Wow. That was my first impression of the ride. Smiler at Alton Towers might just be the best of the compact coasters out there. The theme of this ride...
Wow. That was my first impression of the ride. Smiler at Alton Towers might just be the best of the compact coasters out there. The theme of this ride is the creepiest of any ride by far, even scarier than Oblivion just across the path. The marmaliser is truly a sight to behold as one may wonder how the engineers integrated such a huge sculpture in the middle of an already compact coaster. Then the optical illusion section indoors was very fun to look at. However once you approach the station everything takes a much darker turn as you hear audio cues regarding a "correctional process." The theme even continues through the exit path, which is a demented dark funhouse meant to throw off your senses once and for all. It is something straight out of an psychological horror movie and would never fly here in America. Regarding the ride, I find it to be a love it or hate it with most people. Personally I love it. The fact that fourteen inversions were incorporated into the layout and yet the ride doesn't seem repetitive the way some other looping coasters do. There are even two small bunny hops which help to break up the inversions even further. I absolutely recommend riding this at least once.
I didn't have the highest of expectations with Th13teen going in, and I found a good little coaster. I liked the tesla coil in the line that randomly ...
I didn't have the highest of expectations with Th13teen going in, and I found a good little coaster. I liked the tesla coil in the line that randomly turned on every so often. Much to my surprise Th13teen ran very smooth with no jarring whatsoever. It's very scenic slaloming through the woods, even if Runaway Mine Train did it better. The drop track for me was the highlight of the ride and seemed to yank riders down faster than gravity. Just as quickly as it started it ended. Give it a go.
This was the last coaster I rode at Alton Towers. I found Runaway Mine Train to be a great scenic ride that really lets you take in the forest and hil...
This was the last coaster I rode at Alton Towers. I found Runaway Mine Train to be a great scenic ride that really lets you take in the forest and hills of Alton Towers. This ride has only a buzz bar and it is a lot of fun sliding around in the bench seats. One part of the ride parallels Congo River Rapids and runs alongside it through a tunnel. It never has a long line, so ride it on your visit.
Out of all the coasters at Alton Towers, Rita had the longest line. If you want to ride Rita, I'd say do it first thing in the morning. As far as the ...
Out of all the coasters at Alton Towers, Rita had the longest line. If you want to ride Rita, I'd say do it first thing in the morning. As far as the ride goes it's quite good. Hydraulic launches are my favorite and Rita's kicks off the ride on a high note. After that intense launch the coaster goes into a figure eight pattern with floater airtime hills in between the turns. After a few of those the ride ends, however it doesn't feel short the same way some other rides (Oblivion) do. I'd say it's the sleeper hit of Alton Towers.
B&M's prototype dive machine is one of their weaker coasters (especially considering Air, another prototype is a much more complete ride). However tha...
B&M's prototype dive machine is one of their weaker coasters (especially considering Air, another prototype is a much more complete ride). However that does not stop the ride from being fun. The theming in this ride is incredibly dark. As you wait in line, a preshow plays of two men debating the safety of the ride. I absolutely love this type of sinister theme. The main part of the ride is the drop and being a dive machine the drop is great. As you enter the deep tunnel you will feel a good moment of intense positive g force. Unfortunately once you exit said tunnel the ride is over. It would have been nice to have at least another element before the brake run. It's not the greatest ride at Alton Towers, but you'll have fun.
It seems like B&M inverted coasters are everywhere. Normally they are huge steel coasters that can be seen from far away. Nemesis breaks that rule and...
It seems like B&M inverted coasters are everywhere. Normally they are huge steel coasters that can be seen from far away. Nemesis breaks that rule and spends its time low to the ground sweeping around the terrain. The theming on this ride is incredible from the blood red water to the monstrous design of the station. This coaster packs a mean wallop from start to finish and never lets up. A particularly intense moment comes in the beginning where the train spirals down into a trench, then hops up into a zero g roll. The vertical loop is also very intense. It is also a glossy smooth ride. In my opinion this is the greatest coaster at Alton Towers. Do not miss this one.
B&M Flying coasters are always good rides. That is exactly the case with the prototype, Air, at Alton Towers. Air isn't the most intense of the B&M fl...
B&M Flying coasters are always good rides. That is exactly the case with the prototype, Air, at Alton Towers. Air isn't the most intense of the B&M flying coasters but in my opinion captures the feeling of flight better than any coaster out there. Gliding over the hilly terrain of Alton Towers brings a smile to my face every time. I can't recommend this ride enough, it is very overlooked since it is located in the very back of the park. It really is an experience you won't forget.
A mountain coaster with a gorgeous setting in the rainforest. The layout stays low to the ground and hugs the terrain well. The Bobsled also has a few...
A mountain coaster with a gorgeous setting in the rainforest. The layout stays low to the ground and hugs the terrain well. The Bobsled also has a few moments of ejector airtime. When visiting Jamaica I'd say give it a ride. The one seater cars can lead to long lines though.
