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Behemoth (roller coaster)

Coordinates: 43°50′20.4″N 79°32′26.3″W / 43.839000°N 79.540639°W / 43.839000; -79.540639
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Behemoth
A train climbs the 70 meter lift hill of Behemoth, which looms over the Backlot Stunt Coaster
Canada's Wonderland
LocationCanada's Wonderland
Park sectionAction Zone
Coordinates43°50′20.4″N 79°32′26.3″W / 43.839000°N 79.540639°W / 43.839000; -79.540639
StatusOperating
Soft opening date25 April 2008 (2008-04-25)
Opening dateMay 4, 2008
CostC$26 million est.
General statistics
TypeSteel
ManufacturerBolliger & Mabillard
ModelHyper Coaster
Height230 ft (70 m)
Drop215 ft (66 m)
Length5,318 ft (1,621 m)
Speed77 mph (124 km/h)
Duration3:10
Max vertical angle75°
Capacity1545 riders per hour
G-force4.5
Height restriction54 in (137 cm)
Trains3 trains with 8 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 32 riders per train.
Fast Lane available
Behemoth at RCDB

Behemoth is a steel roller coaster at Canada's Wonderland in Vaughan, Ontario, Canada. It is a Hyper Coaster designed and developed by Swiss manufacturer, Bolliger & Mabillard. Behemoth was the tallest and fastest roller coaster in Canada until 2012 when Leviathan, a roller coaster also manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard, was built at the opposite side of Canada's Wonderland, claiming these titles.[1] Behemoth is similar to Diamondback (Kings Island), Goliath (La Ronde) and Nitro (Six Flags Great Adventure).

After a year and a half of preparation and development, Behemoth premiered in May 2008.[2] With its high speeds, tall heights and rapid changes in both direction and elevation, the attraction is one of the most aggressive thrill rides in the park.[3][4] Behemoth also has a high hourly passenger throughput – making it one of the most efficient rides in the park.[4]

The ride features a prototype seating arrangement to ensure an unobstructed view for every rider – a first for a roller coaster of this type. The Behemoth experience lasts for approximately three minutes and subjects the rider to a maximum speed of 125 km/h (77 mph) achieved in less than 3.9 seconds followed by five air-time hills, a hammerhead turn and two helixes.[4][5]

Development

Behemoth was announced on August 27, 2007. The estimated C$26 million ride represented the single biggest investment in the 27-year history of Canada's Wonderland. When completed, Behemoth became the 15th roller coaster at the park.[2]

After 18 months of planning and construction, steel construction of the track and supports was completed on January 22, 2008.[2][6][7] The ride was officially opened on April 24, 2008 for Media Day. On Season Pass Preview Night, the ride was open to season pass holders on April 25, 2008. Behemoth opened to the public on May 4, 2008.[8]

Characteristics

Behemoth's main entrance.

Height, speed, airtime characterize the Hyper Coaster.[9]

— Bolliger & Mabillard

Behemoth is rated a five out of five (double black diamond) according to Wonderland's Attraction Rating System. This rating specifies that the ride will have "high speeds and/or heights, aggressive and unexpected forces and rapid directional or elevation change."[3] Passengers of any age must be 137 cm (54 inches) tall to ride.[3][6]

Behemoth has a high throughput and will accommodate approximately 1545 passengers an hour, making it one of the most efficient roller coasters in the park.[4]

Train

Passengers board the Red train and secure their harnesses at the station

Behemoth's three open-air steel and fiberglass trains feature a prototype v-shaped staggered seating arrangement to ensure an unobstructed view for every rider."[4][10] This prototype design is a first for Bolliger & Mabillard roller coasters which was later reproduced for Diamondback at Kings Island, Intimidator at Carowinds and Shambhala: Expedición al Himalaya at PortAventura. The trains are named Red Train, Orange Train, and Yellow Train, after their coloured fronts. Each of the trains comprise eight cars, seating four guests each for a total capacity of 32.[4] Each passenger is seated in a bucket seat restrained by a lapbar harness;[4][11] some persons over a certain weight/waist size cannot be accommodated by this arrangement.

