X2: XTREME to the second power.

[rct2wizard360]

http://www.sixflags.com/magicMountain/rides/X2.aspx
From the Six Flags Website:

X launches into a new galaxy, becoming X2.


"X, the world's first 4th dimension thrill ride, is once again pushing all limits and taking extreme to the next level in 2008. This $10 million investment features completely redesigned, sleeker trains and introduces all-new, innovative state-of-the-art visual, audio and sensory effects. X will move from the 4th dimension to the 5th and become X2!

With its 360° rotating seats and head-first, face down drops, X has been one of the most popular thrill rides on the planet. With the redesign, X2 will take you on a journey to a unique and unchartered dimension of extreme only Six Flags Magic Mountain can deliver.

Unlike traditional coasters where trains only parallel the track, X2 sends riders screaming around its 3,600-foot maze of steel track aboard massive wing-shaped trains where the seats extend off of the track to the sides of the vehicle, allowing them to independently rotate you head over heels, forward and backward creating a one-of-a-kind "don't know what to expect next" sensation. X2 launches the extreme thrills of X into a new dimension with the addition of a unique new tunnel and light experience that changes with every ride.

In order for the transformation to take place, X will close in late 2007, and X2 will launch in spring 2008."

There we go. $10mil rehab, new trains, new paint job, and probably a mediocre light show tunnel.

[CoasterDave316]

Wow, that's a genius idea. Great job at making the investment on new trains marketable.

[Galvan]

Someone was bound to ask:

With it becoming X2 does that mean its two seprate credits?

[w00dland]

Sounds like a great idea. Take an amazing ride and make it more reliable and better.

Best news is I'm probably heading down there again this summer. Really excited about that.

[cycamps]

That should be neat. Hopefully it doesn't ruin the ride any...

[Cryptkeeper]

There we go. $10mil rehab, new trains, new paint job, and probably a mediocre light show tunnel.

So, is $10 the biggest capital expenditure under Shapiro so far? If that's the case, it's a little strange that it's being spent towards making an existing roller coaster a much better experience (this is not a complaint - just saying it's a little bit odd). Given his track record (bye bye two Deja Vu's, 5 flat rides on SFNE, Space Shuttle America(?) etc. etc.) , I think SFMM should consider itself lucky that Shapiro didn't rip out the ride and put it up for sale. I bet someone would have been happy to take it off of his hands.

Hopefully all of this money spent will make the ride a much more enjoyable experience for many years to come.

[Chitown]

Not only will it make it more enjoyable, but capacity issues hopefully will be corrected.

It's not just the trains , but the station house has to be completely overhauled. I am assuming the new trains and loading/unloading will be like the 4d in Japan.

Click this video to see that the Japan version has floors that drop like with other inverted coasters. X didn't have this. The seats had to rotate back and straight up which was a time killer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxAj53Q-GUc

[Coaster Justin]

I'm not trying to nitpick but who chose that color for X2? Does that scream out Extreme to you guys?


How about these colors?

http://rcdb.com/ig489.htm?picture=6
(Sorry Geauga Lake Fanboys)

http://rcdb.com/ig290.htm?picture=10
(Why didn't DeJaVu or Shockwave get painted this way)

http://rcdb.com/ig1369.htm?picture=10
(It's really weird, but this would stand out in the park)

http://rcdb.com/ig206.htm?picture=2
(Did they really need to repaint the track or couldn't they have painted it this way)

Finally, http://rcdb.com/ig556.htm?picture=2
(The reason is so the coaster can stand out in the park)

This isn't the first time the colors have been weird. Remember V2 at Discovery Kingdom or Mr. Freeze at Over Texas.

[rct2wizard360]

The fact that they are the same colors as Eejanaika make is SO much more extreme.

[Trailblazer Tony]

I think it's a great idea! I love to see some attention going towards a ride that deserves to be fixed for good! I wish i could head out there to ride it.

[sfgam1992]

Im going next March. I hope it will be open by then.

[cycamps]

How is X compared to Eejanaika?

[Trailblazer Tony]

I've heard it runs better, but i really don't know...FParker?

[FParker185]

Japan coasters seem to focus on sheer quanity over quality, I can ride a bunch of crappy coasters anywhere, and therefor I havent been to Japan yet

People who have ridden both say that the Japan one runs well, but alot of people said that about X when it first opened, then it quickly roughened up.

[rct2wizard360]

From what people on TPR are saying from the Japan trip, Eejanaika is actually rougher than X.

[Director_Guy]

I've been on X quite a few times and I never thought it was rough. Jerky, maybe. Not rough. It's mainly the seats moving back and forth too much... and even then it's not alot.