Upper Malboro, Maryland - Along with the rest of the Six Flags announcements today, Six Flags America has finally announced that its new for 2012 would be a stand-up coaster called Apocalypse. Just as many enthusiasts suspected when news of Iron Wolf’s closure at Six Flags Great America was officially announced, the ride will be moving to Six Flags America where it will be given a second life as Apocalypse.

When the ride opened at Six Flags Great America back in 1990, it stood as the first stand-up coaster created by the then-new Swiss duo of Bolliger & Mabillard. Though the ride has had complaints of roughness over the years, and the ride is not new, it will be a new addition to Six Flags America, and hopefully with some TLC, will be a lot smoother. It joins seven other roller coasters, which include the 200-foot Superman: Ride of Steel, the flying Batwing coaster, the launched Jokers Jinx, and the 95-year-old wooden Wild One.

There was speculation by some over the summer that then 20 year old stand-up coaster might be leaving its home at Six Flags Great America, but it remained purely speculation until early August. It was at that point, on August 6, that the park informally announced on their Facebook page that the coaster would be leaving at the end of the season. The announcement stated, “After a long 21 year history at the park, we will be removing Iron Wolf. Make sure to get your last rides in – Iron Wolf’s Last Stand is September 5.” Just a few weeks before that, in mid-July, Six Flags America filed for a permit for a “Stand-Up Coaster” and around the same time Iron Wolf’s closure was announced, Six Flags America then announced their Skull Mountain water-coaster attraction would be closing, opening up a sizable plot of land. Combining these pieces of the puzzle together, most enthusiasts began speculating that Iron Wolf would settle on Skull Mountain’s plot of land, which is now officially confirmed.

The B&M Stand-Up coaster will be located on the location of the recently closed Skull Island, which is being removed to make way for the coaster. The park’s press release says that the queue will wind deeper and deeper into an “end of world scenario” which ends with an escape from obliteration by boarding the coaster. Standing 100-feet tall, the ride consists of two inversions, a top speed of 44 mph, and countless turns, twists, and helices along 2,900-feet of track.

The park plans to hold a two-day preview event on Saturday, May 19 and Sunday, May 20 for pass-holders and media sources to have the first opportunity to ride the “new” coaster. Six Flags America then plans to hold its grand opening for the coaster on the morning of Friday, May 25, with a fireworks display in the evening to end the celebration.