SlingShot is a reverse bungee ride manufactured by Funtime and featured at several Six Flags amusement parks, including Cedar Point, Carowinds, and Canada's Wonderland. The first installation opened at Kings Island in 2002, but the park retired the ride in 2022. An additional fee is required to ride, which is separate from park admission.
| SlingShot | |
|---|---|
 View of an active SlingShot ride from the Gemini Midway at Cedar Point. | |
| Cedar Point | |
| Area | Gemini Midway |
| Status | Operating |
| Soft opening date | June 2014 |
| Opening date | July 2, 2014 |
| Kings Island | |
| Area | Oktoberfest |
| Status | Removed |
| Opening date | 2002 |
| Closing date | 2022 |
| Replaced | King Kobra |
| Replaced by | Cargo Loco |
| Carowinds | |
| Area | Carousel Park |
| Status | Operating |
| Opening date | 2015 |
| Canada's Wonderland | |
| Area | Action Zone |
| Status | Operating |
| Opening date | 2015 |
| Ride statistics | |
| Manufacturer | Funtime |
| Model | Sling Shot |
| Speed | 62 mph (100 km/h) |
| Vehicles | 1 |
| Riders per vehicle | 2 |
| Height restriction | 48 in (122 cm) |
 This is a pay-per-use attraction | |
History
editSlingshot at Cedar Fair park locations first opened at Kings Island in 2002. A similar installation opened at Cedar Point in 2014.[1][2] It was built by Funtime.[3]
The ride utilizes a fluctuating price structure, where the cost increases or decreases depending on the day of the week. Riders can also purchase an on-ride video recording for an additional fee.[4]
Ride
editKings Island
editSlingShot opened in 2002 and was located in the Oktoberfest area of the park.[5] The capsule launched 275 feet (84 m) into the air reaching speeds up to 100 mph (160 km/h).[6]
In May 2022, Kings Island made the decision to retire SlingShot permanently, citing that the reason was to "make way for future plans".[5] The news came less than two months after a teen was killed in Florida on a drop tower ride manufactured by the same company.[7] WSAZ confirmed that the Ohio Department of Agriculture had looked into other rides in Ohio that were also manufactured by Funtime, including SlingShot at Kings Island.[8]
Cedar Point
edit
SlingShot is 360 feet (110 m) tall and is located on the Gemini Midway, next to the Gemini. Riders in a two-person capsule are attached to cables and a patented spring propulsion device incorporating up to 720 specially designed springs. The capsule is launched 360 feet (110 m) into the air at 62 miles per hour (100 km/h) and bounced up and down until it comes to rest at the launch point.[3] The ride is the second highest at Cedar Point, about 70 feet (21 m) shorter than Top Thrill Dragster and 50 feet (15 m) higher than Millennium Force.[1][9]
Carowinds
editSlingShot located in the Carousel Park area. The capsule is launched 300 feet (91 m) into the air at speeds of 60 miles per hour (97 km/h).[4]
Canada's Wonderland
editSlingShot is located in the Action Zone area. The capsule is launched 295 feet (90 m) at speeds up to 100 km/h.[10]
References
edit- ^ a b Glaser, Susan (July 1, 2014). "Cedar Point's new SlingShot ride to debut Wednesday". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
- ^ Haidet, Ryan C. (July 1, 2014). "Cedar Point announces price to ride SlingShot". WKYC. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
- ^ a b "SlingShot". Cedar Point. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
- ^ a b "SlingShot Thrill Ride | Carowinds".
- ^ a b "'Sling Shot' ride closes permanently at Kings Island, as the park makes way for future plans". Cincinnati Enquirer. May 21, 2022. Archived from the original on May 8, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
- ^ "Sling Shot". Kings Island. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
- ^ "14-year-old dies in fall from amusement park ride". The Associated Press. March 25, 2022. Archived from the original on May 8, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
- ^ Payton, Joseph (May 19, 2022). "WSAZ Investigates | Kings Island removes Slingshot ride". WSAZ NewsChannel 3. Archived from the original on May 8, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
- ^ Geftos, Tony (July 4, 2014). ""Slingshot" extreme ride now open at Cedar Point". WTVG. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
- ^ "Catapult Ride | SlingShot | Canada's Wonderland".
External links
edit