Coaster reviews

Theming Inversions Ejectors Layout

Twisted Timbers is my least favorite of the RMC I-box coasters I've ridden, and yet it's still an outstanding coaster. My complaint is the coaster's design. Instead of using part of the layout like Twisted Cyclone, or increasing the height to make up for steel coasters not carrying momentum as well as wood coasters (Steel Vengeance), it does neither. It uses the whole layout, and is about the same height as Hurler. As such, the ride really runs out of steam about 2/3 of the way through. The forces stay quite good, but the train feels like it's struggling to get back to the station. In addition, this ride takes ages to load, and the ride ops do not hurry in the same way they did for SteVe. Lastly, though airtime alley is a great homage to Hurler, I ultimately find it uncreative for the kinds of layouts RMC has proven to be able to produce. I love the first drop and the first overbank. Other than that, this is standard RMC fare, and that is great fun. Sharp ejector airtime with smooth inversions and overbanks. Plus the theming is probably the best of any US RMC, especially paired with the similarly themed Apple Zapple.

Pace Intensity Smoothness

Whoever thought to combine Maverick and Millennium Force into one coaster was bonkers, and I don't know why they built it at Kings Dominion of all places, and yet here we are. Intimidator 305 is possibly the most intense roller coaster in the world. Huge positive Gs, enormous giga level speed, and relentless transitions all happen at the same time, and with the wind in your face in the front row, you'll be begging this ride for mercy. Thankfully, there are breaks of airtime between all of the intense moments, which is what makes this ride work, as it does have a little bit of remorse. The new soft collars are even better than the old ones, so my only complaint about this ride is now out the window. This coaster is absolutely ridiculous and will probably get torn down for a more tame B&M or Mack giga in the next 20 years, so let's enjoy it while it's still kicking our asses.

Theming Disappointing! Pointless Intensity

First of all, the queue is nicely themed (including a funny soundtrack) and the seats are quite comfortable. From a distance, the ride looks a little quirky and fun, but in fact, it is far more tame than you would expect because there is a brake every few metres slowing the vehicle drastically. The "freefall-like" segments are kind of castrated, so the ride provides not much more than rocking back and forth which feels rather uninspired...

Inversions Pace Layout

This is a good ride for sure. Forceful, smooth, compact, well paced, huge, and fun. But I will say this is my least favorite floorless. I think that unless you have a standup coaster layout, a floorless coaster is nothing without a kickass zero-g roll. Dominator is simply a very odd ride. It was plopped down as a leftover of Geauga Lake's slaughter and subsequent gutting, so it sits awkwardly as an offshoot of International Street. Fun, but definitely contributes to King Dominion's feeling of being dystopian Kings Island.

Fun Discomfort

Fun family coaster, but the trains are way too tiny.

Headbanging

I hate old Vekoma SFCs. How does a family coaster have headbanging? Please give this one Freedom Flyer trains.

Comfort Pointless

Just like Sidewinder but with theming. Best boomerang I've ever ridden and it's still only a little enjoyable.

Nice surprise! Pace Discomfort

Carolina Goldrusher lacks the scenery of most mine trains, but it's still a fun ride. Well paced and fun, but wow these seats are uncomfortable and tiny!

Airtimes Inversions Location Too short

I have a huge soft spot for Arrow loopers, and between all of the Cedar Fair parks, this Carowinds has the best one. It's smooth, pretty, well paced, and fun. Good first drop, two great loops, and very smooth double corkscrew. But it's the other touches I love. The hill between the loops and corkscrews had a surprise pop of airtime. The corkscrews go over the midway Cedar Point style. The helix was in a sort of trench, and was an element I wasn't expecting. And I adore a good helix. Overall, I hope that this and Cedar Point are the Arrow loopers that stick around, as they're the only record breakers of the CF Arrow looper bunch, and they're the best ride experiences, and the best looking on the park's landscape.

Lap Bar Intensity Hangtime Layout

This ride packs quite a punch, the forces in the valley are very high. Additionally, the long upside down passage is great fun with lapbars only, but the layout could have been longer and better (looking at Abismo...)