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			{{Short description\|Type of amusement ride}}
	{{~~Refimprove~~\|date=June 2008}}		{{More citations needed\|date=June 2008}}
	]. This installation has since been removed]]		]. This installation has since been removed]]
	The '''Freefall''' is an amusement ride developed by ] and marketed throughout the world by ] company, ]. Two generations of this ride were developed. First generation Freefall rides can be identified by the angled supports at the base of the lift tower. Second generation Freefall rides were identical, but the tower's base structure on those variants did not taper outward.

			The '''Freefall''' is an amusement ride developed by ] and marketed throughout the world by ] company, ].

	It was a common ride at major amusement parks until the late 1990s, when the classic freefall rides began being replaced with larger, higher-capacity ] alternatives. Since then, Freefalls have been disappearing from ], to be replaced by the newer-technology rides such as the ] Giant Drop (2nd generation), Gyro Drop (3rd generation), and the ] series of compressed-air tower rides.		It was a common ride at major amusement parks until the late 1990s, when the classic freefall rides began being replaced with larger, higher-capacity ] alternatives. Since then, Freefalls have been disappearing from ], to be replaced by the newer-technology rides such as the ] Giant Drop (2nd generation), Gyro Drop (3rd generation), and the ] series of compressed-air tower rides.

	Currently, ] at ]; ''Hollywood Action Tower'' at ~~Movie Studios~~ Park, Italy; ''Freefall'' at Rusutsu Resort, Japan;'' Free Fall'' at Central Park, Japan; and ''Free Fall'' at Nagashima Spa Land, Japan; are the only remaining Intamin first generation Freefall rides in operation.		Currently, ] at ]; ''Hollywood Action Tower'' at Movieland Park, Italy; ''Freefall'' at Rusutsu Resort, Japan;'' Free Fall'' at Central Park, Japan; and ''Free Fall'' at Nagashima Spa Land, Japan; are the only remaining Intamin first-generation Freefall rides in operation.

	==Ride description==		==Ride description==
	{{expand section\|date=September 2011}}		{{expand section\|date=September 2011}}

	The ride can accommodate up to four riders, and consists of three main sections; the loading and unloading station, the lift tower, and the drop and run-out track. Riders are loaded into a gondola type car near ground level at the station and secured with over the shoulder harnesses. The gondola is then moved backwards horizontally to the rear base of the lift tower and then climbs vertically to the top of the tower in 7.2 seconds. Once there, it slides forward and hangs over the drop track for a few seconds. Without warning, the car is released and riders drop 60 feet in less than two seconds before experiencing the deceleration g-forces as the car enters a pull-out curve which transitions the vertical fall into a horizontal brake run. As the gondola rolls through the brake run to slow down, the riders are facing the sky. Once it stops at the end of the run, a mechanism swings the top of the car down, and the gondola moves in reverse at a downward 45 degree angle to another track where it returns to an upright position. It then returns to the station in reverse traveling below the brake run track.		The ride can accommodate up to four riders, and consists of three main sections: the loading and unloading station, the lift tower, and the drop and run-out track. Riders are loaded into a gondola type car near ground level at the station and secured with over-the-shoulder harnesses. The gondola is then moved backwards horizontally to the rear base of the lift tower and then climbs vertically to the top of the tower in 7.2 seconds. Once there, it slides forward and hangs over the drop track for a few seconds. Without warning, the car is released and riders drop 60 feet in less than two seconds before experiencing the deceleration g-forces as the car enters a pull-out curve which transitions the vertical fall into a horizontal brake run. As the gondola rolls through the brake run to slow down, the riders are facing the sky. Once it stops at the end of the run, a mechanism swings the top of the car down, and the gondola moves in reverse at a downward 45-degree angle to another track where it returns to an upright position. It then returns to the station in reverse, traveling below the brake run track.

