Cedar Point has announced plans for the GateKeeper, a record breaking new winged roller coaster for May 2013.
The GateKeeper, manufacturer by Bolliger & Mabillard, Monthey, Switzerland, will be the longest winged roller coaster in the world and also have the longest drop of any winged coaster.
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Cedar Point General Manager, John Hildebrandt, says, "GateKeeper's world-record-breaking statistics, incredible flying maneuvers and special elements make it a unique coaster experience. GateKeeper is a roller coaster only Cedar Point can build and we are proud to add it to our incredible lineup of world-class attractions."
The GateKeeper’s track is set to fly above the main entrance to the theme park. Riders will fly above guests arriving at the park with rolling flyover manoeuvres, passing through new narrow front gate portals and flying close to buildings, in Sunset Gold trains with coaches extending out from the track to simulate the feeling of flight.
GateKeeper Statistics:
- Record Breaking Ride length: 4,164 feet of dark and light blue steel tubular track
- Ride duration: 2 minutes and 40 seconds
- Record Breaking Drop: 164 feet
- Three 32-passenger trains
- Approximately 1,710 riders per hour
- Riders will be secured with over-the-shoulder restraints and interlocking seat belts.
- Improvements to Cedar Point for the 2013 season total around $30 million including the addition of GateKeeper and the redesign to the park's main entrance
- The GateKeeper is Cedar Point’s 16th roller coaster
Detailed Ride Description:
At the top of the 170-foot-tall lift hill, the winged roller coaster will rotate 180 degrees to the right, flipping riders upside down before racing a record 164 feet down towards the ground at a speed of up to 67 mph. The train then makes a half loop, goes through a half twist and curves out in the opposite direction from which it came. A 105 foot camelback hill is next followed by a glide through a 360-degree giant flat spin. Riders then fly through the middle section of two support towers at the new Main Entrance. The coaster will then make a tight, 180-degree turn pushing riders through an overbanked turn and rocketing them back towards the station. A 360-degree in-line roll, camelback drop and spiral finish the ride.