Mayan Mindbender, Indoor steel roller coaster at Six Flags AstroWorld, Houston, US
Mayan Mindbender is a steel roller coaster in Amarillo, Texas, housed entirely inside a large pyramid-shaped building at Elkins Ranch amusement park. The trains run on a closed circuit through the dark interior of the pyramid, moving through a series of turns and twists.
The coaster was first built as Nightmare at Boblo Island in Michigan, then moved to Houston, Texas, where it ran under a different name. It was later relocated to Amarillo, where it received its current name.
The pyramid shell around the ride draws from the look of ancient Mesoamerican temples, giving the attraction a strong visual theme that stands out in the park. Inside, the near-total darkness means riders cannot see the track ahead, which makes every turn feel unexpected.
There is a height requirement for the ride, so visitors with younger children should check this before joining the line. Because the ride is fully indoors, it runs regardless of weather and is a reasonable option on hot or rainy days.
The coaster uses a drive wheel system to push the train through sections of the track, rather than relying only on gravity after the initial lift. This setup was uncommon for a ride of this scale when it was first built and remains a detail that most riders do not notice.
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