Raptor (Cedar Point) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Raptor
Raptor as viewed from the Sky Ride
Cedar Point
Location	Cedar Point
Coordinates	41°28′44.50″N 82°40′54.50″W / 41.4790278°N 82.6818056°W / 41.4790278; -82.6818056
Status	Operating
Soft opening date	May 6, 1994
Opening date	May 7, 1994
Cost	$11,500,000 - $12,000,000
Replaced	Mill Race
General statistics
Type	Steel – Inverted
Manufacturer	Bolliger & Mabillard
Designer	Werner Stengel
Model	Inverted Coaster - Raptor
Lift/launch system	Chain lift hill
Height	137 ft (42 m)
Drop	119 ft (36 m)
Length	3,790 ft (1,160 m)
Speed	57 mph (92 km/h)
Inversions	6
Duration	2:16
Max vertical angle	45°
Capacity	1,600 riders per hour
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.
Fast Lane available
Raptor at RCDB

Raptor is an exciting steel inverted roller coaster at Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio. It was designed by a company called Bolliger & Mabillard. When it opened in 1994, Raptor set many new records for roller coasters.

Unlike some smaller rides, Raptor has a very long track, stretching 3,790 feet (1,160 meters). This made it the tallest, fastest, and longest inverted roller coaster in the world when it first opened. It also has six inversions, which means it turns riders upside down six times! One of these inversions, the cobra roll, was a brand new feature for inverted roller coasters. The ride is named and themed like a bird of prey, which is a type of hunting bird.

History of Raptor

On August 19, 1993, the company that owns Cedar Point, Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, registered the name "Raptor." The new roller coaster was officially announced to the public on September 1, 1993.

Cedar Point leaders said that Raptor would be their most exciting and ambitious project ever. They believed it would change the park like nothing before it.

Construction began after the 1993 park season ended. First, they cleared the area where an old water ride called Mill Race used to be. In October, the Midway Carousel and Calypso rides were moved to other parts of the park. This made more space for Raptor.

Workers also started pouring the concrete foundations for the ride's supports in October. By December, the highest point of the lift hill was finished. Track construction continued through January 1994. The first ride trains were tested about two months later in March.

In March, the final preparations were made. This included building the entrance area and replacing a large section of the park's walking paths. A special media day was held on May 6, 1994, for news reporters. The very next day, May 7, the ride opened to the public for the first time.

When it first opened, Raptor had dark green supports, bright green track, and unpainted rails. It was repainted in 2002, and the rails were then painted dark green to match the supports. The ride was painted again before the 2016 season, returning to its original colors.

Riding Raptor: The Experience

Raptor is located at the front of Cedar Point park, covering about three acres (1.2 hectares). The ride path goes over the walkway leading to another roller coaster called Blue Streak. It also passes by the Cadillac Cars and Cedar Downs Racing Derby rides.

Raptor's Track Layout

The ride starts with a left turn out of the station. Then, the train begins to climb the lift hill, which is 137 feet (42 meters) tall. A strong 9,000-pound (40 kN) chain pulls the train to the top.

At the very top, the train dips slightly into a "pre-drop" section. It then turns 90 degrees to the left before dropping 119 feet (36 meters) down the first big hill. From the bottom of this drop, the train immediately goes into a 100-foot (30-meter) vertical loop.

Next, the train enters a zero-g roll, which makes riders feel weightless for a moment. This is followed by the exciting cobra roll, which turns riders upside down twice. The cobra roll was a new feature for inverted roller coasters when Raptor opened.

After the cobra roll, the train spirals upwards and enters the mid-course brake run. This section slows the train down a bit. Then, the train dives down to the right into a short straight section of track.

Riders then go through the first of two corkscrews. This element spins the train 360 degrees to the left. The track straightens briefly before turning right and dipping down. Then, riders enter the second corkscrew.

The ride finishes with a 1.5-revolution flat helix. Here, riders feel strong positive G-forces as they go around a tight curve. Finally, the train makes one last left turn into the final brake run, where it comes to a stop. One complete ride on Raptor lasts about 2 minutes and 16 seconds.

Raptor's Track Details

The steel track for Raptor is about 3,790 feet (1,155 meters) long. The lift hill is about 137 feet (42 meters) high, and the first drop is 119 feet (36 meters). When the coaster first opened, it used 1,500 gallons of paint!

Most of the 117 sections of track were made by Clermont Steel Fabricators in Batavia, Ohio. Raptor was repainted in 2002, with the rails matching the dark green supports. It was repainted again in 2016, returning to its original colors.

Raptor's Ride Trains

Raptor uses three trains, made from steel and fiberglass. Each train has eight cars. In each car, there are four seats in a single row. This means a total of 32 riders can be on one train.

Riders sit in "ski lift-like" seats. They are held safely in place by an over-the-shoulder restraint and a locking belt. The trains were built in Switzerland at Bolliger & Mabillard's main office.

How Raptor Operates

Raptor is a tall and fast ride, so it can be affected by bad weather. Things like rain, strong winds, or lightning might cause the ride to close. The ride will close if there are high winds or any type of rain.

There is no minimum age to ride Raptor. However, riders must be at least 54 inches (1.37 meters) tall. Also, some people might not be able to ride if the seat and safety harness cannot close properly.

Riders are not allowed to bring any loose items onto the train. This includes hats, phones, or bags. Everyone must wear shirts and shoes. Headphones also need to be removed before getting on the ride.

The park advises that people with certain health conditions should not ride Raptor. This includes those who have had recent surgery, heart problems, high blood pressure, or neck/back trouble. Pregnant individuals should also not ride.

Raptor's Awards

Raptor was one of the very first inverted roller coasters ever built. It is still considered one of the top steel roller coasters in the world. This is shown by its rankings in the Golden Ticket Awards.

The Golden Ticket Awards are given out each year to the best amusement park rides. Raptor has consistently ranked high among steel roller coasters.

Images for kids

• 

  Raptor's cobra roll, a first for inverted coasters

• 

  View of Raptor from the Sky Ride

• 

  Raptor's lift hill and loop

See also

In Spanish: Raptor (montaña rusa) para niños