A New Roller Coaster Era

Since this is the long Memorial Day Weekend, and the beginning of the summer vacation seasons, I thought it would be appropriate to do a post on Roller Coasters. Many people during this time of year visits amusement parks, and look for the new roller coasters. So to help here is some information:


Here is a story from npr:
Roller Coasters

Weekend Edition - Saturday, May 27, 2006
· Summertime is a boon for amusement parks, with each trying to bump up their fear factor by offering the sleekest, fastest roller coaster. Surprisingly, a new Orlando roller coaster prides itself on being slow. An innovative design makes up for what the ride lacks in speed.
At a mere 50 miles per hour -- less than half the top speed of some of its competitors -- Expedition Everest at Disney's Animal Kingdom makes its way along snow-capped mountains surrounding a realistic Tibetan village.
By narrowing the rider's view, controlling perception and color contrast, the ride creates the illusion of speed.

Follow this link for more information and some cool links:
Roller Coasters

Record-Holding Coasters
Built in 1884, the Coney Island Cyclone in Coney Island, N.Y., is the oldest coaster in the United States.

At 456 feet, Kingda Ka of Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson Township, New Jersey is the tallest coaster in the country. It is also the fastest, reaching 128 miles per hour in 3.3 seconds.

Busch Gardens' SheiKra in Tampa, Fla., holds the current record for the tallest dive. It lifts passengers 200 feet and sends them back down at a 90-degree angle at 70 miles per hour.

People's Choice: America's Favorite Coasters
Results of Amusement Today magazine's 2005 Golden Ticket Awards:

TOP 5 STEEL ROLLERCOASTERS 2005
1 Millennium Force, Cedar Point (Sandusky, Ohio)
2 Superman Ride of Steel, Six Flags New England (Agawam, Mass.)
3 Magnum XL-200, Cedar Point (Sandusky, Ohio)
4 Appollo's Chariot, Busch Gardens Williamsburg (Williamsburg, Va.)
5 Nitro, Six Flags Great Adventure (Jackson, N.J.)

TOP 5 WOODEN ROLLERCOASTERS 2005
1 Thunderhead, Dollywood (Pigeon Forge, Tenn.)
2 BoulderDash, Lake Compounce (Bristol, Conn.)
3 Shivering Timbers, Michigan's Adventure (Muskegon, Mich.)
4 Phoenix, Knoebel's Amusement Resort (Elysburg, Pa.)
5 Raven, Holiday World (Santa Claus, Ind.)
Amusement Today's 2005 "Golden Ticket Awards."