Behemoth (roller coaster)

Behemoth is a steel roller coaster at Canada's Wonderland in Vaughan, Ontario, Canada. It is a Hypercoaster designed and developed by Swiss manufacturer, Bolliger & Mabillard. Behemoth was the tallest and fastest roller coaster in Canada until 2012 when Leviathan, a roller coaster also manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard, was built at the opposite side of Canada's Wonderland, claiming these titles.[1] Behemoth is similar to Diamondback (Kings Island), Intimidator (Carowinds), Goliath (La Ronde) and Nitro (Six Flags Great Adventure).

Behemoth
View of Behemoth from the south in October 2008
Canada's Wonderland
LocationCanada's Wonderland
Park sectionAction Zone
Coordinates43°50′20.4″N 79°32′26.3″W
StatusOperating
Soft opening date25 April 2008 (2008-04-25)
Opening date4 May 2008
CostC$26 million est.
General statistics
TypeSteel
ManufacturerBolliger & Mabillard
ModelHypercoaster
Lift/launch systemChain lift
Height70 m (230 ft)
Drop69 m (226 ft)
Length1,620.9 m (5,318 ft)
Speed124 km/h (77 mph)
Inversions0
Duration3:10
Max vertical angle75°
Capacity1545 riders per hour
G-force4.5
Height restriction137–203 cm (4 ft 6 in–6 ft 8 in)
Trains3 trains with 8 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 32 riders per train.
Fast Lane Plus only available
Behemoth at RCDB
Pictures of Behemoth at RCDB

After a year and a half of preparation and development, Behemoth premiered in May 2008.[2] With its high speeds, tall heights and rapid changes in both direction and elevation, the attraction is one of the most aggressive thrill rides in the park.[3][4] Behemoth also has a high hourly passenger throughput, making it one of the most efficient rides in the park.[4]

The ride features a prototype seating arrangement to ensure an unobstructed view for every rider – a first for a roller coaster of this type. The ride lasts for approximately three minutes and subjects the rider to a maximum speed of 124 km/h (77 mph) achieved in less than 3.9 seconds followed by five air-time hills, a hammerhead turn and two helixes.[4][5][6]

History

Behemoth was announced on 27 August 2007. The estimated C$26 million ride represented the single biggest investment in the 27-year history of Canada's Wonderland. When completed, Behemoth became the 15th roller coaster at the park.[2]

After 17.5 months of planning and construction, steel construction of the track and supports was completed on 22 January 2008.[2][7][8] The ride was officially opened on 24 April 2008 for Media Day. On Season Pass Preview Night, the ride was open to season pass holders on 25 April 2008. Behemoth opened to the public on 4 May 2008.[9]

For the 2014 season, seat belts were added to the trains.[10]

Characteristics

Height, speed, airtime characterize the Hyper Coaster.[11]

— Bolliger & Mabillard

Behemoth is rated a five out of five (double black diamond) according to Wonderland's Attraction Rating System. This rating specifies that the ride will have "high speeds and/or heights, aggressive and unexpected forces and rapid directional or elevation change."[3] Passengers of any age must be 137 centimetres (54 in) tall to ride.[3][7]

Behemoth has a high throughput and will accommodate approximately 1,545 passengers an hour, making it one of the most efficient roller coasters in the park.[4]

Train
Passengers board an open-air train and secure their harnesses.

Behemoth's three open-air steel and fiberglass trains feature a prototype v-shaped staggered seating arrangement to ensure an unobstructed view for every rider.[4][12] This prototype design is a first for Bolliger & Mabillard roller coasters which was later reproduced for Diamondback at Kings Island, Intimidator at Carowinds and Shambhala: Expedición al Himalaya at PortAventura Park.

The trains are colored red, orange and yellow, after their coloured fronts. Each of the trains comprise eight cars, seating four guests each for a total capacity of 32.[4] Each passenger is seated in a bucket seat restrained by a lap bar harness[4][13] and a seatbelt, identical to Leviathan's restraint system. Some persons over a certain weight/waist size cannot be accommodated by this arrangement.

Track

The steel track is 1,620.9 metres (5,318 ft) in length and the height of the lift is approximately 70 metres (230 ft).[4] The angle of the first descent is approximately 75 degrees.[4] The track includes trim brakes and magnetic brakes for smoothness.[13]

The angle of Behemoth's first descent is 75 degrees.

Station

A two-story sheltered station house contains the ride loading and unloading area. The ground floor of the station contains the maintenance area for the trains, equipped with Radiant Heaters.[14]

At the boarding area, the station features three colour-coded cabinets for loose belongings – one designated for each of the three trains.[15] The operator's booth is also located on this platform.[16]

Gift shop

Unlike most of the park's other attractions, Behemoth is one of the rides at the park to have a gift shop. The shop sells ride memorabilia and displays the photos taken during the ride.[17]

Experience
Behemoth's downward 540 degree helix, near the end of the ride.

