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When Cedar Point was in need
of another attraction to keep them ahead in the coaster race, they
called upon Intamin of Switzerland, the creators of Millennium
Force, to design Wicked Twister.
Wicked Twister is the world's
first double twisting Impulse Coaster; the heartlines of both ends
of the towers are designed with 450-degree vertical twists.
But that is not the only trait that sets the ride apart from the
rest � at 215-feet tall, Wicked Twister is the world�s tallest
Impulse Coaster.
This unique launched roller
coaster uses LIMs (Linear Induction Motors) to propel riders up to
its maximum speed of 72 mph. Wicked
Twister features a fairly uncommon color scheme; it carries teal
supports with sunburst yellow track.
The trains have a dark blue frame, magenta seats and wheel
covers, and yellow shoulder restraints.
Outside
of the entrance, Cedar Point offers a fairly simple line management
system; you walk up to the booth and there is a listed time to
return. Your hand is
then stamped with the return time. The only con I found in this
system was that the ink quickly flushes from your hand due to the
high humidity and temperature. But Wicked Twister does not have the huge lines found on some
of the park�s other coasters, such as Millennium Force and Mantis.
On the days I went, wait times were relatively short.
............
Once the air-gates open, you
climb into the heavily elevated seats. People barely meeting the
height requirement will have a very tough time climbing into the
seats, and may require assistance.
The ride is equipped with over the shoulder restraints and
seat belts. Unlike most
Bolliger & Mabillard Inverted Coaster where the seat belt is
located between your legs, Wicked Twister�s seat belts are located
to the side.
Once
your restraint and seat belt are checked, the ride operators clear
for dispatch, and you are quickly launched from 0 to 50 mph.
The train then climbs the first twisted tower, which is very
disorienting. From
here, riders plummet back through the station, accelerating to 63mph
and heading towards the rear twisted tower.
The
rear tower is a lot more disorienting than the first, as you are
twisting in reverse. From
the top of the tower, the train falls forward and heads back through
the station and is propelled forward at 69 mph.
This time around, you travel much further up the front
spiral, nearly reaching the top.
You then blast backwards through the station once again and
accelerate to the ride�s maximum speed of 72 mph.
There are very high positive Gs as you climb the rear spiral.
But on the contrary, as you are twisting backwards, a massive
amount of airtime is offered.
Coming
back down the tower, you travel through the station once again and
hit the front spiral at 63 mph.
From this point, you come back down the tower, the brakes
kick in, and you slowly head back into the station.
............
Wicked Twister offers a very
unique and thrilling experience and has easily made its way into my
�top ten coasters� list. The
ride is a lot different than the �standard� Impulse Coasters; it�s
amazing how much of a difference the added height, speed, and
twisting rear tower make. If
you are planning on visiting Cedar Point in the future, you have
another great coaster to look forward to.
Rating:
8/10
Pros:
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Very
disorienting
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Airtime/Hangtime
-
Intense
-
Fast
dispatch times
Cons:
-Adam
Black
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