Gadget’s Go Coaster is an iconic roller coaster located at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. This beloved attraction has been thrilling visitors for decades and its construction was a major undertaking. Here is the story of how this beloved coaster came to be.
In the mid-1980s, Walt Disney Imagineering was looking for ways to expand their offerings at Disneyland. It was decided that a new roller coaster would be a great addition to the park. The goal was to create an exciting ride that could accommodate large numbers of guests, but also be exciting for young riders.
The design team at Imagineering began to brainstorm ideas for the coaster. After much discussion and consideration, they decided to create a coaster based on the popular Disney character Gadget Hackwrench from the movie “Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers”. This would be the first coaster to feature an animated character as the theme.
The Imagineers began to plan out the layout of the coaster, which would feature two launch points, a series of exciting drops and turns, and a thrilling finale with a vertical plunge. Once the layout was finalized, the next step was to begin construction.
The Imagineers had to first create the track using steel beams, which took several months to complete. Once the track was in place, the next step was to construct the station and queue line. The station needed to be large enough to accommodate a significant number of guests, so the Imagineers ensured that it was roomy and comfortable.
The queue line was also important to the design process, as it needed to be fun and engaging for guests. The Imagineers created a series of winding pathways, tunnels, and interactive elements, such as a robotic assistant, that guests could interact with while they waited in line.
After the construction of the station and queue line were complete, the Imagineers began to install the ride’s vehicles. The vehicles were designed to look like the character Gadget and featured the same colors and style of the character from the movie.
Once the vehicles were installed, the Imagineers tested and adjusted the ride until it was ready for guests. On opening day in June of 1989, Gadget’s Go Coaster was an instant hit. Since then, it has continued to be one of the most popular attractions at Disneyland and has been thrilling guests for decades.
The story of Gadget’s Go Coaster is a testament to the creativity and hard work of the Imagineers at Disney. From the unique ride vehicles to the interactive queue line, the coaster is a perfect example of how the Imagineers bring their ideas to life. This beloved roller coaster continues to be an iconic attraction at Disneyland, thrilling guests of all ages.
