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82-481: Millennium Force is a steel roller coaster located at Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio , United States. Manufactured by Intamin , it was the park's fourteenth roller coaster when it opened in 2000, dating back to the opening of Blue Streak in 1964. Upon completion, Millennium Force broke five world records and was the world's first giga coaster , a term coined by Intamin and Cedar Point to represent

164-410: A backbone of round HSS, which forms a triangle. The third type of track forms a square and is considered the strongest. It has two running rails with two backbone tubes. As both a high altitude and high velocity ride, Millennium Force is affected by unfavorable weather conditions such as rain, lightning or strong winds; under these conditions the ride is closed, but in light rain it can remain open. When

246-532: A basis, LaMarcus Adna Thompson began work on a gravity Switchback Railway that opened at Coney Island in Brooklyn , New York , in 1884. Passengers climbed to the top of a platform and rode a bench-like car down the 600-foot (183 m) track up to the top of another tower where the vehicle was switched to a return track and the passengers took the return trip. This track design was soon replaced with an oval complete circuit. In 1885, Phillip Hinkle introduced

328-443: A bracket came off the top of the ride and hit a woman in the head while she was waiting in line. The woman did not die, and she reached a settlement with Cedar Point amusement park in 2023. The ride was subsequently refurbished and modified, and it reopened in 2024 as Top Thrill 2 . Kingda Ka closed on November 10, 2024. Superman: Escape From Krypton , a 415-foot (126 m) coaster, opened in 1997 at Six Flags Magic Mountain . It

410-435: A complete circuit in which trains depart from and return to the same loading station . One variation, a shuttle roller coaster , reverses at some point throughout the course of the ride to traverse the same track backwards. The oldest roller coasters are believed to have originated from the so-called "Russian Mountains", specially constructed hills of ice located in the area that is now Saint Petersburg, Russia . Built in

492-604: A dozen imitators, but their popularity soon declined. However, during the Belle Epoque they returned to fashion. In 1887, Spanish entrepreneur Joseph Oller , co-founder of the Moulin Rouge music hall, constructed the Montagnes Russes de Belleville , "Russian Mountains of Belleville" with 656 feet (200 m) of track laid out in a double-eight, later enlarged to four figure-eight-shaped loops. In 1827,

574-478: A lagoon and down onto Adventure Island. It completes a 105-foot (32 m), 360-degree right-handed helix, followed by a left overbanked turn. This is followed by a small right-hand turn and another hill that leaves the island. The train then travels left through a second tunnel where the on-ride photo is taken, followed by a left turn and a small hill, passing by the queue. Finally, the train travels 68 feet (21 m) high through another right overbanked turn over

656-405: A lift hill, however. A train may also be set into motion by a launch mechanism such as a flywheel, linear induction motor (LIM), linear synchronous motor (LSM), hydraulic launch, or drive tire. Some launched roller coasters are capable of reaching greater speeds using less track when compared to traditional coasters that rely on a conventional lift hill. A brake run at the end of the circuit

738-402: A little carriage and one stands behind, for more there are in it the greater the swiftness with which it goes; it runs on castors and in grooves to keep it on its right direction, and it descends with a wonderful rapidity. Under the hill, is a machine worked by horses for drawing the carriages back again, with the company in them. Such a work as this would have been enormous in most countries for

820-474: A maximum speed of 93 mph (150 km/h) at the bottom of the hill. This is followed by a climb of 169 feet (52 m) through a right overbanked turn at 122 degrees from the horizontal axis, of which the train then travels through a tunnel as it passes over the Frontier Trail. The train proceeds over a 182-foot (55 m) parabolic hill, which provides a moment of zero gravity as it passes over

902-552: A mining company in Summit Hill, Pennsylvania constructed the Mauch Chunk Switchback Railway , a downhill gravity railroad used to deliver coal to Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania – now known as Jim Thorpe . By the 1850s, the "Gravity Road" (as it became known) was selling rides to thrill seekers. Railway companies used similar tracks to provide amusement on days when ridership was low. Using this idea as

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984-410: A month after Millennium's debut, Cedar Point introduced a virtual queue system, "Ticket to Ride", which allowed visitors to buy a ticket then return later and wait in a shorter line. In August, Cedar Point engaged John Hancock and Associates and Stalker Radar of Indianapolis to measure the height and speed of Millennium Force. The height was measured at 310 feet 11 inches (94.77 m), and

