I think if they figured out how to do standup trains that were comfortable, they'd be liked a lot more. Airtime on a standup coaster sounds insane. Too bad most of them hurt your family jewels.
They retracked the Racer as well as a beautiful paint job for the 50th anniversary. The Racer, BOTH SIDES are glass smooth and I absolutely LOVED IT. Rode the front and back seat on each train, damn great ride. The Racer is DEFINITELY NOT rough in any fashion.
@@jellybeans95 I rode the Racer South (Red Side) several times this past summer and had no roughness whatsoever. After the first drop into the speed hill the transition was smooth as a baby's behind! No jarring or anything from before the 2022 season. They really maintain that ride and for 50 years, it runs GREAT!! LOTS OF LOVE TO KINGS ISLAND AND THE WOOD COASTER MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT!!!
For Dinn Corp., old Texas Giant was really divisive back in the '90s and early 2000s. Crazy intense with some great airtime, but a bit on the rougher side, and the laterals were considered to be outright brutal by a lot of people.
@@jrlaps521 It's surprising how little was changed in the conversion TBH; much less so than most other conversions. The final run of bunny hills is almost exactly like it always was, except it used to be taken even faster.
Honestly for rmc, steel vengeance feels like the most polarizing. I feel like these days, many enthusiasts are calling it overrated, while people like me absolutely love it and have it at the top of their lists.
I honestly disagree with the take, I think people who love it are letting the nay sayers get into their heads. So many people laud steel vengeance and say it’s amazing, and even if some say iron gwazi or zadra are better, that does not at all mean Steve is bad. From my perspective, it basically ranges from people saying, it’s the GOAT to it’s good, but not the GOAT. Idk if anyone has a legit non trolling negative opinion of it
Steel Vengeance is pretty universally liked and an awful of of people have it as their #1. Seeing a few people on the internet call it overrated doesn't make it polarizing like Millennium Force or Skyrush or especially The Beast. I say this as someone who had a bad first ride and has never loved it but its pretty clear I'm in the minority and I certainly understand why people love it. Though I know there are those people who are so aggressively in love with it, that anyone trying to call it "number 2" makes it polarizing.
I have to say I actually really love Thunderhead at Dollywood. It does rattle a bit, but I’m fairly new on wooden coasters so I cannot really say what a bad rattle is. Thunderhead was just so much fun to ride and I absolutely love the section of track that goes above the station.
For Togo, you’d have to look at their coasters in Japan to find any that people would enjoy. I went on Fujiyama at Fuji-Q about a month ago and had mixed thoughts (it was fun but tossed me around too much in some spots), but it was clear that some people adore it based on the lines to buy Fujiyama merch at the little store by the ride entrance.
15:47 Yeah, definitely that one! For Intamin you have also Hyperion. Gerstlauer has a lot of polarizing coasters. The roughness of Infinity coasters is very unpredictable. Opinions can vary widely because of this Mack: Blue Fire model and Lost Gravity RMC: Untamed. It depends how much you like airtime. A lot of people love it. But for me is it littlebit to much of the same. I would have preferred an extra s-turn at the end instead of yet another airtime hill. Vekoma: Loup-Garou, the coaster community agrees that a major renovation or an RMC conversion is needed. But the queues remain long and the general public still love it.
@@AirtimeThrills I would agree to Haydn Chan. Sitting on the outer seats gives a horrible headache, but the launch is quite nice, go up a little bit just before diving into a right sharp turn. I highly recommend taking an inner seat.
As I get older, Boss becomes lower and lower on my favorites list at St. Louis. With each ride, I feel my brain turning to a paste more and more. It used to be my favorite at the park, but I think it's a one and done deal for me. I might try again next year, since I haven't been there since 2019. Also, American Thunder is quite underrated.
Boss was awful this year, and I rode it in the front row which was supposed to be the smoothest row. I used to rank it pretty highly but it has gotten waaaaaay too rough for me to enjoy it anymore
The camp that loves Boss has gotten really small because it beats you to a living pulp. I have off ride footage where the op says "It's big, it's tough, it's really rough, enjoy your ride on the Boss". When even the ride ops are telling you how painful your ride is going to be, I think that's the mainstream opinion.
I love both Arrows on this list. Viper is an awesome ride, but definitely needs new restraints. Those hard rubber over the shoulder restraints are a headbanging machine. X2 is such a creative, ingenious all out badass coaster. Makes me sad that Arrow went under, but they went out with a bang !! I can bear the roughness on X2. I will endure that roughness EVERYTIME for the ride experience. I have no trouble with the restraints either. It the calf banging that hurts like hell, especially around that last raven turn. But Chris shared a great tip. Just stick your legs straight out. It looks stupid but your calves with thank u. I have only been able to marathon X2 5 times in one day. My legs said that's enough
Ah man I was surprised to see Revolution on here! Maybe with my nostalgia and the fondness I have for it, with it being the roller coaster that got me to become an enthusiast, I would disagree, but I can understand some points. For the most part I would agree it definitely doesn't do a lot in the force department, but I think that drop into the upwards turn to start the loop plus the iconic loop itself pull a good amount of G's. Personally I love how it seems to take its time throughout the layout and I really like how secluded you feel in the trees. I can always rely Revolution to give me a decently relaxing ride that only leaves me smiling.
I think you have good picks but one huge omission you made is The Legend for the CCI pick. Can't think of a more polarizing wooden coaster based on opinion between enthusiasts. I love it for the incredible lateral forces and unique layout and place it as #2 in the park behind Voyage but others hate it and call it rough but for me it was glass smooth compared to Voyage. I'm in the camp who absolutely loved Steel Curtain once I got past how slow that lift hill is and the bad downtime. It could be when I rode it (2nd weekend after it opened and hot summer day) but it was absolutely whippy, forceful when it threw ejector at you, and loved how disorienting it was. The first drop is probably my favorite on any coaster. I found it tough to choose between it and Phantom's Revenge, and think the latter edges it out just slightly, but it still manages to be in the top 4 coasters in the state of PA for me.
Mamba is super underrated as of 2021 because they stopped trimming the trains, and the airtime is near Magnum levels, not there, but closer than you'd think.
Yesss I went on it Halloween Weekend and I was out of my seat for the whole ending of the ride! It was my first big coaster and I hadn't been on it in 10 plus years so it was nice to see it running even better then I remember!
That would explain why it feels like he got it backwards, I rode all three earlier this year - Steel Force was basically Wild Thing Part 2, where as Mamba was actually super fun and feels like it just blasts through its course.
10:14 I got a really good ride on Steel Force the two times I’ve been to Dorney. It was in August too, and the mid-corse brakes weren’t hitting at all. It was perfect.
I finally got to Universal this June. Hollywood Rip Ride was actually way more intense than I expected. Not nearly as bad as everyone says, definitely fun for people just getting into more extreme rides.
I have a video idea: how about a “1st-Place Prime Ride Time, By The Numbers”. A video ranking all the coasters that had the most prime ride time in each of their videos.
I’ve actually ridden quite a few of the ones that made the list. Skyrush is a given, which I totally agree with. The first time I rode it, I got stapled to all hell and had bruises for at least a week from those awful restraints. Didn’t ride it again until several years later and didn’t get stapled, which made it significantly more enjoyable. It’s not a bad ride, but still not my favorite coaster in the park. I rode Steel Curtain when it was brand new. It’s a decent ride, but Phantom’s Revenge is still the king of Kennywood in my opinion. Steel Force and Rockin Roller Coaster have some nostalgia value for me. I haven’t ridden either of them in a long time, but I remember enjoying them for what they were when I did. Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket is absolutely the red headed stepchild of Universal, but like Rockin Roller Coaster and Steel Force, I remember it being fun for what it was when I rode it many years ago.
