The most extreme park. The most terrible attractions in the world. Attraction "Catapult" in Russia
In order to tickle their nerves, thrill-seekers are ready to do the most unexpected things. Attractions where the release of adrenaline in people occurs under the supervision of specialists help to satisfy the demands of extreme sports enthusiasts, but to minimize the number of accidents around the world.
We present to your attention ten extreme entertainments, which even the most fearless visitor will not remain indifferent to.
The Smiler attraction in Alton Towers Park, UK
This attraction is famous not only for its height, speed, number of sharp turns, but also for its unique additional catalyst of fear. Engineers, designers, psychologists, designers and scientists who studied the nature of fear worked on the creation of The Smiler. The thing is that the path, lasting 2 minutes and 45 seconds, is filled with the play of light and optical illusions. Driving through 14 loops of varying diameters at speeds exceeding 85 km/h, visitors dodge needles approaching them and close their eyes against the bright light.
The cost of this adventure is 36 euros for adults.
Colossus ride at Thorpe amusement park, UK
Locals in the UK have nicknamed this attraction the "monster roller coaster". According to visitors, Colossus resembles astronauts training before a flight. In a fairly short period of time, a person experiences emotions painted in a wide variety of shades of colors. Colossus boasts ten twists, including double helix, cobra curl and more. The length of the attraction is 850 meters and the speed reaches 77 km/h.
X Scream attraction in the USA
This entertainment is located in Las Vegas at the top of a skyscraper. A visitor eager to get a dose of adrenaline takes a seat in an open trailer, which is located on the edge of the roof. The trolley at full speed flies as if into an abyss, hovering at an altitude of 330 meters. The bravest ones can take seats in the first row, since it is this part of the car that crosses the edge of the rails and dives down. Visitors to the attraction experience such extreme pleasure several times.
Big Shot attraction in the USA
The name of the entertainment speaks for itself: “Big Shot,” where visitors act as bullets or cannonballs. The attraction is a structure that lifts people at a speed of 72 km/h to a height of 329 meters, and then makes a free fall down. There is something to be afraid of, after all, Big Shot is located on top of the Stratosphere skyscraper, which is one of the tallest in the world in terms of total height above ground level.
Attraction "Catapult" in Russia
One of the highest and most extreme attractions in the world with a similar mechanism is considered to be the catapult, located on Krestovsky Island in St. Petersburg. A huge slingshot, shooting a capsule with people more than 70 meters in height, draws crowds of spectators every day. They say that from the highest point of the attraction there is a picturesque view of the northern capital, but few can appreciate it, because after a second the worst thing begins: the free fall zone and the seats turning around their axis.
Dodonpa attraction in Japan
Among the fearless Japanese there are also fans of the giant roller coaster, who come to experience a wide range of emotions every weekend. During the trip, the speed of the cabins with visitors is 4 times higher than the acceleration of free fall: the train accelerates to 172 km/h in 2 seconds. In such conditions, a person can feel like a cannonball that has just been fired from a cannon along an unknown trajectory. Most riders agree that 55 seconds spent on the ride feels like a lifetime.
Bungee jumping in Macau
Macau Tower is the tallest bungee jumping building in the world. In Russia, such a device for entertainment is usually called a “bungee” and often a semblance of an attraction is found in recreation or swimming areas. However, a rope tied at one end to a tree has nothing in common with professional and reliable bungee jumping. A person who decides to take such an extreme act undergoes instructions, signs documents, receives equipment and prepares for the most terrible step in his life. Unlike a skydive, you can change your mind, but the $400 spent will not be refunded.
Formula Rossa attraction in the UAE
The world's fastest roller coaster, Formula Rossa, is located in Abu Dhabi at Ferrari World. Even notorious extreme sports enthusiasts, who have tested most of the most frightening attractions in the world, claim that here fear appears on a physiological level, whether you like it or not. In a couple of seconds, using the catapult launch system, the trolley accelerates from 0 to 240 km/h. The body, not prepared for such acceleration and overload, produces adrenaline, which is the main purpose of visiting such attractions.
