• Martin Sanders

    Airtimes Débit Intensité

    My new number 1. Such a fun ride, was able to ride 13 times and didn't experience any pain (granted it was about 50 degrees F, so it was probably not running as fast as it does in the summer). The raven truss dive was good, and the speed hill following was unexpectedly strong. But after that the ride got insane: zero-G stall/outward bank turn/double up/arcade roll is the best combination of elements I have ever experienced. The helix was fast and flowed perfectly into the last barrel roll. The finale was great too, wasn't too bad (again, might have been running a tad slower) just prepare for it and you'll be fine. When everything is taken into consideration - including not even having to leave your seat most times - this is probably the greatest roller coaster riding experience out there. Going forward I am going to be bitter waiting 40 minutes for other rides that aren't even as close to being as good. Might have spoiled other coasters for me.

  • Martin Sanders

    First Drop Fun Intensité Fiabilité

    My favorite coaster ever. The first half with the drop, raven turn, airtime/flip hill is what sets this coaster apart. It IS intense, but not as crazy as some make it out to be, I think the random B&M inverts are more disorienting and forceful. Be ready to hang on and ride this one defensively though, it isn't something you can just relax and enjoy, you gotta battle this one...especially on that final raven turn and the pull up into the break run. Otherwise, you have to ride this if you are at MM and it is running, you never know when you'll get another chance!

  • Martin Sanders

    Launch

    Best ride in Vegas (Nevada?) for sure. I heard that it was dismantled over by Mandalay Bay but not sure if it is still over there. It would be great for another Casino where there is more foot traffic to purchase this and rebuild it. Absolutely destroys the Big Apple Coaster at NY NY. Would be fun to see a mini "Coaster war" with the Vegas casinos. Oh well...RIP Speed the Ride.

  • Martin Sanders

    Situation Baffes Harnais Inconfort

    Starting out in the Casino was fun, and the setting along the LV strip was great. Other than that it was a mostly forgettable ride - granted I rode it before the new trains. It was pretty expensive to ride (over $20) per person, so not really worth that much...also, they check height pretty closely, make kids take off shoes etc (just as an FYI).

  • Martin Sanders

    Longueur Temps mort

    This ride just really doesn't do anything. Its setting is cool - you start out in the Casino - but after that its kind of just a parking lot coaster until you get to the rockwork at the end. Overall, if they ever open this back up its worth a trip just for the novelty, but as far as a really good ride this just doesn't have it.

  • Martin Sanders

    Sans intérêt

    Except for Inversions and launch, which this ride does not have, I think every con can be applied to this coaster to some degree. I was waiting to meet some people to ride Hang Time and saw this had no queue so we decided to take a quick ride. It sucked. Probably better than that other crazy mouse about 10 minutes south on I5, though.

  • Martin Sanders

    First Drop Fun Trop court

    This is a really good ride, the drop is fantastic. Only issue I have is that it is a bit short. But, Knott's had a small footprint to work with, and considering what was there before I think this is about as well as they could have done there. If you count the vertical lift hill as an element (it is literally more exciting then some coasters - I'm looking at you Jaguar!) then the duration is okay. Overall I would recommend this ride if you ever get out to Knott's.

  • Martin Sanders

    Vibrations Inconfort

    I have ridden this twice. Once about 40 years ago when it was at Magic Mountain and called Sarajevo Bobsleds and again after it was moved to SFOT. In some ways this ride was frightening....I felt like it could tip over at any point (maybe I watched Wide World of Sports too much back in the day). Anyways, it is a very unique coaster, as for most of the ride you are just on wheels heading down a tubular bobsled run, so there is an out of control element. It doesn't really bank that high up on the curved walls so it isn't intense in that way, it is just a very unique feeling with a bit more freedom and "is this really safe" factor than most rollercoasters. Kind of like you'd feel riding a coaster at a fair. That said, it is fun, and should be ridden if nothing else for the uniqueness of the ride.

  • Martin Sanders

    Bonne suprise ! Fun

    I knew nothing about this ride going in. The fact it was 100% in the dark gave me Space Mountain vibes. While it is not at that level, the theming in the queue is great and the ride experience is fantastic. It is a little more than a family coaster, maybe a "transitional" coaster would be a better name for it, because it does have some intensity to it - especially if you are comparing it to Runaway Mine Train in the same park.

