View source for Fourth-dimension roller coaster

{{short description|Type of steel roller coaster}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox attraction model
| name                = Fourth-dimension roller coaster
| logo                = <!--Use ONLY the filename, not a full [[File:]] link-->
| logo_width          = <!--Default is 250px-->
| image               = X2-firstdrop.jpg
| imagedimensions     = 250px
| caption             = 'X2' (formerly 'X') was the first fourth-dimension roller coaster in the world.
| status              = In production
| first_produced      = 2002
| installations       = 18
| manufacturer        = <!--Must not be linked.-->
| manufacturer2       = [[Arrow Dynamics]] (discontinued), [[S&S Worldwide]], and [[Intamin]]
| designer            = <!--Should be linked.-->
| height_ft           = <!--Must be expressed in feet and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| height_m            = <!--Must be expressed in metres and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| drop_ft             = <!--Must be expressed in feet and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| drop_m              = <!--Must be expressed in metres and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| length_ft           = <!--Must be expressed in feet and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| length_m            = <!--Must be expressed in metres and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| speed_mph           = <!--Must be expressed in miles per hour and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| speed_km/h          = <!--Must be expressed in kilometres per hour and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| gforce              =
| capacity            = <!--If number is known, include this parameter.-->
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| vehicles            =
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| rows                =
| riders_per_row      = 4
| participants_per_group= <!--Only use if neither rows or vehicles is applicable.-->
| audience_capacity   = <!--For shows-->
| duration            =
| restraint           = Over-the-shoulder
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| rcdb_number         =  <!--The number in the URL of the coaster's RCDB page. This parameter should only be used for roller coaster models.-->
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A '''fourth-dimension roller coaster''' is a type of [[steel roller coaster]] where riders are rotated independently of the track's orientation about a horizontal axis perpendicular to the track. This feature allows riders to experience [[Roller coaster inversion|inversions]] without the track rotating upside down. Some fourth-dimension roller coasters are controlled, with seats that rotate based on the spacing of two additional rails on the track. Others are free-spinning, where the seats flip primarily due to forces exerted by the ride's elements, offering a different experience during each ride.

== History ==
In 1996, John F. Mares, a corporate attorney, invented a fourth-dimension roller coaster concept and holds six US patents related to the technology of their spinning seat systems: {{US patent|5,791,254}}, {{US patent|6,098,549}}, {{US patent|6,227,121}}, {{US patent|6,386,115}}, {{US patent|6,477,961}} & {{US patent|6,606,953}}. In this concept, riders control the spinning action themselves.

The first fourth-dimension roller coaster to be built, [[X2 (roller coaster)|X2]], which opened at [[Six Flags Magic Mountain]] in 2002, was designed and patented by [[Alan Schilke]].<ref name="4D by open date">{{cite web|last=Marden|first=Duane|title=Roller Coaster Search Results – 4th Dimension|url=http://www.rcdb.com/r.htm?ot=2&de=67&page=1&order=10|work=Database|publisher=RCDB|access-date=20 October 2010}}</ref><ref name="X2">{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=X2|location=Six Flags Magic Mountain|rcdb_number=750|accessdate=18 November 2010}}</ref> In 2007, [[Intamin]] launched a variation of the fourth-dimension roller coaster under the name ZacSpin.{{citation needed|date=December 2018}}

== Design ==
=== Arrow Dynamics and S&S Worldwide ===
[[File:Sfmm X2 train Workings.gif|thumb|A) Rotation of seats<br>B) Seat on axle<br>C) Rack gear<br>D) Four rails]]
[[Arrow Dynamics]] was the first company to produce a fourth-dimension roller coaster, lending its name to the ride style. The [[train (roller coaster)|train]]s feature seats capable of rotating forward or backward, 360 degrees in a controlled spin. This is achieved by having four rails on the track; two acting as per normal, and two to control the spin of the seats. The two rails that control the spin of the seats, known as "X Rails", vary in height relative to the track, and spin the train using a [[rack and pinion]] gear mechanism.{{citation needed|date=November 2010}}

The first installation, X,<ref name="4D by open date"/><ref name=X2 /> was a prototype and cost Arrow Dynamics and [[Six Flags]] itself a lot of money due to technical difficulties and design flaws. In 2002, the park sued Arrow Dynamics, which went into bankruptcy. Since then, Arrow was bought out by [[S&S Worldwide]] and became the company's steel coaster division, S&S Arrow. In 2006, a second installation opened at [[Fuji-Q Highland]] in Japan under the name [[Eejanaika (roller coaster)|Eejanaika]].<ref name=Eejanaika /> A third installation opened in 2012 at [[China Dinosaurs Park]] in China under the name [[Dinoconda]].<ref>{{cite web |title=4D Roller Coaster |url=http://www.rcdb.com/9040.htm |access-date=24 January 2012}}</ref> The original X coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain reopened as X2 in 2008 with new, lighter trains and improved reliability and effects.<ref>{{cite web |title= Can X2 succeed where X failed? |url= https://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/200805/755/|access-date=4 August 2023}}</ref>

