Review: Canyon Blaster at Adventuredome
On a business trip to Las Vegas a few years ago I was excited to try out the city’s roller coasters. After taking a rough ride on the Manhattan Express/Big Apple Coaster, and seeing that it pretty much was as bad as I’d heard I was eager to get to Adventuredome, an indoor amusement park attached to the Circus Circus casino. The experience of walking through an older casino with all of ...[Read More]
Review: Leviathan at Canada’s Wonderland
Overview As of 2018 there are only six giga coasters (height between 300 and 399 feet) in operation: Millennium Force at Cedar Point, Steel Dragon at Nagashima Spa Land, Intimidator 305 at Kings Dominion, Leviathan at Canada’s Wonderland, Fury 325 at Carowinds and Red Force at PortAventura. (Red Force qualifies only because of its height; otherwise it’s divergent from the others in this group beca...[Read More]
Review: Big Dipper at Camden Park
Located in West Virginia’s only amusement park, Camden Park, the Big Dipper is a lesser-known but classic wooden roller coaster which can deliver a fun ride if you’re willing to trust it. Built back in 1958 by the National Amusement Devices Company, it is still standing as an ACE roller coaster landmark (while sporting some stylish trains as well). Don’t Judge A Book By Its Cover...[Read More]
Review: The Joker at Six Flags Great America
One of the best things about living in the good ol’ USA is the abundance of roller coasters we have at our disposal. All across the west coast, eastern seaboard, and deep in the heart of the Midwest, there’s a theme park close to every major city. Every now and then, something truly unique and noteworthy gets built and captures the attention of every thrillseeker in the country. Many times, howeve...[Read More]
Review: Shock Wave at Six Flags Over Texas
Overview Shock Wave at Six Flags Over Texas celebrated its 40th birthday this year and is aging gracefully. Unlike many loopers of similar vintage, this double-looping coaster from Schwarzkopf hasn’t become brutally rough over the years. It’s to the park’s credit that they were willing to invest the time and money to keep it running smoothly. As a result it continues to be a popular attraction...[Read More]
Review: FireChaser Express at Dollywood
FireChaser Express is a family roller coaster that debuted back in 2014 at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Designed by Gerstlauer, it is geared toward families and young coaster riders, but not without packing a few surprises as well. The attraction replaced the former Adventure Mountain, a ropes course situated on the same hillside FireChaser currently occupies–and an attraction that ...[Read More]
Review: Mako at SeaWorld Orlando
Happy Holidays! For the second year in a row, we are running our 12 Days of Coasters special! Every day from Christmas until January 5th, we will be giving away a roller coaster review for you to enjoy. We thank you for reading, and wish you a merry holidays and happy New Year! A few weeks back, I traveled to Orlando to experience its collection of world-class theme parks. In addition to Disney an...[Read More]
Review: Monster at Adventureland
When I planned a quick weekend trip to see a Minor League baseball game and visit Iowa’s premier amusement park in early June, this ride was at the very top of my radar. It’s 1 of 2 steel roller coasters at Adventureland, located just outside of Des Moines, Iowa. Monster debuted in 2016 and replaced the park’s venerable log flume. Although some may miss the water ride, it’s hard to argue that what...[Read More]
Review: Wonder Woman Golden Lasso Coaster
Overview Wonder Woman Golden Lasso Coaster, located at Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio, is one of two coasters incorporating RMC’s (Rocky Mountain Construction) innovative Raptor track to open in 2018. (The other is RailBlazer at California’s Great America.) What makes the design innovative is that in lieu of the conventional two rails found on most coasters, Wonder Woman’s trains ride on a...[Read More]
Review: Colossus at Thorpe Park
Overview Colossus at Thorpe Park in Surrey, UK is a steel 10-inversion coaster manufactured by Intamin. Opened in 2002, it held the record for most inversions on a roller coaster until 2013, when The Smiler (with 14 inversions) opened at Alton Towers. (Colossus was subsequently cloned as 10 Inversion Roller Coaster – how original – in China.) Layout, Theming and Elements Colossus has a fair...[Read More]
Review: The Swarm at Thorpe Park
Overview The Swarm at Thorpe Park in Surrey was the first – and only – wing coaster to be built in the UK. It was the second wing coaster to be built by B&M (Bolliger & Mabillard), which thus far is the only company to manufacture wing riders; the first was Raptor at Gardaland in Italy. As of 2018 there are nine wing coasters in operation and six more under construction. Layo...[Read More]
Review: Wicker Man at Alton Towers
Overview Opened in March of 2018, Wicker Man is the first wooden coaster to be built in the UK in 21 years and the first ever wooden coaster to be built at Alton Towers. When SW8 (projects at Alton Towers are given codenames, SW standing for Secret Weapon) was announced, it ignited considerable curiosity, especially when it became known that this coaster would incorporate the element of fire. The...[Read More]