Zamperla Debuts Family Thrill Launch Coaster at IAAPA Expo

It’s been a big year for Zamperla’s roller coaster division. Not only did they debut five new roller coasters — including two in the United States; Tidal Twist at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and Dragon’s Apprentice at LEGOLAND New York — but they also announced multiple new roller coaster concepts including the Double Heart and “Family Lift & Launch.” At this week’s IAAPA Expo, the Zamperla coaster renaissance continues with the announcement and addition of the Family Thrill Launch coaster to the Zamperla coaster portfolio, certain to be a game changer in the family coaster space.

Featuring a multiple-pass launch, a vertical spike, and both forward and backward track sections, the Family Thrill Launch has the potential to be a true disruptor in the family coaster market. Larger than a kiddie coaster, and not as imposing as some larger thrills boasting 48″+ height requirements, Zamperla has potentially created the perfect “tweener” coaster for “coaster enthusiasts in training.”

What makes this the perfect thrill coaster for younger enthusiasts? The Family Thrill Launch has a minimum height requirement of just 42″ – a rarity in roller coasters with a launch element or backwards section of track, let alone both! This could be the perfect coaster for families to experience together.

The coaster begins after exiting the station onto a transfer track with a reverse launch into a 55-degree spike, before gravity returns the train back to earth for a forward launch. Riders then maneuver a high-speed banked curve, an outward banking curve, a dive turn, a wave curve, a high banked helix and a bunny hop! Throughout the ride’s course, the train takes on what Zamperla is calling “fast snake curves,” certain to provide excitement for both coaster enthusiasts young and old.

Riders will traverse a total of 2,005′ on the 1703′ of track. The maximum height of the ride clocks in at just under 80′ tall, and reaches a top speed of 45mph. This isn’t your traditional family coaster!

Zamperla has created three styles of roller coaster train to highly theme the attraction — a motorcycle and sidecar, a truck, or a pair of side-by-side motorcycles.

For more information, be sure to listen to our recent podcast with Adam Sandy, Zamperla’s Roller Coaster Sales & Marketing Director, in the player below, or whereever you get your podcasts!

Also, be sure to check out Zamperla’s website, and Zamperla Coasters on Facebook & Instagram!

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