Coaster reviews

The most Eisner-era ride of all-time. He probably was complaining for the umpteenth that Disney doesn't have enough thrill rides, so he decided to pul...

The most Eisner-era ride of all-time. He probably was complaining for the umpteenth that Disney doesn't have enough thrill rides, so he decided to pull some strings and plop a launched looper themed to an "EPIC RAWK 'N' ROLL" band in that weird park he made to "beat the competition." As much as I want to poke fun at it for its ugly back-alley outdoor queue (the extended queue is even worse, as you're just baking out in the sun with no shade), pre-show that reminds me of a lot of cringe Rock stereotypes by a cringe Rock band, and further evidence for the perpetual identity crisis of Hollywood Studios, it's actually a fun coaster. What can I say, rushing around with Hard Rock playing beside you is just a good time, and I don't even like Aerosmith. Plus, the music helps to give the cutouts - the only theming on the ride itself - way more dynamism than they would've had otherwise. And the unappealing outdoor section is mostly redeemed by a gritty station full of attitude, matched in glitz by the offboard section. Kind of a revelatory experience riding it at first, not because I thought it was particularly great, but because it felt like a good version of that disappointing Flight of Fear ride, but such a sentiment wore off through the rest of the weekend as I rode basically better versions of this.

As a coaster, this is a good ride. The backwards sections are fun, it actually has a drop, and it does the thing I really like in Disney coasters wher...

As a coaster, this is a good ride. The backwards sections are fun, it actually has a drop, and it does the thing I really like in Disney coasters where it provides just enough positives to feel yourself being weighed down, but not enough to feel like you're being torn apart, making the force feel distinct. But as a ride experience? This is one of the greatest ever made. It's pretty much a distillation of what makes Animal Kingdom such a special park, from its sophisticated portrayal of cultures and themes to its enveloping atmosphere. The queue is a masterpiece in its own right, basically taking you through a town at the foothills of the Himalayas, exploring how tourism can affect small towns and the religious significance of the Yeti for the Nepal region. The museum section also doubles as an actual museum for the mythical creature of the yeti, and Nepali wildlife in general. The ride unfolds absolutely beautifully: a casual stroll around the mountain becomes more ominous as you pass up a sort of shrine up it, and the three big "show" moments are a perfectly sequenced crescendo that leads on to the climax. My only complaint is that after the climax, the ride is basically over, not really giving you time to wind back down to reality, but it's only a small stain on an incredible experience. Hmm I wonder why the trains are supposed to look like 19th century steam engines, it's not like this ride is placing itself in the context of imperialism or something.

One of the most intense coasters in the world and probably the best B&M invert out there. that downward helix is the best helix ever created. John wha...

One of the most intense coasters in the world and probably the best B&M invert out there. that downward helix is the best helix ever created. John what an absolute legend.

Taron is a beautiful multi launched coaster with a lot of snappy airtime moments. Not much positive Gs and has minor pacing issues but front row ride ...

Taron is a beautiful multi launched coaster with a lot of snappy airtime moments. Not much positive Gs and has minor pacing issues but front row ride makes up for that.