Acrophobia is the latest version in a long-running series of attractions designed by Intamin that create the sensation of free fall.

The Giant Drop variant improved upon the original free-fall tower in numerous ways, most noticeably in its braking system.

This innovation provided a fail-safe braking system—no electricity is required to create the magnetic forces—and also allowed for a smaller footprint.

The ride's single round gondola would rotate during its ascent, providing a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside prior to the drop back to the ground.

Acrophobia was closed down on June 22, 2007, after an accident occurred on Superman: Tower of Power at Kentucky Kingdom when a 13-year-old girl had both of her feet severed by a faulty cable.

As it approaches the top of the tower, Acrophobia's second innovation is revealed—pneumatic pistons behind the harnesses tilt them outwards roughly 15 degrees past vertical.

The bulk of these features are concentrated at the base of the attraction; foremost among these is the tower's permanent magnet braking system.