Last week, we looked at the Golden Ticket Awards Top 10 Wooden Coasters of 2012. This time let’s have a look at the steel coaster list. Again, we should try to stick to the question: Are these roller coasters representative of the best roller coasters in the World? I think this is a much more reasonable way to approach these lists as we can never expect to completely agree with each pick and their respective ranks.
Here are the best steel roller coasters in the World according to the Amusement Today’s 2012 Golden Ticket Awards:
1 Millennium Force* at Cedar Point (Ohio) 1st in 2011
2 Bizarro* at Six Flags New England (Massachusetts) 2nd in 2011
3 Nitro* at Six Flags Great Adventure (New Jersey) 3rd in 2011
4 Apollo’s Chariot* at Busch Gardens Williamsburg (Virginia) Tied for 7th in 2011
5 New Texas Giant* at Six Flags Over Texas (Texas) 6th in 2011
6 Expedition GeForce at Holiday Park (Germany) Tied for 7th in 2011
7 Intimidator* at Carowinds (North Carolina) New to Top 10
8 Magnum XL-200* at Cedar Point (Ohio) 10th in 2011
9 Goliath* at Six Flags Over Georgia (Georgia) 4th in 2011
10 Diamondback at Kings Island (Ohio) Not in Top 10 in 2011
*=Coasters that I’ve ridden.
Rivals Face Off Once Again
I’m going to try not to over analyze the list. Breaking down the never-ending Bizarro-Millennium Force and Apollo’s Chariot-Nitro wars is so 2000’s. Consider me on Team Bizarro by the way. Although I haven’t ridden it post-transformation. And I’d take Apollo over Nitro. You can read why here: Nitro vs. Apollo’s Chariot
I’m very happy to see my hometown hyper Intimidator break into the list. And I’m glad to see Top Thrill Dragster leave the list. Carowinds’ Intimidator beat intense giga coaster, Intimidator 305, to the top 10. Is that another factor in Intimidator’s favor?
Where Have All the Loopers Gone?
The steel coaster list might be a bit more fun to discuss. Why you ask? In case you’re not familiar with all of these roller coasters, they have one big thing in common. None of them have loops. Not a single one. And in fact, nearly all of them (8 of 10) are hyper coasters. I know, Expedition GeForce doesn’t have a 200-foot drop, but it’s got all of the hyper coaster elements.
Millennium Force is similar. It’s an over-sized hyper coaster, defined as a giga coaster because it breaks the 300-foot barrier. The last coaster, New Texas Giant, breaks up the similarities a bit with its ground-breaking hybrid structure and wooden coaster-like layout. Frequent guest writer, Aric noticed the trend away from loopers a while back when he wrote: “Why Looping Coasters Should Have Their Own Lists”. This all may seem to get away from my central question, but it doesn’t.
A Semi-Representative List?
The lack of diversity alone makes me question this list. Again, from the viewpoint of whether this list represents the best in the World, I’d have to say yes and no. Maybe there’s just too much variety in the steel coaster world. I just feel like this is a great list of the World’s best airtime machines. Scratch that. I forgot that Millie topped the list. I just feel like this is a great list of the World’s best thrill machines.
At first I was glad to see Top Thrill Dragster finally bumped from the list. Nothing against it, and to be clear I’ve only ridden Kingda Ka not TTD. But neither of these rides seem worthy of such an exclusive list. On the other hand after realizing that this list is mainly showcasing one kind of steel coaster, maybe I wouldn’t mind a launcher being on the list. I’m torn, but I’d like to hear what you think.
I’ll re-state it one more time. If you had to present this list to a friend who wasn’t a coaster geek, how comfortable would you be in saying that this is a list of the best steel roller coasters in the World? Image courtesy of CoasterImage.[poll id=”88″]
Coaster Critic 
45 responses to “2012 Golden Ticket Awards: Steel Coasters – Did They Get It Right?”
