Incredicoaster is a steel launched roller coaster located at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, United States. Manufactured by Intamin, the ride was originally opened to the public as California Screamin' in early 2001. It is the only roller coaster with an inversion at the Disneyland Resort and it is the fastest, reaching a maximum speed of 55 mph (89 km/h). With a track length of 6,072 feet (1,851 m), Incredicoaster is the sixth-longest steel roller coaster in the world.[2]

Incredicoaster
Previously known as California Screamin'
(2001–2018)
The ride loading area and the entrance to the Incredicoaster at the Disney California Adventure park (2018)
Disney California Adventure
LocationDisney California Adventure
Park sectionPixar Pier
Coordinates33°48′17″N 117°55′18″W / 33.804584°N 117.921780°W / 33.804584; -117.921780
StatusOperating
Opening dateFebruary 8, 2001 (2001-02-08)
Cost$50 million
General statistics
Type – Launched
ManufacturerIntamin
DesignerWalt Disney Imagineering
ModelLoop
Track layoutCustom
Lift/launch systemLIM launch
Drop108 ft (33 m)
Length6,072 ft (1,851 m)
Speed55 mph (89 km/h)
Inversions1
Duration2:36
Acceleration0 to 55 mph (0 to 89 km/h) in 4 seconds
Height restriction48 in (122 cm)
Trains6 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 24 riders per train.
ThemeBoardwalk wooden coaster (2013–2017)
The Incredibles (2018–present)
RestraintsOver-the-shoulders restraint
HostsNone (2001–2002)
Dee Bradley Baker (2003–2010)
Neil Patrick Harris (2010 – 2018)
Voice actors from The Incredibles (2018–present)
MusicGary Hoey and George Wilkins (2001–2018)
Michael Giacchino (composition) and Jeff Kryka (orchestration)[1] (2018–present)
Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane Available
Single rider line available
Must transfer from wheelchair
Incredicoaster at RCDB

California Screamin' permanently closed on the late evening of January 7, 2018 for a transformation and reopened as the Incredicoaster with the debut of Pixar Pier on June 22, 2018.[3] Its theme is inspired by The Incredibles film franchise.

History edit

In October 1998, following months of construction on the new California Adventure theme park next to Disneyland,[4] Disney announced additional details about the park's rides and attractions set to open in 2001.[5] Among them would be a state-of-the-art launched roller coaster named California Screamin', which uses linear induction motor (LIM) launch technology to propel its riders to a maximum speed of 55 mph (89 km/h).[5] Although made of steel, the ride would be designed to resemble a classic wooden coaster, and it would include a vertical loop in the signature shape of Mickey Mouse's head.[5][6]

California Screamin' debuted with the park's grand opening on February 8, 2001. Designed by Werner Stengel and built by Intamin, it features a track length of 6,072 feet (1,851 m), making it the sixth-longest steel coaster in the world and third-longest in the US behind Fury 325 at Carowinds and Millennium Force at Cedar Point. Materials used to build the attraction included 11,500,000 pounds (5,200,000 kg) of concrete for the footers, 36 miles (58 km) of electric cables, 167 miles (269 km) of conductors, and 5,800,000 pounds (2,600,000 kg) of steel.[6] It also became the longest roller coaster in the world to feature an inversion after the vertical loop on Son of Beast at Kings Island was removed in 2006.[citation needed]

In addition to the LIM launch that propels the train up the first hill, an additional LIM Boost is used on the main lift midway through the ride.[7][8] These motors are used in lieu of a traditional lift hill chain. The coaster is one of Disney Parks' fastest attractions,[9] accelerating guests from zero to 55 mph (89 km/h) in four seconds.[7] Since the resort was located next to a residential area, Disney had installed tunnels throughout the ride to block the screams from riders and reduce noise complaints from nearby residents of Anaheim and neighboring Garden Grove.[10]

Like several other coasters in Disney Parks, California Screamin' featured an onboard audio soundtrack during the ride, created by Gary Hoey and George Wilkins.[11] On January 3, 2007, as part of the "Rockin' Both Parks" campaign, the audio track was temporarily replaced by a remixed version of "Around the World" by Red Hot Chili Peppers, and the attraction was renamed Rockin' California Screamin'. This was promoted along with Rockin' Space Mountain, a similar change made to Space Mountain in Disneyland, though that ride's audio was changed to the Red Hot Chili Peppers' cover version of "Higher Ground". The standard audio track was restored when the campaign ended.[12][13]

After the refurbishment of Disney California Adventure, from 2008 to 2009 the Mickey Mouse head located behind the vertical loop was changed to a sunburst icon with the Paradise Pier logo.

