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Coordinates: 41°28′54″N 82°41′17″W / 41.48167°N 82.68806°W / 41.48167; -82.68806
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'''''Millennium Force''''' is a [[steel roller coaster|steel]] [[roller coaster]] built by [[Intamin]] located at [[Cedar Point]] in [[Sandusky, Ohio|Sandusky]], [[Ohio]], United States. It is the fourteenth roller coaster built at the park since the [[Blue Streak (Cedar Point)|Blue Streak]] opened in 1964. When built in 2000, it was the first roller coaster to exceed {{convert|300|ft|m}} in height, and was briefly [[Notable roller coasters|the tallest closed circuit roller coaster in the world]], before being surpassed by [[Steel Dragon 2000]], Cedar Point's own [[Top Thrill Dragster]], and [[Kingda Ka]] at [[Six Flags Great Adventure]]. Also, it is the second longest roller coaster in North America after [[The Beast (roller coaster)|The Beast]] at [[Kings Island]].<ref name="longest">{{cite news|title = Record Holders|publisher = Roller Coaster Database|date = 27 July 2009|url = http://rcdb.com/rhr.htm?statistic=3&type=1&location=1|accessdate = 27 July 2009}}</ref> It is also the first roller coaster to utilize a [[Lift hill#Cable lift|cable lift system]], rather than a traditional chain lift. <ref>http://www.idexter.com/coasters/parks/cedar_point/millennium_force/mf_index.html</ref> A potential chain lift was considered too heavy considering that [[Magnum XL-200]]'s chain was {{convert|7|ST|t|0}} and two-thirds as tall. The cable lift uses an {{convert|800|hp|adj=on}} motor that turns a set of sprocket gears that pull the cable. Riders must be at least 48&nbsp;inches tall to ride.
'''''Millennium Force''''' is a [[steel roller coaster|steel]] [[roller coaster]] built by [[Intamin]] located at [[Cedar Point]] in [[Sandusky, Ohio|Sandusky]], [[Ohio]], United States. It is the fourteenth roller coaster built at the park since the [[Blue Streak (Cedar Point)|Blue Streak]] opened in 1964. When built in 2000, it was the first roller coaster to exceed {{convert|300|ft|m}} in height, and was briefly [[Notable roller coasters|the tallest closed circuit roller coaster in the world]], before being surpassed by [[Steel Dragon 2000]], Cedar Point's own [[Top Thrill Dragster]], and [[Kingda Ka]] at [[Six Flags Great Adventure]]. Also, it is the second longest roller coaster in North America after [[The Beast (roller coaster)|The Beast]] at [[Kings Island]].<ref name="longest">{{cite news|title = Record Holders|publisher = Roller Coaster Database|date = 27 July 2009|url = http://rcdb.com/rhr.htm?statistic=3&type=1&location=1|accessdate = 27 July 2009}}</ref> It is also the first roller coaster to utilize a [[Lift hill#Cable lift|cable lift system]], rather than a traditional chain lift.<ref name="Press Release">{{cite news |title=Cedar Point To Build World's Tallest Roller Coaster|year=1999|url=http://www.ultimaterollercoaster.com/coasters/new00/cp_millennium/cp_mf_pr.html|accessdate=2012-03-11}}</ref>A potential chain lift was considered too heavy considering that [[Magnum XL-200]]'s chain was {{convert|7|ST|t|0}} and two-thirds as tall. The cable lift uses an {{convert|800|hp|adj=on}} motor that turns a set of sprocket gears that pull the cable. Riders must be at least 48&nbsp;inches tall to ride.


