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{{Short description|Type of roller coaster}}
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{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2012}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2012}}
{{Infobox attraction model {{Infobox attraction model
| name = Floorless Coaster | name = Floorless Roller Coaster
| logo = <!--Use ONLY the filename, not a full ] link--> | logo = <!--Use ONLY the filename, not a full ] link-->
| logo_width = <!--Default is 250px--> | logo_width = <!--Default is 250px-->
| image = Dominator (Kings Dominion) 13 Descente finale (crop).jpg | image = Dominator (Kings Dominion) 13 Descente finale (crop).jpg
| imagedimensions = | imaged imensions =
| caption = '']'' at ] | caption = '']'' at ]
| status = in production | status = in production
| first_produced = 1999 | first_produced = 1999
| No. of installations= 14 | No. of installations = 14
| manufacturer = Bolliger & Mabillard | manufacturer = Bolliger & Mabillard
| manufacturer2 = <!--Only to be used if there is more than one manufacturer.--> | manufacturer2 = <!--Only to be used if there is more than one manufacturer.-->
| designer = <!--Should be linked.--> | designer = <!--Should be linked.-->
| height_ft = <!--Must be expressed in feet and may contain only numeric characters.--> | height_ft = <!--Must be expressed in feet and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| height_m = <!--Must be expressed in metres and may contain only numeric characters.--> | height_m = <!--Must be expressed in metres and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| drop_ft = <!--Must be expressed in feet and may contain only numeric characters.--> | drop_ft = <!--Must be expressed in feet and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| drop_m = <!--Must be expressed in metres and may contain only numeric characters.--> | drop_m = <!--Must be expressed in metres and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| length_ft = <!--Must be expressed in feet and may contain only numeric characters.--> | length_ft = <!--Must be expressed in feet and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| length_m = <!--Must be expressed in metres and may contain only numeric characters.--> | length_m = <!--Must be expressed in metres and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| speed_mph = <!--Must be expressed in miles per hour and may contain only numeric characters.--> | speed_mph = <!--Must be expressed in miles per hour and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| speed_km/h = <!--Must be expressed in kilometres per hour and may contain only numeric characters.--> | speed_km/h = <!--Must be expressed in kilometres per hour and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| gforce = | gforce =
| capacity = | capacity =
<!--Use only one of vehicles, rows, participants, or audience--> <!--Use only one of vehicles, rows, participants, or audience-->
| vehicle_type = Floorless seats located above the track | vehicle_type = Floorless seats located above the track
| vehicles = 7- or 8-car Floorless Coaster trains | vehicles = 6-8-car Floorless Coaster trains
| riders_per_vehicle = <!--Only use if vehicles has been specified.--> | riders_per_vehicle = <!--Only use if vehicles has been specified.-->
| rows = | rows =
| riders_per_row = 4 | riders_per_row = 4
| participants_per_group= <!--Only use if neither rows or vehicles is applicable.--> | participants_per_group= <!--Only use if neither rows or vehicles is applicable.-->
| audience_capacity = <!--For shows--> | audience_capacity = <!--For shows-->
| duration = | duration =
| restraint = Over-the-shoulder harness | restraint = Over-the-shoulder harness
| custom_label_1 = Produced | custom_label_1 = Produced
| custom_value_1 = 1999–present | custom_value_1 = 1999–present
| custom_label_2 = | custom_label_2 =
| custom_value_2 = | custom_value_2 =
| custom_label_3 = | custom_label_3 =
| custom_value_3 = | custom_value_3 =
| custom_label_4 = | custom_label_4 =
| custom_value_4 = | custom_value_4 =
| custom_label_5 = | custom_label_5 =
| custom_value_5 = | custom_value_5 =
| custom_label_6 = | custom_label_6 =
| custom_value_6 = | custom_value_6 =
| custom_label_7 = | custom_label_7 =
| custom_value_7 = | custom_value_7 =
| custom_label_8 = | custom_label_8 =
| custom_value_8 = | custom_value_8 =
| rcdb_number = 6713 | rcdb_number = 6713
}} }}
A '''Floorless Coaster''' is any type of some ] ] manufactured by ] where riders sit with no floor underneath them, allowing their feet to swing freely just above the track. Development of the Floorless Coaster model began between 1995 and 1996 with ] (now known as ''Bizarro'') at ] opening on April 2, 1999, making it the world's first Floorless Coaster. Floorless Coasters also tend to have 3 to 7 inversions incorporated in the layout of the coaster. A '''Floorless Roller Coaster''' is a type of ] manufactured by ] where riders sit with no floor underneath them, allowing their feet to swing freely just above the track. Development of the Floorless Coaster model began between 1995 and 1996 with ] at ], which opened on April 2, 1999, as world's first Floorless Roller Coaster. Floorless Roller Coasters typically feature between three and seven inversions during in the layout of the coaster.