For Togo, I’d have to say Skyrider formerly located at Canada’s Wonderland, my local park. I unfortunately, never rode it. But from what I heard from friends, you either loved it or hated it. It’s was a stand-up and therefor a mixed bag. If you have a high pain tolerance or don’t mind rough rides, you likely enjoyed the ride but if you didn’t than for sure you avoided this ride.
Thunder Run was one of my favorite when I spent a day at Kentucky Kingdom. It was a hot day and I rode it close to the end of the day so it was hauling. It was running so fast you could easily see the wood structure giving in to the weight of the train
Opinions on these: I rode The Beast right after its retrack for the first time, and I'm a big fan. The only thing it was missing was a couple airtime moments. Thunderhead was somewhat rough, but very fun. I rank it right above White Lightning and right below Mystic Timbers. Dare Devil Dive is decent. Nothing special, but I'll ride it at least once every time I go. The zero-g roll does it for me. Mine Blower has a gre-- nope, I'll spare the details. It's what Chris said everyone thinks. I am in the minority that prefers White Lightning though. Copperhead Strike was very fun I don't remember the forces on Slinky Dog Dash, but I don't think there was much. I still enjoyed it at the time, but I'd have to ride again to see. Rip Ride Rockit is underrated, I've ridden it many times over a few years and its usually smooth, forceful and has decent airtime. I did get a rougher ride once though. I think it depends where they put you. Flight of Fear was fun, but that mid-course stop and the rattle really bring it down. Remove those, and I'd love it. The Racer was smooth and fun. Just wish the lap bars didn't staple you. I really enjoy Twisted Cyclone for what it is. #2 in the park. Blue Hawk is eh. Good forces, but the inversions are not great and it rattles. Looks nice though. Invertigo is very fun. If they could somehow replace the restraints/trains without causing another Goliath then it'd be even better. Rock n Roller Coaster was awesome when I rode. I probably need a reride, but I remember it being smooth and fun The rest I haven't ridden lol
I wasn't the biggest fan of Magnum for a while and on the "janky" side of that one. But I rode it again last month at Halloweekends and it really grew on me. And on that note, because Dorney Is one of my home parks, I'm certainly one who will defend Steel Force. In a way, they both feel like the same ride - red hypers at Cedar Fair parks not by B&M with some big floater hills, a pretzel turnaround and some small ejector hills at the end.
When I rode Steel Force last year, it looks like Magnum. So, it set expectations that I'd be riding a clone of Magnum. It's not anything close to Magnum and I came off thinking that you'd get more value selling Steel Force for scrap, because there was no point to the coaster (I did ride on a day with half full trains).
1:56 Shockwave King’s Dominion. A LOT of people actually loved that coaster, and a fair bit hated it. But whenever I was at the park there was always a little bit of a line.
King Kobra at KI seems extremely polarizing. I remember loving the hell out of it as a teen while having my peers say they hated it. I really disliked the other TOGO Paramount standups, but Kobra seemed much smoother and less janky than the others. Over the years I've heard lots of people mentioning how great the standup airtime was and I agree.
I was at Disney World Hollywood Studios in Summer 2022 and Rockin Roller Coaster was the last ride we went on before leaving the park. I think it holds up great.
In my personal opinion, a poloraizing coaster for schwarzkopf is Scorpion at Busch Gardens Tampa. Some people like it because the helix at the end is pretty forceful along with the vertical loop but a lot (including me) can't get over how rough it's become.
The first time I rode Skyrush I came with trepidation because I'd heard so many people say it was painful because of the restraint. I was also a bit skeptical because the POVs never really impressed me and I didn't see why there was so much hype about the airtime and intensity. Then I rode it and was completley confused why people complain about the restraint. I don't say that as a tough guy flex. I generally can relate to a complaints about roughness or discomfort even when I can look past it. But I'm really not sure what the issue is that so many people seem to have. Also, I find the layout to be phenomenal. The POVs really don't do it justice. I'm a huge Skyrush fan.
Rita at Alton Towers, it's a love it or hate it type ride at this point. Probably along with Thirteen because of it's "over-hype" commercials. Rita is pretty fun all things considered, but it's that launch coaster that can't do much due to tree height limit. Thirteen is a family coaster which is honestly really cool for younger guests and future enthusiasts- you can experience a little drop and a backwards section, but most of the polarization lies around the commercialization. There are a lot of Alton Towers rides you can get into about polarizing topics and grand openings, but they honestly have great ride selections that are some of the best credits you can put under your belt.
Thunderhead did get a retrack a few years ago so that probably where a lot of the dislike comes from. When I rode it in 2017 before the retrack, it was probably my least-favorite in the park. When I rode it again in 2021, it was my most-favorite even beating Lightning Rod.
As a Michigander I’ve grown up with Shivering Timbers, I’m 23 and I can only ride it once or twice now. When I was 13 though, my friends and I rode it over 15 times in one day. It’s down on my list but if they get it back in that form again it’s a top 10 woodie again. Also I rode Steel Curtain this past summer, and honestly loved it. I hate the technical issues it’s had though. I don’t think it was forceless, but definitely not painfully forceful. I just loved how unique the layout is though, and I think the elements work well together no matter how goofy they are.
Let me say one thing, MAGNUM IS AWSOME. My one ride was insane, mostly because I got the back row AND the trims were off. But I think it feels like a janky B&M hyper with ejector, so it's pretty good. (Also my mom lost her glasses on it)
The smiler. 14 inversions consecutively. 2 lift hills. The cobra roll jolt. The gut punch airtime. Possibly the most insane Gerstlauer. Oh, not even counting the music during the queue line.
9:25 I had a ride like you during Halloween Horror Nights. Just utter insane airtime at like half dozen moments. In and out of the mid courses were solid airtime. I dig the non inverting loop that I'll maintain is 2 inversions. I had a decently loose restraint so maybe that contributed to the craziness.
GCIs can be the toughest, because a ride can sometimes have great airtime, then not at other times. Thunderhead was awesome for me in 2020, but very weak on my recent rides. American Thunder has been all over the place on strength for me. Tonight, White Lightning was much weaker than back in March, but still running smooth. Prowler & Mystic Timbers are the only 2 that have delivered every time for me, but even those are weak in the mornings.
I also didn't get the difference with Steel Force. But I wish you had ridden 2022 Mamba. It was insane this year! The mid-course barely taps the train, and you go flying over that stretch of bunny hills with Magnum level airtime. Mamba went from ranking in my 200s to now ahead of Magnum. Maybe Steel Force has days where it's like that.
I've only ridden Mamba this year. The return trip provided the ultra rare standing floater airtime, where you feel like you're standing because you are very much out of your seat but the restraint is loose enough that you haven't slammed into it. It's my number five coaster out of the 292 I've ridden. Absolutely amazing and I'm kind of scared to come back to Worlds of Fun because I'm afraid the trims will kick in harder next time.
For me I’ll keep saying it. Skyrush for some reason gives me the same amount of pain as your typical coaster. Just only a bit tight cus I’m slightly overweight. It’s fine overall. And steel force I’ll always recommend this. Try to get a full train during the haunt event at night. It hauls fast and the lack of lights in the layout make it so cool. That will make an impression
Rip Ride Rockit is good. Fun layout with good forces. The midcourse breaks don’t really kill the ride for me since the drops off of them usually offer good airtime, and I don’t remember it feeling too rough on either of my rides on it.