	==Incidents==		==Incidents==
	===Illinois===		===Illinois===
	On May 22, 1984, an accident occurred on ''The Edge'', a first generation Freefall ride at ] (now Six Flags Great America) in ]. A supporting cable snapped, and the mechanism's anti-rollback devices failed to stop the car from plummeting nearly 60 feet to the bottom of the tower. Contrary to public belief and rumor, it did not crash down on top of another car and no one was killed in the accident. Three teens were treated at a local hospital and released.<ref>{{cite web\|url=~~http~~://~~articles~~.chicagotribune.com/1986-03-12/~~news/8601180746_1_amusement-park-rides-coaster-like-~~six-flags-~~great~~-~~america~~\|title=Six Flags Dismantles The Edge\|publisher=Chicago Tribune\|date=March 12, 1986\|author=Robert Enstad}}</ref> To prevent this type of accident from recurring, Intamin doubled the number of ] on the tower and the ride programming was changed so that a car ~~did~~ not enter the elevator shaft until the previous car ~~has completed~~ its descent from the tower. This change slightly lowered the ride's capacity. The Edge re-opened after having been refitted, but the stigma associated with the accident caused ridership to be low and it was eventually closed and removed in 1986.		On May 22, 1984, an accident occurred on ''The Edge'', a first generation Freefall ride at ] (now Six Flags Great America) in ]. A supporting cable snapped, and the mechanism's anti-rollback devices failed to stop the car from plummeting nearly 60 feet to the bottom of the tower. Contrary to public belief and rumor, it did not crash down on top of another car and no one was killed in the accident. Three teens were treated at a local hospital and released.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1986/03/12/six-flags-dismantles-the-edge/\|title=Six Flags Dismantles The Edge\|publisher=Chicago Tribune\|date=March 12, 1986\|author=Robert Enstad}}</ref> To prevent this type of accident from recurring, Intamin doubled the number of ] on the tower and the ride programming was changed so that a car would not enter the elevator shaft until the previous car completes its descent from the tower. This change slightly lowered the ride's capacity. The Edge re-opened after having been refitted, but the stigma associated with the accident caused ridership to be low and it was eventually closed and removed in 1986.

	===Ohio===		===Ohio===
	In 1999, four teenagers were injured after two ride vehicles on Mr. Hyde's Nasty Fall collided at the now defunct ] amusement park.		In 1999, four teenagers were injured after two ride vehicles on Mr. Hyde's Nasty Fall collided at the now defunct ] amusement park.
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	In 1995, ] in California removed its first generation Freefall, ''The Edge'', and replaced it with the ].		In 1995, ] in California removed its first generation Freefall, ''The Edge'', and replaced it with the ].

	In 1997, a second generation ride ''~~Skyscreamer~~'' was removed from ].		In 1997, a second generation ride '']'' was removed from ].

	In 2002, The "Drop of Doom", a first generation freefall at ]'s ] was removed.		In 2002, The "Drop of Doom", a first generation freefall at ]'s ] was removed.
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	In 2004, ] theme park in ] applied for planning permission to install an Intamin Freefall. However, the planning permission took too long to be granted and the park sold the ride in order to plan for a new attraction for the 2005 season. Loudoun's new ride opened in 2007 and was an ] Double Shot tower drop ride.		In 2004, ] theme park in ] applied for planning permission to install an Intamin Freefall. However, the planning permission took too long to be granted and the park sold the ride in order to plan for a new attraction for the 2005 season. Loudoun's new ride opened in 2007 and was an ] Double Shot tower drop ride.

	In 2006, the ''Drop of Doom'' was rebranded as the "Hollywood Tower" in Italy.		In 2006, the ''Drop of Doom'' was rebranded as the "Hollywood Tower" in Italy. It now uses elements similar to those found on ].

	In January 2006, ''Mr. Hyde's Nasty Fall'', a first generation Freefall originally installed at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, ~~IL,~~ was dismantled at ]. The salvageable parts were sent to Cedar Point, another Cedar Fair Amusement Park in Ohio, to be used for Demon Drop until it was also dismantled in 2009.		In January 2006, ''Mr. Hyde's Nasty Fall'', a first generation Freefall originally installed at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois was dismantled at ]. The salvageable parts were sent to Cedar Point, another Cedar Fair Amusement Park in Ohio, to be used for Demon Drop until it was also dismantled in 2009.

	In ~~2005~~, ] removed its first generation ride, ''Stuntman's Free Fall''.		In 2006, ] removed its first generation ride, ''Stuntman's Free Fall''.

	In December 2006, ] dismantled ''Freefall'', a first generation ride.		In December 2006, ] dismantled ''Freefall'', a first generation ride.

	In September 2007, ] imploded the original Freefall, ''Wildcatter'', which was originally named ''Texas Cliffhanger''.		In September 2007, ] imploded the original Freefall, '']'', which was originally named ''Texas Cliffhanger''.

	In February 2008, ''Freefall'' from ]<ref></ref> was dismantled. The ride was standing but not operating from 2005 to 2006.		In February 2008, ''Freefall'' from ]<ref></ref> was dismantled. The ride was standing but not operating from 2005 to 2006.

	in 2009, the end of the operating season, ] removed its ~~second~~ generation freefall ride, ]. The ride was originally planned to move to ] for the 2010 season, but the ride ended up at Dorney Park instead with the same name.		In 2009, at the end of the operating season, ] removed its first generation freefall ride, ]. The ride was originally planned to move to ] for the 2010 season, but the ride ended up at Dorney Park instead with the same name. The Dorney Park installation is the last standing/operating 1st generation operating in North America.

