>>>Roller Coaster and Busch Gardens Terminology

B
Batwing- An inversion that is comprised of a half corkscrew into a half vertical loop, then another half vertical loop into another corkscrew facing the same direction as the first.
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Brake Fin- A metal fin, usually situated on the bottom of the roller coaster train, that is squeezed by the brakes to slow the train down. The fin is located on the top of inverted roller coasters and on the side if the roller coaster uses magnetic brakes.

Bunny Hop- The smaller version of a camelback; the train navigates a small hill, producing airtime.

C
Corkscrew- An inversion in which the trains rolls upside-down while moving forward, but rolling horizontally.
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Cable Lift- Instead of using a chain, a cable is used to transport a train up a lift hill at a faster speed. The train is attached to a mechanism permanently attached to the cable, that releases the train once at the given spot.

Camelback- An element commonly used on roller coasters where the roller coaster has a large, non-inverting hill. The element is used to produce airtime.

Car- An individual unit of a train. A car may consist of several rows of seats, or just one. Roller coasters that consist of single row cars can usually perform more difficulty track maneuvers more smoothly.

Chain Lift- The most common method for eventually creating kinetic energy for a roller coaster. A mechanism on the bottom of the train connects to the chain, and is pulled up the lift hill. At the top, the train is released and gravity takes over. Chain lifts are generally slow; faster climbs are accomplished through a cable lift.

Cobra Roll- An inversion that consists of a half loop, followed by a two half corkscrews, and then another half loop going the same direction as the first.
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D
Diving Loop- An inversion in which the train climbs track like a skateboard, then rolls upside-down at the top, and falls back to the earth in a half loop motion.
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E
Elevator Lift- A modified version of the cable lift; uses an elevator system to bring the train to the top of the lift hill quickly.

F
Flying Coaster- A coaster where the riders are horizontal to the ground, hanging below the track.

Fourth Dimension Simulator- A 3D simulator ride in which effects are sprayed on the guests to create the "fourth dimension."

G
G-Force- The force of gravity enacted upon the riders. When resting, you are experiencing 1G which is your regular body weight. When on a roller coaster, you may feel four times your actual body weight or 4Gs.

Giga Roller Coaster- A roller coaster that is over 300' tall.

Guide Wheels- The wheels on the sides that allow a coaster to navigate turns.

H
Helix- A ride element where the ride has turns that last usually are greater 360 degrees.
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Hyper Roller Coaster- A roller coaster that is over 200' tall

I
Immelman- An unique inversion that first appeared on Montu. An Immelman is an inverse dive loop. The train climbs in a half loop motion, but once at the top, the train rolls into a drop.
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Interlocking Corkscrews- Two corkscrews that interlock. A first corkscrew is navigated by a train, then there is a tight turnaround into another corkscrew, the same direction as the first, passing through the first corkscrew.
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Inversion-Any part of the ride that turns riders completely upside-down.

Inverted Roller Coaster- A roller coaster that hangs below the track compared to above the track.
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J

K
Kumba- The Swahili word for roar.

L
Lap Bar- A simple restraint in which a bar lies across the lap, securing the rider.

M
Mid Course Brake Run- A portion of a roller coaster in which the train encounters brake midway through the ride. The brake is in the process of system blocking. If a previous train should have not made it back to the station, the next train will be stopped on the mid course brake run to keep the trains from colliding. The brake can also be used to regulate the speed of the train. As known as a block brake.

N
Negative G-Force- When a rider weighs less than one G and is weightless for a split second. Usually occurs when going down drops and over hills. Also refer to airtime.

O
Over the Shoulder Restraints- Restraints that secure the rider by restraining their upper body. They are very common on roller coasters that have inversions.

P
Positive G-Force- When a rider feels heavier than their actual body weight. Usually felt at the bottom of hills.

Q
Queue Line- The queue line is what everyone dreads to be in; it is the waiting line.

R
Road Wheels- The main wheels on a roller coaster; they are the wheels that ride along the top of the track and are usually the largest wheels.

Roller Coaster- A ride in which a train rides along a set of rails, usually with thrilling elements, using gravity to create the motion. Traditional roller coasters used a chain lift to create the kinetic energy of the ride. Many rides today create their energy through launch methods such as magnets or hydraulics.

S
Side Friction Wheels- The side wheels that allow the train to navigate turns smoothly. Also known as Guide Wheels.

Strata Roller Coaster- Any roller coaster over 400' tall.

System Blocking (Blocks)- System blocking is a computer controlled process that allows multiple trains to run on the track at the same time. The track is split up into segments by the computer called blocks. Once a train has cleared a block, another train can be dispatched.

T
Theme Park- A theme park is an amusement park that is split into different sections called themes.

U
Upstop Wheels- The wheels that ride on the lower rail and help keep the train on the track when going over hills.

V
Vertical Loop- The most common inversion; a 360 degree loop standing at a 90 degree angle.
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W
Wooden Roller Coaster- A roller coaster in which the rails primarily consist of wood. However, there is plate of steel rail on the top in which the wheel runs on.

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Y

Z
Zero Gravity Roll- An inversion in which the train rolls a complete 360 degrees around a specific point; produces weightlessness.
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