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Coordinates: 37°23′48.11″N 121°58′23.61″W / 37.3966972°N 121.9732250°W / 37.3966972; -121.9732250
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{{Short description|Floorless roller coaster}}
{{refimprove|date=December 2010}}
{{Infobox roller coaster|
{{Infobox roller coaster
|name=Patriot
|name = Patriot
|type2 = Floorless Coaster
|previousnames=Vortex 1991-2016
|status = Operating
|image=
|logo = Patriot_Logo,_California's_Great_America,_2017.png
|caption=
|logodimensions = 150x80px
|location=California's Great America
|image = File:Patriot at California's Great America (33838683241).jpg
|section=
|location = California's Great America
|type=Steel
|section = Hometown Square
|type2=Floorless
|coordinates = {{coord|37|23|48.11|N|121|58|23.61|W|region:US-CA_type:landmark_source:kolossus-dewiki|display=title,inline}}
|status=Under Construction
|opened = {{Start date|1991|03|09}}
|opened=2017
|year = 2017<!--Year Patriot opened to properly auto-categorize the coaster.-->
|closed=
|closed =
|previousattraction = Vortex
|manufacturer = Bolliger & Mabillard
{{Infobox roller coaster extend
|designer = [[Werner Stengel]]
|name=Vortex
|type = Steel
|image= Californias-Great-America-Vortex.jpg
|model = [[Floorless Coaster]]
|caption=Vortex
|track =
|location=California's Great America
|lift = Chain [[lift hill]]
|section=
|height_ft = 91
|type=Steel
|drop_ft =
|type2=Stand-up
|length_ft = 1920
|status=Defunct
|speed_mph = 45
|opened=March 9, 1991<ref>{{Cite news | edition = Valley | page = N11 | last = Myers | first = Laura | agency = [[Associated Press]] | title = Upstanding Citizens Test-Ride New Coaster | newspaper = [[Los Angeles Daily News]] | date = March 8, 1991}}</ref>
|inversions = 2
|closed=September 5, 2016
|duration = 2:14
|previousattraction = Tidal Wave
|angle =
|replacement = Patriot
|capacity = 1200
}}
|cost =
|manufacturer=Bolliger & Mabillard
|previousnames = {{no wrap|Vortex (1991–2016)}}
|designer=[[Werner Stengel]]
|replacement =
|model=[[Floorless Coaster]]
|acceleration =
|track=
|gforce =
|lift=Chain [[lift hill]]
|restriction_in = 54-78<ref>{{cite web|title=Patriot|url=https://www.cagreatamerica.com/play/rides/patriot|publisher=California's Great America}}</ref>
|height_ft=91
|virtual_queue_name = [[Fast Lane (Cedar Fair)|Fast Lane]]
|drop_ft=
|virtual_queue_image = Cedar Fair Fast Lane availibility.svg
|length_ft=1920
|virtual_queue_status = available
|speed_mph=40
|trains = 2
|inversions=2
|carspertrain = 7
|duration=2:14
|rowspercar = 1
|angle=
|ridersperrow = 4
|capacity=1200
|rcdb_number = 79
|cost=
|acceleration=
|gforce=
|restriction_in=54
|virtual_queue_name=[[Fast Lane (Cedar Fair)|Fast Lane]]
|virtual_queue_image=Cedar Fair Fast Lane availibility.svg
|virtual_queue_status=available
|trains=2
|carspertrain=7
|rowspercar=1
|ridersperrow=4
|rcdb_number=79
|coordinates={{coord|37|23|48.11|N|121|58|23.61|W|region:US-CA_type:landmark_source:kolossus-dewiki|display=title,inline}}
}}
}}
'''Patriot''' is a [[floorless roller coaster]] located in [[California's Great America#Hometown Square|Hometown Square]] at the [[California's Great America]] amusement park in [[Santa Clara, California]], [[United States]]. The roller coaster originally opened as '''Vortex''' on March 9, 1991. It was a [[stand-up roller coaster]] designed by [[Werner Stengel]] and manufactured by [[Bolliger & Mabillard]].<ref name="rcdb">{{cite web|last=Marden|first=Duane|title=Patriot (California's Great America)|url=http://rcdb.com/79.htm|work=Database Entry|publisher=Roller Coaster Database|accessdate=April 19, 2017}}</ref>

