My final post after my Hersheypark experience. After riding a bunch of great coasters, I want to hit the parks and ride as many top-ranked coasters and record holders as I can. With a small child, it will probably be a very long time before I make it to all of these parks.
If anyone has any opinions or experiences about any of these parks (or other parks), please share them!
1. Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio
This is the undisputed coaster capital of the world, with 17 roller coasters. Among the highlights are the Magnum XL-200. Built in 1989, it was the first coaster to break the 200-foot barrier, and it is still supposedly a great ride. Dwarfing this ride is Millennium Force (pictured), which boasts a 300-foot drop at an 85-degree angle. I have heard accounts about people blacking out on this coaster. Even more intense is the Top Thrill Dragster, which launches riders to a staggering 120 mph, before they climbing straight up 420 feet. Of course, what goes up must come down. I don't know if I would be able to handle this one yet.
2. Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure, Orlando, Florida
I have already visited these parks, but I was too much of a wuss to get on any of the coasters. In Islands of Adventure, I hear the Hulk coaster is an incredible ride, Dueling Dragons are a lot of fun, and there is supposedly a roller coaster being built at the park's Harry Potter themed area now under construction. The Universal Studios park has The Mummy, which is supposedly one of the top-rated indoor coasters, and the brand new Rip, Ride and Rockit coaster, which has the world's first non-inverted loop. Google this coaster and you will see what the non-inverted loop looks like.
3. Kings Island, Mason, Ohio
This is another large park, with 15 coasters. The main reason I want to visit this park is for The Beast. When this coaster opened in 1979, it held virtually every record- it was the tallest, fastest and longest. At 7,359 feet, it is still the longest coaster in the U.S., and the ride experience is almost 5 minutes. Among the elements are four tunnels, and two big drops (135 and 141 feet.) The 141 foot drop is a gradual 18-degree drop, but it is a helix that starts out slow, and gradually goes faster and faster until it seems like the coaster is hurtling out of control. It is supposedly one of the most memorable moments on any coaster.
4. Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, N.J.
This park is horribly crowded, and I have heard many stories about the park's less-than-savory clientele (line jumpers, New Yorkers, etc.) Still, it boasts a trifecta of what could be three of the greatest coasters on the planet. Nitro is a 230-foot behemoth that is very similar to Apollo's Chariot at Busch Gardens Europe, currently my favorite coaster. Second is El Toro, which many say is the world's best wooden coaster. It is a staggering 181 feet tall, and the first drop is a steep 76 degrees. Many have said this is the best first drop on any coaster. El Toro rockets along at 70 mph, but is silky smooth thanks to prefabricated construction (meaning it is put together in large pieces as opposed to being hammered together by hand, like most woodies). Last but certainly not least is Kingda Ka. At 456 feet and a max speed of 128 mph, it is the world's tallest, fastest roller coaster. Again, I am not sure I can hack this, but it would be nice to brag to people that I have ridden the record holder.
5. Holiday World, Santa Claus, Indiana
This is supposedly one of the great smaller parks, similar to Knoebels. According to the park website, the reasonable $40 admission gets you free parking, free sunscreen and free unlimited soft drinks. It has three of the world's top ranked wooden coasters: The Voyage, The Raven and The Legend. In Amusement Today magazine, The Voyage received more votes than any other coaster, wooden or steel, as the world's best coaster. The coaster has a 154-foot drop, and boasts 24 seconds of airtime, a world record.
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