Skyscraper (roller coaster) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Skyscraper |
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Concept art of the Skyplex complex featuring Skyscraper
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| Skyplex | |
| Location | Skyplex |
| Coordinates | 28°27′01″N 81°28′14″W / 28.45017°N 81.47066°W |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Steel |
| Manufacturer | Intamin |
| Designer | US Thrill Rides |
| Model | Polercoaster |
| Track layout | Custom |
| Speed | 65 mph (105 km/h) |
| Inversions | 7 |
| Max vertical angle | 123° |
| Capacity | 1000 riders per hour |
| Trains | Several trains with a single car. Riders are arranged 4 across in 2 rows for a total of 8 riders per train. |
Skyscraper was a super-tall roller coaster that was planned for a fun entertainment center called Skyplex in Orlando, Florida. It was designed to be the first "Polercoaster," which means it would have wrapped around a tall observation tower. Imagine a roller coaster climbing up a giant skyscraper!
This amazing ride was going to be the tallest roller coaster in the world, standing over 500 feet high. It would also have had the steepest drop and the highest upside-down loop (inversion) of any coaster. Companies like US Thrill Rides and Intamin started designing it in 2012. Developers hoped to finish it by 2016. However, many delays happened, and the project was eventually cancelled in October 2022. The land where it was supposed to be built is now for sale.
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History of Skyscraper
In 2012, a company called Wallack Holdings chose the Polercoaster design for their new Skyplex entertainment complex. This complex was planned for Orlando, Florida. After getting the land needed, work began on both the roller coaster and Skyplex.
In May 2014, they started looking for people to invest money in the project. A website was made to help with this. News reports showed that the roller coaster would be on International Drive in Central Florida.
Announcing the Ride
Skyscraper was officially announced on June 5, 2014. Construction on the main Skyplex complex was expected to start in 2015. The ride was planned to open in 2016.
However, the design changed, and it took a long time to get all the necessary building permits. This caused many delays. The new plan was for construction to begin in mid-2017.
Delays and Changes
In late 2016, it was announced that virtual reality headsets would be added to Skyscraper. The expected opening date was then moved to 2019. By April 2017, parts of the roller coaster's track were already made by Intamin and put into storage. But building the complex was put on hold because the permits were not approved.
In January 2019, the budget for Skyplex was made smaller. The plan was to keep Skyscraper's original design but have fewer shops around the tower. The opening date for the complex was pushed back again to 2020. The rides were expected to open even later.
Project Cancellation
By June 2019, the website for the project was taken down. Reports in 2020 suggested that Universal Parks & Resorts had used legal ways to stop the project. The developers had not given any updates on social media for a long time.
In 2021, it was revealed that the project had lost its funding in early 2020. This happened when theme parks in Florida had to close because of the COVID-19 pandemic. On December 21, 2022, the companies behind the project faced financial difficulties. It was confirmed on October 17, 2022, that the Skyscraper project was officially cancelled.
Skyscraper's Design and Features
US Thrill Rides designed Skyscraper's steel track to be about 5,200 feet (1,585 meters) long. It was planned to have seven upside-down sections, called inversions. These included "zero-g rolls" where riders would feel weightless, and "raven turns" which are sharp turns that also flip riders.
Skyscraper would have used several small trains. Each train would have two rows, with four riders in each row. This means eight riders per train. The ride could have carried about 1,000 riders every hour. Each seat would have had a lap restraint, not over-the-shoulder harnesses. This was to make sure riders had a clear view.
Skyscraper would have been 114 feet (35 meters) taller than the previous world record holder, Kingda Ka. Kingda Ka opened in 2005 at Six Flags Great Adventure.
World Records Skyscraper Would Have Broken
If Skyscraper had been built, it would have broken several world records for roller coasters.
- Tallest Roller Coaster: Its structure would have been over 500 feet (152 meters) tall. This would have made it taller than Kingda Ka, which is 456 feet (139 meters) tall.
- Highest Inversion: Skyscraper was designed to have an inversion near the very top of the ride. This would have broken the record for the highest inversion, which was 170 feet (52 meters) tall on Cedar Point's GateKeeper.
- Steepest Drop: The first drop on Skyscraper would have been 123 degrees. This would have set a new record for the steepest drop. It would also have been the first roller coaster with two drops that went beyond vertical.
