Sean R. - Reviews

My 4th Giga in North America (only Fury to go!)...Orion was probably my least favorite by a smidge, but I loved it, nonetheless. My ranking is more a testimony to the others than a dig on Orion. Levia...

My 4th Giga in North America (only Fury to go!)...Orion was probably my least favorite by a smidge, but I loved it, nonetheless. My ranking is more a testimony to the others than a dig on Orion. Leviathan benefitted from being my first B&M and I give it a slight advantage over Orion on the first hill and speed/pacing throughout, Millennium Force was the most fun/best views. I305 just hits different. Orion has a ton of great moments beyond the first drop and fantastic theming. But it didn't scare me on the quite same level of other gigas. The first over-banked hill/turn was pretty cool and at such a great height, had great potential. But like a lot of things on Orion - it lacked that supreme punch I've gotten from the others. This is kind of the general theme overall...Orion traverses the track in a methodical manner that is big, smooth and graceful, but its a degree down on intensity after the first drop. More intensity than most, but not more than the other gigas. I rode in the 3rd row on the first ride, back row on the second - the back row was unbelievable as you'd expect.

Rode it twice...might as well have been two different coasters. left side/2nd seat on ride one, right sight/back row on ride two. Ride one was fine, Ride Two was amazing. Wicked intensity pacing, and ...

Rode it twice...might as well have been two different coasters. left side/2nd seat on ride one, right sight/back row on ride two. Ride one was fine, Ride Two was amazing. Wicked intensity pacing, and airtimes. Great layout...modest theming (despite concerted effort.) The first of three wooden coasters I rode at KI. Might be the best trio I've experienced, anywhere. Thunderhead still my favorite GCI.

Went on Gemini Blue on my first visit to Cedar Point a year ago. Hit Blue and Red on this visit, so I'l give the review on Red here. Ultimately, I liked Gemini on both sides a lot more this year than ...

Went on Gemini Blue on my first visit to Cedar Point a year ago. Hit Blue and Red on this visit, so I'l give the review on Red here. Ultimately, I liked Gemini on both sides a lot more this year than my ride on Blue last year. I rode with my daughter and another friend/daughter and the joy from the kids definitely had a positive impact on the parents (including me.) There's nothing too profound about the ride, but it's got enough pop to it to make it worth a ride. And if lines were short like today, you'll get a few good rides in without losing too much time at the park (where there are admittedly better options abound.) The Red side was more fun as we remarkable caught up to and outpaced Blue...AND my daughter high-fived some folks on Blue as we went by, which was a really cool moment for her. In the end, Gemini is right in the middle of the pack in a park filled with some great rides...it is generally fun, but even more so if you get to experience it with younger riders where the novelty of racing makes a difference.

Rougarou hit pretty hard for me. It was a much more dynamic ride than reviews would have suggested. I wasn't quite ready for its intensity and actually enjoyed this pleasant surprise quite a bit. Mayb...

Rougarou hit pretty hard for me. It was a much more dynamic ride than reviews would have suggested. I wasn't quite ready for its intensity and actually enjoyed this pleasant surprise quite a bit. Maybe it was my outside seat in the back that made the difference? I honestly don't know. But it had a seemingly unlimited combo of inversions and felt extremely forceful. The walkway across the moat was a nice touch as well...everything on the walkway moved just a little too much to feel comfortable - I loved this. Rougourou deserves a lot more love than it receives...

I was told you had to ride this before you moved on to all the bigger rides at Cedar Point to appreciate how far things have come with coasters over the years. I should have ignored this guidance. Thi...

I was told you had to ride this before you moved on to all the bigger rides at Cedar Point to appreciate how far things have come with coasters over the years. I should have ignored this guidance. This ride was awful for me and my family. Jarring, rickety and without any notable joy or intensity. It nearly made me sick...and absent any childhood nostalgia, I found no redeeming qualities in this ride.

