Hypercoasters are high-speed roller coasters with large drops that provide a sensation of weightlessness. The first hypercoaster, Magnum XL-200, was opened in 1989. Giga-coasters are even larger, with drops of at least 300 feet, and stratacoasters have drops above 400 feet. Kingda Ka is currently the highest giga-coaster but has had maintenance issues. Roller coaster enthusiasts classify coasters by height, but all agree that drops above 200 feet are thrilling.
A hypercoaster, or supercoaster, is an adrenaline-charged, high-speed steel roller coaster characterized by providing plenty of airtime across huge drops. Airtime in a roller coaster is the sensation of free fall or weightlessness that accompanies a long, fast descent. Airtime can also be referred to as negative gravity or negative g-time.
The first hyper coaster was opened in 1989, designed by the Arrow Dynamics company. For roller coaster enthusiasts, the Magnum XL-200 was a fantastic achievement and a great addition to the already popular Cedar Point Park in Sandusky, Ohio. This coaster broke the rules as it was the first circuit 200 feet (60.96 meters) high at its highest point, with an elevation gain of 194 feet (59.13 m) and speeds exceeding 70 mph (112.65 km/h) .
In addition to long drops, the hyper coaster can also experience foggy tunnels and rapid loops before dropping again. At first, the cars sat on the track like most steel roller coasters. Now cars can be at the top of the track and offer a stand or sit function.
Some roller coasters now have suspended seats, which can actually flip along the track while the car is in motion, causing multiple inversions. They also add more thrill as the feet dangle unsupported and seem perilously close to the track. Roller coaster purists, however, argue that you can’t define an inversion coaster as a hyper coaster. So traditionally, this coaster cannot go around the track, although it can flip over while staying to one side of the track.
While many thought the limit had been reached with the development of hyper coasters, roller coaster designers soon learned to go beyond both height and speed. They invented what is now called the giga-coaster, a massive roller coaster that drops at least 300 feet (91.44m) and travels at up to 90mph (144km/h). Cedar Point was the lucky park that introduced Millennium Force, the giga or mega hyper coaster in 2000.
Kingda Ka at Six Flags in Jackson, New Jersey currently holds the record for the highest drop for a giga-coaster. The ride boasts an initial elevation gain of 418 feet (127.41 m) and reaches a top speed of 128 mph (205.99 km/h). Unfortunately, the ride has struggled since it opened and has often been closed for repair attempts. Roller coaster enthusiasts recommend calling the park to check the status of this ride before making plans to spend the day there.
Some roller coaster enthusiasts classify these roller coasters by height. Anything between 200-299 feet (60.96-91.14 m) is a hyper coaster, 300-399 feet (91.44- 121.62 m) high are giga coasters, and those drops above 400 feet (121.92 m) are considered stratacoasters. Technically this makes Kingda Ka a roller coaster. However, not all roller coaster fans make that distinction. Regardless of the names, roller coaster fans agree that any drop above 200m is likely to be quite exciting and shouldn’t be missed by roller coaster fans.
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