Ultra Twister
Encyclopedia
Ultra Twister was a steel
roller coaster
located at Six Flags Great Adventure
from 1986 to 1990 and then at Six Flags AstroWorld
from 1991 until that park was closed and demolished by the Six Flags Corporation
in 2005. The ultratwister-design is that of a pipeline roller coaster
, created by a Japanese company TOGO
.
under the same name. It was built in 1985 and located at Six Flags Great Adventure's "Frontier Adventures" section along a path going from Rolling Thunder
down to Runaway Mine Train
. When it opened in 1986, it was the first heartline roll coaster in the world as well as the coaster with the steepest ascent. Although the coaster itself was a rough ride due to the restraints needed to be in use, it was still a relatively popular coaster among guests. In 1989, the Great American Scream Machine opened at the park, bringing it up to six coasters. At that time, pictures and descriptions of this coaster along with nine other coasters in the Six Flags Chain were displayed on mini-billboards along the queue area. Ultra Twister was closed mid season in 1989 and dismantled due to ride rotation programs.
It was moved to Six Flags AstroWorld
, where it opened in 1991. At that point, its lift hill was modified from a direct 90 degree vertical ascent to an ascent at a 45 degree angle so it was easier to evacuate the lift if necessary. The coaster was later painted from its bluish-white previous color to green and blue. The coaster continued running at Astroworld until the park closed permanently in the fall of 2005. After Astroworld closed, Ultra Twister went into storage at sister park, Six Flags America
, of Largo, MD. Its reopening is unlikely, as it is reportedly damaged beyond repair. In 2009 they put the ride for sale on www.italintl.com. However, many other Ultra Twister models are still operating in Japan.
Steel
Steel is an alloy that consists mostly of iron and has a carbon content between 0.2% and 2.1% by weight, depending on the grade. Carbon is the most common alloying material for iron, but various other alloying elements are used, such as manganese, chromium, vanadium, and tungsten...
roller coaster
Roller coaster
The roller coaster is a popular amusement ride developed for amusement parks and modern theme parks. LaMarcus Adna Thompson patented the first coasters on January 20, 1885...
located at Six Flags Great Adventure
Six Flags Great Adventure
Six Flags Great Adventure is a theme park in Jackson Township, New Jersey, owned by Six Flags Entertainment Corp., the world's largest amusement park corporation...
from 1986 to 1990 and then at Six Flags AstroWorld
Six Flags Astroworld
AstroWorld was a seasonally operated theme park located on approximately of land between Kirby Drive and Fannin Avenue, directly south of Loop 610 in Houston, Texas, USA...
from 1991 until that park was closed and demolished by the Six Flags Corporation
Six Flags
Six Flags Entertainment Corp. is the world's largest amusement park corporation based on quantity of properties and the fifth most popular in terms of attendance. The company maintains 14 properties located throughout North America, including theme parks, thrill parks, water parks and family...
in 2005. The ultratwister-design is that of a pipeline roller coaster
Pipeline roller coaster
The Pipeline Coaster was a roller coaster developed by Japanese ride company TOGO. Pipeline roller coasters position riders between the rails, rather than above or below. TOGO was the first and only company to produce this type of roller coaster successfully...
, created by a Japanese company TOGO
TOGO
TOGO was a Japanese roller coaster design company, famous for inventing the stand-up roller coaster. TOGO went bankrupt in the early 2000s due to a lawsuit by Knott's Berry Farm for problems with their Windjammer roller coaster. TOGO is also credited with creating the first working pipeline roller...
.
History
Ultra Twister was previously located at Six Flags Great AdventureSix Flags Great Adventure
Six Flags Great Adventure is a theme park in Jackson Township, New Jersey, owned by Six Flags Entertainment Corp., the world's largest amusement park corporation...
under the same name. It was built in 1985 and located at Six Flags Great Adventure's "Frontier Adventures" section along a path going from Rolling Thunder
Rolling Thunder (roller coaster)
Rolling Thunder is a racing wooden roller coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ. Rolling Thunder is the park's first wooden coaster, and debuted in 1979 during the park's fifth anniversary season. The line for the ride begins at an adjoining entrance and has separate queues for each...
down to Runaway Mine Train
Runaway Mine Train (Six Flags Great Adventure)
Runaway Mine Train is a steel roller coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ and at Six Flags over Texas in Arlington, Texas. It was the park's first steel coaster, and was built by Arrow Dynamics...
. When it opened in 1986, it was the first heartline roll coaster in the world as well as the coaster with the steepest ascent. Although the coaster itself was a rough ride due to the restraints needed to be in use, it was still a relatively popular coaster among guests. In 1989, the Great American Scream Machine opened at the park, bringing it up to six coasters. At that time, pictures and descriptions of this coaster along with nine other coasters in the Six Flags Chain were displayed on mini-billboards along the queue area. Ultra Twister was closed mid season in 1989 and dismantled due to ride rotation programs.
It was moved to Six Flags AstroWorld
Six Flags Astroworld
AstroWorld was a seasonally operated theme park located on approximately of land between Kirby Drive and Fannin Avenue, directly south of Loop 610 in Houston, Texas, USA...
, where it opened in 1991. At that point, its lift hill was modified from a direct 90 degree vertical ascent to an ascent at a 45 degree angle so it was easier to evacuate the lift if necessary. The coaster was later painted from its bluish-white previous color to green and blue. The coaster continued running at Astroworld until the park closed permanently in the fall of 2005. After Astroworld closed, Ultra Twister went into storage at sister park, Six Flags America
Six Flags America
Six Flags America is a family theme park and water park located in Mitchellville, Prince George's County, Maryland. It is situated east of Washington D.C. and southwest of Baltimore. The park covers , 131 of which is currently used for park operations...
, of Largo, MD. Its reopening is unlikely, as it is reportedly damaged beyond repair. In 2009 they put the ride for sale on www.italintl.com. However, many other Ultra Twister models are still operating in Japan.