1066-410: A month after Millennium's debut, Cedar Point introduced a new queue system known as "Ticket to Ride" (later Fast Lane) to reduce the wait time. Visitors could buy tickets then return later and wait in a shorter line. This system was discontinued in 2004 after several people complained it was unfair that others were going ahead of them in line. In 2012, Cedar Point introduced its Fast Lane queue system on

1148-427: A new era of roller coaster enthusiasm, which led to a resurgence across the amusement park industry over the next several decades. There are several explanations for the name roller coaster . It is said to have originated from an early American design where slides or ramps were fitted with rollers over which a sled would coast. This design was abandoned in favor of fitting the wheels to the sled or other vehicles, but

1230-445: A new record-breaking roller coaster would be built at Cedar Point, which included speculation about a ten- inversion roller coaster from Bolliger & Mabillard and an Arrow Dynamics MegaLooper, began circulating in early 1998. A roller coaster from D. H. Morgan Manufacturing was also rumored. On July 2, 1999, Cedar Fair Entertainment Company filed a trademark for the name Millennium Force, which raised more speculation about what

1312-406: A ratchet and pawl. When riding a roller coaster with a ratchet and pawl system, the sound of clicks can be heard when pulling down the restraint. Hydraulic restraints use a piston and cylinder. Unlike mechanical restraints, there is no feeling of physical or sound of clicks from the restraint being locked in place. Most modern day roller coasters have sensors that are used to make sure each restraint

1394-544: A ride. Also, "In a typical year, more than 385 million guests enjoyed in excess of 1.7 billion rides at approximately 400 North American fixed-site facilities". IAAPA is required to report annual ride incidents to the National Safety Council. Roller coasters are divided into two main categories: steel roller coasters and wooden roller coasters . Steel coasters have tubular steel tracks, and compared to wooden coasters, they are typically known for offering

1476-555: A roller coaster that exceeds 300 feet (91 m) in height. It was briefly the tallest and fastest in the world until Steel Dragon 2000 opened later the same year. The ride is also the third-longest roller coaster in North America following The Beast at Kings Island and Fury 325 at Carowinds . Millennium Force features a 310-foot-tall (94 m) cable lift hill with a 300-foot (91 m) drop, two tunnels, three overbanked turns , and three hills. The coaster also has

1558-446: A roller coaster's computer system. Multiple PLCs work together to detect faults associated with operation and automate decisions to engage various elements (e.g. lift, brakes, etc.). Periodic maintenance and visual inspection by ride engineers are also important to verify that structures and materials are within expected wear tolerances and functioning correctly. Effective operating procedures further enhance safety. Roller coaster design

1640-426: A seat and a portion of the ride train. The duck was removed by a guest, who turned it over to Guest Services, and the duck was later turned over to wildlife rehabilitation services. Steel roller coaster A steel roller coaster is a type of roller coaster classified by its steel track , which consists of long steel tubes that are run in pairs, supported by larger steel columns or beams. Trains running along

1722-477: A smoother ride and their ability to turn riders upside-down. Wooden coasters have flat steel tracks, and are typically renowned for producing "air time" through the use of negative G-forces when reaching the crest of some hill elements. Newer types of track, such as I-Box and Topper introduced by Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC), improve the ride experience on wooden coasters, lower maintenance costs, and add

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1804-458: A standstill in only six seconds. Millennium Force's records as the tallest and fastest complete-circuit roller coaster were broken several months later in August when Steel Dragon 2000 opened. It remained the tallest and fastest at Cedar Point until 2003, when the park debuted Top Thrill Dragster, the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world. Millennium Force held the following records at

1886-523: A top speed of 93 mph (150 km/h). Since its debut, Millennium Force has been voted the number one steel roller coaster ten times in Amusement Today 's annual Golden Ticket Awards . Although Millennium Force has been surpassed in height and speed, it remains one of the tallest and fastest coasters in the world. The planning, design and development phases of Millennium Force took place over five years, from 1996 to 2000. The first rumors that

1968-407: A train attempts to enter an occupied block, the stopping mechanisms in all blocks are engaged. Restraints are another critical aspect to roller coaster safety. Roller coasters usually have two different types: Over-the-shoulder-restraints and lap bar restraints. With both, either hydraulic or mechanical safety mechanisms are used within the restraints. Mechanical restraints use a system known as

