Coaster reviews

Nice surprise! Launch Intensity

In spite of all the hype over nearly two decades, you can’t really be prepared for Kingda Ka the first time you ride it. It felt more like a NASA or SpaceX tryout than a rollercoaster. What an incredible experience!

Nice surprise! Launch Intensity

This coaster brought me out of retirement and introduced me to a whole new generation of thrills and intensity. For that, I will always hold Incredible Hulk in a special place in my heart. I had not been on a coaster in nearly 20 years when I went on this back in 2022. I also had not experienced nor was I even aware of a launch component - and experiencing it for the first time was absolutely amazing. I've ridden it 4-5 times since and objectively speaking, it continues to deliver with nearly the same intensity every time. I really can't find a flaw in this ride...the theming is great, the audio is great, the launch is top rate and the intensity across multiple inversions is awesome. Maybe I see it through rose-tinted lenses because it really brought me back into the coaster game. But I imagine even the most enlightened of coaster enthusiasts would have difficulty not enjoying this ride.

Theming Nice surprise! Location Discomfort

A nice twist on a mine ride - certainly more interesting than most. All-in-all, a commendable effort with some real thrill components that is undermined to a degree by some really uncomfortable transitions. Someone else used the word "janky" to describe the experience...and it really hits the nail on the head. Still, the pros outweigh the cons. I liked it quite a bit...

Launch Layout Duration Capacity Intensity

This is the best family-coaster at Dollywood. Really well thought, planned and located as an attraction. The launches and length are the best qualities when you remove all the theming (which is really strong.) But I would have liked to see the intensity taken up a few degrees - it's far less intense than Hagrid's or Cheetah Hunt, which is what I anticipated the ride to be similar to before riding. Long lines are pretty consistent throughout the day and time-saver options are limited, but while you may lose an hour waiting, you won't lose the day and it is worth it at least 1x on a visit to Dollywood.

Theming Location Intensity

A nice concept for a coaster with high production elements and theming. Relatively tame in terms of intensity, even for a family coaster with a couple tricks up its sleeve. Quite a hit for young riders, but a bit of a snooze compared to Big Bear, Mystery Mine and Dragonflier for most others (in my observation).

Theming Disappointing!

A profound nostalgia casts a spell on many enthusiasts that I couldn't quite grasp. This ride was not for me. It felt like an old, dated carnival ride from my childhood.

First Drop Pace Ejectors

My new favorite RMC…after a summer of great rides - Iron Gwazi has toppled SteVe, Lightning Rod, ArieForce One, Wildcat’s Revenge and Twisted Timbers on my personal RMC faves list. Among this amazing list of RMC’s, IG has a “next gear” that only Steel Vengeance can match and it’s length (a bit shorter) enabled re-ride-ability at a higher rate than SteVe. The front seat was unbelievable as the view of what’s to come is a special ride, but the back is even better. The extra speed and forces experienced were notable…everything felt +20% more intense. This ride is as advertised…Iron Gwazi more than lives up to the hype!

First Drop Fun Intensity Too short

What can I say, I love a good dive coaster and SheiKra is certainly that. I know it's short, I know it's pretty much a one-trick pony, but the fear/anticipation leading into the first drop is just a great coaster experience. And while SheiKra had one less inversion than Griffon, I got better airtime on both the first drop (albeit marginally) and the second drop (notably.) Again, any coaster that drops you ~200 feet at a 90 degree angle and 70+ mph has something going for it in my book. SheiKra delivered exactly what I hoped it would.

Inversions Layout Duration Dead spots

Montu was no better or worse than some of the other B&M inverted coasters I've recently ridden. If anything, it suffered from being the last of a familiar line-up of inverts I've been on over the last few months (including Alpengeist, Great Bear, Raptor, Afterburn, Batman clone at SFOG.) They are all great, but they are beginning to feel a bit redundant. What I liked about Montu that was unique was the batwing component which really whips. Everyone mentions this, but it really is an elite element and unlike anything I've experienced on other inverts. If you're only so lucky as to go on one of these, Montu will certainly do the trick. If I had to pick one, Alpengeist is my favorite.

Airtimes Launch Fun Harness

Really enjoyed this ride...it has a lot more spunk than a family coaster - I certainly wouldn't qualify it as such, but it's far more accessible than most of the other high-profile coasters at BGT. It felt like a highly subdued combination of Storm Runner and Maverick. The second and third launches are particularly enjoyable and the length of the ride gives you a good bang for your time if lines are long. I can see the Hagrid's comparisons as well, but the theming of that ride is so phenomenal and critical to the experience - it's hard to put Cheetah Hunt in the same class. Lastly, I'm not one to typically gripe about restraints, harnesses, lap bars, etc. but the harnesses really cut into my left shoulder when sitting on the left side of a car. Oddly, it didn't bother me at all when sitting on the right. All-in-all, a really solid Intamin launch coaster, but not an elite class Intamin launch coaster.

