Maverick (roller coaster)

Maverick is a steel roller coaster located at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. Manufactured by Intamin at a cost of $21 million, it was the 500th roller coaster designed by German engineer Werner Stengel and the first to feature a twisted horseshoe roll element.[1][2] There are two launch points along the 4,450-foot (1,360 m) track that utilize linear synchronous motors (LSM). Maverick features a beyond-vertical drop of 95 degrees and reaches a maximum speed of 70 mph (110 km/h).[1][3]

Maverick
Maverick's 105-foot, 95 degree drop and turnaround in the former Swan Boat pond
Cedar Point
LocationCedar Point
Park sectionFrontiertown
Coordinates41°29′6.73″N 82°41′33.13″W
StatusOperating
Opening dateMay 26, 2007
CostUS$21,000,000
ReplacedWhite Water Landing
Swan Boats
General statistics
TypeSteel – Launched
ManufacturerIntamin
DesignerWerner Stengel
ModelBlitz Coaster
Lift/launch systemTwo LSM-launches Launch - 0-70 in 3 seconds
Height105 ft (32 m)
Drop100 ft (30 m)
Length4,450 ft (1,360 m)
Speed70 mph (110 km/h)
Inversions2
Duration2:30
Max vertical angle95°
Capacity1,200 riders per hour
Height restriction52–78 in (132–198 cm)
Trains6 trains with 3 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 12 riders per train.
Fast Lane Plus only available
Maverick at RCDB
Pictures of Maverick at RCDB

Maverick was originally scheduled to open on May 12, 2007, but the opening was delayed after testing revealed that its heartline roll element, which followed the second launch, was too intense and placed excessive stress on the trains. It was replaced in favor of an s-curve element that joins two banked turns, and the coaster opened to public on May 26, 2007.[4] The slogan used in the ride's promotion was "The Old West Was Never This Wild."[1]

History

Maverick sits on the former site of White Water Landing. After White Water Landing closed on October 31, 2005, construction on Maverick began.[5] On January 24, 2006, Cedar Fair Entertainment Company filed a trademark for the name Maverick.[6] The project became known officially and colloquially as "Project 2007" until the announcement on September 7, 2006.[1]

Construction
Maverick's footings dot the former Swan Boat pond. Photo taken May 13, 2006

After the closure of the 2005 season in October, the White Water Landing log flume ride was retired. Although the ride was disassembled, the station was left intact and now serves as Maverick's on-ride photo booth and queue.[3] Beginning in February 2006, concrete footers were poured on the former White Water Landing site, as well as in the pond that once housed Cedar Point's Swan Boat ride.[7] In May 2006, track segments arrived in a fenced area near the park's off-site hotel, formerly named Breakers Express renamed Express Hotel. Initially, Cedar Point covered track segments with blue tarps.[8] On July 16, 2006, the first steel supports were erected.[5] On the week of August 16, 2006, the first track segments were installed.[9] On September 11, 2006, the crest of the lift hill was added, thereby topping off the ride.[10] Track installation was completed on October 28, 2006[11] and the first phase of testing began in January 2007.[12]

Delayed opening

On May 8, 2007, four days before Maverick was scheduled to debut, park general manager John Hildebrant announced that the ride would be delayed until early June because three 40-foot (12 m) track sections after the second launch needed to be replaced. These sections made up the heartline roll element and put excessive stress on the trains, which also might have caused discomfort to passengers due to high g-forces.[4] On May 17, 2007, the heartline roll was removed and was replaced with an s-curve.[13] The s-curve transitions the existing track from a banked right curve to a banked left curve. Installation of the s-curve was completed on May 24 and final testing and licensing of the attraction resumed.[14] On the same day, Cedar Point officials also announced that Maverick would debut on May 26.[15]

Ride experience

Layout
Maverick train and first airtime hill

Two trains are loaded and dispatched simultaneously. One train is launched while the other sits at the bottom of the lift hill. Once the first train has reached the tunnel, the second train is launched. The ride starts out with a LSM launch up a 105-foot (32 m) hill at 20 degrees. At the top of the hill, the train drops 100 feet (30 m) at a 95 degree angle. The train reaches a speed of 57 miles per hour (92 km/h) then goes through a series of banked turns. First, the train turns to the right. Then it turns to the left through a canyon then another turn to the right. It then goes over a 74-foot (23 m) airtime hill followed by a turn to the right into the Twisted Horseshoe Roll which features two 360-degree corkscrew rolls, back-to-back, with a 180-degree banked curve between the two. The train then makes a turn to the right into the tunnel where it is launched 400 feet (120 m) at 70 miles per hour (110 km/h) under the station. The tunnel features special effects such as blue LED strips. At the end of the tunnel, it goes up a hill with brakes going up it, followed by a high-banked curve. The train then goes through a turn to the right into a canyon with an S-curve (original heartline roll location). Water bombs shoot off as the train enters the canyon. The train then passes under the lift hill through an over banked turn at 92 degrees. It then turns to the right into another overbanked turn followed by an airtime hill. The train then turns to the right into the brake run.[3][16][17] One cycle of the ride lasts about 2 minutes and 30 seconds.[3]