2050-430: A variety of different experiences. More focus is being placed on the position of riders in relation to the overall experience. Traditionally, riders sit facing forward, but newer variations such as stand-up and flying models position the rider in different ways to change the experiences. A flying model, for example, places riders lying down and facing forward with their chests and feet strapped in. Other ways of enhancing

2132-455: A wood track and steel structure. Other older examples include mine train roller coasters , many of which were built by Arrow Dynamics . The term hybrid became more prominent after the introduction of New Texas Giant at Six Flags Over Texas in 2011. Many in the industry, however, continue to classify coasters strictly by their track type only, labeling them either steel or wood. Modern roller coasters are constantly evolving to provide

2214-625: Is 6,595 feet (2,010 m) long and the lift is approximately 310 feet (94 m) high. The track is blue and the supports are silver. The track consists of 229 pieces, each weighing between 11,000 and 17,000 pounds (5,000 and 7,700 kg). Intamin supplied the track with hollow structural sections (HSS), which is used in all the track pieces, supports and towers. Millennium Force uses three different track shapes. The simplest sections are two-pipe track, made with two running rails connected by 6-inch (15 cm) square HSS cross-members. The ride also uses three-pipe track, which has two running rails with

2296-408: Is about five or six feet lower, just sufficient to allow for the friction and resistance; and so on to the last, from which they are conveyed by a gentle descent, with nearly same velocity, over a piece of water into a little island. These slides, which are about a furlong and a half in length, are made of wood, that may be used in summer as well as in winter. The process is, two of four persons fit in

2378-458: Is another important aspect that requires a working knowledge of basic physics to enhance ride comfort and avoid harmful strain to the rider. Ride designers must carefully analyze the movement a ride subjects its riders to, ensuring it is within a reasonable tolerance. The human body needs sufficient time to react to sudden changes in force in order to control muscle tension and avoid harmful consequences such as whiplash . Designers typically stay in

2460-404: Is locked. If all the restraints are locked, it will send a signal to the ride computer letting it know that it is clear for dispatch. If all restraints are not locked, the train will not be able to move out of the station until each restraint is locked. Braking systems such as pivoting pawls are used on the bottom of the train and on the inclined lift hill. While the cart goes up the lift hill, it

2542-415: Is not typically classified as a strata coaster due to its shuttle coaster design, where trains do not travel a complete circuit. An exa coaster is a type of roller coaster with a height or drop of at least 600 feet (180 m). The term exa was first introduced by Intamin for Falcon's Flight, a 640-foot (200 m) coaster expected to open at Six Flags Qiddiya in 2025. Upon completion, it will be

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2624-525: Is referred as "mountain-and-valley railway". German has the word Achterbahn , stemming from Figur-8-Bahn , relating to the form of the number 8 ( acht in German). This is similar to the Dutch Achtbaan , in which acht also means "eight". Roller coaster trains are not typically powered. Most are pulled up a lift hill by a chain or cable and released downhill. The potential energy accumulated by

2706-518: Is the most common method of stopping a roller coaster train as it returns to the station. One notable exception is a powered roller coaster , which instead of relying on gravity uses one or more motors to propel the trains along the course. In 2006, NASA announced that it would build a system using principles similar to those of a roller coaster to help astronauts escape the Ares I launch pad in an emergency, although this has since been scrapped along with

2788-401: Is usually pulled by a chain. The pawl moves over bumps that are separated closely apart. In the event that the train ever becomes disconnected from the chain, the anti roll-back system will engage and it will fall back into the nearest downhill stop preventing the train from falling down the lift hill. Another key to safety is the programmable logic controller (PLC), an essential component of

2870-706: The Catherine Park . Two roller-coasters were built in France in 1817. Les Montagnes de Belleville ( Les Montagnes Russes à Belleville ) in Belleville, Paris had wheels attached to carriages and locked on tracks. The Promenades Aériennes , opened in Parc Beaujon in Paris on July 8, 1817 had wheeled cars securely locked to the track, guide rails to keep them on course, and higher speeds. It spawned half

2952-831: The Travel Channel 's Extreme Terror Rides , Bert the Conqueror , Off Limits , the Discovery Channel 's Extreme Rides , and the National Geographic Channel 's Super Coasters have featured Millennium Force. Out of over 500 roller coasters that Werner Stengel has engineered, he stated that Millennium Force is his favorite. Robb Alvey , a notable roller coaster enthusiast, called it a "milestone in roller coaster history". Millennium Force has consistently ranked high in various polls and has won numerous awards. Millennium Force and Superman

