Ultra Twister

Ultra Twister was a steel roller coaster located at Six Flags Great Adventure from 1986 to 1990 and then at Six Flags AstroWorld from 1991 until that park was closed and demolished by the Six Flags Corporation in 2005. The ultratwister-design is that of a pipeline roller coaster, created by a Japanese company TOGO.

History

Ultra Twister was previously located at Six Flags Great Adventure under the same name. It was built in 1985 and located at Six Flags Great Adventure's "Frontier Adventures" section along a path going from Rolling Thunder down to Runaway Mine Train. When it opened in 1986, it was the first heartline roll coaster in the world as well as the coaster with the steepest ascent. Although the coaster itself was a rough ride due to the restraints needed to be in use, it was still a relatively popular coaster among guests. In 1989, the Great American Scream Machine opened at the park, bringing it up to six coasters. At that time, pictures and descriptions of this coaster along with nine other coasters in the Six Flags Chain were displayed on mini-billboards along the queue area. Ultra Twister was closed mid season in 1989 and dismantled due to ride rotation programs. It was moved to Six Flags AstroWorld, where it opened in 1991. At that point, its lift hill was modified from a direct 90 degree vertical ascent to an ascent at a 45 degree angle so it was easier to evacuate the lift if necessary. The coaster was later painted from its bluish-white previous color to green and blue. The coaster continued running at Astroworld until the park closed permanently in the fall of 2005. After Astroworld closed, Ultra Twister went into storage at sister park, Six Flags America, of Largo, MD. Its reopening is unlikely, as it is reportedly damaged beyond repair. In 2009 they put the ride for sale on www.italintl.com. However, many other Ultra Twister models are still operating in Japan.