Coaster reviews

Headbanging Discomfort Tear it down!

Lucky Luke? I’d hate to see what kind of coaster he comes up with when he isn’t lucky

Theming Disappointing! Layout

I remember being fairly disappointed by this ride when I first rode it in 2017. I was expecting something as forward-thinking and mind-blowing as Forbidden Journey and it really doesn't come close aside from the impeccable queue. However, this time I went in knowing what I was getting into, and I found it more fun as a result. There just isn't much thrill, a lot of it is just watching stuff happen on screens. However, the story is engaging and some of the ways that the onscreen elements interact with your car are really really cool and clever. I wish the USF side had a better attraction than this when IOA has both Hagrid's AND Forbidden Journey - two of the best rides in the country - but it's a fun ride that's worth a ride or two.

Theming Launch Fun

Good god, what a beautiful dark ride/coaster combo. This ride is incredible. Right from the start, it strikes a great balance between the campy atmosphere of a classic horror attraction and a genuinely creepy atmosphere. The false ending is one of my favorite moments in any attraction. The launch into Imhotep's mouth is also so great. Having been on the lamer Hollywood version several times in the last year or so, this one had even more impact. I love this ride so much, it's just near perfectly done.

Theming Launch Too short Disappointing!

Since I'm familiar with Florida's version of this ride, this ride is pretty lame in comparison. However, it's still a fun small coaster in the dark with some good effects. That ending sucks so bad though, why is it so abrupt??? They could have easily fit a better ending in that room. Update: Having been on this ride a bunch of times since becoming a pass holder at USH, I definitely am liking it more. I also have a direct comparison to it since I just got back from Florida. It's a fun ride, way lamer than Florida, but still with some pretty fun parts. Bumping it from 6/10 to 7/10.

Fun Too short

Not worth a considerable wait or anything, but I found this ride fun. It goes much faster than I expected and offers some mild thrills. Definitely the most "thrilling" kiddie coaster I've been on. Theming is fun, although pretty spare.

Theming Fun

While not as good as the one at Disneyland, this ride is an absolute blast. The theming, especially on the first lift hill and the exit, trumps the California one for sure, but the lack of music and the less stable track definitely hurt it. It's unclear to me if this coaster used to have the brilliant Michael Giacchino score that exists in Anaheim, but it wasn't present when I rode it. The rickety track simultaneously gives it more character but less comfort. Overall incredibly fun, but it just doesn't stack up to California's version. Also, no real difference in quality between the two sides in my opinion, they're just mirror images of each other.

Theming Fun

While not as good as the one at Disneyland, this ride is an absolute blast. The theming, especially on the first lift hill and the exit, trumps the California one for sure, but the lack of music and the less stable track definitely hurt it. It's unclear to me if this coaster used to have the brilliant Michael Giacchino score that exists in Anaheim, but it wasn't present when I rode it. The rickety track simultaneously gives it more character but less comfort. Overall incredibly fun, but it just doesn't stack up to California's version. Also, no real difference in quality between the two sides in my opinion, they're just mirror images of each other.

Theming Rattle Discomfort

I really like this ride for the fact that you get to choose your music. It's a cute gimmick. However, the rattle has gotten reaaaallly bad recently. I last went on this in 2018 and back then I didn't really think about stuff like this, so I couldn't tell you if it was rattling this bad back then - it's not as bad as something like Scream at SFMM, where I think anyone would notice it. However, it's really uncomfortable. It's a shame because the layout seems pretty cool, the music selection is outdated but still decent, and the surrounding scenery is nice. But it's just not very enjoyable in it's current state.

Headbanging

This is a decent family coaster and would be a great introduction to inverted roller coasters for new riders. The headbanging on this one is very real and very rough so you'll have to inform new riders of its roughness. The layout is pretty basic with no inversions but has enough height to make it seem somewhat quick. It really is a fairly relaxing ride but also very short. 1.5/5 stars

First Drop Smoothness Dead spots Layout

Aside from the 2 drops, there is not much else to the ride. The drops are fantastic and give loads of airtime. It is extremely smooth, no rattle on either of my 2 rides. However, the Immelmann and the other elements were completely forceless. This is a ride you do once or twice and then move on.