A Parachute Drop is a Thrill Ride included in the Soaked! expansion pack for RollerCoaster Tycoon 3.
In Real Life[]
The Parachute Drop is modeled after and based on Intamin manufactured towers of the same name (Intamin Parachute Drop), which operated at many parks. While intamin developed the ride, Six Flags purchased three of these rides. Two models from Six Flags parks were removed due to a decrease in popularity and age, leaving the one remaining ride at Six Flags Great Adventure the only one operating in America. They were inspired and derived by/from the Coney Island's Parachute Jump tower in New York.
The first ride opened at Six Flags Over Texas in 1976 as the 'Texas Chute Out', standing at 200 ft. tall, towering over the Six Flags Over Texas skyline, it was the first of it's kind to be built, named as the first "modern" parachute drop ride, it was filled in as the gap for the Sky Hook which was removed and replaced by the Oil Derrick. The ride opened with 12 chutes which are lifted by cables which then float up and down. Originally the ride came with 'stand up vehicles', they were removed in the mid 1990s to prevent riders from jumping up and down and then replaced by sit down vehicles. A similar ride opened at Six Flags Over Georgia in 1976 as well, named as the 'Great Gasp', much like the Texas Chute Out, it was a masterpiece of engineering at the time. It towered over Six Flags Over Georgia and remained as the beacon of the park throughout it's lifespan. The tower also held antennas for in-park radio communications. Another similar ride opened at Six Flags Over Mid-America (Now Six Flags St. Louis) in 1978 as the 'Sky Chuter'. It was slightly taller compared to the previously mentioned parachute rides (Texas Chute Out and Great Gasp). It operated at Six Flags over Mid-America until the fall of 1982, when it closed and was removed to make way for upcoming ride, Thunder River Rapids. The ride was dissassembled and relocated to Six Flags Great Adventure for the 1982-1983 season. It reopened in 1982 as the 'Parachuter's Perch' when it opened at Six Flags Great Adventure. It was the tallest ride in the park from 1983 until 2005 when Kingda Ka surpassed it's height. It was renamed the 'Edwards Airforce Base Jump Tower Parachute Training Center' to fit the theme of the park.
Throughout their lifespan, the popularity for both towers dwindled, as new attractions came into play (Superman Tower of Power at Six Flags Over Texas and Acrophobia at Six Flags Over Georgia). On August 14, 2005, the Great Gasp closed permanantly after 30 years of operation, on the last days, riders were given 'Last Gasp' pins to give tribute to the then legendary ride. The following days, the Great Gasp was dismantled and removed from the park, where it stood now stands the Goliath roller coaster. It has been stated that parts of the Great Gasp were sent to Six Flags Over Texas to ensure the Texas Chute Out would stay in operation for the next few years. The Texas Chute Out suffered the same fate throughout it's later years. On August 2, 2012, it was announced that the last chance to ride the Texas Chute Out would be on September 3, 2012. On the exact day, it was announced that it would be the final day of operation for the Texas Chute Out, in need for a new ride in the works. The ride was closed on September 3rd, and was demolished with explosives on October 10, 2012 to make room for a new ride, the Texas Skyscreamer, a 400 ft. Funtime Starflyer which is twice as tall as the Texas Chute Out.
Unlike the Texas Chute Out and Great Gasp, the Parachute ride at Six Flags Great Adventure still operates to this day, and remains an icon of the park, giving guests and riders a whole view of the park.