Possessed (roller coaster)

Possessed

Full layout as seen from the parking lot
Previously known as Superman: Ultimate Escape (2000-2003), Steel Venom (2004-2006) at Geauga Lake, Voodoo (2008) at Dorney Park
Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
Coordinates 40°34′48″N 75°32′01″W / 40.579868°N 75.533559°W / 40.579868; -75.533559Coordinates: 40°34′48″N 75°32′01″W / 40.579868°N 75.533559°W / 40.579868; -75.533559
Status Operating
Opening date May 17, 2008 (2008-05-17)
Replaced Skyscraper
Geauga Lake
Coordinates 41°20′58″N 81°22′46″W / 41.349567°N 81.379445°W / 41.349567; -81.379445
Status Relocated to Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
Opening date May 5, 2000 (2000-05-05)
Closing date 2006
General statistics
Type Steel – Inverted – Launched
Manufacturer Intamin
Designer Werner Stengel
Model Twisted Impulse Coaster
Track layout Shuttle roller coaster
Height 180 ft (55 m)
Drop 125 ft (38 m)
Length 704 ft (215 m)
Speed 70 mph (110 km/h)
Inversions 0
Max vertical angle 90°
Capacity 950 riders per hour
G-force 3.7
Height restriction 52–78 in (132–198 cm)
Trains Single train with 14 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in a single row for a total of 28 riders per train.
Fast Lane available
Possessed at RCDB
Pictures of Possessed at RCDB

Possessed is a launched steel Inverted roller coaster located at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom in Allentown, Pennsylvania. It was located at Geauga Lake from 2000 to 2006. The coaster has had four names: Superman: Ultimate Escape (2000 to 2003) Steel Venom (2004 to 2006), Voodoo (2008), and Possessed (2009 to present).

History

Geauga Lake era (2000 to 2006)

Possessed when it was known as Superman: Ultimate Escape at Geagua Lake (then named Six Flags Ohio and Six Flags Worlds of Adventure).

The ride was built by Six Flags in 2000 where it opened at what had been known as Six Flags Ohio in Aurora, Ohio and was known as Superman: Ultimate Escape.

In March 2004, Six Flags sold Worlds of Adventure (which Six Flags Ohio had been renamed to in 2001) to Cedar Fair for $145 million. Following the sale, the park reverted to its original name, Geauga Lake. All references to Looney Tunes and DC Comics characters had to be removed prior to opening day the same year, since Cedar Fair did not have licensing rights. As a result, Cedar Fair renamed the coaster Steel Venom. Steel Venom, while receiving new signage featuring a black background with a silver and purple snake, retained its original blue, red, and yellow Superman track.

The coaster was disassembled at the end of the 2006 season. At that point, rumors began to surface that Geauga Lake was going to cut back their offerings and maybe even close. At the end of the 2007 season, it was decided that Geauga Lake would close the ride side of the park and keep only Wildwater Kingdom for expansion.

Dorney Park era and Six Flags controversy

Steel Venom became relocated to Dorney Park and construction began in the fall of 2007. Construction was completed in April 2008. According to the staff and management of the park, the coaster was expected to open on opening day of the 2008 season which was May 3, 2008 but did not. On April 30, Screamscape stated that the date of opening will be in mid-to-late-May. Park representatives confirmed this on May 1.

On Friday, May 16, 2008, Voodoo was given the authorization to open. The coaster had a soft opening on Saturday May 17, 2008 in the late afternoon. It continued to run when the park was closed for a private event on May 18. Media day was on Wednesday May 21, 2008. The coaster had its grand opening on Friday, May 23, 2008.

In 2009, the name was changed to Possessed in light of the fact that fellow theme park operator Six Flags claimed a trademark on the name "Voodoo."[1] Rather than incur a legal dispute, Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, the owners of Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, had the name changed as part of a marketing gimmick claiming that the ride was now super-saturated with evil spirits. All memorabilia with the "Voodoo" name were sold at tremendous discounts via the park's website.

The ride

The ride's layout consists of two vertical spikes, one twisted and the other straight vertical with a holding brake, connected by a launch and station tract to form a basic "U" layout. The ride begins with riders being launched forward by the use of linear induction motors. After the initial launch, the train heads up the twisted vertical spike that twists the train 180 degrees. The train then falls and is launched backwards up the vertical spike. It shuttles back and forth three times. On the final full speed launch in reverse the holding brake at the top of the vertical rear spike engages, locking the train in place for a very brief moment.

The maximum G-force of the ride is 3.7 Gs, expectantly low for a twisted impulse coaster.

Possessed's gallery

References

  1. ↑ Margolis, Liz; Duckett, Jodi (20 March 2009). "Dorney's Voodoo becomes Possessed". The Morning Call. p. D.1. ISSN 0884-5557. Archived from the original on 22 March 2009. Retrieved 8 March 2011.

External links

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