Stand-up roller coaster

The first stand-up roller coasters in the world were originally built as sit-down roller coasters. Japanese manufacturer TOGO designed stand-up roller coasters that were first deployed in 1982 on Momonga Standing & Loop Coaster, originally built in 1979 at Yomiuriland in Tokyo, Japan.[1] The same change was also performed on Dangai at the former Thrill Valley amusement park in Gotemba, Shizuoka, Japan.[2] Both rides added stand-up trains in 1982, with Dangai opening one day before Momonga Standing & Loop Coaster.[2]

The first stand-up roller coaster in the United States was also a former sit-down model. “Screamroller” at Worlds of Fun was a corkscrew model built by Arrow Dynamics in 1976.[3] In 1983, Arrow designed its own stand-up train for the attraction, and the ride was subsequently renamed “ExtremeRoller” once the trains were added.[3] The track and structure were not designed for stand-up trains, however; the original sit-down trains were reinstalled in 1984, after a rider’s fatal fall from the ride due to being inadequately secured. They remained in place until the attraction was removed in 1988.[3]

Two new stand-up roller coasters opened in the United States in 1984, with one being another retrofit, similar to ExtremeRoller, called “Rail Blazer”. Originally built by Arrow, it debuted as River King Mine Train for the grand opening of Six Flags St. Louis in 1971, with the stand-up trains being added for the 1984 season and after the attraction had been renamed.[4] Like ExtremeRoller, the track wasn't intended for use with stand-up trains, and a fatal accident in 1984–involving a passenger that was ejected from her seat—prompted a recall of the trains.[5] The original trains and name were then restored.[4] The second stand-up coaster to open in 1984 was King Cobra at Kings Island, built by TOGO, which was the first in the world to be designed from the ground up for standing passengers. The attraction operated from 1984 to 2001.

In 1986, Intamin built their first stand up coaster, Shockwave at Six Flags Magic Mountain (later renamed Batman: The Escape and relocated to the now-defunct Six Flags Astroworld), which used four across seating and their new box spine track, and featured Intamin's first vertical loop. In 2005, it was disassembled and placed in storage at Six Flags Darien Lake, where it sat until its eventual removal in 2017.[6]

The most recent stand-up roller coaster to be manufactured (the first since 1999's Georgia Scorcher at Six Flags Over Georgia) was SeaWorld Orlando’s surfing-themed Pipeline: The Surf Coaster, which opened on May 27, 2023. In addition to surfboard-designed cars, Pipeline features modernized and comfortable vest restraints and bicycle-style seats which move several inches up and down, to simulate the feelings of actually surfing. Unlike the older style, it also features two across seating and a launch.[7]

Trains feature saddle seats that move vertically to accommodate various heights. (The Riddler's Revenge at Six Flags Magic Mountain)

Three manufacturers—TOGO, Intamin and Bolliger & Mabillard—have constructed multiple stand-up roller coasters. TOGO's stand-up models feature cars that seat four passengers in two rows of two. Models from Intamin and B&M also seat four riders per car, but in a single four-abreast row.

On a standard roller coaster, the rider is held in their seat by some form of harness, such as a lap bar or an over-the-shoulder restraint. As stand-up roller coasters, by their design, do not have "seats," the harness system must both restrain and support the rider. Typical stand-up roller coaster harnesses are mounted on vertical posts, which allow the harness to adjust to riders of different heights. At the bottom is a seat resembling that on a bicycle, while at the top is an over-the-shoulder harness. TOGO models normally use a lap bar to further secure riders, while B&M models add a seat belt to connect the bicycle seat to the shoulder harness.

With some exceptions, stand-up roller coasters normally feature at least one inversion. These inversions can include vertical loops, inclined loops, dive loops and corkscrews. Only one stand-up roller coaster, the Shockwave at Drayton Manor Theme Park in the United Kingdom, includes a zero-gravity roll.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Stand-up roller coasters.

• Intamin Official Site
• Bolliger & Mabillard Official Site
• List of stand-up roller coasters at RCDB