This week’s “A-Z Coaster of the Week” brings us to the letter V, and a ride that when it was first built wasn’t very unique at all. However, thanks to a city regulation, the ride was modified into something one of a kind. We’re taking a look at V2: Vertical Velocity at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, California!
The Odd History of V2: Vertical Velocity
V2: Vertical Velocity originally opened at Discovery Kingdom in 2001, back when the park was still called Six Flags Marine World. When initially installed that year, the ride was identical to the one installed at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois the same year. Both rides are Intamin linear induction motor launch coasters, and at the time featured a “U” shaped track. The forward side of the track twisted as it went vertically, while the rear tower was straight. The towers each reached 186 feet in height at the top. Interestingly, though, this meant that the ride violated the city height ordinance of 150 feet, which meant the originally installed version of the ride would only last for one year!
In 2002 the ride was modified to conform to the cities height regulations. To do this, the front tower was changed from vertical to a 45 degree angle, sticking over the park entrance, and the rear tower was lowered to 150 feet. This design makes V2: Vertical Velocity different from every other Intamin LIM launch coaster, and it’s the only one that actual inverts riders as they go up the front spike. V2 has kept this design up through today, with the only changes being a new maroon and orange color scheme in 2007 (it was originally the same as the Vertical Velocity at Six Flags Great America).
The Ride Experience
V2: Vertical Velocity launches riders out of the station up the angled twist, with the first car generally reaching just about the end of the twist on the first launch. The coaster then goes back through the station and partly up the rear tower. On the second pass through the coaster speeds up more, reaching speeds as high as 70 mph. On this trip up the angled tower, the front car makes it well out of the twist up the straight part of the tower, offering great views of the park (it goes right over the park entrance). The train heads back down and up the to the top of the rear tower, again offering great views. The train goes back through the station one more time, slowing slightly as it goes up the front tower. Finally, on the way back down the ride is gently braked back into the station. My favorite feature of the ride is that certain seats on the train, they’re actually upside down when the train stops on the front tower, meaning there’s a solid moment where you’re hanging inverted above the park!
Check out the PoV of the ride from Kris Rowberry of Great American Thrills below for a sense of how this one of a kind coaster rides.
V2: Vertical Velocity Stats and Facts
- Type/Category: Twisted Impulse, an Inverted LIM Impulse Coaster
- Location: Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Vallejo, California
- Built: 2001, modified in 2002
- Designer/Manufacturer: Werner Stengel and Intamin
- Height: 150 feet (originally 186 feet)
- Speed: 70 mph
- Length: 630 ft
- Elements: 150 ft, 45 degree, twisting forward tower, and 150 ft vertical rear tower.
- The only Twisted Impulse coaster that actually has an inversion, with the forward spike being at 45 degrees
- The rear tower has a LIM brake at the top that was designed to hold the coaster, but it doesn’t actually get used (or it doesn’t work).
- The ride is tied with two other coasters at Discovery Kingdom for the tallest at the park, as Superman: Ultimate Flight and Medusa also both get right up to the 150 foot height limit!
So there you have it, the worlds only inverting Twisted Impulse coaster! Have you been on V2: Vertical Velocity at Discovery Kingdom? Let us know what you think of this unique ride in the comments, or hit us up on Facebook or Twitter. And if you happen to know why the park didn’t think the height restrictions needed to be followed when V2 was first built!
One of my favorite rides ever. And as shirt and simple as it is, if you sit in the last row, the 2nd time backwards to the vertical tower is quite thrilling as you feel weightless for a second but so worth it!