[KHTS] – After 36 years of greeting fans as they drive into the Six Flags Magic Mountain parking lot, Colossus will be closing.
Both Colossus and Batman The Ride will continue running backwards until June 15, and then Colossus will remain open for another two months before closing on Aug. 16.
Opening-year pinback (1978)
“Colossus, the king of wooden coasters, ends its 36-year reign on August 16,” said a Magic Mountain spokesperson in a statement. “Six Flags Magic Mountain will announce exciting future plans for the park we think our guests will love at a later date. In the meantime, don’t miss your last chance to ride Colossus.”
Magic Mountain officials did not comment on why they had decided to shut down the ride.
Colossus first opened on June 29, 1978 and was the fastest and the tallest wooden roller coaster in the world at the time. It was built just before Newhall Land sold Magic Mountain to Six Flags for $51 million in 1979.
Colossus became the Screaming Meemie in “National Lampoon’s Vacation” (1983) with Chevy Chase.
The Magic Mountain website calls it “the granddaddy of all roller coasters, the legendary classic ride… This gargantuan creature is one of the world’s most enormous wooden roller coasters, taking up over ten acres of land, with more than 4,325 feet of track.”
The tradition of running Colossus backwards began in 1984, which the park has traditionally done during their annual Halloween Fright Fest.
Colossus has also been featured in several movies, including the cult classic, “KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park” and “National Lampoon’s Vacation.”
Leon Worden of SCVHistory.com contributed to this report.
Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia unveiled its new twist for Colossus, an iconic ride that's been at the park for 36 years Thursday -- with Twisted Colossus.
Six of the 24 riders who participated in the 36-hour Colossus marathon at Six Flags Magic Mountain held on to the end, park officials announced. The marathon gave selected participants the chance to ride the coaster in 45-minute intervals for 36 hours, beginning at 9 a.m. Monday and ending 9…
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I like the ride, it’s a classic, but it is old. And could be costing too much on maintenance/up keeping. It has the most nails and wood pieces in the park by far and though it’s sad to see such an iconic piece of magic mountain go. I can only imagine the new ride that will take it’s place
Wow! The best ride of my life was Colossus backwards in 1983. But it’s time has come. I rode it a couple months ago and it was painful.
Batman, too, is a great ride, especially in the front row. But maybe because I’m old now, but it just wrecks my brain. I need about 30 minutes and a seltzer water to recover from it.
No, Cindy, that would be nice, but it’s been all over the news and in the newspapers as far down as San Diego. They are taking the ride out and it’s official from the people who OWN the park. When I worked at MM the first season it was open, we used to have lots of rumors spread among the employees, too, but when word comes down from the top, the rumors mean nothing.
I worked at magic mountain for a few years in high school. Management never tells the employees the truth. And employees speculate a lot based off rumors.
I worked at magic mountain for a few years in high school. Management never tells the employees the truth. And employees speculate a lot based off rumors.
I loved it when it was new, but the last time I rode it I was feeling bruised all over. It really tossed me around more than my old bod could take any more.
My sister was on colossus the same time the woman flew off of it and was killed. Can’t remember what year it was, but they were all stuck for a while the. Had to walk down from the very top. I don’t think she’ll miss it.
Thank god that ride is crap compare to what they have now. And if colossus remained open I wouldn’t have been surprised if it would of ended up breaking down and killing someone so time to close
Thank god that ride is crap compare to what they have now. And if colossus remained open I wouldn’t have been surprised if it would of ended up breaking down and killing someone so time to close
Thank god that ride is crap compare to what they have now. And if colossus remained open I wouldn’t have been surprised if it would of ended up breaking down and killing someone so time to close
It is sad. My 12 yr old still likes it but to me it is unrideable. In it’s heyday it was great- when the trains would “race”. Especially if one was backwards.
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169 Comments
No, how sad! I remembered when it opened, and it was the biggest wood roller coaster on the West coast.
Aww! Candace Kara
Dang. And I saw KISS play there. “what a drag it is getting older.”
My fav ride…
Closing on my bday.. This must be a joke!!! It’s a staple in the SCV and what I think of every time I go…
What a drag I’M getting older.
Wtff
Why???
Lol…I have this button, rode the it the first summer it was open.
Jc Torres
I like the ride, it’s a classic, but it is old. And could be costing too much on maintenance/up keeping. It has the most nails and wood pieces in the park by far and though it’s sad to see such an iconic piece of magic mountain go. I can only imagine the new ride that will take it’s place
Cynthia Fischer doesn’t this suck?
