The Renovation of the Revolution

Back in 1976, Magic Mountain unveiled perhaps the most ambitious roller coaster since the roller coaster had come to exist.

The Great American Revolution, it was called, and its defining feature ended up turning you on your head in a revolutionary vertical loop, hurling riders upside down like never before. In actuality, the Revolution was not the first coaster to send riders upside down, but it was the first to feature a loop in modern times and as part of a steel coaster.

In many ways, the Revolution started a “revolution” still going today. Most steel coasters that have inversions and are built today feature a vertical loop, and you can thank Schwarzkopf and the Revolution for bringing it back.

That’s what makes Magic Mountain’s announcement of “The New Revolution” so special. The coaster that started the looping revolution is being shown more love than it has in a very long time. Something enthusiasts have been requesting for years, Revolution is receiving new, modified trains that remove the restrictive, head-banging restraints that have tortured riders for nearly 25 years. “The New Revolution” may not be the most exciting announcement in roller coasters this year, but it may be the most heartwarming.