SkyRider was a pretty good coaster especially for an American TOGO. The ride had some pretty strong airtime, it wasn't too rough, and it completely po...
SkyRider was a pretty good coaster especially for an American TOGO. The ride had some pretty strong airtime, it wasn't too rough, and it completely powered through the layout once it hit the first drop. The awkward harnesses are difficult to get into and adjust but they aren't painful. If you want to ride this you'll have to visit its new home at Cavallino Matto in Italy.
This ride is the opposite of Minebuster. Whereas that one was a fun ride, Wild Beast is abysmal. In my opinion this is the worst wooden coaster ever c...
This ride is the opposite of Minebuster. Whereas that one was a fun ride, Wild Beast is abysmal. In my opinion this is the worst wooden coaster ever constructed. The entire train will jackhammer and shuffle through the layout. After the first drop there are no noteworthy elements. This is a prime candidate for Canada's first RMC hybrid conversion. Don't bother with this one.
Time Warp is an outdated remnant of the Paramount era that needs to be demolished as soon as possible. This ride is bad in every way possible. Startin...
Time Warp is an outdated remnant of the Paramount era that needs to be demolished as soon as possible. This ride is bad in every way possible. Starting with the incredibly low capacity of this ride. The line for this was even longer than the line at Fly. Once you get on the ride in an awkward step ladder position your locked in a cage pretty much and begin up the only smooth part, the spiral lift. As soon as you drop off the pain begins as your neck and head are bashed about like a schnitzel being tenderized. Each in line twist also presses your back into the cold hard metal cage. You will regret taking this ride. Don't even bother with it.
Another overlooked coaster at Canada's Wonderland is Mighty Canadian Minebuster. This ride is a replica of the Shooting Star which operated at Cincinn...
Another overlooked coaster at Canada's Wonderland is Mighty Canadian Minebuster. This ride is a replica of the Shooting Star which operated at Cincinnati's Coney Island. Going into this ride I had heard horror stories that this was one of the worst. I didn't find anything terrible about this ride. It's a fun out and back layout with floater airtime, it is not too rough, and it has a fun helix which is enclosed in a dark tunnel. On your next visit to the park, ride this. It's actually fun.
In my opinion this ride is the star of Canada's Wonderland. If B&M hypers are great rides, so too are their gigas. Leviathan has the same comfortable ...
In my opinion this ride is the star of Canada's Wonderland. If B&M hypers are great rides, so too are their gigas. Leviathan has the same comfortable seat and lap bar we all love. The rides first drop offers floater airtime all the way down into the tunnel. Unlike other B&M's which seem to die out before the end, Leviathan powers through its course never missing a beat. From great airtime moments on the speed hill and camelback to the hammerhead turn above the park's entrance plaza, this coaster looks good and rides good. It might be a short ride but that goes to show how good this ride is. This is the one ride you must do at Canada's Wonderland.
The Fly at Canada's Wonderland was the first of the Large Park Wild Mouse coasters from Mack. It's another often overlooked coaster at Canada's Wonder...
The Fly at Canada's Wonderland was the first of the Large Park Wild Mouse coasters from Mack. It's another often overlooked coaster at Canada's Wonderland. The lines can be long as it can only dispatch about eight passengers every 45 seconds. However once you ride it your treated to a fun first drop and the classic lateral filled turns we have all come to know and love. I recommend it if you can get there before the crowds do.
The B&M hyper is one of my favorite coaster models. Behemoth at Canada's Wonderland typifies what makes these rides just so good. The trains are the b...
The B&M hyper is one of my favorite coaster models. Behemoth at Canada's Wonderland typifies what makes these rides just so good. The trains are the best out there, they have open air, pedestal style seating with only a lap bar securing you in place. Behemoth naturally kicks things off with a great first drop. After the hammerhead turn there is a run of four airtime hills and each one is better than the last. The ride does die a bit with the helices but quickly recovers and delivers more airtime before the end. Don't miss this ride on your visit.
As far as Arrow loopers go I wasn't expecting a whole lot out of Dragon Fire but this one was just a good supporting coaster. One thing I appreciated ...
As far as Arrow loopers go I wasn't expecting a whole lot out of Dragon Fire but this one was just a good supporting coaster. One thing I appreciated was the absence of any rattle, the ride was running well for a then 31 year old Arrow. I also appreciate the Dragon statue out front of the ride, just a nice bit of theming. Don't overlook this ride, it's quite enjoyable.
Vekoma Boomerangs have to be one of the worst all around coaster models out there. How did these rides become such big sellers? They're capacity is ve...
Vekoma Boomerangs have to be one of the worst all around coaster models out there. How did these rides become such big sellers? They're capacity is very low and just about all of them find a way to inflict pain on the rider. Bat at Canada's Wonderland has a lot of headbanging in the backwards part of the ride as well as a little bit in the forwards part. Don't bother with this ride during your visit to Canada's Wonderland.
