was a favorite worth riding again and again. For others, simply getting into the seat was an accomplishment.

A Coaster With a Reputation

The attraction originally opened as X in 2002 before returning as X2 in 2008. Its rotating seats helped deliver an experience that stood apart even in a park packed with major thrill rides.

Watching the train move through the course was enough to make a first-time rider reconsider their confidence. Riding it gave enthusiasts something to debate long after they stepped off.

That distinct identity is why this closure will hit the coaster community hard. X2 had fans who considered it essential to the Magic Mountain experience.

Serious Allegations Surround Its Retirement

X2 has been closed since July 12. According to the Associated Press, Six Flags recently settled a wrongful-death lawsuit involving a 22-year-old man who died after riding in 2022. Three additional lawsuits alleging traumatic brain injuries were filed last week. Those allegations should be distinguished from established findings about the ride’s safety.

Six Flags’ announcement maintains that the attraction passed safety testing, while explaining that affected guest confidence played a role in its decision.

It is possible to appreciate what X2 meant to fans while recognizing the seriousness of the claims surrounding it. The people and families involved deserve to remain central to this story.

Magic Mountain is losing an attraction with an unmistakable identity. Fans will remember the anticipation, the rotating seats and the feeling of finally conquering it.

Its final chapter, however, comes with difficult questions that nostalgia alone cannot answer.