[1] Park officials had sought to increase the frequency of visitors with the opening of the roller coaster.

[3] The construction of Steel Eel was one of the many roller coasters announced by theme parks around the United States in a record high trend.

[8][9] The train departs the station making a left U-turn and ascends the 150-foot (46 m) chain lift hill.

Cresting the top, the train descends the first 150-foot (46 m) drop reaching its maximum speed of 65 miles per hour (105 km/h).

At the bottom of the drop, the train curves slightly to the left, ascending two camelback hills before entering the mid-course brake run.

Exiting the brake run, the train descends a 130-foot (40 m) drop at a right banked 44-degree curve before ascending another hill.

The initial drop has a 60 degree vertical angle, with the roller coaster exerting 3.5 g-forces to its riders.

[13] Upon opening, the roller coaster received generally positive reviews from critics and guests.