From hidden records to superhero secrets, the Incredicoaster is full of surprises.

An iconic landmark in Disney California Adventure Park since 2001 (albeit with a slightly different design and entirely different name), the Incredicoaster has long been one of Disneyland Resort’s most thrilling attractions. The high-speed coaster makes guests feel like Dash, sending you flying at incredible speeds, with plenty of steep drops and surprises along the way.

But even if you’ve ridden the Incredicoaster dozens and dozens of times, you might not know every little detail about what makes this thrill ride so special. Below, we’re sharing facts that are as incredible as the coaster itself.

1. Before The Incredibles Arrived, This Coaster Had Generic Theming

While it’s hard to miss the bold red tunnels, sky-high hills, and sprawling white steel track of the Incredicoaster today, the previous iteration of this thrilling attraction was far more bland and basic. In fact, it was downright generic.

The Incredicoaster is, technically, an opening day attraction at California Adventure. Back in 2001 when the park opened, it was called California Screamin’. And since the ride sat in an area that was then known as Paradise Pier, it was meant to evoke the look and feel of the traditional wooden coasters found in beachfront amusement parks of the 1920s.

In an effort to make California Screamin’ feel like a classic from another era, its theming was pretty simple. Though it was a modern steel roller coaster, its design was meant to invoke the same pattern of true wood supports. 

There was one standout detail that many fans (myself included) miss from the more generic California Screamin’ years, though: the gigantic Mickey Mouse silhouette behind the coaster’s inverted loop.

The launch system for the Incredicoaster is quite unique. Photo by Jaysen White

2. There’s No Lift Hill on the Incredicoaster (That’s Why It’s So Fast!)

With two steep hills – and subsequent drops – and a design inspired by traditional wood roller coasters, you’ve probably assumed that the Incredicoaster relies on classic coaster technology, too. But it doesn’t.

Unlike most roller coasters of the same style, the Incredicoaster doesn’t rely on a slow-moving lift hill to pull the ride vehicles up. Instead, it utilizes a hydraulic launch system, which shoots guests upwards at an impressive speed on both of the hills.

In fact, that hydraulic launch is one of the ride’s most memorable details. After Dash counts down, riders blast off from 0 to 55 miles per hour in just 4 seconds. That makes it the fastest ride at Disneyland Resort – and one very thrilling way to start to an attraction.

3. The Incredicoaster Holds Some Impressive Records

If the Incredcoaster looks and feels pretty well, incredible, you’re not alone. It’s one of Disneyland Resort’s most impressive rides – and it’s a record-breaker, too.

With a track that stretches all along Pixar Pier, reaching a total distance of 6,072 feet long, the Incredicoaster currently holds the record for the longest roller coaster ever built at any Disney Park worldwide. It beats out Expedition Everest, the longest coaster at Disney World, by more than 1,600 feet.

This impressive length also makes the Incredicoaster the third longest steel roller coaster in the United States and the seventh longest in the world. 

Additionally, the Incredicoaster is the tallest roller coaster at any Disney Park, with a maximum height of 122 feet. Expedition Everest, once again, comes in second here – but its highest point sits at 112 feet, 10 feet shorter than the Incredicoaster.

Photo by Brian Shih

4. The Incredicoaster Is Disneyland’s Only Inverted Loop Coaster

Lastly, if you’re a coaster enthusiast who loves the most extreme thrills, most of the attractions at Disneyland and California Adventure are pretty tame. The Incredicoaster is a standout, though – it’s the only ride here that features a full upside-down loop, taking guests truly upside down as they speed around Pixar Pier.

So, while Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Space Mountain might be fast, there really is nothing quite like the Incredicoaster in these two theme parks.