Reviews • Dave Scott

Phantasialand worked wonders with B&M to get this to fit in at all. Uses a narrower gauge track than many B&M's, which helps with the tight gaps and b...

Phantasialand worked wonders with B&M to get this to fit in at all. Uses a narrower gauge track than many B&M's, which helps with the tight gaps and bends it has to negotiate. The trains are detectably narrower than other recent B&M's - but that's an incredibly picky point! Intensity is high and proximity effects abound. The pacing not quite so perfect as it's older brother Nemesis; the windy section at the end essentially an RCT-autocomplete to get home... But still, it's an incredible ride in a incredible park; that probably deserves more recognition overseas (memories of early 1990's school trips to Germany definitely do not echo what Phantasialand is now!)

Nitro isn't the most forceful hyper going, a disadvantage when you've been on the incredible Superman at SFNE just a few days before. It's a superbly ...

Nitro isn't the most forceful hyper going, a disadvantage when you've been on the incredible Superman at SFNE just a few days before. It's a superbly engineered B&M, but lacks features to stand out as an excellent ride. A shout out does go to the hybrid airtime hill/turn near the beginning, which does a clever combo of ejector and sideways-orientation at the same time that I've not experienced anywhere else.

Xcelerator is one of the few Intamin Accelerators to get a lapbar, and it definitely benefits from it. Doing "something" with the power rather than bl...

Xcelerator is one of the few Intamin Accelerators to get a lapbar, and it definitely benefits from it. Doing "something" with the power rather than bleeding it off needlessly is a big plus. Theming is effective and looks great lit up at sunset. Big minus however for capacity; by Cedar Fair standards turnarounds are extremely slow even on a dead quiet day (5-min despatch is not unusual). I assume the additional paranoid cross checking stem from the incidents on Perilous Plunge & Hydro that shared similar restraints.

Excellent, possible contender for UK #1 slot. The combination of the new trains and refinements to the layout mean this is a chalk-and-cheese differen...

Excellent, possible contender for UK #1 slot. The combination of the new trains and refinements to the layout mean this is a chalk-and-cheese difference between the original Colossus and Sik. Intense, smooth inversions, air, chaotic hangtime and water features all contribute to this being a top class ride. Banging 90s techno in the station helps set the mood. Half a star off the score because they only have one train - despatches are slow and this won't be pleasant on a busy day. Not really a fan of the name either but that's a nitpick. This isn't a park review, but Sik now totally outclasses the entire lineup to the point the other weaknesses in the park need addressing. Sik is every bit the equal of something like Maverick. The park derserves to do well with this

Better than yet another vanilla SLC but shares the same problem - terrible trains. Only one train too which affects capacity. Out of date when inst...

Better than yet another vanilla SLC but shares the same problem - terrible trains. Only one train too which affects capacity. Out of date when installed, badly out of date with Sik next door.

Like Hersheyparks Skyrush and Canada's Wonderlands Leviathan had some sort of offspring. Fury has elements not really found on other B&M hypers, chief...

Like Hersheyparks Skyrush and Canada's Wonderlands Leviathan had some sort of offspring. Fury has elements not really found on other B&M hypers, chiefly low altitude high speed turns. Hasn't got the sideways airtime that Orion does. It's an amazing first drop as one would expect, but relatively few airtime events compared to most hypers. Much fun to ride obviously, but it doesn't earn the number one slot, even amongst B&Ms. Like most rides, this one thrives on night rides, by far best time to experience it.

A school trip staple. Rode this over and over throughout the 1990's, rough as old boots but packs a decent punch. Super-long trains mean that there is...

A school trip staple. Rode this over and over throughout the 1990's, rough as old boots but packs a decent punch. Super-long trains mean that there is air to be had especially in the back too. I am sure I still have a scar from clobbering a tree on the 2nd big drop into the woods. Second half has crazy violent laterals, and a crawl back to the station. So much so a tractor in is kept in reserve to tow it back in the lift if the ride valleys. The ultimate is currently SBNO, it's time might be done in fact. Replacing it would make so much more sense than trying to reinstate it for the cost involved.

Superb, modern wooden coaster well worth taking the trip to see. Proper length, smooth, forceful, air and lots of laterals. Tayto deserve to do well o...

Superb, modern wooden coaster well worth taking the trip to see. Proper length, smooth, forceful, air and lots of laterals. Tayto deserve to do well off the back of this.

Gravity group retracking has helped keep this ride smooth and some nice airtime even. Overshadowed by adjacent rides, but is relevant in KIs lineup as...

Gravity group retracking has helped keep this ride smooth and some nice airtime even. Overshadowed by adjacent rides, but is relevant in KIs lineup as an intermediate step between kiddie and hypercoasters. It's important that this scale of ride is available to offer a progression up the scale - and that it is fun in the process. Racer manages both requirements.