''Millennium Force'' has been voted the number one steel roller coaster in the world in [[Amusement Today]]'s Golden Ticket awards six times since the year 2001, and has never been ranked lower than number two since it opened in 2000.<ref name="award">{{cite news|title = Cedar Point Wins Best Amusement Park Again!|publisher = The Point Online|date = 5 September 2007|url = http://www.thepointol.com/news/2007/90.html|accessdate = 20 December 2008}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> ''Millennium Force'' has switched the top position with [[Bizarro (Six Flags New England)|''Bizarro'']] at [[Six Flags New England]], a [[megacoaster]] of very similar construction, five times in the last ten years.
''Millennium Force'' has been voted the number one steel roller coaster in the world in [[Amusement Today]]'s Golden Ticket awards six times since the year 2001, and has never been ranked lower than number two since it opened in 2000.<ref name="award">{{cite news|title = Cedar Point Wins Best Amusement Park Again!|publisher = The Point Online|date = 5 September 2007|url = http://www.thepointol.com/news/2007/90.html|accessdate = 20 December 2008}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> ''Millennium Force'' has switched the top position with [[Bizarro (Six Flags New England)|''Bizarro'']] at [[Six Flags New England]], a [[megacoaster]] of very similar construction, five times in the last ten years.
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==History==
==History==
Millennium Force was announced on July 22, 1999. The first media event happened on May 11, 2000 then opened on May 13. <ref>http://pointbuzz.com/c/history.aspx</ref>
Millennium Force was announced on July 22, 1999. It is the largest investment in Cedar Point history and broke 10 world records. Millennium was built in the Frontier Trail section of the park and the Giant Wheel had to be relocated to make room for it. <ref name="Press Release"/> It was first announced that the speed would be {{convert|92|mph}} but as testing began, it showed the speed is actually {{convert|93|mph}}. The first media event was held on May 11, 2000 then opened on May 13. <ref>http://pointbuzz.com/c/history.aspx</ref>


==Ride experience==
==Ride experience==
Line 49: Line 49:
* Angle of lift hill: 45 degrees
* Angle of lift hill: 45 degrees
* Angle of first drop: 80 degrees
* Angle of first drop: 80 degrees
* First hill drop: {{convert|300|ft|m|0|abbr=on}}
* First hill height: {{convert|310|ft|m|0|abbr=on}}
* First hill height: {{convert|310|ft|m|0|abbr=on}}
* Second hill height: {{convert|182|ft|m|0|abbr=on}}
* Second hill height: {{convert|182|ft|m|0|abbr=on}}
Line 54: Line 55:
* Fourth hill height: {{convert|100|ft|m|0|abbr=on}}
* Fourth hill height: {{convert|100|ft|m|0|abbr=on}}
* Maximum speed: {{convert|93|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}
* Maximum speed: {{convert|93|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}
* Track length: {{convert|6595|ft|m|0|abbr=on}}


===Features===
===Features===
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==World records==
==World records==
When it opened in May 2000, ''Millennium Force'' broke/helped break thirteen world records:
When it opened in May 2000, Millennium Force broke/helped break twelve world records:


===Coaster records===
===Coaster records===
* First ever complete circuit roller coaster to top {{convert|300|ft|m}}
* First ever complete circuit roller coaster to top {{convert|300|ft|m}}
* Tallest complete circuit roller coaster ({{convert|310|ft|m}})
* Tallest complete circuit roller coaster ({{convert|310|ft|m}})
* Longest drop on a complete circuit roller coaster ({{convert|300|ft|m}})
* Longest drop on a complete circuit roller coaster ({{convert|300|ft|m}})
* Fastest complete circuit roller coaster ({{convert|93|mi/h|km/h}})<ref name="cpsite" />
* Fastest complete circuit roller coaster ({{convert|93|mi/h|km/h}})
* Steepest non-inversion banked turn on a roller coaster (122°) (Half Corkscrew)
* Steepest non-inversion banked turn on a roller coaster (122°) (Half Corkscrew)
* First roller coaster to utilize a cable lift system
* First roller coaster to utilize a cable lift system
* First roller coaster to feature magnetic braking system
* First roller coaster to feature magnetic braking system
* Most records broken by a roller coaster


