Firebird (roller coaster) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Firebird |
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| Previously known as Iron Wolf (1990–2011) Apocalypse (2012–2018) |
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| Six Flags America | |
| Park section | Chesapeake |
| Coordinates | 38°54′30″N 76°46′26″W / 38.90833°N 76.77389°W |
| Status | Operating |
| Opening date | June 7, 2012 |
| Replaced | Skull Mountain |
| Six Flags Great America | |
| Name | Iron Wolf |
| Park section | County Fair |
| Coordinates | 42°21′58″N 87°55′52″W / 42.36611°N 87.93111°W |
| Status | Relocated |
| Opening date | April 28, 1990 |
| Closing date | September 5, 2011 |
| Replaced | Z-Force |
| Replaced by | Goliath |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Steel – Floorless Coaster |
| Manufacturer | Bolliger & Mabillard |
| Designer | Werner Stengel |
| Model | Floorless |
| Track layout | Twister |
| Lift/launch system | Chain lift hill |
| Height | 100 ft (30 m) |
| Drop | 90 ft (27 m) |
| Length | 2,900 ft (880 m) |
| Speed | 55 mph (89 km/h) |
| Inversions | 2 |
| Duration | 2:00 |
| Capacity | 1220 riders per hour |
| Height restriction | 54–76 in (137–193 cm) |
| Trains | 2 trains with 6 cars. Riders are arranged 4 across in a single row for a total of 24 riders per train. |
 Flash Pass Available |
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| Firebird at RCDB | |
Firebird is a super cool floorless roller coaster found at Six Flags America in Prince George's County, Maryland. This awesome ride first opened way back in 1990. Back then, it was a stand-up roller coaster called Iron Wolf at Six Flags Great America.
Later, in 2012, the roller coaster moved to Six Flags America. It got a new name, Apocalypse, and thrilled riders until 2018. Then, it changed again to become the floorless Firebird you can ride today!
Firebird was the very first roller coaster ever built by a famous Swiss company called Bolliger & Mabillard. When it was known as Iron Wolf, it was briefly the tallest and fastest stand-up roller coaster in the world. It reached a height of 100 feet and a speed of 55 miles per hour!
Contents
History of the Firebird Roller Coaster
Iron Wolf: Six Flags Great America (1990–2011)
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On April 28, 1990, the roller coaster opened as Iron Wolf at Six Flags Great America. When it first debuted, it was the tallest and fastest stand-up roller coaster in the world. However, other coasters soon broke its records.
In 1994, Iron Wolf even appeared in the movie Richie Rich. It was shown as Richie's very own backyard roller coaster!
After 21 years of exciting rides, Six Flags Great America announced that Iron Wolf would close. Its last day of operation was September 5, 2011. The spot where Iron Wolf stood was later used for a new wooden roller coaster called Goliath.
Apocalypse and Firebird: Six Flags America (2012–present)
Apocalypse (2012–2018)
On August 22, 2011, Six Flags America announced they would be getting a new attraction in 2012. They slowly revealed clues until September 1, 2011, when they officially announced the new ride: Apocalypse!
Iron Wolf closed on September 5, 2011, and was taken apart to be moved. Before the coaster could be built, another ride at Six Flags America, Skull Mountain, had to be taken down to make space. Construction for Apocalypse finished in March 2012.
The ride was supposed to open on May 25, 2012. But the date was later changed, and Apocalypse officially opened on June 7, 2012.
Firebird (2019–present)
On August 16, 2018, the park shared that Apocalypse would close on September 8, 2018. But instead of being removed, it was announced on August 30, 2018, that Apocalypse would be changed! It would become a floorless coaster and be renamed Firebird for the 2019 season.
Firebird is the third stand-up coaster from Bolliger & Mabillard to be turned into a floorless ride. The other two were Rougarou (formerly Mantis) at Cedar Point and Patriot (formerly Vortex) at California's Great America.
Firebird opened on May 3, 2019, for special Six Flags members. It then opened to everyone on May 17. The old Apocalypse train was given to the National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives.
Firebird Ride Experience
When you get on Firebird, your train leaves the station and makes a U-turn. Then, it starts climbing the chain lift hill, which is 100 feet tall!
Once at the top, the train goes through a small dip before a sharp left turn. This leads into the first big drop. After the drop, you immediately go through the first of two upside-down parts, a vertical loop.
The train then twists and turns, going up and down. Next, you go through an upward spiral. After that, the train makes a downward S-bend into the second and final upside-down part, a corkscrew. The ride finishes with more turns and a small banked turn before reaching the brake run. One ride on Firebird lasts about 2 minutes, and you'll reach a top speed of 55 miles per hour!
Trains
Firebird uses two floorless trains. Each train has six rows, and four riders can sit in each row. This means 24 people can ride on one train at a time.
When the roller coaster was Iron Wolf, the trains had a wolf's face on the front. After it moved to Six Flags America, the wolf was removed. The word "Apocalypse" was put on the front instead.
Track Design
The steel track is about 2,900 feet long. The lift hill is about 100 feet tall, and the first drop is 90 feet. The main part of the track is painted orange, and the rails are red. The supports that hold up the track are dark gray.
When the coaster was Iron Wolf at Six Flags Great America, its track was brown.
Theme
From 1990 to 2011, when the ride was Iron Wolf, it didn't have a specific theme.
When it moved to Six Flags America and became Apocalypse, it got an end of the world theme. There were cool fire effects, crashed planes, and even zombies in the line! As you walked through the line, it felt like you were in an apocalypse movie. A big skull from the old Skull Mountain ride also became part of the background.
Now that it's Firebird, most of the old Apocalypse theme has been removed. But the awesome fire effect is still there!
Images for kids
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Iron Wolf train inside a vertical loop
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Fire effects on Apocalypse
