Skyscraper (roller coaster)

Skyscraper

Concept art of the Skyplex complex, including Skyscraper tower and roller coaster
Skyplex
Status Under development
Opening date 2017 (2017)
General statistics
Type Steel
Manufacturer Intamin
Designer US Thrill Rides
Model Polercoaster
Track layout Custom
Length 5,200 ft (1,600 m)
Speed 65 mph (105 km/h)
Inversions 7
Duration 4:00
Max vertical angle 123°
Capacity 1000 riders per hour
Height restriction 48 in (122 cm)
Trains Several trains with a single car. Riders are arranged 4 across in 2 rows for a total of 8 riders per train.

Skyscraper is a Polercoaster, a type of roller coaster, that will be located at the Skyplex complex in Orlando, Florida. Overseen by American and Swiss manufacturers US Thrill Rides and Intamin, the ride is under development and is set to open in 2017. Construction is expected to begin in 2016, along with the groundbreaking of the Skyplex area.

History

Development of Skyscraper began in 2012 after the owners of Mango’s Tropical Café Orlando selected the Polercoaster concept from US Thrill Rides as an attraction for their new Skyplex indoor entertainment complex. After several successful negotiations for land to build the attraction, development of both the roller coaster and Skyplex began.[1] In May 2014, a website asking for investors to invest in the project was formed. Documents uncovered by an Orlando news agency revealed that the roller coaster would be located in Central Florida.[2][3][4] On June 5, 2014, Skyscraper was officially announced. Construction is expected to begin in 2015, with the opening in 2017.[5][6]

Characteristics

Track

Designed by US Thrill Rides, the steel track of Skyscraper will be approximately 5,200 feet (1,600 m) long. Wrapping around the central tower, the roller coaster will feature seven inversions including zero-g rolls and raven turns.[5][6][7][8]

Trains

When complete, Skyscraper will operate with several small trains. Each train will have two rows that seat four riders each for a total of eight riders per train. The ride is expected to accommodate a theoretical capacity of 1000 riders per hour. Each seat will feature a lap restraint as opposed to over-the-shoulder harnesses to avoid obstructing the view.[5][6][7]

Records

When Skyscraper opens it will break several world records. With a structure exceeding 500 feet (150 m) in height, it is expected to obtain the record for the world's tallest roller coaster.[3] As of 2015, Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure standing at 456 feet (139 m) holds the record.[5][7] Skyscraper will have an inversion near the highest point of the ride,[8] breaking the 170-foot (52 m) record for the highest inversion in the world, set by GateKeeper at Cedar Point in 2013.[6][9] The ride will also have the steepest drop in the world at 123 degrees, breaking the 121-degree drop set in 2011 by Takabisha at Fuji-Q Highland, and will be the only ride in the world to have two beyond-vertical drops.[8]

References

  1. ↑ "World’s Tallest Rollercoaster and Entertainment Complex "The Skyscraper™ at SKYPLEX™" To Electrify Orlando Skyline in 2016". Mango's Tropical Cafe. June 5, 2014. Archived from the original on June 6, 2014. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Skyscraper Skyplex". American Immigration Group LLC. Archived from the original on June 6, 2014. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  3. 1 2 Fais, Scott (June 5, 2014). "Is this 500-foot-tall roller coaster coming to I-Drive?". News 13. Archived from the original on June 6, 2014. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  4. ↑ Fox, Greg (May 31, 2014). "Polercoaster coming to Central Florida, sources say". WESH. Archived from the original on June 6, 2014. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Bevil, Dewayne (June 5, 2014). "World's tallest roller coaster planned for Orlando's I-Drive". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on June 6, 2014. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Dennis, Andrea (June 5, 2014). "World's tallest roller coaster 'Skyscraper' officially coming to I-Drive, will open in 2016". WESH. Archived from the original on June 6, 2014. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  7. 1 2 3 "Skyscraper at Skyplex Orlando World's Tallest Roller Coaster Announcement". YouTube. Theme Park Review. June 5, 2014. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  8. 1 2 3 Kitchen, Michael (November 19, 2014). Interview with Michael Kitchen about Worlds Tallest Roller Coaster in Orlando. Interview with Robb Alvey. Theme Park Review. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  9. ↑ "GateKeeper Is Breaking More Records". Cedar Point. August 21, 2012. Archived from the original on December 31, 2013. Retrieved June 6, 2014.

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