The Dad: This ride is unbelievable and lived up to the hype for me. That it sits 45 minutes from my house at a really (I mean "really") small park wit...
The Dad: This ride is unbelievable and lived up to the hype for me. That it sits 45 minutes from my house at a really (I mean "really") small park with carnival rides as your alternatives is almost too odd to be true...but it meant no lines, low cost, and easy access to a top 10 coaster on the planet. I have to imagine Fun Spot is seeing the long view with this investment. I hope they keep this coaster to standard over time as it is truly a gem. We went on 4 rides in 75 minutes and could have done twice as many if we didn't take some breaths in between rides. I have it below Steve and above Twisted Timbers and Lightening Rod as my #2 RMC...we'll see where Iron Gwazi lands in a couple of weeks after a trip to Tampa. The first hill is awesome and the pacing across a plethora of high intensity elements from the first hill to the finish is just brilliant. That a record setting zero G-stall is the most sedate moment after the lift hill should tell you everything. It is packed with fantastic elements from start to finish, it never relents and the outward-banked airtime hill rivals Steve as the #2 moment I've ever had on a roller coaster (behind I305's first drop.) The front was more fun than the back for my daughter and I...it's smooth and silky no matter where you sit. The staff and operations were really top notch as well.96/100 from me. The Daughter: one less hill at the end would have been just fine (5 would do it.) The lap bar had me thinking I would fly out at any moment (she weighs 60 lbs). The first hill and the upside down part were both amazing...the first hill was my favorite part, especially from the front seat. My #1 RMC ahead of Twisted Cyclone (my only other at the time of riding.) It trails Hagrid's as my favorite coaster, but I loved this just the same.
We jumped on Thunderhead to start the day and came back to it for multiple rides towards the end of my first Dollywood experience. While we came to th...
We jumped on Thunderhead to start the day and came back to it for multiple rides towards the end of my first Dollywood experience. While we came to the park with our eyes set on other coasters (that also delivered), Thunderhead really brought a unique intensity and fun factor. It's fantastic modern wooden coaster that's easily overlooked in a park with many other enjoyable rides. But don't miss this one...simply too much fun and the only coaster whose capacity and appeal enabled 4+ rides in the same day. UPDATE after recent visit - Thunderhead was even better than I remembered. I've yet to hit Mystic Timbers, which sound like stands in a class of its own - for the moment, Thunderhead is my favorite CGI by a distance. Love the pacing and intensity. Night ride added to the experience.
This was my 4th B&M Invert of the summer after Raptor, Afterburn, and a Batman clone. I must say, I really liked it despite the novelty being a bit wo...
This was my 4th B&M Invert of the summer after Raptor, Afterburn, and a Batman clone. I must say, I really liked it despite the novelty being a bit worn out. The setting, theming and views were much better than the other rides (2 of 3 look out over a parking lot) and Alpengeist had just a little bit more speed, height, intensity. Yes, it runs out of energy at the very end, but I don't need a coaster to come flying into the station to be considered a good ride. Unlike the other B&M invert rides, where I ironically preferred the front despite the poor views, I found the back to be where it was at on Alpengeist.
A really strong effort for a family coaster with solid theming, some nice twists and turns including multiple helixes (I think), and an extended durat...
A really strong effort for a family coaster with solid theming, some nice twists and turns including multiple helixes (I think), and an extended duration that weaves into the quarry setting and keeps you engaged throughout.
Amazing theming and a pretty solid launch get this ride experience out of the gates in a very strong way. Unfortunately, I found the rest of the ride ...
Amazing theming and a pretty solid launch get this ride experience out of the gates in a very strong way. Unfortunately, I found the rest of the ride to be quite forgettable. Lots of twists and turns, but nothing that spikes the heart rate as I would've hoped. Its a fun ride but not fantastic.
This was my first floorless B&M and I didn't enjoy it very much. For whatever reason, I found myself a bit woozy and disoriented coming away from the ...
This was my first floorless B&M and I didn't enjoy it very much. For whatever reason, I found myself a bit woozy and disoriented coming away from the ride. That could've been my fault as we were really pushing the limits throughout the day with Seaworld and SFFT stops. In terms of the ride itself, there are a lot of intense elements included throughout the layout, but I didn't find that any brought the kind of peak intensity that separates the best coasters from the rest. "The volume never got any higher than a 5-6" and for a top tier ride, I want at least one or two elements that hit a volume intensity of a 9 or 10. There was also a high degree of headbanging on the restraints, which didn't help...
