Photo: Nathan Stark
Originally named Willard’s Whizzer, Whizzer is one of two Schwarzkopf Speed Racer’s left in the entire world. The spiral lift is unique to this ride. Featuring a slow ascent up in a circular motion, rather then a straight lift. Electric motors located in the middle of every cart, engage when a current collector hits an electric rail in the middle of the track. Which pushes the train to the top of the lift. Most roller coasters have a steel cable or a chain lift, but this is one of the selected few that use motors in the carts.
Photo: Nathan Stark
Whizzer is a roller coaster like no other. From the spiral lift, to the ground hugging turns where you can touch the grass, and those quick Schwarzkopf directional changes. All while being a family coaster, sure makes for one great ride. Going up the spiral lift, the motors kick in, and you hear what you think may be the loudest anti-roll backs in the history of anti-roll back systems. You reach the top of the lift, where you can get a sensational view of Hometown Square. But you slowly start to glide down a very shallow drop that gains speed as you descend into the trees.
Photo: Nathan Stark
You take an adventure through the forest, diving down into highly banked turns that lay close to the ground, and swooping over a large pond. In some cases you can stick your arm out to grab the leaves and rip them right off of the trees. The layout of the ride is very overlapping, intertwining with other parts, which makes for a pretty unpredictable layout. The picture above proves it is still pretty hard to decide where the track goes with all the luscious foliage that has grown in over the years, even when looking at it from above.
When you hit the breaks and pull into the station, you can see another train rolling down the drop and shoot off into the forest. This ride is truly something special. Even though it may not be the latest Mega coaster or have eight inversions. It is a ride that is just pure fun and can be enjoyed by everyone whether they’re into thrills or not. So if you every get the chance to ride this great Schwartzkopf, make sure to get a night ride on it, because there are no lights along the part in the forest.
What are your thoughts on Whizzer? Leave a comment below along with your Park Thoughts.