Coaster reviews

I rode this when they had the trains turned around backwards. I believe I remember correctly that the right side was backwards and the left was forward. Forward was good. Backwards, in the last seat, was epic. It did exactly what we all want all coasters to do--it just delivered fun. I literally laughed the entire time. I had to wipe tears of joy off my face after every ride. I believe we rode it 10 times in one weekend. It was one of the best ride experiences I have ever had.

I rode this when they had the trains turn around backwards. I believe the right side was running backwards and the left side was normally. Forward it is just a nice, classic, John Allen goodness coaster. Decent speed, decent hints of air--overall a very decent coaster.

By far the best stand up I have ever ridden. These are dying breed, as most of them were crazy uncomfortable, but this one, if you load into your "seat" correctly by crunching down a tiny bit to give your crotch some space, is wonderfully comfortable. This is smooth and provides air a few times. Great ride.

Great coaster. Very good launch that sends up the first hill with a nice pop of air. From there you have no idea where you are going as it twists and winds around itself through a heavily wooded area that you can not see from anywhere in the park. The first ride is a total mystery. It remains fast and smooth throughout. Good times for sure.

Ejectors Rattle Headbanging Discomfort

I rode this back in '89 when this was brand new and one of the best coasters on the planet. I didn't ride it again until about 2006. It didn't age well. It was super rough. I rode it again the last time I was there around 2016. My nephew left the ride literally bleeding. It is horrible. If it didn't hurt so bad, it would be comical how rough it was. This needs major repairs to be good again.

Capacity Lap Bar Smoothness

I was really looking forward to this. We rode it twice and had no desire to ride it again--even with less than 5 minute wait times. It was quite a disappointment. It is just too good to be fun. By that I mean it is liquid smooth, but it lacks intensity. Yes, it is tall and yes it is fast, but it feels almost a bit lethargic. I didn't experience any of the awesome floater air I was anticipating. They don't let you choose where you sit anymore--which is truly a terrible decision, but we got lucky on the first ride and got the back row. It just didn't deliver. I wanted to ride in the front to see if it is better, but I didn't get a chance as you have to sit where they tell you. We got our second ride about 3-4 rows back from the front. Equally disappointing. It is in a completely different class than Goliath at SFOG. Goliath is way, way better. On paper they are very similar, but Diamondback just doesn't do much. No air. No intensity. Without those, what is the point?

Capacity Fun Smoothness

Excellent ride to be sure. One of the best. I don't think I like it quite as much as Raptor or Montu, but it is fantastic. It lets up a tiny bit towards the end, but that is both a good and bad thing. You go through the last twist inversion at a very slow pace--which is pretty cool. This isn't quite as aggressive or intense as a Batman, or the two above, and perhaps that is why it isn't my alltime favorite invert. It is liquid smooth, fast, well paced and just plain fun. Great ride for sure.

Fun Capacity

Fun little ride. Incredibly slow moving line because of the tiny capacity.

Pace Masterpiece Layout

Easily the best coaster in the park and perhaps the best wooden coaster in the Midwest. The little coaster truly delivers thrills like few coasters can. It really makes me miss the Ozark Wildcat as that was very similar and probably a tiny bit better, but it is rotting away in storage. This is better than Kentucky Rumbler and far better than Prowler on the other side of the state. I rode this within an hour of it's opening years ago, it was great then, and I think it is getting better with age. The pace, twists, turns, and air pops keep you hopping all around in the wonderfully comfortable trains. This little coaster may not have the crazy speed, height, or inversion angle stats that many newer coasters do, but it delivers thrills like very few can.

Nice surprise! Location Layout

Perhaps the best mine train ride out there. I love going backwards and this have full time cars on the train that allow for that. Add in decent drops, decent speed and awesome tunnels and helixes and you have yourself a great little coaster.

Theming Nice surprise! Fun

This was the biggest surprise of the trip. That is saying something for a park with Lightning Rod in it. We rode this more than any other coaster. It is just plain fun. It is full of surprises that I won't give away. The first time you ride it you will have no idea what is happening or where you are going. Sure, it isn't 100% liquid smooth, and it definitely isn't anywhere near the tallest or fastest, but it simply delivers fun like few coasters can.

Inversions Location Layout Too short

Best of the old Arrow loopers. I don't recall any head banging at all. Where this is located leaves the entire coaster out of sight from anywhere in the park. You have no idea where you are going the whole time--especially at night. It is rather short, but very intense. Back when this was built it had to be one of the most intense rides in the world. Even by today's standards it is fabulous, despite the old trains and restraints. Solid 9/10.

Theming Too short

Excellent little mine train. Much better than most. Only issue is the lift hill to disappointment at the end.