#sfgadv

[quietgalcoasterss]

My Top 5 (End of 2023)

Hi yall! Sorry for how long it’s been. Thanksgiving left me exhausted, and then all of a sudden I was coming back to college for finals weeks. I almost finished this a week ago, but then I just forget to add the last section. Anyway, as the end of the year approaches and seasonal parks close their doors, I figure this is an appropriate time to share my current top 5 coasters. So far, I’ve visited 3 major theme parks in the US as of recently: Six Flags Great Adventure, Kings Dominion and Busch Gardens Williamsburg. I’ve also visited Disney World and Universal Orlando, but those were back when I was 11 or so, and so I hardly remember any rides I might’ve gone on. So while this will change over the years, and I’ll eventually have enough credits to where I can start listing my top 10, 15 and even 20, here be my current top 5 :>

For context, I base my rankings off of two factors:

1. How much I want to re-ride it right now.

2. How long I’m laughing after I’ve gotten off. If I’m still chuckling by the time I’m back at the entrance, it’s a winner.

5. Kingda Ka, Six Flags Great Adventure

It won’t shock you to know that Kingda Ka was, at one point, the scariest coaster I’ve ever been on. How long did it hold that title? Like 2 hours until I rode it for a second time, after which I knew for a fact my coaster fear was all but buried. Despite that, I’m pretty certain that no matter how often I ride it in the future, sitting on the launch track will still give me butterflies in my stomach.

But god, that launch is unlike anything I’ve ever felt. Hell, for like 2 weeks after my second Great Adventure visit this past summer, I scoured Youtube for a pov/off-ride video that would hit the exact same mark as actually riding Kingda Ka. I never found one that got even close :(. I also never got to ride OG Top Thrill Dragster or any other Intamin hydraulic launch coaster (Storm Runner looks so good…), but god you mean to tell me there’s multiple of these??? Even though I’ve ridden longer rides, as well as ones that I wish I could ride right now even more, that does NOT mean Kingda Ka does not deserve love. All my homies love Kingda Ka.

4. Nitro, Six Flags Great Adventure

Nitro was my first ever B&M (Bolliger and Mabillard) hyper coaster (ride that exceeds 200 feet). And although the only other one I’ve ridden is Apollo’s Chariot, I do NOT understand why thoosies say this thing is mid. Sure the paint scheme is on the uglier side, but that makes it unique. And like, this thing isn’t the ugliest thing in the world. I don’t even know how you could make a coaster ugly.

This thing is floater airtime and speed galore. Next time I’m at Great Adventure, I’m trying out both front and back row to see how it lives up. I always put my hands up on Nitro cuz like, why wouldn’t you? Only part that’s a sharp change is the helix as the trains return to the station. That thing is fast and tight: I grey out every time I go through it. Not saying it’s bad at all, just a wild element lol.

3. Pantheon, Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Pantheon is my first ever ride to feature a vertical spike. And oh my GOD did it have me laughing like a mad lass. This thing is such a treat from start to finish. I have a whole other story to share about this coaster and waiting in queue, but that’s for another time.

What Pantheon does super well is consistency between its elements. From the first launch to missing the top hat to the spike to the hangtime, this thing does NOT quit (until the brake run of course). Some people say this is a mix between Maverick and Velocicoaster, and from the pov’s I’ve watched, I can see where they’re coming from. I’m planning on riding Maverick next summer, and I don’t know when I’ll be able to go to Islands of Adventure. But until then, Pantheon my beloved.

2. Intimidator 305, Kings Dominion

I love you I-305. I love you so damn much. This monstrosity was my first ever giga coaster (ride that exceeds 300 feet), and oh my GOD is it heavenly. I need to make it clear that this thing is not for the faint of heart. It is fast, whippy and unrelenting. But in a loving way :D.

I don’t think I’ll ever be able to not grey out on the right back after the drop. But lemme tell ya, greying out is awesome. I understand why some people dislike it and tend to avoid re-riding anything that does it to em. But me? I love the feeling. If anything I wanna immediately re-ride it if I feel my vision going. I’m weird and gay like that. Some people also say that this is the anti-Millennium Force: while Millennium does airtime galore, I-305 does speed and lateral’s galore. I’ll be the judge of that when I hopefully go to Cedar Point soonish, but for now, Intimidator 305 sits comfortably in my number 2.