Trains/theme
Maverick train exiting the first canyon

Maverick features six three-car steam-era style trains that seat twelve passengers each. The trains have tiered seating and are named and colored as follows: Brett, Brass, Brent, Iron, Ben, Gunmetal, Beau, Gold, Bart, Silver, and Sam. Copper.[18] The restraint system, similar to Accelerator Coasters, includes a hydraulic over the shoulder harness and an interlocking seat belt. The station features an elevated dual unloading and loading platform enabling two trains to be loaded and unloaded simultaneously.[3] Maverick features western music, contributing to the western theme.[19] There is also an elevator shaft designed to look like a silo, that also contributes to the western theme.[20] The passenger height restriction was initially set to a minimum of 48 inches (120 cm). In May 2007, the height restriction was raised to a minimum of 52 inches (130 cm) per recommendations made by Intamin.[1][15] At the 2015 Winter Chill Out, Cedar Point announced that the traditional over the shoulder restraints would be replaced with the soft vest style restraints seen on Intimidator 305.[21]

Operation

Maverick is negatively affected by unfavorable weather conditions as a high velocity ride. "Rain, and/or lightning" may result in the closing of the ride depending on the severity. It will close under any kind of steady precipitation.[22]

There is no minimum age requirement, but passengers must meet the minimum height requirement of 52 inches and a maximum of 78 inches to ride.[23] Some persons over a certain weight/waist size will not be permitted to ride if the seat and lap bar harness cannot accommodate them.[22] Passengers on Maverick may not bring any loose articles onto the train and will be required to wear shirts and footwear. Headphones must be removed before boarding. Glasses must also be secured by an athletic strap.[22]

Guests are advised not to ride Maverick if they have "a history of recent surgery, heart trouble/high blood pressure, neck trouble, back trouble, or any other condition that may be aggravated by riding, or who are pregnant".[24]

In the 2020 season, following the COVID-19 pandemic, timed boarding passes are currently in effect named "Access Passes" to comply with social distancing guidelines.[25]

Awards
Golden Ticket Awards: Top steel Roller Coasters
Year2007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019
Ranking 13[26]12[28]15[29]21 (tie)[30]21[31]21[32]22[33]28 (tie)[34]22[35]12[36]10[37]9[38]13[39]

References
  1. "News Release". Cedar Point. Archived from the original on October 5, 2006. Retrieved September 7, 2006.
  2. "Werner Stengel". Retrieved July 16, 2012.
  3. "Stats and Layout". Cedar Point. Archived from the original on October 31, 2006. Retrieved September 7, 2006.
  4. Booth, John (May 8, 2007). "Cedar Point delays new ride's start". Crain's Cleveland Business. Archived from the original on December 5, 2008. Retrieved May 8, 2007.
  5. "Cedar Point delays Maverick opening". Yahoo!. May 8, 2007. Archived from the original on July 29, 2014. Retrieved July 16, 2012.
  6. "Maverick Trademark". Legal Force. Retrieved July 16, 2012.
  7. "Concrete evidence appears at Cedar Point". Coasternet.com. March 4, 2006. Archived from the original on December 19, 2011. Retrieved July 16, 2012.
  8. Barhite, Brandi (May 10, 2006). "Pieces of Cedar Point's mystery ride revealed". Sandusky Register. Archived from the original on July 25, 2006. Retrieved September 6, 2006.
  9. "Cedar Point at Screamscape". Screamscape. Archived from the original on September 2, 2006. Retrieved July 16, 2012.
  10. Adams, Tyler; Tony Clark (September 12, 2006). "Something to See". Cedar Point. Archived from the original on May 18, 2009. Retrieved September 16, 2006.
  11. "Construction Update — October 28, 2006". Point Pixels. Archived from the original on November 6, 2006. Retrieved July 17, 2012.
  12. "Maverick Point Cast 3". Point Cast. October 25, 2009. Retrieved July 16, 2012.
  13. "Cedar Point removes Heartline roll". Archived from the original on August 21, 2007. Retrieved July 16, 2012.
  14. Adams, Tyler; Tony Clark (May 24, 2007). "Track Work Complete". Cedar Point. Archived from the original on May 26, 2007. Retrieved May 24, 2007.
  15. "Ready To Debut Maverick on Saturday". Toledo News Now. Retrieved July 16, 2012.
  16. "Maverick Point Cast 4". Point Cast. Retrieved July 16, 2012.
  17. "Maverick ride review". Ultimate Coaster. Archived from the original on January 1, 2009. Retrieved July 16, 2012.
  18. "Cedar Point Virtual Tour — Frontiertown". Retrieved July 17, 2012.
  19. "Maverick Station/Theme Music". 2010. Retrieved July 16, 2012.
  20. "Maverick Point Cast 2". Point Cast. Retrieved July 16, 2012.
  21. Clark, Tony. "New Announcements". cedarpoint.com. Cedar Fair Entertainment Company. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015.
  22. "Ride policies and Procedures". 2012. Retrieved July 7, 2012.
  23. "Rider Height Requirements". Retrieved July 7, 2012.
  24. "Guests with Special Needs". Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved July 7, 2012.
  25. Glaser, Susan (July 8, 2020). "Cedar Point opening day preview: Face masks, social distancing, HalloWeekends and more". cleveland.com. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  26. "Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 11 (6.2): 36–37. September 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  27. "NAPHA 2005–2011 Survey Results". National Amusement Park Historical Association. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
  28. "Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 12 (6.2): 36–37. September 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  29. "Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 13 (6.2): 32–33. September 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  30. "Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 14 (6.2): 34–35. September 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  31. "Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 15 (6.2): 38–39. September 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  32. "Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 16 (6.2): 36–37. September 2012. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  33. "2013 Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 17 (6.2): 34–35. September 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  34. "2014 Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 18 (6.2): 46–47. September 2014. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  35. "2015 Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 19 (6.2): 49–50. September 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  36. "2016 top 50 steel roller coasters". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2016. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  37. "2017 Top 50 Steel Coasters". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2017. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  38. "2018 Top 50 Steel Coasters". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2018. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  39. "2019 Top Steel". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2019. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
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