Coaster reviews

Rattle Headbanging Tear it down!

I was told you had to ride this before you moved on to all the bigger rides at Cedar Point to appreciate how far things have come with coasters over the years. I should have ignored this guidance. This ride was awful for me and my family. Jarring, rickety and without any notable joy or intensity. It nearly made me sick...and absent any childhood nostalgia, I found no redeeming qualities in this ride.

Capacity Location Fun Rattle

Really easy to get on. But generally speaking, this ride didn't do it for me. The racing element added a little bit to an otherwise dull experience. I rode this in between riding Maverick and Steel Vengeance, so it understandably felt a bit pedestrian. But I think this just might be a boring wooden roller-coaster.

First Drop Location Fun Reliability

I waited over 30 years to go on this after seeing it in Time Magazine when I was a young teenager. The location and view from the first climb are spectacular. The speed on the first descent is great, but the lack of steepness in that first drop and roughness of the ride from this point on showed notable signs of a coaster past its prime. I still loved it and I'd go on it again, but the coaster game has come along way in the last 30 years and there are simply bigger, better and more dynamic coasters out there to ride. I wasn't going to pick on the name, but I can't help it - the Magnum XL-200 sounds like a weapon that would be used by a Clint Eastwood character from the 70's or 80's or Dr. Evil! Doesn't matter, they're not changing the name now, so we're going with it!

Launch Intensity Too short Capacity

Loved this ride...did the backward launch, which was awesome. Too short, but it carried a high-level of intensity throughout. Forward launch was shutdown so couldn't compare the two and this also brought operations and lines to a near standstill. Can't believe this ride is 25 years old - Premiere needs to aim this high more often!

First Drop Fun Intensity Rattle

My first international coaster…and a pretty fun one at that. The concept is pretty wild and the first drop and banked hill through the building wall are excellent elements, but I can’t help but think this could’ve/would’ve been an elite coaster if done right in the second half. It runs out of steam early and it’s showing some age with a pronounced and distracting rattle. With all this said, I’m going to look back and remember how I was smiling the entirety of both rides I took basking in the sheer joy of riding an Intamin hyper-coaster on top of a building in Tokyo rather than focusing on what could’ve been.

First Drop Fun Rattle

Titan has all the stats to be absolutely spectacular - and it is a really fun ride, but it's just not in the same league as B&M and Intamin coasters of this size/stature. I think this is why it gets so much criticism. The first hill is great, the helix is really great - and I can actually deal with the MCBR - its just so janky by comparison to modern hypers. Granted - it is over 20 years old, so it deserves a little slack, but I'm not sure this would have ever been considered a "great" coaster.

Inversions

Didn't love Shockwave. It has some good forces and the double inversion combo is solid...but it's a distant #4 at the park. Did get to meet Robb and Elissa from Theme Park Review and they took my daughter on a ride that had the full video treatment - made my daughter's day. A very cool thing to see her experience.

First Drop Nice surprise! Layout

I've been on many RMC's and had really modest expectations going into this one. I wanted to ride "the original RMC", but had read that there was a big leap between this and Iron Rattler...and without any inversions, I figured I'd be in for a good, not great ride. But New Texas Giant hit pretty hard - I was quite pleasantly surprised. It has some fantastic elements, a great first drop, the glass-smoothness common with an RMC and the layout proved to be long with fantastic pacing throughout. Its a really good looking RMC too...having a special stature and aura about it. Its not the most intense RMC, but it is a great coaster and should probably be heralded more than it gets credit for...

Smoothness Hangtime Duration

I felt like Goldilocks on this RMC. Twisted Cyclone was too short, Steel Vengeance was too long (and intense), Twisted Timbers was just the right length. The first hill is pretty special and the third row of hills came after I thought we were going to slow into the station...a nice surprise and what really separated this from Twisted Cyclone for me. A very repeatable ride...we hit it a few times. Back was better than front - but both are a blast.

