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Stardust Racers: Universal’s Dual-Launch Cosmic Racing Coaster

tz — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 06:25:14 +0000

Stardust Racers opened on May 22, 2025, as one of the flagship attractions of Universal Epic Universe in Orlando, Florida. Built by Mack Rides, the dual-track launched coaster sends riders blazing along two parallel 5,000-foot circuits — the yellow Photon train and the green Pulsar train — themed as rival comets streaking through the cosmos in Celestial Park, the park’s central hub land.

Reaching a top speed of 62 mph and cresting at 133 feet, each track delivers one inversion: Photon features a Barrel Roll Downdrop while Pulsar offers a Zero-G Roll. The signature ‘Celestial Spin’ element sees the two tracks twist around each other in a dramatic near-miss crisscross maneuver, and onboard audio and lighting keep both trains fully immersed in the cosmic theme from launch to brake run. Stardust Racers earned the Golden Ticket Award for Best New Roller Coaster in 2025.

Stats at a Glance

Park: Universal Epic Universe
Manufacturer: Mack Rides
Opened: May 22, 2025
Height: 133 ft (40.5 m)
Top Speed: 62 mph (99.8 km/h)
Length: 5,000 ft (1,524 m) per track
Inversions: 1 per track
Launch Type: Linear Synchronous Motor (LSM)

The Ride Experience

Guests choose their allegiance at the loading station — yellow Photon on the left or green Pulsar on the right — before both trains launch simultaneously via LSM propulsion, guaranteeing a true side-by-side race from the first burst of acceleration. The tracks shadow and mirror each other through sweeping turns and airtime hills before diverging for each track’s unique inversion.

The climactic Celestial Spin brings the two tracks within feet of each other as they invert and crisscross, the kind of near-miss moment that draws gasps from both sides of the train. With onboard audio tied to the comet theme and lighting effects that pulse through the circuit, the ride blends speed and spectacle in equal measure.

Scale and Setting

Stardust Racers anchors Celestial Park, designed around an astronomical aesthetic that makes the coaster’s twin arcing tracks a visual centerpiece visible from across Universal Epic Universe. With a combined track length of around 10,000 feet across both sides, the ride ranks among the largest steel roller coasters in the United States.

Its debut alongside the rest of Epic Universe in May 2025 represented one of the most anticipated theme park openings in years, and Stardust Racers quickly became the marquee reason enthusiasts made the trip. Each 20-passenger train accommodates riders two across in two rows per car, keeping throughput high even as demand for the coaster remained exceptionally strong in the park’s opening season.

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Stardust Racers FAQs

What is the height requirement for Stardust Racers?

Riders must be at least 48 inches (122 cm) tall to ride Stardust Racers at Universal Epic Universe.

What is the difference between the Photon and Pulsar tracks?

Both tracks reach 133 feet and 62 mph, but they feature different inversions: Photon (yellow) has a Barrel Roll Downdrop, while Pulsar (green) has a Zero-G Roll. The perspective during the race also differs slightly depending on which side you ride.

Where exactly is Stardust Racers in Universal Epic Universe?

Stardust Racers is located in Celestial Park, the central hub land of Universal Epic Universe in Orlando, Florida, where it serves as the area’s primary thrill anchor.

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Photo: Gfgbeach / CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.

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Goliath: Six Flags Magic Mountain’s Record-Breaking Hypercoaster

tz — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 06:04:22 +0000

Goliath opened on February 11, 2000, at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California, built by Swiss manufacturer Giovanola. The steel hypercoaster stood 235 feet tall and sent riders plunging 255 feet at a maximum vertical angle of 61 degrees, reaching a top speed of 85 mph — making it one of the most aggressive non-inverting coasters in the world at the time.

At its debut, Goliath briefly held the world record for both the longest drop and the highest top speed among full-circuit steel roller coasters. That distinction lasted only a few months before Cedar Point’s Millennium Force surpassed both marks in May 2000. Themed around ancient Mayan ruins, the ride features a 120-foot tunnel at the base of its first drop and a sweeping 585-degree helix that keeps sustained forces on riders well after the big plunge.