Recently, Bolliger & Mabillard have used floorless trains on their ]s, such as ] and ]. Though they contain floorless trains, the coasters are still not considered Floorless Coasters as B&M classifies them as another model. ] has designed their own version of the Floorless Coaster, a variant of their X-Car called ''X-Car Floorless'', but currently do not have any installations.<ref name=XCarFloorless>{{cite web|url=http://www.maurer-rides.com/x-coaster/floorless/ |title=X-Car Floorless |publisher=Maurer Söhne |date= |accessdate=March 1, 2012}}</ref> Since 2007, Bolliger & Mabillard have used floorless trains on their ]s, such as ] and ]. Though they contain floorless trains, the coasters are still not considered Floorless Coasters, as the company classifies them as another model. ] has designed their own version of the Floorless Coaster, a variant of their X-Car model called X-Car Floorless, but currently do not have any installations.


==History== == History ==
]'s ] at ] (when the ride was known as Medusa)]] ]'s ] at ]]]
According to Walter Bolliger, development of the Floorless Coaster began between 1995 and 1996.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBQ7tfjlMfE&feature=relmfu |title=IAAPA 2011 Trade Show Part 4 Theme Park Review Fishpipe Water Ride B&M Zamperla |work=]|publisher=YouTube |date=November 16, 2012 |accessdate=July 20, 2012}}</ref> In 1999, the world's first Floorless Coaster opened at ] as ]. In 2009, the coaster was renamed ''Bizarro'' and re-themed. With the success of Medusa, ], ], ], and independent parks, ], ], ], and ] have built other coasters of this model at their parks. B&M has built 13 Floorless Coasters from the ground up, with ] at ] being the only one relocated to another park.<ref name=RCDBfcList>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Roller Coaster Search Results|location=Floorless Coaster|accessdate=July 20, 2012|url=http://www.rcdb.com/r.htm?ot=2&ml=6713&page=1&order=10}}</ref> They have also converted three of their ]s to Floorless Coasters: ] at ], ] at ], and ] at ]. According to Walter Bolliger, development of the Floorless Coaster began between 1995 and 1996.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBQ7tfjlMfE&feature=relmfu |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/aBQ7tfjlMfE| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title=IAAPA 2011 Trade Show Part 4 Theme Park Review Fishpipe Water Ride B&M Zamperla |work=]|publisher=YouTube |date=November 16, 2012 |access-date=July 20, 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In 1999, the world's first Floorless Coaster opened at ] as ]. With the success of Medusa, ], ], ], and independent parks, ], ], ], and ] have built other coasters of this model at their parks. B&M has built 13 Floorless Coasters from the ground up, with ] at ] being the only one relocated to another park.<ref name=RCDBfcList>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Roller Coaster Search Results|location=Floorless Coaster|access-date=July 20, 2012|url=http://www.rcdb.com/r.htm?ot=2&ml=6713&page=1&order=10}}</ref> They have also converted three of their ]s to Floorless Coasters: ] at ], ] at ], and ] at ].


