Jet Star 2: Difference between revisions
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===1998 Control System=== | ===1998 Control System=== | ||
In 1998 the | In 1998 the ride's control system was completely redesigned and rebuilt by [[Setpoint]]. | ||
===2004 Re-manufacturing=== | ===2004 Re-manufacturing=== | ||
Revision as of 19:48, 25 March 2015
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| Location: North Midway |
| Built by: Anton Schwarzkopf Company |
| Built in: 1974 |
| Installed: 1976 |
| Duration of the ride: 1 minute 30 seconds |
| Top Speed: 45 mph |
| Length of Track: 1900 feet |
| Tallest Point: 45 feet |
| Ride Capacity: 1680 riders per hour |
| Car Capacity: 6 - 8 riders |
| Height Requirements: Riders under 50" in height may not ride. |
| Special Rule: No single riders allowed |
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Jet Star 2 is Lagoon's oldest steel roller coaster currently in operation.
Ride Details
Jet Star 2 is a Jumbo-Jet style coaster built by Anton Schwarzkopf. It is the only Jet Star 2 model of roller coaster currently operating in the United States.
The ride features a spiral lift hill that keeps the ride compact, while also giving riders 360° views during the ascent. The ride travels through a series of sudden drops and tight helices. The layout of the cars is not that of a standard roller coaster, but more like a log flume. Each car has three long seats that fit two to three people. Riders sit single file, and it is required that at least two people sit in each seat. There is no single rider line, so you must have a partner to ride. The inline seating means that the car is quite slim, which allows it to perform some very tight turns and banks.
The ride's final brake section brings the car to a very abrupt stop. Reactions to the brake section like those posted in the POV video below are typical. Jet Star 2 is the only roller coaster at Lagoon that loads and unloads from two different locations.
Background
The Jet Star 2 was originally opened as the star midway attraction of Expo '74, the 1974 world's fair held in Spokane, Washington. At the time, the ride was considered world-class and proved extremely popular with fair-goers. When the fair ended most of the midway was moved overseas, but the Jet star 2 was purchased by Lagoon. It began operation in Utah in 1976.
The coaster's predecessor, the Jet Star, can be found at various parks around the world. There has never been a Jet Star at Lagoon.
Ride Changes
Color Schemes
The ride had orange track, tan supports and blue and white striped cars during Expo '74. The supports were painted light blue when the ride opened at Lagoon. In the late 70's or early 80's the ride's supports were painted yellow and the cars we re-painted with stylized yellow, blue and orange stripes. After the 2004-05 ride refurbishment, the ride was painted it's current color scheme. The ride now has yellow track pieces and red supports. The cars are now black with flames down the side.
1998 Control System
In 1998 the ride's control system was completely redesigned and rebuilt by Setpoint.
2004 Re-manufacturing
At the end of the 2004 season Jet Star was closed and dismantled. Parts of the ride, including some track pieces were re-manufactured and repainted. The ride remained under refurbishment until the middle of the 2005 season when the ride was reopened. The ride is said to run much more smoothly after being refurbished. The new paint job makes the ride stand out prominently on the north midway.
Commemorative Beer
No-Li Brewhouse in Washington state produces a beer called "Jet Star Imperial IPA" as part of its Expo Series. The beer commemorates Jet Star 2's time at the World's Fair. The back label of the beer reads:
Remember that first thrill ride and mind altering experience? Jet Star Imperial IPA shatters your senses in a way that has not been seen since Spokane's '74 World Expo. Jet-Star is a roller-coaster ride of double dosed hops, packing 90 IBU's and 8.1% alc/vol. One heck of a flashback.
Gallery
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Ride with a previous paint scheme in the late 1990's
Video
Click "Expand" to see an On-ride video. Possible spoilers.
See Also
- Jet Star 2 at the Lagoon History Project
- Jet Star Imperial IPA at No-Li Brewhouse
- Expo '74 Jet Star 2 image at the The Spokesman-Review.