Phantom’s Revenge is a steel hypercoaster at Kennywood amusement park in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, and one of the most celebrated coasters in the United States. Born from the bones of the 1991 Arrow Dynamics-built Steel Phantom, the ride was radically reimagined by D.H. Morgan Manufacturing and reopened on May 19, 2001 with all four inversions removed, lap bars replacing over-the-shoulder restraints, and a dramatically reshaped layout that transformed a rough classic into a smooth, relentless speed machine.
What sets Phantom’s Revenge apart is its gravity-defying second drop: at 228 feet, it is longer than the first — a rare engineering quirk made possible by the ride’s clever use of the Monongahela River valley terrain. Trains exit the first hill at speed, dive into the ravine, and slam through the longer plunge before rocketing back up to 85 mph. In 2025 it was voted the United States’ best roller coaster by USA Today readers, a nod to its enduring status as one of the premier steel coasters anywhere.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Kennywood, West Mifflin, Pennsylvania
- Manufacturer: D.H. Morgan Manufacturing (modified from Arrow Dynamics)
- Opened: May 19, 2001 (original ride: May 10, 1991)
- Height: 160 ft (49 m)
- Top Speed: 85 mph (137 km/h)
- Length: 3,200 ft (975 m)
- Second Drop: 228 ft (69 m)
- Inversions: 0
The Ride Experience
Riders board seven-car trains and climb to 160 feet before cresting the first drop into the river valley. The terrain coaster layout uses the natural hillside to build momentum, so the second drop — 228 feet into the ravine below — hits harder and faster than the first. The result is a sustained burst of airtime and speed that carries all the way through the final run. Lap bars and seatbelts replaced the old over-the-shoulder restraints during the 2001 overhaul, eliminating the roughness that plagued the original Steel Phantom and letting riders fully enjoy the sustained 85-mph charge.
The ride runs two 28-passenger trains and lasts about one minute and 57 seconds from launch to brake run. With a height requirement of 48 inches, it is accessible to a wide range of riders while still delivering a forceful, enthusiast-grade experience.
From Steel Phantom to Phantom’s Revenge
When Steel Phantom debuted in 1991 it held world records for longest drop and fastest speed, and was the first coaster to break 80 mph. But its four Arrow-designed inversions became notorious for rough, head-banging transitions, and ridership suffered. Kennywood partnered with D.H. Morgan Manufacturing to gut the inversion sequence, extend the second drop, and rebuild the ride as Phantom’s Revenge — preserving the iconic first drop and ravine plunge while delivering a completely different post-drop experience.
The transformation is now widely regarded as one of the most successful coaster renovations in amusement park history. Phantom’s Revenge consistently ranks in amusement industry Golden Ticket Award polls and NAPHA surveys, and its 2025 USA Today recognition confirmed its place among the very best steel coasters in the country.
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Phantom’s Revenge FAQs
Where is Phantom’s Revenge located?
Phantom’s Revenge is located at Kennywood amusement park in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, just outside Pittsburgh.
How fast does Phantom’s Revenge go?
The coaster reaches a top speed of 85 mph (137 km/h), achieved largely on its signature 228-foot second drop into the Monongahela River valley.
What is the history behind Phantom’s Revenge?
Phantom’s Revenge opened in 2001 as a major renovation of the 1991 Steel Phantom. D.H. Morgan Manufacturing removed all four inversions, extended the second drop to 228 feet, and replaced shoulder restraints with lap bars, turning a famously rough ride into a world-class hypercoaster.
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Photo: Claire S. from Northern Virginia, USA / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.