National Roller Coaster Day
At any amusement park, it has the highest “wow” factor. On National Roller Coaster Day, August 16, take a ride on one and get a thrill a minute! If you’re an adult, relive a child’s anticipation of a slow, rickety climb way, way up the loopty-loop and dashing way, way down to the bottom.
In this age of high tech sophistication, roller coasters can still make us giddy over a ride that was popular back in the ‘1920s. Rediscover the latest cutting-edge coaster tech that will still give you goose bumps and you don’t even have to stand in line!
NATIONAL ROLLER COASTER DAY ACTIVITIES
1.Build up your courage and take a ride
Even though the basic design has changed little over the years, these aren’t your grandparents roller coaster rides! If you’re near Sandusky, Ohio, on National Roller Coaster Day, take a ride on Steel Vengeance, voted “Best New Ride of 2018” with its “high-speed hyper-hybrid roller coaster turning riders upside down four times.” At Pittsburgh’s Kennywood Park, riders on the death-defying, Steel Curtain coaster will experience nine inversions, reaching speeds of 75 mph. So go ahead, take a ride — we dare ya’!
2.Experience a virtual roller coaster ride
Having problems getting up the courage to take an actual roller coaster ride? That’s no problem because in today’s digital world, you can get all the thrills and spills with a virtual roller coaster ride. Since their introduction in 2015, many virtual reality (VR) roller coaster rides are housed in their own buildings at various amusement parks. But, if you really can’t wait to try out a ride, try the Steel Vengeance ride online.
3.Read up on the history of roller coasters
Some folks just can’t get on a roller coaster without knowing a little more about them. On National Roller Coaster Day, hit the library and read some books about roller coaster history. It’s fascinating!
5 OF THE MOST INSANE ROLLER COASTERS YOU MUST FACE YOUR FEARS TO RIDE
1.This one has the deepest drop
Travel to Canada’s Vaughn, Ontario, to experience the Yukon Striker with riders dangling during a three-second (!) hold at the very top of the ride over a 90-degree drop, then swooshing down 245 feet into a tunnel below ground.
2.It’s called Steel Vengeance for a reason
Head to Cedar Point Park to ride in Steel Vengeance, a super hybrid roller coaster, said to be one of the fastest in the world, clocking 74 mph while traveling along 5,740 feet of track.
3.New Jersey’s home to one of the world’s tallest coasters
The Kingda Ka roller coaster, extending upward with the equivalent of about 45 stories or 456 feet in the air, delivers eye-popping thrills at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey.
4.This one faces backwards
It’s called the Superman: Escape from Krypton roller coaster and features a 100 mph launch up 415 feet while backwards. You can ride it, if you dare, at Six Flags Magic Mountain just north of Los Angeles.
5.It is aptly named
The Intimidator at Virginia’s Kings Dominion will turn your hair white with its 85-degree first drop straight down.
References:
“National Roller Coaster Day” │ https://nationaltoday.com/national-roller-coaster-day/