	In 2018, ] removed "Elevador". It's rumored to be sold to a new-built park in ], near ].		In 2018, ] removed "Elevador". It is rumored to be sold to a new-built park in ], near ].

	~~On May 6th~~ 2019 ] permanently closed "Free Fall"		In 2019, Tokyo Summerland permanently closed "Free Fall".

	==References==		==References==
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	{{Intamin}}		{{Intamin}}
			{{Amusement rides}}

	]		]

Latest revision as of 00:48, 25 November 2024

Type of amusement ride

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The Freefall is an amusement ride developed by Giovanola and marketed throughout the world by Swiss company, Intamin.

It was a common ride at major amusement parks until the late 1990s, when the classic freefall rides began being replaced with larger, higher-capacity Drop Tower alternatives. Since then, Freefalls have been disappearing from midways, to be replaced by the newer-technology rides such as the Intamin Giant Drop (2nd generation), Gyro Drop (3rd generation), and the S&S Power series of compressed-air tower rides.

Currently, Demon Drop at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom; Hollywood Action Tower at Movieland Park, Italy; Freefall at Rusutsu Resort, Japan; Free Fall at Central Park, Japan; and Free Fall at Nagashima Spa Land, Japan; are the only remaining Intamin first-generation Freefall rides in operation.

Ride description

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (September 2011)

The ride can accommodate up to four riders, and consists of three main sections: the loading and unloading station, the lift tower, and the drop and run-out track. Riders are loaded into a gondola type car near ground level at the station and secured with over-the-shoulder harnesses. The gondola is then moved backwards horizontally to the rear base of the lift tower and then climbs vertically to the top of the tower in 7.2 seconds. Once there, it slides forward and hangs over the drop track for a few seconds. Without warning, the car is released and riders drop 60 feet in less than two seconds before experiencing the deceleration g-forces as the car enters a pull-out curve which transitions the vertical fall into a horizontal brake run. As the gondola rolls through the brake run to slow down, the riders are facing the sky. Once it stops at the end of the run, a mechanism swings the top of the car down, and the gondola moves in reverse at a downward 45-degree angle to another track where it returns to an upright position. It then returns to the station in reverse, traveling below the brake run track.

Incidents

Illinois

On May 22, 1984, an accident occurred on The Edge, a first generation Freefall ride at Marriott's Great America (now Six Flags Great America) in Gurnee, Illinois. A supporting cable snapped, and the mechanism's anti-rollback devices failed to stop the car from plummeting nearly 60 feet to the bottom of the tower. Contrary to public belief and rumor, it did not crash down on top of another car and no one was killed in the accident. Three teens were treated at a local hospital and released. To prevent this type of accident from recurring, Intamin doubled the number of anti-rollbacks on the tower and the ride programming was changed so that a car would not enter the elevator shaft until the previous car completes its descent from the tower. This change slightly lowered the ride's capacity. The Edge re-opened after having been refitted, but the stigma associated with the accident caused ridership to be low and it was eventually closed and removed in 1986.

Ohio

In 1999, four teenagers were injured after two ride vehicles on Mr. Hyde's Nasty Fall collided at the now defunct Geauga Lake amusement park.

Installations no longer operating

In 1986, The Edge at Six Flags Great America in Illinois was removed due to dwindling ridership after an incident in 1984 and moved to Rocky Point Amusement Park, where it received the generic Freefall name.

In 1995, the Rocky Point Amusement Park closed, and Freefall was moved to Geauga Lake in Ohio where it received a new control system and was renamed Mr. Hyde's Nasty Fall.

In 1995, Paramount's Great America in California removed its first generation Freefall, The Edge, and replaced it with the Drop Zone Stunt Tower.

In 1997, a second generation ride Sky Screamer was removed from Six Flags AstroWorld.

In 2002, The "Drop of Doom", a first generation freefall at West Edmonton Mall's Galaxyland was removed.

In 2004, Loudoun Castle theme park in Scotland applied for planning permission to install an Intamin Freefall. However, the planning permission took too long to be granted and the park sold the ride in order to plan for a new attraction for the 2005 season. Loudoun's new ride opened in 2007 and was an S&S Power Double Shot tower drop ride.

In 2006, the Drop of Doom was rebranded as the "Hollywood Tower" in Italy. It now uses elements similar to those found on The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

In January 2006, Mr. Hyde's Nasty Fall, a first generation Freefall originally installed at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois was dismantled at Geauga Lake. The salvageable parts were sent to Cedar Point, another Cedar Fair Amusement Park in Ohio, to be used for Demon Drop until it was also dismantled in 2009.