3034-499: The kiddie coaster , is a roller coaster specifically designed for younger riders. Following World War II, parks began pushing for more of them to be built in contrast to the height and age restrictions of standard designs at the time. Companies like Philadelphia Toboggan Company (PTC) developed scaled-down versions of their larger models to accommodate the demand. These typically featured lift hills smaller than 25 feet (7.6 m), and still do today. The rise of kiddie coasters soon led to

3116-565: The 17th century, the slides were built to a height of between 21 and 24 m (70 and 80 feet), had a 50-degree drop, and were reinforced by wooden supports. Later, in 1784, Catherine the Great is said to have constructed a sledding hill in the gardens of her palace at Oranienbaum in St. Petersburg. The Riding Mountain (a.k.a. La Grande Glisade ) entertainment pavilion designed by Bartolomeo Francesco Rastrelli for Tsarskoye Selo royal residence

3198-579: The Golden Age. This aside, roller coasters were still built with varying success from location to location. In May 1932, the Scene Railway witnessed somewhat of a revival in the UK, including the opening of the roller coaster at Great Yarmouth . Today it is one of only two scenic railways still in operation in the UK. In 1959, Disneyland introduced a design breakthrough with Matterhorn Bobsleds ,

3280-663: The Ride (formerly Bizarro) at Six Flags New England held the top two places in the Golden Ticket Awards from 2001 to 2015, and Millennium has continued to rank among the top three steel roller coasters since then. In the Travel Channel's Insane Coaster Wars , Millennium Force was voted the "fan favorite" in the Extreme Heights and The Top 10 categories. In 2013, Time ranked Millennium Force as

3362-435: The ability to invert riders. A third classification type is often referred to as a hybrid roller coaster , which utilize a mixture of wood and steel elements for the track and structure. Many, for example, have a track made out of steel and a support structure made from wood. RMC has notably redesigned wood coasters that have either deteriorated from age or been deemed by parks as too costly to maintain. RMC often replaces

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3444-588: The ascent up the cable lift hill, but it is believed to have been removed sometime between 2004-2010. While it is rumored that other audio may have been featured in the past, it is unknown. The roller coaster's layout was repainted over a three-year period, before the 2011, 2012 and 2013 seasons. In 2012, the park added a new LED lighting system. For the 2020 season, following the COVID-19 pandemic , timed boarding passes called "Access Passes" were used temporarily to comply with social distancing guidelines in effect at

3526-411: The banking of curves. Wheels are a critical part in rollercoaster design. The purpose of wheels is to keep the train on the track and to prevent it from flying off. A majority of roller coaster wheels are made from polyurethane. There are 3 kinds of roller coaster wheels which include road wheels, side friction wheels, and up-stop wheels. Road wheels ride on top of the track. Side friction wheels ride on

3608-547: The development of "junior" models that had lift hills up to 45 feet (14 m). A notable example of a junior coaster is the Sea Dragon – the oldest operating roller coaster from PTC's legendary designer John Allen – which opened at Wyandot Lake in 1956 near Powell, Ohio. A hypercoaster , occasionally stylized as hyper coaster, is a type of roller coaster with a height or drop of at least 200 feet (61 m). Moonsault Scramble , which debuted at Fuji-Q Highland in 1984,

3690-416: The experience involve removing the floor beneath passengers riding above the track, as featured in floorless roller coasters . Unique track elements, such as new inversions, are often introduced to provide entirely new experiences. Several height classifications have been used by parks and manufacturers in marketing their roller coasters, as well as enthusiasts within the industry. One classification,

3772-503: The first full-circuit coaster with a lift hill , the Gravity Pleasure Road , which became the most popular attraction at Coney Island. Not to be outdone, in 1886 Thompson patented his design of roller coaster that included dark tunnels with painted scenery. "Scenic railways" were soon found in amusement parks across the county. By 1919, the first underfriction roller coaster had been developed by John Miller . Over

3854-432: The first permanent roller coaster to use a tubular steel track. Designed by Arrow Development , the tubular track was unlike standard rail design on wooden coasters, allowing the track to bend in sharper angles in any direction, leading to the incorporation of loops, corkscrews, and inversion elements into track layouts. A little more than a decade later, the immediate success of The Racer at Kings Island in 1972 sparked