While all of the coasters on this list are very decent to say the least, I don't feel like this is the ultimate list of the very best. To my feeling both Maverick and iSpeed derserve to be on this list. Nitro, while a very fine coaster, isn't all that exceptional. I would describe it as 'just another B&M hyper' and all if not most of those are very enjoyable. But it's too middle of the road for my feeling to be the 3rd best in the world!
I don’t understand why Apollo’s Chariot is on this list at all. What a boring ride! Even when you are at the park it’s the one with no line. Just walk on. Alpengeist is much better. And i305 deserves to be on the list too!
The question I have is: what happened to the Mitch Hawker steel poll? They seem to have stopped doing it.
I was all set to vote, since 2011 was the very first year that I rode enough steel coasters (most of them new credits for me) that it was even worth voting.
As far as the actual list goes, now that I've been around the coaster block in the last couple of years, I can now comment on many of them. I think the voters might be too attached to their favorites, as I'd have to disagree with a few things on the list. After riding Millenium Force, I have to say I wasn't that impressed. It's definitely a great coaster, but I never felt like I was on the best coaster in the world. I can't even say it was the best giga-coaster I've been on (I-305 gets that honor). And as for the B&M hypers go, Nitro was probably the least memorable one that I've ridden. Intimidator had the best drop of them all, Apollo's Chariot had the best second half, and Diamondback had the best airtime hills and was probably my favorite. I'd rate all of those over Nitro.
I also wouldn't put Magnum XL-200 anywhere near my top 10. That thing was painful to ride for me this summer.
There definitely needs to be more of a differential between types of steel coasters. There are wayyy too many steel coasters just in pure numbers, let alone types, for them to all be encompassed into one category. Most parks I have been to have maybe one or two woodies (three if its an older park), but mostly all have far more "steel" coasters. And with the variety of types amongst steel, it makes no sense not to have them split up. And with hybrid coasters popping up now, just classifying coasters by the material they are made of doesn't make much sense anymore. At the very least, they need to give looping coasters their own category. Coasters like Maverick are world class but get lost in the shuffle of hypers and gigas. CC, you should make a topic about what people think the Top 10 looping coasters are. The debate would probably be far more intense.
I haven't ridden many of the coasters on this list, but I was expecting Hersheypark's Skyrush to place higher than in the 40s. This is one of the best coasters I have ridden, period. Maybe the ranking will go up when Hersheypark addresses the issues that some people are having with the tight restraints. Also, I have never ridden it, but a few people have told me that Millennium Force is overrated, causes people to gray out, and doesn't have much airtime. Some of the same people have said I305 is a better coaster. The list seems to perpetuate the American mentality that the best coasters are the ones that are the biggest and tallest. I agree there are some loopers like Alpengeist that deserve to crack the top 10.
One thing I neglected to mention in posting a comment on Facebook – as I was rushing off to Dollywood and couldn't remember everything – is the conspicuous absence of Intimidator 305. True, I've ridden only 6 of the top 10 but comparing Magnum XL 200 with Intimidator 305, I find Intimidator to be far superior. In fact, if I had to make my own list, Intimidator 305 would be no. 2, right after Millennium Force. Rarely have I had so much fun on a coaster. I agree with Surya that Maverick belongs on the list but disagree that Nitro is not exceptional. It has more drops – good ones – and diversity than most other hypercoasters I've ridden.
I've always thought Mitch's Coaster Poll, with its "scientific" approach, was a much better gauge of the best coasters. I feel like the general public doesn't really know what makes a great coaster, and all of these coasters have great moments of airtime without being too intense, which seem to be a hit. Any top 10 coaster list without Intimidator 305 and Maverick is a list insufficient. However, I love those rides BECAUSE they are super-intense, and many of the general public may find them too intense to be enjoyable. There are also some world-class coasters in Japan, Korea, and other countries that are left out altogether because it's an American publication. I take it all with a grain of salt.
I agree that the list makes no sense without other types of steel coasters on it.
I think it's funny just how off this list is… I thought Magnum XL-200 was kinda painful and totally sucked!