I felt like Goldilocks on this RMC. Twisted Cyclone was too short, Steel Vengeance was too long (and intense), Twisted Timbers was just the right length. The first hill is pretty special and the third...

I felt like Goldilocks on this RMC. Twisted Cyclone was too short, Steel Vengeance was too long (and intense), Twisted Timbers was just the right length. The first hill is pretty special and the third row of hills came after I thought we were going to slow into the station...a nice surprise and what really separated this from Twisted Cyclone for me. A very repeatable ride...we hit it a few times. Back was better than front - but both are a blast.

What an absolute joy of a ride. It's not quite on the level of the B&M giga-coasters and nothing hits like i305...but Millennium Force is still a top tier, world class coaster. It was my favorite ride...

What an absolute joy of a ride. It's not quite on the level of the B&M giga-coasters and nothing hits like i305...but Millennium Force is still a top tier, world class coaster. It was my favorite ride at the park today...it's approachably intense and wicked fun. A legend that lived up to the hype...

Beautiful layout and location. A nice opener to the park and a good ride overall, but it was missing something for me that I can't quite put my finger on. If I had to choose within the format, I like ...

Beautiful layout and location. A nice opener to the park and a good ride overall, but it was missing something for me that I can't quite put my finger on. If I had to choose within the format, I like Wild Eagle more...

A steady as-they-go B&M hyper that lands somewhere between enjoyable and excitable...but not on the same level as Leviathan across the park, which probably hurts it's standing amongst riders. Add in t...

A steady as-they-go B&M hyper that lands somewhere between enjoyable and excitable...but not on the same level as Leviathan across the park, which probably hurts it's standing amongst riders. Add in that it's a bit all-too-familiar to other B&M hypers and lacks a truly defining moment or element and you get something that is really good, not great.. Zipping along the water was pretty cool and there's nothing bad about this ride...but it’s a distant #2 or #3 in the park from my view.

I’ve always wanted to like arrow suspended coasters more than I actually have. The Big Bad Wolf was my first and despite the hype and nostalgia, it never did it for me. Vortex is an old version withou...

I’ve always wanted to like arrow suspended coasters more than I actually have. The Big Bad Wolf was my first and despite the hype and nostalgia, it never did it for me. Vortex is an old version without hype or nostalgia…I found it clunky and forceless. I think the two 6 year olds in front of me loved it…so it’s worth keeping around for that reason alone…but it was pretty pointless otherwise.

My first B&M giga coaster and I absolutely loved it! A really different experience than Intamin giga coasters - awesome in different ways, aside from the first drop which is just unbelievable on eithe...

My first B&M giga coaster and I absolutely loved it! A really different experience than Intamin giga coasters - awesome in different ways, aside from the first drop which is just unbelievable on either a B&M or an Intamin at this size. Got front row seats on both rides - have heard the back is even better, but front was absolutely amazing. Can't imagine this being any more fun outside of being a bit longer, which is what Fury apparently gives us. With that said, didn't mind the length - it only goes by fast because you're rocking at 90+ mph most of the ride! 10 out of 10.

Titan has all the stats to be absolutely spectacular - and it is a really fun ride, but it's just not in the same league as B&M and Intamin coasters of this size/stature. I think this is why it gets s...

Titan has all the stats to be absolutely spectacular - and it is a really fun ride, but it's just not in the same league as B&M and Intamin coasters of this size/stature. I think this is why it gets so much criticism. The first hill is great, the helix is really great - and I can actually deal with the MCBR. Overall, it's just so janky by comparison to modern hypers. Granted - it is over 20 years old, so it deserves a little slack, but I'm not sure this would have ever been considered a "great" coaster.

Really easy to get on. But generally speaking, this ride didn't do it for me. The racing element added a little bit to an otherwise dull experience. I rode this in between riding Maverick and Steel Ve...