Vortex last operated as a stand-up coaster on September 5, 2016, and it reopened as Patriot on April 1, 2017.<ref name="CAGreatAmerica"/><ref name="Coaster101">{{cite web |url=http://www.coaster101.com/2017/03/22/patriot-gets-and-opening-date-and-more-from-ca-great-america/ |title=Patriot Gets an Opening Date, and more from CA Great America |date=22 March 2017 |accessdate=March 24, 2017 |publisher=COASTER101}}</ref><ref name="i5exitguide">{{cite web|title=New Patriot Floorless Coaster to Open at California's Great America Saturday, April 1|date=23 March 2017|url=http://www.i5exitguide.com/featured/new-patriot-floorless-coaster-opens-california-great-america/|publisher=Interstate 5 Exit Information Guide|accessdate=March 25, 2017}}</ref> The ride was converted to a sit-down configuration featuring new floorless trains and a new color scheme.<ref name="CAGreatAmerica">{{cite web |url=https://www.cagreatamerica.com/media-center/081916-patriot-release |title=Great America Introduces Patriot Floorless Coaster for 2017 |accessdate=March 24, 2017 |publisher=[[California's Great America]]}}</ref>

== History ==

=== Vortex (1991–2016) ===
{{Stack|[[Image:Californias-Great-America-Vortex.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|When the ride was known as Vortex (1991–2016)]]}}
Vortex was a [[stand-up roller coaster]] that officially opened at California's Great America on March 9, 1991.<ref name="rcdb"/> It was the second coaster from the manufacturer [[Bolliger & Mabillard]] following [[Firebird (roller coaster)|Iron Wolf]], which was installed a year earlier at sister park [[Six Flags Great America]]. It shares a similar design with [[Vortex (Carowinds)|Vortex]] at sister park [[Carowinds]] but features a different layout. It featured purple track with yellow rails and gray supports. The ride became rough over the years,<ref name="Coaster101"/> and its last day of operation was on September 5, 2016.{{Citation needed|date=December 2021}}

=== Patriot (2017–present) ===
On August 18, 2016, the park announced Vortex would be converted to Patriot for the 2017 season, including new Bolliger & Mabillard floorless trains<ref name="CAGreatAmerica"/> and a new color scheme consisting of (repainted) blue track and white supports.<ref name="CoasterPedia">{{cite web |url=http://coasterpedia.net/wiki/Patriot_(California%27s_Great_America) |title=Patriot (California's Great America) |accessdate=March 24, 2017 |publisher=Coasterpedia}}</ref><ref name="CAGreatAmerica"/><ref name="CCK">{{cite web|title=Patriot&nbsp;– Floorless Coaster for California's Great America!|url=http://www.californiacoasterkings.com/patriot-floorless-coaster-californias-great-america/|publisher=California Coaster Kings|accessdate=March 24, 2017}}</ref> Although this is the first floorless coaster in the park’s 41-year history<ref name="CCK"/><ref name="mercurynews">{{cite web|last=Pizarro|first=Sal|title=Pizzaro: Great America's new roller coaster Patriot&nbsp;— and what it replaced|date=21 March 2017|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/03/21/pizarro-great-america-ready-to-open-season-new-floorless-roller-coaster/|publisher=The Mercury News|accessdate=March 24, 2017}}</ref> it is the second floorless conversion in the [[Cedar Fair]] (now [[Six Flags]]) chain, following Mantis turning into [[Rougarou (roller coaster)|Rougarou]] at [[Cedar Point]] back in 2015.<ref name="Coaster101"/>


{{Cquote|quote=Patriot will be an outstanding addition to our family of roller coasters and we’re honored to provide active and past military service members free admission through Memorial Day (March 25 - May 29, 2017) weekend.|source=California’s Great America Vice President and General Manager Raul Rehnborg<ref name="Coaster101"/><ref name="mercurynews"/>}}
==Vortex 1991-2016==
'''Vortex''' was a [[stand-up roller coaster]] at [[California's Great America]]. It had a different layout but is generally the same size as [[Vortex (Carowinds)|Vortex]] at Carowinds. It was [[Bolliger & Mabillard]]'s second coaster after [[Apocalypse (Six Flags America)|Iron Wolf]] at [[Six Flags Great America]] and officially opened on March 9, 1991.<ref>{{cite web|last=Marden|first=Duane|title=Vortex (California's Great America)|url=http://rcdb.com/79.htm|work=Database Entry|publisher=Roller Coaster Database|accessdate=5 April 2012}}</ref> The coaster at the time of closing had a paint scheme of purple track with yellow rails and gray supports.