Stats at a Glance

Park: Six Flags Magic Mountain
Location: Valencia, California
Manufacturer: Giovanola (Switzerland)
Opened: February 11, 2000
Height: 235 ft (72 m)
Drop: 255 ft (78 m)
Top Speed: 85 mph (137 km/h)
Length: 4,500 ft (1,400 m)
Inversions: 0
Duration: About 3 minutes

The Ride Experience

From the moment the train crests the 235-foot lift hill, Goliath delivers a 255-foot plunge at a 61-degree angle — steep enough to generate serious airtime before riders blast through a 120-foot enclosed tunnel at the bottom. The transition from that darkness back into the open California sky is one of the ride’s signature moments.

After the first drop, the train sweeps through a series of high-speed curves and a massive 585-degree helix that keeps sustained lateral forces pressing riders into their seats. With no inversions, Goliath’s thrill comes entirely from speed, elevation change, and raw momentum — three trains each carrying 30 riders ensure the line keeps moving.

Records and Legacy

When Goliath launched in February 2000, it was the fastest and longest-dropping full-circuit steel coaster on earth. That reign lasted just three months: Cedar Point’s Millennium Force opened in May 2000 with a 300-foot drop and 93 mph top speed, instantly eclipsing both marks.

Despite losing its records quickly, Goliath cemented Six Flags Magic Mountain’s reputation as the coaster capital of the world — a park that was already home to more roller coasters than any other. Decades after opening, it remains one of the park’s signature headline attractions and a benchmark hypercoaster of its era.

Explore more: Roller Coasters hub.

Goliath FAQs

How tall is Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain?

Goliath stands 235 feet (72 meters) tall and features a first drop of 255 feet (78 meters), which is actually longer than the ride’s overall height due to the terrain layout.

Who built Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain?

Goliath was manufactured by Giovanola, a Swiss company, and designed by Werner Stengel’s engineering firm. It opened on February 11, 2000.

Does Goliath have any loops or inversions?

No. Goliath has zero inversions. Its thrills come entirely from its 255-foot drop, 85 mph top speed, and a 585-degree helix rather than upside-down elements.

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Photo: Jeff Turner from Santa Clarita, CA, United States / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

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SheiKra: North America’s First Dive Coaster at Busch Gardens Tampa

tz — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 05:57:32 +0000

SheiKra is a steel Dive Coaster at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in Tampa, Florida, designed by Swiss manufacturer Bolliger and Mabillard. When it opened on May 21, 2005, it became the first Dive Coaster in North America and immediately set records as the world’s tallest, fastest, and longest coaster of its type, standing 200 feet tall and reaching a top speed of 70 mph.

Named after an African hawk known for plunging straight down on its prey, SheiKra lives up to its name by holding riders at the crest of a 90-degree drop for a suspended moment before plunging them straight down. In 2007, the ride was upgraded to a floorless configuration, removing the floor beneath riders’ feet and intensifying the sensation of open-air freefall on every inch of its 3,188-foot track.

Stats at a Glance

Park: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Tampa, Florida
Manufacturer: Bolliger and Mabillard
Opened: May 21, 2005
Floorless Conversion: June 16, 2007
Height: 200 ft (61 m)
Top Speed: 70 mph (110 km/h)
Length: 3,188 ft (972 m)
Inversions: 1 (Immelmann loop)
Max Drop Angle: 90°

The Ride Experience

Riders board in rows of eight across a wide, open train — after the 2007 conversion, with no floor beneath their feet — and ascend the 200-foot chain lift hill before creeping to the edge of a sheer vertical drop. The train pauses at the precipice for a few agonizing seconds, then plunges straight down at 90 degrees, hitting 70 mph before pulling into an underground tunnel and a roaring splashdown water feature. A sweeping Immelmann loop delivers the ride’s single inversion before a second vertical drop sends the train into another tunnel, rounding out a roughly two-minute-and-twenty-second circuit.