On July 15, 2017, Disney announced a complete renovation of Paradise Pier, renaming it Pixar Pier.[14] Meanwhile, rumors began to circulate that California Screamin' would be rethemed to Pixar Animation Studios' The Incredibles.[15] On November 2, it was confirmed that the ride would be remodeled. California Screamin' closed on January 8, 2018, for the transformation into Incredicoaster.[3] The remodel would include a new queue line, engineering reboots of the existing launch system, new storyline, enclosed scream tunnels and a new soundtrack.[16] The new trains were unveiled in April.[17] Incredicoaster opened on June 23, 2018, to coincide with the release of Incredibles 2.[18]

Pre-show and ride edit

TV screens display news footage of the Incredibles and Edna Mode being interviewed for a classic roller coaster's rebranding as Incredicoaster. While they are being interviewed, Jack-Jack uses his unpredictable superpowers, much to his family's frustration and Edna's amusement. As the guests board the cars and take off from the station, Elastigirl asks Edna to look after Jack-Jack. The guests pass by the VIP room where Edna watches Jack-Jack as he teleports around. Moments later, Edna announces that Jack-Jack has escaped. The Incredibles then take off throughout the ride trying to catch Jack-Jack as he uses his vast array of super powers to "attack" certain points on the ride as the coaster arrives in the launch area.

After Dash gives the countdown, the train is launched at 55 mph into the first tunnel, accompanied by a stream of water jets that glow red to simulate Dash's super speed. In the first tunnel, Dash tries to use his super speed to catch Jack-Jack, while Jack-Jack shoots lasers from his eyes. The train then exits the tunnel as it descends the drop and rises uphill onto the first block brake and then navigates a right hand turn around Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind before passing under the outbound track and climbing up the main lift, which uses LIMs to propel the train. When new, this was the first use of Linear Induction Motor (LIM) technology that allowed a roller coaster vehicle to travel on an inclined angle.[citation needed]

As the train crests the hill, it enters the second tunnel, where Elastigirl tries using her stretching powers to grab Jack-Jack while he is phasing in and out of the tunnel wall. Past the crest of the hill, Mr. Incredible has used his super strength to smash through the wall and is trying to catch Jack-Jack by offering him a cookie, after which the train drops out of the tunnel. Exiting this tunnel, the ride goes through a three-quarter turn before diving into the vertical loop. Following this, the train dives through the third tunnel, which Jack-Jack has set ablaze with his fire powers, forcing Violet to put an invisible forcefield around the tunnel to put out the flames and keep the riders safe as they make another loop around the Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind.

After hitting the second block brake section, the track passes through a series of airtime filled bunny hop hills as it passes over Toy Story Midway Mania, where Jack-Jack makes multiple versions of himself pop up everywhere. The train then rises into the third and final block brake section. After dropping off the block brakes the train traverses through a 270 degree downward spiral that leads into a straight section of track with one last bunny hop. Which is followed by a final 100 degree left turn into the final brake run, as Jack-Jack makes it back safely. This time he has increased in size, but Edna manages to keep him calm by giving him a cookie. The train then makes another left turn before returning to the station.

Safety design edit

The original safety announcements were recorded by Dee Bradley Baker.[19][20][21] On November 5, 2010, the announcements were updated with the voice of Neil Patrick Harris.[22] Baker and Harris also recorded audio for the launch, counting down for guests. There are 108 acoustic devices to play the onboard audio aboard each train, including high-range speakers in the headrests, mid-range speakers near riders' ears, and subwoofers under each rider's seat.[citation needed]

The tubes through which the coaster shoots enable the coaster to comply with Orange County sound ordinances, projecting noise in the direction of the park, in addition to concealing scenes with characters.[citation needed]

Cast edit

Incidents edit

In August 2001, Dr. David Heber, a Milwaukee surgeon, suffered a neurological disorder and whiplash after his restraint locked at eye level. He sued Disney in 2003, alleging equipment failure, lack of lubrication and ride operators failing to notice his unlocked restraint. However, Heber lost.[23]

On July 29, 2005, multiple guests were injured when the purple train rear-ended the orange train. Of the 48 guests aboard the two trains, 15 were taken to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The accident occurred on the section of track about 30 feet (9.1 m) short of the loading station. A full ride stop was activated with the orange train stopped. The brake segment that was supposed to have stopped the purple train failed, and the purple train continued until it collided with the stopped orange train.[24] An investigation showed that a faulty brake valve, installed a few days earlier by Disney (not by the ride manufacturer Intamin) was the cause.[25]