Track

The steel track is 1620.9 meters (5318 ft) in length and the height of the lift is approximately 70 meters (230 ft).[4] The angle of the first descent is approximately 75 degrees.[4] The track includes trim brakes and magnetic brakes for smoothness.[11]

Station

A two-story sheltered station house contains the ride loading and unloading area. The ground floor of the station contains the maintenance area for the trains, equipped with Radiant Heaters.[12]

At the boarding area, the station features three colour-coded cabinets for loose belongings – one designated for each of the three trains. The operator's booth is also located on this platform.[13]

Gift shop

Unlike all of the park's other attractions, Behemoth has its own gift shop at the exit. The shop sells ride memorabilia and displays the photos taken during the ride.[14]

Experience

Point of view of the hammerhead turn from the first air-time hill

The ride features a prototype seating arrangement to ensure an unobstructed view for every rider – a first for a roller coaster of this type. The Behemoth experience lasts for approximately three minutes and subjects the rider to a maximum speed of 125 km/h (77 mph) achieved in less than 3.9 seconds followed by five air-time hills, a hammerhead turn and two helixes.[4][5]

First drop

After departing the station, the train turns right and begins to slowly climb the lift hill through the use of a chain lift. After approximately thirty seconds, the maximum height of 70 meters is reached.[4] From the top, a passenger can clearly see the iconic CN Tower to the left and overlook the entire park to the right. The train drops from the peak at a 75-degree angle to reach the maximum speed of 127 km/h (78.9 mph) in 3.9 seconds.[2][4][5] The drop creates an air-time sensation for the duration of the descent.

Air-time hills

At the base of the first drop, the train banks a few degrees to the right and climbs the first air-time hill and descends. Following this, the train climbs up to a hairpin 180-degree hammerhead turn to the left.[5] The train descends from the height of the turn to travel up and over three more air-time hills. After the hills, the train climbs up a steep slope into the mid-course brake run.[5]

Helix pair

After the momentary reduction in speed, the train turns to the right and descends into a downward 540-degree helix. Immediately following the first helix, the train climbs into an upward 270-degree helix to the left. Following the climb is a small descent and a final hill. The train climbs up from the final hill into the terminal brake run.[5]

Disembarkment

The train waits at the terminal brake run until it is cleared for return by the station. The train proceeds forward and turns 180-degrees to the left to return to the station.[5] At this point, the train passes directly above people waiting in the main queue below.

Operation

Behemoth is negatively affected by unfavourable weather conditions as both a high altitude and high velocity ride. "Rain, high winds, and/or lightning" may result in the closing of the ride depending on the severity. Behemoth will close in high winds, but may remain open in light rain.[15]

A specific answer as to which rides close or remain open on a given day is not possible because varying degrees of inclement weather cause different effects on different rides.[15]

— Canada's Wonderland

There is no minimum age requirement, but passengers must meet the height requirement of 137 cm (54 inches) to ride.[3][6] Some persons over a certain weight/waist size will not be permitted to ride if the seat and lapbar harness cannot accommodate them.[4] Passengers on Behemoth may not bring any loose articles onto the train and will be required to wear shirts and footwear.[15]

Passengers are advised that they must not ride Behemoth if they have "a history of recent surgery, heart trouble/high blood pressure, neck trouble, back trouble, or any other condition that may be aggravated by riding, or who are pregnant".[16]

Behemoth has a high throughput and will accommodate approximately 1545 passengers an hour, making it one of the most efficient roller coasters in the park.[4]

On 1 October 2011, one of Behemoth's train vallied (the term given when a roller coaster stops in the middle of the course because of the loss of momentum) right before the mid-course-brake-run. On that day there were strong winds which played the main role for the loss of momentum. At the time, another train was making its way up the lift which stopped almost at the end of the lift for obvious safety reasons. There were no riders on both trains at the time.[17][18]