1. El Toro, Six Flags Great Adventure

You knew this was coming. El Toro was my first wooden coaster, my first non-family coaster, my first big Intamin, my first blog here and it’s in my pfp \o/. I’m so glad that Six Flags has been genuinely caring for this monstrosity after all these years. Even with the recent incidents, they haven’t given up on it. And I’m so grateful for that, I can’t imagine Great Adventure without this.

There’s still many woodie’s that I need to ride. The Beast at Kings Island and The Voyage at Holiday World are both really high on my list. But as of right now I ain’t going out to Indiana just to ride a big woodie (and also Firebird, that looks sick). To be brutally honest, the only other woodie I’ve actually ridden as of today is The Grizzly at Kings Dominion. And it’s a solid woodie, don’t get me wrong. But it just ain’t the Bull.

Some people dislike El Toro for how rough it’s apparently become over the years. And while that’s understandable, I love a woodie that’s rough. It gives a bite to it, like it’s out of control. That’s what woodies specialize in over steel’s: they’re out of control. From this thing’s ejector airtime, to the speed, to the tight banks to the Rolling Thunder Hill, El Toro will never leave my heart. It’s no wonder I spent 30 bucks on a t-shirt and keychain on my most recent visit. I’m a capitalist slave to the Bull.

[sushivisa]

Ride Design Masterpost 2: Electric Boogaloo

ALWAYS IN PROGRESS AS I MAKE MORE DESIGNS

Me realizing that (at least for me) the other one was actually super inconvenient, so imma just make separate posts for each park/category I make and then link it all here. More links and pages but it will at least be way easier for me to edit X’D

Links to ride posts (by park)

Alton Towers

- Secret Weapons

Thorpe Park

Hersheypark

Six Flags

- SFGAdv

Cedar Fair

- Cedar Point

Family Owned Parks (if/when i add more here it’ll probably be turned into the holiday world link)

Other

[rollercoasterquotes]

Wonder Woman: Alright, Devil, tell me a negative trait about you.

Jersey Devil Coaster: I’m uncooperative.

Wonder Woman: Really? Give me an example.

Jersey Devil Coaster: No.

[mill3nniumforc3]

How CP Coasters rank (as of July 18, 2018)

18. Wilderness Run (fka Jr Gemini). Opened in 1979, it is a good coaster for little kids (and the first ever coaster by Intamin). However, adults can’t even ride if not with a child. With that said, I did ride it in 2004 (at age 10) when I was just barely the maximum height (54″. I was a short kid). Good for the kiddies, not good for the enthusiasts.

17. Woodstock Express. Opened in 1999, it’s a Vekoma junior coaster. While a good ride for the thrill, the fact that it has the child-proof seatbelts makes the ride a little less fun.

16. Rougarou (fka Mantis). Opened in 1996 as a B&M stand-up coaster, this ride is concussion central. Unless you sit in the front, it’s rough af. Its saving grace outside of not being a kiddie coaster is transforming it to a B&M floorless coaster was an improvement. As a stand-up, it also hurt a certain part of my body that we don’t need to talk about.

15. Gemini. Opened in 1978, it is the Arrow woodie that’s not actually a woodie (it has steel track). Great for a first coaster (it was my first coaster taller than 100 feet) and the racing element makes for friendly competition. Why isn’t it higher on the list? The trim brakes make the ride go so much slower than it used to. Also, #TeamBlue always, even if they never run it on less-crowded days.

14. Iron Dragon. Opened in 1986, it is an Arrow suspended coaster, and another great first coaster. Virtual reality was added in 2017 (runs from 6pm-close during the summer). The only reason it ranks higher than Gemini is the swinging of the suspended trains and the trees/water adds to the ride experience. Also, I got to beta test the VR in 2017 because I’m a ride operator and it was so much fun.

