Beto Carrero World will cease operations of Star Mountain, which is the park's pioneering and oldest operating roller coaster in Brazil. The attraction will make its final run on September 13th, after operating for 32 years and welcoming approximately 35 million visitors.
Inaugurated in 1994, three years after the opening of Beto Carrero World, Star Mountain features a 730-meter track, reaches a speed of 60 km/h, achieves an altitude of 22 meters, and includes two loops. It was manufactured by the Dutch company Vekoma and has become an icon of the park, marking several generations of visitors.
Deactivation Decision
The decision to retire Star Mountain resulted from years of technical analyses. According to Beto Carrero's CEO, Alex Murad, the ride reached a stage where its maintenance required progressively more complex procedures.
Additionally, the park found that due to the attraction's age, certain international certifications, such as those issued by the German TÜV, might no longer be applicable to its structure.
Built in the early 1990s, Star Mountain used tracks produced with more artisanal and less precise methods compared to current standards, where development is done digitally and production employs equipment ensuring smoother travel.
This technological disparity is noticeable to visitors, as over time, Star Mountain began to exhibit more tremors during the ride, which is a natural effect of structural aging. Thus, the technical assessment concluded that ending operations was the most appropriate solution, rather than investing in new interventions to extend its lifespan.
After dismantling, the area occupied by Star Mountain will be transformed into a new themed area. Although the park has not yet disclosed the theme or name of this project, it was reported that it will be aimed at families and will be larger than the Galinha Pintadinha area, which will open in October.
This new project is underway and should be completed before the SpongeBob themed area, announced for 2028. This initiative is part of a cycle of investments of about R$ 2 billion in Beto Carrero, covering new attractions, themed areas, infrastructure improvements, and the construction of three hotels integrated into the complex.
The overall strategy aims to increase the variety of attractions that can please children, parents, and teenagers simultaneously, although thrill rides remain part of the park's profile.
New Phase of FireWhip
As Star Mountain bids farewell, another significant roller coaster at Beto Carrero undergoes a renovation. FireWhip, which is Brazil's first inverted roller coaster, will reopen on September 3rd, after a period of about three months of closure for a retrofit that cost over R$ 24 million.
This refurbishment included replacing the 502 meters of track and updating the operational systems. The new tracks were manufactured in Germany and, according to the park, maintain the same trajectory and speed as the original attraction but provide a smoother ride.
The goal of this modernization is to reduce vibration without compromising the adrenaline rush. With the renovation, FireWhip is expected to remain in the park for many years. Part of Star Mountain's tracks will be preserved by the park as a memory of the roller coaster that operated for 32 years at Beto Carrero World.