==Design== == Design ==
]'s first drop at ]]] ]'s first drop at ]]]


The design of a Floorless Coaster has one main difference from traditional steel roller coasters around the world: there is no floor between the seats.<ref name="Scream leaves you dangling">{{cite news|last=Niles|first=Robert|title=Scream leaves you dangling|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2002/nov/14/news/wk-niles14|accessdate=July 21, 2012|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=November 14, 2002}}</ref> While a ] is parked in the ], a floor is used only for loading and unloading purposes. Because the front row has nothing in front of it to stop riders from walking over the edge of the station, a gate is placed in front of the train to prevent this from happening. Once all the over-the-shoulder restraints are locked, the floor separates into several pieces and retracts underneath the station. The gate then opens, allowing the train to move forward. When the train returns to the station, the floor is brought back up and the gate is closed for the next group of riders to load and unload.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0vA0rxIuOs |title=Dominator at Kings Dominion |publisher=woodencoasterfan (YouTube) |date=September 4, 2012 |accessdate=July 20, 2012}}</ref> Aside from the station, Floorless Coasters have inversions similar to those on B&M's sit-down coasters.<ref name=RCDBfcList /><ref name=RCDBscList>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Roller Coaster Search Results|location=Sitting Coaster|accessdate=July 20, 2012|url=http://rcdb.com/r.htm?ot=2&mo=8315}}</ref> The design of a Floorless Coaster has one main difference from traditional steel roller coasters around the world: there is no floor under the seats.<ref name="Scream leaves you dangling">{{cite news|last=Niles|first=Robert|title=Scream leaves you dangling|url=https://www.latimes.com/la-wk-niles14nov14-story.html|access-date=July 21, 2012|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=November 14, 2002}}</ref> While a ] is parked in the ], a floor is used only for loading and unloading purposes. Because the front row has nothing in front of it to stop riders from walking over the edge of the station, a gate is placed in front of the train to prevent this from happening. Once all the over-the-shoulder restraints are locked, the floor separates into several pieces and retracts underneath the station. The gate then opens, allowing the train to move forward. When the train returns to the station, the floor is brought back up and the gate is closed for the next group of riders to load and unload.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0vA0rxIuOs |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/h0vA0rxIuOs| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title=Dominator at Kings Dominion |publisher=woodencoasterfan (YouTube) |date=September 4, 2012 |access-date=July 20, 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Aside from the station, Floorless Coasters have similar layouts to B&M's sit-down coasters.<ref name=RCDBfcList /><ref name=RCDBscList>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Roller Coaster Search Results|location=Sitting Coaster|access-date=July 20, 2012|url=http://rcdb.com/r.htm?ot=2&mo=8315}}</ref>


== Installations == == Installations ==
]'s trains going through a ] at ] in ], ].]] ]'s trains going through a ] at ] in ], ].]]
Bolliger & Mabillard has built thirteen Floorless Coasters from the ground up, with three additional that were converted from ]. The roller coasters are listed '''in order of opening dates'''. Bolliger & Mabillard has built thirteen Floorless Coasters from the ground up, with three additional that were converted from ]. The roller coasters are listed '''in order of opening dates'''.