First Drop Masterpiece Intensity

I LOVED Iron Rattler far more than I expected. I thought it would serve as more of a legacy prototype for newer RMC's, but it was far more complete and modern than I anticipated. It's my personal #3-ranked RMC with only Steel Vengeance and Iron Gwazi ahead of it. While it doesn't have the intensity of those two rides (and not much else does), it's in that next tier. And the way it weaves so many killer RMC elements into the topography of the quarry setting is what sets it apart from Wildcat's Revenge, ArieForce, and Twisted Timbers, in my opinion. There is an ever-so-slight slow down on top of the quarry wall which is well documented by others, but it hardly impacts the experience. Everything else was really good to great. The first drop is as advertised, only outdone by SteVe and IG. The single inversion is perfectly placed and executed. And the dark tunnel and final drop off the quarry wall close the ride experience out in a distinct and quite remarkable fashion. With it's reputation well-known and a number of RMC's under my belt already, it's hard to believe how pleasantly surprised I was by this ride. I largely had a sense of what was coming and Iron Rattler still overdelivered for me.

Inversions Launch Intensity

This sneakily might be the best coaster at HP! What an absolutely killer ride. Yes, it is short (22 seconds according to the experts), but I'm not sure I could've handled much more of this intensity. The launch is as advertised - a rocket of a takeoff, but it's the remaining elements that really set this coaster beyond my expectations. The snake roll/dive was a top coaster moment for me. The fact that the lights were out as part of Hersheypark's Dark Nights theme certainly added to the experience. I loved it, front to finish. Daughter's POV: It was a great ride overall. The launch was my favorite part. All the flips and turns were really fun. There could be some lights in the dark (I didn't like the Dark Night experience on this one as much as my dad.)

Airtimes First Drop Location

Candymonium was a fantastic experience that bookended a great evening at Hersheypark. We went on it to start our night and finished our evening with two more rides before leaving the park. It is not the most intense coaster at Hersheypark, but it maintains a formidable thrill-level throughout and offers a grace, strength and elegance that is unmatched among the deep roster of Hersheypark coasters. The ride is the perfect ambassador/greeter to what I believe is among the best coaster-parks in the country - welcoming coaster aficionados and more daring general audiences alike. My first ride was in the darkness of Dark Nights theming and was my favorite B&M hyper experience of all-time. The ride hauls down the first hill, which felt a bit bigger and steeper than other B&M hypers and the subsequent camelback and helix were fantastic. The rolling hills of the back-half and the concluding circle around the kisses fountain wove the coaster into the park setting in a masterful manner. The operations were on point and showcased a capacity to devour long lines of eager riders in short order. I've read complaints about operations from others, but what I saw was as strong as any coaster anywhere. My single complaint is that the trims came into play on our last two rides and it dulled the second half of the ride quite noticeably. Still, it's a great ride that stands out and really just feels right in every way as the opener for a park that has invested significantly in its coaster experience over the last two decades.

Fun Intensity

I don't really like spinning coasters, but this was pretty enjoyable and certainly unique. I'd skipped it the first two times I went to BGT, but Montu was down and there were no lines for CC so my daughter and I gave it a whirl (literally) and had a good time. Probably my least favorite coaster in the park (Air Grover doesn't count), but that speaks more to the quality of other coasters. Cobra's Curse is a good ride...no more, no less.

First Drop Inversions Intensity

This is the best invert coaster experience I've had...slightly more enjoyable than Raptor, which I rode at CP last month. I'm not sure exactly why this was better for me...but I suspect the seat towards the front that I had came into play. I couldn't see anything coming sitting in the back of Raptor...I could spot and actually appreciate what was happening on AB much more so. The remnants of Top Gun theming also struck a chord with me (Fightertown USA)...and of course the general speed and intensity of the ride were fantastic. I'm going to give Alpengeist and Great Bear a go in the coming months...I'll be curious how they all compare.

Inversions Duration Theming

This is one of the better floorless coasters I've ridden in terms of pace and elements, but the theming and location are dreadful...the concrete, macadam view throughout the ride was one of the least inspiring layouts I've come across. Put some grass or turf down and/or move it out of the parking lot and this experience goes up notably.

Inversions Intensity Duration Headbanging Harness

By far, the most intense stand up I've ridden. It was much bigger and faster than I anticipated...and long too. If not for the most severe head-banging I've ever experienced, I'd say it was a pretty darn good ride.

not much to say here...its what you think it is...way past its prime, but probably good enough for kids.

First Drop Duration Dead spots

Not as bad as everyone made it out to be. It's fine...but with these dimensions, it should be fantastic. If it were a B&M hyper, it would be.

Inversions Intensity Rattle

On the lower end of Batman clones I've ridden...sounded like something was going to breakoff at just about any point. This ride needs a mechanic...or a paint job at a minimum.

