Designed by renowned Swiss company Intamin AG in 1997, the Tower of Terror (ToT) was the first of its kind in the world to use magnetic linear induction motors (LIMs). It was constructed at a cost of USD$12 million – while the cost of erecting the tower alone totalled over one million dollars.
Peaking at 38 storeys high (115 metres), stretching the equivalent of three football fields across the Park (330 metres), in 1997 ToT achieved unprecedented speeds of 160 km/h.
ToT held the world record as the tallest freefall tower in the world for around 12 months, before being outed by Knottsberry Farm’s new tower (although this does not feature the dual vehicle option)
Riders rocket up the ToT’s 115 metre tower before free-falling back down to earth backwards, while experiencing 6.5 magnificent seconds of weightlessness.
Although the ride itself lasts little over 15 seconds,accelerating from 0 to 165km in just over 3 seconds, all you can hear is the loud roaring wind, while your eyes water as you struggle to keep them open. Before you realise, you’ve turned 90° into the air, soon plummeting backwards down the 38-story tower. The electro-magnetic acceleration bricks are reversed – stopping the 15-person vehicle back at the loading station within 3 seconds.
To generate these intense speeds 2,200,000 watts (2.2 megawatts) of power (enough to power a small town) is applied for six or seven seconds. This momentarily doubles the park’s total power usage.
Electro-magnetic forces propel the vehicle progressively faster until it reaches top speed. The 300 metre horizontal track has a series of increasingly powerful magnets, forcing the metallic passenger vehicle forward with in a series of electrical charges. These magnetic forces are then reversed brake the vehicle to its dramatic deceleration. These magnets are so powerful that it would take a winch to prise them apart if their opposite poles were ever joined together.
Some Interesting Facts:
* More than 600 tonnes of steel were used to construct the Tower of Terror, with around 450 tonnes for the 115 metre tower alone.
* “Tower of Terror” is spelled out on the ride’s 115 metre tower using 4.5 tonnes of steel. Each letter measures between 1.5 and 2.5 metres wide and high.
* Over 16,000 bolts hold the structure together.
* It took around 3,500 litres of paint to coat the ride’s exterior.
* The vehicle weighs around six tonnes. Its wheels measuring 600 millimetres in diameter at the front and 900 millimetres at the rear.
* Five kilometres of electrical cable are used to ensure the ride’s power source.
* The full life of the magnets used to power the Tower of Terror is estimated to be 1.2 million years.
JUST FOR THE RECORD…
On February 7, 1997 Dreamworld’s Tower of Terror officially held the world speed record for a ride reaching a speed of 162 kilometres per hour (101 mph) on a Police calibrated hand-held radar gun.
Dreamworld CEO, Mr Fred Maybury dismissed statements made in the media that “Superman – the Escape”, at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California had exceeded Dreamworld’s world speed record “The fact is, by design, both rides are identical reverse free fall rollercoasters and not designed to achieve a speed greater than 161 km/hour (100mph) and operate safely,” Mr Maybury said. This has been confirmed by the ride’s manufacturer, Intamin AG of Switzerland.
o.m.g……
Hannah - July 22nd, 2009 at 1:46 am
o…..m…..g ihate this ride i got on it i trowed up
anthony - August 10th, 2009 at 6:23 am
this is such an awesome ride. scary as hell, though.
Jules - August 15th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
I sh** my Spongebob boxers on this ride. OMG!
Matthew - August 20th, 2009 at 10:55 am
There is also a ride called the Tower of Terror at Gold Reef City, South Africa. Operating since 2007. Designed by Ronald Bussink. Uses an old lift tower from a gold mine. 59mph, 90 degree vertical drop, 6.3 G-Force. Most thrilling ride there!
Andy - September 2nd, 2009 at 4:51 am
That’s reasons why to wear a set flight gear
Aaron J. Smith - September 13th, 2009 at 6:46 am
If they are electro-magnets, why would you need a winch to pull them apart?
I would just turn off the electricity…
Daniel Lewis - November 15th, 2009 at 7:52 am
Both coasters use LSMs (linear synchronous motors) rather than LIMs. The LSMs use far less electricity but require a far greater computer control system to operate correctly.
Tony Gonzalez - December 18th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
BEST RIDE EVER!!! it goes heaps faast!!!
??? - January 26th, 2010 at 8:47 am
This ride produces 2,200,000 watts (2.2 megawatts) of power, enough to supply a small town. This momentarily doubles power usage at the theme parks. I personally think thats a wast of energy just for a thrill ride.
Kirsten Payton Anderson - April 9th, 2010 at 12:39 pm
OMG, that ride is awesome, after i got on it once i got on it again . i was in florida!!!!!!!!!!!!!
kaitlin - July 20th, 2010 at 6:16 am
there is one at disney called this that takes you thru a haunted hotel and drops you
wavymouth - September 10th, 2010 at 7:08 am
THE 1 IN AUSTRALIA GOT REMAID
BOBRICK - September 12th, 2010 at 12:44 am
i would love to ride this!!
Angel - December 21st, 2010 at 6:32 am
@wavymouth
thats not the same model…
thats a different tower of terror
if you look up tower of terror, dreamworld then it comes up with a different style of ride
annonymous - January 25th, 2011 at 11:57 am
fucking best ride :)
isaac malby - September 7th, 2011 at 2:18 pm
Holy shit !!! this ride is awesome
Au.fernz - August 31st, 2012 at 2:25 pm
Hell no.
Fashina - October 23rd, 2012 at 12:15 am
I recommend if u hate the dropping stomachs turning feeling, don’t go on it!! I went on it and I hate the dropping feeling!
Carly - April 25th, 2013 at 5:50 am
I LOVE THIS RIDE
:D - October 13th, 2013 at 1:43 pm
in the air, no one can hear the kids scream
Mr touch kids for a living - May 27th, 2014 at 11:27 am
I screamed like a little girl!!!
Jordan Adams - June 1st, 2014 at 8:34 am
So did Six Flags “steal” this design for Superman the Escape?
Sean - April 4th, 2015 at 4:09 am
I thought the tower of terror was gonna go forward but when it went backwoods I was pissin my pants man, shit man, get out of here nigga
Jonah - April 11th, 2016 at 10:08 am
These photos are of the original Tower Of Terror, and now they made it backwards.
Terra Verso - October 22nd, 2017 at 6:49 pm
Looks interesting! I’ll try it this weekend!
Kerui Refractory - August 22nd, 2023 at 10:40 pm