13. Pipe Scream. Opened in 2014, this Zamperla Disk’O ride not only spins you and takes you up and down, but it also features a bunny hill. While some people might say that this doesn’t count as a coaster, it most certainly does! I rode this the year it opened, and it’s like the perfect hybrid of a pirate ship ride (known as Ocean Motion at CP) and a wild mouse coaster (which has been defunct at CP since 2011). It’s a ride I recommend a lot to parents who have kids who are too short to ride the bigger rides but are bored with the kiddie rides because the minimum height requirement is 42″. It’s the coolest skateboard you’ll ever ride.

12. Corkscrew. Opened in 1976, it is an Arrow looping coaster, and was the first coaster to flip you upside down three times (the train colors are red, white, and blue after America’s bicentennial). Many people say it’s a great first upside coaster. I disagree. Corkscrew, while a lot of fun, throws people around like no other. It’s fun to ride on a summer day, but it’s the one most likely to give you whiplash after Rougapoop.

11. Cedar Creek Mine Ride. Opened in 1969 by Arrow, it is, in my opinion, the BEST choice for a first coaster. The ride isn’t too fast, doesn’t have any huge hills or inversions, and has more elements than hills. This was probably my second-favorite coaster on my first CP trip back in 2004 (first favorite had to be Disaster Transport. Still mourning the loss every day).

10. Blue Streak. Not putting Blue Streak in the top 10 would be an absolute crime! The oldest coaster in the park, opened in 1964 and built by Philadelphia Toboggan Company, is a classic! If there are ever kids or teens trying to count this ride out whenever I talk to them, once I tell them how much I love it, they shut up and go ride it. It’s a great piece of history- and it really paved the way for the coasters we have today. So, ride Blue Streak, and tell Blue Streak thank you!

9. Valravn. This B&M dive coaster created quite the hype in 2016 as the tallest, longest dive coaster. The issue? The ride ended up not living up to its hype. I waited 45 minutes for my first ride. It was fun, but it wasn’t great. Valravn is a ride I will go on if it has a short wait or if I’m with a friend, but I don’t enjoy it.

8. Top Thrill Dragster. Naturally, this ride makes the top ten. Why isn’t in the top five? Because it’s not worth more than a 45 minute wait for a 17 second ride. This Intamin stratacoaster opened in 2003 as the tallest, fastest coaster in the world (a title taken away two years later by Kingda Ka at SFGAdv). It is a fun ride; nothing can beat the rush of going from 0mph-120mph in 3.8 seconds. But once you get up to the top hat, the ride is nothing. Also, rollbacks are not an everyday occurrence (sorry), so it gets kinda old to hear people complain that they didn’t get one. Be glad you didn’t, because rollbacks these days tend to have the ride go down mechanical.

7. Wicked Twister. Some people might say this isn’t a coaster, but yes it is! This Intamin shuttle impulse coaster opened in 2002 and launches you at 70mph. Ride in the very back of the train to get the biggest drop, or ride in the very front to have the biggest freefall. Who couldn’t be a fan of Twicked Wister?

6. GateKeeper. Opened in 2013, this B&M wing rider helped remodel the main entrance. Sitting on the side of the track, flipping over/under the lift hill, twisting and turning through the keyholes, and not to mention that I got to train at the ride in 2017. Make sure to sit on the left side of the train. It’s the best side.

5. Magnum XL-200. The world’s first hyper-coaster is not to miss! Opened in 1989 and manufactured by Arrow, this was the very first coaster to top 200 feet. This ride may be the bumpiest non-inverted coaster (kills the thighs!), but it’s a good one! The only drawback is Maggie has the SLOWEST lift-chain. It takes a whole minute to get to the top of the 205 foot hill.

4. Raptor. Everyone craps on Raptor, but I think it is the most fun! Opened in 1994, this B&M inverted coaster featured the first-ever inverted cobra roll. If you ride it at night, there are cool light effects on the cobra roll (epilepsy warning though). Riding in the back row feels like flying. Be warned that headbanging may occur as you go into the final brake run.

