Coaster reviews

Location Dead spots Intensity

The only interesting part is the helix at the end where the train dives close to the water. Otherwise, it doesn't do much. Nice scenery, though.

Theming Comfort Smoothness Dead spots

This was fun. The moderate spinning worked nicely. (I can't handle excessive spinning as I get older.) This is a good family coaster. The kids in the car next to us seemed to really love it!

First Drop Nice surprise! Layout Dead spots

Finally, a dive coaster that has memorable elements besides the drops. Other divers leave me unenthused, but Striker's layout is creative and fun. The full-360 loop is cool, and I love the whip on the Immelmann. And I'm don't know why exactly, but the first drop is just better than other divers. The second half loses a little steam, but overall the ride leaves me with a big smile. It's always been one and done with other divers, but this is the first one I wanted to ride again and again. The single rider line was a big help -- allowed me to get 6 rides in an hour.

Fun Harness Duration

This is one of the best inverts around. It is smooth, and it delivers good intensity on all of its elements. It's just a lot of fun!

Airtimes Smoothness Ejectors

An awesome coaster with non-stop insanity. There are so many great moments, but my favorite is the arcade barrel roll, which is a thing of beauty. The ride ops are great and won't staple you unless you request it. I stapled myself for one ride, and the airtimes were unpleasant. However, with a slightly loose seat belt and with the lap bar an inch or two above the thighs, the airtimes/ejectors are phenomenal. I thought the ending quad-down was going to be "too much of a good thing," but I was wrong. I love that finale! I got in 13 rides in two hours. Front seat after dark is amazing.

Pace Intensity Ejectors Rattle

My all-time favorite front-seat ride. The airtimes/ejectors were so intense in the front that I seriously questioned how the train stayed on the track. Other seats were great, too, but the front was absolutely insane. It was awesome. The only con for WWGL is an annoying CLANK on every track joint. Raptor tracks aren't aging well. I didn't notice any track joints in 2022 on the new WW Flight of Courage. However, track joints are now very noticeable on WWGL and Railblazer, both 5 years old, and are starting to clank on Jersey Devil, only 2 years old.

First Drop Fun Layout

During its first year, the harness crushed my chest. On numerous rides since then, the harness has been much more comfortable, and I enjoy this coaster more each time I ride it. It's not overly intense, but it's a smooth and fun experience. The "near miss" maneuvers through the keyholes are an awesome element, and they always manage to scare me (but just a little!).

Airtimes Layout Duration Rattle Discomfort

This is a good classic woodie with a nice long ride and a creative layout. The front was a lot of fun with solid airtimes and laterals and only a slight rattle. The middle was good but not as fun as the front. The back, however, was awful. It rattled horribly, especially in the valleys where it jackhammered and slammed me into the lap bar and the side of the car. My rating is for the front and middle, which provide a good time.

Airtimes Nice surprise! Pace Rattle Layout

Front seat is by far the best where you can really feel the speed. The airtimes are also really good in the front. Airtimes in the middle and back were not as good, and those seats also brought persistent rattles. As for the layout, it feels like half the ride is spent in a helix. That element is definitely overdone here.

Airtimes Lap Bar Fun Capacity

This feels a bit overrated. The only part that felt "elite" was the end. The final airtime hills are outstanding, and they are easily my favorite airtime moments of any coaster. That sustained floater is so cool, thanks to having just the buzz bar. Before that, though, I was a little bored. The first airtime hills were just OK and kind of clunky. The second hills were smooth and fun, but nothing exceptional. Capacity was horrible with one train running on a busy August weekend. Same for every coaster in the park. Why??

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 5 ride for me. The layout is awesome with 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.

First Drop Pace Smoothness Airtimes Dead spots

MForce will always be one of my favorites, but it's definitely lost of some of its thrill factor over the years. That's simply because other coasters have surpassed it when it comes to getting your adrenaline pumping. On my most recent ride, I realized I was just "along for the ride" between the first banked curve and the last airtime hill. Everything in the middle felt rather forceless compared to newer coasters. At the same time, a night ride in the front is still awesome for that sheer feeling of speed.

Masterpiece Intensity Ejectors

Phenomenal! All seats are outstanding for incredible speed, ejectors, airtimes, laterals, smoothness, everything! Front seat -- wow. The barrel roll is a masterpiece and my favorite part. Non-stop intensity from start to finish. Worthy of the praise it receives. Got 17 rides on a light attendance day, and rode on every part of the train. 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 or SteVe should be my #1 coaster. RMC makes it tough to choose.

Pace Intensity Duration Layout

I always look forward to riding GCIs, but this one disappointed me a bit. While I enjoyed the pacing and intensity, the layout didn't give me the adrenaline pump I get from my favorite GCIs (Mystic T, Renegade, Prowler). I enjoyed it enough to ride it multiple times, but I was expecting a little more.

