Runaway Reptar (roller coaster)

Runaway Reptar was the name of four Rugrats-themed roller coasters, based on the Rugrats episode of the same name."Rugrats Runaway Reptar ride opens at Kings Island". Telegraph-Forum (Bucyrus, OH), 5 Apr 2001, 9A. Newspapers.com. Accessed 21 Nov 2023.
==History==
The original Runaway Reptar opened at Kings Island in spring 2001. The new roller coaster was part of the park's rebrand of its Nickelodeon area from Splat City to Nickelodeon Central. In 2002, a second one was built at Dreamworld.Wilson, Richard. "Get 'Nicked' at Dreamworld". Parkz, 12 Jan 2003. In 2003, the final Runaway Reptar was built at Carowinds.Thomas, Maurice. "Carowinds adds coaster, Nickelodeon section". The State (Columbia, SC), 23 Mar 2003, E16. Newspapers.com. Accessed 21 Nov 2023. In the same year, the Green Slime Mine Car coaster at California's Great America was rethemed and renamed Runaway Reptar."Variations on a theme". Sacramento Bee, 15 Jun 2003, M10. Newspapers.com. Accessed 21 Nov 2023.
The Runaway Reptars at Kings Island and Carowinds were rethemed and renamed Flying Ace Aerial Chase in 2010 as part of Cedar Fair's transition from Nickelodeon-themed areas to Planet Snoopy.Janes, Theoden. "Carowinds rework for 'Peanuts'". Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr 2010, H2. Newspapers.com. Accessed 22 Nov 2023.Leach, Tanya. "Crossing the line". Knoxville News-Sentinel, 11 Jul 2010, E3. Newspapers.com. Accessed 21 Nov 2023. The Runaway Reptar at California's Great America became Woodstock Express the same year.Fernandez, Lisa. "Park lands on 'Planet Snoopy'". Fresno Bee, 26 Jan 2010, D1. Newspapers.com. Accessed 21 Nov 2023. In 2012, the final Runaway Reptar was rethemed to Escape From Madagscar as Dreamworld's Nickelodeon area became the Dreamworks Experience."Dreamworld To Open New Dreamworks Animation Precinct". Wayback Machine, Feb 2012.
==Description==
Runaway Reptar was the world's first inverted junior coaster, meaning that the train hangs below the tracks. Riders sat on heavily padded seats, secured in place with a seat belt and shoulder harness. The track was 1,129 feet long, reached heights of 52 feet, and included a 540-degree helix. The ride lasted 90 seconds, with riders reaching speeds of 25 mph. The roller coaster was painted green and yellow, and the cars featured dinosaur eyes. The centerpiece of the ride was a 32 foot Reptar statue.Rouse, Joann. "Kings Island adding Rugrats ride". Dayton Daily News, 21 Mar 2001, 3B. Newspapers.com. Accessed 22 Nov 2023. Riders had to be at least 44" tall to ride, but there was also a maximum height for riders."Community Scrapbook". News and Record (Greensboro, NC), 26 Aug 2007, Guildford Record South 8. Newpapers.com. Accessed 22 Nov 2023.
==Reactions==
In 2002, The Roller Coaster Lover's Companion rated Runway Reptar three stars out of five.Urbanowicz, Steven J. The Roller Coaster Lover's Companion. Citadel Press, 2002. P. 90. America's Top Roller Coasters and Amusement Parks called it "an incredible, one-of-a-kind suspended kids' coaster that your children will just love."Trabucco, Pete. America's Top Roller Coasters & Amusement Parks. Tate Publishing & Enterprises, 2009. P. 176 The Telegraph-Forum called it somewhere between a ride for kids and for adults, saying it was "not as tame as it looks". South Carolina teens reviewing the Carowinds for The Herald gave the coaster a 2.5 out of 5 on average. One wrote "Runaway Reptar was a pretty thrilling ride... maybe for children 12 and under"."Teens Take On Carowinds". The Herald (Rock Hill, SC), 9 May 2003, 1D. Newspapers.com. Accessed 20 Nov 2023.
==Gallery==
Rugrats Runaway Reptar Roller Coaster Reptar Statue.jpg|Reptar Statue
Rugrats Runaway Reptar Roller Coaster Sign.jpg|Runaway Reptar sign
==References==
Category:Theme park attractions
Category:Rugrats