Polercoaster
| Polercoaster | |
|---|---|
 | |
 A concept image released in 2012 for the Polercoaster | |
| Status | In Development |
| No. of installations | 2 confirmed, 1 proposed |
| Manufacturers |
US Thrill Rides S&S Worldwide |
| Capacity | 850–1600 riders per hour |
Polercoaster is a type of amusement ride offered by US Thrill Rides and S&S Worldwide. An installation consists of a large tower structure which features glass elevators to an observation deck, as well as an El Loco steel roller coaster wrapping around the tower. The model was first introduced in 2012, and as of November 2013, three have been proposed for construction.
History
At the 2011 International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Trade Show in Orlando, Florida, the Polercoaster was announced as a joint venture between US Thrill Rides and S&S Worldwide. US Thrill Rides' Bill and Michael Kitchen invented the concept to allow amusement parks with little available space to be able to design a full-size roller coaster. S&S Worldwide will manufacture roller coaster component, which will be designed by Alan Schilke.[1][2] US Thrill Rides and S&S Worldwide will subcontract parts of the ride's fabrication to Celtic Engineering and Haskell Steel.[3]
Bill Kitchen was pleased with the ride's initial reception at the show stating "we should have firm contracts signed by the end of the year", with anticipation that at least one installation would open in 2014.[4] The first contracts were announced in late 2013 with design and construction expected to take 24 months.[1]
Specifications
General specifications of the ride were listed at the Polercoaster's debut at IAAPA 2011. Two glass elevators would transport riders to the top of the tower. This area could feature dining or retail space, or the potential for a dark ride. Statistics of the two standard towers that were proposed are shown in the table below. Although these were two standard models, the Polercoaster could be designed as small as 100 feet (30 m) tall, or extend beyond the 500-foot (150 m) mark.[2]
| Height | 200 ft or 61 m | 300 ft or 91 m |
|---|---|---|
| Lift height | 180 ft or 55 m | 270 ft or 82 m |
| Track length | 2,400 ft or 730 m | 3,300 ft or 1,000 m |
| Tower diameter | 50 ft or 15 m | 70 ft or 21 m |
| Top speed | 44 mph or 71 km/h | 50 mph or 80 km/h |
| Maximum g-force | 4 Gs | |
| Duration | 108 seconds | 144 seconds |
| Capacity | 960 riders per hour | |
| Trains | 7 or 8 eight-seater El Loco trains | |
Installations
LakePoint Sporting Community in Georgia, United States was announced as the first installation of a Polercoaster. The ride, which is set to debut in 2015, will stand approximately 325 feet (99 m) tall.[3]
A second sale of the ride was confirmed for a Florida location at the IAAPA Trade Show in 2013. The ride will stand 525 feet (160 m) tall and begin with an inversion at its maximum height. As a result, it will become the tallest roller coaster in the world, beating the 456-foot-tall (139 m) record set by Six Flags Great Adventure's Kingda Ka; it will feature the world's tallest inversion, surpassing the 170-foot-tall (52 m) inversion on Cedar Point's GateKeeper; and it will be among the longest roller coasters in the world, with a track length of approximately 8,000 feet (2,400 m).[1][5][6][7]
ABC News reported in June 2013 that a third installation has been proposed for the Las Vegas Strip, standing 650 feet (200 m) tall.[8]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Kitchen, Michael (November 19, 2013). S&S & US Thrill Rides Announce New Poler Coaster that will be Worlds Tallest Coaster. (Interview). The Coaster Crew. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xJAaZeFzqQ. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Kitchen, Michael (13 November 2012). IAAPA 2012 Trade Show Coverage. Interview with Robb Alvey. Theme Park Review. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8csOTfa7yWg. Retrieved 16 November 2013.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Polercoaster confirmed for Georgia". Park World Magazine. 14 November 2013. Retrieved 16 November 2013.
- ↑ Ralph, Owen (26 November 2012). "IAAPA Attractions Expo – still no.1!". Park World Magazine. Retrieved 16 November 2013.
- ↑ Levine, Arthur (21 June 2013). "Another High Roller Coming to Vegas?". About.com (The New York Times Company). Retrieved 16 November 2013.
- ↑ MacDonald, Brady (August 30, 2012). "Six Flags Magic Mountain adding Full Throttle coaster in 2013". Los Angeles Times (Tribune Company). Retrieved November 7, 2012.
- ↑ Marden, Duane. "Record Holders (Length)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
- ↑ Brown, Genevieve Shaw (18 June 2013). "World's Tallest Coaster May Find Home in Vegas". ABC News. Retrieved 16 November 2013.
External links
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