Skyscraper (roller coaster)

Skyscraper is a planned roller coaster that is expected to be located at the future Skyplex complex in Orlando, Florida. Under development by American manufacturer US Thrill Rides and Swiss manufacturer Intamin, the attraction will be a Polercoaster model which utilizes an observation tower as its main support structure. As of 2016, after several delays, Skyscraper was expected to open in 2021. If completed, Skyscraper would become the tallest roller coaster in the world at over 500 feet (150 m) and would feature both the steepest drop and highest inversion.

Skyscraper
Concept art of the Skyplex complex, including Skyscraper tower and roller coaster
Skyplex
LocationSkyplex
Coordinates28.45017°N 81.47066°W / 28.45017; -81.47066
General statistics
TypeSteel
ManufacturerIntamin
DesignerUS Thrill Rides
ModelPolercoaster
Track layoutCustom
Length5,200 ft (1,600 m)
Speed65 mph (105 km/h)
Inversions7
Duration4:00
Max vertical angle123°
Capacity1000 riders per hour
Height restriction48 in (122 cm)
TrainsSeveral trains with a single car. Riders are arranged 4 across in 2 rows for a total of 8 riders per train.

History

In 2012, owners of Mango’s Tropical Café in Orlando selected the Polercoaster design concept pitched by US Thrill Rides to become their flagship attraction at the future-planned Skyplex indoor entertainment complex. After several successful negotiations for land, development of both the roller coaster and Skyplex began.[1] In May 2014, investment for the project was sought, and a website was formed to assist with the endeavor. Documents uncovered by an Orlando news agency revealed that the roller coaster would be located in Central Florida along International Drive at the intersection with Sand Lake Road.[2][3][4]

Skyscraper was officially announced on June 5, 2014. Construction on the main complex was expected to begin in 2015, with the ride opening in 2016.[5][6] However, design changes and a lengthy process for obtaining the necessary permits has caused several delays in breaking ground, and the timeline was updated to reflect construction on the complex beginning in mid-2017.[7][8] As of April 2017, portions of the roller coaster's track had been completed by Intamin and were in storage, but the start of construction in Orlando was on hold pending the approval of permits.[9] Skyplex is scheduled to open in 2020,[10] and Skyscraper is expected to make its debut the next year.[11][12]

Characteristics

Designed by US Thrill Rides, the steel track of Skyscraper will be approximately 5,200 feet (1,600 m) long. Wrapping around the central tower, the roller coaster will feature seven inversions including zero-g rolls and raven turns.[5][6][13][14] When complete, Skyscraper will operate with several small trains. Each train will have two rows that seat four riders each for a total of eight riders per train. The ride is expected to accommodate a theoretical capacity of 1000 riders per hour. Each seat will feature a lap restraint as opposed to over-the-shoulder harnesses to avoid obstructing the view.[5][6][13]

Records

When Skyscraper opens it will break several world records. With a structure exceeding 500 feet (150 m) in height, it is expected to obtain the record for the world's tallest roller coaster.[3] As of 2016, Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure standing at 456 feet (139 m) holds the record.[5][13] Skyscraper will have an inversion near the highest point of the ride,[14] breaking Steel Curtain’s 197-foot-tall (60 m) record for the highest inversion in the world, set at Kennywood in 2019.[6][15] The ride will also have the steepest drop in the world at 123 degrees, exceeding the 121.5-degree drop record set in 2019 by TMNT Shellraiser in Nickelodeon Universe.[14]

References
  1. "World's Tallest Rollercoaster and Entertainment Complex "The Skyscraper™ at SKYPLEX™" To Electrify Orlando Skyline in 2016". Mango's Tropical Cafe. June 5, 2014. Archived from the original on June 6, 2014. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  2. "Skyscraper Skyplex". American Immigration Group LLC. Archived from the original on June 6, 2014. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  3. Fais, Scott (June 5, 2014). "Is this 500-foot-tall roller coaster coming to I-Drive?". News 13. Archived from the original on June 6, 2014. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  4. Fox, Greg (May 31, 2014). "Polercoaster coming to Central Florida, sources say". WESH. Archived from the original on June 6, 2014. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  5. Bevil, Dewayne (June 5, 2014). "World's tallest roller coaster planned for Orlando's I-Drive". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on June 6, 2014. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  6. Dennis, Andrea (June 5, 2014). "World's tallest roller coaster 'Skyscraper' officially coming to I-Drive, will open in 2016". WESH. Archived from the original on June 6, 2014. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  7. "Europe's fastest and highest rollercoaster just opened at Ferrari Land, Spain". The Telegraph. April 6, 2017. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  8. Dineen, Caitlin (October 19, 2016). "StarFlyer developer can move forward with permitting". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  9. Bilbao, Richard (April 17, 2017). "Joshua Wallack: Vertical construction on Hollywood Plaza will begin this week". Orlando Business Journal. American City Business Journals. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  10. Pepperman, Kelly (January 11, 2019). "International Drive developer talks new coaster, more parking". WKMG. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
  11. Story, Ken (November 15, 2016). "Joshua Wallack confirms new VR headsets for Skyplex roller coaster, and 'SkyLedge'". Orlando Weekly. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  12. "New Details Emerge for Orlando's Proposed "Skyscraper" at Skyplex". Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. March 13, 2017. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  13. "Skyscraper at Skyplex Orlando World's Tallest Roller Coaster Announcement". YouTube. Theme Park Review. June 5, 2014. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  14. Kitchen, Michael (November 19, 2014). "Interview with Michael Kitchen about Worlds Tallest Roller Coaster in Orlando". Theme Park Review (Interview). Interviewed by Robb Alvey. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  15. "GateKeeper Is Breaking More Records". Cedar Point. August 21, 2012. Archived from the original on December 31, 2013. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
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