Reviews • Gavin

When I rode this in 1999, I kept thinking that that this wooden monstrosity looked threatening and imposing, but to my surprise, it was not “Mean” at ...

When I rode this in 1999, I kept thinking that that this wooden monstrosity looked threatening and imposing, but to my surprise, it was not “Mean” at all. I was truly shocked in its lame, tame ride. Couldn’t believe all that wood was used for such an underwhelming adventure.

The heart line was super fun and appealing to the eye. I rode this multiple times and never thought it was rough or headbanging. Loved it at the time....

The heart line was super fun and appealing to the eye. I rode this multiple times and never thought it was rough or headbanging. Loved it at the time...

I remember riding this Out-and-Back Woodie, sometime between 1978 and 1980, and it had good airtime. At the time, the coaster was located in a theme p...

I remember riding this Out-and-Back Woodie, sometime between 1978 and 1980, and it had good airtime. At the time, the coaster was located in a theme park called “Circus World” (Haines City, FL). This was a hop, skip and a jump from WDW. As one can imagine, small to medium sized parks of this nature struggled with attendance problems, due to the sheer force of Disney, Busch Gardens and Sea World. Circus World was eventually bought out and the theme was converted to “Boardwalk and Baseball.” This new theme lasted less than 3 years, as it couldn’t compete with the Magic Kingdom, EPCOT and the forthcoming MGM Studios from Disney. Another park that didn’t last in central Florida, around the same time, was “Marco Polo Park” (which eventually was renamed “Passport to Fun World”). I can’t remember if this park had any coasters or not, but this park also existed in the middle to late 70’s as well.

This coaster has incredible theming going on, but if you don’t love spinning rides, I would definitely advise you to sit this one out! I heard that it...

This coaster has incredible theming going on, but if you don’t love spinning rides, I would definitely advise you to sit this one out! I heard that it would spin some, but I had no clue that it was a Tilt-A-Whirl on a track! Sorry, but it definitely would have rated much higher for me had it not been Mad Tea Party on steroids!

This woodie was perfectly fine and rideable in its first year or two. But how quickly the original Gwazi deteriorated with all of the weather elements...

This woodie was perfectly fine and rideable in its first year or two. But how quickly the original Gwazi deteriorated with all of the weather elements of Florida thrust upon it. It didn’t have a chance with the heat and humidity. The last time I rode this was when it was practically unrideable and only one train was running.

This is my favorite B&M invert with Raptor a close second. Alpengeist is a distant third, due to its whippiness (even from the front seat) before the ...

This is my favorite B&M invert with Raptor a close second. Alpengeist is a distant third, due to its whippiness (even from the front seat) before the second half and also how the second half loses its intensity from the first half. Getting back to Montu, this coaster has everything going for it. Try riding in the front seat for a totally unobstructed view. This seat will really pay off in the trenches! This coaster doesn’t really have a slow spot on it, unlike Alpengeist. I even remember that there used to be a live alligator or two when the train first leaves the station. That was always the first thing I’d look for. I hear they’re no longer there unfortunately. If you do ride in the back row, just be prepared for a super, INTENSE ride. As for me, I prefer the clear view from the front! Wonderful, classic B&M at its finest!

Arguably, Expedition Everest still stands as Disney World’s greatest coaster by far! All of the necessary elements which make a great coaster are here...

Arguably, Expedition Everest still stands as Disney World’s greatest coaster by far! All of the necessary elements which make a great coaster are here: extreme laterals, abundant airtime, sensational views of the park and Orlando, tunnels, speed, forwards and backwards track, oh yes and one of the greatest themed coasters I’ve ever experienced (including Disco Yeti!). This is easily one of my top 5 coasters of all time! It never gets boring. Easily rerideable for marathoning! If they could only bring back the original animatronic for the Yeti, then EE would be absolutely flawless!

Rode Apollo’s Chariot way back in its first month of operation. Just a beautiful coaster in a classic setting. Not a plethora of airtime until the las...

Rode Apollo’s Chariot way back in its first month of operation. Just a beautiful coaster in a classic setting. Not a plethora of airtime until the last 1/4% of the ride though. Since the bulk of this coaster is hidden in the woods, the best time to ride is nighttime, if possible.

Awesome B&M! This was the only coaster I was able to marathon on at Cedar Point. It has intensity, but not so much that you can’t reride it over and o...

Awesome B&M! This was the only coaster I was able to marathon on at Cedar Point. It has intensity, but not so much that you can’t reride it over and over. Don’t understand why this coaster seems to get such little love at CP. This and Montu are my favorite B&M’s.

The “look” and theming of this coaster couldn’t be any better. Amazing to look at! Unfortunately, due to my build, I was in pain throughout the entire...

The “look” and theming of this coaster couldn’t be any better. Amazing to look at! Unfortunately, due to my build, I was in pain throughout the entire ride (and before). The way one has to lean (or hunch) forward on these ride vehicles puts all one’s weight on the stomach. In addition to this, the harness that’s placed on one’s back makes the ordeal even more painful! To be honest, I’d rather be thrown around like a rag doll on the worst woodie imaginable than to have my body weight forced to be in one place. Sorry, but this is a one and done for me.

