I work right by an amusement park, Paramount's Great America, and working on the 10th floor, I can see the daily goings on at the park. Well, early into the 1999 season, one of the rides was torn down and they started building a new roller coaster. This intrigued me, as I love roller coasters. So one day I went to get a further look, and was surprised to see that while the lift looks like a traditional roller coaster (above the track) the first thing it does after launching is flip 180 degrees so it is under the track. Several other times the track had similar twists. This baffled me at first, as I couldn't think beyond the traditional roller coaster sitting above the track, or the hanging roller coaster sitting below the track.
To make a long story short, near the end of the 1999 season, they broke the silence, and revealed the likes of which have never been seen. The cars are loaded facing backwards, and before the top of the lift, you are laying parallal to the track. Once it flips over, you are now hanging below the track in a superman flying position, with nothing below you or to either side. Of course, I could not wait to ride this. But, I had to. Over half a year, as it was the new ride for 2000, and they didn't even have a sneak preview.
Well, come March 26th 2000, and I'm at the season-pass holder sneak preview, only to find they are not running Stealth. It is disappointing, but I have waited months, another week wouldn't kill me. So that brings me to today, April 1st 2000. The first public operating day. However, they let season-pass holders in a half hour early to ride Stealth. I show up within that half hour, and after only an hour and a half wait in the queue for the front seat (45 minutes for anywhere else) I was on!
The ride made me nervous at first. You are completely restrained by your shoulders, legs, and ankles. I do not like being completely restrained. The shoulder restraint was not bad, it turned out to just be a stiff pad around a sort of belts. It was heavy, but flexible. The lab bar was snug, but the ankle is what got me. But even that quickly left my mind. Unlike the claimed lowering on the lift hill, the ride lowered at the station, leaving you laying down as you leave... usually with one hand shielding your eyes from the sun.
Finally the ride was on. The lift gave a great view of the park, since you were facing away from the track, angled into an upright position. Looking up you could barely see the coming track. Once the ride flipped and the first lift arrived, any worries were lost in the excitement. The experience is amazing. One of the most unique experiences in riding a roller coaster ever. Stealth is not about being the most gut-wrenching or fastest or longest, it is the most unique. The normal roller coaster sensations were completely lacking, in favor of a most unique experience of flying. Of course, I had to put my arms up like I was superman... I mean that is too plain to see NOT to do.
Overall it was a smooth ride. The restraints proved to be most comfortable while in the flying position. However I can not say the same while in the on the back position. The seat back is designed to accomodate anyone from 54 to 80 inches. There is no horseshoe headrest like on other rides at Great America, so no worries about banging your ears or head around. However, there are two raised pads along the back to serve as a head rest. The lower part of it, meant for someone shorter, was rather uncomfortable in the station. I did not notice it again however, until the corkscrew, where you are pressed against your back. That was the low point of the ride to me.
And of course since I was riding it opening day, I had to get a ride photo, so here I am, riding with Toby. I plan to go back tomorrow morning to do this again, but not during the day. By the time I got off, the wait in the queue was over two hours (More for the front) and it is expected to be up to 6 or 8 hours later in the season.
For a more in-depth play-by-play review of Stealth, check out this review at thrillride.com.
Webpage by Tiger
(tiger@tyger.org)
All images and graphics on this web page are Copyright © 1999 by me or other sources used with permission. If you would like to use any of these pictures, PLEASE ASK. If I do not own rights to the picture myself, I will at least be able to get you in touch with whoever does.