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! Name !! Park !! Country !! Inversions !! Opened !! Status !! ! Name !! Park !! Country !! Inversions !! Opened !! Status !!
|- |-
| ]<br /><small>Formerly Medusa</small> || ] || {{flagu|United States}} || 7 || April 2, 1999 || Operating ||<ref>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Bizarro|location=Six Flags Great Adventure|rcdb_number=502|accessdate=July 20, 2012}}</ref> | ]<br /><small>Formerly Bizarro</small> || ] || {{flagu|United States}} || 7 || April 2, 1999 || Operating ||<ref>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Medusa|location=Six Flags Great Adventure|rcdb_number=502|access-date=July 20, 2012}}</ref>
|- |-
| ] || ] || {{flagu|United States}} || 6 || March 11, 2000 || Operating ||<ref>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Superman: Krypton Coaster|location=Six Flags Fiesta Texas|rcdb_number=605|accessdate=July 20, 2012}}</ref> | ] || ] || {{flagu|United States}} || 6 || March 11, 2000 || Operating ||<ref>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Superman: Krypton Coaster|location=Six Flags Fiesta Texas|rcdb_number=605|access-date=July 20, 2012}}</ref>
|- |-
| ] || ] || {{flagu|United States}} || 7 || March 18, 2000 || Operating ||<ref>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Medusa|location=Six Flags Discovery Kingdom|rcdb_number=617|accessdate=July 20, 2012}}</ref> | ] || ] || {{flagu|United States}} || 7 || March 18, 2000 || Operating ||<ref>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Medusa|location=Six Flags Discovery Kingdom|rcdb_number=617|access-date=July 20, 2012}}</ref>
|- |-
| ] || ] || {{flagu|United States}} || 7 || June 1, 2000 || Operating ||<ref>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Kraken|location=Sea World Orlando|rcdb_number=581|accessdate=July 20, 2012}}</ref> | ] || ] || {{flagu|United States}} || 7 || June 1, 2000 || Operating ||<ref>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Kraken|location=Sea World Orlando|rcdb_number=581|access-date=July 20, 2012}}</ref>
|- |-
| ] || ] || {{flagu|Taiwan}} || 4 || 2001 || Operating ||<ref>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Insane Speed|location=Janfusun Fancyworld|rcdb_number=1500|accessdate=July 20, 2012}}</ref> | ] || ] || {{flagu|Taiwan}} || 4 || 2001 || Operating ||<ref>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Insane Speed|location=Janfusun Fancyworld|rcdb_number=1500|access-date=July 20, 2012}}</ref>
|- |-
| ] || ] || {{flagu|Spain}} || 7 || April 6, 2002 || Operating ||<ref>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Superman: La Atracción de Acero|location=Parque Warner Madrid|rcdb_number=1366|accessdate=July 20, 2012}}</ref> | ] || ] || {{flagu|Spain}} || 7 || April 6, 2002 || Operating ||<ref>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Superman: La Atracción de Acero|location=Parque Warner Madrid|rcdb_number=1366|access-date=July 20, 2012}}</ref>
|- |-
| ] || ] || {{flagu|United States}} || 5 || April 20, 2002 || Operating ||<ref>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Batman – The Dark Knight|location=Six Flags New England|rcdb_number=1549|accessdate=July 20, 2012}}</ref> | ] || ] || {{flagu|United States}} || 5 || April 20, 2002 || Operating ||<ref>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Batman – The Dark Knight|location=Six Flags New England|rcdb_number=1549|access-date=July 20, 2012}}</ref>
|- |-
| ] || ] || {{flagu|United States}} || 7 || April 12, 2003 || Operating ||<ref>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Scream!|location=Six Flags Magic Mountain|rcdb_number=2169|accessdate=July 20, 2012}}</ref> | ] || ] || {{flagu|United States}} || 7 || April 12, 2003 || Operating ||<ref>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Scream!|location=Six Flags Magic Mountain|rcdb_number=2169|access-date=July 20, 2012}}</ref>
|- |-
| ] || ] || {{flagu|Denmark}} ||| 3 || April 16, 2004 || Operating ||<ref>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Dæmonen|location=Tivoli Gardens|rcdb_number=2504|accessdate=July 20, 2012}}</ref> | ] || ] || {{flagu|Denmark}} ||| 3 || April 16, 2004 || Operating ||<ref>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Dæmonen|location=Tivoli Gardens|rcdb_number=2504|access-date=July 20, 2012}}</ref>
|- |-
| ] || ] || {{flagu|United States}} || 7 || May 7, 2005 || Operating ||<ref>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Hydra the Revenge|location=Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom|rcdb_number=2528|accessdate=July 20, 2012}}</ref> | ] || ] || {{flagu|United States}} || 7 || May 7, 2005 || Operating ||<ref>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Hydra the Revenge|location=Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom|rcdb_number=2528|access-date=July 20, 2012}}</ref>
|- |-
| ]<br /><small>Formerly Batman: Knight Flight</small> || ]<br /><small>]</small> || {{flagu|United States}} || 5 || May 24, 2008<br><small>May 5, 2000 || Operating<br /><small>Closed September 16, 2007 ||<ref>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Dominator|location=Kings Dominion|rcdb_number=4079|accessdate=July 20, 2012}}</ref> | ]<br /><small>Formerly Batman: Knight Flight</small> || ]<br /><small>]</small> || {{flagu|United States}} || 5 || May 24, 2008<br /><small>May 5, 2000</small> || Operating<br /><small>Closed September 16, 2007</small> ||<ref>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Dominator|location=Kings Dominion|rcdb_number=4079|access-date=July 20, 2012}}</ref>
|- |-
| ] || ] || {{flagu|Hong Kong}} || 4 || December 8, 2011 || Operating ||<ref>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Hair Raiser|location=Ocean Park Hong Kong|rcdb_number=9647|accessdate=July 20, 2012}}</ref> | ] || ] || {{flagu|Hong Kong}} || 4 || December 8, 2011 || Operating ||<ref>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Hair Raiser|location=Ocean Park Hong Kong|rcdb_number=9647|access-date=July 20, 2012}}</ref>
|- |-
| ] || ] || {{flagu|India}} || 5 || 2013 || Operating ||<ref>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Nitro|location=Adlabs Imagica|rcdb_number=6817|accessdate=April 9, 2013}}</ref> | ] || ] || {{flagu|India}} || 5 || 2013 || Operating ||<ref>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Nitro|location=Adlabs Imagica|rcdb_number=6817|access-date=April 9, 2013}}</ref>
|- |-
| ]{{efn|name=fn1}} || ] || {{flagu|United States}} || 4 || May 9, 2015 || Operating ||<ref>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Rougarou|location=Cedar Point|rcdb_number=7|accessdate=October 7, 2014}}</ref> | ]{{efn|name=fn1}} || ] || {{flagu|United States}} || 4 || May 9, 2015 || Operating ||<ref>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Rougarou|location=Cedar Point|rcdb_number=7|access-date=October 7, 2014}}</ref>
|- |-
| ]{{efn|name=fn1}} || ] || {{flagu|United States}} || 2 || March 25, 2017 || Operating ||<ref>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Patriot|location=California's Great America|rcdb_number=2|accessdate=October 26, 2016}}</ref> | ]{{efn|name=fn1}} || ] || {{flagu|United States}} || 2 || March 25, 2017 || Operating ||<ref>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Patriot|location=California's Great America|rcdb_number=2|access-date=October 26, 2016}}</ref>
|- |-
| ]{{efn|name=fn1}} || ] || {{flagu|United States}} || 2 || 2019 || Operating ||<ref>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Firebird|location=Six Flags America|rcdb_number=10136|accessdate=July 3, 2012}}</ref> | ]{{efn|name=fn1}} || ] || {{flagu|United States}} || 2 || 2019 || Operating ||<ref>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Firebird|location=Six Flags America|rcdb_number=10136|access-date=July 3, 2012}}</ref>
|} |}