I'm not sure the Raptor-track RMCs are for me. I enjoyed Golden Lasso and Jersey Devil before it, but I don't love the experiences. There is a lot of ...
I'm not sure the Raptor-track RMCs are for me. I enjoyed Golden Lasso and Jersey Devil before it, but I don't love the experiences. There is a lot of intensity packed into a short ride and small frame, but there's little-to-no build-up or even ability to anticipate what's around the next corner as a result of the design. I'm also seriously concerned with how long these coasters will hold up as there are notable rattles and visible track wear-and-tear already evident. The right bend and first drop are a really enjoyable way to start the ride and Golden Lasso is distinct from just about anything else I've been on, including Jersey Devil. But it's a "good not great" from my view.
Steel Eel is highly under-appreciated in my view. I quite liked it. I haven't been on other Morgan rides, but I get the sense they all get an unfair w...
Steel Eel is highly under-appreciated in my view. I quite liked it. I haven't been on other Morgan rides, but I get the sense they all get an unfair wrap. Granted, the lap bars, train comfort and airtime hills are not as smooth as similarly sized B&M's. But I was ready for pronounced dead spots and back-breaking transitions based on what I'd read - and neither of these things occurred on any meaningful level. The first drop is great, the third air-time hill is really great, the turnaround/right-banking drop was solid and the rolling camelbacks are good. There is a slight "stutter" consistently felt in the air-time transitions, but the airtimes themselves were really enjoyable. Friendly operators, high re-ridability, a pleasant setting, and a striking color palate are added pluses. Steel Eel won't win any awards, per se (and I don't believe it has), but it's a really solid, steel coaster nonetheless.
Standard Batman clone. It's never a "bad" experience, but the novelty has worn off a little as I've been on a few in the last month (SFGA, SFOG). The ...
Standard Batman clone. It's never a "bad" experience, but the novelty has worn off a little as I've been on a few in the last month (SFGA, SFOG). The wear and tear on this one were more pronounced than I'd seen or felt on others. But the Great White name/theming is a nice change of pace and certainly proper for a SeaWorld version.
A "good" ripping and rocking woody from GCI. I only went on it once and while it seemingly had all the elements of other CGI's I've enjoyed, it was "f...
A "good" ripping and rocking woody from GCI. I only went on it once and while it seemingly had all the elements of other CGI's I've enjoyed, it was "fine" and nothing more for me. There was no one else on the ride as the park was quite empty and this tempered the energy and enthusiasm surrounding our ride. I suspect my anticipation for Iron Rattler (which we rode later in the day) muted my interest as well. There's nothing wrong with it, but my experience was a step below my favorite GCI, Thunderhead. I do believe I owe it another go at some point...could have just been an off-day.
This coaster is not meant to blow your socks off and it doesn't. But it's really nice intro to intensity for younger audiences and delivers a really f...
This coaster is not meant to blow your socks off and it doesn't. But it's really nice intro to intensity for younger audiences and delivers a really fun experience front-to-back for all riders. The two-launches and the over-the--water setting were highlights. Again, not going to push the boundaries of intensity for anyone, but I don't see how you exit this ride without a smile on your face.
I've been on this ride multiple times over 30 years...I've always enjoyed it much more than Space Mountain. It's not going to set any records, but it'...
I've been on this ride multiple times over 30 years...I've always enjoyed it much more than Space Mountain. It's not going to set any records, but it's pretty good by Disney standards and watching my wife and daughter enjoy it together adds greatly to it's allure for me personally.
This is a pretty typical Arrow from the 80's where there are clearly advances to pioneering coasters and multiple elements included in the ride - but ...
This is a pretty typical Arrow from the 80's where there are clearly advances to pioneering coasters and multiple elements included in the ride - but it's not very comfortable and while it's enjoyable, it doesn't hold up to today's more dynamic coasters of scale. I liked it nonetheless. I won't seek it out again, but if I'm passing through and the lines are short, I'd give it another whirl.
A better ride than I anticipated...not the best woody I've ridden, but certainly not awful. I went on it over 3 months ago and I thought I'd captured ...
