#SIX FLAGS SUPERMAN ESCAPE FROM KRYPTON PLUS#

After Superman: The Escape's sister ride, the Tower of Terror II at Dreamworld, underwent a major refurbishment in 2010 which entailed a new vehicle which launches backwards, speculation turned to the possibility of a similar modification to the Magic Mountain ride. A sign posted in front of the ride indicated that it would not reopen until the 2011 season, with hints that there would be improvements made to the ride experience. Just after July 4 weekend of 2010, Superman: The Escape ceased operations with no reason given. California State Regulators asked the park to make modifications to the rides' restraint systems to prevent a similar incident in the future. In June 2004, Superman: The Escape's seat belts were modified because of an incident on the Superman – Ride of Steel roller coaster at Six Flags New England. However, the ride became the first roller coaster in the world to go over 400ft, therefore becoming the tallest roller coaster in the world at the time. Superman therefore lost its claim as being the first roller coaster to reach 100 miles per hour (160 km/h), although it was then tied with Tower of Terror as the fastest roller coaster in the world.

However, since it was delayed, a similar roller coaster known as Tower of Terror, which also has a 100-mile-per-hour launch (160 km/h), had opened about a month earlier at Dreamworld in Australia. After its opening, the media claimed Superman to be the fastest roller coaster in the world.

After 10 months of testing and reengineering, the ride opened on March 15, 1997. In late 1996, there was a preview for season pass holders. However, due to a range of problems with the launch system, its opening was delayed. It was originally intended to open on June 1, 1996. The ride was designed by Intamin, a Swiss roller coaster firm. The ride was announced on Januas Superman: The Escape, breaking records as the first roller coaster to reach 100 miles per hour (160 km/h), passing Desperado and Phantom's Revenge at 82 miles per hour (132 km/h). While in the planning stages, the ride was going to be named Velocetron and themed as The Man of Steel. The ride was also redecorated with a new color scheme.Īs of 2013, Superman: Escape from Krypton has the third tallest structure, the joint fifth fastest speed and the third longest drop. The refurbished ride opened on Mawith new trains that face backwards.

The ride closed throughout the latter half of 2010 for the transformation into 'Superman: Escape from Krypton' from 'Superman: The Escape'. It was originally intended to open in 1996 but was delayed due to several issues with the launch system. These two coasters were the first to utilize Linear Synchronous Motors (LSM) technology to propel vehicles to top speed. It is similar to Tower of Terror II, which opened two months prior at Dreamworld in Australia. When it opened in 1997, it was the tallest and joint fastest roller coaster in the world. The old ride, known as Superman: The Escape, featured a gravitational force of 4.5 Gs and 6.5 seconds of weightlessness, according to Roller Coaster Database.Superman: Escape from Krypton (originally known as Superman: The Escape) is a steel shuttle roller coaster built by Intamin at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California, United States. Re-dubbed Superman: Escape from Krypton, the retooled ride adds trains that run backward instead of forward, as they have since the $20-million, magnetic-launch shuttle coaster opened in 1997.Īfter the ride operates for a few months, one of the cars on the twin tracks will be turned around to run forward, allowing riders to choose between the two options.

On-track testing of the new trains is expected to begin by the end of the month.

#SIX FLAGS SUPERMAN ESCAPE FROM KRYPTON PLUS#

The streamlined trains, which are expected to arrive at the Valencia amusement park this week, will have lower-profile sides for a more exposed feeling but will also be equipped with more restrictive over-the-shoulder restraints.Ĭrews recently completed a new paint job in classic Superman colors, with red on the top third of the 415-foot-tall track and blue on the lower portion, plus yellow rails. The revamped Six Flags Magic Mountain to run Superman coaster backward” href=””> Superman roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain, with new trains that rocket riders backward at 100 miles per hour, is scheduled to reopen March 19, just in time for spring break.

Six flags superman escape from krypton