Eric Esty - Reviews

Unbeknownst to me, this coaster has a nasty trim brake around the double down, and that was a big disappointment for me, as the airtime for this ride had been hyped up ridiculously. Still, this is an ...

Unbeknownst to me, this coaster has a nasty trim brake around the double down, and that was a big disappointment for me, as the airtime for this ride had been hyped up ridiculously. Still, this is an excellent coaster. Minimalist restraints, awesome terrain layout, and a unique experience overall. Awesome second drop, huge sweeping turns, and then intense nonstop ejector airtime until you hit the final brakes. Excellent ride.

This coaster was a huge surprise for me. It has great lap bars, and is very comfortable. The launch is forceful, and the top hat airtime is hilarious. The rest of the ride provides fun inversions, jar...

This coaster was a huge surprise for me. It has great lap bars, and is very comfortable. The launch is forceful, and the top hat airtime is hilarious. The rest of the ride provides fun inversions, jarring airtime, and weird twists and turns that are just a joy to navigate.

Ravine Flyer II is my favorite modern wooden coaster. It has everything I could ever want, and more. Everything about this ride is simply spectacular. First drop into a tunnel, the huge turnaround and...

Ravine Flyer II is my favorite modern wooden coaster. It has everything I could ever want, and more. Everything about this ride is simply spectacular. First drop into a tunnel, the huge turnaround and subsequent drop, the jarring laterals, the awesome airtime moments over the bridge, the airtime at the bottom of the ravine, the swinging turns and hills at the top, the diving overbank, the huge trees and perfect location and terrain, the wonderful PTC trains, and even the park that it's in. This coaster has a special place in my heart that is only beaten by a front row night ride on a certain creature in Ohio.

While I don't love vests, these are a huge improvement over the ones on Valravn, Banshee, and the wings. They're not constricting, and give a lot of leeway for the body to move. Because of this, I was...

While I don't love vests, these are a huge improvement over the ones on Valravn, Banshee, and the wings. They're not constricting, and give a lot of leeway for the body to move. Because of this, I was able to get my elusive back row first drop airtime on this ride that I've enjoyed on Griffon and SheiKra. The drop into the tunnel through Vortex's helix is awesome, and the location of this ride is amazing for spectating. It leaves a huge impression and makes you want to ride. The inversions are excellent, and in a very unique sequence. The last third leaves a lot to be desired, but it's still fun with a good helix and mild floater airtime. This is my second favorite dive behind SheiKra, and if it weren't for the latter's beautiful landscaping this would likely be my favorite.

On a woodie with three seater PTC trains, I can guarantee a smooth ride by sitting in the middle of the cars. And lo and behold, I had a very fun ride on Minebuster. It's not a particularly exciting r...

On a woodie with three seater PTC trains, I can guarantee a smooth ride by sitting in the middle of the cars. And lo and behold, I had a very fun ride on Minebuster. It's not a particularly exciting ride, but that's the joy of it. It's a scenic woodie ride across the park, and it reminded me of Legend a little diving in and out of the waterpark. Plus, the helix at the end was excellent! Great laterals all the way through, with a good tunnel as well.

SheiKra, even after riding the likes of Griffon, Valravn, and Yukon Striker, is still my favorite dive coaster. It's the most dominant in the skyline, has the most deliberate and purposeful layout, an...

SheiKra, even after riding the likes of Griffon, Valravn, and Yukon Striker, is still my favorite dive coaster. It's the most dominant in the skyline, has the most deliberate and purposeful layout, and has the best theming and landscaping. The two drops have excellent airtime, the inversion is forceful at the start and has floater air in the exit, and there are several moments of strong positive forces. The water splash is the most beautiful I can think of, as is the stunning red and blue color scheme. It even has the best capacity, with a double loading station. Everything about this ride is perfect, and the only thing holding it back is the short duration. As the coaster that eliminated all my fears of coasters once and for all, I love SheiKra.

Millennium Force is perfect. I wouldn't change a thing about it. Floater airtime, positive forces, huge speed and scale, and smooth and comfy trains. But most importantly, the feeling of excitement in...

Millennium Force is perfect. I wouldn't change a thing about it. Floater airtime, positive forces, huge speed and scale, and smooth and comfy trains. But most importantly, the feeling of excitement in the air from all riders supercharges this ride with a level of joy no other coaster can give me. Some coasters drain you with unrelenting intensity, but Millennium Force gives you life. It's like a homecooked meal, a big bowl of pho, or a childhood memory. It's warm, comforting, and perfect in its imperfection.

Some say that your first RMCs will be your favorites. In my case it's absolutely true. New Texas Giant was my first ever RMC, and as I await the opening of Iron Gwazi, it's currently my second favorit...

Some say that your first RMCs will be your favorites. In my case it's absolutely true. New Texas Giant was my first ever RMC, and as I await the opening of Iron Gwazi, it's currently my second favorite. There's so much to love with this ride. An awesome first drop, unbeatable enormous overbanks, and lots of airtime, especially in the second half. The pacing isn't balls to the wall, but not boring either, and for my taste that's perfect. But what really gives this ride its charm is that it feels more Texas than any other coaster in the state. It's big, with wooden structure and weathered steel track, and it's built over a creek. The foliage is low to the ground, but overgrown, crawling up the structure. There's a flaming oil derrick, rustic tunnels with red white and blue flashing lights, and the trains are hot rods. Most importantly, like everything else in Texas, it's BIG.