I went on this in 1990 (it's second season.) Big, fast and intense...that's what I remember. I don't recall any discomfort...perhaps the adrenaline and fear had me numb. It was the biggest and fastest ride I had ever been on at the time. And it seemed a lot smoother than the other wooden coasters I had ridden (The Comet at Hersheypark.) I was sorry to see it had such a short life.

First Drop Inversions Fun

A pretty fun coaster that can easily be lost in the sea of greatness at Hersheypark - Fahrenheit packs in a lot of dynamic elements doing so in a way the keeps the adrenaline levels up after a wicked first hill climb/drop combo. We had a great experience from the front seat...really enjoyed this ride.

Lap Bar Duration

This was a "meh" for me. It certainly suffered from being the first ride we went on after multiple Wildcat's Revenge rides, but so it will go for its placement in the park. It's a passable, dueling woody; albeit, Lightning was closed due to rain/demand/capacity so the dueling aspect was not in play on our visit. Not sure that would've changed much. We went on it twice and was glad I did, but wouldn't go out of my way to get to it again. The lap bars were actually worth noting as particularly impressive - automatic and lot's of leg room! Daughter's POV: it had more than I expected from it. I liked the tunnel part. I like when first hills bank on a wooden coaster and so I enjoyed that component especially.

First Drop Fun

Nice B&M invert...my 5th of the summer. They are starting to feel a bit familiar which takes some of the mystery and excitement out of them, but Great Bear was as solid as any and the opening drop sequence was unique/very cool. My daughter loves them so that's a big plus.

First Drop Intensity Ejectors Rattle

I came into my first ride on Skyrush with extremely high expectations...as much as anything I've ever ridden outside of Steal Vengeance. I love big, intense Intamin coasters...i305 is a top 3 for me. And SkyRush is a fantastic ride, but it didn't quite deliver for me what I was hoping. I wanted it to become a top 3 and it just didn't. It's not even a top 3 at Hersheypark for me at the moment. The express first hill lift was fantastic, the first drop is unbelievable and the ejectors were solid throughout - all things I was looking forward to experiencing. The restraints were not an issue at all for me despite all the criticism around them from others. All these things pointed to a world class coaster...and it is world class. BUT, this is the first coaster I've ridden of this caliber where the rattle greatly impacted my perspective and experience. It was extremely pronounced and it took some of the shine off things. My 9 year-old daughter felt the same way. She liked Skyrush a lot, but it wasn't as good for us as Candymomium or Storm Runner. I do want to give it another shot. The weather really limited our repeat riding ability. We didn't sit in the wings, which I've heard is truly special. And I was nervous my daughter was going to think it was too much, so I was slightly distracted keeping an eye on her while riding. But it really comes back to the rattle. It made the ride feel past its prime to me...and like an aggressive, physical running back who plays the game really hard (the best metaphor I can think of for Skyrush) - the decline can come fast. I certainly hope that this is not the case here. We'll hopefully give it another shot with clearer skies when we visit next year.

A very accessible and innovative ride with some unique elements (vs anything else we've ridden) and snappy thrills. My daughter and I went on this not quite knowing what we were getting ourselves into. She was age 7 at the time...and we both lenjoyed it...she loved it. UPDATED: Awful second experience in the darkness as part of Dark Nights. Others may enjoy, but I haven't felt right since riding...too much spinning without any sense of bearings = no good for me.

Airtimes Pace Ejectors

Went on Wildcat's Revenge on an extremely rainy day. Was thrilled it was open and was happy to accept the reality that we'd be pelted with raindrops throughout our rides in order to get on it during our visit. The good news was that there were virtually no lines to speak of and we were able to ride multiple times in a short window. The bad news - the rain hurt and probably impacted my view of the ride ever so slightly. Overall, WR was my 6th RMC and I'd put it at #4, just a notch below ArieForce, but better than Twisted Timbers and Twisted Cyclone. The first hill is solid, the first ejector is as good as anything I've felt since Steel Vengeance and the combination of elements really came together well to provide a remarkable ride. I thought the theming was pretty strong too - I liked the cats in all their forms and who doesn't like a revenge theme. I've been spoiled by a heavy RMC ride volume this summer and everything I've ridden has felt a bit secondary to Steel Vengeance so I wasn't blown away per se. But, there's nothing not to like here. It is a fantastic ride with a healthy length and a wicked combination of elements that have this ride justifiably creeping into the top 10-15 global coasters rankings.

