This was published 9 years ago
The Skyscraper, Orlando, Florida: World's tallest roller coaster planned
Brave riders aboard the world's tallest roller coaster could spiral towards the ground at 65 miles per hour (104 kilometres per hour) from a height of 155 metres at a new attraction planned for Orlando's International Drive.
Work on the towering coaster, called Skyscraper and designed by Orlando-based US Thrill Rides, is scheduled to start next year with an opening in 2016, its developers announced Thursday.
The coaster, designed to be the tallest structure in the Orlando area, would be the centrepiece of an attraction called Skyplex. It's planned by the father-and-son development team of David and Joshua Wallack, who own Mango's Tropical Cafe under construction on I-Drive.
The Wallacks' company, Mango's Entertainment, outlined the project during a news conference at the 12-acre Skyplex site near the northeast corner of I-Drive and Sand Lake Road.
The proposed $US200 million ($233 million) development also would include a tower-top restaurant, observation deck, ground-level stores and parking lot with 1500 car spaces.
Michael Kitchen, president of US Thrill Rides, said the 3-minute ride would include loops, inversions and barrel rolls during its 50-storey descent. Closer to the ground, the roller coaster cars would detour through the retail part of the complex and skirt above I-Drive pedestrians.
The maximum speed would be about 65 miles per hour (104 kilometres per hour), Kitchen said. Riders would be held in with a waistband-style restraint instead of shoulder harnesses that might impair the view, he said.
Ticket prices haven't been decided, but a pass would "certainly be under $US20 for unlimited rides," said Joshua Wallack, Mango's chief operating officer.
Coasters with superlatives such as tallest, highest, longest and fastest are magnets for fans, said Chris Kraftchick, regional representative for the American Coaster Enthusiasts fan club. He said he was intrigued by the Skyscraper's strong, vertical design because despite its height, it would have a small footprint.
"Not only is it high, there's nothing else like it in the world," Kraftchick said. "I know this is something that will probably bring a lot of thrill-seekers to Orlando."
People who didn't want to venture onto the coaster could take glass elevators to an observation deck about 55 stories up. The coaster's tracks would wrap around the elevators.
"I think the elevator ride is going to be amazing, just to see this train, this beautiful coaster running around you as you go up the tower," Kraftchick said.
On clear days, observation-deck visitors might be able to see both coasts of Florida, David Wallack said.
The Skyscraper first garnered attention last fall — under the name Polercoaster — during the IAAPA trade show for the amusement industry at the Orange County Convention Center. Kitchen said then that it would be built somewhere in Florida.
The reigning tallest coaster in the world is the Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey, according to the Roller Coaster Database. Kingda Ka is 139 metres tall.
Because of its extreme height, the Skyscraper will require approval from the Federal Aviation Administration.
"We don't anticipate any issues with the airports, but that will be up to the FAA to decide," Kitchen said.
Skyplex is the Wallacks' first foray into the attractions business. They have owned Mango's Tropical Cafe in Miami Beach since 1991. The Orlando Mango's is expected to open later this year.
US Thrill Rides is known for developing the SkyCoaster — seen locally at Fun Spot locations near I-Drive and in Kissimmee — and the SkyVenture, an indoor-sky-diving attraction that started near International Drive.
The Skyplex site is a few blocks north of where the 122-metre-tall Orlando Eye observation wheel is under construction. It's the centerpiece of new entertainment hub called I-Drive 360 scheduled to open in spring 2015. The project includes a Madame Tussauds wax museum, a Sea Life aquarium, shops and restaurants.
The one-two punch of tall attractions could encourage out-of-state tourists to stay an additional day in Orlando, said Abe Pizam, dean of the University of Central Florida's Rosen College of Hospitality Management.
"I believe that the combination of those two — going vertical rather than horizontal — is very good for our community."
TNS
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