Fury 325 is my favorite steel coaster! The variety of forces is astounding. Floater airtime, pure speed, sideways airtime, and a touch of intensity. It's consistently paced, and every turn has a purpo...

Fury 325 is my favorite steel coaster! The variety of forces is astounding. Floater airtime, pure speed, sideways airtime, and a touch of intensity. It's consistently paced, and every turn has a purpose. The treble clef or hive dive is a highlight, as are the low to the ground turns, and the floater hills at the end. It's got the usual incredibly comfy clamshells, it's stupidly smooth, it's beautiful, and iconic, with a cool hornet theme fitting to the region. Only complaint is that the helix slows you down a little, but it doesn't take away from the rest of the ride and is taken at a decent speed. I love Fury, with my keychain and my mug, and my coaster loving heart.

Forceful launches, a smooth ride, and a great inversion with hangtime. Good airtime in the front, and a forceful drop in the back. There are also good moments of positive Gs, particularly at the botto...

Forceful launches, a smooth ride, and a great inversion with hangtime. Good airtime in the front, and a forceful drop in the back. There are also good moments of positive Gs, particularly at the bottom of the first drop. The twists on the rise and drop are very fast. The non inverting loop is great, and is on a much better ride than the other coaster with this element in Florida. It's a blast, and excellently paced, though short. The trains are incredibly awkward to get into, but once you're in its quite comfy. The comfort collars don't get in the way of your airtime or hangtime. Tigris has wonderful landscaping and some good theming. There's an awesome station soundtrack as the coaster is running, complete with roaring sound effects. The queue has rockwork, foliage, and tiger facts around it. No cattle pens to be seen. The front entrance sign is gorgeous, and the name fits right in with the likes of SheiKra and Kumba. The ride is also gorgeous, a stunning orange track with contrasting black supports. Tigris isn't perfect, but it's an excellent addition to Busch Gardens Tampa, and unlike Tempesto it fits in perfectly as a supplementary attraction. It's beautiful in the skyline, and has a great name, theming, and ride experience.

The ride is perfectly paced and super intense. The barrel roll drop, the first sustained ejector hill, the hard banked first overbank, and the twin twisted airtime hills give an explosive start to the...

The ride is perfectly paced and super intense. The barrel roll drop, the first sustained ejector hill, the hard banked first overbank, and the twin twisted airtime hills give an explosive start to the ride. The ride tones down a little bit with the second overbank, smaller airtime hill, and zero-g roll. But the finale ends it with a bang: The trick-track double up followed immediately by a double down. This is the most intense sequence of airtime I've ever experienced. Storm Chaser's only downfall is the lack of theming, scenery, or foliage. The ride is very boring to look at. The RMC trains aren't the best, without anything to hang on to, and can get uncomfortable with rerides. Otherwise, a perfect coaster with excellent pacing, forces, and an insane finale.

Roadrunner Express is one of the best Arrow Mine Train coasters. With its terrain interaction and smooth, fast paced layout, it stands out as an example of what Arrow could have been if it didn't go u...

Roadrunner Express is one of the best Arrow Mine Train coasters. With its terrain interaction and smooth, fast paced layout, it stands out as an example of what Arrow could have been if it didn't go under.

Iron Rattler is a masterpiece. If any coaster needed the RMC treatment, it was this one. An amazing concept executed very poorly by a bad manufacturer. RMC swooped in and turned this coaster into the ...

Iron Rattler is a masterpiece. If any coaster needed the RMC treatment, it was this one. An amazing concept executed very poorly by a bad manufacturer. RMC swooped in and turned this coaster into the masterpiece it was meant to me. The trains are the most open of any RMC, with great lap bars and open trains, allowing you to wave your hands however you please. It has the best first drop I've ever experienced on a coaster, twisting left and right down the quarry wall into the gulch, steep all the way down. There are four ejector hills, and a huge last drop off of the quarry wall into a tunnel, giving sustained ejector airtime all the way down. There are also four overbanked turns, all twisty and sharp, one if which drops down the wall of a curved overbanked drop. The barrel roll is perfect with its whip and its hangtime, and it's at the heart of the coaster, pulling the ride together to perfection. The coaster is unfortunately a bit shorter than I'd like, but it is oh so sweet and perfect otherwise.

Poltergeist is a fast paced, forceful, whippy launched coaster from beginning to end. The first three inversions in quick succession give huge positive Gs right out of the fast launch. The rest of the...

Poltergeist is a fast paced, forceful, whippy launched coaster from beginning to end. The first three inversions in quick succession give huge positive Gs right out of the fast launch. The rest of the ride is a spaghetti bowl of fast transitions and turns as you accelerate faster and faster as you go farther down the bowl, ending in a corkscrew finale. Unfortunately it's all over concrete without scenery, but at least the queue is themed!