First Drop Fun

I went on this in 1993 on my first visit to KD. It was the first and only stand-up coaster I rode on in the 20th century. I recall the first hill being a pretty cool feeling and that the ride was solid overall. Not sure how it would hold up to today's standards - the world seems to have migrated away from stand-up coasters, but it was innovative and unique at the time -- and quite enjoyable.

Theming Nice surprise! Duration Rattle Lap Bar

I really enjoyed this ride. It had that next level of intensity all-to-commonly lacking in Disney theme rides. I put it above Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Escape from Gringotts as an experience for similar reasons. It was a bit bumpy and uncomfortable, but these were elements I happily endured to experience a surprising intensity on a heavily themed ride.

Disappointing!

I can't remember the last time I rode the Sooperdooperlooper, but it was when I was young and looking for big, bold and high-intensity rides. It did not deliver on any of these elements...despite an outrageous degree of hype when this came out due to the loop, The Comet was always a far superior coaster. This ride never lived up to it's billing for me. If I can get my daughter on it and she enjoys it, there may be a chance for slight redemption.

Airtimes Nice surprise! Launch Too short

This was my first RMC and I absolutely loved it. I was warned about the intensity of the first launch as a friend lost their phone riding it the day before. It still provided a great thrill and the speed, smoothness and airtime on the rest of the ride was fantastic. Rode it at night with really limited lighting which only added to the experience. My only thing resembling a complaint was that it was over too fast...and I really didn't want it to end. Top ride...I can't wait to get on it again.

Location Layout Too short

Rode this in 1993...don't remember much other than it was fun and I was excited to see if something had topped the Loch Ness Monster, which it had.

Airtimes Fun

Went on this in 2002. I remember the high points being very high and one of my friend screaming at the top of their lungs in fear while another friend and I laughed uncontrollably. It had some pop...but I don't remember much else.

First Drop Inversions Location

Went on this nearly 30 years ago. Giving it another go in a few weeks. It wasn't spectacular when I first rode it, but the idea of going under the water on the first hill coupled with multiple inversions made it a memorable experience nonetheless. It was my #2 after the Loch Ness Monster for a long time.

Fun

This ride is as advertised...a classic wild mouse. Not my preference, but there are some undeniable thrills that make it worthwhile if lines are short.

First Drop Lap Bar Smoothness

There's a lot to like about this ride...and while there are newer B&M hypers that I've been on, there was no discernible difference in the quality and intensity of Apollo's Chariot by comparison. I had ridden Intimidator305 a couple times earlier in the day before making the drive to BGW, which made this feel a bit more sedated than it might have felt otherwise. But the pump fake on the first hill, the camelback, turnaround bank and a few other elements I'm not remembering definitely kept the intensity (and heart-rate) up. The back seats were really great as they are with all the B&M hypers I've been on - allowing you to feel the force and airtimes a bit more throughout. This ride has great views, is a good looking coaster and has high repeatability as well. Not quite as intense as Intimidator at Carowinds and not a Giga, but not to be underestimated either.

Nice surprise! Fun Layout

This ride delivered beyond expectations for me...now I had no expectations so I don't want anyone to read this and think it's on the same level as some of the other "bigs" in the park. But, I really enjoyed my ride for what it was. The hills and speed felt bigger and faster than the listed numbers. It's short and sweet with a good degree of maintained intensity throughout and some peaks of adrenaline that kept me engaged as well. It's also far smoother than other woody's I've recently ridden - not an RMC by any means, but not that bad either. If you want something a bit more chill, but still pretty fun between Alpengeist and Griffon, this will do it for you.

Theming Location Too short Discomfort

I have never been on anything like Tumblii before. For those who enjoy this type of ride, I suppose it was too short. For me, I couldn't get off the ride fast enough. I only had one flip, but that was enough...I just don't think this ride hits on what I'm looking for. It's accessibly located in the park and credit for the innovation it brings to the table. I'm glad I tried it, but I don't need to do it again.

Nice surprise! Fun Duration

I enjoyed Racer 75 more than I thought I would. We went on it right after Grizzly, which I thought was a dud and so I wasn't expecting much from this ride. If anything, I thought it would be even rougher and more dated. But I actually enjoyed the combo of hills and length of the ride. It's a classic dueling, turnaround woody, but for me, it didn't need to be anything more.

Lap Bar Discomfort

I went on Grizzly in 1993 and it got stuck at the top of the first hill. So 30 years later I came back to give it a try. I had heard it was re-tracked and a much better coaster than it had shown to be in recent years But personally, I found it to be a dud. I really, really wanted it to be good, but it was especially rough and all the elements were a few degrees short of the intensity I was seeking. If I'm going to deal with a high degree of discomfort and roughness, I want the payoff to be much higher intensity. This ride didn't have it. Grizzly was more like a panda leaving me to wonder instead what could've been...