The New Revolution (formerly known as Revolution, Great American Revolution and La Revolución) is a steel roller coaster located at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California. Manufactured by Anton Schwarzkopf and designed by Werner Stengel, the roller coaster opened to the public on May 8, 1976. The New Revolution is the world's first modern roller coaster to feature a vertical loop and has been recognized for that accomplishment by American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE), who awarded the roller coaster its Coaster Landmark status.[1] However, there were earlier examples of roller coasters with a full vertical loop, such as the steel roller coaster called "Looping the Loop" in Parque Japonés in Buenos Aires, which operated from 1911 to 1930.[2]
| The New Revolution | |
|---|---|
| Previously known as Revolution (1988–2015) La Revolución (1981–1987) Great American Revolution (1976–1980) | |
 The New Revolution | |
| Six Flags Magic Mountain | |
| Location | Six Flags Magic Mountain |
| Park section | Baja Ridge |
| Coordinates | 34°25′22″N 118°35′47″W / 34.42278°N 118.59639°W |
| Status | Operating |
| Opening date | May 8, 1976 |
| Cost | $2,000,000 |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Steel |
| Manufacturer | Anton Schwarzkopf |
| Designer | Werner Stengel |
| Model | Looping roller coaster |
| Track layout | Terrain |
| Lift/launch system | Chain lift hill |
| Height | 113 ft (34 m) |
| Drop | 83 ft (25 m) |
| Length | 3,457 ft (1,054 m) |
| Speed | 55 mph (89 km/h) |
| Inversions | 1 |
| Duration | 79 seconds |
| Max vertical angle | 45° |
| Capacity | 1400 riders per hour |
| G-force | 4.9 |
| Height restriction | 48 in (122 cm) |
| Trains | 2 trains with 5 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 20 riders per train. |
| Theme | America |
 Flash Pass available | |
 Single rider line available on most days | |
 Must transfer from wheelchair | |
| The New Revolution at RCDB | |
The coaster was named after the American Revolution in celebration of the country's Bicentennial. Unlike many of the previous looping roller coasters in the 19th and early-20th centuries which attempted circular loops, Revolution's success was dependent on a clothoid-shaped vertical loop – a first in the industry.
In 2016, the coaster received a makeover for its 40th anniversary that included new trains with lap bars and an optional virtual reality experience for riders.[3] The New Revolution soft-launched to season pass holders on March 26, 2016, and opened to the general public on April 21, 2016.[4]
History
editGreat American Revolution
edit
In the mid-1970s, Magic Mountain enlisted ride manufacturer Anton Schwarzkopf and legendary designer Werner Stengel to design and build the first looping roller coaster in modern times. The last known existence of one was Loop the Loop at Coney Island during the early 1900s. Prior to Great American Revolution's opening, a week of testing was needed to properly calibrate the tightness of the wheels, in order to get the train to complete one full circuit. At the ride's opening, staff operating the ride were outfitted with Continental Army-style uniforms to match the time period of the American Revolution, which the country was celebrating for its Bicentennial.[5]
La Revolución, Revolution
editIn 1979 following the purchase of the park by Six Flags, the ride's name was changed to La Revolución in honor of the Mexican Revolution. In 1988, the ride's name was changed once more to simply Revolution. In 1992, over-the-shoulder restraints were added to the trains, alongside the existing lapbars, to prevent guests from standing up. The addition was heavily criticized, as it led to a rough ride and numerous complaints of discomfort and headbanging.
In June 2002, a Coaster Landmark plaque awarded by American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) was placed near the line queue in front of the ride. The award was presented in recognition of its accomplishment as the world's first modern vertical-looping roller coaster. In 2005, parts of Revolution had to be dismantled to make way for the park's new Tatsu roller coaster that was being constructed. Revolution reopened with Tatsu on the new coaster's media day on May 11, 2006.
The New Revolution
editRevolution was refurbished for the 2016 season in celebration of the roller coaster's 40th anniversary.[6] The ride received new red and white trains, with each train's lead car featuring a silver eagle ornament mounted on the front, and the track was painted white and blue. The new trains were also fitted with lap and calf bar restraints, replacing the unpopular over-the-shoulder design, which Six Flags claimed would provide additional airtime and a more comfortable ride experience.[7][8] The ride reopened as The New Revolution.
