Sesame Place Shows Off Construction Of Newest Roller Coaster

What was a parking lot last September is now the site of Sesame Place’s newest ride.

Over the past few months, the former VIP parking lot near the entrance to the Seaworld-owned amusement park in Middletown has been the site of a massive project to construct Oscar’s Wacky Taxi, hybrid wood and steel roller coaster that features twists, turns, and 1,200-feet of track.

Sesame Place officials opened the under-construction roller coaster to tours from the press and a group of engineering students Tuesday morning.

The roller coaster will begin with a “wacky” entrance that will have a resemblance to Central Park in New York City and pass a closed subway station. The closure of the subway station will push visitors toward the entrance where riders hop on Oscar’s taxi.

Chad Miller, a co-owner of ride creator Gravity Group, explained the ride and its safety features to reporters. He showed off the area where riders will load on and off of the taxi-themed cars. In addition, he showed off the 40-foot drop featured on the themed ride.

The wood that makes up a good portion of the roller coaster is treated to resist water damage and fungus, Miller said, adding it is certified to last decades.

Crews from Gravity Group will work with Sesame Place’s in-house team to maintain the ride, said Sesame Place Vice President of Maintenance and Engineering Henry Bachstein.

Sesame Place officials said the roller coaster is expected to be completed shortly after the park opens in April, but it will not be finished by opening day.

Construction started in early September and has progressed with crews working to ready the new ride in the colder months.

The roller coaster will be the second one at Sesame Place. The first roller coaster is Super Grover’s Vapor Trail and opened in 1998, marking the theme park’s first mechanical ride, officials said.

Bachstein said the new ride will make the theme park’s footprint slightly bigger, putting it just under 20 acres.

Jeff Davis, Sesame Place’ s vice president of operations, said the park is preparing to open a new dining area, family care center, and two quiet rooms for families with autistic kids who need break.