Overview What these two have in common is that they’re dual launch coasters manufactured by Intamin. Both reach a maximum speed of 70 mph. What they don’t have in common is that one (Volcano) is an inverted coaster – officially a suspended catapult coaster – and the other is a “blitz coaster” which rides on the track. Volcano, located at Kings Dominion in Doswell, VA, opened in 1998 and Maverick, located at Cedar Point in Sandusky, OH, opened in 2007. Layout, Elements and Theming Volcano, whose theme is obvious from its name, consists of 2, 757 feet of track wrapped around a manmade mountain and volcano. It features four inversions: a rollout and three heartline rolls. Maverick, with a western theme, boasts 4,450 feet of track in a more or less out and back layout. It features two inversions in the form of a twisted horseshoe roll. Volcano operates with three trains containing four cars with riders seated two across in two rows for a total capacity of 16 riders. Maverick operates with six trains consisting of four cars seating two across in two rows for a total capacity of 12 riders. Both coasters operate with over the shoulder restraints. (Maverick used to have hard restraints but these were switched to more comfortable soft restraints.) In this category I would be tempted to give Volcano the edge for its unique theme, superior height (155 feet as opposed to 105 feet) multiplicity of inversions and element of surprise (more about that in the section on ride experience). However, Maverick’s steep drop, longer track, overbanked curves and momentum more than compensate for the lesser number of thrill elements while the setting, over water, makes it more scenic than Volcano. Additionally, Maverick bears the distinction of being one of only 7 operating coasters to include a twisted horseshoe roll; it’s the only coaster in the USA to incorporate this element. In this category there is no clear winner. Photo by Bobbie Butterfield
Dru September 9, 2018 Volcano was a favorite of mine early on but now it just seems like a boring ride with 2 spectacular launches. Especially the way the second launch sneaks up on you and the intense G force as you transitions to vertical is my favorite I can feel my jaw dropping so to speak. Also if you’re in the front row it really looks like you’re going to go straight into that wall. We would always take advantage of the early entry for pass holders and go straight to Volcano. If you’re lucky you get a faster launch with a mostly empty train at that time a day but I never would wait in a line for it. Maverick is amazing. I could write a book about how good it is but words do Maverick no justice. It is without a doubt my favorite coaster out of 135 so far. I have trouble calling Maverick a double launch coaster. I didn’t really consider the first lift launch to be a true launch because it was just too slow. It doesn’t bother me at all though it’s not like you could go over the 95 degree first drop any faster. Reply
Judy P in Pgh September 11, 2018 Someday, I will get a rollback on Top Thrill Dragster, but for now, I will have to settle for the rollback we got on Volcano. Totally unexpected, so all the more thrilling! Reply