Coaster reviews

After years of criticising B&M's efforts to try and get wide and wider trains to do a snappy turn, Yukon (finally) proves it's possible. Think of this as a looping coaster first - consider Canada's Wonderland best looper before Yukon was Dragon Fyre - and dive coaster elements as a bonus. The restraints will be an endless source of debate; for the looping portions they are better; for the drop they aren't quite so good as a conventional OTSR. Looks great both off-and-on ride, and the route is well thought out to interact with other rides. The main drop of course, really does look the part from on-ride; just wish it were possible to get clean air (as opposed to restrained air) on the way down... Someone go on, I dare you, do a dive machine with the clamshell restraints instead.

Inversions Intensity

An excellent post Senator Markey US G-limiting B&M, one that actually has a punch to it on day one. This one got an awful lot of re-riding. I can imagine after 10 years of breaking in it will have picked up a tad more speed. Underrated coaster; albeit it is sat in an uninspiring location.

Brutal, fast, thigh bruising and giggle inducing. This ride is definitely one for masochists, but happens to be an awful lot of fun. Final ride of our last visit went to Magnum. It is of course an utterly obsolete design, but the character flaws are what make this thing work it's magic. The first hyper, and easily the best of the Arrow's. Long may it continue.

Dire. I can find no redeeming feature of this ride. The exit, perhaps. Uncomfortable flying position compounded by a layout that does its best to jolt at every opportunity. I hear Stengel worked on the volare design - I can only assume that was in a capacity to check the safe operation of the ride than its actual content. Absolutely no desire to go on any of the others.the same as this even to just get the credit.

Compact B&M invert that is reasonably forceful. Not as intense as a batman clone, but probably better themed. Probably the best coaster at Thorpe Park.

Upped my score for this ride on re-riding today. Great first drop and fun run of intense inversions. Probably better than the adjacent wild eagle. It is a shame the revised Arrow / Alan Schilke looping coaster design didn't get a chance to be used more widely. I could reride this endlessly. Of course, by 1999 Arrow had already lost the market to B&M.

Location

Fun wing coaster in an excellent setting, with most of the layout hidden until you climb the lift. The first drop and initial climb are pretty intense. The main run of inversions are relatively mild. I'd take this over the Swarm, but Gardalands Raptor or CPs gatekeeper are better wing and inversion experiences respectively.

Airtimes Location Reliability

Elite-level use of terrain. Quick, smooth and plenty airtime - not of the Steel Vengeance verging on insanity variety. Launch is not all that powerful and crest of lift hill isn't the ejector seat that earlier reviews imply. Much fun to be had all the same and probably a top-20 ride. Reliability is still a problem, and probably always will be. Ride this early at all costs.

Fun family coaster, a step improvement over the earlier vekoma family inverts. Fast and smooth, while not being a total snoozefest.

Launch Pace Intensity Rattle Too short

My favourite coaster in the UK. Really intense launch and positives, ejector airtime in the front and back rows. Perfect level of intensity, I just wish it was longer.