WHAT. THE. HELL. IS. THIS. RIDE. I’m updating my review because i don’t think my previous review highlighted just how awesome this ride is. Literally ...
WHAT. THE. HELL. IS. THIS. RIDE. I’m updating my review because i don’t think my previous review highlighted just how awesome this ride is. Literally every single element hits. This ride is sequenced so well that every element is somehow even better than the last. The immelmen out of the launch is the only inversion i’ve gotten airtime on, other than the dive loop on the Raptor clones. The dive loop literally folded me on the valley. The bunny hills weaving through the raptor paddock absolutely launch you out of your seat, with the valleys of those hills being snappy as to not bore the riders (*cough* Iron Gwazi *cough*). That tophat is just insane i don’t know what else to say about that. The stall is great and the roll out of the stall gives insane ejector. The wave turn launches you out of your seat while being sideways (great experience). The outerbank is so snappy and absolutely whips you while throwing you out of your seat. And that overbank and the speed hill is the calm before the storm because what comes after is hands down my all-time favorite element i have ever experienced on a coaster: the mosasaurus roll. WHAT. What i was expecting was a pop of ejector while upside down. What i got was sustained ejector that is borderline too much airtime for a rider, while getting FLUNG to the side and THEN somehow FLUNG to the other side. I kid you not when i say i have absolutely no idea what hit me every single time i rode it. My vision blurred when i was on that element not even joking. The only “con” i can say about this coaster is that the restraints hurt my thighs during ejector but it’s most likely because i was wearing thin cargo pants and also, c’mon if ejector is that strong that it hurts, that’s gotta be a pro in disguise. The debate between this coaster and Gwazi is easy to solve: VelociCoaster is miles better, and it’s not even that close. Gwazi is #2 on my list and the gap between #1 and #2 is like a chasm. This coaster earns it’s 10/10 5 star review, earns the #1 spot out of the 106 coasters i have ridden, and is well worth the 6 hour flight from Idaho to experience this absolute masterpiece. With epic universe now open (which is my favorite theme park in the world), Orlando should be #1 on your bucket list, and if it isn’t, then make a trip there anyway.
P.s. Greg, get your stuff together.
Iron Gwazi is the headliner and standout ride at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and this ride is a masterpiece. RMC did such a wonderful job turning a duelin...
Iron Gwazi is the headliner and standout ride at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and this ride is a masterpiece. RMC did such a wonderful job turning a dueling wooden coaster into a single hybrid monster. The first drop is insane (being the very first hyper-hybrid i’ve been on), the death roll is very weird feeling (in a good way) and the airtime punched every hill. The outerbank and wave turn were fantastic ejector too. And the SPECTACLE of this ride OH MY DAYS. The sign over the station with the wave turn overhead and the chainlift in the background is literally my new lock screen. The only thing negative about this ride is the hype. I was told this coaster is the best coaster in the entire world and it’s not even close. Well let me tell you something, the hype for this coaster places this coaster at a 25/10, when in reality it is a 10/10. A 10/10 is still an amazing ride and my #2 but when you’re expecting a 25/10, it seems dissapointing. Even with the dissapointment, this coaster is truly elite. This coaster is RMC’s Crown Jewel (that I’ve ridden, i know SteVe exists, i just haven’t ridden it). 5 stars, i drove an hour and 30 minutes both ways to experience this coaster and it was well worth it. If you are in the Orlando/Tampa area you must make your way out and ride this, no exceptions (unless you only have time for Epic Universe and/or Islands of Adventure (for VelociCoaster)).
This coaster is the headline attraction at my home park, Lagoon. And this thing is fun, unique, and overall, an experience I would be happy marathonin...
