Park section Baja Ridge Cost $2,000,000 Manufacturer Anton Schwarzkopf Height 34 m Speed 55 mph (89 km/h) | Status Operating Type Steel Address Valencia, CA 91355, USA Max speed 88 km/h | |
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Opening date May 8, 1976 (1976-05-08) Hours Open today · 10:30AM–6PMWednesday10:30AM–6PMThursday10:30AM–6PMFriday10:30AM–6PMSaturday10:30AM–6PMSunday10:30AM–6PMMonday10:30AM–6PMTuesday10:30AM–6PMSuggest an edit Similar Dare Devil Dive, Twisted Colossus, X2, Full Throttle, Goliath | ||
For the virtual reality coaster see The New Revolution: Virtual Reality Coaster
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The New Revolution (formerly known as Revolution, Great American Revolution, and La Revolución) is a steel roller coaster located at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California. Manufactured by Anton Schwarzkopf and designed by Werner Stengel, the roller coaster opened to the public on May 8, 1976. The New Revolution is the world's first modern roller coaster to feature a vertical loop and has been recognized for that accomplishment by American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE), who awarded the roller coaster its Coaster Landmark status.
The coaster was named after the American Revolution in celebration of the country's Bicentennial. Unlike many of the previous looping roller coasters in the 19th and early-20th centuries which attempted circular loops, Revolution's success was dependent on a clothoid-shaped vertical loop – a first in the industry. In 2016, the coaster received a makeover for its 40th anniversary that included new trains with lap bars and an optional virtual reality experience for riders. The New Revolution soft-launched to season pass holders on March 26, 2016, and opened to the general public on April 21, 2016.
History
In the mid-1970s, Magic Mountain enlisted ride manufacturer Anton Schwarzkopf and legendary designer Werner Stengel to design and build the first looping roller coaster in modern times. The last known existence of one was Loop the Loop at Coney Island during the early 1900s. Prior to Great American Revolution's opening, a week of testing was needed to properly calibrate the tightness of the wheels, in order to get the train to complete one full circuit. At the ride's opening, staff operating the ride were outfitted with Continental Army-style uniforms to match the time period of the American Revolution, which the country was celebrating for its Bicentennial.
In 1979 following the purchase of the park by Six Flags, the ride's name was changed to La Revolución in honor of the Mexican Revolution. In 1988, the ride's name was changed once more to simply Revolution. In June 2002, a Coaster Landmark plaque awarded by American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) was placed near the line queue in front of the ride. The award was presented in recognition of its accomplishment as the world's first modern vertical-looping roller coaster. In 2005, parts of Revolution had to be dismantled to make way for the park's new Tatsu roller coaster that was being constructed. Revolution reopened with Tatsu on the new coaster's media day on May 11, 2006.
The New Revolution
On September 3, 2015, Six Flags announced that Revolution would be refurbished for the 2016 season marking the roller coaster's 40th anniversary. It will be renamed The New Revolution, and its track will be painted white and blue. The ride will receive new red, white, and blue trains with the lead cars of each train featuring a silver eagle ornament mounted on the front. The new trains will also be fitted with lap and calf bars. The elimination of the highly criticized, over-the-shoulder restraints is intended to provide a smoother, more comfortable ride experience with additional airtime.
Six Flags announced on March 3, 2016, that The New Revolution would be among several rides at various parks that would receive a virtual reality (VR) upgrade. Riders will have the option to wear Samsung Gear VR headsets, powered by Oculus, to create a 360-degree, 3D experience while riding. The illusion is themed to a fighter jet, where riders fly through a futuristic city as co-pilots battling alien invaders. The feature will debut with the coaster when it emerges from refurbishment and reopens to season pass holders on March 26, 2016. It reopened to the general public on April 21, 2016.
On February 8, 2017, Six Flags announced that The New Revolution would offer a new VR experience known as The New Revolution Galactic Attack, the world's first mixed Virtual Reality Experience powered by Oculus VR, the experience is around a Alien invasion, in space, in which as riders crests the lift hill, the setting changes into a intergalactic battle seen from an fighter spaceship cockpit. It will be available to the public on February 25th.
Incidents
On June 12, 2015, a 10-year-old girl riding the roller coaster was found breathing but unconscious after returning to the station. She was rushed to a nearby hospital and died the following day. According to the local coroner's office, she died of natural causes unrelated to the ride. An autopsy wasn't performed to determine the exact cause, at the request of the girl's family.
Pop culture
Revolution was prominently featured in the climax of the 1977 suspense thriller Rollercoaster. The 1978 cult film Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park features the rollercoaster throughout the movie. It was also featured in the film National Lampoon's Vacation. Dubbed the "Whipper Snapper," the Griswold family and kidnapped security guard Russ Lasky (John Candy) rode this coaster in the final scenes of the film. It was also featured in the episode "Phantom of the Roller Coaster" in season three of Wonder Woman. The coaster is also featured in the 1979 film Van Nuys Blvd.