Here's how I see it for now…
Top 10 Steel
Maverick
I305
Millie
Alpie
Nitro
Hydra
Griffon
TTD
Talon/Raptor tied
Dominator
I will be interested to see where SFNE Bizarro fits in after I ride it next spring…
I totally disagree with the lot of you. I think this list is one of the best- or the best coasters out there. I have ridden Millennium, Diamondback, etc. And they are great rides. Millennium Force is definitely the best coaster out there, by a long shot. And Apollo's chariot, Bizarro, NTG are all EXCEPTIONAL rides. And your list of course, can be different, tha'ts a matter of opinion. But think the got this list spot on.
@CoasterDude, because they use the general public, its actually BETTER than if they used the complete, no life enthusiasts such as myself. It then goes on the sheer funness if the ride.
One word: MAVERICK!!! I also have some other problems with the list. In my opinion, I-305 is better than Millennium Force & Texas Giant. Powder Keg at Silver Dollar City should be in the top 25. Shock Wave and Titan should be no where near this list and Superman: Krypton Coaster should be on it.
I disagree. Apollo's Chariot is my personal favorite. Great layout, loads of airtime, and very smooth. Alpie is great, but AC is still the best.
I305 is good, but I don't object to its #12 ranking. The drop is long, but not that intense, and the airtime is not that impressive. There are coasters that aren't as big or as tall as I305 (Apollo's Chariot, Skyrush) that provide a more intense and more fun ride experience.
Not to be a hater, but intimidator at carowinds is a great coaster but not worthy of being one of top ten best in the world.
Powder Keg is not that amazing. It's a fun ride, nice launch, does offer some hefty air time, but it is not memorable. Maverick is awesome and is amazing, but Millennium Force IS better than I-305. Everyone who has ridden it agrees. I have never ridden Texas Giant, but I would say Millennium is better than that one too.
Of course, that's a matter of opinion.
I305 not intense?
I have ridden Millie, and I liked it. I don't get all the haters. But the very very best in the world? I would like to know your reasoning behind that.
Hey, guys, why are these all in the US? What about Silver Star, which is my favourite B&M Hyper? And Steel Dragon 2000? That's an incredible ride! Also, Maverick NEEDS to be in the top 10!
I agree with Mike M. A comprehensive list of the best steel coasters would actually be broken down based on the type steel rollercoaster it is and the topic about the 'Top 10 Looping Coasters' would definitely create a lot of buzz on the blog.
Hmmm… I might have to consider something like that for Coaster Portal. Thanks.
Mitch Hawker's Internet Coaster Poll usually tends to be more well-rounded when it comes to U.S. and non-U.S. rides. Here's that last Steel Coaster results from Mitch's Poll. For some reason there were never 2011 results: Mitch Hawker 2011 Steel Coaster Results
I was shocked there there was only one winged coaster in the top 10. Also in best new ride Leviathan finished behind the Radiator Springs ride. The Golden Ticket people apparently think a kiddie ride is better than a B&M Giga.
Jesse, you say that everyone who has ridden Millennium Force says it is better than Intimidator 305. Your statement is incorrect because I have ridden them both and think I-305 is better. You could be right though because I only got one ride on Millennium Force and got 3 on I-305. I could be a little biased towards Powder Keg since it’s at the only park I can really call a home park.
If you're saying that the GTA's use the general public, I don't think that's accurate. I think it's just a different set of coaster geeks than Mitch's Poll. Here's how they describe the voters:
Amusement Today relies on a panel of voters from all over the world consisting of experienced park enthusiasts. The U.S. ballots are divided into four geographical regions, with approximately the same number of voters in each region. In addition to the American voters, Amusement Today invites a number of international voters to participate.
More on the methodology here: GTA FAQ
Funny you mention that. I remembered the wood results, but never checked back for the steel. I just assumed that they were eventually posted. That stinks. I wonder what happened too.
Well, when I said "everyone" I was just meant that the "majority" of people who ride is think its the best. However, I'm not saying that it is the best. It's a matter of opinion.
