Have you ever wondered where roller coaster ideas actually come from?
Do engineers just wake up one day and decide to build something wild?
To find out, I spoke with Preston Perks from S&S Worldwide for another episode of Coaster Fundamentals.
And it turns out the process is much more collaborative than you might think.
The “Think It Thon” Brainstorming Event
At S&S, new ride ideas often start with something called Think It Thon.
Every six months, employees throughout the company submit ideas for unique rides or attractions.
These ideas can come from engineers, designers, or anyone on the team with a creative concept.
From there, the company evaluates each idea by asking a few key questions:
• Can it actually be built?
• Is it safe?
• Would it be too expensive?
• Would parks want to buy it?
Only the most promising concepts move forward.
Turning an Idea Into a Real Coaster
Once an idea passes the early evaluation stage, engineers begin developing the ride layout.
This includes figuring out:
• The space required for the ride
• The track layout
• How the coaster will maneuver through elements
• What makes the ride unique
The design team then creates detailed computer models of everything involved in the ride.
This includes the vehicles, track, electrical systems, and structural supports.
Engineers also perform calculations to make sure the ride will be both safe and reliable.
Building a Prototype
One of the most exciting parts of the process is building a prototype.
A smaller version of the ride concept is built at the company’s testing facility.
This allows engineers to confirm:
• The ride performs as expected
• The experience is fun
• All safety systems work properly
If the prototype is successful, the concept can be offered to theme parks around the world.
Watch the Reel
https://youtu.be/5GGlU2Fsnvs?si=B6IXR1JBJsOfYJXD
Final Thoughts
The next time you ride a brand-new roller coaster, remember it probably started as an idea during a brainstorming session.
From there, it went through years of engineering, testing, and design before it ever reached a theme park.
If you could design your own roller coaster, what would it be like?
More Coaster FUNdamentals here ->