This coaster is the headline attraction at my home park, Lagoon. And this thing is fun, unique, and overall, an experience I would be happy marathoning all day. There are three main points to this coaster, with an honorable mention: The first main point being the lift. Yes, the lift is one of the best parts of this coaster and that is because it is an elevator lift inside of an enclosed building. When you board, your single-car train of 12 people roll out of the station into an enclosed tower. Then, the track starts rising and you are lifted to 205 in seconds. I love when coasters do unique things, like when Voltron does its bounce or when that one coaster had that ferris-wheel lift, and Cannibal's elevator lift is very unique and gets the experience rolling. The track locks in and reveals an astonishing view as you roll out and stop just before the drop. Oh, and by the way, at the top, you cannot see the drop at all; it's that steep. You roll forward and enter the second main point of the ride: the first drop. The first drop is the selling point of the ride, being 121 degrees steep. As you drop, it flips you pretty much upside down while launching you out of your seat. The drop is also over 50 ft taller than the current steepest, TMNT Shellraiser (which is only 0.5 degrees steeper), making the steep drop prolonged for much longer. So, you're flying out of your seat, and you stay flying until you pull out. The layout until the mid-course is very very fun, but nothing special and worth noting. Everyone complains about mid-course brake runs but on Cannibal the mid-course is the best thing that could ever happen to you because right after is an inversion that everyone knows and loves and the third main point: The Lagoon Roll. The Lagoon roll is a regular heartline roll, but stops just before hitting 270 degrees, and starts turning the other way to complete the roll. The reason it's so fun is, because of the slow speeds, you are held upside down for a prolonged period of time. In other words, this is the best hangtime I've ever received on any coaster I've ever ridden. You literally just hang. -1g. It's insane. And the HM is that all of this is done with a LapBar. So you are hanging upside down at -1g while the only thing keeping you from falling is a lapbar. I love this coaster so much. After the Lagoon roll is a double helix that, in my opinion, is a dead spot. It pulls some good forces but after the ride that just went down, it kills the flow of the ride more than the final brakes do. However, because it's at the very end of the ride and not smack in the middle (looking at you Iron Rattler), it only deserves -0.5 stars, giving the final review a 4.5 stars. This coaster is a must-ride if you ever find yourself in the Farmington, Utah area, or if you happen to drive by it on the highway (Cannibal is very hard to miss).
This coaster holds a special place in my heart being one of the first I've ever ridden. I used to be afraid of coasters, but this coaster helped me de...
This coaster holds a special place in my heart being one of the first I've ever ridden. I used to be afraid of coasters, but this coaster helped me demolish that fear. And after four years and 84 more coasters, Iron Rattler still holds its own in my top 5 (#3 to be exact, below Cannibal and Taron in first). Everyone claims that the highlight of the ride is the drop of the quarry wall, but I disagree. For me, it's the first drop in the back row (and yes, you can pick a row). The drop off the quarry wall is great, giving sustained ejector airtime that tries to rip you out of your seat, and you keep falling for what feels like forever. However, the drop does the same thing WHILE turning to the left. So, you are thrown out of your seat and midair you are yanked to the side, and that is a sensation unbeaten. Plus, it's the first drop so you keep falling as well. But the main selling point of this coaster is its location. It dives on and off of the quarry wall which makes it a terrain coaster, and the interactions on top and with the wall (especially the drop off of it) is insane. While the terrain might not be that of Taron or Velocicoaster, it is the best terrain I've ever seen on a Six Flags Coaster. Now, the reason I didn't give it five stars is because of the dead spots. Literally every review you will ever hear talks about the section on the quarry wall. It CRAWLS over those elements and, while still fun, is out of flow with the rest of the fast-paced ride. Otherwise, it's a great ride and pretty decent theming for a Six Flags coaster (but SFFT is pretty good at theming in general). With 4.5 stars, this coaster is an absolute must do if you are anywhere near San Antonio.
Taron is an Intamin Blitz multi-launch coaster located in Bruhl, Germany at Phantasialand. And let me say right out of the gate that this coaster is a...
