The Predator (roller coaster)

The Predator
The Predator's lift hill
Six Flags Darien Lake
Location	Six Flags Darien Lake
Coordinates	42°55′45″N78°23′10″W / 42.92917°N 78.38611°W / 42.92917; -78.38611
Status	Operating
Opening date	May 25, 1990
Cost	$2.5 million
General statistics
Type	Wood  – Out and back
Manufacturer	Dinn Corporation
Designer	Curtis D. Summers
Height	95 ft (29 m)
Length	3,400 ft (1,000 m)
Speed	50 mph (80 km/h)
Inversions	0
Duration	1:50
Capacity	1300 riders per hour
Height restriction	48 in (122 cm)
Trains	Single train with 6 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 24 riders per train.
The Predator at RCDB

The Predator is a hybrid wooden roller coaster located at Six Flags Darien Lake. It was designed by Curtis D. Summers and built by Dinn Corporation and opened on May 25, 1990. ^[1]

Renovations and upgrades

In 2001, part of the queue line was removed to make way for an expanded seating area for a nearby food stand.^{[ citation needed ]} At the end of the summer of 2006, a major re-tracking took place and some wood was replaced on the ride to help make it more enjoyable for guests.^{[ citation needed ]}

In 2010, Six Flags Darien Lake purchased 12 Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters (PTC) articulated cars from Holiday World, where they had been previously used on The Voyage. ^[2] These trains replaced the original trailered PTC trains, which were known to provide an extremely rough ride experience.^{[ citation needed ]} The Predator was the last roller coaster to operate with trailered PTC trains. ^[3]

In 2020, it was revealed that Great Coasters International would be replacing large sections of The Predator's track with their steel Titan Track. ^[4]

In 2022, Predator received its first section of Titan Track, approximately 250 feet (76.2 m). It received 200 feet (61 m) more in 2023, over 360 feet (110 m) in 2024, and nearly 370 feet (113 m) in 2025. ^[5]

References

1. Rook, Christine Leta (May 25, 1990). "The Predator is set to pounce in Darien". Democrat and Chronicle. D&C Staff Writer. Retrieved February 14, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
2. Ben Beagle (May 8, 2010). "Coasters get new look, upgrades at Darien Lake". The Daily News. Archived from the original on February 3, 2013. Retrieved Dec 29, 2011.
3. Dave Althoff, Jr. "How Roller Coaster Cars Work (or don't)". Archived from the original on February 5, 2012. Retrieved Dec 30, 2011.
4. Coaster Nation (November 8, 2020). "Six Flags Darien Lake's Predator To Receive New Titan Track". Coaster Nation. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
5. Attractions, Skyline (2023-05-27). "Predator Titan Track – Six Flags Darien Lake (New York, USA 🇺🇸), 2022-2024". Skyline Attractions, LLC. Retrieved 2025-02-16.