Coaster reviews

Location Masterpiece Layout Dead spots

Loch Ness Monster is one of the most beautiful roller coasters in the world. From its design to its placement—it just doesn't get better than this. That's not to say the coaster isn't great though. LNM remains one of the smoothest Arrow loopers I've ever ridden (in a similar league as Tennessee Tornado in my honest opinion). Loch Ness Monster is a timeless, classic, great steel coaster which holds its own amongst a park full of modern coasters she helped to inspire.

Airtimes Capacity Harness Discomfort

The "comfort collars" are some of the least comfortable redundant restraining devices I've ever encountered on a coaster. Additionally, they make the trains nearly impossible to get into or out of. Combinded with what is a very lackluster experience otherwise, there is very little to love about Tempesto.

Inversions Location Headbanging Tear it down! Layout

In staunch contrast to its reptilian sister an hour away at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Anaconda is a travesty—standing for everything that makes Arrow loopers awful. Anaconda does feature a relatively unique layout for its time—but that is likely because Arrow could never manage to achieve what they set out to do with Anaconda. The underwater tunnel is a nice touch, but it can never make up for the layout that follows. Truly painful through and through.

Inversions Layout Headbanging Harness Discomfort

One of the most over-hyped B&M floorless coasters out there. The layout is strong and features a nice variety of elements, but its rattle and general roughness make it stand out as one of the more uncomfortable rides in a park.

Comfort Fun Smoothness Capacity

A perfectly lovable and relatively unique family coaster. It will never break any records, but it accomplishes exactly what it set out to do: provide a pleasant, charming, and delightfully fun family coaster to Kings Dominion.

First Drop Nice surprise! Pace Too short

InvadR receives a lot of hate that I don't think it deserves. Given the size and target audience of the attraction, I honestly think InvadR is ideal for Busch Gardens Williamsburg. It has a surprising great first drop (in the back row) followed by a short but relentless course packed with everything you would want from a tiny GCI twister woodie. Would I like it to be longer? Sure, but what is there is really quite good in my opinion.

Inversions Nice surprise! Fun

Massively "over-hated" coaster—likely due to its proximity to Twisted Colossus. It may not be quite as good as Twisted Colossus—one of the best coasters in the country—but Joker has a ton to admire regardless. Much like Maverick, it features a compact course packed with unique and interesting elements with pacing that doesn't really let up. It won't blow your socks off with intensity, but it will give you one of the most enjoyable rides on the west coast.

Airtimes First Drop Masterpiece

One if the most daring and varied airtime machines we have seen B&M ever build. An incredible first drop followed by stellar pacing with solid airtime sprinkled throughout makes for the best B&M in the world and one of the best coasters out there.

Fun Masterpiece Intensity

This is my favorite coaster. Brilliant layout, placement, pacing, etc. Since the soft OTSRs made their debut, I have no complaints whatsoever. A true masterpiece of a ride.

First Drop Pace Intensity Too short

Lightning Rod is the king of ejector air. The launch is neat, the location is great, it is truly a relentless beast, but, frankly, the imfamous quadruple-down makes this coaster. To put it simply, Lighting Rod is a full buffet-worth of airtime that Dollywood aggressively shoves down your throat till you simply can't handle anymore. This is the type or coaster that you are out of breath on when you arrive back at the station. Somehow despite its incredible intensity, this coaster remains comfortable too. Fast, smooth, and ferocious—what's not to love?

Airtimes Layout Ejectors Discomfort Lap Bar

I get that it is a splendid ride full of incredible airtime, but honestly, having a seatbelt buckle jabbed into my flesh over and over and over again by the tiny Intamin lapbar that damn near bruises my legs on every hill just isn't very pleasant. A real rethinking of this ride's restraints could go a long way.

Inversions Intensity Ejectors

An RMC masterpiece packed full of every type of airtime imaginable. Somehow, despite an airtime-focused course, they managed to fit in three excellent inversions and a huge overbank as well. Incredibly intense, relentless RMC. A true work of art.

First Drop Pace Intensity Theming

A coaster that is so intense that it is, legitimately, too intense for many people. It's a coaster that aggressively pushes the limits while somehow, even years later, remaining perfectly comfortable. When this ride debuted with hard restraints, it was a nightmare. Ever since the park switched to soft OTSRs though, I've been in love.