Colossus at Thorpe park is polarising. I love it for the inversions, but my friends hate it and refuse to ride with me saying it’s too rough and painful.
Canada's most famous polarizing coaster is Wonder Mountain's Guardian. It's not really a great coaster or a great shooter, but the combined experience of the two and the surprise ending can make this ride an endearing novelty for some.
If you included defunct rides here I could see dragon taking Texas tornado’s spot for Hopkins. Desert Storm and Texas tornado are praised for their forces but dragon was split 50/50 with people calling it rough or praising the unique ride experience and forces
I've ridden a bunch of coasters on this list, and I'm in the love them camp. My credits are Magnum, Beast, Racer, Flight of Fear, Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket, and the Rock and Roller Coaster. Magnum is my favorite of the bunch, and I ride it at least twice every Cedar Point visit.
Dude the 4D Freespins are so excellent. I know ppl, namely my entire coaster crew, who LOVES these and we always pick specific seats for each individual model. Sure they feel like flat rides but for someone who doesnt have X within a 6 hour flight, its the best we can get.
Great list. I definitely agree with your picks. Even my sister and I riding some of them side by side will still have different opinions on them. She adores Rip Ride Rockit and Mine Blower, but I'm getting a headache just thinking about them. Then I think Shivering Timbers is better than Voyage and she's a one and down with it(she thinks Wolverine Wildcat was the best ride in the park).
When I went to Dorney for the passholder opener this past spring, I got so much airtime on Steel Force. Could be because my lapbar popped up on me not long after the first drop. I flew outta my seat and the seatbelt seriously saved my life. It was scary as hell, especially since my oldest was on the ride with me, but also a bit fun. All I kept thinking was, I'm gonna die on Mother's Day...
My friends and I are honestly shocked that TMNT Shellraiser at Nickelodeon Universe has a reputation for being rough. We rode it twice this past Sunday and it was smooth as glass both times!
I'm surprised about the Beast and Racer at Kings Island. Both were running great for their 50 Anniversary. I do agree about Rockit, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, and Skyrush though. Not crazy about them anymore, but they still have appeal to some as they should. Some tweaks and getting rid of the roughness can go a long way
Mindbender in West Edmonton Mall is polarizing. It’s old and can rattle yes but growing up here it’s always been high on my list and I love the speed and variety on it. The final brake run is very intense though.
I agree the rougarou is polarizing...it was my first looping coaster so its a big deal to me and it's one of my favorites at the park..I always want to ride it like a superhero everytime I'm at the park...
Was going to suggest Furious Baco before I noticed it at the end of your video. I rode it in September, here's my review: Front row is an amazing, super fun ride. The rattle is bearable and isn't quite painful. Any other row is unbearably bumpy and painful. If you're not riding it in the front row, don't ride it at all.
Finally Raging Bull getting some love and recognition. Six Flags Great America is my home park, I've probably been on raging bull a 100 times. Definitely should ride in the back, being whipped down that first drop is amazing and the small pre-drop definitely helps to eject you out of your seat.
I have heard nothing but good things about Slinky Dog Dash, so it being a polorizing coaster came as a great surprise to me. I personally thought the coaster had a lot of force compared to other coasters in Disney. Though, I personally prefer Rock 'n' Roller Coaster over Slinky any day 😅
A few european options: Intamin - Furius Baco or tornado at bakken B and M - any dive machine PTC - Grand national RCCA - Bandit CCI - tonerre de zeus GCI - Wodan (maybe due to the assigned seating) Gerstlauer - SAW Also - "Schwarzkopf don't have any truly great coasters".. Alpina Bahn, Lisebergbanan, Jetline, olympia looping and teststrecke say hi!
Oh, I look forward to the day when you get a chance to ride Swamp Fox: from barely rideable in 2020 to elite in 2022, I have had the opportunity to ride it at both its best and arguably worst (the six coasters in Myrtle beach overall are an odd bunch, as half are SBF Visa spinners. Nonetheless, Fun in the Sun at Funplex is arguably the best in their catalog, if only in the Hamster Wheel). As far as your picks are concerned, I am in the camp that Steel Force at Dorney delivers on the airtime (full train and later in the day also helped bolster this opinion). As for Hades 360, could you imagine if they ever converted it to a stand-up train with VR headsets on a one-second time delay? As always, great video.
@Airtime Thrills perhaps your best option would be to pair it alongside one of your Carowinds trips. The distance between Carowinds and Family Kingdom is about 3-and-a-half hours, and Family Kingdom keeps later hours (usually opening at 5 o’clock pm on most days). The other parks around Myrtle Beach also seem to keep later hours, so in that regard, it would make the hike a tad easier (just be mindful of parking along the Strand).
Sky Rush is all about sitting on the inside seats and sitting on the outside. I have no problem with the inside seats and I find the ride enjoyable. It’s not an easy coaster to reride, so I try to ride it early and late in the day. Having some lower body muscles may help!
I don't get the complaints about Jersey Devil. I find it extremely fun personally. Now I have not gone on the other Raptors, which some say are better. Maybe I would feel more disappointed if I had been on those. But for what it is, it has everything I like. It has a great drop, fun Zero-G roll and stall. As a matter of fact, the stall is one of my favorite elements on any coaster I been on. And I love the twist turn right after it. And the ejector airtime on that one hill is very intense. Now second half after the break run is weaker, but I don't feel it sucks either like others do. There are some fun turns and I like when the coaster gets very close to some of the upward track equipment above you. And the restraints are comfortable and the ride is very smooth. I normally put this coaster on par with Nitro, which is also one of my favorites.
I've been fortunate enough to ride The Racer many times in the last year, and, throughout those rides, noticed something interesting...the Red side runs much rougher than the Blue almost every time I've ridden it. We last rode in early October on a pretty warm day in the late afternoon in the back car, first on Blue and then back around on Red and the Red side was rough to the point of being unpleasant while the Blue side was a great ride. Had a ride in late August on the Red side which was the single worst coaster ride I've had all year...it felt like something was broken and gave me a terrible headache. I wonder if some of the polarization toward Racer depends on which side you ride? Also, I love Magnum, but I honestly think it is a nostalgic love. I never miss it, but my last few rides were rough, rattly, and sent me out with sore legs from the lap bars. I could see if your first ride on it was now why you might dislike it (my son is definitely "meh" toward it) but if, like me, you've been riding it since the first year it opened, you can't help but love the thing.
Gerstlauer and polarising meet perfectly here in the UK. The Smiler or Saw could easily have been the top choice. Personally I'd have picked Saw, it's either people's favourite in the park, or absolute bottom because it's so rough
Having finally ridden Skyrush for the first time this year, I can say that yes the lap bars are horrendous but the ride is so damn good that I can overlook it. From my first ride Skyrush instantly made my top ten.
I'm surprised you said Thunder Run is 'pretty smooth'. I had an awful ride on it this year that jacked my back up. I thought it was the most painful wooden coaster I've ever ridden, and I generally like a bit of roughness in a woodie.
Another polarizing pick for RMC is Twisted Colossus. Just by looking at it and hearing things from other enthusiasts, some people love it for its layout, and others hate it for its poor operation.
I personally really love skyrush, it is my number one coaster and has been for a long time. I can see what you mean by a weak layout though. It runs slow in the morning.