I really loved Air when it first opened; despite it's many, many reliability issues and much documented lack of force! I would associate what it does ...

I really loved Air when it first opened; despite it's many, many reliability issues and much documented lack of force! I would associate what it does mostly with those long Japanese coasters that trundle around at speed but not doing an awful lot. Air definitely is not long, nor does it do a lot either. Despite this I did declare it to have one of the greatest half-rolls ever; a reference to the dive into the cut-and-cover tunnel proximity effect. Air was a demo of what a flyer could do; without actually doing it. It also attempted to widen Alton Towers audience; rather than selling the "terror" they opted to try and sell it as a come-fly-with-us mentality. Fun, rather than machismo. Not a move many follow but one I can appreciate. The relative tameness of the ride has, in the long run, I think proved to the low ratings it now sees and maybe also the decision to VR the thing... Which I haven't tried yet. No rush. (I can do VR at home - why on earth would I go to a theme park to try it... The whole point in going to a park is do do something REAL!)

Funky water splash ride that happens to run on rails therefore counts as a coaster. Absolutely minimal restraints are a fun novelty. Doesnt splash muc...

Funky water splash ride that happens to run on rails therefore counts as a coaster. Absolutely minimal restraints are a fun novelty. Doesnt splash much water into the boat - and would in fact be an ideal ride for colder climates!

I really wanted to like like this more than I did. I'm 5'10", so not exactly 'above average' height. The trains are just a bit cramped, meaning my an...

I really wanted to like like this more than I did. I'm 5'10", so not exactly 'above average' height. The trains are just a bit cramped, meaning my ankles folded slightly sideways = ouch as soon as any positive G kicks in. The layout is solid with good inversions, hang and airtime but I didn't get on with the seating position. Shame. Not in a rush to try other single rails.

Fast, mostly family coaster with some odd pops of airtime and a forgettable loop. Fun theming. Has absolutely colossal capacity what with at least 4 m...

Fast, mostly family coaster with some odd pops of airtime and a forgettable loop. Fun theming. Has absolutely colossal capacity what with at least 4 major blocks within the ride. Just what the doctor ordered. Pretty please can we have a couple more major coasters in the California Adventure?

Brilliant! Could have opened yesterday. Makes good use of the terrain; and builds speed throughout the ride. Interaction with Yukon Striker is a healt...

Brilliant! Could have opened yesterday. Makes good use of the terrain; and builds speed throughout the ride. Interaction with Yukon Striker is a healthy bonus. I think this is my favourite of the Arrow suspendeds, and unfortunately, I have now been on all the surviving examples of the format.

After years of criticising B&M's efforts to try and get wide and wider trains to do a snappy turn, Yukon (finally) proves it's possible. Think of this...

After years of criticising B&M's efforts to try and get wide and wider trains to do a snappy turn, Yukon (finally) proves it's possible. Think of this as a looping coaster first - consider Canada's Wonderland best looper before Yukon was Dragon Fyre - and dive coaster elements as a bonus. The restraints will be an endless source of debate; for the looping portions they are better; for the drop they aren't quite so good as a conventional OTSR. Looks great both off-and-on ride, and the route is well thought out to interact with other rides. The main drop of course, really does look the part from on-ride; just wish it were possible to get clean air (as opposed to restrained air) on the way down... Someone go on, I dare you, do a dive machine with the clamshell restraints instead.

Brutal, fast, thigh bruising and giggle inducing. This ride is definitely one for masochists, but happens to be an awful lot of fun. Final ride of our...

Brutal, fast, thigh bruising and giggle inducing. This ride is definitely one for masochists, but happens to be an awful lot of fun. Final ride of our last visit went to Magnum. It is of course an utterly obsolete design, but the character flaws are what make this thing work it's magic. The first hyper, and easily the best of the Arrow's. Long may it continue.

Dire. I can find no redeeming feature of this ride. The exit, perhaps. Uncomfortable flying position compounded by a layout that does its best to jolt...

Dire. I can find no redeeming feature of this ride. The exit, perhaps. Uncomfortable flying position compounded by a layout that does its best to jolt at every opportunity. I hear Stengel worked on the volare design - I can only assume that was in a capacity to check the safe operation of the ride than its actual content. Absolutely no desire to go on any of the others.the same as this even to just get the credit.

Upped my score for this ride on re-riding today. Great first drop and fun run of intense inversions. Probably better than the adjacent wild eagle. It ...

