Rougarou: Cedar Point’s Floorless Beast
Rougarou is the floorless coaster that prowls Cedar Point’s midway, standing 145 feet tall and reaching speeds of 60 mph through a layout packed with inversions and powerful turns. Named after the werewolf of Cajun folklore, this B&M floorless coaster delivers a smooth, intense ride experience that combines the thrill of dangling feet with aggressive positive G-forces.
Rougarou in its opening season of 2015 howls down the first drop. The supports and track painted anew, the former Mantis stand-up roller coaster was in need of a refresh. Converting it into a floorless coaster was a great decision!
Originally opened in 1996 as Mantis, a stand-up coaster, the ride was converted to floorless trains in 2015 and renamed Rougarou. The conversion breathed new life into the ride, eliminating the discomfort issues that plagued the stand-up configuration while preserving the excellent layout. Learn more at Cedar Point’s official site.
The Ride Experience
Rougarou features four inversions: a 119-foot vertical loop, a dive loop, a zero-G roll, and a corkscrew. The first drop plunges 137 feet into the vertical loop, which pulls strong positive Gs at the bottom. The transition from the dive loop into the zero-G roll is one of the ride’s highlights, delivering a smooth whip of forces that demonstrates why B&M is considered the master of the inversion.
The floorless trains add a dimension of exposure that sit-down coasters lack. With nothing beneath your feet, the ground rushes past in a blur during low-to-ground sections, and inversions feel more open and dramatic. The front row, in particular, offers an unobstructed view of every element as it approaches.
Rougarou’s Place at Cedar Point
At a park filled with record-breaking coasters, Rougarou sometimes flies under the radar. But its reliable intensity, smooth ride quality, and consistently short wait times make it a favorite among regular visitors. It is the kind of ride you re-ride three times in a row on a slow weekday, and it rewards every lap.
For visitors planning a Cedar Point trip, do not skip Rougarou in favor of the bigger names. It is one of the best floorless coasters in the world and a reminder that a great layout matters more than record-breaking stats. Find more Cedar Point tips at ThrillZing’s blog.