The Pony Express (roller coaster)
Encyclopedia
Pony Express is a steel
motorbike
roller coaster
at Knott's Berry Farm
in Buena Park
, California
. It features sweeping turns and sudden drops in an "out-and-back" configuration. This, the Orange County Choppers MotoCoaster
at Darien Lake near Buffalo
, New York
and the Steeplechase Coaster at Luna Park, Coney Island, NY are the only Zamperla
Motocoasters installed in the United States
. It opened on May 22, 2008.
The ride uses a flywheel launch system, similar to the mechanism used to launch one of the park's oldest coasters, Montezooma's Revenge
. It features two 16-passenger trains; the seats are designed be straddled to make the overall experience reminiscent of a horseback ride. The 'horses' use a tastefully-designed restraint system to assure rider safety while not adversely affecting the ride experience.
of the Old West. The ride begins near the entrance of Bigfoot Rapids, runs in a northeasterly direction alongside the train tracks to the area near Boot Hill, then returns along the same route. Like Jaguar!, the ride is gentler than some of the park's flagship attractions and is good for children who are scared of "big" coasters.
Minimum rider height is 48 inches (1,219.2 mm).
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...
motorbike
Motorbike roller coaster
A motorbike roller coaster is a type of steel roller coaster designed with motorcycle type cars. Booster Bike at Toverland was the world's first motorbike roller coaster...
roller coaster
Roller coaster
The roller coaster is a popular amusement ride developed for amusement parks and modern theme parks. LaMarcus Adna Thompson patented the first coasters on January 20, 1885...
at Knott's Berry Farm
Knott's Berry Farm
Knott's Berry Farm is a theme park in Buena Park, California, now owned by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, and a line of jams, jellies, preserves, and other specialty food, now part of The J. M. Smucker Company based in Placentia, California....
in Buena Park
Buena Park, California
Buena Park is a city in northwestern Orange County, California. As of Census 2010 the population was 80,530. The city is adjacent to the city of Anaheim and is 12 miles northwest of downtown Santa Ana. The Current OMB metropolitan designation for Buena Park and the Orange County Area is "Santa...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. It features sweeping turns and sudden drops in an "out-and-back" configuration. This, the Orange County Choppers MotoCoaster
Orange County Choppers MotoCoaster
Darien Lake partnered with Orange County Choppers for naming rights for the coaster, along with a promotional giveaway of a custom painted OCC motorcycle, and a custom built bike to remain at the park....
at Darien Lake near Buffalo
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and the Steeplechase Coaster at Luna Park, Coney Island, NY are the only Zamperla
Zamperla
Zamperla is a designing and manufacturing company in Vicenza, Italy. It is best known for creating thrill rides and roller coasters worldwide. The company also makes smaller coin operated rides commonly found inside shopping malls....
Motocoasters installed in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It opened on May 22, 2008.
The ride uses a flywheel launch system, similar to the mechanism used to launch one of the park's oldest coasters, Montezooma's Revenge
Montezooma's Revenge
Montezooma's Revenge is a steel shuttle roller coaster at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, California. It opened on May 21, 1978. Designed by Anton Schwarzkopf, it is one of eight flywheel-launched units manufactured for theme parks around the world...
. It features two 16-passenger trains; the seats are designed be straddled to make the overall experience reminiscent of a horseback ride. The 'horses' use a tastefully-designed restraint system to assure rider safety while not adversely affecting the ride experience.
Ride Background
The ride is themed to the "Ghost Town" area of the park, and the rider is a messenger on the famed Pony ExpressPony Express
The Pony Express was a fast mail service crossing the Great Plains, the Rocky Mountains, and the High Sierra from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, from April 3, 1860 to October 1861...
of the Old West. The ride begins near the entrance of Bigfoot Rapids, runs in a northeasterly direction alongside the train tracks to the area near Boot Hill, then returns along the same route. Like Jaguar!, the ride is gentler than some of the park's flagship attractions and is good for children who are scared of "big" coasters.
Minimum rider height is 48 inches (1,219.2 mm).