I have become a total roller coaster junkie.
Here is how it all started...
For those of you who knew me in high school and college, I was a big chicken when it came to roller coasters. I didn't like heights and the feeling of not being in control, so I didn't have any desire to ride them.
I would get on log flumes and some less intense wooden coasters (Hersheypark's Comet) which I didn't mind too much.
Then, in 2008, we took a family vacation to Busch Gardens Europe in Williamsburg. I figured that since I paid $60 to get in to this park, I might as well get my money's worth and try out the roller coasters.
The first ride we get to is the legendary Loch Ness Monster. I was a nervous wreck. The line was long, and they added a train right before I got on, prolonging the suspense. Finally, as the coaster went down the first hill, I was fine. The loops were the part of the coaster I feared the most, but they were the best part of the ride. During and after the ride, I learned why people like coasters so much. It is truly a rush, and there is really no other feeling like it . My wife says that she wishes I hadn't gone to Busch Gardens that day, because all I do during the summer is talk about roller coasters.
Since then, I have made it a point to visit as many parks as possible to ride coasters, and I have familiarized myself with coaster terminology, all of the types of coasters, all of the parks, all of the coaster records, and even which companies manufacture the coasters.
Sadly, while I am beginning to discover and enjoy roller coasters, the novelty has worn off on most people my age. I have had to ride a lot of coasters on my own. My best hope for riding buddies are my two boys when they are old enough.
After my trips to several amusement parks, I can come up with a list of the 10 best coasters I have ridden so far, and I have revised this list in 2015 with a visit to Kennywood. I have also revised the coasters I have already ridden with the additional knowledge and seat time that I have experienced on coasters.
Ladies and gentlemen, here they are!
1. Apollo's Chariot
Park: Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Type: Steel sit-down
Height: 170'
Drop: 210'
Top speed: 73 mph
Inversions: 0
Best part: Airtime, theming, layout
This is the closest I have been to experiencing coaster perfection. First of all, let's start with the hardware. The seat itself is comfortable, and there is only one clamshell-shaped harness that sits across your lap. The sides of the train are open and your feet do not touch the ground. This is designed so you take advantage of the coaster's great airtime.
The first drop is long, fast, and throws you out of your seat. The second drop provides more airtime, and the third drop is a dramatic banked, curved drop towards the water. After an upward helix where you pull 4.5 Gs, you hit the coaster's smaller hills, but there are still plenty of surprises in store, including a surprise final drop into a hidden ravine seems to come out of nowhere. I have ridden coasters that are newer, faster and higher than this, but this is still my top coaster, because the theming, the setup of the seating and trains, and overall design of the ride all work together perfectly.
2. Phoenix
Park: Knoebels
Type: Wooden
Height: 78'
Drop: 72'
Top Speed: 45 mph
Inversions: 0
Best part: Airtime
The Phoenix may not be the tallest or fastest coaster on this list, but it delivers something that can’t be measured using numbers: A great ride experience. This coaster dates back to 1947, when it was built in San Antonio, Texas. The ride was later dismantled and put back together at Knoebels in 1985, giving the coaster its mythical moniker. The Phoenix begins with a long, dark tunnel, then climbs the 78-foot lift hill. It then goes down, and goes out and back several times over hills of different sizes. As the ride goes on, it seems to get increasingly fast and out of control. What truly makes this ride legendary is the frequent negative gravity, or sensation of floating in your seat. Coaster fans call this airtime. Adding to the fun are the restraints that sit several inches above your lap, which allow for plenty of opportunities for riders to be flung out of their seats. You will experience the most airtime in the back seats of the coaster. Although the Phoenix is very forceful, it is never rough, due to good maintenance. The Knoebels crew spends many hours during the off-season replacing track and rehabilitating the coaster as needed. It should also be noted that Knoebels is a great park. Admission is free, so you only pay on a per-ride basis. Parking is also free. The food is some of the best I've ever eaten at an amusement park (don't miss the chicken and waffles at the Alamo), and it is reasonably priced.
3. Skyrush
Park: Hersheypark
Type: Steel sit-down
Height: 212'
Drop: 200'
Top speed: 76 mph
Inversions: 0
Best part: Airtime, layout
Hersheypark’s first coaster to top the 200-foot mark didn’t open until 2012, but it was worth the wait. Riders have the option to sit in the middle with a floor below them, or can be daring, and sit on the “wing seats” at either end, where there is nothing but air underneath. First of all, the cable lift, similar to an elevator, takes riders to the 212-foot high summit in only 10 seconds. Then comes the crazy first drop, which occurs at an 85-degree angle, and accelerates the coaster to 75 mph. This is followed by an intense series of tight turns and five airtime hills that constantly has your body fighting the restraints. Needless to say, this ride is not for the faint of heart, and is the most intense coaster on this list.