Really easy to get on. But generally speaking, this ride didn't do it for me. The racing element added a little bit to an otherwise dull experience. I rode this in between riding Maverick and Steel Vengeance, so it understandably felt a bit pedestrian. But I think this just might be a boring wooden roller-coaster.

I waited over 30 years to go on this after seeing it in Time Magazine when I was a young teenager. The location and view from the first climb are spectacular. The speed on the first descent is great, ...

I waited over 30 years to go on this after seeing it in Time Magazine when I was a young teenager. The location and view from the first climb are spectacular. The speed on the first descent is great, but the lack of steepness in that first drop and roughness of the ride from this point on showed notable signs of a coaster past its prime. I still loved it and I'd go on it again, but the coaster game has come along way in the last 30 years and there are simply bigger, better and more dynamic coasters out there to ride. I wasn't going to pick on the name, but I can't help it - the Magnum XL-200 sounds like a weapon that would be used by a Clint Eastwood character from the 70's or 80's or Dr. Evil! Doesn't matter, they're not changing the name now, so we're going with it!

Loved this ride...did the backward launch, which was awesome. Too short, but it carried a high-level of intensity throughout. Forward launch was shutdown so couldn't compare the two and this also brou...

Loved this ride...did the backward launch, which was awesome. Too short, but it carried a high-level of intensity throughout. Forward launch was shutdown so couldn't compare the two and this also brought operations and lines to a near standstill. Can't believe this ride is 25 years old - Premiere needs to aim this high more often!

My first international coaster…and a pretty fun one at that. The concept is pretty wild and the first drop and banked hill through the building wall are excellent elements, but I can’t help but think ...

My first international coaster…and a pretty fun one at that. The concept is pretty wild and the first drop and banked hill through the building wall are excellent elements, but I can’t help but think this could’ve/would’ve been an elite coaster if done right in the second half. It runs out of steam early and it’s showing some age with a pronounced and distracting rattle. With all this said, I’m going to look back and remember how I was smiling the entirety of both rides I took basking in the sheer joy of riding an Intamin hyper-coaster on top of a building in Tokyo rather than focusing on what could’ve been.

Didn't love Shockwave. It has some good forces and the double inversion combo is solid...but it's a distant #4 at the park. Did get to meet Robb and Elissa from Theme Park Review and they took my daug...

Didn't love Shockwave. It has some good forces and the double inversion combo is solid...but it's a distant #4 at the park. Did get to meet Robb and Elissa from Theme Park Review and they took my daughter on a ride that had the full video treatment - made my daughter's day. A very cool thing to see her experience.

I've been on many RMC's and had really modest expectations going into this one. I wanted to ride "the original RMC", but had read that there was a big leap between this and Iron Rattler...and without ...

I've been on many RMC's and had really modest expectations going into this one. I wanted to ride "the original RMC", but had read that there was a big leap between this and Iron Rattler...and without any inversions, I figured I'd be in for a good, not great ride. But New Texas Giant hit pretty hard - I was quite pleasantly surprised. It has some fantastic elements, a great first drop, the glass-smoothness common with an RMC and the layout proved to be long with fantastic pacing throughout. Its a really good looking RMC too...having a special stature and aura about it. Its not the most intense RMC, but it is a great coaster and should probably be heralded more than it gets credit for...

I LOVED Iron Rattler far more than I expected. I thought it would serve as more of a legacy prototype for newer RMC's, but it was far more complete and modern than I anticipated. It's my personal #3-...

I LOVED Iron Rattler far more than I expected. I thought it would serve as more of a legacy prototype for newer RMC's, but it was far more complete and modern than I anticipated. It's my personal #3-ranked RMC with only Steel Vengeance and Iron Gwazi ahead of it. While it doesn't have the intensity of those two rides (and not much else does), it's in that next tier. And the way it weaves so many killer RMC elements into the topography of the quarry setting is what sets it apart from Wildcat's Revenge, ArieForce, and Twisted Timbers, in my opinion. There is an ever-so-slight slow down on top of the quarry wall which is well documented by others, but it hardly impacts the experience. Everything else was really good to great. The first drop is as advertised, only outdone by SteVe and IG. The single inversion is perfectly placed and executed. And the dark tunnel and final drop off the quarry wall close the ride experience out in a distinct and quite remarkable fashion. With it's reputation well-known and a number of RMC's under my belt already, it's hard to believe how pleasantly surprised I was by this ride. I largely had a sense of what was coming and Iron Rattler still overdelivered for me.