A better ride than I anticipated...not the best woody I've ridden, but certainly not awful. I went on it over 3 months ago and I thought I'd captured the review in a more timely manner. Unfortunately, I don't remember too many details beyond a solid first drop and some nice airtimes - potentially telling that the ride wasn't that memorable. But I do remember my first thought being that is was pretty fun given I had low expectations.
I loved Nitro. I've been on a bunch of B&M hypers over the past year and while they are tamer than some of your top-end RMC's and Intamin rides, they ...
I loved Nitro. I've been on a bunch of B&M hypers over the past year and while they are tamer than some of your top-end RMC's and Intamin rides, they consistently deliver quality riding experiences and they are by no means devoid of intensity. Nitro was a nice change of pace vs. El Toro and Kingda Ka. And while it's similar to other B&M hypers that I've ridden, it was not the same - it has it's own personality and a few tricks up its sleeve that I found to be great coaster elements (i.e. left bank turn coming out of the first camelback hill, elevating spiral.) Yes the trims can put a damper on things at the end, but the airtimes I experienced prior were fantastic and the lake setting was a nice added touch. Nitro did look like it could use a paint job, but that's me splitting hairs...this is a top-tier B&M hyper in short - really accessible and enjoyable.
My first RMC raptor track coaster...I really liked it, but didn't love it. I found Jersey Devil (and likely it's counterparts) to be an innovative an...
My first RMC raptor track coaster...I really liked it, but didn't love it. I found Jersey Devil (and likely it's counterparts) to be an innovative and unique concept that enables you to experience some of the best elements felt on RMC I-Box coasters in a more compact frame/smaller real-estate footprint. Capacity was not an issue on the day I went as the lines were short (not surprising in November.) The first drop is great. The inversions are great. The zero-g stall is especially great. And the devil theming is pretty cool looking. But it's not as glass smooth and just not in the same league as the newer I-Box coasters (Arie Force, Wildcat's Revenge, Iron Gwazi), which is fine. It's still a really, really, really good coaster...just not great.
My goodness. El Toro is no joke. We opened and closed our day at SFGA with it and while I thought it would feel tamer on the second go-round, especial...
My goodness. El Toro is no joke. We opened and closed our day at SFGA with it and while I thought it would feel tamer on the second go-round, especially after hitting all the other big rides at the park, the second ride actually felt more intense. It almost seemed like the ride was angry at us for daring to underestimate it. Even the wheels were screaming at us! El Toro is aptly named, that's for sure. In terms of the ride elements, it's pacing is relentless. You fly up the lift-hill (I love this from intense Intamin coasters), the first drop is great, but it's the two subsequent camelbacks and resulting airtime that are the seminal elements on the ride. Our second ride was also a night ride and it made every twist and turn seem exceptionally forceful. I've seen many reference how rough El Toro has become. For me, the front was far rougher than the back. The back was fine, the front was barely tolerable. I came as close to blacking out as I've ever felt on a coaster before. I can only imagine how great this ride was in its early days. But two decades in, El Toro still brings it big time!
This ride got it all started for me - back in 1982 when my love for roller coasters was born. I grew up 15 minutes from Hersheypark, but Hershey didn'...
This ride got it all started for me - back in 1982 when my love for roller coasters was born. I grew up 15 minutes from Hersheypark, but Hershey didn't have anything that could compare to the Loch Ness Monster - not at the time. I rode it for the first time when I was 7 years-old and I was simultaneously terrified and enraptured. My father and I still talk about this first ride together nearly 40 years later. As a result, my review is surely enhanced by the nostalgic lens through which I'll always see this ride...but in my mind, the ride was perfect. I rode it again a few times over the years and it never disappointed. I'm going to give a go again in a few weeks...my last ride was in 1993 - I hope it still holds up.
Goodness, this ride gave me more of a thrill than I was expecting. And I don't think I was alone. The screams coming off Tempesto surpassed anything I...
Goodness, this ride gave me more of a thrill than I was expecting. And I don't think I was alone. The screams coming off Tempesto surpassed anything I heard on Apollo's Chariot and rivaled Pantheon. I realize it's a clone and may lack for originality, but as my first of this type of coaster (Sky Rocket II), it gave me everything I was looking for and packed quite a punch. If only it could be a little longer.
This ride has a fantastic location within the park and looks like it could have something special going on from the outside lookin in. Alas, it does n...
