Overview
Located at Fun Spot America in Kissimmee, FL, Mine Blower is a hybrid wooden coaster. It’s hybrid to the extent that it has a steel support structure but the track is made of wood and it rides like a woodie so for all intents and purposes it’s a wooden coaster. Opened in 2017, it was designed by The Gravity Group (The Voyage, Ravine Flyer II) and built by sister company Gravitykraft.
Layout, Elements and Theming
Mine Blower features a compact twister layout with 2,289 feet of track and a height of 83 feet. Themed after explosives, it operates with two Timberliner trains consisting of six cars seating two across in single rows for a total capacity of 12 riders. Fixtures resembling bundles of dynamite adorn the fronts of the trains. The most notable element is a zero-g roll over the loading station. The restraint is a swivelling lap bar identical in design to that on The Gravity Group’s Wooden Warrior at Quassy Amusement Park.
Ride Experience
A ride on Mine Blower begins with a 180-degree left turn out of the loading station. The train ascends an 83-foot chain lift hill and upon reaching the top, makes another 180-degree left turn before dropping 82 feet, reaching its maximum speed of 49 mph. After the drop it goes up into the zero-g roll above the loading station. How cool is that? As of 2019, there are only eight operating wooden coasters – seven of which were designed by The Gravity Group – with inversions, so that places Mine Blower in an elite group.
Coming out of the zero-g roll, the train makes a turnaround to the left and blasts over an airtime hill. This is followed by a delightful double down, after which a turnaround to the right leads to more airtime hills. The train then speeds into a 115-degree right turn before navigating additional airtime hills. Another left turnaround sends the train over the final airtime hills, during which it follows a zigzagging course, and into the brake run. I rode at night and that further enhanced the overall experience.
Photo courtesy of The Gravity Group
Final Thoughts and Rating
Although Mine Blower has a small footprint, it makes a huge impact. The thrills are non-stop and the train feels as if it’s going faster than 49 mph. I found the ride to be surprisingly intense as well as thoroughly enjoyable. It’s exhilarating. Final rating = 8 out of 10. Video courtesy of The Gravity Group.
What’s your take? Have you ridden Mine Blower and if so, how would you rate it?