In 2010, parts from Chang reportedly appeared at Six Flags Great America. The ride was planned to be moved to Six Flags Great America in 2011; the park obtained approval to exceed the 125 ft height limit imposed on the park, but plans were later canceled in favor of a water park expansion.
On July 5, 2010 Six Flags Great Adventure announced that its Great American Scream Machine would close on July 18 to make way for a new attraction the following year, sparking rumors that Chang would move there in 2011. Although Six Flags did not confirm the speculation, a first look at the park's new-ride layout from the Jackson Township zoning board meeting was posted on the JTown Magazine website and the layout was identical to that of Chang.
On September 16, Six Flags Great Adventure announced that it would open a Green Lantern-themed roller coaster in 2011. The specifications released for the new ride matched those of Chang. As part of the relocation, the ride would receive technical renovations and a new coat of paint.
Footers were poured for the ride in December 2010, with track installation beginning the following month. In January 2011, construction of the lift hill was completed. In April 2011 the final pieces of track were put in place.
On May 19, Green Lantern soft-opened to a select group of season-pass holders, media and families from Children's Miracle Network. The ride opened to the public on May 25.
Characteristics[]
Location[]
Green Lantern is located in the Boardwalk section of the park. Green Lantern is the third roller coaster to occupy this plot of land, following the Sarajevo Bobsled (which ran at Great Adventure from 1984 to 1988 before moving to Six Flags Great America and Great Escape) and the Great American Scream Machine (an Arrow Dynamics looping coaster which had occupied this area from 1989 to 2010). Like the Great American Scream Machine, the infield of Green Lantern is covered with gravel. The coaster also reuses the Scream Machine's queue area building.
As its name suggests, Green Lantern is themed to the DC Comics character of the same name. The theme was chosen to coincide with the Green Lantern film which was one of the big summer releases that year; so the ride was created to help promote the film. The track is painted green, with the exception of the yellow vertical loop. The second corkscrew was originally the track section which was going to be yellow, but it was decided to switch the scheme to the first loop. The loop is yellow because the villain for this ride is Parallax, the yellow parasite of fear who once possessed Hal Jordan. In June 2011, a Parallax cutout with clutching arms through which the train passes was placed at the bottom of the first drop. The ride's queue area features a series of comic book style boards relating the story of Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps. The slogan for this ride is "Stand Up to Your Fear."
Trains[]
Green Lantern currently operates with two steel-and-fiberglass trains. Each train has seven cars with four seats in a single row, for a total of 28 riders. Riders are secured by an over-the-shoulder harness. Green Lantern originally operated with three trains but the park later reduced operation to two trains due to the trains "stacking" on the brake run. Although Green Lantern is a stand-up roller coaster, there is a small bicycle seat on which riders can lean.
Layout[]
As the train moves out of the station, it climbs a 154 ft chain lift hill. As it reaches the top, it turns right. Following this, the train drops 144 feet, reaching a speed of 63 mph. It then goes through a 122 ft vertical loop. The train turns to the right into a 104 ft dive loop, hugging the first drop of Superman: Ultimate Flight. It passes through a horseshoe over the station followed by a 72 ft inclined dive loop. After the inclined loop, the train hits the brake run. Then, it drops into a corkscrew, followed by a right turn that weaves through the diving loop. It goes through a left turn before going into an another corkscrew. It makes a left turn, which is followed by the final brake run.
The experience is notable for being very rough on riders' heads and crotch.
Ale House • Central Brew Haus • Coca-Cola Freestyle • Fountain Drinks • G.A. Cafe • Johnny Rockets Express • Liberty Snacks • Main Street Pub • Main Street Snacks • Primo's Pizzeria • Main Street Sugar Shack • Sweet Cakes and Cones • Adventure Kids • Coaster Candy • Looney Tunes Shoppe • M-Porium • My Six Flags Photo • Super Hero Cape Cart • Sweet Treats
Green Lantern at Coasterpedia