This ride has a fantastic location within the park and looks like it could have something special going on from the outside lookin in. Alas, it does not. I also found it really uncomfortable as my knees were bashed the entire ride. Granted, I have fairly long legs at 6'3". There were some little ones screaming/enjoying it - which is why I didn't give it a "Tear it down" con. Someone enjoys it...it just wasn't me. Feels like the real-estate and space could be leveraged to create something much more interesting.
This was a bad wild mouse hidden in the dark. The kids might enjoy it, so I'm sure it has a role in the park's broader vision, but I was really underw...
This was a bad wild mouse hidden in the dark. The kids might enjoy it, so I'm sure it has a role in the park's broader vision, but I was really underwhelmed.
In spite of all the hype over nearly two decades, you can’t really be prepared for Kingda Ka the first time you ride it. It felt more like a NASA or S...
In spite of all the hype over nearly two decades, you can’t really be prepared for Kingda Ka the first time you ride it. It felt more like a NASA or SpaceX tryout than a rollercoaster. What an incredible experience!
This coaster brought me out of retirement and introduced me to a whole new generation of thrills and intensity. For that, I will always hold Incredibl...
This coaster brought me out of retirement and introduced me to a whole new generation of thrills and intensity. For that, I will always hold Incredible Hulk in a special place in my heart. I had not been on a coaster in nearly 20 years when I went on this back in 2022. I also had not experienced nor was I even aware of a launch component - and experiencing it for the first time was absolutely amazing. I've ridden it 4-5 times since and objectively speaking, it continues to deliver with nearly the same intensity every time. I really can't find a flaw in this ride...the theming is great, the audio is great, the launch is top rate and the intensity across multiple inversions is awesome. Maybe I see it through rose-tinted lenses because it really brought me back into the coaster game. But I imagine even the most enlightened of coaster enthusiasts would have difficulty not enjoying this ride.
A nice twist on a mine ride - certainly more interesting than most. All-in-all, a commendable effort with some real thrill components that is undermin...
A nice twist on a mine ride - certainly more interesting than most. All-in-all, a commendable effort with some real thrill components that is undermined to a degree by some really uncomfortable transitions. Someone else used the word "janky" to describe the experience...and it really hits the nail on the head. Still, the pros outweigh the cons. I liked it quite a bit...
This is the best family-coaster at Dollywood. Really well thought, planned and located as an attraction. The launches and length are the best qualitie...
This is the best family-coaster at Dollywood. Really well thought, planned and located as an attraction. The launches and length are the best qualities when you remove all the theming (which is really strong.) But I would have liked to see the intensity taken up a few degrees - it's far less intense than Hagrid's or Cheetah Hunt, which is what I anticipated the ride to be similar to before riding. Long lines are pretty consistent throughout the day and time-saver options are limited, but while you may lose an hour waiting, you won't lose the day and it is worth it at least 1x on a visit to Dollywood.
A nice concept for a coaster with high production elements and theming. Relatively tame in terms of intensity, even for a family coaster with a couple...
A nice concept for a coaster with high production elements and theming. Relatively tame in terms of intensity, even for a family coaster with a couple tricks up its sleeve. Quite a hit for young riders, but a bit of a snooze compared to Big Bear, Mystery Mine and Dragonflier for most others (in my observation).
A profound nostalgia casts a spell on many enthusiasts that I couldn't quite grasp. This ride was not for me. It felt like an old, dated carnival ride...
A profound nostalgia casts a spell on many enthusiasts that I couldn't quite grasp. This ride was not for me. It felt like an old, dated carnival ride from my childhood.
My new favorite RMC…after a summer of great rides - Iron Gwazi has toppled SteVe, Lightning Rod, ArieForce One, Wildcat’s Revenge and Twisted Timbers ...
My new favorite RMC…after a summer of great rides - Iron Gwazi has toppled SteVe, Lightning Rod, ArieForce One, Wildcat’s Revenge and Twisted Timbers on my personal RMC faves list.
Among this amazing list of RMC’s, IG has a “next gear” that only Steel Vengeance can match and it’s length (a bit shorter) enabled re-ride-ability at a higher rate than SteVe.
The front seat was unbelievable as the view of what’s to come is a special ride, but the back is even better. The extra speed and forces experienced were notable…everything felt +20% more intense.
This ride is as advertised…Iron Gwazi more than lives up to the hype!
