Worlds of Fun's second largest coaster, the Orient Express is the only one to take its riders updide down. It is a very unique coaster and is also very tretorous. Have some aspirin on hand after riding this one!
• Added: 1980 • Location: Orient Section • Height of Drop: 115 ft. • Track Length: 3,470 ft • Number of Cars: 2 • Riders Per Hour: 1,550 • Ride Time: 2:20 • Gravitational Forces: 3.5 • Max. Speed: 53 MPH • Designer: Arrow Dynamics • Type of Coaster: Multi-Looper • Similar Coaster: Loch Ness Monster (BGW)
The Orient Express was built by Arrow Dynamics shortly after their success with The Loch Ness Monster at Busch Gardens, Williamsburg. However this is not an "assembly line" roller coaster. It is famous for its "Kamikaze Kurve" and also has the first ever boomerang, or series of two barrel rolls in 13 seconds. It was the second roller coaster at Worlds Of Fun to have two inverting loops (it goes upside down) the first being the Screamroller (EXT). The Orient Express addition also caused the move of the Shanghai Sling or better known as the Bamboozler to Americana (Whirligig) and then back to the Orient again.
The Orient Express at one time actually had a law suit placed on it by the Orient Express Railway in Asia. It was disputed that the name was a trademark infringement and that the name should be changed just to "The Express". Of course we all know who won the lawsuit for the name "Orient Express" is still firmly attached to this roller coaster.
The Orient Express unbelievably is already 18 years old! Thats very hard to believe for me. The age has caught up to this roller coaster and it has become very rough and uncomfortable ride. Hopefully, as the rumors state Worlds Of Fun will be giving this roller coaster a complete refit and new cars.
Down into the Tunnel looking the mysterious Express logo in the eye, then out onto the loudest lift hill ever. I reach the top and my heart pounds. The train turns the small corner and then drops like an asteroid toward the earth. I say cheese as the WOF's camera flashes by me. With my head banging back and forth and the extremely loud sound of the wheels scraping the track I go up and around the turn then down into the depths of the Orient just to be flinged back upward again, only updide down! With my head banging against the horsecollar the train quickly turn around and goes upside down once again, this time under the previous loop. I think to myself, "Is this ever going to end?". I am then flown around what feels like a boomerang. This is the famous Kamikazee Kurve, especially designed for the Express. I have gone upside down three times now, will I do it again, of course. The Express then takes me upside down on the final loop. I am screaming my lungs out as I go around in a circle and wave at the people in line. Finally I am projected back into the station with a screeching halt. I walk off of the Orient Express with a fresh headache and some cramps in my neck. Typical of a coaster, a great one at that! This 18 year old coaster is by far a classic.