Carousel Insanity in the USA
Carousel sounds harmless, but only if it is not Insanity, located on the roof of a skyscraper in Las Vegas. It would seem that what could frighten a person who came to try out an attraction that accelerates to only 60 km/h? The designers of the Insanity carousel have a laconic and quite understandable answer to this question: height. The abyss, the depth of which reaches 300 meters, appears directly under the visitors of the attraction. Especially for those for whom height alone is not enough, the carousel “opens up” and people’s faces appear below as they spin, offering a wonderful view of the city.
Zip World at Penrhyn Quarry UK
The Zip World at Penrhyn Quarry extreme rope ride can give you the thrill of flying over the vast expanses of north Wales. Unlike similar entertainments, this one is famous for its height, speed and beautiful views. Accelerating up to 161 km/h at an altitude of several hundred meters, the extreme sports enthusiast enjoys views of the majestic mountains and the mesmerizing lake. The length of the cable along which people descend is more than one and a half kilometers, and the approximate “flight” time is 2 minutes.
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Power Tower
Power Tower It is a rectangular structure 90 meters high. On each of the columns of the structure there is a platform that can move up and down. Two platforms work to rise - they are thrown up at a speed of 96 km/h, and then, by inertia, fall down and rise again. The other two, on the contrary, slowly rise to the top, and then, at a speed of 96 km/h, sharply fall down.
Raptor attraction
Raptor attraction was built in 1994 by the world famous company Bolliger and Mabillard (B&M), in Switzerland. In 2005, Raptor took 11th place in the list of the most popular attractions in the world (“Best Steel Roller Coaster in the World”). The peculiarity of the Raptor attraction is that the cars in which passengers ride are suspended from the bottom of the rail, and not fixed at the top (as is happens in most attractions). As a result, passengers' feet dangle above the ground, giving them the feeling of free flight. During the movement there are 6 turns upside down, and one in a spiral.
Top Thrill Dragster appeared in the park in 2003, and immediately became one of the most popular. Today it is even one of the symbols of Cedar Point. Its features: high altitude, the steepest angles of ascent and descent in the world, enormous speed. 4 seconds after the start, the trolley, thanks to a special magnetic system, reaches a speed of 190 km/h. It rapidly rises to a height of 125 meters vertically, while making several turns.
Having reached the top, it pauses for a few seconds and again descends vertically, making several more turns of 270 degrees.
Wicked Twister attraction
Wicked Twister attraction appeared in Cedar Point in 2003. This is the highest and fastest ride of its type. It consists of two towers, each 65 meters high, connected to each other. When climbing the towers, the train makes several turns, pauses, and then rushes down, again making several turns. The trip takes about 40 seconds with a top speed of 115 km/h. During this time, the train makes 5 ascents and descents. In its first year after opening, the attraction was visited by more than 5 million people.
Demon Drop attraction
Demon Drop attraction, built in 1983, allows you to feel the state of free fall from the height of a 10-story building. Passengers enter a carriage very similar to an elevator, then they are raised to a height of 80 meters. After a few seconds, the trailer falls down under its own weight.
The Demon Drop attraction does not lose its popularity today.
Mean Streak
Mean Streak- These are classic slides built of wood. The attraction was opened in 1991. Wooden slides are not the same as modern ones made of metal. The tree gives the attraction completely different characteristics. After taking a ride on this attraction, you will find out what the first roller coasters were like and what sensations their passengers experienced more than a century ago.
Millennium Force attraction
Millennium Force attraction arrived at Cedar Point in 2000, continuing the park's tradition of setting world records for rides. This time the attraction broke 10 world records at once: it became the fastest, highest, longest, and also the most extreme in terms of overload.
In 2006, Millenium Force was ranked second on the "Best Steel Roller Coaster in the World" list. The attraction cost $20 million to build, but it was worth it. In the first season after its opening, about 2 million people visited it. Today, the number of its visitors is somewhat less, but it will occupy a leading position for a long time.
Cost of Admission to Cedar Point Like most amusement parks in the United States, you simply need to purchase an admission ticket to visit the attractions at Cedar Point. And you can go on any rides. True, there are significant queues for each attraction.
Adult ticket: $42
Teen ticket: $15
Children under 2 years old: free
For military: $32
2-day pass: $71
I bring to your attention the Top 10 scariest attractions in the world. All of them are located in different countries, each of them is unique and rightfully deserves attention:
10th place
Giant Canyon Swing, Colorado. The attraction is located on the very edge of a cliff at an altitude of 400 meters. Four passengers can ride on it at the same time. The swing swings at a speed of 80 km per hour. Before going to meet the abyss, all sufferers must sign a document with approximately the following content: “such activity can lead to falls, injuries and death” - i.e. Denial of responsibility.