Launch Layout Discomfort

Beat my expectations. Years ago, this left me underwhelmed. This time around, I enjoyed the intensity and the surprises in the dark. On the down side, some of the quick transitions can slam you against the lap bar and the side of the car.

First Drop Pace Smoothness Too short Dead spots

My first rides in daylight had noticeable dead spots, and the ride left me underwhelmed. However, Orion redeemed itself with two night rides in the front where I could feel the speed better, and the airtimes and laterals had much better intensity. The ending is an unwelcome surprise, leaving you thinking that the coaster should have added a few more elements.

Masterpiece Intensity Layout

Still #1 for me, although AF1 and Gwazi are a close 2nd/3rd. The duration and variety are what keep SteVe in my top spot. It's incredible how this thing can be 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's a wonderful feeling. The only small negative is that the back seats jackhammer slightly on the final inversion.

Fun

Took my daughters on this many years ago. They loved it! As a result, I enjoyed it because it was fun to watch them having fun.

Launch Fun Smoothness Too short

A solid coaster for this small park. The launch has a surprising kick and really catches you off guard. Good intensity overall. There's intense whip on one turn, reminding me of Maverick and I305. Hangtime at the end is fun. It's just over too quickly -- 30 seconds from launch to brake. I wanted more of this smooth and fun ride!

Layout Rattle Headbanging Discomfort

This SLC has a good first drop, but every element after that rattles a lot. Each transition comes with a headbanging jolt. I spent most of the ride grasping the OTSR and saying "ow" "uh" "aah." The layout appears to be fun, but I was getting smacked around too much to enjoy it. It was a slow day, so I was the only person on board for both of my rides. Front - bad. Back - really bad.

Location Rattle Discomfort Tear it down!

I didn't think it was possible for such a slow ride to be so painful. It rattles your bones throughout, and every transition delivers a jolt. I know this ride has history, but CP should start demolition immediately and create something awesome to put in its place.

Airtimes Pace Duration Rattle Capacity Layout

Exceeded my expectations. It's a fun ride with a good sensation of speed. Back delivered some nice airtime, especially at the end. Airtime in the front was not as good. The layout could certainly be more creative. (Helix addicts appear to have designed this ride.) There was a slight rattle at certain points, but nothing horrible. There was crummy capacity with only one train running.

First Drop Smoothness Disappointing!

I had high hopes for Talon, but my three rides left me feeling underwhelmed. It's an enjoyable invert and very smooth, but I didn't experience any of the whip or intensity that others have praised. My rides were in the morning, so maybe I would have liked it better later in the day after it warmed up?

Layout Rattle Discomfort

I'm a GCI fanboy, and I look forward to their rides. Well, Roar lands solidly at the bottom of my GCI list. Good grief, this thing rattles from start to finish. The layout has potential, but the constant shaking ruins what could be a fun coaster.

First Drop Pace Intensity

"Gentlemen! Start your ENGINES!!" My favorite coaster start -- I get an adrenaline rush every time. This was my #1 for years until RMCs crashed the party. As for the grey-out on the first turn, do the "fighter pilot clench." Clench major muscles - glutes, thighs, abs, biceps. It works - my grey-outs were either non-existent or mild. Anyway, I love the speed and intensity, especially on the snap turns. The best experience is after dark in front. The first drop feels twice as big, and the whole ride feels faster. I just wish they could get rid of the trim on the last airtime hill.

First Drop Fun Too short Capacity

My favorite first drop on a mouse. After that, it's a typical mousy layout.

Airtimes First Drop Discomfort

Better than I expected. Like most Morgans, Wild Thing gives you a "clunk" after every airtime moment, but it was less clunky than Steel Force, Mamba and Steel Eel. Overall, a pretty fun time.

Pace Layout Rattle Discomfort

Five years ago, I left disappointed because it was a great layout but with a really rough ride. GCI makes my favorite traditional woodies, so I was anxious to try Thunderhead again this year, especially after its retracking. I was so frustrated to discover it was closed both days I was at Dollywood. Maybe next year.

Nice surprise! Fun Layout Too short

Easily the best mouse I've ridden. It's very smooth. Nice layout with a mix of flat and banked curves. The spinning was mild, and I thought it worked really well. This is the first mouse where I wanted to get back on for a second go-around! (A long line deterred me.) The ride ops are efficient, and they keep the line moving as best they can with only four people to a car.

Fun Rattle

I rode this in 1979 when it was brand new and was one of the biggest and fastest coasters in the world. I bragged to all of my childhood friends about "surviving" it. It still holds up well four decades later. (Am I really that old?) Yeah, it's gotten a bit more shaky, but I still enjoy this classic.