Last week, I asked you about the best defunct roller coasters you’ve ridden. This time let’s take a look at the other side.
Good Riddance!
Kings Dominion’s air-powered launch coaster, Hypersonic XLC wasn’t egregiously bad, but it was overhyped, way too short, and often out of commission. For those reasons I wasn’t sad at all to see it go. Hypersonic was crammed into the park (near Rebel Yell and Hurler) from 2001 until it was dismantled and put up for sale in 2007. It was never purchased and was later scrapped according to Wikipedia.
While I haven’t ridden Dorney’s Hydra – The Revenge, I cheered for this B&M looper’s vengeful victory over the massive, but sad woodie Hercules. Maybe it was better in its heyday, but by the time I rode it, I could see why it had earned its “Hurt Your Knees” nickname. Its relatively short life spanned only 14 years. It opened in 1989 and was demolished in 2003.
Six Flags Great Adventure’s Great American Scream Machine takes the proverbial cake though. That rough, old looper had very few redeeming qualities. It was a pretty much a parking lot coaster that was not only unattractive, but very punishing. Virtually none of the ride’s seven loops were fun. Upon exiting I needed an aspirin and I asked myself why I’d just ridden it. Great American Scream Machine was removed in 2010 to make room for Green Lantern.
Which roller coasters were you glad to see go? If you haven’t ridden any coasters that have been scrapped, you can include roller coasters that have been relocated to another park. Images courtesy of CoasterImage.