Tantrum (roller coaster)

Tantrum is a steel roller coaster at Six Flags Darien Lake in Darien, New York, United States. It is a Euro-Fighter roller coaster manufactured by German manufacturer Gerstlauer and opened on May 25, 2018. Tantrum features a maximum height of 98.4-foot (30.0 m), with a maximum speed of 35 miles per hour (56 km/h) and a total track length of 1,246.7 feet (380.0 m). With a drop angle of 97 degrees, it was the first roller coaster in the state of New York to feature a beyond-vertical drop and the park's first new roller coaster since 2008.

Tantrum
Six Flags Darien Lake
LocationSix Flags Darien Lake
Coordinates42°55′46″N 78°23′06″W / 42.9294°N 78.3849°W / 42.9294; -78.3849
StatusOperating
Opening dateMay 25, 2018 (2018-05-25)
CostUS$5,000,000
ReplacedThunder Rapids
General statistics
TypeSteel
ManufacturerGerstlauer
ModelEuro-Fighter
Lift/launch systemChain lift hill
Height98.4 ft (30.0 m)
Length1,246.7 ft (380.0 m)
Speed52.8 mph (85.0 km/h)
Inversions3
Duration1:00
Max vertical angle97°
Height restriction48–76[1] in (122–193 cm)
Trains3 trains with a single car. Riders are arranged 4 across in 2 rows for a total of 8 riders per train.
Tantrum at RCDB

History

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In November 2017, local news reported that Darien Lake had submitted plans to build a new roller coaster to the county planning board of Genesee County.[2] It was reported that the ride would be a Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter. The announcement came one year after Darien Lake was purchased by EPR Properties.[2] The ride would replace Thunder Rapids, the park's log flume.[2] The ride name was announced to be Tantrum in November, and the park planned on an opening in May 2018.[3] The ride was recommended by the county planning board, and sent to the planning board of the town of Darien.[4]

The Darien town planning board reviewed the plan on November 20, 2017, but requested further information on the site plan.[5] At the December 18, 2017 meeting, the park provided additional drawings and paperwork, and the plan was approved by the board.[6] It was announced that construction would cost around $5,000,000 USD and by early May, hard hat tours were given of the project site, showing the progress of construction.[7] The ride opened to the public on May 25, 2018, just before Memorial Day weekend.[8] Tantrum opened as the first roller coaster in New York state to feature a beyond-vertical drop, as well as the park's seventh roller coaster and its first in ten years.[9]

Ride experience

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Immediately upon leaving the station, the car turns slightly to the left and then begins to ascend the 98.4-foot (30.0 m) vertical lift hill. The car then descends a 97-degree beyond-vertical drop, reaching a speed of 52.8 miles per hour (85.0 km/h). The car then enters an Immelmann loop before traveling through a curved drop to the right. The car then enters a cutback, followed by an inclined loop. The train then enters the brake run before turning left into the station. A ride on Tantrum lasts approximately one minute.[10]

Characteristics

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Tantrum was manufactured by German manufacturer Gerstlauer and features only a lap bar as opposed to over-the-shoulder restraints.[11] The ride was installed by the Ride Entertainment Group,[12] and features the same layout as Iron Shark at Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier as well as Kráter at Parque del Café.[13] The ride features three trains with the ability to run one, two, or three at a time.[11] The trains are four across with two rows for a total of eight riders per train.[14] The ride features green track with orange supports, causing the ride to "[stand out] among the park's great coaster collection" according to Andreas Simonis of Gerstlauer.[11]

References

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  1. ^ Tsujimoto, Ben (April 30, 2018). "Darien Lake sets debut date for the Tantrum, its new roller coaster". The Buffalo News. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
  2. ^ a b c Besecker, Aaron (November 3, 2017). "For Darien Lake's newest thrill, roller coaster planned to open next summer". The Buffalo News. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  3. ^ Anstey, Evan (November 13, 2017). "New Darien Lake roller coaster to be called "Tantrum"". WIVB 4.
  4. ^ Mussen, Dale (November 13, 2017). "Darien Lake To Add Wild New Coaster Next Year". WBUF. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  5. ^ Brooke Finkney (November 20, 2017). Planning Board Meeting November 20, 2017 (PDF) (Report). Town of Darien Planning Board.
  6. ^ Alice Calmes (December 18, 2017). Planning Board Meeting December 18, 2017 (PDF) (Report). Town of Darien Planning Board.
  7. ^ "Darien Lake's $5M Tantrum". The Daily News. May 3, 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  8. ^ Christmann, Samantha (June 1, 2018). "Tantrum roller coaster is officially open at Darien Lake". The Buffalo News. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  9. ^ Owens, Howard (June 1, 2018). "Darien Lake's Tantrum expected to give thrill seekers what they want". The Batavian. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  10. ^ Marden, Duane. "Tantrum  (Darien Lake)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  11. ^ a b c Stevenson, John (4 June 2018). "Tantrum Euro-Fighter Coaster Opens at Darien Lake". Coaster101. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  12. ^ Read, Charles (6 June 2018). "Tantrum roller coaster storms into Darien Lake theme park". Blooloop. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  13. ^ Marden, Duane. "Euro-Fighter 380". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  14. ^ Marden, Duane. "Tantrum  (Six Flags Darien Lake)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 9 March 2024.