SheiKra pioneered two elements on Dive Coasters that were novel at the time: the splashdown finale and the Immelmann loop. The floorless modification in 2007 amplified the experience further, leaving nothing between riders and the ground hundreds of feet below during the signature drop.

Records and Legacy

At its 2005 debut, SheiKra held the titles of tallest, fastest, and longest Dive Coaster in the world. Those records were later surpassed by Griffon at Busch Gardens Williamsburg in 2007 and by Chimelong Paradise’s Dive Coaster in 2008, but SheiKra’s place in coaster history remains secure as the ride that introduced the Dive Coaster format to North America.

The ride earned a Golden Ticket Award nomination for Best New Ride in 2005 and was ranked among the top steel coasters in the world as high as 13th. It remains one of the most iconic attractions at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and a benchmark for the Dive Coaster category globally.

Explore more: Roller Coasters hub.

SheiKra FAQs

How tall is SheiKra?

SheiKra stands 200 feet (61 m) tall and drops riders at a true 90-degree vertical angle.

When did SheiKra become a floorless coaster?

The ride was converted to a floorless configuration on June 16, 2007, about two years after its original opening in May 2005.

Was SheiKra the first Dive Coaster in North America?

Yes. SheiKra opened on May 21, 2005, and was the first Dive Coaster ever built in North America, as well as the world’s tallest, fastest, and longest Dive Coaster at the time of its debut.

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Photo: supercrewboy / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

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Skyrush: Hersheypark’s High-Flying 75-MPH Wing Coaster

tz — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 05:39:30 +0000

Skyrush is a steel Wing Coaster at Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania, built by Intamin and opened on May 26, 2012. It was the park’s 12th roller coaster and the world’s first Intamin Wing Coaster, placing riders in seats cantilevered beyond the edges of the track for an unobstructed, free-floating sensation through every twist and hill.

A cable lift hauls the train 200 feet skyward before releasing it down an 85-degree first drop, accelerating to 75 mph and generating up to 5 Gs. The 3,600-foot layout threads directly above Spring Creek, delivering four high-speed banked turns and five dedicated airtime hills in just 63 seconds. Since its debut, Skyrush has claimed a spot in Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Awards top 50 steel coasters nearly every year it has been eligible.

Stats at a Glance

Park: Hersheypark, Hershey, Pennsylvania
Manufacturer: Intamin
Opened: May 26, 2012
Height: 200 ft (61 m)
Drop: 212 ft (65 m)
Top Speed: 75 mph (121 km/h)
Length: 3,600 ft (1,100 m)
Inversions: 0
Max G-Force: 5.0

The Ride Experience

Skyrush opens with a cable lift that yanks the train 200 feet upward at roughly 26 feet per second — brisk enough that the crest arrives almost without warning. The descent hits 85 degrees, just shy of vertical, and slams riders to 75 mph within the first few moments of the drop.

The course then sweeps through wide, high-banked curves and five pronounced airtime hills, all routed low above the waters of Spring Creek. Winged seats leave nothing between riders and the landscape below, making every surge of ejector airtime feel completely exposed. At peak intensity, the ride registers a maximum of 5.0 Gs — among the highest sustained forces found on any modern steel coaster.

Design and Recognition

Skyrush was the first Wing Coaster ever produced by Swiss manufacturer Intamin, functioning as a prototype for the model. Each train carries 32 riders arranged four across in a single row per car, with seats extending outward beyond the rails on both sides. Two trains run the circuit, supporting a capacity of around 1,350 riders per hour.

For the 2024 season, Hersheypark replaced the trains’ seats and restraint system — an upgrade widely praised by enthusiasts who had previously flagged restraint comfort as the ride’s main drawback. Skyrush has appeared in the Golden Ticket Awards top 50 steel coasters in virtually every year since opening, confirming its reputation as one of the most intense and well-regarded hyper coasters in North America.

