Superman – Ride of Steel facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Superman – Ride of Steel
Superman - Ride of Steel's final airtime hill
Six Flags America
Park section	Gotham City
Coordinates	38°54′31″N 76°46′38″W / 38.9085°N 76.7771°W / 38.9085; -76.7771
Status	Operating
Opening date	May 13, 2000 (2000-05-13)
Cost	$12,000,000 USD
Six Flags Darien Lake
Coordinates	42°55′44″N 78°23′22″W / 42.9288°N 78.3894°W / 42.9288; -78.3894
Status	Operating
Opening date	May 15, 1999 (1999-05-15)
General statistics
Type	Steel
Manufacturer	Intamin
Designer	Werner Stengel
Model	Mega Coaster
Lift/launch system	Chain lift hill
Height	208 ft (63 m)
Drop	205 ft (62 m)
Length	5,400 ft (1,600 m)
Speed	73 mph (117 km/h)
Inversions	0
Duration	2:02
Max vertical angle	68°
Capacity	1100 riders per hour
Height restriction	54–76 in (137–193 cm)
Trains	2 trains with 8 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 32 riders per train.
Flash Pass Available at Six Flags America
Superman – Ride of Steel at RCDB

The Superman – Ride of Steel is an exciting steel roller coaster found at Six Flags America in Woodmore, Maryland. There's also a very similar roller coaster called Ride of Steel at Six Flags Darien Lake in Darien, New York. It used to be called 'Superman' too, but the park changed its name in 2006.

Both of these huge roller coasters, known as hypercoasters, were built by a company called Intamin. The one at Darien Lake opened first in May 1999, and the one at Six Flags America opened a year later. They are both 208 feet (63 m) (about 63 meters) tall. Riders drop 205 feet (62 m) (about 62 meters) and reach a top speed of 73 mph (117 km/h) (about 117 kilometers per hour)! Another roller coaster, Superman the Ride at Six Flags New England, shares the same name but has a different track design.

Virtual Reality Adventure

On March 3, 2016, Six Flags announced something really cool for this ride. They added a special virtual reality (VR) system! Riders can choose to wear a Samsung Gear VR headset. This headset, powered by Oculus, creates an amazing 360-degree, 3D world while you ride.

The VR experience puts you right into a Superman adventure. You help Superman save a city from Lex Luthor's "Lex Bots." These robots are causing trouble with a special anti-gravity ray. This same VR adventure was also added to the Superman: Krypton Coaster at Six Flags Fiesta Texas and Superman: The Ride at Six Flags New England.

What the Ride is Like

When your train leaves the station, it makes a big, winding turn. Then, it starts climbing up the tall lift hill, reaching a height of 208 feet (63 m) (about 63 meters). Get ready for the drop! You plunge down 205 feet (62 m) (about 62 meters) at a steep angle of 68 degrees.

The train quickly reaches its fastest speed of 73 mph (117 km/h) (about 117 kilometers per hour). After that, you'll go through a sharp turn and feel the thrill of the first "airtime hill." An airtime hill is where you feel like you're floating out of your seat for a moment! Next, there's a 540-degree helix, which is a big, twisting turn, followed by another smaller airtime hill. The ride finishes with a 500-degree helix and a few more airtime hills before the brakes slow you down and bring you back to the station.

Ride Features

• 5 Airtime Hills: These are hills that give you a feeling of weightlessness. Four are regular hills, and one is a twisted airtime hill.
• 2 Helixes: These are large, spiraling turns. One is a 540-degree turn, and the other is a 500-degree turn.

Roller Coaster Rankings

Over the years, the Superman – Ride of Steel at Six Flags America has often been ranked among the top steel roller coasters in the world. For example, in 2004, it was ranked as the 12th best steel roller coaster. Even in recent years, it continues to be listed among the best rides by roller coaster fans.

Images for kids

• 

  The station of Ride of Steel at Darien Lake

• 

  Superman's lift and first drop

• 

  Superman's first airtime hill

• 

  The version of (Superman) Ride of Steel at Darien Lake