Cobra roll facts for kids

The cobra roll in The Incredible Hulk roller coaster at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure.

A cobra roll is a cool part of a roller coaster track. It's designed to make riders go upside down twice, which is called a "double-inversion." This exciting element gets its name because it looks a lot like a cobra snake ready to strike!

What is a Cobra Roll?

A cobra roll is a special type of loop that flips you upside down twice. Imagine two half-loops that face the same way. These half-loops are connected by two half-corkscrews. Each corkscrew twists in a different direction.

How a Cobra Roll Works

When your roller coaster train enters a cobra roll, it starts low to the ground.

• First, the train goes through the first half of a vertical loop.
• Then, it twists sideways into a half-corkscrew. This completes the first time you go upside down!
• Right after that, the train twists in the opposite direction with another half-corkscrew.
• Finally, it finishes the second half of the vertical loop. This completes the second inversion.

After all that twisting and turning, you'll exit the cobra roll going in the exact opposite direction from where you started. It's a quick and thrilling ride!

Images for kids

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  Diagram of a tester hill

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  The tunnel entrance of 'Oblivion' at Alton Towers Resort

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  Consecutive camelbacks on Grand National

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  Jack Rabbit's double dip

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  Behemoth's hammerhead turn

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  Icon's Junior Immelman

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  Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit's non-inverting loop

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  Top Thrill Dragster top hat at Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio

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  Batwing on Afterburn (2008)

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  Cobra roll on Alpengeist (2007)

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  Corkscrew element on Corkscrew (2008)

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  Dive loop on Dragon Khan

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  Immelmann inversion on Afterburn (2007)

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  Inclined dive loop on GateKeeper (2013)

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  Inclined loop on Chang (2007)

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  In-line twist on Furius Baco (2018)

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  Pretzel knot on Banshee (2014)

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  A "roll over" inversion on Infusion (2018)

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  Interlocking loops on Loch Ness Monster (1978)

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  Griffon Splashdown element

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  Speed Monster (2006), at Tusenfryd of Norway, prominently features a launch track.

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  Speed Monster's Norwegian loop

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  Pretzel loop on Tatsu (2006)

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  Twisted horseshoe roll on Maverick (2007)

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  Zero-g roll on The Incredible Hulk (1999)