Explore more: Roller Coasters.

Skyrush FAQs

How tall is Skyrush?

Skyrush stands 200 feet (61 m) tall and features a 212-foot (65 m) first drop angled at 85 degrees.

What type of roller coaster is Skyrush?

Skyrush is a steel Wing Coaster manufactured by Intamin — the first Wing Coaster the company ever built. Riders sit in pairs on each side of the train in seats that extend beyond the track edges, leaving them fully exposed to the air.

Does Skyrush have any inversions?

No. Skyrush has zero inversions. Its intensity comes from speed, a near-vertical drop, five ejector airtime hills, and sustained G-forces reaching 5.0 throughout the 63-second ride.

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Photo: 45BearsFan / CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.

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Maverick: Cedar Point’s High-Speed Launched Thrill Machine

tz — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 05:35:35 +0000

Maverick opened at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio on May 26, 2007, replacing the beloved water ride White Water Landing in the park’s Frontier Town section. Built by Swiss manufacturer Intamin and engineered by Werner Stengel — for whom it was his 500th coaster design — Maverick carried a $21 million price tag and instantly set itself apart as one of the most technically ambitious rides Cedar Point had ever built.

Despite standing just 105 feet tall, Maverick packed in a beyond-vertical 95-degree drop, dual linear synchronous motor (LSM) launches, and a first-of-its-kind twisted horseshoe roll inversion. It won the Golden Ticket Award for Best New Ride in 2007 and earned widespread praise for delivering an intense, relentless ride experience that punched well above its modest height.

Stats at a Glance

Park: Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio
Manufacturer: Intamin
Opened: May 26, 2007
Height: 105 ft (32 m)
Drop: 100 ft (30 m) at 95°
Top Speed: 70 mph (113 km/h)
Length: 4,450 ft (1,360 m)
Inversions: 2

The Ride Experience

Maverick begins with a 105-foot LSM lift hill before plunging riders down a 100-foot drop angled at a stomach-dropping 95 degrees — technically beyond vertical. The first launch accelerates the train through a twisting, low-to-the-ground layout packed with aggressive transitions, before a second hidden launch inside a 400-foot tunnel sends riders screaming into the signature twisted horseshoe roll: back-to-back 360-degree corkscrews executed in rapid succession. The entire run clocks in at around two and a half minutes of near-constant intensity.

One notable piece of history: during pre-opening testing, the original heartline roll element generated excessive g-forces and was replaced with an S-curve before the ride debuted. The change was never publicized at the time but later became a well-known piece of coaster lore among enthusiasts, highlighting how seriously Intamin and Cedar Point took rider safety in the design process.

Legacy and Acclaim

Maverick demonstrated that thrill does not require record-breaking height. By prioritizing speed, aggression, and innovative elements over sheer size, it offered a counterpoint to Cedar Point’s many mega-coasters and quickly developed a devoted following. Enthusiasts frequently rank it among the best steel coasters in the world, crediting its relentless pacing and the visceral punch of its dual launches.

The coaster also marked an important milestone for designer Werner Stengel, whose 500th design it was — a career achievement celebrated across the amusement industry. Today, Maverick remains one of Cedar Point’s most consistently popular attractions, with long queues a routine feature throughout the operating season.

Explore more: Roller Coasters.

Maverick FAQs

How tall do you have to be to ride Maverick at Cedar Point?

Riders must be between 52 and 78 inches tall to ride Maverick.

How many launches does Maverick have?

Maverick features two separate LSM (linear synchronous motor) launches — one near the start of the ride and a second inside a darkened 400-foot tunnel mid-course.

What is the twisted horseshoe roll on Maverick?

The twisted horseshoe roll is a unique inversion element — first debuted on Maverick in 2007 — consisting of two back-to-back 360-degree corkscrews connected by a curved transition, accounting for both of the ride’s inversions.

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Photo: Larry Pieniazek, User:Lar, en:User:Lar (primary) / CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons.

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