Ride Cracks 100 Mph Barrier

Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, Calif., has disclosed plans to open a new attraction at its 268-acre facility that it billed as the world’s tallest, fastest and most technologically advanced thrill ride.

The park didn’t reveal the cost of the new ride, to be called Superman The Escape, although sources indicated that it will approach about $10 million. Construction is already under way on the attraction, which will span more than 900 feet and tower 415 feet above the ground to make it taller than the park’s landmark Sky Tower. Opening is planned for this spring.

“This is the most we’ve spent on any attraction,” said Larry Bouts, chairman and chief executive officer of Six Flags Theme Parks Inc., based in Parsippany, N.J. “We think with Superman the ride opening this year, we’ll blow the doors off attendance and put great numbers up for Six Flags.”

Superman The Escape will accelerate riders to 100 mph in just seven seconds, setting a ride speed record. The ride will feature 6.5 seconds of weightlessness as riders rocket to the top and then slowly begin the backward descent. The vehicles, each weighing six tons, will carry 15 passengers.

The attraction, designed and engineered by Intamin of Zurich, Switzerland, will feature a dual track coaster forming a gigantic “L”-shaped superstructure. It will be located atop Samurai Summit.