Arrow Dynamics is the reason why we have so many different coasters like what we have today ~~ people honestly need to respect them for their legacy and the impact they had for the industry. They pushed the boundaries in terms of innovations and broke many records for their time.
And Alan Schilke who now works for RMC designed Tennessee Tornado, Road Runner Express at Six Flags Fiesta Texas, and came up with the concept for X2 the 4th Dimension Coaster.
As someone who has had SFMM as my home park for longer than I can remember, it has been so fun watching Taylor going from “X2 is rough, disappointing, and overrated” to loving it and appreciating its revolutionary craziness!
Dragon Mountain should be a lot higher imo. It's shockingly smooth, has good air on the drop, and the tunnel sections are genuinely awesome. It also gets points in my book for not having any of those awful arrow corkscrews.
Honestly, I have Matterhorn in my top 10 favorites just because of how legendary it is in the coaster industry and how it started the future of roller coasters
Dragon Mountain is the steel counterpart to Beast at King's Island. I finally got my passport to go to Canada a few years back, I of course went to MarineLand for this, and I thought how has this not had a second lift hill yet. Amazingly it doesn't need one. And of course ya gotta talk about that bowtie, easily the best element on Dragon Mountain
My girlfriend and I are some of the crazy people who love to marathon Magnum over and over at park open. Most underrated coaster at Cedar Point in my opinion!
The big one is amazing because of the sense of speed, the overall feel and atmosphere, the jank gives it personality and is weirdly fun, the height is amazing, the wind on your face is amazing, the views are amazing, and the drop is insane and great. People get caught up with the fact it has no airtime as magnum has tons and is the same ride model, but it’s not about that, it’s about the jank that gives it personality, the height, the views and the speed.
Arrow may not be the forefront of coaster innovation today, but they paved the way for the coaster innovation we have today. I'm happy that even though it did not place (it has some flaws), you included a shot of Gold Coaster at Dreamworld in the video.
My first roller coaster was The Viper that's at Six Flags Darien Lake near Buffalo, NY. Not to be confused with another coaster of the same name. It opened in 1982 and was the first coaster in the world with 5 inversions. Absolutely love that coaster! ❤ It's one of the smoothest riding Arrow Coasters, and it's the most reliable coaster in the park. Some people complain about head banging, but I think it depends on what row you're in, how tall you are, etc. Just make sure the over the shoulder restraint is firmly against your chest when they lock it. It will pop up a bit to give you space for air time lol, but it may help with not moving around as much.
Canyon Blaster has an awesome pop of airtime right after the vertical loops, right before you turn into the corkscrews. And it's weird airtime, because of how low down and how you sit within the train. It's like, squatting down then someone picking you up in that position. It's weird. Loved it. Think it's only up front though. Don't get it in the back.
That was a great list. X2 is in my top 5 roller coasters. Glad to see the Matterhorn as a honorable mention. I lived in Kansas City for almost my whole life and losing the Orient Express was a tough loss but since worlds of fun brought back the Zambezi Zinger there is always hope for the Orient Express to return with another company.
You tricked me with Demon, I was going to be excited if you put it on the list because it's my favorite Arrow Looper I've ridden. And that's coming from someone who has ridden Vortex and Tennessee Tornado. Perhaps you need to ride it again in the back, specifically SFGAMs.
@zacharyyamashita8554 Is it really smoother? It's interesting because I find the first half of Demon at Six Flags to be as smooth aa Tennessee Tornado even. SFGAM Demon does have better theming and a better setting.
@@maxhagenauer24 Yeah about that theming. They're currently tearing down at least some of the old rock work. We don't know if it will be replaced - it wasn't replaced in California.
@Danrarbc I know, just a little rock work because it fell on the track, I don't see them removing it. It's such a antique to the park and the Chicago people that even six flags wouldn't tear it down, and it's still in great condition. Removing Demon will be like removing Whizzer.
I have two favorite Arrow coasters. First is Loch Ness Monster, rode it for the first time a month after it opened and was my first steel coaster. Second was Big Bad Wolf. I never failed to get multiple rides on each when visiting BGW in the 80s. I was sad to see Big Bad Wolf go but was happy to hear Nessie was getting a makeover this off season. I currently have plans to make a trip to BGW next summer, I haven't been there since 1990 so I have quite a few new credits to get.
Cedar Point is my home park but I got to experience X2 last year. It's such a unique sensation. Hard to describe but nothing else is really comparable.
