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Superman The Ride

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Bizarro
Six Flags New England
LocationSix Flags New England
Park sectionDC Superhero Adventures
StatusOperating
Opening dateMay 5, 2000
General statistics
TypeSteel – Hypercoaster
ManufacturerIntamin AG
DesignerWerner Stengel
ModelMegacoaster
Track layoutOut & Back and Twister
Lift/launch systemChain lift hill
Inversions0
Duration3:30
Max vertical angle72°
Capacity1300 riders per hour
G-force3.6
Bizarro at RCDB

For the roller coaster of this name at Six Flags Great Adventure, see Bizarro (Six Flags Great Adventure)

Bizarro, formerly known as Superman: Ride of Steel (until 2008), is a steel megacoaster at Six Flags New England. It has a 208 foot lift hill, a 221 foot drop, and just over a mile of track. While it was Superman, Bizarro has been critically acclaimed since its debut, winning the Amusement Today Golden Ticket Award for Best Steel Roller Coaster in 2003, 2006, 2007, and 2008.


Accidents

Main article: Incidents at Six Flags parks
  • In 2001, one of the trains failed to stop at the ride's ending due to a severe brake leak, colliding with the other train in the loading station. 22 people were injured.
  • In 2004, a man was thrown from his seat during the last turn of the ride and was killed. His death was determined, by investigators, to be caused by (1) the physical size of the victim, (2) his disability (cerebral palsy), and (3) failure of the ride attendant to recognize that the lapbar was inadequately applied. As a result of this incident, modifications were made to the trains, including a component that encompasses the rider's legs.

Safety modifications

During its 9 year history, Bizarro has undergone numerous safety upgrades:

2001

Brake lines were reinforced to prevent a sudden loss of pressure.

2002 / 2003

An additional brake was added to the final brake run.

2004

Metal bars were installed on both sides of the “T-bar” restraint, encasing the rider's legs.

Shin cuffs were added to the lower portion of the “T-bar” restraint, preventing riders’ feet from leaving the car.

All of the seat belts on both 36 passenger trains were replaced with ones at a consistent length.

An additional “go or no go” belt was added to each seat and “T-bar” restraint. The “go or no go” belt ensured the “T-bar” restraint was in an effective position for restraining the riders.

2006

The “go or no go” safety belt was removed and replaced with a modern computer system. The new system monitors each individual restraint and determines when the “T-bar” is properly secured. The system will not allow the train to be dispatched until each rider is properly secured.

2009

Due to the transformation, saftey was given an upgrade, along with new trains. The ride currently features new lapbars that got rid of the center pole and now only has exterior poles. Along with this, new seatbelts were added which give more strength and are less likely to unintentionaly come undone.

Transformation in 2009

Superman: Ride of Steel was "transformed" for 2009, sporting a new theme resembling Bizarro, an evil clone of the Man of Steel himself. The track was repainted purple with dark blue supports and special effects were added, including building structures and open-aired "S" shields, fiery flame effects, and mist-filled tunnels. New trains were also specially designed with on-board audio and improved safety features. There are several sound clips from popular movies and actors along the ride, including a clip of The Joker saying, "Let's put a smile on that face," quotes from Will Ferrell, such as "shake and bake" and, "Doesn't anyone notice this? It feels like I'm taking crazy pills!" from Zoolander.

The following list encompasses most of the sound bites broadcast on the ride. The ones not in quotation marks were recorded for Bizarro. The ones in quotation marks are from movies.

On the lift hill:

  • "I think he's coming Mr. Luthor" - Superman: The Movie
  • Let's move out...(footsteps)
  • Keep moving
  • "You have great power" - Superman Returns
  • What's your status?
  • It seems to be a wormhole sir.
  • "We're on a mission from God" - The Blues Brothers
  • "We're sitting on top of the story of the century here!" - Superman: The Movie
  • "The decision of the council will now be heard" - Superman: The Movie
  • There goes a reporter from the Daily Planet
  • What is she doing?
  • "See anything familiar?" - Superman Returns
  • Get back! Get back!
  • Ahhhhhhhh (girl screams)
  • She's fallen in!
  • "Doesn't anyone notice this? It feels like I'm taking crazy pills!" - Will Ferrell, Zoolander
  • Rawrrr (Bizarro growl)
  • What was that?
  • You can hear something coming from the inside!
  • Hold up
  • LOOK OUT!
  • We've got to find that reporter! - talking over some drums and and evil laugh with growls and screaming
  • "Didn't your dad ever teach you to LOOK! BEFORE! YOU LEAP!" - Superman Returns

During the ride:

  • What do we do?
  • TAKE COVER!
  • Why you here?
  • "Let's put a smile on that face" - Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
  • First we have fun
  • Bizarro Smash! (Through last building)
  • "Ma! The meatloaf!"- Will Ferrell, The Wedding Crashers
  • Who's got you? (x2) - Lois Lane, Superman
  • Pull my finger
  • "Hey you guys!" - Sloth, The Goonies
  • "If you do not go, I will hurt people!" - Superman IV: The Quest for Peace
  • And here we go - The Dark Knight
  • Were are you!? - Batman Begins
  • HERE! - Batman Begins
  • "Shake and Bake" - Will Ferrell, Talledega Nights
  • "Game over man, game over" - Hudson, Aliens
  • You talking to me? - Travis Bickle, Taxi Driver
  • YOU CAN'T HAVE HER!!! - Bizarro
  • You cant handle the truth - A Few Good Men
  • How'd you get here so fast? - ?
  • "It needs a little more cowbell!" - Will Ferrell
  • "Come to me, son of Jor-El" - Superman
  • "Kneel before Zod!" - Superman
  • "Say hello to my little friend!" - Al Pacino, Scarface
  • "That just happened" Will Ferrell, Talledega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
  • Bizarro song
  • "Did I tell you that we must evacuate this planet immediately?" - Superman: The Movie
  • "No. That wasn't you." - "Superman Returns"
  • "Lets do that again." Eddie Murphy, Shrek
  • "That really got outta hand fast." - Anchorman

Rankings

Golden Ticket Awards: Top Steel Roller Coasters[1][2]
Year 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Ranking
10
2
2
1
2
2
1
1
1
NAPHA Survey: Favorite Steel Roller Coaster[3]
Year 2005 2006 2007
Ranking
3
4
2
Mitch Hawker's Internet Poll: Best Steel-Tracked Roller Coaster
Year 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Ranking
-
1
2
2
2
1
1
1

Superman has together with Millennium Force held the top two spots in the Golden Ticket Awards poll for the last eight years in a row.

References

  1. ^ Golden Ticket Awards - Top 25 Steel/Wooden Roller Coasters
  2. ^ Amusement Today
  3. ^ Survey - National Amusement Park Historical Association
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