Taron is an Intamin Blitz multi-launch coaster located in Bruhl, Germany at Phantasialand. And let me say right out of the gate that this coaster is a masterpiece. From the first launch to the brakes, you are immersed in a world while getting whipped around and thrown out of your seat. Out of the 86 coasters I have ridden in my lifetime, this coaster is by far my favorite. To start, you roll out of the station as the coaster's theme plays and let me say that this coaster's theme is amazing. You roll onto the launch track and take a quick pause to build anticipation. Then, without warning, you launch. This launch is a lot of fun and, in my opinion, the better of the two launches. Sure, the second one goes faster, but this one is punchier as it brings you from a standstill. My stomach drops on this launch, and I really love it. It moves into a layout filled with pretty powerful laterals and unexpected airtime. I went into this coaster with the expectation of speed and laterals, but no real airtime. I was wrong. This coaster lifts you out of your seat CONSTANTLY, and almost every single time it does it throws you to the side as well. And most of these is flojector, which I think is the perfect type of airtime for this ride. When you fly into the second launch, the BEAUTIFUL sound plays from the LSMs. It sounds like a car speeding down a highway, and it sounds AMAZING. However, on-ride it is a bit loud. But you can get past it. The second half is so much fun, very similar to the first half, but now you are HAULING. You are going ridiculously fast. When you hit the brakes, you are just left in awe of what you just went through. During this entire layout you are entirely immersed in the world they have placed this coaster in. I don't know the story of this coaster but you feel like you aren't on Earth. You feel like you are in Klugheim, for real. This is the second best themed coaster I've ever ridden, tailing behind F.L.Y. at the same park. AND, after a while of riding, the area the coaster is in is COVERED in fog, just adding to the immersion tenfold. About now, in a regular review, I would move on to the cons of this coaster. But I couldn't think of a single con for Taron. Now, I don't believe in perfect coasters, but this coaster is damn near close. Taron is an absolute masterpiece, and that is an understatement. This is the only coaster I've ridden that is worthy of my final score: 5 stars. This coaster is worth flying across the world for, so if you can, plan a trip. Taron is truly an unforgettable experience, unmatched by anything I've ever done.
Xcelerator: The Ride is the aptly named Intamin Xcelerator located at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, California. To be honest, I think a more fitti...
Xcelerator: The Ride is the aptly named Intamin Xcelerator located at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, California. To be honest, I think a more fitting name of this ride is Xcelerator: The Launch, because this ride is basically all about the launch. Sure, there are a couple banked turns, but they don't last long or do much. But the launch makes up for that. This launch is INSANE. It's currently the 5th fastest accelerating coaster in the world and you feel it. This is a stomach dropping launch; it presses you back into your seat as you launch out of the station, knocking the wind out of you. It's an intense launch, too much for a lot of the GP to handle, but for a coaster enthusiast? This launch is a DREAM. Smooth but forceful. Afterwards, you rocket up the BEAUTIFUL top hat, especially at night. This coaster is such a spectacle, and it works SO well into the skyline. There is no pro for beauty, but pretend I put one. When you rocket over the crest, you get lifted out of your seat and stay out for the remainder of the drop. It's a great pop of airtime, and it drops your stomach just a bit. It is definitely a highlight (besides the launch, of course). In the valley, I notice that it does get a little bit rattly, but not enough to make it a con. The overbanked turns don't do much, but it does add to the beauty and off-rideability of this coaster. If I could just sit back, relax, and watch Xcelerator run I would be happy. My current wallpaper on my phone is literally Xcelerator's top hat. Anyway, after these high-banked turns comes the brakes. That is the main con everybody talks about: the length. This coaster's ride time is only 22 SECONDS. That is ridiculously short for a coaster. I said the same thing for my Stunt Pilot review: I feel like I've barely gotten on before I've gotten off. Another con for this coaster is the capacity, at least when I went. They were running one train and the dispatch times were atrocious. Over 2 minutes dispatch times while waiting for the front row is not very fun. All in all, Xcelerator: The Ride is an outstanding coaster that innovated the coaster industry by introducing hydraulic launches. Final score: 4 stars; if you are in the area, get to Knotts because not only is Xcelerator a great ride, GhostRider, Silver Bullet, and Hangtime are all outstanding as well.
I got on this coaster with decently high expectations, mostly about the drop off the turnaround, and got off absolutely floored. I was laughing uncont...
