Six Flags Saves ArieForce One, EB Hits Great America, and the Thrill Glider Debuts

Mike holds down the studio solo this week while EB spends a spontaneous day at Six Flags Great America — but the real story is one nobody saw coming: Six Flags has officially purchased ArieForce One, the beloved RMC that was headed for demolition just weeks after Fun Spot Atlanta announced its closure. Mike breaks down why this genuinely surprised him (the budgeting alone for a chain like Six Flags should have made this financially implausible), walks through everything that has to happen before this ride finds a new home — disassembly, cataloging, transport, an entirely new station to fix its known capacity issues — and floats his own guesses for which park might land it when Six Flags reveals the destination later this year.

Meanwhile, EB reports live from the midway all day: riding the new Wrath of Rakshasa dive coaster, revisiting old favorites five years after his first trip to the park, and later checking out the Dark Knight coaster. A listener trip report from opening day of Night Flight Expedition at Dollywood reveals a rocky first outing — a four-hour wait, a failed test, and a mad dash back into line — but genuine excitement for what the ride will become once it's fully worked in. Then Mike covers Six Flags Magic Mountain's announcement of an entirely new roller coaster category: the Thrill Glider, a prone, face-forward "hover cycle" experience blending flying coaster tech with a full sci-fi storyline. Plus, a look at Alton Towers' elaborate new Halloween dinner theater experience, Dine With the Dead, and EB caps off his day with a nightcap at a favorite Chicago tiki bar.