Rattler (roller coaster)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Rattler

Rattler
Location	Six Flags Fiesta Texas
Type	Wood
Status	Open
Opened	03/14/1992
Designer	John Pierce
Track layout	Terrain
Height	179 ft (54.6 m)
Drop	124 ft (37.8 m)
Length	5080 ft (1548.4 m)
Max speed	65 mph (104.6 km/h)
Inversions	0
Duration	2:26
Max Vertical Angle	61.4 degrees
Height Restriction	48 in (121.9 cm)
Rattler at RCDB
Pictures of Rattler at RCDB

The Rattler descends into a cave.

The Rattler is a wooden roller coaster located at Six Flags Fiesta Texas. When it was opened in 1992, it was the tallest wooden coaster in the world, with a height of 179 feet and a first drop of 166 feet. It held this title for several years until being eclipsed by the massive Son of Beast roller coaster at Paramount's Kings Island. The Rattler is currently the world's fourth tallest wooden coaster and has the fifth largest drop, although it would still rank third in this category had its first drop not been shortened from 166 to 124 feet several years after its opening. (See notable roller coasters for more info on the tallest coasters.)

The Rattler is located in the Western-themed Crackaxle Canyon area of Fiesta Texas. The roller coaster spends much of its course atop the cliffs surrounding the park and includes a tunnel through the cliff after its mid-course brake run and a huge, 900° helix atop the cliff after the first two drops. The coaster was manufactured by In House. The ride has been publicly criticized for being jerky, uncomfortable, and sometimes even painful. Many people report soreness in the heads and necks and complain of backpain after riding.