I got on this coaster with decently high expectations, mostly about the drop off the turnaround, and got off absolutely floored. I was laughing uncontrollably when I hit the brake run because this coaster was not what I expected. Reviews I watched talked about insane airtime and decent laterals. What I found was the opposite: decent airtime and insane laterals, especially in the second half of the ride. After you roll out of the station, you take a left turn that is pretty forceful in the back row and ascend the lift hill. The first half of the layout, before the turnaround, is your regular, every day, run-of-the-mill CCI woodie. After the turnaround, however, things kick up a notch. You plummet down the drop-off and start hitting ridiculously underbanked turns, throwing you to the side and pinning you there with a LOT of force. The force grows exponentially too, and the finale of the ride is an UNBANKED HELIX DOWNWARDS. Mind you this coaster absolutely HAULS through its layout, so you are going pretty fast and GAINING SPEED, and therefore force, throughout the helix. This means that the finale is basically just HURTLING YOU to the side with almost unbearable force. I kid you not when I say sit on the right seat because the lateral forces you will feel is unmatched on any coaster EVER. Period. However, with these insane laterals comes thigh pain. Unless you are bracing yourself, your thighs (specifically the right thigh) will press up against the lapbar and it hurts, especially after a couple rides. And because it's a wooden coaster made by CCI, it has very rattly moments, mostly in valleys, which can hurt if not prepared. However, Knott's mantains this coaster so well, and this coaster is focused on laterals and airtime so much, you barely even notice the rattle. You're more focused on the 2 lateral gs. All in all, this coaster is nothing short of insane. It is a MONSTER, but it is so fun. Final score: 4 stars. If you are in the area, this is a must ride, but also if you are in the area and don't go to Knott's, what are you even doing?
I wasn’t expecting much from this coaster, and I was very pleasantly surprised. The pacing is incredible, it’s buttery smooth (in RMC fashion), and it...
I wasn’t expecting much from this coaster, and I was very pleasantly surprised. The pacing is incredible, it’s buttery smooth (in RMC fashion), and it keeps building on itself with a natural flow. Wish it had more theming, but it doesn’t need it. Favorite ride at Hersheypark (SkyRush, Storm Runner, etc was SBNO)
I came into Incredicoaster with low expectations. I wasn't a fan of the retheme (despite not even riding the original California Screamin'), but I was...
I came into Incredicoaster with low expectations. I wasn't a fan of the retheme (despite not even riding the original California Screamin'), but I was in the area and was excited to try it. I was expecting a tame-ish family ride with a loop, very similar to New Revolution at SFMM. However, when I rode I was very pleasantly surprised. I rode with my family in the very back. The main pro to this coaster is how overwhelmingly smooth it was. Not just the track without rattle, but the transitions, banking, and turns were all buttery. The location gives California Adventure's Pixar Pier a beautiful standout attraction, with the loop being dead center, and the fake wooden supports adding to it perfectly. While this coaster is definitely not a thrill coaster, it is still a very fun ride. The best way I can describe it is a gliding attraction: it doesn't throw you around or out of your seat, it doesn't go at high speeds, and it isn't super tall, but it's a coaster that you can act like you are gliding through the air on with a smile on your face. The main cons with this coaster are pretty big ones: the first being mid-course brake runs. There are four mid-course brake runs throughout the ride, which can kill the ride pretty quickly. However, they don't have that much of an effect on the coaster and they are AMAZING for the ride's capacity. Did I mention that this rides capacity is amazing? Two stations, four mid-courses, and 4+ trains at a time mean a LOT of throughput. Anyway, another con is discomfort. The trains were repainted, not replaced from the original California Screamin'. This means the cars are boxy and can be uncomfortable if you are larger or taller, but it didn't have much of an effect on me. All in all, albeit not the most thrilling coaster in the world, this coaster is a lot of fun and I highly recommend riding if you are planning a trip to Disneyland, but I wouldn't go out of my way to ride it. Knott's Berry Farm is like 20 minutes from Disneyland so go there instead. Final Score: 3.5 stars.
I thought I would update this review to show my hatred for this coaster. I've ridden 85 coasters in my enthusiasm so far and this coaster places at an...
I thought I would update this review to show my hatred for this coaster. I've ridden 85 coasters in my enthusiasm so far and this coaster places at an astonish #85. Yes, below kiddie coasters. Sure, it's a thrill coaster, it is uncomfortable, but I GUESS we can start with the pros. The theming on this coater is pretty fun. There is color-changing Jolly Ranchers in the station, and there is a tunnel in the pullout of the second drop that smells like Jolly Ranchers. It's actually a pretty strong smell, strong enough to notice it while flying through. Furthermore, the first drop did somehow get my stomach to drop a bit, so that is a plus. However, that's where I stop with the pros because I literally cannot find any more. Let's start with the discomfort. This Boomerang was modified to include vest restrains instead of the stock OTSRs. That is the worst decision Hersheypark has ever made. These vest restraints HURT. My collarbone was in literal pain while waiting through the long dispatch times. Then the ride started, still in pain as I was lifted up the hill. Then it drops into the two most bland elements (unless done right). This is the reason Boomerangs are my least favorite model ever: it's rough and BLAND and BORING. JRR especially. I literally had to stop riding coasters for a full HOUR after getting off because it made my head hurt so bad. AND this lot if perfect for something like a flat ride; right next to Storm Runner, so flat rides like a Top Spin? Or a Top Scan would be perfect (I love Top Scans). So all in all: TEAR THIS THING DOWN AND PUT SOMETHING BETTER IN IT'S PLACE!!! PLEASE hershey I am BEGGING. Final Score is 1.5 stars; I guess it's worth the credit, but if you don't need/care about the credit, PLEASE skip this ride and thank me later.
