Coaster reviews

Theming Nice surprise! Intensity Rattle Theming Dead spots

I came into this predisposed against it, because it replaced my first "big" roller coaster and one of my all-time favorites, the Big Bad Wolf. However, I was pleasantly surprised overall. The indoor section is incredibly intense, making me start to grey out a bit the first time I rode it. The drop track was also a nice surprise, especially when riding from the middle or back of the train. The final drop has quite a bit of rattle though and that's just about as much rattle as I can take without getting a headache. I put Theming as both a Pro and a Con for this one. The reason for that is because the queue line and the station have Disney-level theming, but the theming in the indoor section of ride seemed to be mostly defunct when I rode it, resulting in confusing dead spots.

Airtimes Intensity Rattle

This is a fun, intense ride, but when I rode it, it was being rather rattly. Pulling 4.1G while rattling gives me a headache, so that wasn't great. I think I would really enjoy it without the rattle though. If that gets fixed, it will get another star from me.

Inversions Masterpiece Intensity

The inversions on this are incredible. The first part of the ride before the brake run just never lets up! It definitely slung me around some, but I never had a problem with headbanging. Personally I think the front row is the only place to ride this one, to take advantage of its inverted-ness. Some people complained about it being slow after the brake run, but when I rode it I found that part to be plenty fast as well, albeit not quite as intense as the initial 4 inversions. Overall this is my favorite roller coaster period as of the time I am writing this.

Airtimes Intensity Smoothness

This is a truly incredible ride. It is intense yet smooth, has great airtime (especially in the back of the train), and is thoroughly enjoyable anywhere in the train. I personally recommend the back due to the awesome ejector airtime when getting launched backwards over the airtime hill. I also really like the vertical rollback element. After I rode it a few times and got used to hanging there, I realized what a unique perspective it gives staring straight down at the tops of peoples' heads from that angle. Some people complained about the low speed going over the top hat, but I think it gives a nice bit of suspense regarding whether the train will roll back or get stuck up there. The zero-g stall is fun too. It was my first 0g inversion and hanging there upside-down is definitely a unique experience.

Theming Intensity

This was my first roller coaster with inversions and, in hindsight, the roller coaster that made me realize I was an enthusiast. The darkness definitely adds to the intensity, but it is quite a bit smoother than the other dark roller coaster at Disney World (Space Mountain), making it much more pleasant to ride overall. It is also a great example of how Vekoma has always been capable of building great roller coasters, they just had difficulty designing them well themselves in the past without Disney's involvement.

Theming Smoothness Dead spots

This is an impeccably smooth, quiet roller coaster to the point where it is almost boring at times. The wait times were also rather excessive when I was there due to it being new at that point. As far as mine trains go, I think Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a better choice.

Theming Headbanging

I do enjoy riding this, but the combination of the classic Arrow jerkiness with the darkness and resultant inability to anticipate what is coming and brace for it can make this a punishing ride. Technically it isn't headbanging since this is a non-inverting coaster with T-bar restraints, but you get the point…

Airtimes Theming Fun Dead spots

I haven't ridden many mine train coasters, but this one really sets the standard. Despite not being excessively fast, it is really fun and has some good airtime too. The last bit after the third chain lift seems rather pointless though.

Theming Smoothness Layout

This was my first "big" roller coaster. I rode it so long ago that I can't really compare it to anything I have ridden more recently, but the theming was impeccable and the suspended design really played into the experience, with the train swinging out of the way of collisions at what seemed like the last possible moment. I am very sad this one is gone and it will always be special to me.