Viper at Magic Mountain is THE most underrated coaster ive ever ridden. Its an ELITE coaster. I bet i will like Viper more than Tennessee Tornado. I haven’t done Tennessee Tornado yet
@@SixFlagsfan-bt7uw Viper is elite. Thats a hill i will die on. Its in my top 25 for a very good reason. Ive done 191 coasters and Viper sits at my No. 24
@@connorauman6735 i cant wait to to Tennessee Tornado but i feel Viper is probably way more forceful. Cause that 1st loop on Viper pulls probably around 5gs on a hot day. Thats my 3rd favorite inversion ive ever done because it was super intense
Alan Schilke who now works for RMC designed Tennessee Tornado, Road Runner Express at Six Flags Fiesta Texas, and came up with the concept for X2, the 4th dimension coaster.
My ten favorites in no particular order are Matterhorn Bobsleds at Disneyland, Ninja, Goldrusher, and X2 at Six Flags Magic Mountain, Loch Ness Monster and Big Bad Wolf (R.I.P.) at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Tennessee Tornado at Dollywood, Road Runner Express at Six Flags Fiesta Texas, and Adventure Express, and Bat at Kings Island. Vortex at Kings Island just barely made the cut and I wasn't sure if I should include Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland as it had new track from Dynamic Attractions installed in 2014.
Magnum is one of the most endearing coasters of all-time I think. It is honestly either my first or second favorite at Cedar Point, but my thighs definitely take a beating. ArieForce One is the only other coaster that can give me cruises like Magnum.
I rode dragon mountain as a kid and loved it. I just wish it wasn’t at such an obscure park. Also viper at Darien lake is a good ride. I’m planning on riding x2 next year. Good video
X2 is my all-time favorite rollercoaster that is still standing. Last year I finally gave in and rode Viper. I had never wanted to get off a rollercoaster as much as I wanted to be off of that one. I remember Arrows being rough and janky between the elements but it was almost painful. It reminded me of how I felt after riding Drachen Fire 25 years earlier! I went to Carowinds in August and rode the Carolina Cyclone for nostalgia. Another classic Arrow head banger; even my 17 year old niece complained. I like that you gave a shout out to their suspendeds but one of them should have been on this list. Big Bad Wolf was my all-time favorite rollercoaster until it was torn down in 2009. Ninja is kinda boring but at least it's not that rough. I haven't been on The Bat or Iron Dragon yet but my sister has and said they aren't as good as BBW. I still want to give them a go though. Looking forward to riding Lochness again next year. Hopefully they can smooth out its roughness, though it kinda will take away from the nostalgia.
I rode Tennessee Tornado for the first time this past weekend. The inversions provided some good positive Gs, but the ride needs a refurbishment BADLY!
I learned recently that Arrow did not invent tubular steel track--there were weird French coasters using it years before Matterhorn Bobsleds. But they and Schwarzkopf were the first companies to really explore its potential. My favorite Arrow has to be a defunct one, Big Bad Wolf at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. For still-standing rides I'm gonna go with Loch Ness Monster. You know, for the first 40 years of my life I had only ridden coasters by two companies, PTC and Arrow, so an Arrow coaster is still sort of my mental default for how a steel coaster is. The world has moved on, but they did some great stuff.
2 of my favorite coasters that aren't on this list that you haven't mentioned are: 1. Viper at Six Flags Darien Lake, the park maintains it very well and it's still pretty smooth for it's age. 2. Vortex at Canada's Wonderland, a very awesome suspended coaster. I'm probably in the minority for this, but I did enjoy my 1 night ride on the Cedar Creek Mine Ride at Cedar Point.
My favorite Arrow is the only one I've been on. Viper at my home park, Six Flags Darien Lake. at #2 is Viper at SFMM, because I remember seeing a Popular Mechanics for Kids video about rollercoasters and that was one of the main rides they talked about. Then of course there's X2
The only Arrow Mine Trains I've ridden are my very first coaster, Hersheypark's Trailblazer, and one of my most recent creds, El Diablo: Tren de la Mina at PortAventura. Trailblazer is an unusually short one with only one lift hill, and its only real moments of note are a dip under the Dry Gulch Railroad tracks that was little Matt's very first headchopper, and a helix near the end. It's very tame for a Mine Train, though when I first rode it anything more intense would have been way too much for me. My young daughter liked it when I rode with her many years later. El Diablo gets some criticism from enthusiasts for meandering pointlessly in its middle section, but I enjoyed it. It's one of the latest and longest ones, with three lifts and lots of lateral-filled, classically janky transitions. There's some nice low-key Wild West theming. The best moment is the long swooping drop/turn off the third lift, not far from the end. I rate it a good family coaster. (Walt Disney World's Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is Disney's take on this type of ride and it's amazing, one of my favorite Disney coasters--but I believe Arrow was not involved in that one, though sources differ and I could be wrong.)