  • Martin Sanders

    Théma Inconfort

    Kind of tosses you around, but what do you expect? This is a fun ride that started the "runaway mine train" boom of the 70's. I haven't found my way back to SFOT in a while, but I will certainly grab another ride on this classic if I do.

  • Martin Sanders

    Airtimes Ejectors

    What a sneaky good ride. I really had no expectations going in, and from the queue this ride honestly doesn't look like all that much. But the loops are surprisingly intense and the airtime on the drops afterwards is amazing. Definitely don't miss this one if you are at SFOT.

  • Martin Sanders

    First Drop Inversions Intensité Intensité

    So I listed intensity as both a pro and a con. Younger me would have loved the super fast, disorienting elements that came at you one after another. Unfortunately I am no longer that person, so these same elements are now a detriment to the ride experience and usually keep me from riding (and definitely re-riding). I will say the first drop is really good, and steeper than the other inverts I have ridden. If you crave that intense ride experience, this will be one that you love, if you like a good thrill coaster but don't want your feet to feel tingly for the next 20 minutes then skip this one.

  • Martin Sanders

    Airtimes First Drop Longueur Temps mort

    I love this ride. I think it suffers from being compared to all the RMC's that came after it - which isn't really fair, especially since this was the first and in many ways the prototype. What it does well is offer a great ride experience with an ultra-smooth track, comfortable trains and a fantastic first drop. It doesn't have the serious ejector moments or hangtime from the zero g stalls or the snappy viper-death-decapitation rolls that are featured on the newer I-box coasters. Its just a fun ride that is in many ways the missing link from old, ultra rough woodies like Texas Giant, Colossus, and Mean Streak to the new evolution of hybrids like Iron Gwazi etc. Take it for what it is and you will love it.

  • Martin Sanders

    Fun

    A fun ride that often is overlooked at Knott's. I'd definitely consider it more than a kiddie coaster, which makes its inclusion at Camp Snoopy a bit odd. It is definitely more intense than Jaguar! and Pony Express. If you are at Knott's and the line isn't too bad its worth a ride. I wouldn't lose sleep if I miss it though, as I usually don't ever find myself in that part of the park.

  • Martin Sanders

    Launch Trop court Inconfort

    You have now spent more time reading this review then the ride duration of Pony Express. The frustrating part is that they could have added a bit more and made a truly fun little family coaster. I listed the launch as a pro, but it is a bit tame. But with Montezooma's and Xcelerator at the same park it is a great "beginner" launch for younger or newer riders. I just wish it did more than a small figure 8. I listed the restraint system as a con, but it was actually okay for me. My youngest son hates it though, so I know that depending on your size these restraints will affect you differently.

  • Martin Sanders

    Longueur Sans intérêt Temps mort

    If you really feel the need to kill some time, go ride the Calico Mine Train and count that as a credit. I feel that is just as much of a coaster as Jaguar! and has way better theming to keep you entertained. Probably a shorter line too.

  • Martin Sanders

    Débit Inversions Fun Intensité

    I am getting up there is age, so sometimes these B&M inverts kind of make me feel....not good. That said, this ride is fun - it's nice to ride a "Non-Batman" invert and this one has a pretty good layout. I like the overbank right after the loop as well as the zero-g roll and twist right before the helix. If you are on this sight, you probably enjoy coasters and have a higher tolerance for positive G's than I do, and if that's the case this is a good, fun invert.

  • Martin Sanders

    Airtimes Fun Longueur Débit

    One of my all-time favorite coasters. A back row , night-time ride might be one of the best I have ever experienced. It isn't super intense - it is just FUN. The drop off the MCBR is fantastic as is the whole second half of the ride. The first half is good, but just doesn't compare to the back half. The only downside is the capacity on this - man they really need to find a way to speed up dispatches. They usually run 2 trains, but still only dispatch about once every 3 minutes. I guess people just don't have my urgency to get on/off the ride to keep the line moving. Oh well. Even if this is the only ride you get on at Knott's, that wait is worth it.