===Park records (May 2000/May 2010)===
===Park records (May 2000/May 2011)===
* Most rides at an amusement park (68/75)
* Most rides at an amusement park (68/76)
* Most roller coasters at an amusement park (14/17)
* Most roller coasters at an amusement park (14/17)
* Most steel roller coasters at an amusement park (12/15)
* Most steel roller coasters at an amusement park (12/15)
* Most feet of roller coaster track at an amusement park (44,013&nbsp;ft/53,963&nbsp;ft)
* Most feet of roller coaster track at an amusement park (44,013&nbsp;ft/53,963&nbsp;ft)
* Most roller coasters over {{convert|200|ft|m}} high at an amusement park (first park to have more than one) (2/4)
* Most roller coasters over {{convert|200|ft|m}} high at an amusement park (first park to have more than one) (2/4)

<ref>http://www.ultimaterollercoaster.com/coasters/new00/cp_millennium/cp_mf_facts.html</ref>


==Rankings==
==Rankings==

Revision as of 23:12, 11 March 2012

Millennium Force
The 310-foot (94 m) lift hill of Millennium Force
Cedar Point
LocationCedar Point
Coordinates41°28′54″N 82°41′17″W / 41.48167°N 82.68806°W / 41.48167; -82.68806
StatusOperating
Opening dateMay 13, 2000
CostUS$ 25,000,000
General statistics
TypeSteel
ManufacturerIntamin
DesignerWerner Stengel
ModelGiga coaster
Track layoutOut and Back
Lift/launch systemCable lift hill
Height310 ft (94 m)
Drop300 ft (91 m)
Length6,595 ft (2,010 m)
Speed93 mph (150 km/h)
Inversions0
Duration2:00[1]
Max vertical angle80°
Capacity1,300 riders per hour
G-force4.5
Height restriction48 in (122 cm)
Millennium Force at RCDB

Millennium Force is a steel roller coaster built by Intamin located at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, United States. It is the fourteenth roller coaster built at the park since the Blue Streak opened in 1964. When built in 2000, it was the first roller coaster to exceed 300 feet (91 m) in height, and was briefly the tallest closed circuit roller coaster in the world, before being surpassed by Steel Dragon 2000, Cedar Point's own Top Thrill Dragster, and Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure. Also, it is the second longest roller coaster in North America after The Beast at Kings Island.[2] It is also the first roller coaster to utilize a cable lift system, rather than a traditional chain lift.[3]A potential chain lift was considered too heavy considering that Magnum XL-200's chain was 7 short tons (6 t) and two-thirds as tall. The cable lift uses an 800-horsepower (600 kW) motor that turns a set of sprocket gears that pull the cable. Riders must be at least 48 inches tall to ride.

Millennium Force has been voted the number one steel roller coaster in the world in Amusement Today's Golden Ticket awards six times since the year 2001, and has never been ranked lower than number two since it opened in 2000.[4] Millennium Force has switched the top position with Bizarro at Six Flags New England, a megacoaster of very similar construction, five times in the last ten years.

Today, Millennium Force is no longer the tallest or fastest roller coaster at Cedar Point, having been surpassed in height and speed by Top Thrill Dragster. Nonetheless, Millennium Force remains one of the tallest, fastest, and longest steel roller coasters in the world.[5] Millennium Force's tagline is "The future is riding on it."

History

Millennium Force was announced on July 22, 1999. It is the largest investment in Cedar Point history and broke 10 world records. Millennium was built in the Frontier Trail section of the park and the Giant Wheel had to be relocated to make room for it. [3] It was first announced that the speed would be 92 miles per hour (148 km/h) but as testing began, it showed the speed is actually 93 miles per hour (150 km/h). The first media event was held on May 11, 2000 then opened on May 13. [6]