Reception

Behemoth is one of the most popular attractions at Canada's Wonderland and it has enjoyed a great deal of success since its establishment.[8] The ride appeals to a wide demographic with park staff noting that both young children and senior citizens line up for the attraction.[6]

With the addition of Behemoth, we wanted to compliment our already impressive line-up of more than 200 rides, shows and attractions with a world class roller coaster that will showcase Wonderland as one of the premier amusement parks in our industry.[2]

— Raffi Kaprelyan, Vice President and General Manager, Canada’s Wonderland

Awards

The Golden Ticket Awards is an annual set of awards given out by Amusement Today, a newspaper published for the amusement industry. The rankings are selected by an international poll conducted by the newspaper. When Behemoth was completed in 2008, it ranked third as the best new ride of the year.[19]

Golden Ticket Awards: Best Steel Coaster
Year 2008 2009 2010 2011
Ranking
29[19]
12[20]
13[21]
15[22]

See also

References

  1. ^ Hunter, Paul (27 April 2012). "Canada's Wonderland's new roller coaster, Leviathan, tallest, fastest in Canada". Toronto Star. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Behemoth News: Wonderland's Biggest Investment in History". 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-15.
  3. ^ a b c d "Canada's Wonderland: Rider Height Restrictions" (PDF). 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-03.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Canada's Wonderland: Behemoth - The Ride (statistics)". 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-03.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g "Canada's Wonderland: Behemoth - Track Layout (Aerial Isoloated Rendering)". 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-03.
  6. ^ a b c d "Thrill of the Behemoth: Riders seek to break records on Canada's biggest coaster". CBC. 2009-08-03. Retrieved 2009-08-03.
  7. ^ "Canada's Wonderland: Behemoth Photo Gallery (Construction)". 2008-01-22. Retrieved 2008-11-08.
  8. ^ a b Loriggio, Paola (2008-04-24). "Canada's Wonderland unveils Behemoth coaster". ParentCentral. Retrieved 2008-11-08.
  9. ^ "Bolliger & Mabillard Products: Hyper Coaster". 2009. Archived from the original on May 22, 2008. Retrieved 2009-08-03. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ "Canada's Wonderland: Behemoth - 3D Train Rendering". 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-03.
  11. ^ a b "A Huge, er, Behemoth Coaster Coming to Canada's Wonderland in 2008". About.com. 2009-04-14. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
  12. ^ "Canada's Wonderland: Behemoth Photo Gallery (Construction: Maintenance Area in Station House)". 2008-02-04. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
  13. ^ "Canada's Wonderland: Behemoth Photo Gallery (Construction: New Operator's Booth)". 2008-01-18. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
  14. ^ "Canada's Wonderland: Behemoth Photo Gallery (Construction: Ride Photo Building)". 2008-01-18. Retrieved 2009-08-26.
  15. ^ a b c "Canada's Wonderland: Ride Guidelines - Other Ride Policies". 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-03.
  16. ^ "Canada's Wonderland: Ride Guidelines - Ride Safety". 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-03.
  17. ^ "Behemoth Train Vallied". CW Mania. October 2, 2011. Retrieved October 2, 2011.
  18. ^ "Behemoth Train At Top Of Lift". SmileyFace10001000 (YouTube). October 1, 2011. Retrieved October 2, 2011.
  19. ^ a b Baldwin, Tim (2008-09-02). "Amusement Today's 2008 Golden Ticket Awards" (PDF). Amusement Today. p. 37. Retrieved 2009-10-18.
  20. ^ Baldwin, Tim (2009-09). "Southern California hosts AT's 2009 Golden Ticket Awards" (PDF). Amusement Today. p. 32. Retrieved 2009-10-18. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  21. ^ "Amusement Today — Golden Ticket Winners 2010" (PDF). Amusement Today. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
  22. ^ Amusement Today 2011 Park and Ride Winners
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