The FUTURE of roller coasters! Here we are riding the 4th Dimension "Free Spin" prototype at the S&S Factory in Logan, Utah!
The 4th Dimension Free Spin is very different from X2 or what we are used to from the current S&S 4D coasters. There is no "X Rail" that controls the spinning, it's all free spinning based on gravity and the weight distribution of the cars. We were told that the prototype (and a full scale version) will include dampers (look like little trim brakes, but not for the actual train, but for the seats) in areas that will help the seats spin even more!
These dampers can be adjusted to make for a more or less extreme ride. Not only that, each set of two seats could have different dampers to create a more extreme or family version even on the same car!
One might compare the ride to the Intamin Zacspin (Green Lantern, Insane, etc), but it rides VERY different, and the idea of the free spinning with some "help" from the dampers I think will create a much more exciting ride. Everyone knows we are big Intamin fans, but we felt this was an even BETTER version of that style of ride.
Also, while the prototype track might look like a "Disk-O coaster on steroids", this ride is NOTHING like a Disk-O and the track is that way just to test out the free spinning feature. The actual ride would be a full circuit with lift hill, etc.
Note in the video how smooth it rides! You don't see much of any head jerking back and forth and for the amount of rocking and spinning the cars do, the track (which is supplied by RMC) is VERY VERY smooth!
We really hope this gets picked up by parks as it would be really cool to see some more S&S 4th Dimension coasters out there!