Disaster Transport
Encyclopedia
Disaster Transport is an enclosed
steel
bobsled roller coaster
located at Cedar Point
in Sandusky, Ohio
. The name of the ride stems from "Dispatch Master Transport", a name which was initially explained during a pre-ride show that has since been removed. However, the origin of the name can still be seen in the ride's logo.
The roller coaster is of the bobsled design, meaning the wheels are not attached to a track as on a conventional roller coaster. The cars—resembling bobsleds -- operate within a steel trough, on which they are allowed to operate freely. This allows the ride to swing from side to side when turning sharp corners, as an actual bobsled would.
. In 1990, ITEC Productions was called in to renovate the ride, completely enclosing it in a dark building. The renovation included the addition of a space
-themed queue and ride along with special effect lighting and sound. The changes came at a cost of $4 million; the original ride cost $3.4 million USD. On the outside of the building "12 E" is written, which has caused numerous rumors as to its meanings. On August 3, 2005, it was revealed that it stands for the 12th ride design by the ITEC employee Eric.
Not long after the initial changes to the ride in 1990, the special effects were not maintained and began to deteriorate. Most of the effects today are not active, or have been covered up. Blacklight reactant paint lines the walls, mostly in the form of handprints or outlines of scenes. These give a 3-D appearance when the rider wears special glasses purchased at the beginning of the queue.
The ride, though indoors, will close in any type of rain. Because of leaks in the structure, water pools in the trough, warranting a shutdown. Typically, the ride will remain shut down after a period of rain as the crew must cycle several trains through the circuit in order for it to dry.
Enclosed roller coaster
An enclosed roller coaster is a roller coaster built inside a structure intended solely for the ride. This structure often imparts a theme or houses special effects...
steel
Steel roller coaster
A steel roller coaster is a roller coaster that is defined by having a track made of steel. Steel coasters have earned immense popularity in the past 50 years throughout the world...
bobsled roller coaster
Bobsled roller coaster
A Bobsled roller coaster is the generic name given to any roller coaster that uses a track design that is essentially a "pipe" with the top half removed and has cars that are sent down this pipe in a freewheeling mode...
located at Cedar Point
Cedar Point
Cedar Point is a 364 acre amusement park located in Sandusky, Ohio, United States on a narrow peninsula jutting into Lake Erie. Cedar Point is the only amusement park with four roller coasters that are taller than...
in Sandusky, Ohio
Sandusky, Ohio
Sandusky is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Erie County. It is located in northern Ohio and is situated on the shores of Lake Erie, almost exactly half-way between Toledo to the west and Cleveland to the east....
. The name of the ride stems from "Dispatch Master Transport", a name which was initially explained during a pre-ride show that has since been removed. However, the origin of the name can still be seen in the ride's logo.
The roller coaster is of the bobsled design, meaning the wheels are not attached to a track as on a conventional roller coaster. The cars—resembling bobsleds -- operate within a steel trough, on which they are allowed to operate freely. This allows the ride to swing from side to side when turning sharp corners, as an actual bobsled would.
History
The roller coaster originally opened in 1985 as Avalanche Run and was entirely outdoors. Disaster Transport's trains were built by GiovanolaGiovanola
Giovanola Freres SA was one of the prominent thrill ride manufacturers in the world. It was well-known for thrill rides and also built electrical power stations, water storage tanks, pipelines, highway bridges, and many other steel products. The company started out as a small metal forging shop,...
. In 1990, ITEC Productions was called in to renovate the ride, completely enclosing it in a dark building. The renovation included the addition of a space
Outer space
Outer space is the void that exists between celestial bodies, including the Earth. It is not completely empty, but consists of a hard vacuum containing a low density of particles: predominantly a plasma of hydrogen and helium, as well as electromagnetic radiation, magnetic fields, and neutrinos....
-themed queue and ride along with special effect lighting and sound. The changes came at a cost of $4 million; the original ride cost $3.4 million USD. On the outside of the building "12 E" is written, which has caused numerous rumors as to its meanings. On August 3, 2005, it was revealed that it stands for the 12th ride design by the ITEC employee Eric.
Not long after the initial changes to the ride in 1990, the special effects were not maintained and began to deteriorate. Most of the effects today are not active, or have been covered up. Blacklight reactant paint lines the walls, mostly in the form of handprints or outlines of scenes. These give a 3-D appearance when the rider wears special glasses purchased at the beginning of the queue.
Building
The building is also used as a storage facility for the park. Additionally, during "HalloWeekends" much of the original queue area is used to house the attraction Happy Jack's Toy Factory, one of several haunted attractions in the park during the Halloween season.The ride, though indoors, will close in any type of rain. Because of leaks in the structure, water pools in the trough, warranting a shutdown. Typically, the ride will remain shut down after a period of rain as the crew must cycle several trains through the circuit in order for it to dry.