Rita is a launched roller coaster at Alton Towers in Staffordshire, England, known for its brutal hydraulic launch that hurls riders from 0 to 61.1 mph (98.3 km/h) in just 2.5 seconds. Built by Intamin as an Accelerator Coaster and designed by Werner Stengel, it opened to the public on 1 April 2005 as the first coaster of its kind in Europe.
Set within the park’s Dark Forest area, Rita trades height and inversions for pure acceleration, using a twisting figure-of-8 layout to pack drag-strip intensity into a compact footprint. Briefly renamed ‘Camilla: Queen of Speed’ days after opening to mark the royal wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles, the ride has remained a staple of Alton Towers’ lineup for two decades.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Alton Towers, Staffordshire, England
- Manufacturer: Intamin (Accelerator Coaster)
- Opened: 1 April 2005
- Height: about 18.4 m (60 ft)
- Top speed: 98.3 km/h (61.1 mph)
- Length: about 640 m (2,100 ft)
- Inversions: 0
The Ride Experience
Rita’s defining moment comes before the ride even leaves the station: a hydraulic launch system fires the train down the initial straight, reaching highway speed in under three seconds and delivering a strong burst of G-force. From there, the twister-style layout weaves through low-to-the-ground turns and airtime moments, using speed and lateral forces rather than height or loops to deliver its thrills.
The entire circuit lasts about 25 seconds, making Rita one of the shortest but most intense rides in the park. Its Dark Forest theming, added in a later refurbishment, wraps the launch track in woodland scenery that contrasts with the ride’s raw mechanical aggression.
History and Legacy
Rita introduced UK riders to Intamin’s Accelerator Coaster launch technology, a design already proven at parks abroad but new to Britain when it debuted in 2005. It briefly operated under the name ‘Camilla: Queen of Speed’ just after opening to tie into a royal celebration before reverting to Rita.
As a high-stress launch coaster, Rita has required periodic maintenance and short closures over the years, as is typical for hydraulic launch systems. Despite this, it has remained continuously popular as a fast, accessible thrill ride suited to a wide range of riders.
Explore more: Explore more roller coasters.
Rita FAQs
How fast does Rita go?
Rita reaches a top speed of 98.3 km/h (61.1 mph), accelerating from a standstill in about 2.5 seconds via its hydraulic launch system.
Who manufactured Rita?
Rita was built by Intamin as an Accelerator Coaster model, with the layout designed by Werner Stengel.
Does Rita have any loops or inversions?
No, Rita has zero inversions. Its thrills come from launch acceleration, speed, and tight turns rather than loops.
Get More from Rita
Log the coasters, stadiums, and venues you’ve experienced, rate Rita, and see what your friends thought. Get the ThrillZing app.
Photo: Christophe Badoux / CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.