|
 | A few years back, parks were regularly trumping one another with record-breaking coasters that went ever higher and faster. The pace has slowed considerably with Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure holding the record for the tallest coaster at 456 feet, a ride that opened in 2005. (Although Ferrari World Abu Dhabi's Formula Rossa, which tops out at just over 149 mph and stole Kingda Ka's speed record, opened just last November.) Building faster and taller coasters takes beaucoup bucks, which is scarce in these recession-wary times. But parks and ride manufacturers have other lower-cost options to claim different kinds of records. Among the more intriguing -- if puzzling -- specifications that have kept record keepers busy lately is the race to build coasters with the greatest angle of descent. | |
Parks Turn Inward for Coaster Inspiration
 Most coasters race down their first drops at angles of about 60 degrees. Really steep coasters, such as El Toro, feature drops in the mid-70 degrees. A few coasters (such as the aforementioned Kingda Ka) drop straight down at 90 degrees. And in the past few years, coasters have been designed with beyond-vertical drops. That is, the trains actually race inward as they soar down the other side of the lift hill. (To augment the craziness, these coasters often feature 90-degree, straight-up lift hills as well). Recently, a park in Japan unleashed a coaster that includes a wacky 121-degree angle of descent -- which warrants a new record. I'm not sure I completely understand the allure of these inward-racing coasters. But the latest record-breaker inspired me to compile a list of the World's Steepest Coasters.
| Spectacular Lives Up to Its Name
With the bar set hopelessly high for nighttime shows by Disney, Universal, and other parks with gazillion-dollar budgets, it can be tough for regional parks to compete. Garden-variety fireworks just can't compare to the majesty of presentations like World of Color at Disney California Adventure. Canada's Wonderland in Toronto, however, dares to compete with its new Starlight Spectacular. Read more.
| Talking 'Tours, Mulling over Mermaids
I had the pleasure of joining Mike and E.B. on this week's CoasterRadio.com podcast to talk about my recent adventures at Disneyland. Read more and listen to the show.
| Theme Parks Resource Center
Your source for books, industry connections, historical info, and more about theme parks, amusement parks, water parks, and themed entertainment.
| |
| | Theme Parks Ads
| | | | Featured Articles | |
| | | More from About.com | | | | | | Career Quizzes
Not sure what you want to do when you grow up? Take a career quiz to see if your dream job is a good fit for your interests and skills. More>
| | | | Self Assessments
No quiz can magically tell you what to do with the rest of your life, but a combination of self assessment tools can help you decide. More>
|
| | | | Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics | | | | You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Theme Parks newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here.
About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy
Contact Information:
249 West 17th Street
New York, NY, 10011
© 2011 About.com | | | | |
Must Reads | |
Advertisement
 | |
No comments:
Post a Comment