''Note'': Although some ]s (such as ], ], ] and ]) feature floorless trains, they are ''not'' considered Floorless Coasters.<ref>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=SheiKra|location=Busch Gardens Tampa Bay|rcdb_number=2662|accessdate=July 21, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Griffon|location=Busch Gardens Williamsburg|rcdb_number=3631|accessdate=July 21, 2012}}</ref> ''Note'': Although some ]s (such as ], ], ] and ]) feature floorless trains, they are ''not'' considered Floorless Coasters.<ref>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=SheiKra|location=Busch Gardens Tampa Bay|rcdb_number=2662|access-date=July 21, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Griffon|location=Busch Gardens Williamsburg|rcdb_number=3631|access-date=July 21, 2012}}</ref>


==Similar rides== == Similar rides ==
], a German roller coaster and steel manufacturer, has developed their own version of the Floorless Coaster called the ''X-Car Floorless''. The car is the same as the original '']'' with the only difference being that there is no floor during the ride.<ref name=XCarFloorless /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.maurer-rides.com/x-coaster/x-car/ |title=X-Car |publisher=Maurer Söhne |accessdate=July 21, 2012}}</ref> As of 2019, no ''X-Car Floorless'' roller coasters have been manufactured.<ref name=XCarFloorless /> ], a German roller coaster and steel manufacturer, has developed their own version of the Floorless Coaster called the X-Car Floorless. The car is the same as the original ] with the only difference being that there is no floor during the ride.<ref name=XCarFloorless>{{cite web |url=http://www.maurer-rides.com/x-coaster/floorless/ |title=X-Car Floorless |publisher=Maurer Söhne |access-date=March 1, 2012 |archive-date=July 14, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714050533/http://www.maurer-rides.com/x-coaster/floorless/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.maurer-rides.com/x-coaster/x-car/ |title=X-Car |publisher=Maurer Söhne |access-date=July 21, 2012 |archive-date=July 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120712011115/http://www.maurer-rides.com/x-coaster/x-car/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> As of 2019, no X-Car Floorless roller coasters have been manufactured.<ref name=XCarFloorless />


==See also== == See also ==
* ], a type of roller coaster also designed by ], that feature floorless trains on some models. * ], a type of roller coaster also designed by ], that feature floorless trains on some models.


