Coaster reviews

Nice surprise! Launch Smoothness Too short

This was by far the best coaster we rode today (admittedly, not many because NTG and Titan both were down throughout the day and we got a late start). The launch was surprisingly intense, the train was comfortable, the air times were great, and the backwards moments were just the right amount of intense. It’s a bit too short, but the line was also not that long when we went so it wasn’t a big deal. Two thumbs way up. Six Flags needs to clone this at more parks!

Inversions Intensity Duration Rattle Headbanging

I went on this in 2021 for the first time in probably ten or eleven years (maybe longer?), and I was pleasantly surprised at how well it held up. It is very intense with plenty of cool gravity moments and bone crushing inversions. Yes, there’s a little bit of head banging and rattle if you don’t position your head correctly, but as long as you keep your head back, you should be fine. It doesn’t overstay its welcome either. Any longer and I probably would’ve gotten a worse headache, but it ended just at the right time. I positioned my head about as best as I could and I still wound up with a bit of a headache. Regardless, they must be pouring a lot of maintenance into this thing to be keeping it in as good of shape as it’s in considering how historical it is. Color me impressed. Definitely give it a ride.

First Drop Location Ejectors Dead spots Layout

It’s hard for somebody who is just riding this now for the first time in present day to understand just how iconic it was and incredible to ride when it first launched. This is one of the first ever B&M hypers and my bread and butter on every Six Flags Great America trip up until my senior year of high school. I moved to Florida in 2019, but my wife and I went to Six Flags in July 2021 and I went on Raging Bull for the first time in probably ten or more years. While that first drop is still iconic and the view from the top is incredible as well, certain parts of the ride have not aged well. Some of my criticism is a result of living close to Mako at SeaWorld Orlando which blows Raging Bull out of the water in terms of B&M hypers, but I was extremely underwhelmed at the layout of the second half of the ride. It was much tamer in terms of raw thrills than I remember it being not counting that first drop, and there was a much more distinct rattle than I remember (likely due to the ride’s age). It’s just kind of a dead zone in certain spots, which again, compare that to Mako where the ride is pure unadulterated fun and ejector airtime throughout. It is 100% still worth riding, but it’s old; there’s no denying that. We’ve evolved in terms of hypers and there’s nothing wrong with that, but there is still fun to be had here! For sure give this a whirl.

First Drop Comfort Smoothness Too short Layout

The first drop on this RMC is NUTS. I’ve only been on this and Iron Gwazi so far as far as RMCs, but the drops achieve different purposes. Goliath seems to be going more for a “speed drop/claustrophobic layout with the coaster pylons” thing, whereas Gwazi just wants you to savor that sweet sweet height and drop angle. Goliath is intense, smooth, and has some solid ejector seat moments after that, but like others have noted it’s way too short and the rest of the layout is nowhere near as iconic as that first drop. It’s easily my favorite coaster at Great America though and worth multiple rides.

Discomfort Tear it down!

Man, this thing needs to just go away. I knew beforehand that it was just a wild mouse in the dark, but it somehow was even worse than I expected. Unnaturally janky, rough, and uncomfortable, and the horn jump scare is more lame than anything. Do not ride unless you’re morbidly curious.

Fun Intensity Smoothness Too short Reliability

I was there on one of the rare days where this ride was operating and there wasn’t a ton of people in the park, so I actually got to ride it two or three times that day. It was a while ago, so the memory is kind of fuzzy, but I remember loving it and thinking it was on par even with Raging Bull. It was both smooth and intense, and the backwards portions were awesome. I do remember it being short too, though not quite V2 short. But yes, pretty much every subsequent trip to Great America the ride had something wrong with it and was shut down, until one day it just wasn’t there anymore. A shame, because it’s a much stronger coaster than a lot of the other ones they have, certainly better than Batman, Demon, Dark Knight, V2, American Eagle, etc…