This was an outstanding coaster in 1999 when I last rode it. Not sure how I’d feel about the ride today, so I’m basing my rating and review from 2 1/2...

This was an outstanding coaster in 1999 when I last rode it. Not sure how I’d feel about the ride today, so I’m basing my rating and review from 2 1/2 decades ago. First of all, besides Millennium Force, this coaster has the best view of Lake Erie in the world. What a view when you begin cresting the lift hill! Even 26 years ago, there was a little jankiness to this coaster, but the airtime, the ejectors and the views from this coaster more than compensate for a little roughness. Besides the incredible views, the best parts of the ride are the massive airtime bunny hops near the end. If you’re unsure whether to chance this ride or not, go for it!

OMG! What can I say about my favorite woodie on the planet? The Coney Island Cyclone has everything you would want a masterpiece to have: History, Qu...

OMG! What can I say about my favorite woodie on the planet? The Coney Island Cyclone has everything you would want a masterpiece to have: History, Quality airtime, Huge ejectors, Comfortable seats, Slamming laterals, Re-Rideability, Ability to stay on it in the seat of your choice without having to get back in line, Element of Danger… May the Coney Island Cyclone live for another 100 years! 🎢 😃

If you’re in the Orlando area and want to find a great coaster with NO crowds, you must head to Fun Spot Orlando to ride White Lightning! You can mara...

If you’re in the Orlando area and want to find a great coaster with NO crowds, you must head to Fun Spot Orlando to ride White Lightning! You can marathon on this awesome coaster all day with no Universal or Disney crowds! It’s true that this park will never take the place of the other two conglomerates, but if you have an hour or two to get away from “the lines” of the other parks, it’s worth it to come to this little park just for White Lightning! This coaster is truly a hidden gem.

Went on this headbanger many years ago (when it was relatively new), and vowed I’d never ride it again. The force of this coaster slamming my head aga...

Went on this headbanger many years ago (when it was relatively new), and vowed I’d never ride it again. The force of this coaster slamming my head against the headrest immediately out of the station guaranteed me that I was not going to enjoy any part of this torture chamber! I can’t imagine this being “reimagined” with the Muppets! Disney must not think too highly of them!

This is a coaster that is definitely missed at BGW. With the perfect setting for a swinging coaster, why BG removed this I’ll never know. While it was...

This is a coaster that is definitely missed at BGW. With the perfect setting for a swinging coaster, why BG removed this I’ll never know. While it was never truly scary, it was a coaster the whole family could enjoy. Truly missed!

I’ve been riding Space Mountain since I was 13. It never gets old. The best rides on SM are when the lights are completely turned off during the Hallo...

I’ve been riding Space Mountain since I was 13. It never gets old. The best rides on SM are when the lights are completely turned off during the Halloween party events. This ride remains a classic!

Although this coaster is finally going through a much needed refurb until sometime in 2026, this is a solid and fun family coaster. It does offer a fe...

Although this coaster is finally going through a much needed refurb until sometime in 2026, this is a solid and fun family coaster. It does offer a few great laterals and pockets of airtime, although the last 1/3 of the ride feels like it crawls back into the station. My favorite ride on this happened during the nightly fireworks display. There’s nothing like being on a coaster with.the fireworks being in full view! ☺️

Definitely a well-themed family coaster with moments of airtime and fun, swinging lateral forces. The coaster does slow down to showcase the mine with...

Definitely a well-themed family coaster with moments of airtime and fun, swinging lateral forces. The coaster does slow down to showcase the mine with its beautiful, glowing jewels and great songs from the animated classic movie, but then it picks up speed again after another lift hill while the dwarfs are singing “Heigh-Ho”. As long as the ride wait isn’t over 45 minutes, I highly recommend this short, but well-themed Disney coaster.

I’ve only ridden this classic coaster a couple of times, and both times were very rough rides. This is a coaster I would see as a child when my family...

I’ve only ridden this classic coaster a couple of times, and both times were very rough rides. This is a coaster I would see as a child when my family and I would drive by it on our way to grandma’s house. I remember thinking that I would probably never work up the nerve to get on it, but lo and behold, I became an enthusiast. Many coasters still terrify me, but like many other riders, we must conquer our fears! 😉

I’ve only ridden this one time, and that was in the late 90’s. I’m rating this ride from back then. It was too intense for me with way too much head b...

I’ve only ridden this one time, and that was in the late 90’s. I’m rating this ride from back then. It was too intense for me with way too much head banging. One and done.

Gorgeous out-and-back coaster and setting! One of the very first woodies I was able to work up the nerve to go on (way back in the 70’s). My rating is...

Gorgeous out-and-back coaster and setting! One of the very first woodies I was able to work up the nerve to go on (way back in the 70’s). My rating is based on the last time I rode this and that would have been in the 2000’s. One of my all-time favorite rides happened on this coaster in the 90’s when I was going up the lift hill and it started pouring rain! The ride seemed out of control for the duration! That happened to me again on Alpengeist a few years later (and at night!) Awesome experience!