...And then there are the *other* Arrows I've ridden: - Drachen Fire (BGW): This is one of the hardest to rate of any of the coasters I've ridden; it was such an oddball. Transitions so rough it was modified and then torn down for causing injuries. A layout so exciting there was a longstanding (false) rumor that in some sense it was secretly a B&M design. It beat me up, but I was thrilled getting beaten up. Had my first cobra roll, my first a lot of things. The corkscrew partway down the first drop was a unique touch. - Canobie Corkscrew (Canobie Lake Park): This was one of the original Arrow corkscrews from 1975, transplanted from Illinois and then Alabama. It was the second modern coaster to possess an inversion, the second coaster of any type to have two inversions. And it was pretty underwhelming and rough, sorry. I wasn't so sad that they got rid of it. But it was sort of historic. - Space Mountain (Walt Disney World, Magic Kingdom): Is Space Mountain. You've probably ridden it. As a coaster, it's a janky quasi-wild-mouse in the dark. But the presentation is something else. Even now, I think it works.
I’ve only ever ridden 2 arrow loopers corkscrew at cedar point and vortex at kings island, I like riding them because it’s a predictable inversion and they can be quite intense for what they are
Mine would be: 1. Big Bad Wolf 2. Loch Nes Monster 3. Space Mountain (Disneyland) 4. Big Thunder Mountain 5. Thunderation 6. Matterhorn 7. Tennessee Tornado (Been a long time since I've been on it. Hard to remember)
Probably my favorite Arrow coaster is one that does not exist any more and that is The Orient Express at Worlds of Fun in Kansas City Missouri. It was the second coaster with inter locking loops and had one heck of a boomerrang curve along with one out of control helix. R.I.P. Orient Express you are truely missed.
Honestly I recently rode Demon at Six Flags Great America, and I love it. It was my favorite ride in the whole park. I have literally listened to the cue soundtrack while out running multiple times. I missed the one at CGA this spring sadly, but from videos online I think Six Flag’s is actually better because they play the song and have more of the effects. Hopefully those will return to CGA, but who knows (I don’t want to lose that park).
Great list . I say this all the time but I guess since 2/10 of these are in this list I’d say you’d agree that magic mountain has the best collection of arrow coasters in a single park ?
This is probably an unpopular opinion, but I actually liked Revolution more than Big One! I haven't been on a lot, so I currently have Revolution at 3rd in my rankings and Big One at 5th (Avalanche is at 4th and Icon is at 1st) The drops hit so hard that I actually slammed my thighs against the OTSR, and the backwards loop is such a cool feeling!
My top ten active arrows are as follows 1. X2 2. Magnum XL-200 3. Gemini 4. Tennessee Tornado 5. Desperado 6. Excalibur 7. Viper (SFMM) Shockwave from SFGAm would have been next 8. Bay (KI) 9. Ninja (SFMM) 10 lochness monster. Just missing the cut were thunderation, road runner express, snd canyon blaster which I really need to give another ride on.
My favorite is the Demon in Illinois, but that’s because it’s a sentimental ride as my first looping coaster, and I’ve otherwise basically just done mine trains. Still though, a great ride.
Wonder what would’ve changed around on your list if you included all Arrow coasters, defunct included. I think of Vortex, Shockwave, and the legendary Big Bad Wolf making your list
Great American Scream Machine (SFGAdv) (R.I.P.). I wish it was still there, instead of Green Lantern. Last year I got off Green Lantern with a worse headache than I ever did on Scream Machine.
I’m surprised viper isn’t higher on this list. Rode it right before my Japan trip this year and honestly it might be one of the most intense rides in the world. That opening sequence is just one giant greyout.