First DropLocationIntensityHeadbangingCapacityReliability
This coaster's status at Silverwood Theme Park is very confusing. Is it the headliner? Who knows. What I do know is that it is a very fun coaster. It'...
This coaster's status at Silverwood Theme Park is very confusing. Is it the headliner? Who knows. What I do know is that it is a very fun coaster. It's one of the only unmodified Vekoma Giant Inverted Boomerangs left in operation, and it exceeds expectations by far. Everyone hates Vekoma Boomerangs and SLCS, and GIBs are pretty much a combination of the two, so shouldn't it be twice as bad? The short answer is no! The long answer is no, because of three main things: The drop(s), the height, and the train design. The train design is staggered, meaning that there are 8 rows of four across, but the two outer seats are pushed a bit behind the two inside seats, effectively making 16 rows of two. Think SkyRush. Furthermore, Vekoma did SOMETHING to the trains to make the coaster buttery smooth for an old-gen Vekoma (still not very smooth, but exceptional for its time). Second, a regular Boomerang's height is typically 110 feet tall, while Aftershock soars to 191; that's an 81-foot difference, which prolongs the drop and increases speed. It also makes the coaster stand out more in the skyline of Silverwood. The final highlight of this coaster is the only reason I love this coaster: the drops, specifically the first drop. When the train horn sounds (yes, they sound a train horn) and you are dragged up the 190-foot spike, its the perfect fear factor. Gravity presses you up against the restraint and at any time you feel like you would fall out (and you would if there were not a restraint), even though you won't. The only tell that you are about to fall is that you slow down a bit before the catch releases and you plummet. The spike is completely vertical, so this drop is literally just free fall and your stomach drops more than the coaster does. Never have I EVER felt more of a stomach drop on a coaster than I have on this drop. I can't even put the feeling into words it is THAT powerful. It becomes impossible to take a simple breath during the drop. The second drop backwards is still fun, but not as gut-wrenching at the first drop. Otherwise, the layout is mediocre. I can get some decent air on the transitions of the cobra roll, and some pretty powerful positives on the vertical loop (especially going backwards) but at times they can be too powerful and give me a headache. That's where the cons come in. This coaster is still an old-gen Vekoma, and it is very rattly, with the bulky over-the-shoulder restraints not helping. On the transitions of the cobra roll and high-g moments where there is more rattle and therefore headbanging, I am more focused on keeping my head steady so the coaster doesn't hurt than the experience itself. However, I can get past it just because of the gut-punch of the drop, which is basically the entire reason I love this ride. But I only get one ride because of dispatch times and reliability. Every time I go to Silverwood, which is rather often, Aftershock closes down at least once. And when it is open, it does not help. I am so thankful that these trains can hold 32 people because otherwise wait times would be over an hour at all times. This is because, in addition to being forced to run only one train due to the style of the ride, the operations for this coaster are TRAGIC. I'm not talking about 1-2 minute operations, no. I'm talking consistently 4+ minutes. That is the worst operations I've ever seen on any coaster, and it's not even the operators' fault. Overall, this coaster is so much fun, but I can't get past riding it twice because of the headbanging and slow operations. But it is SO worth is for the coaster to literally knock the wind out of you (that is not an exaggeration). The drop overshadows anything I've ever experienced so much that I can only get past deducting 1 star for the cons. Final score: 4 stars, Aftershock is a must ride if you are in the area, and especially if you are planning to go to the park. Hopefully it is even open when you go!
