ANACONDA
ROLLER COASTER PICTURES - KINGS DOMINION Photos Of The Anaconda Steel Rollercoaster At Paramount's Kings
Dominion
While not the newest ride at Kings Dominion, the Anaconda
is one of its best. The Anaconda is a traditional steel coaster
with
all the essential elements. It includes a surprisingly tall
lift hill, fast drop, double upsidedown loops and a corkscrew.
Riders
are upsidedown a total of 6 times during the ride.
An unusual feature of the Anaconda is that it is built
over
a lake. The coaster actually goes through an under water
tunnel
during its first drop. At one time the lake was used to
stage
water ski shows. Now it provides the watery setting riders see
below.
If you drop anything off this coaster (glasses, hat, camera,
etc.)
it's gone for good.
The Anaconda not only delights the senses of those riding.
Visitors from all over the park can feel giant's presence...
especially at night. The
coaster's anti-roll back mechanism clanks loudly as the train climbs
the
lift hill. Clanking reverberates hauntingly though the Anaconda's
huge
steel tubes. It's more musical instrument than machine. On
damp
evenings the sound wafts unforgettably through the Virginia
countryside--its steady cadence simultaneously reassures and disturbs.
TIP: Do not wear earrings on this ride. Your head
will
hit against the restraints.
WHAT IT'S LIKE TO RIDE THE ANACONDA
The train features urethane wheels riding on a steel
track.
The forward motion is very smooth. You are thrown
side-to-side
by the twists and turns in the Anaconda's midsection. Your
head
will bang against the restraints.
The first drop is a fast, smooth free fall into the water.
The
double upside loops deliver as promised. The Anaconda's
midsection
is the jerkiest. The ride finishes with a surprisingly slow
corkscrew.
It's so slow that centrifugal force won't hold you in your seat.
It
provides you with good "hang time." The slow speed allows you to
savor
the ride's last few seconds. The water below adds to the
psychological
thrill. Sitting in the back allows you to see an interesting
perspective
of the long train going through the loops ahead of you.
TECHNICAL
Type: Traditional single track steel rollercoaster built by Arrow Dynamics
Built: 1991
Maximum Speed: 50 MPH
Length: 2700 feet
Duration: 110 seconds
Note:
This page contains several high resolution, large size
photographs. These photos were taken to be instructive and give
you the best possible feel for the park. As such this these
pictures
may take extra time to download, especially with a dial-up internet
connection.
Giant lift hill (background) and corkscrew
(foreground. From atop the 128 foot lift hill
you
are mercilessly dropped and then banked at incredible speed. The
train
then enters a tunnel and disappears under the lake. With the
added
depth from the lake tunnel, the first drop is almost 15 stories.
After emerging from the lake, the train passes through the double
upsidedown
loops (seen in left side of photo.) The first loop is ten
stories
above the water.
From the double loops, the train goes through a
series of sharp turns (pictured here.)
Photo of Anaconda rollercoaster train, taken at
the ride's mid section. Each train holds 28 passengers.
From
this point the train goes through the slow speed corkscrew
(seen in
the first photograph) and back to the station.
Click below to continue your
Virtual Tour of Kings Dominion.
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