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Cedar Point to open world's largest and highest
Wing Coaster in 2013 : GateKeeper
Update : 05/02/13 - 16h22Published by François Mayné the 18 August 2012, New.
Cedar Point, the largest seasonal amusement park of Cedar Fair group located in Sandusky, Ohio, announced a few days ago it would invest for the 2013 season almost $30 million (about €24.5 million) for various developments including what will be its sixteenth roller coaster: GateKeeper!
Already recognized for its innovative roller coasters, Cedar Point has chosen once again to distinguish itself from its competitors by building the world's longest and highest Wing Coaster. The project was entrusted to the Swiss manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard for whom it will be the third model in the United States after Wild Eagle (Dollywood) and X-Flight (Six Flags Great America). The Wing Coaster is characterized by its trains consisting of two "wings" located outside of the rail and on which passengers are seated with their feet in the air. A configuration that allows riders to have the feeling of flying.
The layout of GateKeeper is 1,270 meters long (4,164 feet) and 52 meters high (170 feet). Custom designed for the park, it will consist of six inversions - Wing Over Drop (reversed first drop), Immelmann, Giant Flat Spin, Zero-G-Roll, Inclined Dive Loop and In-Line- Roll - and of several special elements including a 32-meters tall (120-feet) camelback and a 360° spiral. The maximum train speed down the first drop will reach 108 kph (67 mph) and the ride will last about 2 minutes and 40 seconds.
The track has also been designed to feature a unique visual element for both riders and visitors : a double pass over the entrance area including the Zero-G-Roll that will cross two concrete arches above the turnstiles. Enough to give maximum thrills to riders and create a visual impact for guests entering the park.
GateKeeper will be supplied with three trains of 32 people (8 coaches of 4 fiberglass seats equipped with over-the-shoulder restraints and interlocking seat belts) for a theoretical hourly capacity of 1,710 riders. Each coach will be decorated with a golden bird, a symbol also represented on the coaster's logo.
“GateKeeper’s world-record-breaking statistics, incredible flying maneuvers and special elements make it a unique coaster experience,” stated Cedar Point General Manager and Vice-President John Hildebrandt. “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.”
To make room for GateKeeper, Cedar Point has closed in late July another rollercoaster: Disaster Transport. This Bobsled coaster manufactured by Intamin was inaugurated in 1985 under the name Avalanche before the track be completely covered in 1990. The panoramic observation tower "Space Spiral" (opened in 1965) will also close in a few weeks. The construction work of the entire project - that will represent almost 1.4 hectare / 3.5 acres - will begin very soon for a planned opening in May 2013.
With over 3.1 million visitors in 2011, Cedar Point is one of the seasonal amusement parks most visited in the United States. It is also considered by the readers of Amusement Today as the world's best amusement park since 1998.
Having a real culture of roller coasters, Cedar Point has detained for several times the world's largest number of these types of rides in a media battle that pitted him against rival Six Flags Magic Mountain located thousands of miles from there. "Roller coasters define what we really are at Cedar Point, they are our DNA," said John Hilderbrandt. "Our collection of coasters is certainly the reason why we are considered the best amusement park in the world for 14 years!".
A blog and a webcam have been set up to allow guests to follow the construction site.
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