Green Lantern Coaster is a steel roller coaster at Warner Bros. Movie World on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. The ride is themed after DC Comics' Green Lantern and is located within the park's DC Comics superhero hub. The ride is an El Loco roller coaster manufactured by S&S Worldwide, characterised by a tight circuit featuring a beyond-vertical drop and an outward banked turn.

Ride POV

History

Origins and Concept Development:

The initial concept of Green Lantern Coaster traces back to the early 2000s. Inspired by the soaring popularity of superhero films and the timeless legacy of Green Lantern, the park envisioned a roller coaster experience that would bring this to life.

Collaborating with renowned roller coaster manufacturer S&S Worldwide, Warner Bros. Movie World embarked on the creation of a thrilling roller coaster experience. Inspired by the success of similar rides, the park opted for a cloned layout of an S&S El Loco model, featuring seats arranged four abreast in two rows.

Ride Story Line

The Green Lantern Coaster draws inspiration from the Green Lantern series of comic books, which debuted in 1940. Throughout the queue and station, elements of this theme are prominently displayed, showcasing the rich lore of the comic book universe. Sculpt Studios took charge of developing the ride's theming, aiming to immerse riders in the world of Green Lantern. Despite its efforts, the Green Lantern Coaster falls short of delivering a cohesive thematic experience. Situated on a modest plot of land, the coaster struggles to establish a seamless connection to its source material. While the queue features stylish Green Lantern comic-style cutouts, the overall thematic integration leaves much to be desired.

Construction

The design process for Green was minimal, the ride is a S&S El Loco model that incorporates a beyond-vertical drop and an outward-banked turn, providing a thrilling and dynamic experience for riders. Construction commenced in May 2011. The coaster's imposing structure quickly became a focal point of Warner Bros. Movie World's skyline.

Timeline of Construction

May 2011

Construction began, with initial site preparation and groundwork.

July 2011

The coaster's announcement generated excitement and anticipation among park guests and enthusiasts.

September 2011

Construction progressed rapidly, with the installation of track pieces and the completion of the ride's support structure.

December 2011

Green Lantern Coaster officially opened to the public, delighting riders with its exhilarating twists, turns, inversions and rolls.

Debut and Reception

Green Lantern Coaster made its grand debut at Warner Bros. Movie World on December 23, 2011, marking a significant milestone in the park's history and solidifying its reputation as a premier destination for thrill-seekers. The ride's opening ceremony was attended by fans, media outlets, and industry insiders, who marveled at the compactness of the Green Lantern Coaster. Initial reviews praised the coaster's exhilarating beyond-vertical drop and smooth ride experience describing it as a 'Wild Mous on Steriods'. Village Roadshow Theme Parks, the owners of Warner Bros. Movie World, attributed a rise in attendance to the opening of Green Lantern Coaster, labeling the launch of the ride as a success.

Evolution and Legacy

Since its inception, Green Lantern Coaster has undergone minimal changes. Notably, one alteration was the removal of on-ride audio, which was initially incorporated into the ride experience.

Controversies

Green Lantern Coaster has had several controversies since its opening, sparking debates and concerns among visitors and enthusiasts alike.

Loose Article Policy

The ride's loose article policy and baggage storage rules have undergone multiple changes over the years. Initially, guests were prohibited from leaving bags at the station, necessitating the use of paid lockers. However, the policy has since transitioned to allow guests to place their bags at the station, occurring once the park reopened from COVID-19 restrictions. 

Train Derailment

The most significant controversy surrounding Green Lantern Coaster occurred with a train derailment incident. On 15 March 2015, one car of a train became detached from rails when a wheel mechanism broke. A Queensland Fire Service Inspector described it as "a fairly catastrophic failure of the carriage" that was the "first time we'd ever seen the actual failure of the machinery". An investigation revealed that there was a design flaw in the wheel assembly dealing with a bolted joint, and that there was "really nothing that Movie World could have done to prevent it". S&S Worldwide redesigned the flawed components and tested the ride before it reopened to the public on 16 December 2015. This event raised serious concerns about ride safety and maintenance procedures, prompting thorough investigations and safety reviews by regulatory authorities.

Frequent Breakdowns and Downtime

Another contentious issue plaguing Green Lantern Coaster has been its frequent breakdowns and prolonged downtime periods. Since opening, there have been numerous instances of the ride being unavailable due to technical issues, leading to frustration among guests and impacting overall park experiences. The reliability of the coaster has been a subject of scrutiny, with ongoing efforts by park management to address these operational challenges. However, seemingly little progress has been made in combatting these issues. In September 2023, as a response to the coaster's frequent breakdowns, the park installed stairs from each of the break runs.

Technical Analysis

The Green Lantern Coaster at Warner Bros. Movie World incorperates several key technical elements to ensure a thrilling and safe ride experience. Here's a breakdown of its technical specifications.

Train Design

The coaster features trains with a unique configuration, designed to seat 4 riders abreast in 2 rows. Each train consists of 7 cars, allowing for a total of 8 riders per train. Although the capacity per train is relatively low, the ability to run multiple trains simultaneously optimises overall capacity, ensuring efficient guest throughput.

Station Setup

Green Lantern Coaster employs a sophisticated station setup, featuring a 3-point loading system. With 2 trains loaded and unloaded simultaneously, the ride ensures efficient throughput and minimal wait times for guests. Trains are dispatched in groups of 2, with the first train completing the layout while the other train moves into the pull forward position. This arrangement allows for 2 trains behind it to load and unload guests effectively. During loading, the second train sits in front of the first train, streamlining the dispatch process.

Block Zones

Understanding Block Zones:
In roller coaster terminology, a block zone refers to a section of track that is equipped with sensors and controls to manage the movement of trains. Each block zone is designed to accommodate a single train at a time, ensuring adequate spacing and safety between trains on the track.

The coaster is equipped with 7 strategically positioned block zones distributed along the track layout. These zones play a crucial role in regulating the movement of trains, thereby guaranteeing safe spacing and mitigating the risk of collisions. Moreover, the coaster usually operates with 6 trains, facilitating optimal performance by minimizing instances of trains stopping mid-circuit and enhancing guest throughput.

Ride Layout

Coming Soon!

Midcourse Brakes

The coaster is equipped with two strategically positioned midcourse brake sections integrated into the track layout. These brakes serve as vital safety mechanisms, allowing for precise speed control throughout the ride, thereby optimizing guest comfort and ride experience.

Final Break Run

Upon reaching the conclusion of the ride, Green Lantern Coaster boasts an expansive final brake run. Serving primarily as a storage area for trains that have completed the circuit, this segment has the capacity to accommodate approximately 2-3 trains simultaneously. Its function extends beyond mere relaxation, as it plays a crucial role in facilitating seamless transitions between rides and contributes significantly to the overall smooth operation of the coaster.

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