Twister
Specific Type: Wooden
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Knoebels was put on the map for their first and highly regarded world class wooden roller coaster, the Phoenix, which was moved from Playland Park to Knoebels in 1985. 14 long years later, Knoebels introduced another world class coaster, Twister. Twisteris a reincarnation of the infamous Mr. Twister, which once stood on the former Elitch Gardens site in Denver, Colorado. Knoebels obtained the original Mr. Twister plans, and built the new Twister. The plans were adapted from the original by John Fetterman. The original Mr. Twister was designed by John Allen, who built other exciting roller coasters such as Screamin’ Eagle at Six Flags St. Louis, and Blue Streak at Cedar Point. Opening on July 24th, 1999, some enthusiasts even claimed it was better than the original. The ride even has certain bolts and other pieces that were taken from Mr. Twister. Twisting and diving in and out of itself nearly thirty times, Twister is undoubtedly one of the finest wooden twister roller coasters ever built, and a worthy remake of Mr. Twister. Originally, the plan was to relocate Mr. Twister to Knoebel’s, but the lack of space and the park’s desire to preserve trees struck it down. However, the park decided to keep some of Mr. Twister’s best features, such as the swoop curve at the top of the lift, the double helix, and the intense tunnel climax. Your journey begins by leaving the curved station and taking a right hand turn, before catching the chain of the first lift, which is located directly under the second, but in the opposite direction. After cresting over the first lift, you make a quick downward turn slightly to the left before turning again to the right (while experiencing heavy lateral forces) and catching the chain of the second lift hill. During the slow ride up the lift, riders can take in a very nice overview of the park to the left, and a view of the woods to the right. If riders happen to look down, they may see the Pioneer Train tracking along the wilderness. After cresting the second lift at 107 feet, you turn slightly again to the left before turning to the right. This is the swoop curve mentioned above. Next, you’ll plunge 89 feet into Twister’s structure at 51 mph, recreating the amazing headchoppers on Mr. Twister. After being lifted aloft out of the twisted mass of wood, you turn to the left and dive yet again into the mass of wood. From there, you begin to enter the double level, 540-degree helix, which produces intense laterals. Exiting the helix, the ride goes totally out of control, diving and twisting inside its own structure. Emerging from the structure, Twister makes a turn inside a tunnel and reaches the brakes and heads into the station, ending a superb ride that definitely lives up to its namesake. |
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