Possessed (roller coaster)

Possessed
250px Full layout as seen from the parking lot
Previously known as Superman: Ultimate Escape, Steel Venom at Geauga Lake, Voodoo at Dorney Park
Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
Coordinates
Status	Operating
Opening date	May 17, 2008 (2008-05-17)
Replaced	Skyscraper
Geauga Lake
Coordinates
Status	Relocated to Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
Opening date	May 5, 2000 (2000-05-05)
Closing date	2006
General statistics
Type	Steel – Inverted – Launched
Manufacturer	Intamin
Designer	Werner Stengel
Model	Twisted Impulse Coaster
Track layout	Shuttle roller coaster
Height	180 ft (55 m)
Drop	125 ft (38 m)
Length	704 ft (215 m)
Speed	70 mph (110 km/h)
Inversions	0
Max vertical angle	90°
Capacity	950 riders per hour
G-force	3.7
Height restriction	52–78 in (132–198 cm)
Trains	Single train with 14 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in a single row for a total of 28 riders per train.
x20px Fast Lane available
Possessed at RCDB Pictures of Possessed at RCDB

Possessed is a launched steel Inverted roller coaster located at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom in Allentown, Pennsylvania. It previously was located at Geauga Lake from 2000 to 2006. The coaster has endured four names: Superman: Ultimate Escape (2000 to 2003) Steel Venom (2004 to 2006), Voodoo (2008), and Possessed (2009 to present).

History

Geauga Lake era (2000 to 2006)

Possessed when it was known as Superman: Ultimate Escape at Geagua Lake

The ride was originally built by Six Flags in 2000 where it opened at what had been known as Six Flags Worlds Of Adventure in Aurora, Ohio and was known as Superman: Ultimate Escape. When Six Flags sold Worlds Of Adventure to Cedar Fair, the park reverted to its original name, Geauga Lake. Due to the fact that Six Flags had exclusive rights to the name Superman, the coaster had to be renamed and it became known as Steel Venom. Steel Venom, while receiving new signage featuring a black background with a silver and purple snake, retained its original blue, red, and yellow track.

The coaster was disassembled at the end of the 2006 season. At that point, rumors began to surface that Geauga Lake was going to cut back their offerings and maybe even close. At the end of the 2007 season, it was decided that Geauga Lake would close the ride side of the park and keep only Wildwater Kingdom for expansion.

Dorney Park era (2007 to present), and Six Flags controversy (2009)

Steel Venom became relocated to Dorney Park and construction began in the fall of 2007. Construction was completed in April 2008. According to the staff and management of the park, the coaster was expected to open on opening day of the 2008 season which was May 3, 2008 but did not. On April 30, Screamscape stated that the date of opening will be in mid-to-late-May. Park representatives confirmed this on May 1.

On Friday, May 16, 2008, Voodoo was given the authorization to open. The coaster had a soft opening on Saturday May 17, 2008 in the late afternoon. It continued to run when the park was closed for a private event on May 18. Media day was on Wednesday May 21, 2008. The coaster finally had its grand opening on Friday, May 23, 2008.

In 2009, the name was changed to Possessed in light of the fact that fellow theme park operator Six Flags claimed a trademark on the name "Voodoo." Rather than incur a legal dispute, Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, the owners of Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, had the name changed as part of a marketing gimmick claiming that the ride was now super-saturated with evil spirits. All memorabilia with the "Voodoo" name were sold at tremendous discounts via the park's website.

The ride

The ride's layout consists of two vertical spikes, one twisted and the other straight vertical with a holding brake, connected by a launch and station tract to form a basic "U" layout. The ride begins with riders being launched forward by the use of linear induction motors. After the initial launch, the train heads up the twisted vertical spike that twists the train 180 degrees. The train then falls and is launched backwards up the vertical spike. It shuttles back and forth three times. On the final full speed launch in reverse the holding brake at the top of the vertical rear spike engages, locking the train in place for a very brief moment.

The maximum G-force of the ride is 3.7 Gs, expectantly low for a twisted impulse coaster.

Possessed's Gallery

• 

  Possessed's twisted spike

• 

  Possessed's twisted spike

• 

  Possessed's straight spike

• 

  Possessed's straight spike

• Possessed (Back 2).jpg

  Possessed's train exiting the straight spike

• 

  Possessed's station and queue line

External links

• Possessed official page
• Video of Possessed

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