Gio Borda Jimmy Maldonado
Gianella Garay Lorena Garay
So sad to say goodbye.
Stephanie Bryant-Mathis didn’t uncle Mark paint this??
Makes me think of Jocelyn Torralba. Fun times!
Philip Ballor
Wow. My dad help build that.
Wow! The best ride of my life was Colossus backwards in 1983. But it’s time has come. I rode it a couple months ago and it was painful.
Batman, too, is a great ride, especially in the front row. But maybe because I’m old now, but it just wrecks my brain. I need about 30 minutes and a seltzer water to recover from it.
Wtf….Yesenia Garcia
So lame that they’re closing it! They’re pathetic
Nooooooooo
Lisa Pope
Just wait until you see what it might become. ;)
Six flags is going down the dumps :(
My
is sad, my neck appreciates it and the mom in me is happy that my child is no longer riding a roller coaster with no seat belts. LOL.
Nooooooooooo!!!!! Can’t take it down, it’s pretty much a historical landmark for scv!!!
Tommy C Bledsoe Fred Rogers Courtney Lynn
Danielle Diaz Lol we’re gonna have to go again.
Ahhhhh
Damn!!!
Lol Cheyanne Narez
Engelique Schutz
According to employees, it’s just getting the track replaced. Come on scvtv get your facts straight.
Kelly Boardman – According to THEIR BOSS, it’s coming out. Read the story.
Kelly Boardman – According to THEIR BOSS, it’s coming out. Read the story.
Kelly Boardman – According to THEIR BOSS, it’s coming out. Read the story.
exackly where r they getting the info. i have friends that are ride operators and the ride in getting remodled.
No, Cindy, that would be nice, but it’s been all over the news and in the newspapers as far down as San Diego. They are taking the ride out and it’s official from the people who OWN the park. When I worked at MM the first season it was open, we used to have lots of rumors spread among the employees, too, but when word comes down from the top, the rumors mean nothing.
I worked at magic mountain for a few years in high school. Management never tells the employees the truth. And employees speculate a lot based off rumors.
I worked at magic mountain for a few years in high school. Management never tells the employees the truth. And employees speculate a lot based off rumors.
It’s coming out. It’s all over the news.
exactly Russell, like they are going to let the cat out of the bag on whats coming next
Oh no!!!!
Maybe we can buy a piece of the wood with certificate. Lol
Bummer. I rode that ride ages ago. Loved it.
I loved it when it was new, but the last time I rode it I was feeling bruised all over. It really tossed me around more than my old bod could take any more.
That was. My favorite coaster back in the day forward and backward!
Nestor Diaz Diego Diaz
It’s closing a day after my birthday:(
My sister was on colossus the same time the woman flew off of it and was killed. Can’t remember what year it was, but they were all stuck for a while the. Had to walk down from the very top. I don’t think she’ll miss it.
That’s history
That’s history
That’s history
Tabytha Gabrielle McConnell we need to go before this ride closes
36 years ago? Wow, I remember when it opened
What? Now I really want to go! Baron Guinther we need to plan a time to go.
My 1st roller coaster!!! Aunt Debbie Logan….was determined to get me on it! #memories
My 1st roller coaster!!! Aunt Debbie Logan….was determined to get me on it! #memories
My 1st roller coaster!!! Aunt Debbie Logan….was determined to get me on it! #memories
I don’t think I ever went on it, but I remember when it opened.
I don’t think I ever went on it, but I remember when it opened.
I don’t think I ever went on it, but I remember when it opened.
no way ! Why?
no way ! Why?
no way ! Why?
How sad!!!
How sad!!!
How sad!!!
I’ve rode it
I’ve rode it
I’ve rode it
Bernard Barfield omg!
Bernard Barfield omg!
Bernard Barfield omg!
Booo!! That is still my favorite ride of all time!
Booo!! That is still my favorite ride of all time!
Booo!! That is still my favorite ride of all time!
Forward and backwards Nicole!
Forward and backwards Nicole!
Forward and backwards Nicole!
36 years??? God I’m old!
36 years??? God I’m old!
36 years??? God I’m old!
