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Lex Luthor: Drop of Doom

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Lex Luthor: Drop of Doom
Company typeAmusement ride
IndustryAmusement parks
FoundedJuly 7, 2012; 14 years ago (2012-07-07)
Headquarters
Valencia, California
,
United States
ProductsDrop tower attraction
ParentSix Flags Magic Mountain

Lex Luthor: Drop of Doom is a drop tower attraction located at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California. This ride utilizes the existing framework of the now-retired[1] Superman: Escape from Krypton tower.[2][3]

Development and debut

On August 25, 2011, Six Flags Magic Mountain unveiled a "GoBigCam" teaser video hinting at a forthcoming 2012 attraction linked to Superman: Escape from Krypton. The park confirmed on September 1, 2011, that Intamin drop towers would be installed alongside the existing Superman tower.[2][4]

The closure of Superman: Escape from Krypton occurred on February 5, 2012, to facilitate the construction of Lex Luthor: Drop of Doom on the same structure, with intentions to reopen both concurrently.[5] By mid-March, electrical systems necessary for operating the drop tower were put in place.[6][7] Components for the lower sections of the tower were delivered on April 2, 2012.[8]

On April 12, helicopter airlifts transported ride segments to be mounted atop the 415-foot Superman tower.[9][10] Vertical sections were connected by early May,[11] and full assembly was completed by mid-May.[12] Gondolas were attached by May 30 to initiate testing procedures.[13] Testing began on June 22 ahead of the official public launch on July 7, 2012.[14]

Operational history

In 2018, the ride incorporated a temporary virtual reality feature titled DC Super Heroes: Drop of Doom VR. Participants donned Samsung Gear VR headsets powered by Oculus, delivering a fully immersive 360-degree three-dimensional experience. The VR storyline depicted a confrontation involving Lex Luthor, Superman, and Wonder Woman, with riders appearing suspended by Lex's anti-gravity ray gun above city skyscrapers before experiencing the drop. This addition represented Six Flags Magic Mountain's second venture into VR attractions following The New Revolution.

Queue

Visitors enter a setting designed as Lexcorp headquarters, featuring promotional posters highlighting Lex Luthor's enterprises such as LexAir, LexPower, Lexcom, and Lexcorp itself. Within the queue area are blueprints for weaponry and an exhibit showcasing Lex’s Power suit. Pre-recorded messages from Lex Luthor greet guests as test volunteers for his newest project, foreshadowing ominous developments. The path continues through a secured corridor decorated with corporate slogans and office doors, including one labeled Research & Development that functions as the Flash Pass entrance. After leaving the indoor section, guests walk a brief outdoor route leading to the loading platform. Additionally, a single rider line is positioned near the exit to facilitate efficient seating by ride operators.

Ride

Lex Luthor: Drop of Doom consists of two towers attached to the sides of the Superman: Escape from Krypton framework. Each tower operates a floorless gondola accommodating eight riders side by side, secured with over-the-shoulder harnesses. The gondolas are elevated by catch cars for roughly 60 seconds, reaching a height of . At the peak, riders listen to a pre-recorded message from Lex Luthor before undergoing a 5-second free fall, accelerating to speeds as high as . The weight of each gondola when empty is .

When both towers function at the same time, the shared steel structure may sway laterally up to .

Records

At its debut, Lex Luthor: Drop of Doom held the title of tallest drop tower globally, overtaking Dreamworld’s The Giant Drop on July 7, 2012. This record was later broken on July 4, 2014, by Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom located at Six Flags Great Adventure. Following Zumanjaro’s closure in 2024, Lex Luthor once again became the tallest drop tower in the world.

Height requirements

Riders must be a minimum of 48 inches (121 cm) tall to experience Lex Luthor: Drop of Doom. Each seat is equipped with an individual over-the-shoulder restraint system. Due to its considerable height, velocity, and intensity, Six Flags Magic Mountain designates this attraction as maximum thrill level rather than family-friendly. Persons suffering from acrophobia, high blood pressure, diabetes, epilepsy, pregnancy, or other medical conditions are advised against riding.

See also

External links

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  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Coaster Guy Update
  6. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Drop Tower construction
  7. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named LLDOD Panels
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  9. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named LLDOD Flys
  10. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named helicopter
  11. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Coaster Guy Update Vertical
  12. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Coaster Guy Update Done
  13. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Coaster Guy Update Train
  14. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named testing
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