3. Maverick. Obviously, Mav is in the top three. Opened in 2007, this Intamin launched coaster features the steepest drop on all CP coasters at 95-degrees. It’s one of few rides worth a long wait. The launch lift hill, twisted horseshoe roll, and midcourse launch. It’s a complete package. The upgraded harnesses made the ride even better. With the hard orange harnesses, it was pretty much a pain in the neck (and ears). The new harnesses add enjoyment and comfort to the ride.

2. Steel Vengeance (fka Mean Streak). The brand new coaster for 2018 is the RMC makeover of Mean Streak. There was a lot of hype for it, which left people skeptical since Valravn was a disappointment. However, I rode it and WOW!!! It lived up to that hype and exceeded ALL my expectations. The 90-degree drop was amazing, the airtime did not disappoint, and the inversions were fun (even though they will flop you around like a rag doll if you’re not careful). If guests ask me if it’s a long wait, the answer is HELL YES!

1. Millennium Force. Of course, of course. The best steel coaster in the world for 17 years in a row! Well, 15 times, because it dropped to number 2 twice. Opened in 2000, this Intamin giga coaster stands at 310 feet tall and broke records for being the first to go over 300 feet, being the fastest at 93 mph, having the steepest drop at 80-degrees, and having the steepest non-inverted overbanked turn at 122-degrees. If guests ask me what the best ride is in the park, I always tell them to go to Millie. It’s tall, it’s fast, it’s worth a long wait, and it’s the best in the WORLD (even though my boyfriend disagrees and says Maverick is the best in the world).

[dr-awesome-the-w1zard]

I know these two 2 B&M Coasters aren't related to thanksgiving but I don't care throwback to April 2017 #sixflags #sixflagsgreatadventure #sfgadv #bolligerandmabillard #stand-up #flying #greenlantern #supermanultimateflight via Instagram https://instagr.am/p/CWtAY0fLnFn/

[horizonxgold]

Six Flags was super festive tonight.

[coastermadness]

According to the newly released 2016 park map, Six Flags Great Adventure has decided to rename Blackbeard’s Lost Treasure Train, a family Zierer coaster, to Harley Quinn Crazy Train

Thank you to Coaster Chit Chat on twitter for this find

[haiderodes]

Edward AFB Jump Tower | Six Flags Great Adventure | June 2010 #tbt #sixflags #sfgadv

[reallymkpunk]

Been waiting to see a ride like Looping Dragon (the red one) to come theme parks. Far too long we had to goto carnivals to ride them. Congrats Six Flags Great Adventure.

[sushivisa]

SFGAdv Design Masterpost

(BTW the format is Ride - Character name ((if i have one) (STATUS)

Jersey Devil - JD (OPERATING)

El Toro - Toro (MATINANCE)

Kingda Ka - Kai (OPERATING)

Oh yeah also also I got a group ref with these two as well!!!

Medusa - Medusa/Meddie (OPERATING)

Nitro - Nikki (OPERATING)

Viper (DEFUNCT)

link back to masterpost

[rollercoasterquotes]

Cop: You’re receiving a ticket for having three people on one motorcycle.

Xcelerator: Shit.

Storm Runner: Wait, three?

Cop: Yeah?

Storm Runner: Oh my god.

Top Thrill Dragster: KA FUCKING FELL OFF!

[miketheo]

THE BEST WOODEN COASTER IVE EVER RODE #eltoro #sfgadv #woodencoaster #rollercoaster #sixflags #newjersey (at El Toro (Six Flags Great Adventure))

[beylieve]

Got a job at Fright Fest! Wooh!

[bcal]

El Toro is my new favorite woodie. Kingda Ka lookin all sexy-like in the background :D #fun #sixflags #sfgadv #rollercoaster #woodie (at Six Flags Great Adventure)

[dandemoniumm]

GREAT ADVENTURE TOMORROW.

omg I haven't been all season I'm so excited.

Nitro and El Toro and Dead Man's Party HOORAH. 

[tcornolo]

Name: Kingda Ka

Manufacturer/Model: Intamin AG/Rocket Coaster

Park: Six Flags Great Adventure

Location: Jackson, NJ