But it’s closing! Sad day Bernard ):
But it’s closing! Sad day Bernard ):
But it’s closing! Sad day Bernard ):
Thank god that ride is crap compare to what they have now. And if colossus remained open I wouldn’t have been surprised if it would of ended up breaking down and killing someone so time to close
Thank god that ride is crap compare to what they have now. And if colossus remained open I wouldn’t have been surprised if it would of ended up breaking down and killing someone so time to close
Thank god that ride is crap compare to what they have now. And if colossus remained open I wouldn’t have been surprised if it would of ended up breaking down and killing someone so time to close
Hey Nicole, just read the article…WTF?!?!
Hey Nicole, just read the article…WTF?!?!
Hey Nicole, just read the article…WTF?!?!
See! Lol, I was like why is he not upset?
So sad):
Horrible news!!!!
Horrible news!!!!
Horrible news!!!!
I loved that ride but it didn’t go backwards thee last time I was there back in 95
I loved that ride but it didn’t go backwards thee last time I was there back in 95
I loved that ride but it didn’t go backwards thee last time I was there back in 95
Victor Valencia
Victor Valencia
Victor Valencia
Why?! I dislike roller coasters but this is one ride that was an exception! I’m going to miss colossus!
Aw. I wonder if it was getting too expensive to maintain.
Good! The frame is being supported in places by 2x4s and zip ties! Love the ride, but it should have been closed a while ago.
Such good memories….I contracted herpes on the Colossus. I can’t remember if it was forwards or backwards.
Brock Ergo Goldberg how sad!! :( we have to go ride it one more time!
WoW that sucks . That’s an awesome coaster . Gonna miss it
Riding that backwards at 5 or 6 ruined me. I wouldn’t ride a roller coaster till high school!
Why? Oh why!
Paula Orozco we must go!!!
Omg yes Michelle King
Lucy Salamanca we need to go before they close it down
It was one of the few roller coasters I would ride. So sad to see it go
Jason Agular we have to go before they close it!!!!
Fezzito Cabrera why???
Aww man, backwards colossus is my favorite ride there! Podthingy trip for one last colossus hurrah?
Tia Marie Cacciacarne
How could they that was the face of six flags. Step by step!!!!!
When I worked there the road it backwards and we would race the cars to see which track would win first it has a lot of good memories
I also heard just doing renovations??
Omgosh we loved this ride when we wer kids! Sad to see it go.
Elizabeth Johnson
Dude, one awesome ride…
Jk no it doesn’t…
I’m glad my son got to ride it on Sun….
It was backwards day as well!!
That was one of my FAVORITES!!
It’s been deteriorating for years…It’s about time. Six flags sucks at maintaining older rides they just tear down and put new ones.
Please don’t cry. still plenty more to ride!
Please don’t cry. still plenty more to ride!
Bodie Smithwe need to go!!!!
Awwww, :(
Someone should start a petition to keep it open. How can the corporate minds of Six Flags think that this is a good idea?
Paul,
Here are two petitions to keep the ride open. Sign them and cross your fingers.
http://www.change.org/petitions/six-flags-magic-mounatin-preserve-colossus-for-future-generations#
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/719/109/414/dont-shut-down-colossus-at-six-flags/
If you can make it, ride before August 16th!
If you can make it, ride before August 16th!
yay!! iron colossus!!!
yay!! iron colossus!!!
This is a good thing! And yes I’ve been riding it too since it opened .
This is a good thing! And yes I’ve been riding it too since it opened .
That is so sad Kim!!!! It’s a classic!!
No no
this makes me sad.. but so happy that I rode it many times.
It is sad. My 12 yr old still likes it but to me it is unrideable. In it’s heyday it was great- when the trains would “race”. Especially if one was backwards.
Wtf whyy!!???
OMG, so many good memories on that ride &loved it to go backwards.
It’s gonna be even better!
Woods rotten
That ride was tha worst in tha park…rattle-brained
Lennin Parra Sunny Fernandez Lyzz Rodriguez
Nooooo
Best ride there!!!! Especially backwards. Sucks it’s going away
How sad!!!
Veronica Lopez no way!
I knw i saw
Bummer
The end of an era. Great memories! Sharon Rockwell Dalton. Mindy Smith. Debbie McKellar
Oh no! That is criminal. I love that ride and even rode it backwards! Boo!!!
Noooooo!
Noooooo!
Was. It. Fun rideing. It
Was. It. Fun rideing. It
Wow, sad day.
NOOOOOOOOO!!
R.I.P.
R.I.P.