Years ago I got violently sick on the American Eagle roller coaster at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois. Since then my days on thrill rides have been drastically reduced. However, judging by the two hour (plus) long lines that I see people standing in at amusement parks each summer I’ve deduced that I am in the minority when it comes to shying away from high flying “fun.”
This summer will be no exception. You still can’t pay me enough to get on any ride that dips, turns or hurls you through mid-air; still, they’re out there and in greater numbers than ever before, and at some of the nation’s largest amusement parks they are bigger and better than ever.
For example, at Six Flags locations in New Jersey and Gurnee, Illinois, the Dark Knight Coaster is expected to open before its namesake movie is released in theaters this summer. “The Dark Knight,” the new Batman movie, starring the late Heath Ledger as the Joker doesn’t open until July 18, but thrill seekers can take a ride on the hair raising coaster as early as mid-May.
The indoor coaster begins and ends in complete darkness and is designed to transport guests to a Gotham City under siege by the Joker. Riders board graffitied cars that embark on a chaotic journey through hairpin turns, blind plunges and hallucinatory images.
Meanwhile, at Six Flags St. Louis brave souls can relive the glory days of daredevil Evel Knievel by riding his namesake coaster, which is set to debut on June 20. If the 80-foot first drop doesn’t take your breath away the 16 hills, 50-mph speeds and entry-area monitors that show Knievel’s record breaking jumps and most dramatic crashes should.
If that ride doesn’t have you screaming into summer then consider heading to Hard Rock Park in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The 55-acre park opened today and is home to one of the most “intense” roller coaster rides in the world (at least according to the park’s website).
Led Zeppelin-The Ride is the park’s signature coaster. It’s a 155-foot-high high flying adventure inspired by the popular 1970’s heavy metal group. Guests enter through a big, silver airship to board a 3,738-foot-long coaster with six loops and a top speed of 65 mph. Throughout the ride you’ll enjoy thundering riffs of “Whole Lotta Love” — although I doubt you’ll be able to hear much over the screams and wails of spooked out riders.
The park celebrates its official grand opening on June 2 with live concerts by the Eagles and The Moody Blues. If you want to be one of the first to say you rode the Zeppelin coaster you can take advantage of the park’s preview days through May 7. Doing so will get you through the gates for $40 per person. After May 8, the price of regular admission jumps to $50.
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