=== Intamin ZacSpin first generation ===
{{Unref section|date=September 2024}}
The Intamin ZacSpin was developed in response to the Arrow Dynamics fourth-dimension roller coaster. Some of the main differences between the Intamin and Arrow Dynamics/S&S Worldwide versions are the uncontrolled rotation of the seats, which produces a different ride each time, no need for an additional rail, and single cars with two riders back-to-back. Since these single cars do not rotate around the riders but around a common point quite far back behind their backs, this gave rise to complaints of rider discomfort. Another notable difference is the absence of any lateral movements, causing some enthusiasts to not consider the rides to be fourth-dimension roller coasters due to the fact that all movement is restricted to a two-dimensional plane.

The roller coaster [[Kirnu]] at [[Linnanmäki]] in Helsinki, Finland, opened for the 2007 season and was the first of its kind. Later that year Inferno opened at [[Terra Mítica]] in Benidorm, Spain with an identical compact layout. In 2009, [[Insane (Gröna Lund)|Insane]] opened at [[Gröna Lund]] in Stockholm, Sweden with a different track layout. In 2011, the first ZacSpin in the United States opened at [[Six Flags Magic Mountain]] as [[Green Lantern: First Flight (Six Flags Magic Mountain)|Green Lantern: First Flight]], and was themed to the [[DC Comics]] [[Green Lantern|superhero of the same name]]. It features the same layout as Insane.

=== S&S Free Spin ===
In late 2012, S&S Worldwide unveiled a new concept called Free Spin which features a similar ride to Intamin ZacSpin. Each vehicle features two seating rows, and each row rotates independently. As the axis of rotation is at the [[center of mass]] of each guest, rider comfort is significantly improved. Like with ZacSpin, Seats spin freely, but during several track sections a system of magnets forces a controlled inversion.<ref name="IAAPA 2012">{{cite web|title=IAAPA 2012 Trade Show Coverage Part 1 - S&S Silver Dollar City Rocky Mountain Construction|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8csOTfa7yWg |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/8csOTfa7yWg |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|work=[[Theme Park Review]]|via=YouTube|access-date=12 January 2013|last1=Alvey|first1=Robb|author-link1=Robb Alvey|last2=Rowher|first2=Kevin|date=13 November 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The first installation of a 4D Free Spin was [[Batman: The Ride (S&S Free Spin)|Batman: The Ride]] at [[Six Flags Fiesta Texas]] in 2015.<ref>{{Cite RCDB |coaster_name=4D Free Spin Roller Coasters |accessdate=February 7, 2022 |url=https://rcdb.com/r.htm?order=-8&ot=2&ml=16870}}</ref>

=== Intamin ZacSpin second generation ===
In 2016, Intamin announced an updated version that like Free Spin also features a vehicle with two seating rows rotating independently, and an axis of rotation at the center of mass of each guest to improve rider comfort.<ref>{{cite web|title=Media| date=17 November 2016 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLkD_-cS9sU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/FLkD_-cS9sU |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|via=YouTube CoasterForce channel|access-date=6 September 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

=== Pax Bumerang ===
In 2023, Russian amusement ride manufacturer Pax unveiled two concepts for [[shuttle roller coaster|shuttle]] fourth-dimension coasters. Like the S&S and Intamin versions, the track is vertically stacked, and the seats spin freely.<ref>{{cite web |title=BUMERANG {{!}} double inverted roller coaster {{!}} vid7 {{!}} PaxDesign {{!}} www.pax.ru |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9acK-vjgjL8 |website=YouTube |publisher=PAX DESIGN |access-date=16 October 2024 |date=6 May 2023}}</ref><ref name="Pax RCDB">{{cite RCDB |coaster_name=Pax Company (Krasnogorsk, Moscow, Russia) |rcdb_number=6971 |accessdate=16 October 2024}}</ref> The smaller model pulls a 16-passenger train up the outside of an approximately {{Convert|30|m|ft|order=flip|adj=on}} spike, then drops it into an outside [[raven turn]]. The train then travels up a shorter spike before rolling back down it and traversing the same layout backwards. This model is listed at a length of {{Convert|120|m|ft|order=flip|adj=on}} and a price of {{Currency|42000000|RUB}}, or {{Currency|{{To USD|42000000|RUS}}|USD}}.<ref>{{cite web |title="Бумеранг – мёртвая петля" |url=https://www.pax.ru/upload/%D0%91%D1%83%D0%BC%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B3%20%E2%80%93%20%D0%BC%D1%91%D1%80%D1%82%D0%B2%D0%B0%D1%8F%20%D0%BF%D0%B5%D1%82%D0%BB%D1%8F.pdf |website=www.pax.ru |access-date=16 October 2024 |language=ru}}</ref> The larger model pulls a 20-passenger train up the inside of an approximately {{Convert|40|m|ft|order=flip|adj=on}} spike, dropping riders into an inside raven turn, then an outside raven turn stacked above it. The train then reaches the top of the {{Convert|170|m|ft|order=flip|adj=on}} track and rolls back, traversing the layout backwards to the station. This model is listed at a price of {{Currency|72000000|RUB}}, or {{Currency|{{To USD|72000000|RUS}}|USD}}.<ref>{{cite web |title="Бумеранг – две петли" |url=https://www.pax.ru/upload/%D0%91%D1%83%D0%BC%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B3%20%E2%80%93%20%D0%B4%D0%B2%D0%B5%20%D0%BF%D0%B5%D1%82%D0%BB%D0%B8.pdf |website=www.pax.ru |access-date=16 October 2024 |language=ru}}</ref> The first Bumerang was announced to open in 2025 at Balalyk Park in [[Kyrgyzstan]].<ref>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=unknown |location=Balalyk Park |rcdb_number=22338 |accessdate=3 December 2024}}</ref>

