Bizarro (roller coaster) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bizarro |
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Previously known as Medusa (1999-2008) | |
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Six Flags Great Adventure | |
Location | Six Flags Great Adventure |
Park section | Frontier Adventures |
Coordinates | 40°8′17.62″N 74°25′56.42″W / 40.1382278°N 74.4323389°W |
Status | Operating |
Opening date | April 2, 1999 May 23, 2009Re-theming |
Cost | USD15,000,000 |
General statistics | |
Type | Steel |
Manufacturer | Bolliger & Mabillard |
Designer | Werner Stengel |
Model | Floorless Coaster / Medusa |
Lift/launch system | Chain lift hill |
Height | 142 ft (43 m) |
Drop | 132 ft (40 m) |
Length | 3,985 ft (1,215 m) |
Speed | 61 mph (98 km/h) |
Inversions | 7 |
Duration | 2:20 |
Capacity | 1350 riders per hour |
G-force | 4 |
Height restriction | 54 in (137 cm) |
Trains | 3 trains with 8 cars. Riders are arranged 4 across in a single row for a total of 32 riders per train. |
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Bizarro at RCDB |
Bizarro is an exciting steel roller coaster located at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson Township, New Jersey. It was built by a company called Bolliger & Mabillard. When it first opened on April 2, 1999, it was known as Medusa. It was the very first "floorless" roller coaster in the world! In 2009, the ride got a cool new look and was renamed Bizarro.
Contents
History of Bizarro
From Medusa to Bizarro
Medusa was a big deal when it opened in 1999. It was part of a huge $42 million expansion at Six Flags Great Adventure. This expansion added three new roller coasters to the park. Medusa was special because it was the first roller coaster where riders' feet dangled freely, with no floor beneath them!
On October 23, 2008, Six Flags announced that Medusa would get a fresh new design for the 2009 season. On April 1, 2009, they shared all the details about its new name: Bizarro! The roller coaster's path stayed the same. However, it got a cool new theme based on Superman's evil clone, Bizarro.
The track was repainted a bright blue, and its supports became dark purple. Many special effects were added to the ride. These included rings shaped like Bizarro's "S" shield that the train zooms through. There were also awesome flame effects! The three trains even got on-board audio, playing sounds and music as you rode. Bizarro officially opened on May 23, 2009, just in time for Memorial Day weekend.
Riding Bizarro: The Experience
The Twists and Turns
When you get on Bizarro, the floor drops away, and the front bars open. Your feet are left dangling! The train then makes a left turn and starts climbing the 142-foot (43 m) tall chain lift hill. Once you reach the top, there's a small pre-drop before you plunge 132 feet (40 m) down to the left. This first drop is at a 55-degree angle!
You'll reach a top speed of 61 mph (98 km/h). As you speed along, you'll pass through several fog-filled Bizarro's "S" shields. Next, you'll zoom through a 114-foot (35 m) vertical loop. After that, you'll turn right into a 96-foot (29 m) diving loop. As you exit the diving loop, bursts of fire shoot out on both sides of the track!
The train then passes by the station and goes through a Zero G roll. This makes you feel weightless for a moment! After that, you'll experience a cobra roll. Then, the train slows down a bit on a mid-course brake run. This part is right next to the lift hill.
Like the first drop, the train drops to the left again. It then enters a 270-degree helix, which is a big spiral turn. Finally, you'll go through two Roller coaster elements#Interlocking corkscrews. These corkscrews twist around a mist that sprays water on riders. After a small dip, the train enters the final brake run and returns to the station. The floors come back up, and the bars close, so you can get off.
The Trains
Bizarro uses three trains made of steel and fiberglass. Each train has eight cars, and each car has four seats in a single row. When the ride was re-themed to Bizarro, two seats in the last row of each train were removed. This was done to add a computer and power for the on-board audio system. This meant each train could hold 30 riders instead of 32.
Each seat had speakers on both sides of the rider's head. These speakers played a mix of movie quotes throughout the ride. Sometimes, while waiting to enter the station, riders would hear Bizarro chanting his name and "Bizarro #1!" However, for the 2013 season, the on-board audio speakers and computer were removed. This brought the train's capacity back to 32 riders.
The Track
The steel track of Bizarro is about 3,985 feet (1,215 m) long. The lift hill, which pulls you to the top, is about 142 feet (43 m) high. The first big drop is 132 feet (40 m). The track is bright blue, and its supports are purple. When the ride first opened as Medusa, the track was painted a lime green color.