Upped my score for this ride on re-riding today. Great first drop and fun run of intense inversions. Probably better than the adjacent wild eagle. It is a shame the revised Arrow / Alan Schilke looping coaster design didn't get a chance to be used more widely. I could reride this endlessly. Of course, by 1999 Arrow had already lost the market to B&M.

Fun wing coaster in an excellent setting, with most of the layout hidden until you climb the lift. The first drop and initial climb are pretty intense...

Fun wing coaster in an excellent setting, with most of the layout hidden until you climb the lift. The first drop and initial climb are pretty intense. The main run of inversions are relatively mild. I'd take this over the Swarm, but Gardalands Raptor or CPs gatekeeper are better wing and inversion experiences respectively.

Elite-level use of terrain. Quick, smooth and plenty airtime - not of the Steel Vengeance verging on insanity variety. Launch is not all that powerful...

Elite-level use of terrain. Quick, smooth and plenty airtime - not of the Steel Vengeance verging on insanity variety. Launch is not all that powerful and crest of lift hill isn't the ejector seat that earlier reviews imply. Much fun to be had all the same and probably a top-20 ride. Reliability is still a problem, and probably always will be. Ride this early at all costs.

Currently known as "Ice Mountain"; quasi-indoors and has a bit of minimal theming and lighting. Has appeared at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland at least o...

Currently known as "Ice Mountain"; quasi-indoors and has a bit of minimal theming and lighting. Has appeared at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland at least once now. Like others of it's type, there's nothing wrong per se and had a good laugh riding this; but like the park the only reason to visit is to chase credits.

Wow! Just wow! May possibly be my favourite B&M hyper at the time of writing (2019), and I've done quite a few of the genre. Has the advantage of bein...

Wow! Just wow! May possibly be my favourite B&M hyper at the time of writing (2019), and I've done quite a few of the genre. Has the advantage of being set at the back of the park surrounded by woods and water features. Delivers great extended floater airtime, and is relatively well balanced for pacing. Trims are usually off in the morning and as such it's a bit better at that time of day - shame they don't allow it to run completely free having warmed up; but I guess there are "reasons".

B&Ms always get better once broken in. I'm glad Banshee has broken in - all the reviews and comments themed to "boring and mild" are a chore, to say n...

B&Ms always get better once broken in. I'm glad Banshee has broken in - all the reviews and comments themed to "boring and mild" are a chore, to say nothing of completely wrong. This is a well paced and super intense invert. The rolls are a needed break in the otherwise relentless positive G. The exit of the batwing and second loop are almost Schwarzkopf-like sustained. Harness doesn't especially bother me, though sitting on the brakes for extended time might get uncomfortable. During the ride itself, they allow moves other inverts with the standard restraints would simply not work. Especially the first drop, which is super whippy in the back of the train. Fills a hole in Kings Islands lineup very well.

Amusing wait in the queue with the 'rain' of mobile phones dropping from riders. Which is just as well as this is low capacity and slow loading. Ride...

Amusing wait in the queue with the 'rain' of mobile phones dropping from riders. Which is just as well as this is low capacity and slow loading. Ride itself is a miserable affair apart from the drop off the lift. Restraints more or less jam your head in place and impact is inevitable.

Well themed and punchy launch. Trains are very compact and a bit tricky to get into - bearing in mind I am of average height. Laterals in the first ha...

Well themed and punchy launch. Trains are very compact and a bit tricky to get into - bearing in mind I am of average height. Laterals in the first half punch hard. Mid course brakes completely kill momentum. Would actually be better if the main launch was slower, and less braking at half way. Slow queue so is a once-and-done

Pretty typical arrow mine train, with janky transitions and weirdly well themed lift hill at the end. Not a terrible ride for its intended audience bu...

Pretty typical arrow mine train, with janky transitions and weirdly well themed lift hill at the end. Not a terrible ride for its intended audience but pacing completely off.

It's tall, it's a B&M, and you know exactly what you are going to get. Lots of long duration airtime hills, notably more than Orion next door. The fin...

It's tall, it's a B&M, and you know exactly what you are going to get. Lots of long duration airtime hills, notably more than Orion next door. The finale is a spectacle for off ride, but does nothing to the train. Location is perfect, using the hills and woods to extract more than the sum of the mechanical parts. Staff absolutely know what they are doing and left plenty of room for the obscene airtime this generates. Great ride in a great park.

Fun "wooden" coaster that I probably have a controversial opinion on. It was better in the morning BEFORE it had warmed up. It has particularly extrem...

Fun "wooden" coaster that I probably have a controversial opinion on. It was better in the morning BEFORE it had warmed up. It has particularly extreme negative G, which when running fast feels a bit like an 500lb gorilla giving a headlock. The bucking bronco lateral section adds variety, but those trains are not suited to it. Still a 4 and a half star ride despite my negatives for it.