Ultra Twister (Six Flags) - History

History

Ultra Twister was previously located at Six Flags Great Adventure under the same name. It was built in 1985 and located at Six Flags Great Adventure's "Frontier Adventures" section along a path going from Rolling Thunder down to Runaway Mine Train. When it opened in 1986, it was the first heartline roll coaster in the world as well as the coaster with the steepest ascent. Although the coaster itself was a rough ride due to the restraints needed to be in use, it was still a relatively popular coaster among guests. In 1989, the Great American Scream Machine opened at the park, bringing it up to six coasters. At that time, pictures and descriptions of this coaster-along with nine other coasters in the Six Flags Chain-were displayed on mini-billboards along the queue area. Ultra Twister was closed in the middle of the 1989 season and dismantled due to Six Flags's ride rotation program. It was moved to Six Flags AstroWorld, where it opened in 1990, and its lift hill was modified from a direct 90 degree vertical ascent to an ascent at a 45 degree angle so that it would be easier to evacuate the lift if necessary. The coaster was later changed from its bluish-white color scheme to green and blue, and would continue to run at Astroworld until the park closed permanently in the fall of 2005. Subsequently, the coaster went into storage at sister park Six Flags America in Largo, Maryland. Its reopening is unlikely, as it is reportedly damaged beyond repair. In 2009, the ride was put up for sale on Ital International, though its entry has since been removed-either due to its sale, or because it failed to sell in a timely fashion.