The transformation began in September 2016 shortly after Vortex closed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsplusnotes.blogspot.com/2016/09/the-patriot-coming-to-life-at.html|title=The Patriot Coming to Life at California's Great America|date=21 September 2016|publisher=NewsPlusNotes}}</ref> The park opened on Saturday, March 25 for the 2017 season, with Patriot opening to the public the following Saturday on April 1.<ref name="Coaster101"/><ref name="i5exitguide"/> In celebration of the opening (and name) of the coaster, the park offered free entry to all current and past military service members through Memorial Day (May 29, 2017) weekend with up to 6 of their guests being offered discount tickets.<ref name="i5exitguide"/><ref name="mercurynews"/> Season pass holder previews were announced to start on March 31, 2017, a day before the official opening of the ride.<ref name="Coaster101"/>
[[File:Californias-Great-America-Vortex.jpg|thumb|200px|Vortex before its transformation to Patriot]]


When looking at the logo of the ride, it closely resembles the other one of its namesake, [[Patriot (Worlds of Fun)|Patriot]], which is located at the [[Worlds of Fun]] amusement park in [[Kansas City, Missouri]], which also forms part of the [[Six Flags#Amusement parks|Six Flags chain of amusement parks]].
==Patriot 2017-Present==
On August 18th, 2016, the park announced Vortex would be converted to Patriot for the 2017 season, which will include new Bolliger & Mabillard [[Floorless Coaster|Floorless]] trains and a new color scheme.<ref>https://www.cagreatamerica.com/what-s-new/2017-announcement</ref>


==Ride elements==
== Ride experience ==
=== Track elements ===
*[[Loop (roller coaster)|Loop]]
*[[Corkscrew (roller coaster element)|Corkscrew]]
* [[Loop (roller coaster)|Loop]]
* [[Corkscrew (roller coaster element)|Corkscrew]]
The coaster takes riders to a 91-foot height after which it makes an initial left hand drop into its first loop.<ref name="CAGreatAmerica"/> It then executes a left turnaround to travel into another left turnaround through its loop. The train then travels to the other end of its layout into the corkscrew element and another left turnaround after which it enters into the final brake run.<ref name="CAGreatAmericaYouTube">{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-cxSyYchj4 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/M-cxSyYchj4 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Patriot Cycling |date=13 March 2017 |accessdate=March 25, 2017 |publisher=[[California's Great America]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>


The coaster makes a left hand first drop into its first loop then executes a left turnaround. The train next travels in another left turnaround through its loop. The train then travels to the other end of its layout into another turnaround after which it enters the corkscrew element and lastly into the final brake run. The course used to cross over the park train's railroad tracks by the corkscrew. The coaster's lift hill stands parallel to the footers of the former Tidal Wave looping shuttle coaster.
The course used to cross over the park train's railroad tracks by the corkscrew. The coaster's lift hill stands parallel to the footers of the former Tidal Wave looping shuttle coaster.


==References==
== References ==
{{commons category}}
{{commons category}}
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
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[[Category:California's Great America]]
[[Category:California's Great America]]
[[Category:Roller coasters introduced in 1991]]
[[Category:Roller coasters operated by Six Flags]]
[[Category:Roller coasters operated by Cedar Fair]]
[[Category:Roller coasters in California]]
[[Category:1991 establishments in California]]
[[Category:1991 establishments in California]]
[[Category:Floorless Coaster roller coasters manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard]]

Latest revision as of 04:19, 4 October 2024

Patriot
Previously known as Vortex (1991–2016)
California's Great America
LocationCalifornia's Great America
Park sectionHometown Square
Coordinates37°23′48.11″N 121°58′23.61″W / 37.3966972°N 121.9732250°W / 37.3966972; -121.9732250
StatusOperating
Opening dateMarch 9, 1991 (1991-03-09)
General statistics
TypeSteel – Floorless Coaster
ManufacturerBolliger & Mabillard
DesignerWerner Stengel
ModelFloorless Coaster
Lift/launch systemChain lift hill
Height91 ft (28 m)
Length1,920 ft (590 m)
Speed45 mph (72 km/h)
Inversions2
Duration2:14
Capacity1200 riders per hour
Height restriction54–78[1] in (137–198 cm)
Trains2 trains with 7 cars. Riders are arranged 4 across in a single row for a total of 28 riders per train.
Fast Lane available
Patriot at RCDB

