Self-explanitory. Construct a rollercoaster - or as much of it as possible - out of transparent materials to make it more difficult to see where the track is going and add to the thrill of the ride. Especially effective at night.

Might be cool with built-in, sequenced lights, too.
-- phoenix, May 28 2002

(?) Six Flags Accident(s) http://www.guardian...82,-1766263,00.html
It wasn't that he didn't see it, exactly. [bristolz, May 28 2002]

Maybe there's some way of blocking the view of the track from the riders?
-- bristolz, May 28 2002


Isn't there a coaster where you hang face down under the track?
-- angel, May 28 2002


yup, there's one of those in uk, at Alton Towers. Called the air(where did I get vampire from?), but i havn't been on it yet.
-- yamahito, May 28 2002


A way to do this is have the rollercoaster in the darl. Space Mountain at Disney World was the first roller coater in near complete darkness that I have been on.

Saying this a transparent rollercoaster would be an interesting challenge. There could be problems with dirt, wear and crashed planes - any of which could reveal the structure of the rollercoaster.
-- Aristotle, May 28 2002


Painting the structure matte black and running it at night would probably be an easier way to achieve the effect (of not being able to see where the track is going).

How about having people ride the rollercoaster facing backwards? Then you'd still get the visual sense of speed, but you wouldn't know what was coming.
-- wiml, May 28 2002


Being one who has ridden a roller coaster that faces backward for the first half of the ride, I must admit that not seeing where the ride goes is actually less exciting than being able to see. Same goes for riding in darkness. The reasons are complicated, but I could sum it all up in one rule: Anticipation exceeds experience.

Roller coasters are all about perceived (but not real) danger. Emotional tension mounts much higher when the rider sees himself heading for "trouble" well in advance, and yet has no ability to stop or avoid it.
-- BigBrother, May 28 2002


Maybe using some kind of plastic tubing, a-la Futurama?
-- thelumberjack, May 29 2002


Why is it clear?
So you can see the old rollercoaster from high in the air!
-- reensure, May 29 2002


//How about having people ride the rollercoaster facing backwards? Then you'd still get the visual sense of speed, but you wouldn't know what was coming.//

And then have a cliff where they least expect it. Also, riders wouldn't notice incomplete track. Great for 'accidental deaths'.
-- NickTheGreat, May 29 2002


how about instead you just blindfold the passengers?
-- CoWsArFuNnY, May 27 2003


1. Get a large barrel or 55 gallon drum. 2. Find a large, skiing-quality hill or cliff. 3. For instant fun, just stuff your little sister in there and push.
-- krazietom, May 07 2004


hey, i have an idea why not have the roller coaster slowly go up then when it reaches the top have it inside a cave;make it go very high.then when the passengers get into the cave just let them sit for about one minute[leave them wondering why the ride stopped and get them relaxed,then just let the coaster go at full speed going almost directly down and then go on woth the rest of the ride.
-- coastercutie, May 20 2004


Or create some kind of holographic track, so that they can see where they're going - or at least that's what THEY think.
-- MatrixFrog, Dec 31 2004



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