| The Giant Drop | |
|---|---|
| The Dreamworld Tower. | |
| Location | Dreamworld |
| Area | Rocky Hollow |
| Status | Operating |
| Cost | A$12,000,000 |
| Opening date | 26 December 1998[1] |
| Attraction Type | Giant Drop |
| Manufacturer | Intamin |
| Height | 119 m (390 ft) |
| Speed | 135 km/h (84 mph) |
| G force | 3.5 |
| Capacity | 550 riders per hour |
| Vehicles | 2 |
| Riders per vehicle | 8 |
| Duration | 95 seconds |
| Height restriction | 120 cm (3 ft 11 in) |
| Amusement Parks Portal | |
The Giant Drop is an Intamin drop tower ride located at the Dreamworld theme park on the Gold Coast, Australia. It is the world's tallest vertical drop ride standing 119 metres (390 ft) high.
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Construction of the Dreamworld Tower began in 1996. On 23 January 1997, the Tower of Terror officially opened to the public.[2][3][4] Close to two years later, on 26 December 1998, The Giant Drop officially opened to the public as part of the Dreamworld Tower.[1][5][6] Additional theming was added around the base of the ride and the Vintage Car track was re-routed around the base of the tower.[7] The cost to build The Giant Drop, had the Dreamworld Tower not been already standing, was published at A$12 million.[8] Over 5 million people have been dropped to date.[6]
In mid-2007, concerns were raised over the safety of Intamin drop towers after an incident at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom's Superman: Tower of Power ride where a teenage girl had her feet severed after a cable had snapped.[9][10] Despite the incident, Dreamworld continued to keep The Giant Drop operating stating their ride's cables had daily and monthly checks. An independent safety audit concluded that "Dreamworld's safety standards are world class and second to none".[11]
The Giant Drop is made up of two vertical tracks which run 119 metres (390 ft) to the top of the Dreamworld Tower. Each track features one, eight-seat floorless gondola. Riders are harnessed in by over-the-shoulder restraints.[5] Catch cars pull the gondolas to the top of the tower - a trip that takes approximately 90 seconds. The gondola pauses at the top of the tower for a moment of time before it is released from the catch car and dropped at a speed of 135 kilometres per hour (84 mph). After 5 seconds of freefall, the gondola is stopped by a magnetic braking system a few metres from the ground.[6] At this moment, the on-ride photo is taken.
Upon opening, the eastern side of The Giant Drop featured a momentary pause shortly after the release from the top. This was caused by a set of magnetic brakes, which have since been removed.[5]
The Giant Drop has been featured on Australian Guinness World Records television show.[8] It was also featured on the 2009, American, Travel Channel documentary "Extreme Terror Rides".[12] In 2010 season of The Amazing Race Asia, teams were required to ride The Giant Drop and photograph Kenny Koala, the park's mascot, waving the race flag once they've reached the top.[13]
At the time of opening, in December 1998, The Giant Drop gained the Guinness World Record title of the "World's Tallest Vertical Drop Ride.".[8] The Giant Drop will lose this title when Lex Luthor: Drop of Doom opens at Six Flags Magic Mountain in 2012.[14]
| Preceded by Supreme Scream |
World's Tallest Vertical Drop Fun Ride December 1998–present[8] |
Succeeded by Current record holder |
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