First, a point I would like to make, then a tip.
Many people have criticized the restraint system on Skyrush, complaining that the restraints are too tight. Some people are even calling the ride "Thigh Crush." Yes, the restraints are tight, but they weren't painful, and did not detract from the ride. And I am not a small person. These restraints need to be tight because this coaster is good at throwing you in every possible direction.
Finally, as you enter the park and turn left just after the stroller rental booth, there is a path that leads directly to the ride's entrance. This is especially useful if you are making a beeline for the coaster when the park opens.
Update: According to Hersheypark sources, the trains on Skyrush now use a restraint system that uses inflatable cushions, and is now a better fit for riders of all sizes.
Update: According to Hersheypark sources, the trains on Skyrush now use a restraint system that uses inflatable cushions, and is now a better fit for riders of all sizes.
4. Phantom’s Revenge
Park: Kennywood
Type: Steel sit-down
Height: 160'
Drop: 228'
Top speed: 85 mph
Inversions: 0
Best part: The insane second drop
This is the Keystone State’s fastest coaster, and also has the longest drop. What is unusual about this coaster is that the long drop is the second drop on the coaster. The first drop is a curved, 160-foot drop. The coaster then ascends and hits the big drop, a staggering 228-foot plunge into a ravine. As you drop, you pass through the structure of the Thunderbolt, another of the park’s coasters, which provides riders with a “headchopper” effect. The coaster then goes through a series of tight turns and airtime hills. What sets this coaster apart is the way it uses the terrain to its advantage, as it sits on the edge of a ravine with the Monongahela River below. When this coaster first opened as the Steel Phantom in 1991, it had four inversions. However, the coaster was literally a pain in the neck as riders complained about their heads banging on the restraints. The ride was closed, the inversions were removed and the coaster reopened in its current form in 2001.
5. Intimidator 305
Park: Kings Dominion
Type: Steel sit-down
Height: 305'
Drop: 300'
Top Speed: 90 mph
Inversions: 0
Best part: Speed, twisties
The numbers themselves show that this is one serious coaster. This Dale Earnhardt themed coaster is one of only four coasters in the U.S. to top the 300-foot mark, and it is among the fastest coasters in the world. Although this is one of the best coasters I have ridden so far, I expected it to be even better given its height and speed. Smaller coasters like Apollo's Chariot and Skyrush are more fun to ride and more intense. The first 300' drop is certainly overwhelming, but I thought the drop on Skyrush was scarier (in a good way) despite being 100' shorter. Also, all three of the coasters that are on the top of my list have more airtime than I-305, although I don't think this coaster's primary purpose is to be an airtime machine. What sets I-305 apart is its speed. It hits 90 mph at the bottom of the first hill, and never lets up. The twists and high speed turns make this a blast to ride, although the smaller hills don't provide all that much airtime. Nevertheless, this has become one of my favorite coasters, and is definitely worth the trip to Kings Dominion. By the way, the first turn at the bottom of the massive drop had to be re-profiled, because too many riders were "graying out" on the ride.
6. Fahrenheit
Park: Hersheypark
Type: Steel sit-down
Height/Drop: 123'
Top Speed: 58 mph
Inversions: 6
Best part: First drop
This coaster’s claim to fame is the 97-degree first drop. The 121-foot, beyond vertical drop is definitely memorable. The coaster then goes through a tightly packed layout featuring six inversions, and a couple of good airtime moments. The first inversion, called a Norwegian loop starts to turn in one direction, but fakes riders out by quickly going the other way. This coaster is well-designed, packing a lot of entertaining, well-paced elements into a small space.
7. Storm Runner
Park: Hersheypark
Type: Steel launch
Height: 150'
Drop: 180'
Top speed: 75 mph
Inversions: 3
Best part: Launch, flying snake dive
Here is another coaster that is not for the faint of heart. After leaving the station, the train stops, and an announcement says, “Now get ready, here we go!” The moment you hear the word “go,” the coaster is launched to 72 mph in a quick 2 seconds. Before your body is able to process what just happened, you are going up, straight up, then straight down 180 feet. The coaster then goes into a series of wicked inversions, including a corkscrew roll 100 feet off the ground, giving riders get a great view of the ground 100 feet down. This is followed by the so-called “flying snake dive” which is difficult to describe in words — It must be experienced. The only drawback to this coaster is that it’s a short ride, lasting only about 45 seconds from the launch to the brake run at the end of the ride.
8. Great Bear
Park: Hersheypark
Type: Steel inverted
Height: 90'
Drop: 124'
Top speed: 61 mph
Inversions: 4
Best part: Layout, Last zero-g roll
This is one of two inverted coasters in Pennsylvania, meaning that the track is above the cars, and riders’ feet dangle from the seat. This coaster is shoehorned between several other rides in the park, and makes good use of the space and the terrain. After the drop, riders go through a vertical loop and several other elements in quick succession. Like other great coasters on this list, the ride is forceful but very smooth. Its closeness to other rides like the SooperDooperLooper and Coal Cracker log flume create some good “headchopper” moments. The only reason this ride isn’t ranked higher is because the ride is kind of short, due to the lack of space in this area of the park.