I live in Fredericksburg, so the only park I’ve ever been to his kings dominion, and I personally am a huge fan of free spin coasters at least the one I was on (tumblili) I always liked the intense I always liked the intense drop and how the whole upside down’s and up and downs kind of flash before your eyes.
Over here in the Netherlands, Troy, the massive GCI woodie at Toverland seems to be the most polarising. The layout is fantastic but it does have quite a bad rattle that ruins the ride for some. I loved it, Albeit, despite the rattle.
I rode Troy when it just opened and was butter smooth, however I haven't rode it ever since. I really wonder how it rides nowadays, I've heard about the rattle
@@jeffreykregel3821 To be fair, every ride (aside from Fenix as it was closed) was a walk on that day so I got like 8 rides. Altough never more than 3 in a row.
I was very surprised that you mentioned Hyperion as a controversial coaster. I've heard some people say that it has a noticeable rattle or a terrible queue line (I disagree with the first take and kinda agree with the second one), but I've never heard anyone calling it a bad ride - the only question is whether it is better or worse than Zadra, but having a legitimate argument of competing with such a monster RMC is a pretty good sign, I'd say :) Polarising coasters in Europe that I can think of off the top of my head: - Bandit: A lot of people seem to hate it, but I thought it was a lot of fun and I've talked to a number of people who agree. Night Rides in the front row are wild. - The Smiler & Saw: The Ride: Both are well-themed with fun layouts, but they do have a rattle and/or potholes that ruin the ride for some people. - Furius Baco: Smiler and Saw cranked up to 11: Fast and intense but pretty bumpy, especially in certain seats. - Nemesis Inferno: This ride gets unfairly trashed (or rather ignored), mostly due to its name, I think. Yes, it is worse than the original Nemesis, but I've heard quite a number of people agreeing with me that this is definitely a solid and fun Invert. I liked all of them, but I've heard quite a number of people disliking them.
A lot of the wooden coasters are polarizing based on timing. For example, both the Beast and Racer have gotten retrack work in the past year or two, and are running smoother than they have in decades. Son of Beast was always rough, but was extremely so later in its life. The woodies definitely age differently and make it interesting with time. And some is just design. When all you had for steel loopers was Arrow, people didn't mind the roughness too much. Then B&M made a ride as smooth as glass, and it was hard to look past the head-banging. It's cool to see how things have transformed in the industry over the past 50 years!
I rode racer (red side) over the summer and it was the only time i thought i might get seriously injured on a coaster, it kept slamming me back into my seat i thought i was gonna break my back
Got 12 rides on Mineblower last month. Took quite a few sucker punches on that turn after the inversion. Hades 360 is a top bucket list ride for me. Magnum XL 200 is my home hyper and I love it. As far as polarizing opinions I have had, I thought Mako was a meh ride. I used to think Montu was the worst invert before I got some redemption rides that put in more towards the middle of the invert pack. Shivering Timbers is my #5 overall and it stands as an S tier elite woodie.
I did not know that racer was polarizing. I live in Cincy and ride it all the time, I love it because of the airtime and smooth ride. The blue side is smoother though
I loved my time in the UK but they had some ROUGH rides. In Thorpe Park, Colossus was shaky, but was renowned for once having the most inversions in the world. The current coaster with the most loops in the world is even worse. Smiler at Alton Towers is BAD. One ride, and I was done 😂.
By the way, I just rode Wolverine Wildcat last month, and it's one of the smoothest wooden roller coasters I've ever ridden. So maybe they did track work since you made this video?
I agree that Mamba in the past has not been impressive, but did you get a chance to ride it this year? After they replaced the old operating system on the mid course, it now moves pretty well through the back half of the layout, those brakes barely slow you down at all now.
Two coasters that I thought should have been the choices here. RMC - Wicked Cyclone: I know you have this as an elite RMC, but there's another camp that says the third lap is so slow that it kills the coaster. There's a lot of validity to that thought. Schwarzkopf: I thought the slam dunk pick was Whizzer at Six Flags Great America. It's a family coaster with tons of history for the locals. But, somehow, it makes Amusement Today's top 50 steel coasters in the world every year. I love the coaster, but don't understand how this can objectively make that list.
Another polarizing B&M is _Riddler's Revenge_ at Magic Mountain, which some people dismiss as a stand-up but others love.
Yeah, RR has one of the best layouts B&M ever made... too bad it's a stand-up. If ever there were a target for the Rougarou treatment, it's that.
Yep. My buddy loves it a lot and I'm over here like if the line is more than 10 minutes, I'm not riding it lol
Wish the would make it a twister or floorless. Hate the stand-up models
I think if they figured out how to do standup trains that were comfortable, they'd be liked a lot more. Airtime on a standup coaster sounds insane. Too bad most of them hurt your family jewels.
@@cancercentral9997 well I guess we'll see if their new stand up model does the trick once Pipeline opens in Sea World Orlando
I rode both sides of Racer last month. One side was fun and smooth. The other beat me up and I hated it.
They retracked the Racer as well as a beautiful paint job for the 50th anniversary. The Racer, BOTH SIDES are glass smooth and I absolutely LOVED IT. Rode the front and back seat on each train, damn great ride. The Racer is DEFINITELY NOT rough in any fashion.
They're finishing the retrack over the off season. I had the same experience. Blue side is great. Red side throws hands.
@@jellybeans95 I rode the Racer South (Red Side) several times this past summer and had no roughness whatsoever. After the first drop into the speed hill the transition was smooth as a baby's behind! No jarring or anything from before the 2022 season. They really maintain that ride and for 50 years, it runs GREAT!! LOTS OF LOVE TO KINGS ISLAND AND THE WOOD COASTER MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT!!!
How much you want to bet skyrush will be intamins
Yup
Uncomfortable restraints have joined the chat…
it will be
It's the most polarizing coaster of them all!
10
For Dinn Corp., old Texas Giant was really divisive back in the '90s and early 2000s. Crazy intense with some great airtime, but a bit on the rougher side, and the laterals were considered to be outright brutal by a lot of people.
It’s no wonder that it was the first RMC conversion
@@jrlaps521 It's surprising how little was changed in the conversion TBH; much less so than most other conversions. The final run of bunny hills is almost exactly like it always was, except it used to be taken even faster.
Honestly for rmc, steel vengeance feels like the most polarizing. I feel like these days, many enthusiasts are calling it overrated, while people like me absolutely love it and have it at the top of their lists.
It’s overrated but in a good way
What I mean is it is good cause many people like it
Its my number 1, so I agree with you
I honestly disagree with the take, I think people who love it are letting the nay sayers get into their heads. So many people laud steel vengeance and say it’s amazing, and even if some say iron gwazi or zadra are better, that does not at all mean Steve is bad. From my perspective, it basically ranges from people saying, it’s the GOAT to it’s good, but not the GOAT. Idk if anyone has a legit non trolling negative opinion of it
I've yet to ride anything better than Vengence.
Steel Vengeance is pretty universally liked and an awful of of people have it as their #1. Seeing a few people on the internet call it overrated doesn't make it polarizing like Millennium Force or Skyrush or especially The Beast.
I say this as someone who had a bad first ride and has never loved it but its pretty clear I'm in the minority and I certainly understand why people love it. Though I know there are those people who are so aggressively in love with it, that anyone trying to call it "number 2" makes it polarizing.
I have to say I actually really love Thunderhead at Dollywood. It does rattle a bit, but I’m fairly new on wooden coasters so I cannot really say what a bad rattle is.
