The Octotron is ready to come to life - at last.

The new thrill ride is scheduled to open this Sunday, Jan. 16, at Belmont Park. It was hoped to be up and thrilling by Christmas, but there were a few kinks that had to be worked out.

They were.

So get ready to, um, ride.

The wait will be well worth it, said Wendy Crane, manager of the San Diego Coaster Company, which operates the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster and other rides at the Mission Beach-based amusement park.

The Octotron will be the 11th ride. It cost about $1.1 million to buy and build. There are only two in the nation, the other being at the Mall of America in Minnesota

It's an eight-armed (hence the name) ride that whirls riders on a coaster-like track. But, in this case, the rider has control. He or she uses a joy stick to move forward and backward as well as control the speed of the spin.

"It goes pretty fast," said Crane, who's ridden it.

It'll cost $5 per ride. Riders have to be 48 inches tall at least to ride it. For more information, visit the website or call 858-488-1549.