In 2014, we saw the debut of several roller coasters, including Dollywood“s FireChaser Express, a thrill ride for families, and El Loco in Las Vegas, a truly crazy (as the name translates) coaster. In 2015, there”s even more thrills on track. Get ready to dip, twist, twirl, rise, and drop on these rides, some of which are the biggest, fastest or first of their kind.
Written by Amanda Geronikos
1/7
Rougarou
Height Requirement: 54 inches
Utilizing the former track of Mantis, a long-lived favorite at Cedar Point (it was there since 1996), Rougarou is taking over in a floorless experience that involves a 360-degree flat spin and figure-eight finale. The new ride reaches speeds of 60 mph and feature views of the Cedar Point skyline.
Recommended Hotel: Hotel Breakers
Utilizing the former track of Mantis, a long-lived favorite at Cedar Point (it was there since 1996), Rougarou is taking over in a floorless experience that involves a 360-degree flat spin and figure-eight finale. The new ride reaches speeds of 60 mph and feature views of the Cedar Point skyline.
Recommended Hotel: Hotel Breakers
2/7
Thunderbird
Height Requirement: 52 inches
Thunderbird will fly into Holiday World & Splashin' Safari, located in Santa Claus, Indiana (about three hours from Cincinnati). America"s first wing coaster (and the park"s first major steel coaster) goes from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds before it whisks riders through an Immelmann loop, zero-gravity roll, barrel roll and loop.
Recommended Hotel: Hampton Inn Owensboro
Thunderbird will fly into Holiday World & Splashin' Safari, located in Santa Claus, Indiana (about three hours from Cincinnati). America"s first wing coaster (and the park"s first major steel coaster) goes from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds before it whisks riders through an Immelmann loop, zero-gravity roll, barrel roll and loop.
Recommended Hotel: Hampton Inn Owensboro
3/7
Laff Trakk
Height Requirement: 42 inches (with adult)
Hershey, Pennsylvania is already The Sweetest Place On Earth, but in 2015, Hersheypark entices families even more with the opening of Laff Trakk, America"s first indoor, spinning glow-coaster. Riders feel like they"re in a classic fun house as they spin 360 degrees at 40 mph.
Recommended Hotel: Homewood Suites by Hilton Harrisburg East-Hershey Area
Hershey, Pennsylvania is already The Sweetest Place On Earth, but in 2015, Hersheypark entices families even more with the opening of Laff Trakk, America"s first indoor, spinning glow-coaster. Riders feel like they"re in a classic fun house as they spin 360 degrees at 40 mph.
Recommended Hotel: Homewood Suites by Hilton Harrisburg East-Hershey Area
4/7
Fury 325
Height Requirement: 54 inches
In Charlotte, North Carolina, Carowinds has welcomed the world"s tallest and fastest giga coaster -- a coaster without any inverted hills. The ride, which embodies the attributes of an angry hornet, accelerates to approximately 95 mph as it begins with a 190-foot-tall barrel turn and high-speed S-curve, and ends with high-speed camel back hills… before reaching a screeching halt. In case you"re wondering, “325†stands for the height (325 feet) and duration (3:25) of the ride.
Recommended Hotel: Omni Charlotte Hotel
In Charlotte, North Carolina, Carowinds has welcomed the world"s tallest and fastest giga coaster -- a coaster without any inverted hills. The ride, which embodies the attributes of an angry hornet, accelerates to approximately 95 mph as it begins with a 190-foot-tall barrel turn and high-speed S-curve, and ends with high-speed camel back hills… before reaching a screeching halt. In case you"re wondering, “325†stands for the height (325 feet) and duration (3:25) of the ride.
Recommended Hotel: Omni Charlotte Hotel
5/7
Switchback
Height Requirement: 42 inches
Another small theme park -- this one near San Antonio, Texas -- ZDT"s Amusement Park has opened Switchback, the world"s only wooden shuttle coaster. Visitors are essentially able to ride the entire course twice -- upon completion, a track switch takes them back to the starting point. The new ride is inspired by Coney Island"s Switchback Railway, which was the world"s first roller coaster.
Recommended Hotel: JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa
Another small theme park -- this one near San Antonio, Texas -- ZDT"s Amusement Park has opened Switchback, the world"s only wooden shuttle coaster. Visitors are essentially able to ride the entire course twice -- upon completion, a track switch takes them back to the starting point. The new ride is inspired by Coney Island"s Switchback Railway, which was the world"s first roller coaster.
Recommended Hotel: JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa
6/7
Wicked Cyclone
Height Requirement: 54 inches
In 2014, Six Flags announced it would add new rides (including roller coasters) to each of its parks. Of all the additions, we"re most excited about Wicked Cyclone at Six Flags New England. It is the first roller coaster of its kind to have a 200-degree stall and two Zero g rolls. Plus, it features a longer running time than any other coaster in the region.
Recommended Hotel: Comfort Inn and Suites West Springfield
In 2014, Six Flags announced it would add new rides (including roller coasters) to each of its parks. Of all the additions, we"re most excited about Wicked Cyclone at Six Flags New England. It is the first roller coaster of its kind to have a 200-degree stall and two Zero g rolls. Plus, it features a longer running time than any other coaster in the region.
Recommended Hotel: Comfort Inn and Suites West Springfield
7/7
Impulse
Height Requirement: TBD
A small, family-run park in Elysburg, Pennsylvania, Knoebels had only ever housed three beloved wooden coasters… until 2015. The amusement park has plans to add a steel coaster, called Impulse, which will feature four inversions, including a cobra roll and inline twist. It will reach speeds of 55 mph.
Recommended Hotel: Knoebels Campground
A small, family-run park in Elysburg, Pennsylvania, Knoebels had only ever housed three beloved wooden coasters… until 2015. The amusement park has plans to add a steel coaster, called Impulse, which will feature four inversions, including a cobra roll and inline twist. It will reach speeds of 55 mph.
Recommended Hotel: Knoebels Campground
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