9th place
Formula Rossa (Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi, UAE) is the fastest of all roller coasters. The trolley accelerates to 240 km/h in 4.9 seconds. The slide itself is designed in the shape of the famous Monza racing track. Due to the enormous speed, all racers are given special glasses.
8th place
Takabisha (Fuji-Q Highland Park, Fujiyoshida, Japan). The attraction is famous all over the world due to its largest angle of descent - 121 degrees, thanks to which a feeling of absolute weightlessness is achieved for several seconds. The highest point of the attraction is 43 meters.
7th place
Zip World at Penrhyn Quarry (Britain, north Wales). Skydive from Britain has created an extreme ride in which a person rushes at a speed of 161 km/h over mountainous terrain. A person slides along a cable, the length of which is more than one and a half kilometers, at an altitude of hundreds of meters. During the “flight”, a stunning view of the mountain landscapes opens up.
6th place
InsanIo (Beach Park Fortaleza, Fortaleza, Brazil). Insano translates as "madness". The highest water slide in the world - the height is 41 meters, the falling speed reaches 105 km/h. Listed in the Guinness Book of Records.
5th place
Dodonpa (Fujiyoshida, Japan). A roller coaster with four times the acceleration of its own fall. In less than two seconds, the trailer accelerates to 172 km/h. Everyone is guaranteed 55 seconds of indescribable horror.
4th place
Slingshot Sling Shot (Cyprus, Lunapark - Ayia Napa). The height of the slingshot is 35 meters. In just a couple of seconds, visitors rise to the height of a 15-story building, and then quickly fall down - and so on several times in a row. If desired, visitors can be captured on camera during the flight.
3rd place
Kingda Ka (New Jersey, USA). The world's tallest metal slide - 139 meters. The trolley accelerates to 205 km/h in 3.5 seconds, making the attraction the most dynamic in the world.
2nd place
Above the Roof of the World (Las Vegas). On the observation tower of the Stratosphere Las Vegas hotel-casino, there are three of the scariest attractions in the world. At an altitude of 350 meters, the Big Shot tower, the Insanity carousel and the monstrous X Scream trailer terrify visitors.
Catapult "Big Shot". The attraction lifts visitors to a height of 329 meters, at a speed of 70 km/h and four times acceleration, for a few seconds daredevils admire the landscape from the best observation deck in America, and then fall down.
Carousel "Insanity". An ordinary carousel, if not for one “but” - visitors have to spin at a height of 300 meters, and a distance of 20 meters separates it from the edge of the roof. What adds adrenaline is that the cabins are completely open.
"X Scream" trailer. The rail is at a sharp angle, the trolley rapidly accelerates and flies into the abyss, going over the edge of the roof. At the moment of braking, the nose of the trailer is far beyond the end of the rail.
1 place
Free Fall Zone (Ohio, Paramount). The attraction platform rises to a height of 100 meters, which is equal to the height of a 26-story building. After viewing the surrounding beauties, thrill-seekers quickly fall down at a speed of 100 km per hour.
Americans know how to surprise and put on a show. Their tall Stratosphere tower is home to three very extreme types of entertainment. At first sight "Big Shot" nothing impresses except its size - you've probably already seen a similar vertical catapult somewhere.
However, here, just read the numbers: at a speed of more than 70 km/h you will be lifted to a height of about 350 meters, overloads and blocked ears, like those of professional pilots, are guaranteed. Then you will have a free fall from the same height, during which shoes and hats will be torn off, so it is better to wear something that is not so pathetic.
Carousel "Madness" in fact, it is an ordinary carousel, with the exception that it is supported by a rod that hangs from the edge of the roof straight into the abyss, rotating at wild speed. Dangling at an altitude of 300 meters, you also need to take into account the fact that the seats tilt horizontally, and you find yourself hanging only from the seat belts, spinning at altitude at incredible speeds... better not to eat a big breakfast.
