Corkscrew
Specific Type: Corkscrew
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In 1968, Roger Jourden purchased a small petting zoo in Muskegon, Michigan and began adding some carnival rides, naming the park Deer Park Funland (now its known as Michigan's Adventure). It was a nice summer amusement but Jourden had bigger plans for the park. In 1975, Arrow Dynamics created the very first inversion in a very long time, the Corkscrew. Knotts Berry Farm in Buena Park, California built the very first of these and named it Corkscrew, or also known as the Roaring 20's Corkscrew. Boasting a huge success, though a very short ride, other parks wanted an inverting coaster in their parks. In fact, this new Corkscrew model from Arrow was so wildly popular that they sold five in 1975 alone. Flash forward a few years later to 1979 and Deer Park Funland is ready to put its name on the map of any mid-west thrill seeker.
Located just inside the park's main entrance gates and situated perfectly between the midway and the park's scenic lake stands the Corkscrew, Michigan's Adventure's star attraction for nearly 20 years. Guests can't help but notice the striking, bright orange track calling out to them. Or maybe its the screams of its riders corkscrewing along at over 40 miles an hour. Either way, those who choose to answer the call know right where to go. After walking past the ride's signature double corkscrew element, which in recent years has been highlighted with a glowing yellow coat of paint, the queue line begins. Snaking under the second of Corkscrew's two inversions future riders can catch a glimpse of exactly what they're about to get themselves into. Once in the station guests choose one of twelve rows, each sitting two abreast and prepare to board. A small dip and subsequent clockwise u-turn out of the station line the trains up with the lift hill. Slowly rising seventy feet above the ground, riders enjoy a nice view looking out over the park's lake. Once reaching the ride's apex another small dip disengages the train from the lift chain and a 180 degree right hand turn sets things up for the ride to really begin. Almost without warning the bottom drops out, providing a nice pop of airtime. The trains dive down almost to ground level, reaching its top speed of 45 miles and hour. Rising gently past the station the track banks to the right and begins to twist downward. Turning another 130 degrees to the right the track suddenly jerks up and over to the right. The horizon spins as riders are flung through the first corkscrew. Without a breath the track flips the train upside down once again, this time spiraling over the entry queue where riders were standing on solid ground only moments before. A slight rise brings the track up for a final 225 degree clockwise turnaround before the train slides into the final breaks. Back in the station riders disembark after their ride of just over a minute having enjoyed Michigan's Adventure's very first roller coaster. |
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