==Notes== == Notes ==
{{Notelist|refs= {{Notelist|refs=
{{efn|name=fn1|Converted from a stand-up roller coaster to a floorless coaster}}}} {{efn|name=fn1|Converted from a stand-up roller coaster to a floorless coaster}}}}


==References== == References ==
{{Reflist|30em}} {{Reflist|30em}}


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] ]
] ]
]

Latest revision as of 15:46, 5 January 2025

Type of roller coaster

Floorless Roller Coaster
Dominator at Kings Dominion
StatusIn production
First manufactured1999
No. of installations14
ManufacturerBolliger & Mabillard
Vehicle typeFloorless seats located above the track
Vehicles6-8-car Floorless Coaster trains
Riders per row4
Restraint StyleOver-the-shoulder harness
Produced1999–present
Floorless Roller Coaster at RCDB

A Floorless Roller Coaster is a type of steel roller coaster manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard where riders sit with no floor underneath them, allowing their feet to swing freely just above the track. Development of the Floorless Coaster model began between 1995 and 1996 with Medusa at Six Flags Great Adventure, which opened on April 2, 1999, as world's first Floorless Roller Coaster. Floorless Roller Coasters typically feature between three and seven inversions during in the layout of the coaster.

Since 2007, Bolliger & Mabillard have used floorless trains on their Dive Coasters, such as Griffon and SheiKra. Though they contain floorless trains, the coasters are still not considered Floorless Coasters, as the company classifies them as another model. Maurer Söhne has designed their own version of the Floorless Coaster, a variant of their X-Car model called X-Car Floorless, but currently do not have any installations.

History

Medusa's cobra roll at Six Flags Great Adventure

According to Walter Bolliger, development of the Floorless Coaster began between 1995 and 1996. In 1999, the world's first Floorless Coaster opened at Six Flags Great Adventure as Medusa. With the success of Medusa, SeaWorld, Cedar Fair, Six Flags, and independent parks, Janfusun Fancyworld, Parque Warner Madrid, Tivoli Gardens, and Ocean Park Hong Kong have built other coasters of this model at their parks. B&M has built 13 Floorless Coasters from the ground up, with Dominator at Kings Dominion being the only one relocated to another park. They have also converted three of their stand-up roller coasters to Floorless Coasters: Rougarou at Cedar Point, Patriot at California's Great America, and Firebird at Six Flags America.

Design

Hydra the Revenge's first drop at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom

The design of a Floorless Coaster has one main difference from traditional steel roller coasters around the world: there is no floor under the seats. While a train is parked in the station, a floor is used only for loading and unloading purposes. Because the front row has nothing in front of it to stop riders from walking over the edge of the station, a gate is placed in front of the train to prevent this from happening. Once all the over-the-shoulder restraints are locked, the floor separates into several pieces and retracts underneath the station. The gate then opens, allowing the train to move forward. When the train returns to the station, the floor is brought back up and the gate is closed for the next group of riders to load and unload. Aside from the station, Floorless Coasters have similar layouts to B&M's sit-down coasters.

Installations

One of Kraken's trains going through a corkscrew at SeaWorld Orlando in Orlando, Florida.

Bolliger & Mabillard has built thirteen Floorless Coasters from the ground up, with three additional that were converted from stand-up roller coasters. The roller coasters are listed in order of opening dates.