"X Scream" trailer located on a rail swinging like a swing, also located on the roof of the Stratosphere tower. Of course, the angle of inclination approaches 90 degrees and, of course, extends beyond the edges of the roof. However, the craziest idea of the designers is that when braking, the trailer seems to fly off the rails and stops only at the very end, when the entire audience is screaming heart-rendingly and preparing to fly down.
2. The coolest “roller coaster”
They are also located in the USA, New Jersey and are called Kingda Ka. The roller coaster is distinguished by its large length, steel construction, and absolutely amazing speed characteristics, just imagine: you will accelerate to 200 km/h in less than 4 seconds.
Additionally, these slides can surprise you with the fastest free fall, more than 160 km/h, and for a snack you will be served the highest peak, which you will climb at a speed of 150 km/h - no less, the height of a 45-story building.
3. The fastest roller coaster
The achievements in the speed of roller coaster cars were surpassed in the UAE - they created the Formula Rossa complex in Ferarri Park, and everything in these crazy races is tailored to achieve maximum speeds. You won't have to ride that much, just a minute and a half, but the speeds the trolleys will reach are prohibitive - up to 240 km/h.
4. The highest water slide
Let’s take a moment to plunge into a more familiar form of extreme sports. Well, who hasn’t been to a water park and gone down the water slides? However, in Brazil, at the resort of Fortaleza, they approached this issue radically, and more than 25 years ago a slide was built there, the height of which no one has yet surpassed.
You will have to plunge into the pool from a height of 41 meters, which is approximately the height of a 15-story building. In the final stretch, you will reach a speed of more than 100 km/h, and here we can only advise you to better group yourself before entering the water.
5. The tallest catapult in the world
Here, Russia and St. Petersburg confidently hold the championship, with their amusement park on “Divo Island”. Metal cables are stretched on three huge columns, the tension moment... and the capsule with you flies up to a height of 75 meters. The cabin is made in the shape of a ball, and, of course, in the process you will dangle along its axis at high speed.
6. Fastest free fall
The Japanese also know how to surprise. Imagine that you are flying down in free fall from the height of a 20-story building, is it scary? However, what will happen to you if it is accelerated 4 times and you fly down at a speed of 172 km/h? The Japanese thought of doing this and built the Dodonpa attraction, where you can feel like a rocket cutting through the airspace and flying down at incredible speed.
People deal with stress differently. But not everyone knows that scary rides can be a good help in this case. They differ from traditional structures installed in the parks of many cities in our country due to their incredible speed, falling from great heights, and complex technical solutions.
Scientists have come to the conclusion that, along with extreme rides, they are the most effective in solving complex psychological problems in the world. Perhaps it is for this reason that many adults are attracted like a magnet to famous ones, where they can get a portion of adrenaline that will help them become more energetic, stronger, and more resistant to any adversity in life.
The most complex developments of modern engineers and designers, huge investments in construction make it possible to constantly create numerous entertainment complexes around the world. We will introduce you to some of them today.
"Giant Canyon" (USA, Colorado)
We will begin to present the most dangerous attractions in the world with this mind-blowing design. At first glance, it looks like an ordinary swing for 4 people. True, they rotate at a speed of more than eighty kilometers per hour over an abyss whose depth is more than 400 meters. The session lasts only one minute, but we assure you that the impressions received in this short time will last you a lifetime.
If you want to visit the Giant Canyon attraction, you must first sign a document stating that you have been warned about the possible consequences - injury, and possibly death. The organizers completely decline responsibility for any incidents.
Formula Rossa, UAE (Abu Dhabi)
This is the fastest slide built using American technology. Its height is 52 meters. The attraction is located in Abu Dhabi. The most dangerous rides in the world often feature enormous speeds. For example, on this slide the trolley accelerates to “space speed” - 240 km/h - in less than 5 seconds. Not even every sports car can do this.
This attraction is an exact replica of the world famous Monza race track. Those who decide to visit can test themselves on dizzying ascents and descents. “Racers” are required to wear special glasses that will protect their eyes from dust and small particles. The trip will last one and a half minutes.
"The Flying Dutchman" (Kazakhstan)
Don't think that the most dangerous attractions in the world are located only in the West. To see otherwise, go to Ust-Kamenogorsk. The catapult is a huge structure (about 40 meters high) illuminated by multi-colored lamps.
The cabin soars up in a few seconds, and then quickly flies down and rushes up again. Such entertainment for adults will appeal to lovers of extreme recreation.