This sneakily might be the best coaster at HP! What an absolutely killer ride. Yes, it is short (22 seconds according to the experts), but I'm not sure I could've handled much more of this intensity. ...

This sneakily might be the best coaster at HP! What an absolutely killer ride. Yes, it is short (22 seconds according to the experts), but I'm not sure I could've handled much more of this intensity. The launch is as advertised - a rocket of a takeoff, but it's the remaining elements that really set this coaster beyond my expectations. The snake roll/dive was a top coaster moment for me. The fact that the lights were out as part of Hersheypark's Dark Nights theme certainly added to the experience. I loved it, front to finish. Daughter's POV: It was a great ride overall. The launch was my favorite part. All the flips and turns were really fun. There could be some lights in the dark (I didn't like the Dark Night experience on this one as much as my dad.)

Candymonium was a fantastic experience that bookended a great evening at Hersheypark. We went on it to start our night and finished our evening with two more rides before leaving the park. It is not t...

Candymonium was a fantastic experience that bookended a great evening at Hersheypark. We went on it to start our night and finished our evening with two more rides before leaving the park. It is not the most intense coaster at Hersheypark, but it maintains a formidable thrill-level throughout and offers a grace, strength and elegance that is unmatched among the deep roster of Hersheypark coasters. The ride is the perfect ambassador/greeter to what I believe is among the best coaster-parks in the country - welcoming coaster aficionados and more daring general audiences alike. My first ride was in the darkness of Dark Nights theming and was my favorite B&M hyper experience of all-time. The ride hauls down the first hill, which felt a bit bigger and steeper than other B&M hypers and the subsequent camelback and helix were fantastic. The rolling hills of the back-half and the concluding circle around the kisses fountain wove the coaster into the park setting in a masterful manner. The operations were on point and showcased a capacity to devour long lines of eager riders in short order. I've read complaints about operations from others, but what I saw was as strong as any coaster anywhere. My single complaint is that the trims came into play on our last two rides and it dulled the second half of the ride quite noticeably. Still, it's a great ride that stands out and really just feels right in every way as the opener for a park that has invested significantly in its coaster experience over the last two decades.

I don't really like spinning coasters, but this was pretty enjoyable and certainly unique. I'd skipped it the first two times I went to BGT, but Montu was down and there were no lines for CC so my dau...

I don't really like spinning coasters, but this was pretty enjoyable and certainly unique. I'd skipped it the first two times I went to BGT, but Montu was down and there were no lines for CC so my daughter and I gave it a whirl (literally) and had a good time. Probably my least favorite coaster in the park (Air Grover doesn't count), but that speaks more to the quality of other coasters. Cobra's Curse is a good ride...no more, no less.

This is the best invert coaster experience I've had...slightly more enjoyable than Raptor, which I rode at CP last month. I'm not sure exactly why this was better for me...but I suspect the seat towar...

This is the best invert coaster experience I've had...slightly more enjoyable than Raptor, which I rode at CP last month. I'm not sure exactly why this was better for me...but I suspect the seat towards the front that I had came into play. I couldn't see anything coming sitting in the back of Raptor...I could spot and actually appreciate what was happening on AB much more so. The remnants of Top Gun theming also struck a chord with me (Fightertown USA)...and of course the general speed and intensity of the ride were fantastic. I'm going to give Alpengeist and Great Bear a go in the coming months...I'll be curious how they all compare.