What was once the world’s tallest indoor roller coaster has been closed.
West Edmonton Mall, home to the Galaxyland indoor amusement park, announced that its 1985 coaster, Mindbender, had closed for good.
“The iconic Mindbender has been the park’s premier thrill ride since the grand opening in 1985,” Lori Bethel, the mall’s vice president of parks and attractions, said in a statement. “While the Mindbender will be missed, we are excited to announce that we are working on groundbreaking new plans for family thrills that will immerse our guests in an out-of-this-world experience.”
The ride last operated in July 2021, according to the Roller Coaster Database. The 145-foot-tall, triple-loop coaster was a creation of Anton Schwarzkopf, the German engineer behind classic coasters such as Revolution at Six Flags Magic Mountain and Whizzer at Six Flags Great America.
Mindbender may be most well-known for its 1986 accident when one of its coaster cars derailed, killing three passengers. It reopened with redesigned trains the following year.
Coaster enthusiasts who missed out on Mindbender can experience a similar Schwarzkopf triple looper with American Dreier Looping, which is supposed to open later this year at Indiana Beach after being relocated from Mexico. There is no word on whether Mindbender will also find a new home or if it will be scrapped.