Inversions Location Intensity Discomfort Reliability

I think I’ve ridden this coaster four or five times, and the first few times were extremely fun. The inversions and intensity are wicked fun, but not to the point of being overwhelming. The layout and way the trains glide through the water are super cool too (and fun to watch off the coaster too; great layout!). However, on the most recent time I rode it, our train got trapped on the break run for close to ten minutes. Being stuck in that harness for almost ten minutes hanging in the air is absolutely horrific. One member of our group was so scarred that she won’t go on any coasters with over the shoulder harnesses anymore. If you can stomach that possibility, this is definitely worth multiple rides. This ride also has the best queue out of any SeaWorld coaster and has some fun little aquarium moments to look at while you’re waiting in line.

First Drop Comfort Ejectors Theming

This was the undisputed coaster king in Florida until Velocicoaster and Iron Gwazi burst onto the scene. This B&M is fantastic and is still a five out of five experience in my book. The airtimes are ridiculously good, the views from the first drop are breathtaking, and it’s easily one of the most comfortable coasters I’ve been on. The hype behind Velocicoaster and Iron Gwazi are definitely deserved, but don’t count Mako out of your Florida coasters experience. It isn’t too far behind either of them in terms of quality and experience. My only complaint, and I don’t even really think it’s a valid complaint, is that the theming is kind of cringey and bad. But, it’s a SeaWorld coaster. You shouldn’t go in expecting amazing theming anyways (Manta’s queue is an outlier).

Inversions Layout Capacity Harness Disappointing!

We went in this today after the line was too long last year, and while I wouldn’t say it’s as disappointing as Kumba, it does not really deserve any hype. It’s too short and had some good inversions, but the harness is…strange and not super comfortable. Worth checking out, but I don’t feel the need to ever do it again unless we have Quick Queue. It’s also in the way back of the park and in kind of an annoying location, if you care about that.

First Drop Comfort Intensity Reliability

Yes, the hype is real. It’s fast, it’s tall, the first drop is mind blowingly good, and it’s smooth as can be the entire time. I felt like I was melting the entire time (in a good way). The one and only con I can think of is they don’t seem to be super good at loading yet. Way too inefficient, especially since it went down for half the day.

Intensity Rattle Headbanging Tear it down!

The wait for this was five minutes and I can see why. It’s either in need of a retracking or a tear down. Old, way too rattle-filled, and outdone in thrills by countless other coasters. Worth it once for a five minute wait, but I never need to do it again. Skim if the wait is over 20 minutes.

Inversions Duration Rattle Headbanging Layout

So, I have a soft spot for this one because I’ve been on it so many times since the mid-2000s. But, it’s seen better days (aside from the new paint and theming, which is gorgeous). The rattle and head banging is dependent on where you sit; I’ve gotten it REAL bad before, but today I sat row three and barely got any. The layout is weird. The inversions are good but are in super random spots. Again, I like it because of nostalgia, but I can see why others would do it once and then skip it.

Airtimes Smoothness Too short Capacity

I enjoyed this for what it is. The harness didn’t bother me at all, but I can understand why it would for some body types. My main gripe is that it is SUPER short for how long the line can get on peak days because they can only run one train at a time. The airtimes were okay, but if you’re looking for those just go on Mako which never has a wait ever. If the wait is under 20 minutes, give it a try.

First Drop Location Intensity Reliability

This coaster is great. That first drop is amazing, and I love the brief pause before it drops. Super smooth for a coaster its age and a work of wonder. Go for front row here if you can. They claim the other rows are just as good, but they’re not. It also broke down twice in one day when we were there, so hit it while it’s open.

Airtimes Layout Rattle Capacity Dead spots

I’ve done this twice. Last year went middle of the train and was underwhelmed, way worse than Hagrid’s or similar rides. Today we did the front row and the front row is a game changer, an absolute must. Made for a way better experience. Do front if you can and the wait is under 40 minutes, otherwise skip.