Patriot is a floorless roller coaster located in Hometown Square at the California's Great America amusement park in Santa Clara, California, United States. The roller coaster originally opened as Vortex on March 9, 1991. It was a stand-up roller coaster designed by Werner Stengel and manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard.[2]

Vortex last operated as a stand-up coaster on September 5, 2016, and it reopened as Patriot on April 1, 2017.[3][4][5] The ride was converted to a sit-down configuration featuring new floorless trains and a new color scheme.[3]

History

[edit]

Vortex (1991–2016)

[edit]
When the ride was known as Vortex (1991–2016)

Vortex was a stand-up roller coaster that officially opened at California's Great America on March 9, 1991.[2] It was the second coaster from the manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard following Iron Wolf, which was installed a year earlier at sister park Six Flags Great America. It shares a similar design with Vortex at sister park Carowinds but features a different layout. It featured purple track with yellow rails and gray supports. The ride became rough over the years,[4] and its last day of operation was on September 5, 2016.[citation needed]

Patriot (2017–present)

[edit]

On August 18, 2016, the park announced Vortex would be converted to Patriot for the 2017 season, including new Bolliger & Mabillard floorless trains[3] and a new color scheme consisting of (repainted) blue track and white supports.[6][3][7] Although this is the first floorless coaster in the park’s 41-year history[7][8] it is the second floorless conversion in the Cedar Fair (now Six Flags) chain, following Mantis turning into Rougarou at Cedar Point back in 2015.[4]

Patriot will be an outstanding addition to our family of roller coasters and we’re honored to provide active and past military service members free admission through Memorial Day (March 25 - May 29, 2017) weekend.

— California’s Great America Vice President and General Manager Raul Rehnborg[4][8]

The transformation began in September 2016 shortly after Vortex closed.[9] The park opened on Saturday, March 25 for the 2017 season, with Patriot opening to the public the following Saturday on April 1.[4][5] In celebration of the opening (and name) of the coaster, the park offered free entry to all current and past military service members through Memorial Day (May 29, 2017) weekend with up to 6 of their guests being offered discount tickets.[5][8] Season pass holder previews were announced to start on March 31, 2017, a day before the official opening of the ride.[4]

When looking at the logo of the ride, it closely resembles the other one of its namesake, Patriot, which is located at the Worlds of Fun amusement park in Kansas City, Missouri, which also forms part of the Six Flags chain of amusement parks.

Ride experience

[edit]

Track elements

[edit]

The coaster takes riders to a 91-foot height after which it makes an initial left hand drop into its first loop.[3] It then executes a left turnaround to travel into another left turnaround through its loop. The train then travels to the other end of its layout into the corkscrew element and another left turnaround after which it enters into the final brake run.[10]

The course used to cross over the park train's railroad tracks by the corkscrew. The coaster's lift hill stands parallel to the footers of the former Tidal Wave looping shuttle coaster.

References

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Patriot (California's Great America).
  1. ^ "Patriot". California's Great America.
  2. ^ a b Marden, Duane. "Patriot (California's Great America)". Database Entry. Roller Coaster Database. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Great America Introduces Patriot Floorless Coaster for 2017". California's Great America. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Patriot Gets an Opening Date, and more from CA Great America". COASTER101. 22 March 2017. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
  5. ^ a b c "New Patriot Floorless Coaster to Open at California's Great America Saturday, April 1". Interstate 5 Exit Information Guide. 23 March 2017. Retrieved March 25, 2017.
  6. ^ "Patriot (California's Great America)". Coasterpedia. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
  7. ^ a b "Patriot – Floorless Coaster for California's Great America!". California Coaster Kings. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
  8. ^ a b c Pizarro, Sal (21 March 2017). "Pizzaro: Great America's new roller coaster Patriot — and what it replaced". The Mercury News. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
  9. ^ "The Patriot Coming to Life at California's Great America". NewsPlusNotes. 21 September 2016.
  10. ^ "Patriot Cycling". California's Great America. 13 March 2017. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved March 25, 2017.
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