Coaster reviews

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 It's a shame because the layout seems pretty cool, the music selection is outdated but still decent, and the surrounding scenery is nice.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.

Theming Fun Dead spots

I absolutely love the theming of this ride, I’m a sucker for Toy Story and the Toy Story Mania queue across the way is one of my favorite queues in the world. I also was overjoyed by the animatronic at the end. Unfortunately though the first launch is really lame - why even have a launch that only goes to 20 mph? Second one is fun though and overall it’s just a fun little family coaster. Definitely fits into the park and land beautifully!

Theming Launch Too short

This thing is really really cool. The unique restraints are something I was concerned about but it’s much more comfortable than something like Pony Express at Knott’s. A little weird still, sure, but the ride is over quick enough that it’s not too bad. That is a problem though - the length leaves just a bit more to be desired. It feels less like a full experience than I had hoped. Regardless though, it’s an absolute blast and was absolutely worth forfeiting a rest day on my Disney World trip to ride!

Theming Disappointing! Dead spots

This ride is immensely lame. Aside from the fantastic indoor section, it does basically nothing. There’s no real drops, speed, or anything. Even The Barnstormer next door offers more thrill than this. However, that cave scene is REALLY really great, so I have to give it a little credit.

Theming Launch Fun

This is quite simply the most incredible ride I've ever been on. This is such a thrilling, complex, well-oiled machine of a ride with top-notch pacing, constant surprises, and beautiful storytelling. After Gringotts, I was worried that Universal wouldn't ever top Forbidden Journey, but this ride is just top of the line. I know it's not necessarily the craziest ride in terms of what it does as a rollercoaster - it's basically a family coaster - but it manages to be very thrilling despite this, partially because of the music/pacing and partly because of the SEVEN launches. It's hard to recommend this ride enough - it's my new number one and one that I am very sad is not in my home state or even on my coast. RIDE THIS!!!

Theming Layout Disappointing!

Simply not as good as it’s california counterpart. It’s roughly a mirror image, but the theming isn’t as good and it’s missing the awesome tunnel explosion set piece from Disneyland. Also missing the town scene at the end that I loved so much.

Airtimes First Drop Layout Too short

This is a great ride, but I'm surprised at how highly it's ranked. It's really fun while it's going but it's just pretty short. However, that first drop is nuts and all of the moments where you're horizontal are great! The quarry wall interaction is incredible as well. Probably my favorite at the park.

Inversions Layout

Yep, this is a clone of Batman the Ride! Though it admittedly loses a bit of it's charm without the nice theming found at SFMM. Other than that, nothing to really report.

First Drop Nice surprise! Layout Rattle

I was scared that this one would have the cramped, unpleasant trains that Flight of Courage has, but thankfully it doesn't! I was delighted to find this out as I sat down. Unfortunately, though, the smoothness of WWFoC is nowhere to be found on this one. I don't know how this one has lost it's smoothness in just 4 and a half years of operation but it is quite uncomfortable in that sense. However, the layout is great and the airtime was cool to enjoy!

Theming Fun

This is just a nice little family coaster and the only one my dad was willing to go on at the park. I think the theming adds a lot, and it's great that it's as long as it is. The Road Runner Express I know, at Magic Mountain, is minuscule compared to this one! It really doesn't stand out, it's just a nice family coaster, but I definitely think it is necessary and worth going on once.

First Drop Theming Duration Too short

Six flags, shockingly, nailed the theming on this one. I hope they keep up with cool pre-shows and such in the future, I was really impressed with the queue theming on Flight of Courage but this eclipses that completely. My mom even loved this one! I wish it was a bit longer though. The first drop is pretty great and that final helix is awesome!

Inversions Fun Dead spots

This one is just huge, with these crazy swooping inversions. However, it doesn't do much to stand out and leaves me feeling like there's a lot of dead space. The little superman on the top of the loop is a great touch to observe from afar. I also wish the drop was straight rather than curved. Finally, I rode it around sunset, which made the view on the lift hill absolutely incredible.

Fun Layout Rattle Dead spots

This one is about as expected. It's ancient, mostly just a relic of it's time, and fun to ride for historical value. The buildup to the loop is pretty hilariously long compared to a lot of the stuff nowadays, and there is a lot of dead time. However, it's still fun and I recommend giving it a ride if the line is short!

Location Pace Smoothness

Nice wooden coaster with not a whole lot special about it other than its gorgeous location. I definitely liked it a lot though, just not a highlight of the park

Location Fun

I'm getting really late to this review, so I don't remember many specifics of this other than it's in a beautiful location and it is a pretty standard wild mouse. It is definitely cool that it weaves so much to avoid other supports and rides, which is an upside of most of the rides at Grona Lund.

