Disaster Transport
| Disaster Transport | |
|---|---|
The outside of Disaster Transport
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| Previously known as Avalanche Run (1985–1989) | |
| Cedar Point | |
| Coordinates | 41°28′52″N 82°40′46.00″W / 41.48111°N 82.6794444°WCoordinates: 41°28′52″N 82°40′46.00″W / 41.48111°N 82.6794444°W |
| Status | Closed |
| Opening date | May 11, 1985 |
| Closing date | July 29, 2012 |
| Cost | $3,400,000 USD to build (1985) $4,000,000 USD to renovate (1990) |
| Replaced by | GateKeeper |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Steel – Enclosed – Bobsled |
| Manufacturer | Intamin |
| Model | Swiss Bob |
| Track layout | Custom |
| Lift/launch system | Chain |
| Height | 63 ft (19 m) |
| Drop | 50 ft (15 m) |
| Length | 1,932 ft (589 m) |
| Speed | 40 mph (64 km/h) |
| Inversions | 0 |
| Duration | 2:32 |
| Max vertical angle | 27° |
| Capacity | 1,800 riders per hour |
| G-force | 2.7 |
| Height restriction | 46 in (117 cm) |
| Trains | 5 trains with a single car. Riders are arranged 2 across in 5 rows for a total of 10 riders per train. |
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Disaster Transport at RCDB Pictures of Disaster Transport at RCDB |
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Disaster Transport (formerly Avalanche Run) was an enclosed steel bobsled roller coaster built by Intamin at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, United States. It was notable as being the only indoor roller coaster at Cedar Point and the only bobsled roller coaster in the midwest at its debut. The name of the ride stems from "Dispatch Master Transport". The origin of the name could still be seen in the ride's logo in its later years. Before the ride was enclosed, the supports and outer sides of the track were painted blue.
Disaster Transport originally opened on May 11, 1985 as Avalanche Run and was entirely outdoors. It was built next to the beach, on the former spot of Jumbo Jet and later, WildCat. Many other rides also had to be relocated. The original ride cost $3.4 million: $1.9 million to manufacture and $1.5 million to install.
In 1990, ITEC Productions, Inc. was chosen to renovate the ride, completely enclosing it in a show building. The renovation included the addition of a space-themed queue and ride along with special effect lighting and sound. The special effects and construction cost approximately $4 million. On the outside of the building, "12 E" was written, which had caused numerous rumors as to its meanings. On August 3, 2005, it was revealed that it stood for the 12th ride designed by the ITEC employee, Eric.
Not long after the changes to the ride in 1990, the special effects began to deteriorate due to a lack of upkeep. By the time the ride closed, many of the effects were no longer active or had been covered up. Blacklight reactant paint lined the walls, mostly in the form of handprints or outlines of scenes. These gave a 3-D appearance when the rider wore special glasses purchased at the beginning of the queue.
On July 13, 2012, Cedar Point announced that Disaster Transport would close on July 29, 2012. It was the second roller coaster at Cedar Point to close in 2012. A charity auction was held for the final riders, benefiting the Give Kids the World charity foundation. The last ride was given at 11:53 PM on July 29, with the lights turned on. The ride started demolition on August 6, using about 380 trucks to transport scrap materials. A portion of track, two cars and the main entrance sign will be donated to the National Roller Coaster Museum. Less than a month later on August 29 at around 9:30 AM, the last section of Disaster Transport was demolished. The 12E part of the building was the last section left standing.
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Wikipedia