Tantrum (roller coaster)

Tantrum is a steel roller coaster located at Six Flags Darien Lake in Darien Center, New York. It is a Euro-Fighter model, built by German manufacturer Gerstlauer, and it opened on May 25, 2018. Tantrum features a maximum height of 98.4 feet (30 m), with a maximum speed of 52.8 miles per hour (85.0 km/h) and a total track length of 1,246.7 feet (380.0 m). It was the first roller coaster in the state of New York to feature a beyond-vertical drop, with a drop angle of 97 degrees, and it was the park's first new roller coaster since 2008.

Tantrum
Six Flags Darien Lake
Location	Six Flags Darien Lake
Coordinates	42.9294°N 78.3849°W / 42.9294; -78.3849
Status	Operating
Opening date	May 25, 2018 (2018-05-25)
Cost	US$5,000,000
Replaced	Thunder Rapids
General statistics
Type	Steel
Manufacturer	Gerstlauer
Model	Euro-Fighter
Lift/launch system	Chain lift hill
Height	98.4 ft (30.0 m)
Length	1,246.7 ft (380.0 m)
Speed	52.8 mph (85.0 km/h)
Inversions	3
Duration	1:00
Max vertical angle	97°
Height restriction	48–76[1] in (122–193 cm)
Trains	3 trains with a single car. Riders are arranged 4 across in 2 rows for a total of 8 riders per train.
Tantrum at RCDB

History

In November 2017, local news reported that Six Flags Darien Lake had submitted plans to build a new roller coaster to the planning board of Genesee County.^[2] It was reported that the ride would be a Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter. The announcement came one year after the park was purchased by EPR Properties.^[2] The ride would replace Thunder Rapids, the park's log flume.^[2] The ride name was announced to be Tantrum in November, and the park planned on an opening in May 2018.^[3] The ride was recommended by the county planning board, and sent to the planning board of the town of Darien.^[4]

The Darien town planning board reviewed the plan on November 20, 2017, but requested further information on the site plan.^[5] At the December 18, 2017 meeting, the park provided additional drawings and paperwork, and the plan was approved by the board.^[6] It was announced that construction would cost around $5,000,000 USD. By early May, hard hat tours were given of the project site, showing the progress of construction.^[7] The ride opened to the public on May 25, 2018, just before Memorial Day weekend.^[8] Tantrum opened as the first roller coaster in New York state to feature a beyond-vertical drop, as well as the park's eighth operating roller coaster and its first in ten years.^[9]

Ride experience

Immediately upon leaving the station, the car turns slightly to the left, and ascends the 98.4-foot (30.0 m) vertical lift hill. The car then descends a 97-degree beyond-vertical drop, reaching top speeds of 52.8 miles per hour (85.0 km/h). The car traverses an Immelmann loop before traveling through a curved drop to the right. It then enters a cutback, followed by an inclined loop, before pulling into the brake run. It then turns left into the station. A ride cycle lasts approximately one minute.^[10]

Characteristics

Tantrum was manufactured by German manufacturer Gerstlauer, and features only a lap bar as opposed to over-the-shoulder restraints.^[11] The ride was installed by the Ride Entertainment Group,^[12] and features the same layout as Iron Shark at Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, as well as Kráter at Parque del Café.^[13] The ride was purchased with three trains, and has the ability to run one, two, or three at a time.^[11] The trains feature four across seating with two rows, for a total of eight riders per train.^[14] The ride has green track with orange supports, causing the ride to "[stand out] among the park's great coaster collection" according to Andreas Simonis of Gerstlauer.^[11]