Thunderhead was just so much fun to ride and I absolutely love the section of track that goes above the station.
For Togo, you’d have to look at their coasters in Japan to find any that people would enjoy. I went on Fujiyama at Fuji-Q about a month ago and had mixed thoughts (it was fun but tossed me around too much in some spots), but it was clear that some people adore it based on the lines to buy Fujiyama merch at the little store by the ride entrance.
Fujiyama would probably be the best pick for togo i know of
I always enjoyed King Cobra at Kings Island, but standups get a lot of flack.
15:47 Yeah, definitely that one! For Intamin you have also Hyperion.
Gerstlauer has a lot of polarizing coasters. The roughness of Infinity coasters is very unpredictable. Opinions can vary widely because of this
Mack: Blue Fire model and Lost Gravity
RMC: Untamed. It depends how much you like airtime. A lot of people love it. But for me is it littlebit to much of the same. I would have preferred an extra s-turn at the end instead of yet another airtime hill.
Vekoma: Loup-Garou, the coaster community agrees that a major renovation or an RMC conversion is needed. But the queues remain long and the general public still love it.
In my opinion, Furius Baco should be given a spot, it is definitely a controversial intamin coaster that is major and rare.
Thats the one European coaster that i do hear a lot of mixed opinions on
@@AirtimeThrills I would agree to Haydn Chan. Sitting on the outer seats gives a horrible headache, but the launch is quite nice, go up a little bit just before diving into a right sharp turn. I highly recommend taking an inner seat.
@@thingsofinterest7524 yeah injured my shoulder on that first turn and came off with a thumping headache, never again 😑
@@mattchamp1541 It s definitely a coaster that can ruin your whole day 😅
As I get older, Boss becomes lower and lower on my favorites list at St. Louis. With each ride, I feel my brain turning to a paste more and more. It used to be my favorite at the park, but I think it's a one and done deal for me. I might try again next year, since I haven't been there since 2019. Also, American Thunder is quite underrated.
It kept getting worse unfortunately
Boss was awful this year, and I rode it in the front row which was supposed to be the smoothest row. I used to rank it pretty highly but it has gotten waaaaaay too rough for me to enjoy it anymore
@@natorgator8639 what was your thought on Screamin Eagle? Cause I know this year was horrible for that one as well for me
The camp that loves Boss has gotten really small because it beats you to a living pulp. I have off ride footage where the op says "It's big, it's tough, it's really rough, enjoy your ride on the Boss". When even the ride ops are telling you how painful your ride is going to be, I think that's the mainstream opinion.
I love both Arrows on this list. Viper is an awesome ride, but definitely needs new restraints. Those hard rubber over the shoulder restraints are a headbanging machine.
X2 is such a creative, ingenious all out badass coaster. Makes me sad that Arrow went under, but they went out with a bang !!
I can bear the roughness on X2. I will endure that roughness EVERYTIME for the ride experience. I have no trouble with the restraints either. It the calf banging that hurts like hell, especially around that last raven turn.
But Chris shared a great tip. Just stick your legs straight out. It looks stupid but your calves with thank u.
I have only been able to marathon X2 5 times in one day. My legs said that's enough
Even sticking ur legs out only helps a little. Still gotta apologize to the calves after
Both? What about Magnum? That shit is a thigh killer lol.
Ah man I was surprised to see Revolution on here! Maybe with my nostalgia and the fondness I have for it, with it being the roller coaster that got me to become an enthusiast, I would disagree, but I can understand some points. For the most part I would agree it definitely doesn't do a lot in the force department, but I think that drop into the upwards turn to start the loop plus the iconic loop itself pull a good amount of G's. Personally I love how it seems to take its time throughout the layout and I really like how secluded you feel in the trees. I can always rely Revolution to give me a decently relaxing ride that only leaves me smiling.
I think you have good picks but one huge omission you made is The Legend for the CCI pick. Can't think of a more polarizing wooden coaster based on opinion between enthusiasts. I love it for the incredible lateral forces and unique layout and place it as #2 in the park behind Voyage but others hate it and call it rough but for me it was glass smooth compared to Voyage.
I'm in the camp who absolutely loved Steel Curtain once I got past how slow that lift hill is and the bad downtime. It could be when I rode it (2nd weekend after it opened and hot summer day) but it was absolutely whippy, forceful when it threw ejector at you, and loved how disorienting it was. The first drop is probably my favorite on any coaster. I found it tough to choose between it and Phantom's Revenge, and think the latter edges it out just slightly, but it still manages to be in the top 4 coasters in the state of PA for me.
Gerstlauer for me is mystery mine, the theming is so nice and well done, as well as the ride experience, which makes this a polarizing coaster for me
Good pick, I think it should be Shellraiser tho as the ride itself is polarizing lol, good layout but rough af
MM is a great pick. I seem to change my own opinion on it every time
@@jeremymorgan4779 I mean it has gotten a little bit smoother
Mamba is super underrated as of 2021 because they stopped trimming the trains, and the airtime is near Magnum levels, not there, but closer than you'd think.
Yesss I went on it Halloween Weekend and I was out of my seat for the whole ending of the ride! It was my first big coaster and I hadn't been on it in 10 plus years so it was nice to see it running even better then I remember!
Yeah, only problem with me was I rode it when they only ran one train
That would explain why it feels like he got it backwards, I rode all three earlier this year - Steel Force was basically Wild Thing Part 2, where as Mamba was actually super fun and feels like it just blasts through its course.
@@TerraEpon I don't think he may have rode mamba without trims though
(Don't know, but possible)
I went to WOF looking for that airtime this June and i didnt get much
10:14 I got a really good ride on Steel Force the two times I’ve been to Dorney. It was in August too, and the mid-corse brakes weren’t hitting at all. It was perfect.
I finally got to Universal this June. Hollywood Rip Ride was actually way more intense than I expected. Not nearly as bad as everyone says, definitely fun for people just getting into more extreme rides.
I have a video idea: how about a “1st-Place Prime Ride Time, By The Numbers”. A video ranking all the coasters that had the most prime ride time in each of their videos.
The Airtime Thrills Tournament of Champions
I’ve actually ridden quite a few of the ones that made the list. Skyrush is a given, which I totally agree with. The first time I rode it, I got stapled to all hell and had bruises for at least a week from those awful restraints. Didn’t ride it again until several years later and didn’t get stapled, which made it significantly more enjoyable. It’s not a bad ride, but still not my favorite coaster in the park.
I rode Steel Curtain when it was brand new. It’s a decent ride, but Phantom’s Revenge is still the king of Kennywood in my opinion.
Steel Force and Rockin Roller Coaster have some nostalgia value for me. I haven’t ridden either of them in a long time, but I remember enjoying them for what they were when I did.
Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket is absolutely the red headed stepchild of Universal, but like Rockin Roller Coaster and Steel Force, I remember it being fun for what it was when I rode it many years ago.
For Togo, I’d have to say Skyrider formerly located at Canada’s Wonderland, my local park. I unfortunately, never rode it. But from what I heard from friends, you either loved it or hated it. It’s was a stand-up and therefor a mixed bag. If you have a high pain tolerance or don’t mind rough rides, you likely enjoyed the ride but if you didn’t than for sure you avoided this ride.
And Racer at Kings Island restarted people’s obsession of roller coasters in 1972
Thunder Run was one of my favorite when I spent a day at Kentucky Kingdom. It was a hot day and I rode it close to the end of the day so it was hauling. It was running so fast you could easily see the wood structure giving in to the weight of the train
Opinions on these:
I rode The Beast right after its retrack for the first time, and I'm a big fan. The only thing it was missing was a couple airtime moments.
