PropulsionHydraulic launchSpecificationsRiders per train20Riders per hour1330Height205 feetTallest drop200 feetTrack length2202 feetSpeed82 mphInversions0Steepest drop90°Duration1:02RestrictionsMinimum52 inchesMaximum78 inchesVideo Load video YouTube YouTube might collect personal data. Privacy Policy
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Xcelerator is a steel launched hyper roller coaster located at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, California, USA. The ride opened on June 22, 2002[1] as Intamin's first hydraulically-launched roller coaster. It is a prototype Accelerator Coaster located in the same area of the park where Windjammer Surf Racers and Wacky Soap Box Racers once operated. This is the tallest and fastest roller coaster at Knott's Berry Farm. It is one of two hyper coasters in California, the other being Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain.
History
In December 2001, Knott's Berry Farm announced that they would be building Xcelerator. It would be the first roller coaster to use a hydraulic launch system.[2]
While Xcelerator was set to open in May 2002, the opening was delayed to June 22 of that year.
After an accident occurred on Superman The Ride at Six Flags New England in 2004, Knott's Berry Farm upgraded Xcelerator's restraints.[3]
The supports were repainted light blue in 2010.[4]
Xcelerator was repainted in 2021 with a multi-colored track. Some portions of the track were red, yellow and black.[5]
The ride was closed for maintenance in March 2022.[6] In June 2023, park officials stated they hoped to reopen Xcelerator later in the summer.[7] Following the installation of new parts, Xcelerator reopened on November 7, 2023 after being closed for a year.[8]
Design
Elements
Hydraulic launch from 0 - 82 mph in 2.3 s
205 foot tall outside top hat
Over-banked curve
Over-banked curve
Following the hydraulic launch, riders travel over a 205 foot tall outside top hat.
Trains
A train inside the station
2 trains with 5 cars per train. In each car, riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows, for a total of 20 riders per train. Riders are secured by lap bars.
Rollbacks
Occasionally, the train will not make it over the top hat element. The train will launch, make it part way up the hill, and roll back into the launch. This is safe and can happen on any launched roller coaster.
Incident
On September 16, 2009, a cable snapped during the launch. A man and his 12-year-old son were hit with debris while sitting in the front row and subsequently taken to hospital, with the 12-year-old suffering damage to his leg.[9] A settlement between the family and Knott's Berry Farm was reached in 2011.[10]
33°50′46″N 118°00′03″W / 33.845981°N 118.000792°WA train launching
XceleratorKnott's Berry Farm Buena Park, California, USAStatusOperatingOpenedJune 22, 2002SectionBoardwalkReplacedWindjammer Surf RacersCost$13,000,000 USDDesignManufacturerIntaminMaterialSteelType
Xcelerator overbank 
A train on the brake run 
Entrance to Xcelerator 
The queue line 
Xcelerator's Hydraulic launch 
Xcelerator's Station 
Xcelerator's launch brake fins 
Xcelerator's launch track 