Cedar Point, the self-proclaimed Roller Coaster Capital of the World, has been working on a new coaster for 2007. The park has a track record of erecting jaw-dropping, record breakers. It's been home to the speed and height world record holders four times. In 1989 with Magnum XL-200, in 1991 with Mean Streak, in 2000 with Millennium Force, and again in 2003 with Top Thrill Dragster, the park has boasted the king of steel or wooden coasters. It's safe to say that Cedar Point has been pushing the envelope in coaster design for years.
Throngs of coaster enthusiasts have been salivating as construction photos started showing up on the Internet. Cedar Point has kept all of the details under wraps until today. This morning Cedar Point released the details of its 17th coaster. Maverick will be a steel launch coaster with speeds of 70 mph, three inversions (loops), and a drop at a staggering 95 degrees.
Not a Record Breaker
I will go ahead and state the obvious. Maverick will not be a record breaker. Earlier this year, Cedar Point's blog On Point hinted that the park may not build another height monster for its next coaster. In my opinion, this is a smart move. Is going 500 feet into the air really that much more thrilling than going up 400 feet as Top Thrill Dragster already does? I'm sure Cedar Point will return to the coaster arms race at a later date as that seems to be the park's bread and butter. For now though, it is nice to see them switching it up.
A Neo Mine Train Coaster
Maverick will be located in the Frontier section next to Mean Streak. From looking at the ride animation, the layout will be interesting with lots of theming and faux rock terrain. Via linear synchronous motors riders will be launched up an incline and immediately sent down a 100 foot drop. 100 foot drops are a dime a dozen these days, but this one is at 95 degrees. I still doubt seasoned veterans like me will be blown away by the drop, but at least they're trying something different. I'm more interested in the 4,450 foot long course that will twist and turn through the rocky terrain while staying low to the ground. Maverick will also feature eight airtime hills and three inversions. One of the inversions will be a one-of-a-kind twisted horseshoe roll. At one point the train will slow to only 5 mph before riders will be launched to 70 mph through a 400-foot tunnel. That sounds cool, but with two launch sections, I have to think that this coaster will have some down time.
Article comments
1 - Matthew T. Sussman
About damn time they mention something. Last month I was curious and looked up if Cedar Point was going to have any new rides next year. And nothing. Nothin'. Well, they had pictures of a few of the parts, so I could tell you what color it was going to be, but that's it.
Having said that, I haven't been to CP in over 5 years (burned out -- you'll have that living two hours away from it) but it's interesting to see which envelope coaster visionaries decide to push each year.
2 - The Coaster Critic
According to the Maverick FAQ, Cedar Point has known what they were going to build since July of last year! Parks like to keep things secret until they can make a big official announcement. It is annoying though when you can see that something is being built and no one knows the details.
I understand the burn out effect you have for CP. I grew up about an hour from Kings Dominion. As much as I love coasters, I've taken a few years off from that park. I think I'll return in '07. Cedar Fair bought the Paramount parks and I'm interested in seeing what they'll do with my old home park.