Name Park Country Inversions Opened Status
Medusa
Formerly Bizarro		 Six Flags Great Adventure  United States 7 April 2, 1999 Operating
Superman: Krypton Coaster Six Flags Fiesta Texas  United States 6 March 11, 2000 Operating
Medusa Six Flags Discovery Kingdom  United States 7 March 18, 2000 Operating
Kraken SeaWorld Orlando  United States 7 June 1, 2000 Operating
Insane Speed Janfusun Fancyworld  Taiwan 4 2001 Operating
Superman: La Atracción de Acero Parque Warner Madrid  Spain 7 April 6, 2002 Operating
Batman: The Dark Knight Six Flags New England  United States 5 April 20, 2002 Operating
Scream Six Flags Magic Mountain  United States 7 April 12, 2003 Operating
Dæmonen Tivoli Gardens  Denmark 3 April 16, 2004 Operating
Hydra the Revenge Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom  United States 7 May 7, 2005 Operating
Dominator
Formerly Batman: Knight Flight		 Kings Dominion
Geauga Lake		  United States 5 May 24, 2008
May 5, 2000		 Operating
Closed September 16, 2007
Hair Raiser Ocean Park Hong Kong  Hong Kong 4 December 8, 2011 Operating
Nitro Adlabs Imagica  India 5 2013 Operating
Rougarou Cedar Point  United States 4 May 9, 2015 Operating
Patriot California's Great America  United States 2 March 25, 2017 Operating
Firebird Six Flags America  United States 2 2019 Operating

Note: Although some Dive Coasters (such as SheiKra, Griffon, Valravn and Yukon Striker) feature floorless trains, they are not considered Floorless Coasters.

Similar rides

Maurer Söhne, a German roller coaster and steel manufacturer, has developed their own version of the Floorless Coaster called the X-Car Floorless. The car is the same as the original X-Car with the only difference being that there is no floor during the ride. As of 2019, no X-Car Floorless roller coasters have been manufactured.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Converted from a stand-up roller coaster to a floorless coaster

References

  1. "IAAPA 2011 Trade Show Part 4 Theme Park Review Fishpipe Water Ride B&M Zamperla". Theme Park Review. YouTube. November 16, 2012. Archived from the original on December 12, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2012.
  2. ^ Marden, Duane. "Roller Coaster Search Results  (Floorless Coaster)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  3. Niles, Robert (November 14, 2002). "Scream leaves you dangling". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 21, 2012.
  4. "Dominator at Kings Dominion". woodencoasterfan (YouTube). September 4, 2012. Archived from the original on December 12, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2012.
  5. Marden, Duane. "Roller Coaster Search Results  (Sitting Coaster)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  6. Marden, Duane. "Medusa  (Six Flags Great Adventure)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  7. Marden, Duane. "Superman: Krypton Coaster  (Six Flags Fiesta Texas)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  8. Marden, Duane. "Medusa  (Six Flags Discovery Kingdom)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  9. Marden, Duane. "Kraken  (Sea World Orlando)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  10. Marden, Duane. "Insane Speed  (Janfusun Fancyworld)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  11. Marden, Duane. "Superman: La Atracción de Acero  (Parque Warner Madrid)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  12. Marden, Duane. "Batman – The Dark Knight  (Six Flags New England)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  13. Marden, Duane. "Scream!  (Six Flags Magic Mountain)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  14. Marden, Duane. "Dæmonen  (Tivoli Gardens)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  15. Marden, Duane. "Hydra the Revenge  (Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  16. Marden, Duane. "Dominator  (Kings Dominion)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  17. Marden, Duane. "Hair Raiser  (Ocean Park Hong Kong)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  18. Marden, Duane. "Nitro  (Adlabs Imagica)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  19. Marden, Duane. "Rougarou  (Cedar Point)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  20. Marden, Duane. "Patriot  (California's Great America)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  21. Marden, Duane. "Firebird  (Six Flags America)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  22. Marden, Duane. "SheiKra  (Busch Gardens Tampa Bay)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  23. Marden, Duane. "Griffon  (Busch Gardens Williamsburg)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  24. ^ "X-Car Floorless". Maurer Söhne. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved March 1, 2012.
  25. "X-Car". Maurer Söhne. Archived from the original on July 12, 2012. Retrieved July 21, 2012.

External links

Bolliger & Mabillard
List of roller coasters
Current Models
Notable coasters
Website: www.bolliger-mabillard.com
Types of roller coaster
Construction material
Train configuration
Track layout
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