Demon Coaster Rumor Check: Demolition Debunked Vs. Real Maintenance Realities
Q1: Has Six Flags Great America announced any plans to demolish the Demon?
A1: No. Six Flags Great America has issued no closure or demolition announcements for the Demon. Municipal permit databases show no demolition requests, and the coaster remains an active, maintained part of the park's ride lineup.
Q2: Why does the Demon experience more temporary downtime than newer coasters?
A2: As a vintage Arrow Dynamics installation built in the late 1970s, replacement mechanical parts must often be custom-machined rather than pulled from off-the-shelf inventories. Extended maintenance pauses typically stem from supply-chain lead times for specialized components rather than structural failure.
Q3: Is the Demon at California's Great America related to the Illinois coaster?
A3: Yes. Both coasters opened in 1976 as identical twin installations named Turn of the Century, designed by Arrow Development for the Marriott Corporation. Both were converted to Demon in 1980 with the addition of twin vertical loops and rock-work theming.