I don't get the overwhelming hate on this ride. Sure, it's not a marathon coaster but it's still a fun coaster. Enthusiasts often forget not every coa...
I don't get the overwhelming hate on this ride. Sure, it's not a marathon coaster but it's still a fun coaster. Enthusiasts often forget not every coaster is meant to be a power-monster that tries to rip all of your limbs off (like an RMC Raptor), or a coaster with state-of-the-art technology that has never been fathomed before (like VelociCoaster). This coaster was meant to be a fun coaster for families, perfect for first inversions consisting of only one vertical loop. This coaster is kept because of historical significance (i put theming but that's a placeholder for historic). I love learning about the history of coasters so this coaster was a lot of fun to ride, much like a scaled-down version of Incredicoaster at Disneyland. The only problems I have is that there is a rattle, but that's expected because of age. The trains can be uncomfortable but, again, that is due to age (name one coaster built around the same time at New Revolution that has comfortable trains). And the capacity is just terrible. Dispatch times are slow, ride time is long (which is great for riding, but terrible when they run one train which they often do), and the trains are small. All of these combined (but mostly capacity) deducts the final score by 1.5 stars, but this coaster is overall a great coaster for what it is trying to be. 3.5 stars: not a bucket list coaster, but if you can then please, get on this ride.
Silverwood is my home park (along with Lagoon (same distance)), so I've ridden this quite a few times. Albeit short, this is a very fun ride. It's a r...
Silverwood is my home park (along with Lagoon (same distance)), so I've ridden this quite a few times. Albeit short, this is a very fun ride. It's a re-profiled clone of other RMC Raptors such as Wonder Woman: Golden Lasso at SFMM and Railblazer at CGA. However, it has 10 seats instead of 8 per train. And let me say: this thing tries to KILL YOU. From the drop to the final brakes, it is just throwing you around, especially in the first half. I barely have a chance to catch my breath when I ride. The experience wildly stands out from any other coaster out there, and the color scheme Silverwood chose is absolutely beautiful. No ride is the same, either. You don't get to choose your seats due to the moving station (which gives amazing dispatch times), so chances are, unless you're a single rider (they call for single riders a lot) or you just wait, you'll get a different seat each time. I recommend BOTH the front and back, however I think I prefer the front just a bit more. The back differs from the front in two major ways, and vice versa. The main spots in the Back are the two drops: the main drop and the drop off the "mid-course" (there are no mid-course brakes but if there were, they would go here). You get launched out of your seat on both of these drops, unlike any other ejector I've come across. In the front, however, the two main spots are the dive-loop and the off-axis airtime hill. The as you get thrown to the side in the dive loop, you also get thrown out of your seat somehow? And it feels like you hang there forever before you plummet back to the ground. Directly after comes the wildest sensation I've ever experienced on a coaster. As you are thrown out of your seat, the hill banks to the left while ALSO laterally turning, so mid-air you get thrown to the side and you are just THROWN around during that hill, while in the back you don't get that sensation really at all, which is why I prefer the front. The rest of the ride is very similar in the front and the back, ESPECIALLY the brakes. The biggest downside to pretty much every RMC Raptor I've ridden is that it is just SO SHORT. I feel like I've barely gotten on before I've gotten off and am heading toward the exit. But I don't blame RMC or Silverwood for this. The coaster is so intense that, while enthusiasts like me love it, it could be a bit too intense for the GP, especially if held out for a long time. Furthermore, RMC Raptors are supposed to be cheap and take minimal space, perfect for a medium-sized park with not much space to work with. This makes the ride short due to space and cost; longer ride means more track means more money and more land used. This is why I've only taken off half a star, along with the harness which doesn't bother me THAT much, but I can see how it can be uncomfortable for a larger/taller patron. Overall, this coaster is intense, ejector-filled, and just wild. 4.5 stars is a must-ride if you are in the area, but Silverwood is just an overall amazing park, so you should be visiting anyway. Plus, RMC is based just 20 minutes from Silverwood!
I honestly don’t get why people are disappointed by this ride. It’s a fun FAMILY coaster; it’s not meant to be super flashy or thrilling, it’s suppose...
I honestly don’t get why people are disappointed by this ride. It’s a fun FAMILY coaster; it’s not meant to be super flashy or thrilling, it’s supposed to be fun. And fun it is. I loved my ride.
