Thorpe Park has announced that the new Hyperia rollercoaster will open to the public on 24 May.
The 236-foot ride – the UK’s tallest rollercoaster – will feature a 90-degree twisting drop.
Media previews, as well as special rides for competition winners, will take place prior to the opening day, a Friday.
It is also expected to break the British speed record for a UK rollercoaster, exceeding the 80 mph top speed of Thorpe Park’s own Stealth ride.
The Mack Rides-built Hyperia was first aimed at opening at the start of Thorpe Park’s main season last weekend.
However, delays with the planning application meant that the construction period could not make up enough time.
Earlier this month, Thorpe Park has said that it was planning to open Hyperia before the end of spring, defined meteorologically as 31 May.
The ride has not yet tested with trains, making an announced opening date somewhat unusual.
Fast track
The ride will have a 1.3-metre height restriction for guests, lower than the usual 1.4-metre limit for Thorpe Park’s thrill rides.
It will also feature front row and single rider queues for guests.
Fast track will be offered for £20 to guests that spend over £100 in the ride’s new shop, and via other limited purchase-linked options.
The £18 million ride is being marketed as the UK’s “most weightless” rollercoaster.
That description is designed to convey the expected moments of zero and negative gravity, and also moments of so-called ‘hangtime’ through slow inversions.