Six Flags Great America
In 2005, for Six Flags Great America's Fright Fest event, almost all of Demon's original theming returned. Decals similar to the original logos were added to the noses of the trains, fog returned in the tunnels, the Demon song played in the queue again, and red lights and tiki torches were placed all around the ride. A re-creation of the original sign was present at Fright Fest. Built from an oil barrel with red lights and fog, it was placed in the flower bed in front of the ride's sign. This display returned for subsequent Fright Fests.[12]
On the park's 2006 opening day, the Demon song continued playing in the queue, the decals were still on the front of the trains,[13] and the flames were still painted on the station. The rest of the theming was removed, as it was for Fright Fest only.
By 2008, the Demon logos on the front of the trains were updated. The stylized decals reading "Demon" were replaced with logos that more closely resembled the original Marriott-era logos, featuring red eyes peering out of a pipe.[3]
In 2009, Demon's black train was given airbrushed flames on the sides of the front car with no red stripe.[14] Around 2010, the waterfall after the stone demon head was disabled.[15] For a 2010 advertising deal with Six Flags, the red train was wrapped in Stride Gum advertisements for the entire season.[16]
For the 2016 season, the Demon sign's letters were repainted black with airbrushed flames.[17] In late 2016, the attraction was given a virtual reality (VR) upgrade. The experience would be called Rage of the Gargoyles.[3] Riders had the option to wear Samsung Gear VR headsets, powered by Oculus to create a 360-degree, 3D experience while riding. The illusion was themed to a fighter jet, where riders flew through a futuristic city as co-pilots battling demonic creatures.[18]
In 2019, flashing yellow eyes were added to the ride's first tunnel.[19]
For the 2021 season, several changes were made. The multicolored bowl-shaped lights around the first tunnel were replaced with red cage lights, and the two red demon eye lights in the first tunnel were fixed, as they previously did not turn on. Furthermore, flames were restored on the operator's booth, replacing the gray paint that had covered them for years.[20]
In late 2023, the rockwork around the loops was removed. The other theming and rockwork stayed.[21]
In July 2024, Six Flags started teasing Great America's 2025 addition. The teasers used the word "demon" multiple times, banners were put up directly next to Demon, and signpost reading "This is a mysterious sign" was placed in Demon's queue. Prior to the announcement, it was speculated that Demon could be getting removed to make way for a new attraction.[22] However, the ride was not closed, but a new ride—Wrath of Rakshasa—would be built across from it.[23] Wrath of Rakshasa opened in 2025 and thematically complements Demon.[24]
California's Great America
Upon the ride's conversion into Demon, it was painted fully black.[25] Since then, the rails have been repainted orange.[2]
In 2017, for the park's Halloween event, California's Great America temporarily modified Demon into what they called "Demon Reignited". During this, a large amount of the ride's original theming returned, as well as additional effects. Decorations were added to the ride's station, flames were painted around the first tunnel, and red gobo projections were put in the second tunnel. Strobe lights were installed in the first tunnel, after the stone demon statue, and during the corkscrew elements. Additionally, various thematic elements were added to the stone demon head statue. This included the water being dyed blood red, a jet of flame being added next to the stone structure, and projection mapping being used to display blood, flames, and eyes onto the demon's face.[11][26] A new pre-show and on-ride soundtrack accompanied the ride, both voiced by James Iglehart.[27]
