Kiddy Hawk
Kiddy Hawk is a Suspended Family Coaster designed and built by Vekoma located at Carowinds and opened in 2003.[1] The roller coaster is located in the Celebration Plaza section of the park. Originally, it opened as Rugrats Runaway Reptar, themed to the Nickelodeon animated television series Rugrats and its two-part episode "Runaway Reptar". Following Cedar Fair's acquisition of Carowinds in 2006, it was eventually re-themed in 2010 to the Snoopy vs. the Red Baron comic strip series in the 1960s by Peanuts creator Charles Schulz, undergoing a name change in the process. Then it was renamed Kiddy Hawk for the 2018 season.
| Kiddy Hawk | |
|---|---|
| Previously known as Rugrats Runaway Reptar, Flying Ace Aerial Chase | |
_01.jpg.webp) | |
| Carowinds | |
| Location | Carowinds |
| Park section | Celebration Plaza |
| Coordinates | 35.102070°N 80.940689°W |
| Status | Operating |
| Opening date | March 22, 2003 |
| Kiddy Hawk at Carowinds at RCDB Pictures of Kiddy Hawk at Carowinds at RCDB | |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Steel – Family – Inverted |
| Manufacturer | Vekoma |
| Model | Suspended Family Coaster 342m |
| Lift/launch system | Tire propelled lift hill |
| Height | 49 ft (15 m) |
| Length | 1,122 ft (342 m) |
| Speed | 26 mph (42 km/h) |
| Inversions | 0 |
| Duration | 1:30 |
| Capacity | 650 riders per hour |
| G-force | 2.2 |
| Height restriction | 44–76 in (112–193 cm) |
| Trains | Single train with 10 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in a single row for a total of 20 riders per train. |
 Must transfer from wheelchair | |
History
When Rugrats Runaway Reptar became so immensely popular at Paramount's Kings Island, the then-owners, Paramount, decided to build a copy of the ride at Carowinds. Rugrats Runaway Reptar opened in 2003 at Paramount's Carowinds as a direct clone as the one found at Kings Island, the only difference being the color of the shoulder restraints. From 2010 through 2017, the ride was named Flying Ace Aerial Chase. For the 2018 transition from Planet Snoopy to Camp Snoopy, the name was changed to Kiddy Hawk, and was re-painted light blue and tan. It was also moved out of the kids area and into Celebration Plaza.
Ride layout
As the train comes out of the station, it makes a 90 degree turn to the right and starts up the tire drive lift hill. As the train exits the lift hill, it is sent on a double helix to the left. From there, the train makes its way under the lift hill and over to the top of the station, making the riders feel as if they could touch it with their feet. Then it turns right and travels alongside of the lift hill and then turns right 180 degrees. At this point the train is very close to the ground. Then, it turns 180 degrees to the left into the activating brakes.
References
- Marden, Duane. "Kiddy Hawk (Carowinds)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved September 12, 2010.