Ride experience

Layout

While the train is being loaded in the station, the catch car for the cable lift descends the lift and latches onto the middle car of the train. Once the train is cleared, the cable lift pulls the train up a 45 degree lift hill at 15 miles per hour (24 km/h) to a height of 310 feet (94 m). After reaching the top, the train drops 300 feet (91 m) down at an 80 degree angle and reaches a top speed of 93 miles per hour (150 km/h) at the bottom of the hill. It then climbs 169 feet (52 m) through a right overbanked turn at 122 degrees from the horizontal axis, then travels through a tunnel as it passes over the Frontier Trail. It then travels over a 182-foot (55 m) parabolic hill, which provides a moment of airtime (zero G-forces) as it passes over a lagoon and down onto Adventure Island. While on Adventure Island, the train completes a 105-foot (32 m), 360-degree, right-handed helix, followed by a left overbanked turn and then a small right-hand turn before traveling over another airtime hill to exit the island. After exiting the island, the train travels left through a second tunnel (the on-ride photo is taken in the tunnel), followed by a left turn and a small airtime hill, passing by the queue. Finally, the train travels 68 feet (21 m) high through another right overbanked turn over the queue and is brought to a stop by magnetic brakes. The train is then unloaded in one stations and moves up the to second station where it is loaded. [7]

Trains

The final airtime hill

Millennium Force has three trains colored: red, blue, and yellow. Each train has nine four-passenger cars, allowing for a maximum capacity of thirty six people per train. The trains are stainless steel with stadium style seating. Each seat has an individual hydraulic T-shaped lap bar and seat belt across the rider's lap. The seat belt must be fastened before securing the lapbar.

Statistics

Physical and speed dimensions

  • Angle of lift hill: 45 degrees
  • Angle of first drop: 80 degrees
  • First hill drop: 300 ft (91 m)
  • First hill height: 310 ft (94 m)
  • Second hill height: 182 ft (55 m)
  • Third hill height: 169 ft (52 m)
  • Fourth hill height: 100 ft (30 m)
  • Maximum speed: 93 mph (150 km/h)
  • Track length: 6,595 ft (2,010 m)

Features

  • Three overbanked turns
  • Two tunnels
  • Four hills

World records

When it opened in May 2000, Millennium Force broke/helped break twelve world records:

Coaster records

  • First ever complete circuit roller coaster to top 300 feet (91 m)
  • Tallest complete circuit roller coaster (310 feet (94 m))
  • Longest drop on a complete circuit roller coaster (300 feet (91 m))
  • Fastest complete circuit roller coaster (93 miles per hour (150 km/h))
  • Steepest non-inversion banked turn on a roller coaster (122°) (Half Corkscrew)
  • First roller coaster to utilize a cable lift system
  • First roller coaster to feature magnetic braking system

Park records (May 2000/May 2011)

  • Most rides at an amusement park (68/76)
  • Most roller coasters at an amusement park (14/17)
  • Most steel roller coasters at an amusement park (12/15)
  • Most feet of roller coaster track at an amusement park (44,013 ft/53,963 ft)
  • Most roller coasters over 200 feet (61 m) high at an amusement park (first park to have more than one) (2/4)

[8]

Rankings

Millennium Force has been ranked consistently high in coaster polls, and has won numerous awards:

Golden Ticket Awards: Top Steel Roller Coasters
Year 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Ranking
2[9]
1[10]
1[11]
2[12]
1[13]
1[14]
2[15]
2[16]
2[17][18]
2
1[19]
1[20]

Millennium Force and Bizarro have held the top spots for ten years.

Mitch Hawker's Best Roller Coaster Poll: Best Steel-Tracked Roller Coaster
Year 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Ranking
n/a
2[21]
2[22]
1[23]
3[24]
2[25]
3[26]
4[27]
12[28]
10[29]
NAPHA Survey: Favorite Steel Roller Coaster
Year 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Ranking
1[30]
1[30]
1[30]
1[31]
1[31]

