Theme Park Insider Roundup Covers X2 Uncertainty and New Projects

Theme Park Insider’s latest roundup placed the uncertain future of Six Flags Magic Mountain’s X2 alongside a series of new construction and opening developments at parks in the United States, Europe, and Mexico. The Arrow 4D roller coaster has been closed for more than a month following multiple reports of brain injuries involving riders, at least one death, lawsuits, settlements, and a state investigation, according to Theme Park Insider. The outlet questioned whether X2 had made its final run but did not report that Six Flags had confirmed a permanent closure. The article also discussed controversy at Knott’s Berry Farm, where a Scary Farm T-shirt appeared to use a racist caricature. Theme Park Insider described the design as appearing to have been created with artificial intelligence, while noting that the technology did not identify the issue with the imagery. The roundup reported that Halloween Horror Nights had begun at Universal Orlando. It also covered the death of Dolly Parton at age 80 and noted the connection between the entertainer and Dollywood, which the outlet described as one of the most-visited theme parks in the United States. Several developments focused on future projects. Theme Park Insider reported that Universal Studios Japan was planning a major expansion and that Saudi investment was behind a $7 billion Manga Theme Park project in Paris. In Mexico, a “Luxury Theme Park” had set an opening preview date, though the article did not provide the date in its roundup. In the United States, Disneyland had started construction on a new parking garage, while Walt Disney World had set an opening date for Lakeshore Lodge. The former Six Flags St. Louis had also been renamed Mid America Adventure. Construction activity was reported at two other parks. Six Flags Fiesta Texas had broken ground on Werewolf Gorge, described as a family roller coaster, and Holiday World had begun laying track for a new Mack rides water roller coaster. Both projects were listed among developments expected for 2027. Theme Park Insider published the roundup on August 29, 2026, as part of its weekly “Walk Time” column.