Roller Coasters
What a thrill! Working on theme parks and roller coasters is a blast and we feel really fortunate to get to do this type of work as part of our firm’s offerings. You might say we specialize in designing theme park structures, from retail outlets and restaurants to attractions theming and roller coaster integration. Today is National Roller Coaster Day so we thought we’d share some fun facts about roller coasters with you.
Roller Coaster 101
Roller coaster rides vary in size and type, but they are all made up of these four elements: structure, track, wheels assembly, ride vehicle, and safety control systems.
Essentially, a roller coaster works by towing the train to the highest point, the train is released and falls, rolling back to the station. It’s rare that a coaster adds speed after its launch. In fact, frequently the train has to brake to reduce its speed. However, there are some examples of coasters that need to add speed such as some launched coasters and mountain coasters.
Types of Structures
- Wood
- Steel
- Hybrid – steel and wood
Types of Tracks
- Steel
- Wood with steel plate
- Box beam
Types of Configurations
- Boomerang
- Corkscrew
- Dual-tracked
- Figure 8
- Out and back
- Shuttle Loop
Types of Kinetic Energy Sources
- Gravity Drop
- Launched
- Lifted
- Push-Pull
- Powered
- Hydraulic and Armature Motor
- Linear Induction Motor
- Cable Drop Old Style
- Air Launch
Types of Ride Vehicles
- 4th Dimension
- Bobsled
- Diving
- Dive Drop i.e. Valravn
- Floorless
- Flying
- Giga coaster
- Hypercoaster
- Inverted
- Mine train
- Motorbike
- Mountain/Alpine
- Pipeline
- Side friction
- Spinning
- Stand-up
- Steeplechase
- Strata coaster
- Suspended
- Wing
- Zip Line
Roller Coaster Designers and Manufacturers Rock!
The majority of coaster designers and manufacturers are located in Switzerland, Germany, China, and the Netherlands, although there are a few here in the US too. We’ve had the pleasure of working with several of the following ride designers on prominent projects throughout the US.
Anton Schwarzkopf
Arrow Dynamics
Chance Morgan’s Chance Rides
Fabbri Group
Gerstlauer
The Gravity Group
Great Coasters International
Mack Rides
Maurer Sohne
Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters
Preston & Barbieri
Vekoma
Zamperla
Zierer
At this point, you must be wondering what roller coasters cost. Here’s the bottom line:
-
- Coaster Itself $1-$25 million
- Dark Ride (in a building) $10 -$30 million
- Ride Integration into park varies based on site
Roller Coaster Firsts & Records
First Roller Coaster
Date: 1817
Name: Russes à Belleville
Location: Belleville, France
First roller coaster in which the train was attached to a track
First American Roller Coaster
Designer: LaMarcus Adna Thompson
Date: January 20, 1865
Name: Switchback Gravity Railway
Location: Coney Island in Brooklyn
Workers pulled the carriage to the top of the track. Riders paid 5 cents to ride. Cars faced outwards toward painted landscapes from around the world. Cars coasted at less than 6 MPH, compared to today’s rides at up to 149 mph. It was invented as a distraction from saloons and brothels. Thompson is considered the Father of the American Roller Coaster.
First Modern American Roller Coaster
Designer: Herbert Schmeck of the Philadelphia Toboggan Co.
Date: 1903
Name: Scenic Railway
Location: Dorney Park
This gravity-powered switchback-style wooden coaster was inspired by the Mauch Chunk Switchback Railway.
TIP: Interested in historic roller coasters? Check out this Smithsonian Magazine article “Ride America’s Most Historic Roller Coasters”.
First Powered Chain Lift
Designer: Phillip Hinkle
Date: 1884
Name: Gravity Pleasure Road
Location: Coney Island
It allowed coasters to be on elliptical, rather than straight, paths.
First Vertical (elliptical-shaped) Loop
Designer: Edwin Prescott
Date: August 16, 1898
Name: Loop the Loop
Location: Coney Island
Only accommodated one car with four passengers
Centripetal force keeps riders from falling out when the car is upside down.
First Steel Rollercoaster
Designer: Arrow Development and WED Imagineering
Date: 1959
Name: Matterhorn bobsleds
Location: Disneyland
Most Expensive Rollercoaster
Designer: Intamin
Date: June 13, 2019
Name: Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
Location: Universal Orlando Islands of Adventure
Cost: $300 million
Tallest Coaster
Designer: Werner Stengel
Date: May, 2005
Name: Kingda Ka
Location: Six Flags Great Adventure
A launched coaster, it goes from zero to 128 MPH in only 3.5 seconds
Longest Coaster
Designer: Steve Okamoto
Date: August 1, 2000
Name: Steel Dragon 2000
Location: Nagashima Spa Land in Japan
At 1.5 miles long, riders get a 4-minute ride.
When it opened, the coaster was the fastest, tallest, and longest coaster in the world.
Fastest Coaster
Designer: Intamin
Date: November 4, 2010
Name: Formula Rossa
Location: Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
The hydraulic launched coaster goes from zero to 149 MPH in just 4.9 seconds. Due to its high speeds and potential for impact with insects, riders are required to wear safety glasses.
Bleck & Bleck and Roller Coasters
Having worked in the amusement industry for more than 40 years, roller coasters hold a special place in our hearts. Starting in 1979 with the American Eagle wooden racing coaster at Six Flags (Marriott’s) Great America, we’ve integrated and themed 23 coasters into theme parks across the US. In addition, we’ve worked with ride manufacturers to design ride concept features and design development, including ride track layout and ride experience consulting.
Did You Know? August 16th is National Roller Coaster Day
Amusement parks purchase the rides and provide a safe, themed environment in which to enjoy the ride. The coasters themselves are designed and constructed by companies that specialize in coasters and other amusement rides.
Our role is to design the integration of the ride into the park, get park guests on and off the ride, and theme it appropriately. The ride theme may center on a superhero or it may follow a narrative about a mythical creature, or particular adventure. In every case, our job is to integrate the client’s theme into all aspects of the ride experience, from the front gate to the station and ride exit.
We are involved in creating the guest environment from the very beginning of their journey. Guests enter the ride environment and join a queue line before approaching the ride platform at the station, where they board the train and prepare to be thrilled.
Each year, Chuck and Bob attend the industry trade show to absorb what’s new and to connect with friends, clients, and other industry leaders. In 2021, we’ll be attending IAAPA Expo 2021 in Orlando November 15 – 19 and we hope to see you there!
Let’s get together: Call 847-247-0303 or email us at cbleck@bleckarchitects.com or rbleck@bleckarchitects.com to set up a quick meeting in Orlando.
© The Photographic Artwork of Jacob T. VanVooren