And Powder Keg is a fun coaster, I've ridden it. And it is really fun, but what I'm saying is, it's not world-class.
Cedar Point is my home park I go there all the time and I've rode Millie more times than I can count. I've ridden Bizarro twice and I believe it to be superior. And yes CC it is annoying that there is a lack of looping coasters. If any though, Montu should be on that list. It is the best invert I've rode IMO
I'm not saying I305 isn't intense… it's one of the tallest and fastest coasters out there. I rode Skyrush at Hersheypark a week after I visited Kings Dominion, and although the ride was 100 feet shorter (height), I thought the first drop was scarier, the ride had tons more airtime, and as you were getting tossed and turned, you had this feeling the whole ride that you were about to fly out of your seat. I loved the relentless speed on I305, but I just didn't get that same feeling that I did on Skyrush.
I agree that the list is quite US centric, but most kickass coasters are in the US. I'm glad Expedition GeForce made the list. It would be blasphemy not to include that one, though I feel it should be ranked higher.
I do not agree that Silver Star should be on the list though. It is very decent, but I feel other B&M hypers, like Intimidator, are better.
I said that because for me, it is by far my favorite. And, I know that most people who have ridden says its their favorite. But as I've said, it's a matter of opinion.
Millennium Force!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes it beats at Bizzaro!! Now this proves that Intimidator 305 is not as good as Millennium Force!!!!!! It is cool to see Magnum XL-200 in the top 10. Cedar Point are the Champions of Roller Coasters!!!
Coaster Critic? Can Six Flags not be in the Best new roller coaster list because I noticed X Flight wasn't in it.
I agree with you about Apollo. It is very overrated.
Will soon – in three days – see about Skyrush. Rode it twice in June and it's one of the most intense rides I've had but on the second go, the most painful. I know that the park is working on resolving the issue with the restraints and has purportedly added padding to one of the trains. Am scheduled to participate in a film shoot of Skyrush on Monday, October 1 and pray that the restraints will be less agonizing – as ACE asked for volunteers who were prepared to ride Skyrush over and over, and if the restraints are still killing me, this is something that will not be a pleasant experience.
Wow! You're brave. Good luck and let us know how it runs. If you can leave a comment on the Skyrush review of how it's running 'these days' that'd be awesome. I wanted to get up to Hershey before the end of the season, but I doubt I'll make it.
Yeah. That is pretty surprising. Maybe the voters are a little Six Flags averse. I hadn't noticed, but a best new ride post might be worth writing.
I couldn't agree with you more, Gstarr…(for the most part, anyway)…. I don't care for Alpengeist very much… But, I really enjoy i305 and it definitely deserves a place on the list.
DITTO! MAVERICK!!!!
What is it about the lack of attention to coasters of the west coast? They're hardly ever mentioned on the 10 then lists. Doesn't anyone enjoy X2, Tatsu, Green Lantern, Xcelerator, or even the novelty coaster, Pony Express? It's just interesting that most of the, so-called "lists" and even television programs seem to focus their attention on the coasters of the midwest and eastern parts of the country… Just makin' an observation…
This list does not prove anything. It is just a bunch of Cedar Point fanboys that vote for any ride there. I mean how does Magnum beat Intimidator 305, Skyrush, or Goliath at Walibi World. Also on the wooden coaster poll how does Mean Streak beat T Express. Like I said this poll is rigged by Cedar Point lovers
I don't get what all the hype is over Hydra at Dorney Park. My favorite coaster there is Talon. I actually prefer Talon to Raptor and Montu over Talon. I would really like to see the X2 on this list as well.
Not to sound like a hater or anything but I really didn't care for Tatsu. When it comes to Magic Mountain, I prefer X2, Viper, Riddlers Revenge, and even Goliath but you can keep Tatsu.
I agree w/you that MXL200 shouldn’t be on the list
I agree with Jacob Many voters are Cedar Point fanboys, and in my opinion I wanna see a six flags park in the top 10 best parks for once. I would also enjoy a launches coaster in the top 10 like Kingda Ka or TTD.