The New Revolution (roller coaster)
| The New Revolution | |
|---|---|
|
The New Revolution | |
| Previously known as Revolution (1988-2015), La Revolución (1981-1987), Great American Revolution (1976-1980) | |
| Six Flags Magic Mountain | |
| Park section | Baja Ridge |
| Coordinates | 34°25′22″N 118°35′47″W / 34.42278°N 118.59639°WCoordinates: 34°25′22″N 118°35′47″W / 34.42278°N 118.59639°W |
| Status | Operating |
| Opening date | May 8, 1976 |
| Cost | $2,000,000 |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Steel |
| Manufacturer | Anton Schwarzkopf |
| Designer | Werner Stengel |
| Model | Looping roller coaster |
| Track layout | Terrain |
| Lift/launch system | Chain lift hill |
| Height | 113 ft (34 m) |
| Drop | 85 ft (26 m) |
| Length | 3,457 ft (1,054 m) |
| Speed | 55 mph (89 km/h) |
| Inversions | 1 |
| Duration | 2:12 |
| Max vertical angle | 45° |
| Capacity | 1400 riders per hour |
| G-force | 4.9 |
| Height restriction | 48 in (122 cm) |
| Trains | 5 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 20 riders per train. |
 Flash Pass available | |
 Single rider line available on most days | |
 Must transfer from wheelchair | |
|
The New Revolution at RCDB Pictures of The New Revolution at RCDB | |
The New Revolution (formerly known as Revolution, Great American Revolution, and La Revolución) is a steel roller coaster located at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California. Manufactured by Anton Schwarzkopf and designed by Werner Stengel, the roller coaster opened to the public on May 8, 1976. The New Revolution is the world's first modern roller coaster to feature a vertical loop and has been recognized for that accomplishment by American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE), who awarded the roller coaster its Coaster Landmark status.[1]
The coaster was named after the American Revolution in celebration of the country's Bicentennial. Unlike many of the previous looping roller coasters in the 19th and early-20th centuries which attempted circular loops, Revolution's success was dependent on a clothoid-shaped vertical loop – a first in the industry. In 2016, the coaster received a makeover for its 40th anniversary that included new trains with lap bars and an optional virtual reality experience for riders.[2] The New Revolution soft-launched to season pass holders on March 26, 2016, and opened to the general public on April 21, 2016.[3]
History
In the mid-1970s, Magic Mountain enlisted ride manufacturer Anton Schwarzkopf and legendary designer Werner Stengel to design and build the first looping roller coaster in modern times. The last known existence of one was Loop the Loop at Coney Island during the early 1900s. Prior to Great American Revolution's opening, a week of testing was needed to properly calibrate the tightness of the wheels, in order to get the train to complete one full circuit. At the ride's opening, staff operating the ride were outfitted with Continental Army-style uniforms to match the time period of the American Revolution, which the country was celebrating for its Bicentennial.[4]
In 1979 following the purchase of the park by Six Flags, the ride's name was changed to La Revolución in honor of the Mexican Revolution. In 1988, the ride's name was changed once more to simply Revolution. In June 2002, a Coaster Landmark plaque awarded by American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) was placed near the line queue in front of the ride. The award was presented in recognition of its accomplishment as the world's first modern vertical-looping roller coaster. In 2005, parts of Revolution had to be dismantled to make way for the park's new Tatsu roller coaster that was being constructed. Revolution reopened with Tatsu on the new coaster's media day on May 11, 2006.
The New Revolution
On September 3, 2015, Six Flags announced that Revolution would be refurbished for the 2016 season marking the roller coaster's 40th anniversary. It will be renamed The New Revolution, and its track will be painted white and blue. The ride will receive new red, white, and blue trains with the lead cars of each train featuring a silver eagle ornament mounted on the front. The new trains will also be fitted with lap and calf bars. The elimination of the highly criticized, over-the-shoulder restraints is intended to provide a smoother, more comfortable ride experience with additional airtime.[5][6]
Six Flags announced on March 3, 2016, that The New Revolution would be among several rides at various parks that would receive a virtual reality (VR) upgrade. Riders will have the option to wear Samsung Gear VR headsets, powered by Oculus, to create a 360-degree, 3D experience while riding. The illusion is themed to a fighter jet, where riders fly through a futuristic city as co-pilots battling alien invaders. The feature will debut with the coaster when it emerges from refurbishment and reopens to season pass holders on March 26, 2016.[7][8][9] It reopened to the general public on April 21, 2016.[3]
Incidents
On June 12, 2015, a 10-year-old girl riding the roller coaster was found breathing but unconscious after returning to the station. She was rushed to a nearby hospital and died the following day. According to the local coroner's office, she died of natural causes unrelated to the ride. An autopsy wasn't performed to determine the exact cause, at the request of the girl's family.[10][11]
Pop culture
Revolution was prominently featured in the climax of the 1977 suspense thriller Rollercoaster. The 1978 cult film Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park features the rollercoaster throughout the movie. It was also featured in the film National Lampoon's Vacation. Dubbed the "Whipper Snapper," the Griswold family and kidnapped security guard Russ Lasky (John Candy) rode this coaster in the final scenes of the film. It was also featured in the episode "Phantom of the Roller Coaster" in season three of Wonder Woman. The coaster is also featured in the 1979 film Van Nuys Blvd.
References
- ↑ ACE Coaster Landmark Awards
- ↑ "Six Flags and Samsung Partner to Launch First Virtual Reality Roller Coasters in North America". www.cbs8.com. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
- 1 2 MacDonald, Brady (March 26, 2016). "Six Flags Magic Mountain turns aging coaster into virtual reality video game". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
- ↑ "Revolution Roller Coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain to Be Renovated After Farewell Run". Westsidetoday.com. September 3, 2015. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
- ↑ "The Revolution To Be Reborn As The New Revolution At Six Flags Magic Mountain". The Coaster Guy. September 3, 2015. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
- ↑ "Six Flags Magic Mountain announces 'Revolution' makeover at Valencia park". The Signal. September 3, 2015. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
- ↑ "Six Flags Magic Mountain Announces North America's First Virtual Reality Coaster". Six Flags. March 3, 2016. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
- ↑ Boxall, Andy (March 3, 2016). "Six Flags launches a virtual reality roller coaster". Digital Trends. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
- ↑ Martin, Hugo (March 3, 2016). "Six Flags Magic Mountain to add virtual reality to a coaster". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
- ↑ Rocha, Veronica (June 15, 2015). "10-year-old girl dies after riding Revolution roller coaster at Magic Mountain". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
- ↑ Soley-Cerro, Ashley (June 16, 2015). "Girl, 10, Died of Natural Causes After Riding Magic Mountain Roller Coaster: Coroner's Office". KTLA 5. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
External links
- Revolution at the official Six Flags Magic Mountain website
- Revolution at the Roller Coaster Database (rcdb.com)
- Photos and technical data of the Revolution at the Schwarzkopf Coaster Net
| Preceded by Montaña Rusa |
World's Tallest Roller Coaster 1976 - 1977 |
Succeeded by King Kobra (tied with Greased Lightnin' and White Lightnin') |
| Preceded by Montaña Rusa |
World's Tallest Complete Circuit Roller Coaster 1976 - 1978 |
Succeeded by Shock Wave |