Theming Inversions Intensity

Meh...a nice concept, but not enough intensity to make it noteworthy.

Theming Pace Fun

Pretty solid GCI...nice laterals, solid pacing, and pretty enjoyable throughout...missing that next gear, through. I'm still putting Thunderhead at Dollywood as my favorite amongst the CGI roster.

First Drop Pace Intensity Capacity

This is my third raptor track RMC and I rate it as my favorite by a notable margin (vs. Jersey Devil and WW SF Fiesta). The first hill, which is not typically the highlight for me on this format, was the best drop of any coaster at Magic Mountain (X2 was closed.) And the pacing and intensity were fantastic and relentless throughout. I didn't feel anything resembling the wear and tear of other raptor track rides...which tells me you really need to ride these coasters when they're young. My unexpected star of the day among the 12 coasters we were able to ride. The only gripe was the wait - slow operations, a couple downtime moments, and a single train in play made for a much longer wait than necessary.

Lap Bar Inversions Launch Too short

I really, really liked Full Throttle. It was bigger than I expected it to be. The launch is really good, but not quite next level. The first inversion/loop is especially sinister given its deliberate slow roll. I was not ready for the backward launch at the mid-point which added a nice extra degree of intensity. The last hill has great promise, but ends a bit abruptly. 100 more meters and this could have been a spectacular element. Full Throttle is not without its flaws or missed opportunities, but they certainly don't outweigh all that's good in the ride.

Location Intensity Discomfort

Flying coasters can be a hit/miss format for me personally. I wasn't a huge fan until hitting Manta earlier this year where the heightened intensity made it more enjoyable than my experience on SFOG Superman coaster. Tatsu furthered the appeal of the format - it was even more intense than Manta (at least the pretzel roll aspect was). And the setting and aesthetics of the coaster added further to the allure. It is a beautiful looking ride with beautiful views particularly when the sun is hitting it just right. Its still not my favorite format, but I found Tatsu to be a wicked coaster nonetheless.

Lap Bar Duration Disappointing!

The sleepiest of all RMC’s. This is not a top 25 coaster. It is certainly not a better coaster than Iron Rattler or Skyrush.

Nice surprise! Pace Fun

I’d been growing a bit tired of B&M inverts as a format and had minimal expectations for this one going in…but it was a really pleasant surprise. I don’t think its ranking is representative of its quality. It’s a top rate invert with a lot of familiar elements that somehow felt unique. And they were certainly powerful! The night time ride only added to its appeal. I’m a big fan of Silver Bullet.

Lap Bar Launch Too short

That launch!

Location Fun Capacity

For an oldie, Scorpion was fine if not pretty good. It can't hold up to other coasters at BGT, but I enjoyed the drop, inversion and sustained helix elements. I can imagine its capacity is a real challenge on busy days as it was pretty brutal during an off-season visit. It's a bit of an eye-sore too. I wonder about its purpose in the park looking ahead. It doesn't seem to the same level of nostalgia behind it like a Loch Ness Monster at BGW. I'd say it's worth a ride if lines are short and you're swinging by, but I wouldn't go out of my way for it as there are so many other options at the park.

Launch Fun Hangtime Too short Capacity Intensity

Icebreaker had all the pieces to be a remarkable ride, and all those pieces add up to a really good ride, but it felt like Premiere pulled their punches to broaden it's appeal. I wanted something along the lines of Mr. Freeze or Full Throttle thrills...but Icebreaker's intensity fell well short of these (or so I hear). By no means is it devoid of thrill. It's still a really fun ride and a great starter thrill-coaster for young, aspiring enthusiasts. Just manage your expectations going in...a bit more than a family coaster, but a bit less than Premiere's biggest and best.

Nice surprise! Fun Layout

A pleasant surprise. This was the first ride we went on at SeaWorld Orlando and it set a great tone for the rest of our visit. I'm not a huge B&M floorless fan typically, but I found Kraken to be a beautiful ride with a great layout. It had much more pop than I was anticipating and no shortage of fun elements - with the multiple inversions (all of which delivered) being particularly noteworthy. Surprisingly, I’d put Kraken well ahead of Superman’s Krypton Coaster at SFSA. I think this ride is seriously underrated and overlooked/lost a bit among a great roster of coasters at the park.