Superman Krypton coaster is one of the best floorless coasters in the world, especially with its location next to the quarry wall. It's enormous in its curved first drop. The first loop is similarly e...

Superman Krypton coaster is one of the best floorless coasters in the world, especially with its location next to the quarry wall. It's enormous in its curved first drop. The first loop is similarly enormous, with both hangtime and positive forces. The overbanked helix going over the quarry wall is forceful and awesome, you feel like you can touch the rocks. The zero-g roll and cobra roll are both also great and snappy. The drop off the MCBR is forceful and can be unexpected. The interlocking corkscrews are unfortunately an uninspired end to the otherwise creative and awesome ride, which keeps it from being my favorite. Nonetheless, it's an awesome, huge, forceful ride with an amazing setting and an awesome color scheme that's very photogenic.

Shockwave is a fantastic Schwarzkopf looper with two extremely intense loops that will make you grey out. There's three moments of ejector air in the front, too, and the lap bars make all of this bett...

Shockwave is a fantastic Schwarzkopf looper with two extremely intense loops that will make you grey out. There's three moments of ejector air in the front, too, and the lap bars make all of this better. A really fun ride that will surprise you with its intensity.

Raging Bull is a very unique hyper that accomplishes what it sets out to do very well: thrilling with smooth, swaying overbanked turns, with some airtime thrown in. Unfortunately the first camelback i...

Raging Bull is a very unique hyper that accomplishes what it sets out to do very well: thrilling with smooth, swaying overbanked turns, with some airtime thrown in. Unfortunately the first camelback is trimmed to have no airtime, but that's the only boring part. It has airtime in the second half as well, and the turns are fun throughout the ride. Back row is the way to go for three great drops on this ride, especially the enormous first drop.

The first drop and inversions are the highlight of the ride, but the rest of the ride is boring meandering. The lap bars help a lot, but the capacity is abysmal and gives it a line way longer than it ...

The first drop and inversions are the highlight of the ride, but the rest of the ride is boring meandering. The lap bars help a lot, but the capacity is abysmal and gives it a line way longer than it warrants. A fun ride, but the line is too long to ride again if you already have the credit.

Green Lantern is, while forceful, extremely uncomfortable. A forceful stand up is hard enough on my body as is, putting pressure on my legs and making my inner thighs uncomfortable. But when you add u...

Green Lantern is, while forceful, extremely uncomfortable. A forceful stand up is hard enough on my body as is, putting pressure on my legs and making my inner thighs uncomfortable. But when you add unavoidable headbanging, it becomes too much to enjoy or even bear. Add to this the lack of any scenery besides gravel, and you have a really crappy coaster.

Kingda Ka is the worse version of Top Thrill Dragster. A double loading station that's never used, crappy hard vest restraints, a wonky launch, and an incredibly annoy rattle. And its capacity it wors...

Kingda Ka is the worse version of Top Thrill Dragster. A double loading station that's never used, crappy hard vest restraints, a wonky launch, and an incredibly annoy rattle. And its capacity it worsened by Zumanjaro and its worse reliability.

It's not forceful or whippy at all, but it has hangtime, airtime, and cool shaped inversions that are really cool to go through. The coaster is gorgeous, and the situation on a hill contributes to how...

It's not forceful or whippy at all, but it has hangtime, airtime, and cool shaped inversions that are really cool to go through. The coaster is gorgeous, and the situation on a hill contributes to how fun it is.

A short little ride with an airtime hill and some loops. There's headbanging on the corkscrews, but otherwise it's a fun ride that I hope sticks around, especially because of how awesome the corkscrew...

A short little ride with an airtime hill and some loops. There's headbanging on the corkscrews, but otherwise it's a fun ride that I hope sticks around, especially because of how awesome the corkscrew midway is.

Gatekeeper is a super fun coaster just because of the hang time, and how huge it feels next to the beach and over the entrance. It's a gorgeous coaster on and off ride. The hangtime and near misses ar...

Gatekeeper is a super fun coaster just because of the hang time, and how huge it feels next to the beach and over the entrance. It's a gorgeous coaster on and off ride. The hangtime and near misses are great, and every inversion is fantastic. Unfortunately the "airtime" hill is forceless, but that's the only dead spot. Great iconic coaster otherwise.

Top Thrill Dragster is the most terrifying coaster I've ever ridden, and I love it. It always makes my palms sweaty and makes me hold on as tight as I can. Short, but sweet. Pure adrenaline for 20 sec...

Top Thrill Dragster is the most terrifying coaster I've ever ridden, and I love it. It always makes my palms sweaty and makes me hold on as tight as I can. Short, but sweet. Pure adrenaline for 20 seconds.

This ugly coaster, while a decent launched family coaster, ruins the view from the Eiffel Tower of Coney Mall and Rivertown, and is an ugly reminder of how inept and out of touch Paramount was at mana...

This ugly coaster, while a decent launched family coaster, ruins the view from the Eiffel Tower of Coney Mall and Rivertown, and is an ugly reminder of how inept and out of touch Paramount was at managing theme parks: by making a coaster based on a movie nobody has seen or remembers. It doesn't fit into either section, and its prime spot on the hill should be given back to the antique cars.