Maverick (roller coaster) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Maverick
Maverick's 105-foot, 95 degree drop and turnaround in the former Swan Boat pond
Cedar Point
Location	Cedar Point
Park section	Frontiertown
Coordinates	41°29′6.73″N 82°41′33.13″W / 41.4852028°N 82.6925361°W / 41.4852028; -82.6925361
Status	Operating
Opening date	May 26, 2007
Cost	US$21,000,000
Replaced	White Water Landing Swan Boats
General statistics
Type	Steel – Launched
Manufacturer	Intamin
Designer	Werner Stengel
Model	Blitz Coaster
Lift/launch system	Two LSM-launches Launch - 0-70 in 3 seconds
Height	105 ft (32 m)
Drop	100 ft (30 m)
Length	4,450 ft (1,360 m)
Speed	70 mph (110 km/h)
Inversions	2
Duration	2:30
Max vertical angle	95°
Capacity	1,200 riders per hour
Height restriction	52–78 in (132–198 cm)
Trains	6 trains with 3 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 12 riders per train.
Fast Lane Plus only available
Maverick at RCDB

Maverick is a super cool steel roller coaster at Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio. It was built by a company called Intamin and cost about $21 million. This ride was the 500th roller coaster designed by a famous German engineer named Werner Stengel.

Maverick is special because it was the first roller coaster to have a "twisted horseshoe roll." It also has two launch points that use powerful magnets called linear synchronous motors (LSM). These launches help the ride go super fast! The track is about 4,450 feet long. Maverick has a drop that's steeper than straight down, at 95 degrees, and it can reach a top speed of 70 miles per hour.

The ride was supposed to open on May 12, 2007. But during testing, a part of the track called a "heartline roll" was too intense. It put too much stress on the trains and might have been uncomfortable for riders. So, they replaced it with a different section. Maverick finally opened to the public on May 26, 2007. Its slogan was "The Old West Was Never This Wild."

History of Maverick

Maverick was built where two older rides used to be: White Water Landing and the Swan Boats. White Water Landing closed on October 31, 2005. Soon after, construction for Maverick began.

Building the Ride

Maverick's footings dot the former Swan Boat pond. Photo taken May 13, 2006

Even though White Water Landing was taken apart, its old station was kept. It's now used for Maverick's photo booth and the line where people wait. In February 2006, workers started pouring concrete foundations for the new ride. These foundations were placed where White Water Landing used to be and in the pond where the Swan Boats floated.

In May 2006, the first pieces of the track arrived. They were kept in a fenced area near a hotel. Cedar Point tried to hide them with blue tarps at first! By July 16, 2006, the first steel supports for the ride were put up. The first track pieces were installed in August. On September 11, 2006, the highest point of the ride was added, which is called "topping off." All the track was in place by October 28, 2006. Testing of the ride began in January 2007.

Why the Opening Was Delayed

Maverick was supposed to open on May 12, 2007. But just four days before, the park announced a delay. Three sections of the track after the second launch needed to be changed. These sections included the "heartline roll" element. It was found to be too strong and put too much stress on the trains. It also could have been too intense for riders.

On May 17, 2007, the heartline roll was removed. It was replaced with an "s-curve" section. This new part smoothly connects two turns. The s-curve was finished on May 24. After more testing and getting all the approvals, Cedar Point announced that Maverick would open on May 26.

Your Ride on Maverick

Maverick uses two trains at a time. One train launches while the other waits to load. Once the first train enters a tunnel, the second train gets launched.

The Exciting Layout

Maverick train and first airtime hill

Your adventure begins with a powerful LSM launch up a 105-foot hill. This hill is angled at 20 degrees. At the top, the train drops 100 feet at a super steep 95-degree angle! You'll reach speeds of 57 miles per hour.

Next, you'll zoom through a series of fast turns. First, a turn to the right, then a turn to the left through a canyon, and another turn to the right. You'll then go over a 74-foot "airtime hill," which gives you a feeling of floating. After that, you'll enter the "Twisted Horseshoe Roll." This part has two 360-degree corkscrew rolls, one right after the other, with a banked curve in between.

The train then turns right into a tunnel. Inside the tunnel, you'll get a second launch, speeding up to 70 miles per hour! The tunnel has cool blue LED lights. After the tunnel, you go up a hill with brakes, then through a high-banked curve. You'll then enter a canyon with an S-curve. Watch out for water bombs that shoot off as you enter!

The ride continues with an overbanked turn at 92 degrees, passing under the first hill. Then another overbanked turn and another airtime hill. Finally, the train turns right into the brakes. One full ride on Maverick lasts about 2 minutes and 30 seconds.

Trains and Theme

Maverick train exiting the first canyon

Maverick has six trains, each with three cars. Each car seats twelve people. The trains look like they belong in the old West. They have names like Brett, Brass, Brent, and Iron. The seats are tiered, meaning they are slightly raised in the back for a better view.

To keep you safe, the trains have an over-the-shoulder harness and a seat belt. The loading area lets two trains load and unload at the same time. The ride area plays western music, adding to the Old West feel. There's even an elevator that looks like a silo, fitting the theme.

When Maverick first opened, riders had to be at least 48 inches tall. But in May 2007, the height rule changed to a minimum of 52 inches. In 2015, the ride got new, softer vest-style restraints, which are more comfortable.

How Maverick Operates

Maverick is a very fast ride, so it can be affected by bad weather. If it's raining or there's lightning, the ride might close for safety. It will close if there's any steady rain.

There's no age limit to ride Maverick, but you must be at least 52 inches tall and no taller than 78 inches. Also, if the seat and harness can't fit you safely, you might not be able to ride. You can't bring loose items like hats or phones on the ride. You must wear shirts and shoes. Headphones need to be taken off, and glasses should be secured with a strap.

It's important not to ride Maverick if you have certain health conditions. This includes if you've had recent surgery, have heart or blood pressure issues, or neck or back problems. Pregnant people should also not ride.

During the 2020 season, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cedar Point used "Access Passes." These were like timed boarding passes to help with social distancing.

Awards Maverick Has Won

Maverick has won several awards for being a great roller coaster:

• It won the "Golden Ticket Award for Best New Ride in 2007" from a magazine called Amusement Today.
• It also won "Best New Attraction in 2007" from NAPHA.

See also

In Spanish: Maverick (montaña rusa) para niños