The ride features a prototype seating arrangement to ensure an unobstructed view for every rider – a first for a roller coaster of this type. The Behemoth experience lasts for approximately three minutes and subjects the rider to a maximum speed of 124 km/h (77 mph) achieved in less than 3.9 seconds followed by five air-time hills, a hammerhead turn and two helixes.[4][5][6] After departing the station, the train turns right and begins to slowly climb the lift hill through the use of a chain lift, taking riders to the coaster's maximum height of 70 metres (230 ft).[4] From the top, a passenger can clearly see the iconic CN Tower[18] to the left and overlook the entire park to the right. The train drops from its peak at a 75-degree angle and reaches a maximum speed of 125 km/h (78 mph) in 3.9 seconds.[2][4][5] At the base of the first drop, the train banks a few degrees to the right and climbs the first air-time hill and descends. Following this, the train climbs up to a hairpin 180-degree hammerhead turn to the left.[5] The train descends from the height of the turn to travel up and over three more air-time hills. After the hills, the train climbs up a steep slope into the mid-course brake run.[5]

After the momentary reduction in speed, the train turns to the right and descends into a downward 540-degree helix. Immediately following the first helix, the train climbs into an upward 270-degree helix to the left. Following the climb is a small descent and a final hill. The train climbs up from the final hill into the terminal brake run.[5] The train waits at the terminal brake run until it is cleared for return by the station. The train proceeds forward and turns 180-degrees to the left to return to the station.[5]

Reception
Start of the queue for Behemoth in the ride's inaugural year

Behemoth is one of the most popular attractions at Canada's Wonderland and it has enjoyed a great deal of success since its establishment.[9] The ride appeals to a wide demographic with park staff noting that both young children and senior citizens line up for the attraction.[7]

With the addition of Behemoth, we wanted to complement our already impressive line-up of more than 200 rides, shows and attractions with a world class roller coaster that will showcase Wonderland as one of the premier amusement parks in our industry.[2]

— Raffi Kaprelyan, Vice President and General Manager, Canada's Wonderland

Awards

The Golden Ticket Awards is an annual set of awards given out by Amusement Today, a newspaper published for the amusement industry. The rankings are selected by an international poll conducted by the newspaper. When Behemoth debuted in 2008, it ranked third as the Best New Ride of the year.[19]

Golden Ticket Awards: Top steel Roller Coasters
Year200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019
Ranking 29[19]12[20]13[21]15[22]17[23]17[24]15[25]18[26]24[27]28[28]27[29]29[30]
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See also

References
  1. Hunter, Paul (27 April 2012). "Canada's Wonderland's new roller coaster, Leviathan, tallest, fastest in Canada". Toronto Star. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  2. "Behemoth News: Wonderland's Biggest Investment in History". 2007. Archived from the original on 5 February 2008. Retrieved 15 September 2007.
  3. "Canada's Wonderland: Rider Height Restrictions" (PDF). 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
  4. "Canada's Wonderland: Behemoth - The Ride (statistics)". 2009. Archived from the original on 10 August 2009. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
  5. "Canada's Wonderland: Behemoth - Track Layout (Aerial Isolated Rendering)". 2009. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
  6. "Behemoth". Canada's Wonderland. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  7. "Thrill of the Behemoth: Riders seek to break records on Canada's biggest coaster". CBC. 3 August 2009. Archived from the original on 5 August 2009. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
  8. "Canada's Wonderland: Behemoth Photo Gallery (Construction)". 22 January 2008. Archived from the original on 5 June 2010. Retrieved 8 November 2008.
  9. Loriggio, Paola (24 April 2008). "Canada's Wonderland unveils Behemoth coaster". ParentCentral. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 8 November 2008.
  10. "New For 2014". CW Mania. 27 April 2014. Archived from the original on 27 April 2014. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
  11. "Bolliger & Mabillard Products: Hyper Coaster". 2009. Archived from the original on 22 May 2008. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
  12. "Canada's Wonderland: Behemoth - 3D Train Rendering". 2009. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
  13. "A Huge, er, Behemoth Coaster Coming to Canada's Wonderland in 2008". About.com. 14 April 2009. Archived from the original on 3 September 2007. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
  14. "Canada's Wonderland: Behemoth Photo Gallery (Construction: Maintenance Area in Station House)". 4 February 2008. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
  15. "Justin Bieber on Behemoth". 27 September 2009. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  16. "Canada's Wonderland: Behemoth Photo Gallery (Construction: New Operator's Booth)". 18 January 2008. Archived from the original on 1 February 2008. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
  17. "Canada's Wonderland: Behemoth Photo Gallery (Construction: Ride Photo Building)". 18 January 2008. Archived from the original on 1 February 2008. Retrieved 26 August 2009.
  18. "Riding the Behemoth". Windsor Star. 9 May 2008. Archived from the original on 24 October 2013. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  19. "Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 12 (6.2): 36–37. September 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
  20. "Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 13 (6.2): 32–33. September 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
  21. "Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 14 (6.2): 34–35. September 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
  22. "Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 15 (6.2): 38–39. September 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
  23. "Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 16 (6.2): 36–37. September 2012. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
  24. "2013 Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 17 (6.2): 34–35. September 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
  25. "2014 Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 18 (6.2): 46–47. September 2014. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
  26. "2015 Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 19 (6.2): 49–50. September 2015. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
  27. "2016 top 50 steel roller coasters". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2016. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
  28. "2017 Top 50 Steel Coasters". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2017. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
  29. "2018 Top 50 Steel Coasters". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2018. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
  30. "2019 Top Steel". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2019. Retrieved 14 September 2015.

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