3936-576: The first to use the term "roller coaster". The term jet coaster is used for roller coasters in Japan, where such amusement park rides are very popular. In many languages, including most Romance languages, the name refers to "Russian mountains". Conversely, in Russian, they are called "Американские горки" ( Amerikanskiye gorki , "American hills"). In the Scandinavian languages , the roller coaster

4018-485: The labour and expense in cost, as well as the vast quantity of wood used in it. At the same place, there is another artificial mount which goes in a spiral line, and in my opinion, for I have tried it also, is very disagreable; as it seems always leaning on one side, and the person feels in danger of falling out of seat. Katalnaya gora was dismantled in 1792–1795. Currently in its place is the Granite Terrace in

4100-410: The largest ones were 56 by 56 feet (17 by 17 m). The concrete construction was done by Mosser Construction. The lift hill was topped off in early January 2000. The ride's construction took seven months, and 120 construction workers and project managers participated. Testing took two months. The park conducted a "pull-through" by pulling a train along the course to ensure proper clearance. The ride

4182-470: The layout of the ride. After the ride was announced, several disputes about whether Millennium Force or Superman: The Escape was the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world arose between Cedar Point and Six Flags Magic Mountain . Superman: The Escape is 415 feet (126 m) high and its speed is 100 miles per hour (160 km/h); however, it is a shuttle roller coaster , not a complete-circuit roller coaster. Construction started in August 1999 when

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4264-474: The name endured. Another explanation is that the phrase originated from a ride located in a roller skating rink in Haverhill , Massachusetts in 1887. A toboggan -like sled was raised to the top of a track which consisted of hundreds of rollers. This Roller Toboggan then took off down gently rolling hills to the floor. The inventors of this ride, Stephen E. Jackman and Byron B. Floyd, claim that they were

4346-491: The next decade, roller coasters spread to amusement parks around the world and began an era in the industry often referred to as the "Golden Age". One of the most well known from the period is the historical Cyclone that opened at Coney Island in 1927. The onset of the Great Depression in the 1930s, however, significantly impacted the amusement park industry and brought an end to the rapid growth experienced during

4428-592: The opening of Matterhorn Bobsleds at Disneyland in 1959. Older steel-tracked coasters existed previously in a simpler form, such as Little Dipper at Memphis Kiddie Park in Brooklyn, Ohio , which is the oldest operating steel coaster in North America. The oldest in the world is Montaña Suiza at Parque de Atracciones Monte Igueldo (Spain), which has been operating since 1928. There are various types of steel coaster models and designs, including flying , inverted , floorless , and suspended . Roller coaster#By height Tracks are typically built and designed as

4510-405: The queue and is stopped by magnetic brakes . Passengers disembark the ride at an unloading station and the train moves to a second station where it is reloaded with passengers. Millennium Force is a Giga Coaster model designed by Werner Stengel and built by Swiss manufacturer Intamin. It was the first of a series of roller coasters, including Top Thrill 2 —the tallest and fastest roller coaster in

4592-430: The range of 4–6 Gs (40–60 m s ) as a maximum for positive g-force acceleration, which increases the feeling of weight and pushes riders downward into their seat. For negative g-force, or the feeling of weightlessness, the target is 1.5–2Gs (15–20 m s ) as a maximum. These fall into a range considered safe to a majority of the population. Lateral acceleration is also typically kept under 2Gs using various techniques including

4674-463: The rest of the Ares program . Some sources have shown concern over the ability of roller coasters to cause head trauma and serious injury such as the tearing of axons and damaging of blood vessels. A variety of safety mechanisms protect riders on roller coasters. One of these is the block system . Most large roller coasters have the ability to run two or more trains at once, and the block system prevents these trains from colliding. In this system,

4756-454: The ride opened in 2000, Cedar Point chose High End Systems , headquartered in Austin, Texas , to light the ride. Rob Decker, Cedar Point's Corporate Director of Planning & Design, said that they thought they would have to mount multiple floodlights on the tower. However, they were able to install thirty EC-1 floodlights at the base of the lift hill structure which provided lighting throughout

