Top 3 Best Times to Visit Theme Parks
I’m often asked about the best time to visit theme parks. After reading this week’s Top 3 Thursday you’ll be able to find beautiful sights like this empty queue for Magnum XL-200 at Cedar Point. In order of worst to best, here are the best days to visit theme parks. #3 – Weekdays During the Summer If you have to go to a park during the summer months, do yourself a favor and...[Read More]
Top 3 Most Anticipated Coasters of 2007
The Most Anticipated Roller Coasters of 2007 2006 was all about Voyage and Expedition Everest, although later on El Toro and Goliath (Six Flags Over Georgia) got some attention too. This Thurday, I’m counting down the most anticipated coasters of the Class of 2007. 3 – Mystery Mine at Dollywood Dolly’s new steel looper will help to solidify Dollywood as a must visit destination f...[Read More]
Top 3 Dueling Roller Coasters
The Best Dueling Roller CoastersDueling roller coasters were the next obvious evolution after the racing coasters of years past. Like racing coasters, duelers have two tracks. The major difference is that on dueling coasters the tracks interact with one another. Exciting near misses and fly-bys are common on these roller coasters.3 – Gwazi at Busch Gardens Africa (Tampa, FL)Located at Busch ...[Read More]
Top 3 Theme Park Podcasts
The Best Theme Park PodcastsThe 2007 season is underway as most parks in the U.S. are open for business. I’m kicking off the new season with the return of Top 3 Thursdays. This Thursday I’m reviewing the top theme park podcasts that I’ve come across. If you’re new to podcasting or wonder what it is, CoasterBuzz has a great guide to podcasting. They are pretty different from...[Read More]
Top 3 Inverted Coasters
The Best Inverted CoastersFor my final Top 3 Thursday of the ’06 season I’ll be counting down the best inverted coasters. Over the past decade these looping steel creations have found a permanent place in the theme park landscape. 3 – Volcano: The Blast Coaster at Kings DominionTo call Volcano a custom inverted coaster is an understatement. It features a ‘live’ volcan...[Read More]
Top 3 Hyper Coasters
The Best to Come Out of the Hyper Coaster Era The popularity of Magnum XL-200, which opened it 1989, kicked off a revolution in the theme park industry. What was known as the ‘Coaster Arms Race’ began as parks aimed to build the tallest coaster in the world in this similar style to Magnum’s. This Thursday I’m counting down my top three favorite hyper coasters. #3 Magnum XL-...[Read More]
Top 3 Coaster Movie Appearences
Roller Coasters in HollywoodThis Thursday I’m counting down my top three coaster movie appearances. Coincidently, all three happen to be in horror/thrillers. A few honorable mentions go to: Fatal Attraction, Big, and Titanic. Coaster @ Playland ParkFear (1996)Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Reese Witherspoon, William L. Petersen, Alyssa MilanoThis must have been a break out role for Wahlberg. He sh...[Read More]
Top 3 Worst Coaster Experiences
Highlighting the Low PointsUsually my lowest rated coasters and worst experiences involve a painful ride. Sure coasters, especially wooden ones, should throw you around a bit and I don’t consider myself fragile or pain averse. But some rides I’ve experienced were just unforgivably rough or suffered from terrible park operations and maintenance. Here are the Top 3 Worst Experiences I...[Read More]
Top 3 Launch Coasters
Top 3 Launch CoastersThose clickety-clack chain lifts are a thing of the past. In case you haven’t been to a theme park in a decade or so, there’s a new way to power coasters. Launch Coasters also known as Rocket Coasters are all the rage these days. This week I’ll count down my Top 3 Launch Coasters.#3 Storm Runner at Hershey Park – More of a proper roller coaster than tho...[Read More]