9. Lightning Racer
Park: Hersheypark
Type: Wooden dueling coaster
Height/Drop: 90'
Top speed: 51 mph
Inversions: 0
Best part: Layout, Tunnel
This an ingeniously designed ride that puts a new twist on the racing coaster (in which two trains race to reach the finish line, by adding an element where the two coasters appear to be careening towards each other head-on. This is a fun, relatively smooth wooden coaster with lots of twists, turns and airtime. The ride makes good use of a short tunnel where riders get a surprise pop of airtime. This is also where the on-ride photo is taken. And, like any racing coaster, it is always fun to heckle the people in the opposing train.
10. Thunderbolt
Park: Kennywood
Type: Wooden
Height: 70'
Drop: 90'
Drop: 90'
Top speed: 55 mph
Inversions: 0
Best part: Unpredictable layout
This classic wooden coaster, which dates back to 1924, has a very unconventional layout, which makes for an interesting ride. First of all, as you leave the station, instead of going up a lift hill, you hit a drop, which takes many riders by surprise. The lift hill occurs in the middle of the ride, followed by a helix, which will pin you against the person sitting next to you (you are required to have a partner for this ride). The ride ends with some dramatic drops into a ravine, and they save the best for last — A 95-foot drop, the largest drop on the coaster, that gives you so much airtime you will almost be standing up.
Honorable mentions:
Talon, Dorney Park
Steel Force, Dorney Park
Talon, Dorney Park
Steel Force, Dorney Park
Volcano: The Blast Coaster, Kings Dominion
Twister, Knoebels
Impulse, Knoebels
Sky Rocket, Kennywood
Jack Rabbit, Kennywood
Loch Ness Monster, Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Big Bad Wolf, Busch Gardens Williamsburg (Dismantled, replaced by Verbolten)
Twister, Knoebels
Impulse, Knoebels
Sky Rocket, Kennywood
Jack Rabbit, Kennywood
Loch Ness Monster, Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Big Bad Wolf, Busch Gardens Williamsburg (Dismantled, replaced by Verbolten)
Hydra: The Revenge, Dorney Park
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom
Spongebob Squarepants Rock Bottom Plunge, Nickelodeon Universe at Mall of America
Now, just for fun, here are 5 of the worst coasters I have ever ridden, in no particular order.
Wildcat
Park: Hersheypark
Type: Wooden
Height: 106'
Drop: 85'
Top speed: 50 mph
Inversions: 0
Worst part: Roughness
If you have back problems, don't even think about riding this. If you don't have back problems, you will by the end of the ride. Unbearable, especially the back of the train. Replacing the original trains with the Millennium Flyer trains used on the Lightning Racer didn't help. This could be a candidate for "RMC Conversion" to a hybrid wood/steel coaster like the New Texas Giant, but if Hersheypark doesn't want to put the time and effort into doing this, This should be turned into scrap wood.
Shockwave
Park: Kings Dominion
Type: Steel Stand Up
Height/Drop: 95'
Top speed: 50 mph
Inversions: 1
Worst part: Wait/loading time, blandness
This is the only stand up roller coaster I have been on so far, and I wasn't impressed. The wait is long, and it takes a while to load because the restraint system is similar to a medieval torture device. Ride ops have to individually adjust everyone before the ride leaves the station. The wait wasn't worth it for a 2-minute ride with a couple of drops, a loop and a some airtime "bunny" hills, which are pointless because it is difficult to catch air while standing up.
Update: This dud of a coaster was CLOSED in August 2015. I don't think it is moving to another park, so it will likely be headed for the junk pile. It is being replaced with a Mondial Revolution ride, which you won't see me on because vomiting is not my idea of fun.
Pepsi Orange Streak
Park: Nickelodeon Universe, Mall of America
Type: Steel sit-down
Height: 60'
Drop: 40'
Top speed: 30 mph
Inversions: 0
Worst part: Lack of thrills
Basically goes back and forth through the indoor amusement park inside the Mall of America. It is a good way to see the park and the mall, but there are no big drops, and it moves along at a blistering 30 mph. Basically a fast monorail. By the way, there are two good coasters in this small park, the Spongebob Squarepants Rock Bottom Plunge (an honorable mention) and the Fairly OddCoaster (decent).