References

  1. ^ "Cedar Point — Millennium Force". Cedar Fair Entertainment Company. Retrieved 20 December 2008.
  2. ^ "Record Holders". Roller Coaster Database. 27 July 2009. Retrieved 27 July 2009.
  3. ^ a b "Cedar Point To Build World's Tallest Roller Coaster". 1999. Retrieved 2012-03-11.
  4. ^ "Cedar Point Wins Best Amusement Park Again!". The Point Online. 5 September 2007. Retrieved 20 December 2008. [dead link]
  5. ^ "Roller Coaster Records". Ultimate Roller Coaster. 2007. Retrieved 20 December 2008.
  6. ^ http://pointbuzz.com/c/history.aspx
  7. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=To3jujFzwHg
  8. ^ http://www.ultimaterollercoaster.com/coasters/new00/cp_millennium/cp_mf_facts.html
  9. ^ "Golden Ticket Awards — Top 25 Steel/Wooden Roller Coasters - 2000". Coastergrotto.com. Retrieved 20 December 2008.
  10. ^ "Golden Ticket Awards — Top 25 Steel/Wooden Roller Coasters - 2001". Coastergrotto.com. Retrieved 20 December 2008.
  11. ^ "Golden Ticket Awards — Top 25 Steel/Wooden Roller Coasters - 2002". Coastergrotto.com. Retrieved 20 December 2008.
  12. ^ "Golden Ticket Awards — Top 25 Steel/Wooden Roller Coasters - 2003". Coastergrotto.com. Retrieved 20 December 2008.
  13. ^ "Golden Ticket Awards — Top 25 Steel/Wooden Roller Coasters - 2004". Coastergrotto.com. Retrieved 20 December 2008.
  14. ^ "Golden Ticket Awards — Top 25 Steel/Wooden Roller Coasters - 2005". Coastergrotto.com. Retrieved 20 December 2008.
  15. ^ "Golden Ticket Awards — Top 25 Steel/Wooden Roller Coasters - 2006". Coastergrotto.com. Retrieved 20 December 2008.
  16. ^ "Golden Ticket Awards — Top 25 Steel/Wooden Roller Coasters - 2007". Coastergrotto.com. Retrieved 20 December 2008.
  17. ^ "Golden Ticket Awards — Top 25 Steel/Wooden Roller Coasters - 2008". Coastergrotto.com. Retrieved 20 December 2008.
  18. ^ "Amusement Today — Golden Ticket Winners 2008" (PDF). Amusement Today. Retrieved 20 December 2008.
  19. ^ "Amusement Today — Golden Ticket Winners 2010" (PDF). Amusement Today. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
  20. ^ Amusement Today 2011 Park and Ride Winners
  21. ^ "FINAL RESULTS: 2001 Internet Steel Tracked Roller Coaster Poll". BestRollerCoasterPoll.com. Retrieved 20 December 2008.
  22. ^ "FINAL RESULTS: 2002 Internet Steel Tracked Roller Coaster Poll". BestRollerCoasterPoll.com. Retrieved 20 December 2008.
  23. ^ "FINAL RESULTS: 2003 Internet Steel Tracked Roller Coaster Poll". BestRollerCoasterPoll.com. Retrieved 20 December 2008.
  24. ^ "Steel Roller Coaster Poll Results 2004". BestRollerCoasterPoll.com. Retrieved 20 December 2008.
  25. ^ "Steel Roller Coaster Poll Results 2005". BestRollerCoasterPoll.com. Retrieved 20 December 2008.
  26. ^ "Steel Roller Coaster Poll Results 2006". BestRollerCoasterPoll.com. Retrieved 20 December 2008.
  27. ^ "Steel Roller Coaster Poll Results 2007". BestRollerCoasterPoll.com. Retrieved 20 December 2008.
  28. ^ "Steel Roller Coaster Poll Results 2008". BestRollerCoasterPoll.com. Retrieved 20 December July 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  29. ^ "Steel Roller Coaster Poll Results 2009". BestRollerCoasterPoll.com. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
  30. ^ a b c "NAPHA 2005, 2006, and 2007 Survey Results". National Amusement Park Historical Association. Retrieved 20 December 2008.
  31. ^ a b "Millennium Force Takes Top Honor for Seventh Straight Year". The Point Online. Retrieved 4 June 2009.

http://www.coaster-net.com/ride-gallery/180-millennium-force/

Preceded by World's tallest complete circuit roller coaster
May 2000–August 2000
Succeeded by
Preceded by World's fastest complete circuit roller coaster
May 2000 – August 2000
Succeeded by