Demon (roller coaster) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Demon |
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| Previously known as Turn of the Century (1976–1979) | |
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Demon at Six Flags Great America
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| California's Great America | |
| Park section | County Fair |
| Coordinates | 37°23′40″N 121°58′27″W / 37.39444°N 121.97417°W |
| Status | Operating |
| Opening date | March 20, 1976 |
| at at RCDB | |
| Six Flags Great America | |
| Park section | County Fair |
| Coordinates | 42°22′00″N 87°56′06″W / 42.36667°N 87.93500°W |
| Status | Operating |
| Opening date | May 29, 1976 |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Steel |
| Manufacturer | Arrow Dynamics |
| Model | Custom Looping Coaster |
| Lift/launch system | Chain lift hill |
| Height | 102 ft (31 m) |
| Drop | 90 ft (27 m) |
| Length | 2,130 ft (650 m) |
| Speed | 50 mph (80 km/h) |
| Inversions | 4 |
| Duration | 1:45 |
| Max vertical angle | 54° |
| Capacity | 1300 riders per hour |
| Height restriction | 42 or 48 in (107 or 122 cm) |
| Trains | 3 trains with 6 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 24 riders per train. |
 Must transfer from wheelchair |
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Fast Lane available at California's Great America
The Demon is an exciting roller coaster with multiple loops. You can find it at two different theme parks: Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois and California's Great America in Santa Clara, California. Both of these coasters first opened in 1976. Back then, they were called Turn of the Century. They were owned by the Marriott company. After the 1979 season, the rides were changed a bit and given a new spooky theme. That's when they became known as Demon!
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How the Demon Coaster Began
The Turn of the Century roller coasters opened in 1976. They were part of Marriott's Great America parks. A company called Arrow Dynamics designed them. Both rides were painted blue. They were some of the first roller coasters to have a double corkscrew loop.
These rides also had two "airtime hills" after the first drop. Riders often lost hats or sunglasses on these hills! The coaster was specially built for both parks.
The Demon's Spooky Transformation
After the 1979 season, the Turn of the Century rides changed a lot. The airtime hills were removed. In their place, two vertical loops were added. A cool lighted tunnel was also put in.
Fake rock formations were built around the second loop. More rocks appeared near the start of the lift hill. Another rock formation was placed just before the corkscrews. The whole ride was painted black to match its new look. It was renamed Demon.
The theme became much darker and more exciting. Fog machines were added to the tunnels. Red water seemed to bleed from the rock formation near the corkscrews. A unique new logo was revealed. Even the trains got a makeover! A cool 3D logo was placed on the front car. Flames were painted on the sides of the cars. After these loops were added, Demon became the second roller coaster ever to have four inversions. The Carolina Cyclone opened just two months earlier.
The story behind the ride's new theme is quite fun. The park supposedly missed three payments on the coaster. So, a demon "repossessed" the ride!
Demon's Theming at Six Flags Great America
For a while in the 1980s, the Demon at both Great America parks had a Looney Tunes theme. It featured the Tasmanian Devil character.
Over time, some of the original spooky decorations were removed. These included a drain pipe on the sign and the 3D logos on the trains. Smoke effects, special lighting, and the ride's soundtrack also disappeared. The lighted tunnel after the loops also changed. The original effect made it look like a swirl around the train.
Fright Fest Fun
In 2005, for Six Flags Fright Fest, many of Demon's original spooky features returned! New decals, like the old logos, were put on the front of the trains. Fog filled the tunnels again. The "Demon Song" played in the waiting line. Red lights shone around the ride. Tiki torches were placed all around the ride area.
A new sign, made from an oil barrel with red lights and fog, was placed in front of the original sign. This was a recreation of an older look.
On opening day in 2006, the Demon song kept playing. The decals were still on the trains. Flames were still painted on the station building. Other special effects were only for Fright Fest.
In 2007, the Demon logos on the trains were updated. New airbrushed logos replaced the old decals. These new logos had meaner-looking demon eyes and flames. The yellow train even got fangs! In June 2007, the red train returned after a big update.
Also in June 2007, the Demon sign got new airbrush-painted flames on its letters. The flowers in front of the sign were arranged to look like flames. In July 2007, all the signs in the waiting line were repainted. They looked more like the ride's theme. New fences were built around the Demon sign. This stopped young guests from climbing on it.
In 2008, all the theming from the previous year's Fright Fest returned. Fog was put in every tunnel and in the waiting line. However, grey paint replaced the flames on the outside of the operator's booth. After Memorial Day 2010, Demon's black train was put back on the track. It had airbrushed flames on the front car, but no red stripe.
For a 2010 advertising deal, the red train was covered in Stride Gum ads. This "Stride Train" stayed for most of 2011. The ads were removed in late August. In 2011, the yellow train's logo was redesigned to look more like the original.
How Demon Operates Today
Both Demon roller coasters are still running today. They might not be as popular as they once were. Demon usually runs with two or three trains. This depends on how many people are at the park.
The Demon at Six Flags Great America is very similar to its twin at California's Great America. However, the California version does not have rocks around the second loop. It also lacks lights in the second tunnel. But it still has the waterfall by the corkscrews, though the water is not red. The Illinois version still has the rock formations and lights in the second tunnel.
The California version has a height rule of 48 inches (122 cm). The Illinois version has a height rule of 42 inches (107 cm).
Images for kids
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Demon's black train.
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