Rampage (roller coaster)
Rampage | |
---|---|
Status | Operating |
Opening date | May 23, 1998 |
Cost | $4,300,000 |
General statistics | |
Type | Wood |
Manufacturer | Custom Coasters International |
Designer | Larry Bill |
Track layout | Twister |
Lift/launch system | Chain lift hill |
Height | 120 ft (37 m) |
Drop | 102 ft (31 m) |
Length | 3,500 ft (1,100 m) |
Speed | 56 mph (90 km/h) |
Duration | 1:30 |
Restraint Style | Lap bar |
Trains | 6 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 24 riders per train. |
Rampage at RCDB |
Rampage is a
The roller coaster reaches a maximum height of 120 feet (37 m), a maximum speed of 56 miles per hour (90 km/h), and a total track length of 3,500 feet (1,100 m). Constructed at the cost of $4.3 million, the design of Rampage was inspired by another CCI-built roller coaster, Megafobia, located at Oakwood Theme Park. Rampage features nine crossovers throughout its twister layout, with trains built by Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters. Upon its initial opening, the roller coaster received mostly positive reviews from critics and guests.
History
A bond deal for the park's construction was finalized in March 1997. Langford revealed the roller coaster would be built from wood to capture the "'old-time clickety clack flavor of a Coney Island roller coaster'" and serve as the park's focal point attraction.[6] Custom Coasters International (CCI) officials were present on the construction site in June to mark trees for preservation or demolition. CCI owner, Denise Larrick, disclosed the roller coaster would feature a length of 3,500 feet (1,100 meters), a maximum speed of 56 mph (90 km/h), in addition to several drops and turns.[7] By September, concrete footings were being poured with some already in place, and the supporting structure for the station was in construction. Finalized engineering plans for the roller coaster were projected to be complete in October, in addition to vertical construction of the wooden supports to be completed during November.[8] The roller coaster would celebrate its topping out ceremony on December 2[9] and construction was reported by the Birmingham Post-Herald to be "more than half done" during the first week of December.[10]
Vision Land representatives held a "Name That Coaster contest" to choose a title for its roller coaster, the name "Rampage" selected as the winner on December 15, 1997, out of 1,400 entries.
Operation
After an initial successful financial year,
Vision Land was sold to General Attractions in January 2012.[35] The new ownership announced the park that included Rampage would close indefinitely, with the water park portion to open in the newly named "Splash Adventure" in April 2012. The roller coaster was planned to be sold to fund future water park developments.[36] Rampage sat dormant until the park was bought by the Dan and Natalie Koch, formerly of Holiday World, on March 13, 2014.[32][37][38] The Kochs' planned to renovate the roller coaster to open with the park in the 2015 season.[37][38] Over the period of six months, the Rampage was refurbished at the cost of $1 million. The project included restoring the entire wooden track and partial sections of wooden supports, in addition to a new train set.[39][40] The renovation also included a new lift chain and control system.[41] A preview was held for an American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) event on October 25.[39] The ride re-opened to the public in 2015, with the Alabama Splash Adventure park.[42][43]
Ride experience
After leaving the
Characteristics
Rampage was manufactured and built by Custom Coasters International, the 23rd project by the company,
Rampage is considered a twister roller coaster because the track's layout weaves through itself.[17][47] The roller coaster features 9 crossovers and 12 curves.[14][17][45] The roller coaster reaches a top speed of 56 miles per hour (90 km/h).[9] When it opened, the roller coaster operated with two Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters (PTC) trains. Each train had six cars that contain two rows of two seats, allowing a maximum capacity of 24 people.[17] Each set contains a lap bar restraint system as well as a seat belt.[17][48]
Reception
Upon its initial opening, Rampage received generally positive reviews from critics. Steve Joynt, writing for the Birmingham Post-Herald, commented that Rampage was "the undisputed star of the show" out of Vision Land's opening attractions, and favorably commented on the initial drop.
Rampage also received generally favorable reviews from amusement industry personnel and critics. Staff of The Birmingham News recorded an ACE member's reaction to Rampage, who stated the roller coaster had promising air time, speed, and height.[45] Then-ACE president, Jan Kiser, was quoted by Joynt as having ascertained positive reviews about Rampage from members because of the roller coaster's defining features.[17] Tim O'Brien of the amusement park trade magazine, Amusement Business, inducted Rampage as his 3rd best wooden coaster and the 5th best overall coaster; citing the roller coaster's hills, drops, and location as factors in his placement.[50]
Awards
Year | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2021 | 2022 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ranking | 17[51] | 3[52] | 4[53] | 7[54] | 10[55] | 15[56] | 13[57] | 17[58] | 15[59] | 27[60] | 20 (tie)[61] | 28[62] | 33[63] | 32[64] | 28[65] | 37[66] | 21[67] | 30 (tie)[68] | 34[69] | 33[70] | 36[71] |
See also
- 2011 in amusement parks
- Excalibur (Funtown Splashtown USA), another CCI-built wooden roller coaster
- Shivering Timbers, another CCI-built wooden roller coaster
References
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- ^ a b Reeves, Jay (November 28, 1995). "Vision beckons: Hopes soar for western-area theme park". Birmingham Post-Herald. pp. D1, D3. Archived from the original on November 21, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- The Montgomery Advertiser. March 22, 1996. p. 4B. Archivedfrom the original on November 21, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Cities break ground on new theme park". The Montgomery Advertiser. April 20, 1996. p. 2F. Archived from the original on November 21, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Baldwin, Amy (November 30, 1996). "Thrill builder, not seeker". Birmingham Post-Herald. pp. C1. Archived from the original on November 21, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "VisionLand opening planned for May '98". The Anniston Star. March 5, 1997. p. 11A. Archived from the original on November 21, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Roller coaster to be park's centerpiece". The Montgomery Advertiser. June 18, 1996. p. 6B. Archived from the original on November 21, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- Birmingham News. p. 13-A – via NewsBank.
- ^ a b Pierce, Phil (December 3, 1997). "High, long and fast: VisionLand's roller coaster reached pinnacle". Birmingham News. p. 1-A – via NewsBank.
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