4838-457: The ride takes approximately 2 minutes and 20 seconds. While the train is being loaded with passengers, the catch car for the cable lift descends the lift hill and latches onto the middle car underneath the train. Once the train is cleared, the cable lift immediately pulls the train up the 45-degree lift hill at 15 mph (24 km/h) to a height of 310 feet (94 m). The train then drops 300 feet (91 m) at an 80-degree angle and reaches

4920-500: The ride would be like. About a week later, the first track pieces were seen at the park, and it was confirmed that the ride would be manufactured by Intamin . Cedar Point officials also confirmed that it would not have inversions. Millennium Force was announced on July 22, 1999. It would be the tallest roller coaster in the world, taking the record from Fujiyama at Fuji-Q Highland in Japan. The ride cost $ 25 million to design and build. Cedar Point, Intamin, and Werner Stengel designed

5002-528: The ride's structure. Of the six main support towers, three had six EC-1s, and three towers had four EC-1s. The three tallest towers had another unit in the middle. Over the years, the lights were not maintained and grew noticeably dimmer. In 2012, Cedar Point introduced a nighttime show, Luminosity — Ignite the Night! , to "re-energize" the park at the end of the day. New LED lights from Sunrise, Florida -based Chauvet Professional were installed to illuminate

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5084-486: The ride. Twenty COLORado Range and ten COLORado Ridge wash lights were installed at the base of the lift hill structure. When it opened in May 2000, Millennium Force broke five world records among roller coasters and utilized a relatively new magnetic braking system instead of the commonly used friction brakes . This system enabled the use of a shorter brake run, enabling the train to slow down from 65 mph (105 km/h) to

5166-409: The ride; visitors can buy a wristband which enables them to wait in a shorter line. The system was tested at Kings Island the previous year, where it received positive reviews. Millennium Force covers 13 acres (5.3 ha); it runs parallel to the shoreline of Sandusky Bay , then travels to an island located inside the park. There are two tunnels, three overbanked turns and three hills. One cycle of

5248-408: The rider's lap. Each train weighs 19 tons. The station has two platforms, one for unloading and one for loading. Two trains are loaded and unloaded while the third train is running the course. There is also a separate line in the station where riders can wait for the first seat. The loading platform has red overhead lights, which are located above the train. Millennium Force's theme song is played in

5330-466: The rise in height is transferred to kinetic energy , which is then converted back into potential energy as the train rises up the next hill. Changes in elevation become smaller throughout the track's course, as some mechanical energy is lost to friction and air drag . A properly-designed, outdoor track will result in a train having enough kinetic energy to complete the entire course under a variety of stressful weather conditions. Not all coasters feature

5412-456: The side of the track to keep the train on the track throughout turns. Up-stop wheels ride below the track and prevent the train from lifting off the track. Roller coasters are statistically very safe when compared to other activities, but despite all the safety measures in place, accidents still occur. The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) reports that a rider has one chance in 15.5 million of being injured on

5494-606: The site was cleared. Millennium Force was built in the Frontier Trail section of the park. The ride involved the relocation of the Giant Wheel and the Cedar Point and Lake Erie Railroad . The removal and relocation of the Giant Wheel began in October on closing day; the first of 226 supports was installed on October 11, starting at the brake run . Two hundred twenty-six footers , each about 5 feet (1.5 m) deep were dug;

5576-442: The speed was measured at 93 miles per hour (150 km/h), slightly faster than what the park had been advertising (92 mph (148 km/h)). Before the start of the 2004 season, Millennium Force's seat belts were modified because of an incident that occurred on Superman the Ride , a similar roller coaster at Six Flags New England . The new seat belts were shorter and some riders had difficulties with them. Audio played during

5658-436: The station while riders are boarding. In 2024, 3 sets of dispatch audio were added for when a train exits the station. (There may be more sets but it is unknown currently) It is also unknown whether these audio sets had previously been featured before its current installment. 2 projectors in the station were deactivated sometime in the 2000's, before being reintroduced in a new but limited fashion in 2024. The steel tubular track

5740-412: The term strata was first introduced by Cedar Point with the release of Top Thrill Dragster, a 420-foot-tall (130 m) roller coaster that opened in 2003. Kingda Ka was the second strata coaster, and it opened at Six Flags Great Adventure in 2005 as the tallest roller coaster in the world with a height of 456 feet (139 m). Top Thrill Dragster closed in 2021 following a serious incident in which

