Rezensionen • Spokker Jones

A fine ride, but I enjoy the other RMCs in CA and Texas more because they lack the dead spot in the middle, Twisted Colossus rarely duels for me, and ...

A fine ride, but I enjoy the other RMCs in CA and Texas more because they lack the dead spot in the middle, Twisted Colossus rarely duels for me, and other rides feel more complete. I think Magic Mountain could get away with having two I-Box RMC rides in the same park. This one for the duels, and another more complete ride with better pacing and more height.

I have a soft spot for old school Arrow coasters, and I loved this thing. I'm tall enough to escape the headbanging, and a hanging vine got me in the ...

I have a soft spot for old school Arrow coasters, and I loved this thing. I'm tall enough to escape the headbanging, and a hanging vine got me in the forehead, but it was surprisingly re-ridable. I loved every second of it.

Ride it at night! Goldrusher is what it is. Good for one ride on our typical visit to SFMM. But I added half a star as I recently took a night ride at...

Ride it at night! Goldrusher is what it is. Good for one ride on our typical visit to SFMM. But I added half a star as I recently took a night ride at Fright Fest. There are portions of this ride that are pitch black at night. It's darker than Space Mountain at times. It will give you a whole new take on this classic coaster.

Silver Bullet is justifiably maligned for its shallow first drop, which was necessitated by the requirement to clear footpaths and the lake. The coast...

Silver Bullet is justifiably maligned for its shallow first drop, which was necessitated by the requirement to clear footpaths and the lake. The coaster lacks its own self-contained space, and is built over existing park infrastructure. This makes for a very photogenic coaster that can be captured from almost every angle, but this has clearly affected its layout. Despite this, it's a big boy B&M invert, and delivers in most the areas a B&M invert is known for. It's quite a bit smoother than other B&M inverts in California and despite the lack of intensity, it offers a lot of fun with high re-rideability. Headbanging is minimal, and is more like a gentle tap. The high capacity (32 riders per dispatch) means that it often boasts one of the shorter waits in the park. The paint scheme is awful, though, and my family calls it the ketchup and mustard ride. It could use some new colors more appropriate for a western theme.

The surprise of my visit. It was my first ride on this type of coaster and I didn't realize how much I would enjoy it. I don't know why but the launch...

The surprise of my visit. It was my first ride on this type of coaster and I didn't realize how much I would enjoy it. I don't know why but the launch reminded me of a shuttle looper (Montezooma's Revenge). It meanders in a way that is related to the theme, the way a spirit might meander through the air. The theming is next level for a Six Flags park.

As I walked through the gates of Lagoon for the first time, I was still wondering why the heck I drove 10 hours to visit an old amusement park with po...

As I walked through the gates of Lagoon for the first time, I was still wondering why the heck I drove 10 hours to visit an old amusement park with portable coasters and state fair style flat rides. Cannibal is why. How this seasonal 100+ year old park in a state with little coaster presence managed to design (in-house no less) and build such an intimidating masterpiece is beyond me. It defies belief. If you are cynical and coasters excite and frighten you no longer, Cannibal is the cure. To start, operations are blazing fast. The elevator ride to the top is unnerving and surprising, as it was the one aspect of the ride I didn't spoil for myself. The first drop is glorious, and puts many Gerstlauer's to shame. The first half of the coaster up to the brake run would have been a fine addition to any regional park. There are even shorter rides with one gimmick at the flagship parks. Not Cannibal. After the brake run, you enter a level of hangtime scientists once thought unimaginable. Then you cap it off with an intense helix, flying by rocks and a waterfall. It's all accomplished with incredibly smooth motions, ensuring that even if you drove halfway across the country for this one ride, you can get more than your fill before you leave. This is one for the ages, and I wonder if it's not ranked higher simply because it's so off the beaten coaster path.

If you're a Southern California native and have only ridden Silver Bullet, Flight Deck might be a revelation for you as it was for me. While Silver Bu...

If you're a Southern California native and have only ridden Silver Bullet, Flight Deck might be a revelation for you as it was for me. While Silver Bullet has about a thousand feet extra in length, Flight Deck comes equipped with a proper first drop and a level of intensity more befitting of a B&M invert. It's an oldie but goodie that probably won't be around for a while. I sarcastically added "tear it down" as a con, because that is what's going to happen once ProLogis decides to terminate the lease and tear down Great America. One can hope Flight Deck is relocated, but its age will be a massive barrier to that idea.