Jester

Roller coaster in the United States
Watch the on-ride POV
Jester
Jester's entrance/exit
Six Flags New Orleans
Location New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Coordinates 30°03′17″N 89°56′11″W / 30.054737°N 89.936289°W / 30.054737; -89.936289
Park section Mardi Gras
Status Standing but not operating
Operated April 13, 2003 to August 21, 2005
Rider height 48 inch minimum
Six Flags Fiesta Texas
Name Joker's Revenge
Location San Antonio, Texas, USA
Coordinates 29°35′42″N 98°36′27″W / 29.595079°N 98.607581°W / 29.595079; -98.607581
Park section Fiesta Bay Boardwalk
Operated May 10, 1996 to 2001
Replaced by Pandemonium
Statistics
Manufacturer Vekoma
Product Hurricane
Type Steel - Backwards
Propulsion Chain lift hill
Height 79 feet
Top speed 40 mph
Length 1936 feet
Inversions 3
G-Force 3.5
Rolling stock
Manufacturer Arrow Dynamics
Riders per train 28
HELP

Jester is a steel backwards roller coaster currently standing but not operating at Six Flags New Orleans in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. The ride was built by Vekoma. It originally operated at Six Flags Fiesta Texas as Joker's Revenge from 1996 to 2001.

History

The ride was going to open in 1992 at Six Flags Fiesta Texas as Wacky Twister, but the plan was scrapped. However, it opened four years later as Joker's Revenge.

On May 10, 1996, Joker's Revenge opened to the public.[1] It had a funhouse queue line, as well as a chicken exit in the station that guests could use if they chickened out during the final moments before boarding the ride.

While very popular when it opened, during the later years, the coaster became rougher and faced mechanical issues.[2]

Joker's Revenge was closed in 2001 and did not operate at all during the 2002 season. The ride was dismantled at the end of Summer 2002. The funhouse remained until Summer 2006 when it was replaced Pandemonium. The queue bridge was also reused for Pandemonium.

The ride was moved to Six Flags New Orleans, where it opened on April 13, 2003 as Jester.

The attraction was closed with the park just before Hurricane Katrina struck on August 26, 2005 and has remained standing but not operating since. It was damaged beyond repair and unsalvageable due to the park being flooded with 8 feet of water.[3]

The coaster's paint job has faded and the track has severely rusted after sitting abandoned for over 16 years.

Design

Elements

Ride experience

As the train rolled out of the station, riders were pulled 79 feet up the chain lift hill. Riders then dropped 69 feet at 40 mph. After the drop, riders approached a vertical loop. This was followed by a double corkscrew and a helix. The train then hit the final brake run and returned to the station.

Colour scheme

Green track and blue supports. The ride featured light purple track and supports when it operated at Fiesta Texas.

Trains

2 trains with 7 cars per train. In each car, riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows, for a total of 28 riders per train. Riders were held in with over-the-shoulder harnesses. The trains where build by Arrow Dynamics.

Images

References

  1. Straach, Kathryn (May 5, 1996). "Amusement parks beckon thrill seekers". El Paso Times. p. 57. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  2. "JB archives:the history of the joker's revenge". YouTube. JB Thrills. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
  3. "Hurricane Damaged Six Flags Park To Remain Closed". Ultimate Rollercoaster.

External links

  • Jester on the Roller Coaster DataBase.


Articles on Six Flags New Orleans
Articles on Six Flags Fiesta Texas