5822-575: The time of its debut: At the time of Millennium Force's debut, Cedar Point held records for the following: Millennium Force has one of the longest lines in the park, with passengers waiting over four hours when the ride debuted. The ride received positive reactions from visitors, many of whom said it was smooth and very comfortable. Others said, "It'll scare the daylights out of you". In its first six years of operation, Millennium Force had over 10 million riders. By August 2012, Millennium had given more than 21 million rides. Several television shows, including

5904-435: The time. Millennium Force's entrance is located behind the Cedar Point & Lake Erie Railroad 's Millennium Midway station. The queue is situated between the ride's last overbanked turn and the station. A DJ booth was originally provided to entertain waiting visitors; the park's "Jamming DJ's" took requests for family friendly songs from people in the queue. The concrete base of the booth can still be seen as of 2024. About

5986-468: The top roller coaster in the United States. On September 2, 2001, the cable used to haul trains up the lift broke during a morning test run, resulting in the stranding of 30 park employees at the top of the coaster's lift hill 275 feet (84 m) above ground. It took about an hour for all employees to be brought down. In July 2023, a duck flew into a moving train and reportedly became trapped between

6068-410: The track is divided into two or more sections known as blocks. Only one train is permitted in each block at any given time. There is a section of track at the end of each block where a train can be stopped if necessary, such as preventing dispatch from the station, stopping a lift, or applying brakes. Sensors detect when a train passes so that the system's computer is aware of which blocks are occupied. If

6150-401: The track typically rely on wheels made of polyurethane or nylon to keep each train car anchored to the track. The introduction of tubular steel drastically changed roller coaster innovation, allowing for greater speeds, higher drops, and more intense elements such as inversions . Arrow Dynamics is credited with inventing tubular steel track and introducing the first modern steel coaster with

6232-409: The wood track with their patented steel I-Box track design, while reusing much of the ride's wooden structure, resulting in a smoother ride with the incorporation of new design elements, such as inversions, sharper turns, and steeper drops. Although the term wasn't widely used or accepted until the 21st century, one of the oldest examples is Cyclone at Luna Park , which opened in 1927. It features

6314-511: The world in 2003—that Intamin built at Cedar Point. As of 2024, Millennium Force is one of two Giga Coasters built by Intamin, the other being Pantherian at Kings Dominion . Millennium Force operates with three fiberglass, stadium-style seating trains colored red, yellow, and blue. Each train has nine cars that seat four passengers, allowing a maximum capacity of 36 people per train and 1,300 riders an hour. Each seat has an individual, hydraulic, T-shaped lap bar and seat belt which rests across

6396-457: Was built in 1754–1757. In Russian it was known as Katalnaya gora (Катальная гора, literally "Mountain for riding") It was a huge building in the shape of rotunda . It had a trail with five hills which can be covered with ice in winter. In the summer time the trails used trolleys on wheels secured in the steel grooves mounted on the wooden trails. Due to a pendulum-like motion based on inertia all five hills could be traversed in one ride. The ride

6478-485: Was coined during the construction of the Millennium Force , a roller coaster built by Intamin on Cedar Point amusement park. Although Morgan and Bolliger & Mabillard have not used the term giga , both have also produced roller coasters in this class. A strata coaster is a type of roller coaster with a height or drop of at least 400 feet (120 m). As with the other two height classifications,

6560-415: Was engineered by Russian scientist Andrey Nartov . The Anglican clergyman John Glen King mentioned that some Englishmen visiting Russia called them "Flying Mountains" and described them as follows: You will observe that there are five mounts of unequal height: the first and the highest is full thirty feet perpendicular altitude; the momentum with which they descend this carries them over the second, which

6642-437: Was inspected and tested with water-dummies on the trains. The first media event was held on May 11, 2000, and the ride opened to the public two days later on May 13. When it opened, it broke six world records. It was the first Giga Coaster and was the world's fastest complete-circuit roller coaster, but was later overtaken by other rides. The ride was so popular that guests consistently waited three to four hours to board. About

6724-438: Was the first to break this barrier, though the term hypercoaster was first coined by Cedar Point and Arrow Dynamics with the opening of Magnum XL-200 in 1989. Hypercoasters have become one of the most predominant types of roller coasters in the world, now led by manufacturers Bolliger & Mabillard and Intamin . A giga coaster is a type of roller coaster with a height or drop of at least 300 feet (91 m). The term

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