First Drop Fun

This coaster is pretty impressive for what it is. Nothing too crazy, but the interactions with other buildings are great and the weird curved lift hill is definitely interesting. I also noticed that, due to the size of the park, this coaster literally shares supports with another coaster, which is just fucking insane. Overall this thing hauls ass and is definitely very fun.

Location Fun

This is just a pleasant inverted family coaster without much unique about it. I enjoyed it, but it's been almost a month since I rode it so I don't really have a lot to say. The location on the boardwalk is obviously a plus, it gives great views of Sweden.

Fun Disappointing! Pointless

This is a pretty tame family coaster with some lame theming. I didn't even get any human scare actors on mine, which I've heard are a large part of it and can enhance the ride. Honestly was kinda disappointed, but it wasn't bad, just largely forgettable and unimpressive.

Nice surprise! Fun

This ride was nice but didn't leave much of an impact. Honestly, I was just on it yesterday and I'm struggling to remember much about it. Granted, it was 103 degrees so maybe my brain was just fried by the point that I was on it. I'll likely write more about it when I ride it next, but I'm glad to see this ride reopen now that Wonder Woman is complete!

First Drop Location Intensity Too short

This ride is absolutely incredible. The first drop is complete madness, and then it barely gives you time to take a breath for the entire duration of the ride. The location is also just incredible, and you get some great views of the coast while you're being thrown around. I only wish that it were a little longer, but I'm already impressed it's as long as it is with how little space they were working with. I wish this one was in the US so I could ride it more often!

First Drop Theming Smoothness Discomfort

This rides theming was totally unexpected to me - I had generally low expectations for the theming at this park, since most people don't exactly hype it up, but the destroyed vehicles and billboards (especially the head chopper) are incredible. I got 2 rides on this one - one in the very back, and one in the very front - and I have to say that a front row ride on this coaster is genuinely next level. The forces are great and the ride is just incredibly smooth. Overall my favorite at Thorpe!

Location Launch Smoothness Too short

This was my first ever Intamin Accelerator, and I loved it! That launch is just fucking insanity. I only got to ride it once, unfortunately - I went back to ride it again at the end of the day and it almost immediately broke down once I got in line. I would have loved another ride, but as it is I found this super fun, although obviously short.

First Drop Theming Intensity Too short

I essentially went to Thorpe Park entirely for this ride. Well, not exactly, but I could have gone to Chessington or Alton Towers and I opted for this park because Saw is a guilty pleasure franchise for me and I figure that, now that it's much less popular, the ride isn't much longer for this world. I really loved the theming even though many of the effects no longer function properly, and that first drop comes out of fucking nowhere. The outdoor portion is also great, though both parts of the ride could definitely stand to be longer. The queue was amazing with several genuine props from the movies, and even the outdoor portion was atmospheric. Overall, despite the short length and broken effects, I enjoyed this ride a lot and I'll be sad to see it go if my hypothesis is correct.

Theming Nice surprise! Fun Too short

I rode this one without a lot of expectations, but I really liked the light volcanic theming, especially that early swoop through the steam machines. The layout is also great, if a little short. This was a highlight of my day, and the interlocking corkscrew was incredible. I walked off this one unsure what had even just happened because so much seems to happen in such a short time.

Intensity Duration Capacity Discomfort

Colossus is not as bad as people say! As a taller person, I was expecting a lot more discomfort, but I had no noticeable head-banging, just some cramped legs. The onslaught of inversions is a bit much, and it's clear they threw the corkscrews in at the end just to get that inversion count up, but it's still a lot of fun crawling through those rolls. One of my least favorites in the park, but in such a strong lineup that's hardly a bad thing!

Theming Too short Tear it down!

While Universal Orlando has several amazing coasters, we're stuck with an inferior version of The Mummy and a kiddie coaster with a single cute animatronic. Harry Potter land feels decidedly empty with only one decent ride, and I really think they should replace this with literally anything else - even a fun shop would be better. This thing looks short and is shorter than it looks, even the little kids in my car were asking why it was so brief!

Launch Smoothness Too short

A one-trick pony for sure, but that launch is fuckin' great. This ride is over far too soon and I definitely would not wait more than 25 minutes for it due to its length (which I unfortunately did on this visit) but it's worth it at least once.

Pace Fun Masterpiece

Tatsu is unreal. The only flying coaster I've ever been on, and it's so comfortable, smooth, and crazy intense. That loop is just fucking unreal, it's a sensation I haven't felt on any other coaster. The views of the park are just fucking magnificent. Maybe this one will become less exciting on repeat rides, but as it is I love love love this ride!