Anaconda (roller coaster)
Anaconda is a steel roller coaster located at Kings Dominion. Built by Arrow Dynamics and designed by Ron Toomer, Anaconda opened in 1991 as the first looping roller coaster to feature an underwater tunnel and the first at Kings Dominion with more than one inversion.[2]
| Anaconda | |
|---|---|
 The double-corkscrew element | |
| Kings Dominion | |
| Location | Kings Dominion |
| Park section | Safari Village |
| Coordinates | 37°50′21.23″N 77°26′24.79″W |
| Status | Operating |
| Opening date | March 23, 1991 |
| Cost | $5,000,000[1] |
| Replaced | King Kobra |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Steel |
| Manufacturer | Arrow Dynamics |
| Designer | Ron Toomer |
| Model | Custom Looping Coaster |
| Height | 128 ft (39 m) |
| Drop | 144 ft (44 m) |
| Length | 2,700 ft (820 m) |
| Speed | 50 mph (80 km/h) |
| Inversions | 4 |
| Duration | 1:50 |
| Capacity | 1,400 riders per hour |
| G-force | 5.1 |
| Height restriction | 48 in (122 cm) |
| Trains | 2 trains with 7 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 28 riders per train. |
| Anaconda at RCDB Pictures of Anaconda at RCDB | |
History
Kings Dominion's Lake Charles was chosen as the site for Anaconda. Arrow Dynamics would design the coaster to incorporate an underwater tunnel as well as keeping the majority of the ride over water. Construction began towards the end of the 1990 park season with elements of the lift hill constructed over the former site of King Kobra,[3] a weight drop Anton Schwarzkopf Shuttle Loop removed in 1987.[4] Anaconda opened to the public on March 23, 1991.[5]
Ride experience
The train leaves the station climbing the 128-foot (39 m) lift hill. From there riders plunge 144 feet (44 m) twisting to the right passing an on-ride camera, which has been removed, and entering an underwater tunnel. The train exits the tunnel entering a 360-degree vertical loop followed by a sidewinder inversion (a half loop that uses a corkscrew at the top to change direction). After riding a small hill, the train enters the first brake run nearly slowing to a complete stop.
The second part of the ride begins with a butterfly figure-eight element consisting of sharp twists and turns. The last turn to the right transitions the train into the a double corkscrew only 20 feet (6.1 m) above the water. Immediately following is a small bunny hill with a short dive under the lift hill that turns to the left into the final brake run. After a U-turn, the train returns to the station.[6]
References
- "ROLLER COASTER THE NEW TWIST".
- Dressler, Catherine (September 28, 1991). "Steeper, faster, scarier/Roller coaster riders, designers seek ultimate thrills". Houston Chronicle. p. 2. Retrieved January 2, 2012.
- Marden, Duane. "King Kobra (Kings Dominion)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
- "Thunder Looper". TowersNerd.com. Retrieved January 2, 2012.
- Marden, Duane. "Anaconda (Kings Dominion)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved January 2, 2012.
- "Anaconda". COASTER-net.com.