Thunderhead was somewhat rough, but very fun. I rank it right above White Lightning and right below Mystic Timbers.
Dare Devil Dive is decent. Nothing special, but I'll ride it at least once every time I go. The zero-g roll does it for me.
Mine Blower has a gre-- nope, I'll spare the details. It's what Chris said everyone thinks. I am in the minority that prefers White Lightning though.
Copperhead Strike was very fun
I don't remember the forces on Slinky Dog Dash, but I don't think there was much. I still enjoyed it at the time, but I'd have to ride again to see.
Rip Ride Rockit is underrated, I've ridden it many times over a few years and its usually smooth, forceful and has decent airtime. I did get a rougher ride once though. I think it depends where they put you.
Flight of Fear was fun, but that mid-course stop and the rattle really bring it down. Remove those, and I'd love it.
The Racer was smooth and fun. Just wish the lap bars didn't staple you.
I really enjoy Twisted Cyclone for what it is. #2 in the park.
Blue Hawk is eh. Good forces, but the inversions are not great and it rattles. Looks nice though.
Invertigo is very fun. If they could somehow replace the restraints/trains without causing another Goliath then it'd be even better.
Rock n Roller Coaster was awesome when I rode. I probably need a reride, but I remember it being smooth and fun
The rest I haven't ridden lol
I wasn't the biggest fan of Magnum for a while and on the "janky" side of that one. But I rode it again last month at Halloweekends and it really grew on me. And on that note, because Dorney Is one of my home parks, I'm certainly one who will defend Steel Force. In a way, they both feel like the same ride - red hypers at Cedar Fair parks not by B&M with some big floater hills, a pretzel turnaround and some small ejector hills at the end.
They're very similar looking but for me they couldnt ride any different
When I rode Steel Force last year, it looks like Magnum. So, it set expectations that I'd be riding a clone of Magnum. It's not anything close to Magnum and I came off thinking that you'd get more value selling Steel Force for scrap, because there was no point to the coaster (I did ride on a day with half full trains).
1:56 Shockwave King’s Dominion. A LOT of people actually loved that coaster, and a fair bit hated it. But whenever I was at the park there was always a little bit of a line.
King Kobra at KI seems extremely polarizing. I remember loving the hell out of it as a teen while having my peers say they hated it. I really disliked the other TOGO Paramount standups, but Kobra seemed much smoother and less janky than the others. Over the years I've heard lots of people mentioning how great the standup airtime was and I agree.
I was at Disney World Hollywood Studios in Summer 2022 and Rockin Roller Coaster was the last ride we went on before leaving the park. I think it holds up great.
In my personal opinion, a poloraizing coaster for schwarzkopf is Scorpion at Busch Gardens Tampa. Some people like it because the helix at the end is pretty forceful along with the vertical loop but a lot (including me) can't get over how rough it's become.
The first time I rode Skyrush I came with trepidation because I'd heard so many people say it was painful because of the restraint. I was also a bit skeptical because the POVs never really impressed me and I didn't see why there was so much hype about the airtime and intensity.
Then I rode it and was completley confused why people complain about the restraint. I don't say that as a tough guy flex. I generally can relate to a complaints about roughness or discomfort even when I can look past it. But I'm really not sure what the issue is that so many people seem to have. Also, I find the layout to be phenomenal. The POVs really don't do it justice. I'm a huge Skyrush fan.
I was the opposite. I said oh how bad could it really be...and was horrified
Rita at Alton Towers, it's a love it or hate it type ride at this point. Probably along with Thirteen because of it's "over-hype" commercials. Rita is pretty fun all things considered, but it's that launch coaster that can't do much due to tree height limit. Thirteen is a family coaster which is honestly really cool for younger guests and future enthusiasts- you can experience a little drop and a backwards section, but most of the polarization lies around the commercialization. There are a lot of Alton Towers rides you can get into about polarizing topics and grand openings, but they honestly have great ride selections that are some of the best credits you can put under your belt.
Thunderhead did get a retrack a few years ago so that probably where a lot of the dislike comes from. When I rode it in 2017 before the retrack, it was probably my least-favorite in the park. When I rode it again in 2021, it was my most-favorite even beating Lightning Rod.
As a Michigander I’ve grown up with Shivering Timbers, I’m 23 and I can only ride it once or twice now. When I was 13 though, my friends and I rode it over 15 times in one day. It’s down on my list but if they get it back in that form again it’s a top 10 woodie again.
Also I rode Steel Curtain this past summer, and honestly loved it. I hate the technical issues it’s had though. I don’t think it was forceless, but definitely not painfully forceful. I just loved how unique the layout is though, and I think the elements work well together no matter how goofy they are.
Considering that I had very strong reactions to your choices I think you chose extremely well.
I feel the same about steel curtain, except the second half is super intense. Its just the roughness that makes me rank the phantom ahead of it.
Too bad that ride has too many breakdowns. Hopefully it won't be like Top Thrill DOWNTIME at Cedar Point
Let me say one thing, MAGNUM IS AWSOME. My one ride was insane, mostly because I got the back row AND the trims were off. But I think it feels like a janky B&M hyper with ejector, so it's pretty good. (Also my mom lost her glasses on it)
I don't think there are trims at all on Magnum
@@averagecoasterenjoyer There are trims after the third hill going into the turnaround
Oh, that quick trim, not a full on brake
@@averagecoasterenjoyer They can DEFINITELY do a full on brake before the pretzel.
Idea: ranking the best defunct coaster from each manufacturer
Interesting, will put it on the list
The smiler. 14 inversions consecutively. 2 lift hills. The cobra roll jolt. The gut punch airtime. Possibly the most insane Gerstlauer. Oh, not even counting the music during the queue line.
So happy you uploaded
9:25 I had a ride like you during Halloween Horror Nights. Just utter insane airtime at like half dozen moments. In and out of the mid courses were solid airtime. I dig the non inverting loop that I'll maintain is 2 inversions. I had a decently loose restraint so maybe that contributed to the craziness.
GCIs can be the toughest, because a ride can sometimes have great airtime, then not at other times. Thunderhead was awesome for me in 2020, but very weak on my recent rides. American Thunder has been all over the place on strength for me. Tonight, White Lightning was much weaker than back in March, but still running smooth. Prowler & Mystic Timbers are the only 2 that have delivered every time for me, but even those are weak in the mornings.
I also didn't get the difference with Steel Force. But I wish you had ridden 2022 Mamba. It was insane this year! The mid-course barely taps the train, and you go flying over that stretch of bunny hills with Magnum level airtime. Mamba went from ranking in my 200s to now ahead of Magnum. Maybe Steel Force has days where it's like that.
I've only ridden Mamba this year. The return trip provided the ultra rare standing floater airtime, where you feel like you're standing because you are very much out of your seat but the restraint is loose enough that you haven't slammed into it. It's my number five coaster out of the 292 I've ridden. Absolutely amazing and I'm kind of scared to come back to Worlds of Fun because I'm afraid the trims will kick in harder next time.
I rode "mildly trimmed" Mamba in June this year. It was a little better but nowhere near what people said it was
For me I’ll keep saying it. Skyrush for some reason gives me the same amount of pain as your typical coaster. Just only a bit tight cus I’m slightly overweight. It’s fine overall. And steel force I’ll always recommend this. Try to get a full train during the haunt event at night. It hauls fast and the lack of lights in the layout make it so cool. That will make an impression
I was dying when you said red headed step child at Universlal😂😂😂!!! 9:30
Rip Ride Rockit is good. Fun layout with good forces. The midcourse breaks don’t really kill the ride for me since the drops off of them usually offer good airtime, and I don’t remember it feeling too rough on either of my rides on it.