== Inversion ambiguity ==
There is considerable debate within the roller coaster community as to whether or not the spinning of these coasters qualifies as an [[roller coaster inversion|inversion]] for the purpose of records. ''[[Guinness World Records]]'' gave Eejanaika the record with 14 inversions. However, other more coaster-specific record bodies such as the [[Roller Coaster Database]] do not recognize this claim and instead count only track inversions, which gives the record of 14 to [[The Smiler (roller coaster)|The Smiler]] at [[Alton Towers]] in Staffordshire, United Kingdom.<ref name="Record Holders - Inversions">{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Record Holders|location=Inversions|url=http://www.rcdb.com/rhr.htm?m=4|accessdate=17 May 2013}}</ref>

== Installations ==
{| class= "wikitable sortable"
|-
! Name !! Park !! Years !! Model !! Status !! class="unsortable" | || Image
|-
| rowspan=2|[[Batman: The Ride (S&S Free Spin)|Batman: The Ride]] || {{flagicon|United States}} [[Six Flags Fiesta Texas]] || 2015 to present || rowspan=2|[[S&S Worldwide]] 4D Free Spin || rowspan=2 style="background:#9EFF9E;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-yes"| Operating ||rowspan=2|<ref name="Batman: The Ride">{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Batman: The Ride|location=Six Flags Fiesta Texas|rcdb_number=12283|accessdate=19 May 2015}}</ref>||rowspan=2|[[File:Batman The Ride SFFT.jpg|150px]]
|-
| {{flagicon|United States}} [[Six Flags Discovery Kingdom]] || 2019 to present
|-
| Arashi || {{flagicon|Japan}} [[Nagashima Spa Land]] || 2017 to present|| [[S&S Worldwide]] 4D Free Spin || {{Yes|Operating}} || ||
|-
| rowspan=4|[[The Joker (S&S Worldwide)|The Joker]] || {{flagicon|United States}} [[Six Flags Great Adventure]] || 2016 to present || rowspan=4|[[S&S Worldwide]] 4D Free Spin || rowspan=4 style="background:#9EFF9E;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-yes"| Operating || rowspan="4" |<ref name="Total Mayhem">{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Total Mayhem|location=Six Flags Great America|rcdb_number=13421|accessdate=19 September 2015}}</ref>|| rowspan=4|[[File:Joker (Six Flags Over Texas).png|150px]]
|-
| {{flagicon|United States}} [[Six Flags Great America]] || rowspan=3|2017 to present
|-
| {{flagicon|United States}} [[Six Flags Over Texas]]
|-
| {{flagicon|United States}} [[Six Flags New England]]
|-
| Wonder Woman Coaster || {{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Six Flags México]] || 2018 to present || [[S&S Worldwide]] 4D Free Spin || {{Yes|Operating}} ||<ref>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Wonder Woman Coaster|location=Six Flags México|rcdb_number=15460|accessdate=12 June 2012}}</ref>||<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Wonder Woman Coaster SFMEX.jpg|150px]] -->
|-
| [[Dinoconda]] || {{flagicon|China}} [[China Dinosaur Park]] || 2012 to present || [[S&S Worldwide]] 4th Dimension || {{Yes|Operating}} ||<ref name="Dinoconda">{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Dinoconda|location=China Dinosaur Park|rcdb_number=9040|accessdate=24 May 2012}}</ref>||
|-
| [[Dragon Slayer (roller coaster)|Dragon Slayer]] || {{flagicon|United States}} [[Adventureland (Iowa)|Adventureland Park]] || 2021 to present|| [[S&S Sansei]] 4D Free Spin || {{Yes|Operating}} || <ref>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Dragon Slayer|location=Adventureland|rcdb_number=18398|accessdate=20 June 2021}}</ref> ||
|-
