Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California, announced that its new roller coaster, the Thrill Glider, is scheduled to open in 2027. The attraction is described as a first-of-its-kind ride that merges flying, motorbike, and suspended coaster technologies.
The Thrill Glider is designed to simulate piloting a high-speed hovercycle, allowing riders to soar above the landscape with maneuvers, dives, and weightless moments. The coaster features a suspended glider train design along a track that spans over half a mile. It is developed by manufacturer Vekoma and is expected to provide an "action-filled 80 seconds" with speeds reaching 50 mph and 12 airtime moments.
According to Six Flags Magic Mountain, the ride will set new records, including "World's Longest Thrillglider" at 3,380 feet and "World's Tallest Thrillglider" at 107 feet. The experience will be enhanced with synchronized onboard audio and immersive lighting effects.
"Thrill Glider is more than a new attraction. It is the latest milestone in Six Flags Magic Mountain’s renaissance and a reflection of the park’s enduring role as an industry innovator," said Brian Oerding, Six Flags Magic Mountain. Construction for the project is already underway.
The announcement of the Thrill Glider comes after a period of scrutiny for the park's X2 coaster. Over the past 24 years, the X2 coaster, which reaches speeds of nearly 80 mph and rotates 360 degrees, has been linked to two deaths and a dozen injuries. The ride has been closed since July 12 following incidents this summer that resulted in two riders requiring emergency brain surgery. A park spokesperson stated that the ride remains closed, with its status on the park's daily closures list providing no further information on a potential reopening.