Coaster reviews

Nice surprise! Comfort Fun Capacity

Flyers usually don't do much for me, so this was a nice surprise. It's smooth, the restraints are pretty comfortable, and the layout is fun. As with most rides at this park, ride ops are slow.

First Drop Fun Intensity Capacity

The first drop takes your breath away. I like X2's layout better, but Eejanaika doesn't have the headbangs or leg slaps that X2 gives. The way Eejanaika delivers these flips so smoothly is incredible. I laughed the whole time. Top 10 for me. One huge negative - the ride ops are required to go over every safety measure as you sit in your seat. By late morning on a busy day, the line was 3 hours. Ridiculous. (Fortunately, I stayed at the resort and got early entry.) Speaking of negatives: AGE-LIMIT RULE - Fuji-Q rules state no one over 54 is allowed on Eejanaika. Well, I'm over that age. However, the ride ops didn't ask me or my friend for proof of age, and we were able to ride. It appears the rule is there as a recommendation, similar to warnings about heart conditions, back problems, etc. In other words, if you get injured, "we warned you." I would have been really ticked off if I'd been turned away, especially after traveling halfway around the world. Anyway, that was my experience with the age rule.

Inversions Fun Smoothness Capacity

Holds up very well for its age. At this park, it's basically a given that capacity is an issue. Tedious and slow ride ops.

Airtimes Lap Bar Duration Rattle Layout

As the train slowly clanks up the 318-foot lift hill, anticipation really builds. And then... the first drop isn't as intense as you'd expect. There are some good airtimes throughout, but half of the ride has a moderate rattle. The overall layout doesn't take advantage of this ride's height and speed. I only felt the advertised 95 mph going into the first airtime hill, then it dies off. A nice surprise -- this was my first Morgan where the ending bunny hills were not clunky, and they were my favorite part of the ride.

Airtimes Inversions Smoothness Layout Intensity

Great ride, 5 stars, but maybe I've ridden too many RMCs (22). There are the usual good airtimes and inversions and a zero-G stall, but I guess that's the problem -- the layout felt kind of cookie-cutter and a bit too tame. My favorite RMCs leave me gobsmacked (Zadra, SteVe, Gwazi, AF1), and Hakugei didn't quite get me there. More speed/intensity would push this up in my rankings. Well, when ranking RMCs, some nit-picking is going to be involved. Overall, it's a great coaster that is worth the trip to NSL.

Capacity Fun Harness Headbanging Discomfort

The only ride at this park that has decent ride ops! They launch trains at a consistent normal pace. I like the flipping sensation of 4Ds. They always make me laugh. But the harness can lead to some uncomfortable forces (especially for guys). There is also an abrupt stop right before the final flip, and it gives a final little headbang.

First Drop Intensity Layout Headbanging Discomfort

The face-down first drop remains the best drop of 550 coasters I've ridden. It's an incredible adrenaline rush. For some reason, it's scarier than Eejanaika's similar first drop. I only wish X2 had the smoothness of Eejanaika. My first ride on X2 (inside rear) was perfection -- smooth & intense & crazy. I thought, "Is this my new #1?" But my next 3 rides (various seats) had annoying headbangs and calf bangs. One time, my head hit the seat back so hard that I was seeing stars. Still, it's a top 30 coaster for me. It would be in my top 5 if it didn't smack my head and calves.

Location Rattle Capacity Dead spots

A mine train with a scenic trip through the woods. The train rattles a lot, though, and capacity is not great.

First Drop Rattle Headbanging

The drop is good and so is the forward spinning. But the backward spin is pretty rough and left me with a pulled muscle in my back.

First Drop Pace Duration Rattle Capacity Dead spots

This would be really fun if not for some bad rattling. It has good pacing in several places, but then there are a couple of dead spots. It's also very janky on transitions. Like most coasters in Japan, the ride ops are painfully slow.

Lap Bar Launch Fun Capacity Intensity

It's a nice family coaster with a good launch. Given the motorcycle seating position, the ride holds back on the intensity level. Then again, it's not designed to be a high-thrill coaster. It's simply fun. As with every ride at this park, capacity is horrible with ride ops giving mini-lectures on the safety rules.

Launch Fun Smoothness Intensity

A unique layout for a Euro-Fighter. The launch is fun, and I liked the variety of elements overall. Interestingly, that 121-degree drop is kind of dull because the train pauses too far down the drop before it's released. As a result, you don't get good whip. (Cannibal does this so much better.) In general, it's fun but it's not very intense, except in a couple of sections.

First Drop Hangtime Rattle Headbanging Capacity

Not quite as bad as its namesake at CP, but still an unpleasant and janky experience. The first drop is fun. Needlessly slow ride ops.

Smoothness

There was a short line, so I "hopped on." It's a fun ride for kids.

First Drop Fun Layout

My second-favorite invert after Raptor. This is such a solid, smooth ride with perfect intensity for the layout. The great theming adds the perfect touch.

Airtimes First Drop Inversions Dead spots

This has one of my favorite first drops, especially in the back where you get wild airtime and whip. The first 3/4 of the layout is filled with intense inversions (grayed out a few times) and excellent airtimes. But the last 1/4 lacks similar fun elements, and it basically peters out. A stronger ending would have been nice. Overall, though, it's a smooth and intense ride. A great coaster for this family park.