Furius Baco (Spain)
Not all entertainment for adults can be visited even by very brave people. The speed on the Furius Baco is incredible. Right from the start, the trailer picks up speed to 135 km/h in 2.9 seconds. The acceleration is 10.7 m/s, which is significantly higher than 9.8 m/s.
The sensations and reactions of visitors to the attraction are constantly changing - from heart-rending screams to complete silence in anticipation of imminent death. The unusual design of the seats adds to the thrill. They are located on the sides of the main rail, so travelers literally hang in the air without feeling support under their feet. The 850-meter journey ends when the trolleys pass a few centimeters above the water.
Colossus (UK)
This attraction is called the most twisted in the world. Its length exceeds a kilometer, and the speed of the trailer is more than 60 km/h. According to everyone who has had the chance to race along this route, this distance is quite enough to make you lose your voice from screaming.
Tower of terror II (Australia)
Everyone who decides to visit this attraction quickly soars to a height of one hundred and fifteen meters. Visitors note that after sharp braking at the top, many passengers lose almost all their thoughts. Then the trailer suddenly falls down at great speed. The return journey takes just 6.9 seconds. And that's not all - the trolley soars up again, and only then drops off the guests.
"Above the Roof of the World"
This name unites three attractions that are located at the top of the tower of the hotel-casino, which is known in the world as the Las Vegas Stratosphere. The huge building reaches a height of 350 meters, but is the second largest observation tower in the Western Hemisphere. It is second only to the CN Tower (Toronto). Let's take a closer look at the attractions located here.
X Scream Wagon (Las Vegas)
The most dangerous rides in the world are usually very tall structures. For example, a unique carriage is considered one of the highest swings in the world. The attraction was opened in 2005. The short rail rapidly tilts and the trolley rushes over the edge of the roof at great speed. After this, the trailer brakes very sharply, stopping far beyond the solid support. This is truly one of the most dangerous attractions, however, even today there are no fewer people wanting to ride here.
Insanity
Carousel Madness welcomed its first visitors in 2005. Today it is the highest on the planet. One of the most modern attractions of the Stratosphere complex. The creators of this design claim that this is an ordinary carousel, if that is what you can call a structure located above a three-hundred-meter abyss, twenty meters from the edge of the roof.
The carousel rotates quite quickly. It is noteworthy that while it is moving, all passengers are face down. People on the carousel sit on open seats, and not in closed booths, so the sensations of this rotation at high speed over a terrible abyss are difficult to compare with anything.
Big Shot
This is one of the very first attractions of the complex. The Big Shot catapult was opened in 1996. But even today it is considered the highest in the world: it lifts brave men to a height of 329 meters, and then at a speed exceeding 70 km/h and with an acceleration of 4g throws them from a great height into free fall.
The Big Shot is considered by many to be the best observation deck in the United States. But not everyone, falling down at such speed, can enjoy the magnificent scenery outside the window.
Intimidator 305 (Virginia, USA)
And this attraction is one of the latest developments by American designers. It was opened in 2014. On the track, more than one and a half kilometers long, engineers built many dizzying turns. On special lifts, due to well-chosen parameters, it was possible to create the illusion that at the end of the journey the trailer will definitely fall off the rails.
Takabisha (Japan)
Recently, an amazing attraction Takabisha was built in Japan, which differs from similar structures in its largest descent angle. For this reason, it is listed in the Guinness Book of Records.
The roller coaster track, which is one kilometer long, can tickle the nerves of the most desperate daredevils who prefer seven loops, and extreme sports enthusiasts can test themselves on a descent with an angle of fall of 121 degrees. In the very middle of the track, the trolley falls down from a 43-meter height, reaching a speed of one hundred kilometers per hour. Along with the enormous speed, passengers experience a feeling of complete weightlessness for several moments.
Kingda Ka (USA)
The attraction was opened in 2005. To date, it has retained the title of the fastest in the world, which it held at the time of construction. The original structure is more than 140 meters high. In just 4 seconds, the trolleys reach a speed of 200 km/h.
They rise at right angles to a height of 139 meters, and then, making intricate loops, dive down and then up. About 1,400 people experience themselves on these slides with a hydraulic launch system every hour. The administration of the attraction recommends not eating before the trip.