Colossus at Thorpe park is polarising. I love it for the inversions, but my friends hate it and refuse to ride with me saying it’s too rough and painful.
I ride it once a trip cos my head doesn’t clear the restrains and it gives me a banging headache, same with Rita
In the front it is a fun ride but in the back there's not much legroom
Remember in March 2018 when Taylor gave Steel Vengeance the “The Same Thing Enthusiasts Were Thinking With Millenium Force in 1999” Award?
I dont but that seems about right
Canada's most famous polarizing coaster is Wonder Mountain's Guardian. It's not really a great coaster or a great shooter, but the combined experience of the two and the surprise ending can make this ride an endearing novelty for some.
If you included defunct rides here I could see dragon taking Texas tornado’s spot for Hopkins. Desert Storm and Texas tornado are praised for their forces but dragon was split 50/50 with people calling it rough or praising the unique ride experience and forces
magnum is in my top 4 at cp. it has such great airtime and never has a wait😊
I've ridden a bunch of coasters on this list, and I'm in the love them camp. My credits are Magnum, Beast, Racer, Flight of Fear, Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket, and the Rock and Roller Coaster. Magnum is my favorite of the bunch, and I ride it at least twice every Cedar Point visit.
Dude the 4D Freespins are so excellent. I know ppl, namely my entire coaster crew, who LOVES these and we always pick specific seats for each individual model. Sure they feel like flat rides but for someone who doesnt have X within a 6 hour flight, its the best we can get.
Ok ok i figured there had to be some freespin lovers out there
Twisted Cyclone is amazing. It is a bit short, but a 3rd lap would kill the ride. It’s great, it’s like a little steal vengeance.
Great list. I definitely agree with your picks. Even my sister and I riding some of them side by side will still have different opinions on them. She adores Rip Ride Rockit and Mine Blower, but I'm getting a headache just thinking about them. Then I think Shivering Timbers is better than Voyage and she's a one and down with it(she thinks Wolverine Wildcat was the best ride in the park).
When I went to Dorney for the passholder opener this past spring, I got so much airtime on Steel Force. Could be because my lapbar popped up on me not long after the first drop. I flew outta my seat and the seatbelt seriously saved my life. It was scary as hell, especially since my oldest was on the ride with me, but also a bit fun. All I kept thinking was, I'm gonna die on Mother's Day...
Sounds like me on ravine flyer 2, the lapbar popping up on the first drop
@@AirtimeThrills that's nuts!! I have to admit, it made me stay away from Steel Force all summer.
My friends and I are honestly shocked that TMNT Shellraiser at Nickelodeon Universe has a reputation for being rough. We rode it twice this past Sunday and it was smooth as glass both times!
maybe they've done something to make it less rough in the time since it opened
From my experience, the back row is smooth and the front row has a significant rattle, which is the exact opposite of what you'd expect.
I'm surprised about the Beast and Racer at Kings Island. Both were running great for their 50 Anniversary. I do agree about Rockit, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, and Skyrush though. Not crazy about them anymore, but they still have appeal to some as they should. Some tweaks and getting rid of the roughness can go a long way
Mindbender in West Edmonton Mall is polarizing. It’s old and can rattle yes but growing up here it’s always been high on my list and I love the speed and variety on it. The final brake run is very intense though.
I agree the rougarou is polarizing...it was my first looping coaster so its a big deal to me and it's one of my favorites at the park..I always want to ride it like a superhero everytime I'm at the park...
Was going to suggest Furious Baco before I noticed it at the end of your video. I rode it in September, here's my review:
Front row is an amazing, super fun ride. The rattle is bearable and isn't quite painful. Any other row is unbearably bumpy and painful. If you're not riding it in the front row, don't ride it at all.
8:51 I was looking at the winners and losers of 2022 and thought slinky dog dash was gonna be the most polarizing mack rides coaster and BAM
Finally Raging Bull getting some love and recognition. Six Flags Great America is my home park, I've probably been on raging bull a 100 times. Definitely should ride in the back, being whipped down that first drop is amazing and the small pre-drop definitely helps to eject you out of your seat.
Video idea: if you owned your home park, what would you do to change it to make it the best park it can be?
I have heard nothing but good things about Slinky Dog Dash, so it being a polorizing coaster came as a great surprise to me. I personally thought the coaster had a lot of force compared to other coasters in Disney. Though, I personally prefer Rock 'n' Roller Coaster over Slinky any day 😅
A few european options:
Intamin - Furius Baco or tornado at bakken
B and M - any dive machine
PTC - Grand national
RCCA - Bandit
CCI - tonerre de zeus
GCI - Wodan (maybe due to the assigned seating)
Gerstlauer - SAW
Also - "Schwarzkopf don't have any truly great coasters"..
Alpina Bahn, Lisebergbanan, Jetline, olympia looping and teststrecke say hi!
Oh, I look forward to the day when you get a chance to ride Swamp Fox: from barely rideable in 2020 to elite in 2022, I have had the opportunity to ride it at both its best and arguably worst (the six coasters in Myrtle beach overall are an odd bunch, as half are SBF Visa spinners. Nonetheless, Fun in the Sun at Funplex is arguably the best in their catalog, if only in the Hamster Wheel).
As far as your picks are concerned, I am in the camp that Steel Force at Dorney delivers on the airtime (full train and later in the day also helped bolster this opinion). As for Hades 360, could you imagine if they ever converted it to a stand-up train with VR headsets on a one-second time delay?
As always, great video.
I really wanna ride swamp fox one day, its just pretty far out of the way. Gotta commit to getting there
@Airtime Thrills perhaps your best option would be to pair it alongside one of your Carowinds trips. The distance between Carowinds and Family Kingdom is about 3-and-a-half hours, and Family Kingdom keeps later hours (usually opening at 5 o’clock pm on most days). The other parks around Myrtle Beach also seem to keep later hours, so in that regard, it would make the hike a tad easier (just be mindful of parking along the Strand).
Couple of companies I have never heard of. What a list of fun looking rollercoasters.
Sky Rush is all about sitting on the inside seats and sitting on the outside. I have no problem with the inside seats and I find the ride enjoyable. It’s not an easy coaster to reride, so I try to ride it early and late in the day. Having some lower body muscles may help!
I don't get the complaints about Jersey Devil. I find it extremely fun personally. Now I have not gone on the other Raptors, which some say are better. Maybe I would feel more disappointed if I had been on those. But for what it is, it has everything I like. It has a great drop, fun Zero-G roll and stall. As a matter of fact, the stall is one of my favorite elements on any coaster I been on. And I love the twist turn right after it. And the ejector airtime on that one hill is very intense. Now second half after the break run is weaker, but I don't feel it sucks either like others do. There are some fun turns and I like when the coaster gets very close to some of the upward track equipment above you. And the restraints are comfortable and the ride is very smooth. I normally put this coaster on par with Nitro, which is also one of my favorites.
I've been fortunate enough to ride The Racer many times in the last year, and, throughout those rides, noticed something interesting...the Red side runs much rougher than the Blue almost every time I've ridden it. We last rode in early October on a pretty warm day in the late afternoon in the back car, first on Blue and then back around on Red and the Red side was rough to the point of being unpleasant while the Blue side was a great ride. Had a ride in late August on the Red side which was the single worst coaster ride I've had all year...it felt like something was broken and gave me a terrible headache. I wonder if some of the polarization toward Racer depends on which side you ride?