Trailblazer
Park: Hersheypark
Type: Steel sit-down
Height/Drop: 50'
Top speed: 45 mph
Inversions: 0
Worst part: Lack of thrills, theming
This mine cart roller coaster offers no thrilling moments, and the ride has very little theming. Check out this video from Dollywood... this is what a mine cart coaster should look like. I realize this is supposed to be a family coaster that kids can enjoy, but there are better "kiddie" coasters out there like Kozmo's Kurves at Knoebels (say that five times fast) and even the caterpillar coaster that you see at a lot of smaller parks and carnivals. Hersheypark is out of room, and I don't think anyone will miss this if it's scrapped and replaced with something more fun.
Flight of Fear
Parks: Kings Island/Kings Dominion
Type: Indoor steel launch
Height/drop: 74'
Top speed: 54 mph
Inversions: 4
Worst part: Too intense
I think I have a very high threshold of fear when it comes to coasters. I rode the Intimidator 305, one of the tallest and fastest coasters in the world. It was a blast to ride, and I rode it three times in a row without thinking twice. I can say that Flight of Fear is the only coaster that scared me to the point where I thought the ride was unpleasant. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't crying or screaming to get off, but I was happy when the ride was over. The track was very closely intertwined like a spider web, and even though this was a dark ride, I could see the supports and track, and they seemed too close for comfort. Also, the ride was disorienting, and by the end, you couldn't tell which way was up and which way was down. Most people love this coaster, but I can't say I did.
Spongebob Squarepants Rock Bottom Plunge, Nickelodeon Universe at Mall of America
Now, just for fun, here are 5 of the worst coasters I have ever ridden, in no particular order.
Wildcat
Park: Hersheypark
Type: Wooden
Height: 106'
Drop: 85'
Top speed: 50 mph
Inversions: 0
Worst part: Roughness
If you have back problems, don't even think about riding this. If you don't have back problems, you will by the end of the ride. Unbearable, especially the back of the train. Replacing the original trains with the Millennium Flyer trains used on the Lightning Racer didn't help. This could be a candidate for "RMC Conversion" to a hybrid wood/steel coaster like the New Texas Giant, but if Hersheypark doesn't want to put the time and effort into doing this, This should be turned into scrap wood.
Shockwave
Park: Kings Dominion
Type: Steel Stand Up
Height/Drop: 95'
Top speed: 50 mph
Inversions: 1
Worst part: Wait/loading time, blandness
This is the only stand up roller coaster I have been on so far, and I wasn't impressed. The wait is long, and it takes a while to load because the restraint system is similar to a medieval torture device. Ride ops have to individually adjust everyone before the ride leaves the station. The wait wasn't worth it for a 2-minute ride with a couple of drops, a loop and a some airtime "bunny" hills, which are pointless because it is difficult to catch air while standing up.
Update: This dud of a coaster was CLOSED in August 2015. I don't think it is moving to another park, so it will likely be headed for the junk pile. It is being replaced with a Mondial Revolution ride, which you won't see me on because vomiting is not my idea of fun.
Pepsi Orange Streak
Park: Nickelodeon Universe, Mall of America
Type: Steel sit-down
Height: 60'
Drop: 40'
Top speed: 30 mph
Inversions: 0
Worst part: Lack of thrills
Basically goes back and forth through the indoor amusement park inside the Mall of America. It is a good way to see the park and the mall, but there are no big drops, and it moves along at a blistering 30 mph. Basically a fast monorail. By the way, there are two good coasters in this small park, the Spongebob Squarepants Rock Bottom Plunge (an honorable mention) and the Fairly OddCoaster (decent).
Trailblazer
Park: Hersheypark
Type: Steel sit-down
Height/Drop: 50'
Top speed: 45 mph
Inversions: 0
Worst part: Lack of thrills, theming
This mine cart roller coaster offers no thrilling moments, and the ride has very little theming. Check out this video from Dollywood... this is what a mine cart coaster should look like. I realize this is supposed to be a family coaster that kids can enjoy, but there are better "kiddie" coasters out there like Kozmo's Kurves at Knoebels (say that five times fast) and even the caterpillar coaster that you see at a lot of smaller parks and carnivals. Hersheypark is out of room, and I don't think anyone will miss this if it's scrapped and replaced with something more fun.
Flight of Fear
Parks: Kings Island/Kings Dominion
Type: Indoor steel launch
Height/drop: 74'
Top speed: 54 mph
Inversions: 4
Worst part: Too intense
I think I have a very high threshold of fear when it comes to coasters. I rode the Intimidator 305, one of the tallest and fastest coasters in the world. It was a blast to ride, and I rode it three times in a row without thinking twice. I can say that Flight of Fear is the only coaster that scared me to the point where I thought the ride was unpleasant. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't crying or screaming to get off, but I was happy when the ride was over. The track was very closely intertwined like a spider web, and even though this was a dark ride, I could see the supports and track, and they seemed too close for comfort. Also, the ride was disorienting, and by the end, you couldn't tell which way was up and which way was down. Most people love this coaster, but I can't say I did.
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