On July 22, 2011, 23 people were rescued from California Screamin' by firefighters when a rider's backpack fell out of a train and landed on the track, causing the orange train to valley between the loop and the next block section. It reopened two days later after the train was winched up the next hill, had its damaged wheels replaced and was allowed to complete the circuit.[26][27]

On August 6, 2016, passengers on the ride were stranded for 45 minutes before being rescued when a fallen purse triggered an automatic stop.[28]

Rankings edit

Golden Ticket Awards: Top steel Roller Coasters
Year 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Ranking 47 (tie)[29] 29[30] 43[31] 41[32] [33] [34] 49[35] [36] [37] [38] [39] [40] [41] [42] [43] [44] [45] [46] [47]

Gallery edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Bio".
  2. ^ "Steel World Records – Length". Roller Coaster Database. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  3. ^ a b Glover, Erin (November 2, 2017). "Pixar Pier to Bring New Incredicoaster and More to Disney California Adventure Park Summer 2018". Disney Parks Blog. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  4. ^ "Disney's California Misadventure: The Inside Story Behind Disney's $2 Billion Mistake". Theme Park Tourist. December 15, 2015. Archived from the original on February 22, 2017. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c "Disney Announces California Adventure Theme Park To Open In 2001". Ultimate Rollercoaster.
  6. ^ a b "A Blast From The Past - Disney's California Screamin'". NewsPlusNotes. March 24, 2011. Archived from the original on March 3, 2021.
  7. ^ a b Marden, Duane. "Incredicoaster  (Disney California Adventure)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  8. ^ Taub, Eric A. (August 30, 2001). "HOW IT WORKS; The Latest at the Theme Park: a Magnetic Attraction". The New York Times. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  9. ^ "Iconic Disney roller coaster California Screamin' will close next month, then reopen with a new name and theme". Orange County Register. December 15, 2017. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
  10. ^ "7 secrets you didn't know about Disney rides straight from the people who designed them". Insider.com.
  11. ^ Disney's California Adventure by Various Artists on iTunes, January 1, 2001, retrieved June 25, 2018
  12. ^ Colothan, Scott (December 29, 2006). "Red Hot Chili Peppers To Soundtrack Disneyland Rides". Entertainmentwise. Archived from the original on March 10, 2012. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
  13. ^ Rockin' California Screamin' (YouTube). January 16, 2007. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
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  15. ^ "What to expect from Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure". Los Angeles Times. October 28, 2017.
  16. ^ "See how California Screamin' is becoming the Incredicoaster at the Disneyland Resort". March 12, 2018.
  17. ^ "PHOTO: Incredicoaster train car design revealed for Pixar Pier at Disneyland Resort". April 23, 2018.
  18. ^ "Attractions on Disney California Adventure's Paradise Pier to Shutter Monday as Area Transforms Into Pixar Pier". January 8, 2018.
  19. ^ disneygeekcom (August 20, 2011). "D23 Expo 2011 - Voices of the Parks - Dee Bradley Baker - Original Screamin' Launch". Retrieved August 1, 2016 – via YouTube.
  20. ^ Inside the Magic (August 20, 2011). ""Voices of the Parks" demonstrate their voice talents at the 2011 Disney D23 Expo". Retrieved August 1, 2016 – via YouTube.
  21. ^ "Star Wars Weekends: Send In The Clones! - The DIS Unplugged Disney Podcast". disunplugged.com. Archived from the original on March 13, 2013. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
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  23. ^ latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-jan-28-me-disney28-story.html
  24. ^ Himmelberg, Michelle (October 13, 2005). "Brakes cited in Disney crash". Orange County Register. Retrieved May 26, 2013.
  25. ^ "Thrill ride lawsuits". The Courier Journal. November 29, 2007. Retrieved May 26, 2013.
  26. ^ "Firefighters rescue 23 after dropped bag brings Disneyland ride to a Screamin' halt". Herald Sun. July 23, 2011. Retrieved May 26, 2013.
  27. ^ California Screamin Accident 7/22/11 (YouTube). August 12, 2011. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
  28. ^ Schwebeke, Scott (August 6, 2016). "15 passengers stuck on California Adventure roller coaster". Orange County Register. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
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  32. ^ "Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 18–19B. September 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 3, 2007.
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External links edit