The New Revolution was among several rides at various parks that received an on-ride virtual reality (VR) feature.[9] Riders were given the option to wear Samsung Gear VR headsets, powered by Oculus, to experience a 3D virtual world themed to a fighter jet, where riders flew through a futuristic city as co-pilots battling alien invaders. The feature debuted with the coaster when it emerged from refurbishment and reopened to season pass holders on March 26, 2016.[10][11][12] It reopened to the general public on April 21, 2016.[4]
On February 8, 2017, Six Flags announced that The New Revolution would offer a new VR experience known as The New Revolution Galactic Attack. It was billed as the world's first mixed Virtual Reality Experience powered by Oculus VR. The experience was centered around an alien invasion in space. As riders crest the lift hill, the setting changed into an intergalactic battle seen from the cockpit of a fighter spaceship. It became available to the public on February 25.[13]
Beginning on November 18, 2017, Six Flags debuted a new VR experience to match the "Holiday in the Park" theme. Dubbed "Santa's Wild Sleigh Ride," it placed riders in Santa's sleigh as he delivered presents to a snowy town.[14]
The VR option was extremely popular, causing 2-3 hour lines. The headsets would overheat and make the lines even longer. Therefore, the headsets were moved to Lex Luthor: Drop of Doom in 2018.[15] With the VR feature removed, the ride now operates in "Classic Revolution" mode.
In November 2018, The New Revolution was renamed Red Sox Revolution temporarily after the park lost a World Series bet to Six Flags New England.[16]
Incidents
edit
On May 31, 1996, a park employee was hit and killed instantly while attempting to cross the tracks in the boarding station as a train was returning. The investigation determined she slipped and fell into a 4-foot (1.2 m) pit below, crossing from the side where passengers exit over to the opposite side.[17]
On June 12, 2015, a 10-year-old girl riding the roller coaster was found breathing but unconscious after returning to the station. She was rushed to a nearby hospital and died the following day. According to the local coroner's office, she died of natural causes unrelated to the ride. An autopsy wasn't performed to determine the exact cause, at the request of the girl's family.[18][19]
In popular culture
editRevolution was prominently featured in the 1977 film Rollercoaster.[20] It was also featured in the 1983 movie National Lampoon's Vacation as the Whipper Snapper.[21]
References
edit- ^ ACE Coaster Landmark Awards
- ^ "Looping the Loop, Parque Japonés, Buenos Aires". Roller Coaster Database. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
- ^ "Six Flags and Samsung Partner to Launch First Virtual Reality Roller Coasters in North America". www.cbs8.com. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
- ^ a b MacDonald, Brady (March 26, 2016). "Six Flags Magic Mountain turns aging coaster into virtual reality video game". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
- ^ "Revolution Roller Coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain to Be Renovated After Farewell Run". Westsidetoday.com. September 3, 2015. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
- ^ "Magic Mountain to Upgrade New Revolution Ride".
- ^ "The Revolution To Be Reborn As The New Revolution At Six Flags Magic Mountain". The Coaster Guy. September 3, 2015. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
- ^ "Six Flags Magic Mountain announces 'Revolution' makeover at Valencia park". The Signal. September 3, 2015. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
- ^ "The New Revolution - The Most Anticipated Virtual Reality Coaster For 2016 is Ready to Launch!" (Press release). Six Flags Entertainment Corporation. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- ^ "Six Flags Magic Mountain Announces North America's First Virtual Reality Coaster". Six Flags. March 3, 2016. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
- ^ Boxall, Andy (March 3, 2016). "Six Flags launches a virtual reality roller coaster". Digital Trends. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
- ^ Martin, Hugo (March 3, 2016). "Six Flags Magic Mountain to add virtual reality to a coaster". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
- ^ "Six Flags announces World's First Mixed VR Coaster Experience".
- ^ "Six Flags Magic Mountain's Holiday in the Park offers Santa and steampunk for 2017". 10 November 2017.
- ^ "West Coast's Tallest Drop Tower Ride to Debut DC Super Hero VR Experience".
- ^ "Six Flags Magic Mountain will rename roller coaster to honor Red Sox after losing World Series bet". 29 October 2018.
- ^ Chu, Henry; Nicholas Riccardi (May 31, 1996). "Roller Coaster Worker Dies at Magic Mountain". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
- ^ Rocha, Veronica (June 15, 2015). "10-year-old girl dies after riding Revolution roller coaster at Magic Mountain". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
- ^ Soley-Cerro, Ashley (June 16, 2015). "Girl, 10, Died of Natural Causes After Riding Magic Mountain Roller Coaster: Coroner's Office". KTLA 5. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "New Revolution (Six Flags Magic Mountain)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
- ^ "The New Revolution". Six Flags. Retrieved 4 July 2024.