Also, I love Magnum, but I honestly think it is a nostalgic love. I never miss it, but my last few rides were rough, rattly, and sent me out with sore legs from the lap bars. I could see if your first ride on it was now why you might dislike it (my son is definitely "meh" toward it) but if, like me, you've been riding it since the first year it opened, you can't help but love the thing.
Never considered one side of racer being rougher than the other i usually ride both and never thought 1 was worse than the other
It would be a cool idea if your next video was Each Manufacturers’ Most Defining/Famous Coaster
I’m actually a humongous fan of the S&S Free Spins! Even the weaker rides still managed to surprise me at least once!
Always down to watch an airtime thrills video
Gerstlauer and polarising meet perfectly here in the UK. The Smiler or Saw could easily have been the top choice. Personally I'd have picked Saw, it's either people's favourite in the park, or absolute bottom because it's so rough
right as i saw the title, i knew skyrush was coming 😭
The smiler at Alton Towers, Some love it, Some hate it, final 3 inversions are brutal on the back row
Having finally ridden Skyrush for the first time this year, I can say that yes the lap bars are horrendous but the ride is so damn good that I can overlook it. From my first ride Skyrush instantly made my top ten.
Idea for a video: the best looking roller coaster TRAINS
The way you describe Zamperla, they sound like the perfect company to reimagine Top Thrill Dragster...
I'm surprised you said Thunder Run is 'pretty smooth'. I had an awful ride on it this year that jacked my back up. I thought it was the most painful wooden coaster I've ever ridden, and I generally like a bit of roughness in a woodie.
In 2020 it was running amazing for me
It was running very smooth in 2020/2021. This year (at least when we went in September), not so much. It had a couple noticeable potholes.
@@AirtimeThrills I was there in early June this year. I suppose it just shows that timing is everything with woodies.
Another polarizing pick for RMC is Twisted Colossus. Just by looking at it and hearing things from other enthusiasts, some people love it for its layout, and others hate it for its poor operation.
This year Skyrush has new cars with new restraints.
The new restraints are great I rode it on Friday
I personally really love skyrush, it is my number one coaster and has been for a long time. I can see what you mean by a weak layout though. It runs slow in the morning.
I live in Fredericksburg, so the only park I’ve ever been to his kings dominion, and I personally am a huge fan of free spin coasters at least the one I was on (tumblili) I always liked the intense I always liked the intense drop and how the whole upside down’s and up and downs kind of flash before your eyes.
I love Shivering Timbers so much to the point its my 3rd favorite woodie and I rank it above X2, Ghostrider and other amazing rides.
Over here in the Netherlands, Troy, the massive GCI woodie at Toverland seems to be the most polarising. The layout is fantastic but it does have quite a bad rattle that ruins the ride for some. I loved it, Albeit, despite the rattle.
I rode Troy when it just opened and was butter smooth, however I haven't rode it ever since. I really wonder how it rides nowadays, I've heard about the rattle
@@jeffreykregel3821 To be fair, every ride (aside from Fenix as it was closed) was a walk on that day so I got like 8 rides. Altough never more than 3 in a row.
I'm old enough to remember lighting loops at six flags great Adventure in the early 80's we thought it was crazy
I was very surprised that you mentioned Hyperion as a controversial coaster. I've heard some people say that it has a noticeable rattle or a terrible queue line (I disagree with the first take and kinda agree with the second one), but I've never heard anyone calling it a bad ride - the only question is whether it is better or worse than Zadra, but having a legitimate argument of competing with such a monster RMC is a pretty good sign, I'd say :)
Polarising coasters in Europe that I can think of off the top of my head:
- Bandit: A lot of people seem to hate it, but I thought it was a lot of fun and I've talked to a number of people who agree. Night Rides in the front row are wild.
- The Smiler & Saw: The Ride: Both are well-themed with fun layouts, but they do have a rattle and/or potholes that ruin the ride for some people.
- Furius Baco: Smiler and Saw cranked up to 11: Fast and intense but pretty bumpy, especially in certain seats.
- Nemesis Inferno: This ride gets unfairly trashed (or rather ignored), mostly due to its name, I think. Yes, it is worse than the original Nemesis, but I've heard quite a number of people agreeing with me that this is definitely a solid and fun Invert.
I liked all of them, but I've heard quite a number of people disliking them.
Yeah hyperion looks like its supposed to be elite but i just havent heard that opinion much at all
shivering timbers is one of the best woodies ever if u sit on a non-wheel seat. but if you sit on a wheel seat, it's literally a mile's worth of PAIN
A lot of the wooden coasters are polarizing based on timing. For example, both the Beast and Racer have gotten retrack work in the past year or two, and are running smoother than they have in decades. Son of Beast was always rough, but was extremely so later in its life. The woodies definitely age differently and make it interesting with time. And some is just design. When all you had for steel loopers was Arrow, people didn't mind the roughness too much. Then B&M made a ride as smooth as glass, and it was hard to look past the head-banging. It's cool to see how things have transformed in the industry over the past 50 years!
About Mack coaster. You should look in to Helix at Liseberg, Sweden.
A multilaunch coaster. The launch is Forceless but otherwise i love it.
Jersey Devil Coaster is fantastic, especially in the back row. It was slow even it first released but now it’s a lot better
I rode racer (red side) over the summer and it was the only time i thought i might get seriously injured on a coaster, it kept slamming me back into my seat i thought i was gonna break my back
8:23 now that a year later its been updated with better restraints, now we can choose a different Intamin 😊
Got 12 rides on Mineblower last month. Took quite a few sucker punches on that turn after the inversion. Hades 360 is a top bucket list ride for me. Magnum XL 200 is my home hyper and I love it. As far as polarizing opinions I have had, I thought Mako was a meh ride. I used to think Montu was the worst invert before I got some redemption rides that put in more towards the middle of the invert pack. Shivering Timbers is my #5 overall and it stands as an S tier elite woodie.
I did not know that racer was polarizing. I live in Cincy and ride it all the time, I love it because of the airtime and smooth ride. The blue side is smoother though
I loved my time in the UK but they had some ROUGH rides. In Thorpe Park, Colossus was shaky, but was renowned for once having the most inversions in the world. The current coaster with the most loops in the world is even worse. Smiler at Alton Towers is BAD. One ride, and I was done 😂.
By the way, I just rode Wolverine Wildcat last month, and it's one of the smoothest wooden roller coasters I've ever ridden. So maybe they did track work since you made this video?
I agree that Mamba in the past has not been impressive, but did you get a chance to ride it this year? After they replaced the old operating system on the mid course, it now moves pretty well through the back half of the layout, those brakes barely slow you down at all now.
Best Morgan coaster is Phantoms Revenge! It feels so much faster than it is! Im glad they took out the Aero inversions.
Two coasters that I thought should have been the choices here. RMC - Wicked Cyclone: I know you have this as an elite RMC, but there's another camp that says the third lap is so slow that it kills the coaster. There's a lot of validity to that thought. Schwarzkopf: I thought the slam dunk pick was Whizzer at Six Flags Great America. It's a family coaster with tons of history for the locals. But, somehow, it makes Amusement Today's top 50 steel coasters in the world every year. I love the coaster, but don't understand how this can objectively make that list.
WiCy would have been a good pick for RMC, youre right on there