In 2006, Six Flags Great Adventure removed its first generation ride, Stuntman's Free Fall.

In December 2006, Six Flags Over Georgia dismantled Freefall, a first generation ride.

In September 2007, Six Flags Over Texas imploded the original Freefall, Wildcatter, which was originally named Texas Cliffhanger.

In February 2008, Freefall from Six Flags Magic Mountain was dismantled. The ride was standing but not operating from 2005 to 2006.

In 2009, at the end of the operating season, Cedar Point removed its first generation freefall ride, Demon Drop. The ride was originally planned to move to Knott's Berry Farm for the 2010 season, but the ride ended up at Dorney Park instead with the same name. The Dorney Park installation is the last standing/operating 1st generation operating in North America.

In 2018, Beto Carrero World removed "Elevador". It is rumored to be sold to a new-built park in Cotia, near São Paulo.

In 2019, Tokyo Summerland permanently closed "Free Fall".

References

Robert Enstad (March 12, 1986). "Six Flags Dismantles The Edge". Chicago Tribune.
[Pictures] - Six Flags Magic Mountain - Feb 3, 2008 - MiceChat

v t e Intamin
List of Intamin rides
Current roller coaster models	Giga Hot Racer Impulse LSM Launch Mega Mine train MotorBike Multi Inversion Coaster Prefabricated Wooden Reverse Free Fall Coaster Spinning Surf Rider Suspended Vertical Lift Water Wing Coaster Wing Rider Wooden ZacSpin
Discontinued roller coaster models	Accelerator Bobsled Space Diver Polercoaster (in association with US Thrill Rides) Stand-up
Other current rides	Bounty Flume Ride Flying Dutchman Giant Drop Gyro Drop Gyro Swing Gyro tower Hyper Splash Looping Starship Mega Splash Rapid Ride Super Splash Tow boat ride
Other discontinued rides	Double and triple Ferris wheels Freefall
Notable rides	Alpine Bobsled American Eagle The Claw Colossos Colossus Demon Drop Disaster Transport El Toro Escape from Pompeii Falcon's Fury Formula Rossa The Giant Drop Green Lantern: First Flight Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure Incredicoaster Indiana Jones et le Temple du Péril Insane Project 305 Jupiter Kingda Ka Kirnu Maverick Millennium Force Pantheon Pegasus Possessed Shockwave Sky Whirl Skyrush Slinky Dog Zigzag Spin Stealth Storm Runner Superman: Escape from Krypton Superman The Ride Swiss Bob Thirteen Thunder River Top Thrill Dragster Toutatis Tower of Terror II La Vibora VelociCoaster Volcano: The Blast Coaster Wicked Twister Wilderness Run Woodstock's Express Xcelerator

v t e Amusement rides
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Types	Dark ride Drop tower Gyro tower Haunted attraction Kiddie ride Pendulum ride Reverse bungee River rapids ride Roller coaster Simulator ride Slot car ride Summer toboggan Swing ride Tow boat ride Water ride
Manufacturers	Allan Herschell Company Anton Schwarzkopf Arrow Development B.A. Schiff & Associates Bertazzon Bolliger & Mabillard Chance Morgan Chance Rides Charles I. D. Looff Crown Metal Products D. H. Morgan Manufacturing Dentzel Carousel Company Dynamic Structures Eli Bridge Company ETF Ride Systems Eyerly Aircraft Company Fabbri Group Frank Hrubetz & Company Frederick Church Funtime George Washington Gale Ferris Jr. Giovanola The Gravity Group Gustav Dentzel Harry C. Baker Harry Traver Herbert Schmeck Hopkins Rides HUSS Park Attractions Intamin Jason Surrell John A. Miller John C. Allen John Wardley Jora Vision Keith Sparks KMG KUKA Kumbak LaMarcus Adna Thompson Lee Eyerly Mack Rides Marcus Illions Mondial Moser's Rides New Wave Rides O.D. Hopkins Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters Polin Waterparks Preston & Barbieri Pretzel Amusement Ride Company ProSlide Technology Reverchon Industries Ride & Show Engineering, Inc. Ride Entertainment Group RoboCoaster Ron Toomer Ronald Bussink S&S – Sansei Technologies Sally Corporation Sanoyas Hishino Meisho Sansei Technologies SBF Visa Group Senyo Kogyo Sonacase Sudden Impact! Entertainment Company Tivoli Enterprises Tony Baxter Universal Creative US Thrill Rides Vekoma Vernon Keenan Walt Disney Imagineering Wendell "Bud" Hurlbut Werner Stengel WhiteWater West William F. Mangels Zamperla Zierer
Related articles	Amusement park Animal theme park Fair Family entertainment center Traveling carnival
Category

Category:

Drop tower rides