Masterpiece Intensity Layout

The duration and variety are what make SteVe my #2 coaster. (Zadra gets #1 for being an awesome speed machine.) SteVe is so smooth yet so insane. The layout is truly inspired with one fun/crazy/intense moment after another. I'm out of breath after every ride, and it feels great. The only small negative is that the back seats jackhammer slightly on the final inversion. This is the rare coaster that is truly worthy of the title "masterpiece."

Pace Intensity Layout Rattle Disappointing! Discomfort

My first ride was middle/second row, and it was great with just a slight rattle. Then twice I got wing seats near the back, and a bad rattle ruined the great pacing, intensity and layout. Get rid of the roughness, and this is a solid 5 stars. I count on Intamins to provide smooth and intense fun, so the rattle on this was really disappointing. My final ride on the left rear wing was very rattly, and I was relieved when it was all done.

Inversions Nice surprise! Smoothness Too short

It's been around since 1982, so I was expecting a bumpy experience. Instead, I got a smooth ride that was pretty fun. Fortunately, there was a small line. It would have been very frustrating to wait in a long line for such a short ride.

Nice surprise! Fun Layout Rattle

What a fun family coaster. While not overly intense, the layout brings some nice little surprises. A mild rattle is there, but it doesn't detract too much from the overall experience.

Inversions Launch Smoothness Intensity

Really entertaining and unique. RTH is a great experience, and my five rides each provided a distinctive and fun time. The rotations make this stand out, and the twisting launches are my favorite parts. But this didn't quite give me the intense rush of my favorite coasters from my European trip (Zadra, Toutatis, Taron, Kondaa). RTH just felt a little tame in comparison. Also, the ride ops like to staple you, and I got squeezed hard on the hangtimes. However, RTH did make me laugh a lot, and I can see why others love it so much.

Masterpiece Intensity Ejectors

Incredible speed, ejectors, airtimes, laterals, smoothness, everything! Front seat -- wow. The death roll is a masterpiece and my favorite part. Non-stop intensity from start to finish. I hit the park on a slow day, and I was able to get in 17 rides. I did every part of the train, and every seat delivers. I'm glad I wasn't there on a busy day because the ride ops can be frustratingly slow. I keep going back and forth about whether Gwazi, AF1, Zadra or SteVe should be my #1 coaster. RMC makes it tough to choose.

Comfort Harness Smoothness

This was my favorite flyer until I experienced the incredible FLY. I generally do not enjoy flying coasters because of the restraints. However, Manta's harness is very comfortable, and the layout is fun and scenic. The only thing I didn't like was the dive into the pretzel loop, as the positive Gs pressed my chest too hard against the harness. The pretzel loop itself was fun. My #2 flying coaster.

Launch Smoothness Duration Layout Lap Bar

I took a lot of pictures of Voltron, and one thing that stands out is hardly anyone has their hands up. Like me, most people were grabbing the handles to lessen thigh pressure. Maybe the very hot day had the train running fast because many elements were uncomfortable, especially the ejectors. It doesn't help that the ride ops like to staple you in. Overall, it's a unique ride with great hangtimes, launches and pace. At the same time, the pace seems to be too much for this kind of tight layout. As for the rattle others have mentioned, my 5 rides in various seats were very smooth.

Theming Fun Duration Rattle Dead spots

Such an interesting mine train. Overall, it's pretty fun. The seats aren't the most comfortable, though. And there are definitely dead spots where the pace is pretty slow and where the train almost comes to a stop. It's a fun family coaster with nice theming.

Pace Intensity Smoothness

It's a week later, and I'm still thinking about this masterpiece. The train whips through the layout, and every seat delivers an outstanding coaster experience. Great first drop, snappy airtimes and transitions, crazy inversions, and all with butter smoothness. I rode the first train of the day, and it left me a little disappointed. But man, just an hour later after it warmed up, I was blown away. I couldn't get enough of this thing. My new #1 coaster ahead of SteVe, but it's a close call.

Intensity Smoothness Layout Too short Capacity

I have a new favorite wing coaster. While most wingers feel like they are just gliding along, Fenix has really good pacing and intensity. If it were about 15 seconds longer, it'd be perfect.

Rattle Harness Discomfort

The loops remind me of a ride that used to be at our county fair every year, but at least that one was half-way smooth. This one is really rough and made even worse with the horrible restraints.

Intensity Layout Ejectors

Proof that a great coaster doesn't have to be super fast or tall. I love the snappy transitions and quick pops of air. Top 10 ride for me. The layout has a great mix of powerful ejectors, laterals and airtime. The train never slows down, whipping through the elements. Front seat in the dark feels completely out of control and so fast - like being strapped to a rocket - and it's one of my favorite coaster experiences. GCI designed a great ride here, even better than Renegade and Prowler, two GCIs I also love.

Airtimes Pace Layout Rattle Capacity

Sadly, Troy was the biggest disappointment of my 10-park European coaster trip. I love GCIs, and I was really looking forward to this. It has great pacing and layout, but the constant rattle gave me a headache, something that usually doesn't happen to me on a GCI. Whereas I can marathon my favorite GCIs, I was done after only 2 rides on Troy. To make matters worse, they were running one train on a busy August day.