The theming on this ride is excellent, but I don't include that as part of my ride review. By the third time through the queue, the in-queue videos on...
The theming on this ride is excellent, but I don't include that as part of my ride review. By the third time through the queue, the in-queue videos on repeat were annoying and the spectacle of the queue and ride theming had diminished greatly. In terms of the ride itself, it's very uneven, the first 1/2 is very meh, not many forces or excitement. It's not bad, just not up to par with a coaster that is regarded as elite by many. The launch around the 1/2 way point is just ok compared to something like Maverick, but the top hat out of the launch is excellent and a great airtime moment. The zero-G stall is a nice element, there's an awkward whip element in between the stall and the hyped mosasaurus roll which absolutely deserves the fanfare as a fantastic element. The restraint system also lives up to the hype. Nearly perfect.
Overall this is a top-tier coaster, with elite restraints, 2 elite elements (post-launch top hat and mosasaurs roll) but suffers from some poor pacing and a very marginal first 1/2.
The middle section of Arie, from the Zero G Stall -> Outer Banked Hill -> Double up -> Heartline roll over the arcade is one of the best runs of elem...
The middle section of Arie, from the Zero G Stall -> Outer Banked Hill -> Double up -> Heartline roll over the arcade is one of the best runs of elements I've experienced on any coaster ever. It's tremendous. The problem is the ending "quad down" into the brake run which is taken at too much speed slamming you into the restraints and then back into the seats for quick pops . (there is also an unpadded ledge under the seat that the back of your heel tends to slamm into). They feel like the bunny hills at the end of Steel Vengeance rather than the quad down on Lightening Rod, except they are significantly more intense. The sensation is kind of like riding a mechanical bull but while strapped into RMC restraints and having all of that force get absorbed by a narrow area of your thighs. You also hit the brakes pretty hard similar to Gwazi and most RMC's , but this again feels worse, I'm not sure if it's hitting faster or just accumulated discomfort from the previous 4 ejector hills. I had 20-ish rides over 2 days and left with bruises on my thighs which would be fine if the elements were actually fun, but they aren't.. at least to me. (I'm not a fan of Steel Vengeance's ending either and it's my favorite coaster).
The rest of the coaster; the first drop, raven truss dive, 3.4G turn around and the corked roll are all above average and enjoyable.
All that being said, it's definitely an elite coaster that everyone should head down and ride, the ops are super friendly and do a great job, and there was no wait on a Friday night or Sunday afternoon, but the last part of the coast makes it painful to the marathon, particularly for larger guests. (I'm 6'1 220)
Ridiculous. Out of this world. Revolutionary. Ferocious. Hard to even call it the same thing as the standard coasters in most parks, like the next ev...
Ridiculous. Out of this world. Revolutionary. Ferocious. Hard to even call it the same thing as the standard coasters in most parks, like the next evolutionary step in roller coasters.
Nighttime rides in slight rain on a summer night was the #1 coaster experience of life. Particularly when Cedar Point has another top 25 in the world coaster just a few minutes' walk away. Hard to imagine topping it anytime soon.
Only negatives would be harness/shin guards and ops stapling. Lightening Rod and Gwazi had much more lax ops.
