The west coast's first dive coaster is officially diving. Well, for water dummies, it is. Knott's Berry Farm ran the first daytime tests for its new Gerstlauer Infinity coaster, HangTime, this afternoon.
Knott's invited a few local reporters, including your truly, to watch the run and get a behind-the-wall look at HangTime's construction.
HangTime offers a 150-foot vertical lift, leading into a two-second hold at a 60-degree angles before dropping more than 90 degrees into five inversions on a 2,198-foot track, with a top speed of 57 mph. It's located on Knott's Boardwalk, and the coaster follows with a surfing theme.
LED panels on the track will shine to represent the crest of the waves that the track is designed to depict. Trains will depart the station past a sunset mural on the back of the Calico Mine Ride show building, before riders make a turn around the exit gift shop to start their climb up that 150-foot vertical lift.
Knott's will be able to run three of the four-row, 16-passenger trains at a time on HangTime, since the lift and the perch afterward are considered two separate blocks on the course. (That's one train in the station, one on the lift, and one on the course for the approximately two-minute ride, from station to station.)
The seats will offer a clamshell lab restraint and a seatbelt, but that's it. (No OTSR, yay!) And the headrests are made to look like surfboards, too.
The gift shop and station will reflect the streamline moderne design of the Johnny Rockets across the way, as Knott's continues to bring more of that early-to-mid 20th century design look to its Boardwalk area.
Although the train is testing, Knott's still has a way to go before the ride will be open to guests. The queue, station and exit gift shop remain under construction and Knott's is promising only an "early summer" opening, although reps said an official opening date announcement is coming soon.
Tweet
Where in the park is this? I picture from the info provided that its the old Corcksrew/Boomerang plot?
Granted, I have not been to Knott's in too many years. I could very well be wrong.
Kenny, I'm pretty sure you're right. This seems to be ground zero for Knott's to place their dense feature coasters.
Kenny, you are correct.
Thanks for the extra info. I've enjoyed both coasters (that I know of) that have been there before (in fact, the Corkscrew was the first ever inverted coaster that I rode, and while it was not a great experience for me the first time, it was thrilling the rest of the time), and Boomerang was...interesting, but not as thrilling,
I can see this new coaster being VERY thrilling to many. While I'm mostly a Disney guy, I wish Knott's a lot of luck with this coaster. Looks fun, and I honestly hope to ride it one day.
I've heard that they are attempting to have this open by Easter weekend, but given the current state of construction that may be pretty tight. If not then, I fully expect it will be open by Memorial Day at the latest.
While I don't expect this to be a top ten coaster, it should be a VERY fun ride and I'm extremely excited for Orange County's first major new coaster in 14 years. If I can't make opening day for this one, I'll be there the first day I have off afterward. It's certainly unlike anything else on the West Coast.
The lack of brake runs means only one car at a time on the track. It will be a slow loading ride. Ride is awfully short.
Knotts president said 3 trains can run as soon. As one clears the top of the tower 2nd train can start with 3rd in holding breaks
While I'm not a fan of Dive coasters I think OC diffidently needs this for those who do.
This article has been archived and is no longer accepting comments.
Betcha it won't open the week of June 23, which is when neighbor Disneyland opens its rethemed Pixar Pier and Incredicoaster.