| [[Eejanaika (roller coaster)|Eejanaika]] || {{flagicon|Japan}} [[Fuji-Q Highland]] || 2006 to present || [[S&S Arrow]] 4th Dimension || {{Yes|Operating}} ||<ref name="Eejanaika">{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Eejanaika|location=Fuji-Q Highland|rcdb_number=3254|accessdate=18 November 2010}}</ref>||[[File:Eejanaika coaster FujiQ 1024.jpg|150px]]
|-
| Inferno || {{flagicon|Spain}} [[Terra Mítica]] || 2007 to present || [[Intamin]] ZacSpin || {{Yes|Operating}} ||<ref name="Inferno-RCDB">{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Inferno|location=Terra Mítica|rcdb_number=3676|accessdate=18 November 2010}}</ref>||[[File:Inferno.inversió.jpg|150px]]
|-
| [[Insane (Gröna Lund)|Insane]] || {{flagicon|Sweden}} [[Gröna Lund]] || 2009 to present || [[Intamin]] ZacSpin || {{Yes|Operating}} ||<ref name="Insane">{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Insane|location=Gröna Lund|rcdb_number=4309|accessdate=18 November 2010}}</ref>||[[File:Insane Gröna Lund 2011.jpg|150px]]
|-
| John Wick: Open Contract || {{flagicon|United Arab Emirates}} [[Motiongate Dubai]] || 2022 to present || [[S&S Worldwide]] 4D Free Spin || {{Yes|Operating}} || ||
|-
| [[Kirnu]] || {{flagicon|Finland}} [[Linnanmäki]] || 2007 to present || [[Intamin]] ZacSpin || {{Yes|Operating}} ||<ref name="Kirnu">{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Kirnu|location=Linnanmäki|rcdb_number=3613|accessdate=18 November 2010}}</ref>||[[File:Kirnu linnanmäki.jpg|150px]]
|-
| [[Tumbili]] || {{flagicon|United States}} [[Kings Dominion]] || 2022 to present || [[S&S Sansei]] 4D Free Spin || {{yes|Operating}} || <ref>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Tumbili|location=Kings Dominion|rcdb_number=18846|accessdate=20 June 2021}}</ref> ||
|-
| [[X2 (roller coaster)|X2]]<br><small>''Formerly X''</small> || {{flagicon|United States}} [[Six Flags Magic Mountain]] || 2002 to present || [[Arrow Dynamics]] 4th Dimension || {{Yes|Operating}} ||<ref name=X2 /> || [[File:Six Flags Magic Mountain X (1).jpg|150px]]
|-
| rowspan=2|[[Green Lantern: First Flight (roller coaster)|Green Lantern: First Flight]]<br><small>''was to be relocated to La Ronde as Vipère''</small> || {{flagicon|United States}} [[Six Flags Magic Mountain]] || 2011-2017: operated<br>2017-2019: inactive || rowspan=2|[[Intamin]] ZacSpin || {{No|Removed}} ||rowspan=2 | <ref name="Vipère">{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Vipère|location=La Ronde|rcdb_number=17659}}</ref><br><ref name="Green Lantern">{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Green Lantern|location=Six Flags Magic Mountain|rcdb_number=9519}}</ref><br><ref name="OogyBoogy">{{cite web|title=La Ronde donne des nouvelles de la montagne russe Vipère qui devait ouvrir en 2020|url=https://www.narcity.com/fr/montreal/la-ronde-donne-des-nouvelles-de-la-montagne-russe-vipere-qui-devait-ouvrir-en-2020}}</ref>  ||rowspan=2 | [[File:Green Lantern First Flight (Six Flags Magic Mountain).jpg|150px]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Canada}} [[La Ronde (amusement park)|La Ronde]] || 2019-2022: stored<br>2022: cancelled|| {{No|Cancelled; in storage }}
|}

== See also ==
* [[Wing Coaster]] – a type of ride by [[Bolliger & Mabillard]] which features similar trains to the S&S/Arrow design

== References ==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== External links ==
{{commons category}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120919161418/http://www.rcdb.com/r.htm?nm=na&ty=1&de=67&ot=2 A list of fourth-dimension roller coasters] at the [[Roller Coaster DataBase]]

{{Rollercoaster tracks}}
{{Intamin}}
{{S&S Worldwide}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fourth Dimension Roller Coaster}}
[[Category:4th Dimension roller coasters| ]]
[[Category:Types of roller coaster]]
[[Category:S&S – Sansei Technologies]]