Visitors ride the Galaxy roller coaster Thursday in Old Orchard Beach. The Italian-made, steel roller coaster, which has provided thrills for visitors to Palace Playland for 20 years, will soon be replaced by a larger roller coaster.

A car on the Galaxy approaches the first drop. The Galaxy's cars will stop rolling after this weekend.

Christopher Nebab of Old Bridge, N.J., rides the Galaxy with his children Jessica, 11, and C.J., 7, on Thursday.

Christopher Nebab takes the plunge on the Galaxy with his children, Jessica, 11, and C.J., 7, on Thursday.

Palace Playland's owners, Joel Golder, left, and his son Paul Golder plan to replace the Galaxy roller coaster with a larger ride as part of a $4 million expansion.

Serxhio Dushi secures Hannah Sloma, 7, and her brother Levi, 5, of West Paris into a car as they get ready for a ride on the Galaxy on Thursday.

Giovana Blackherms, 10, of Bridgewater, Mass., holds on tight as she rides the Galaxy on Friday – the beginning of the last weekend for the Palace Playland ride.

Visitors take a spin on the Galaxy in Old Orchard Beach on Friday.

Visitors get a thrill the Galaxy in Old Orchard Beach on Friday.

The Galaxy has been a cornerstone of New England’s only beachfront amusement park for 20 years.

The Galaxy will be dismantled this fall and Palace Playland's new roller coaster will be installed during the winter.