Definitely agree with X2's placement. It's the wild card of the Six Flags chain. No Cedar Fair (or any other North American park chain) has anything to measure against it. There are a handful of rides in North America that are better but none that are more unique and only one that is as extreme (i.e I305.) It's superb. As for Magnum XL-200, I have very mixed feelings. I find that there are only a few seats where it is fun and the rest of the train is super rough and the airtime doesn't quite work. I think is because the trains are so long that on that final run of hills the front car will be ascending the next hill before the back car has even crested the first one. So in the right seat the airtime is amazing but otherwise it just feels like you're going full speed over a speed bump which isn't really what I'm going for.
Arrow's coasters havent aged well like their old loopers and corkscrews but the newer ones are really good. Magnum, X2, and Tennessee Tornado are great. Airtime Thrills said Viper at SFMM is underrated.
Magnum XL-200 is my #2 (after X2, obviously) because so many memories at CP with Marissa and also because when you get off you can walk 60 yards and get in fast lane line for Dragster/TT2, walk 60 yards the other way and be in the water park (summer only), or walk 20 yards and eat great BBQ on the all season meal plan. I would put Gemini top 10 as well because of all the memories. The foreign stuff not in North America doesn't belong on this list, sorry. I need to be able to get to my amusement park with my car. Also honorable mentions to Iron Dragon, and Six Flags Frontier City's Diamondback (Arrow Launch, not to be confused with Kings Island B&M Hyper Diamondback).
At least they went out with a bang on X. And X both figuratively and literally marks the spot where Arrow’s bloodied corpse was found. Foreshadowing there MM.
I had Gemini and a couple of the suspended coasters in my list, otherwise pretty similar...top 3 is the same, just swapped Magnum and Tennessee Tornado
SFMM with two on the list. First time I rode X2 was an absolute blast of a good time. The coaster also smacked me in the back of the head so agree not perfect.
Arrow Dynamics is the reason why we have so many different coasters like what we have today ~~ people honestly need to respect them for their legacy and the impact they had for the industry. They pushed the boundaries in terms of innovations and broke many records for their time.
And Alan Schilke who now works for RMC designed Tennessee Tornado, Road Runner Express at Six Flags Fiesta Texas, and came up with the concept for X2 the 4th Dimension Coaster.
Yesss
They are basically the Metallica of roller coasters
Respect for Tennessee Tornado. It definitely deserves the number two spot, such an underrated ride.
I literally think about this coaster daily
Tennessee tornado is so good. I have only been on the thing once but that coaster flys. It is definitely deserving of the number 2 spot 6:41
super underrated ride for sure
As someone who has had SFMM as my home park for longer than I can remember, it has been so fun watching Taylor going from “X2 is rough, disappointing, and overrated” to loving it and appreciating its revolutionary craziness!
Vortex at Canada’s Wonderland is very underrated! Doesn’t get talked abt enough
Agreed
My top 5 Arrow Dynamics coasters are:
5. Viper (Six Flags Magic Mountain)
4. Gemini (Cedar Point)
3. Canyon Blaster (The Adventuredome)
2. Magnum XL-200 (Cedar Point)
1. X2 (Six Flags Magic Mountain)
Dragon Mountain should be a lot higher imo. It's shockingly smooth, has good air on the drop, and the tunnel sections are genuinely awesome. It also gets points in my book for not having any of those awful arrow corkscrews.
I need to go Canada
Honestly, I have Matterhorn in my top 10 favorites just because of how legendary it is in the coaster industry and how it started the future of roller coasters
It may be the most well known coaster for the gp
@@Jacob-Simonsenthat probably goes to space mountain, since it’s at every Disney resort
@@justinjoestar1902 Yeah. U might be right
I think we all know that X2 is gonna be high up
I don’t get how people are able to enjoy it because of how rough and painful it was
Surprised The Bat didn't make the list to represent Arrow Suspended coasters.
Dragon Mountain is the steel counterpart to Beast at King's Island. I finally got my passport to go to Canada a few years back, I of course went to MarineLand for this, and I thought how has this not had a second lift hill yet. Amazingly it doesn't need one. And of course ya gotta talk about that bowtie, easily the best element on Dragon Mountain
The honorable mention switcheroo from Corkscrew to Gemini was noticed, and appreciated 👏😂
My girlfriend and I are some of the crazy people who love to marathon Magnum over and over at park open. Most underrated coaster at Cedar Point in my opinion!
The big one is amazing because of the sense of speed, the overall feel and atmosphere, the jank gives it personality and is weirdly fun, the height is amazing, the wind on your face is amazing, the views are amazing, and the drop is insane and great. People get caught up with the fact it has no airtime as magnum has tons and is the same ride model, but it’s not about that, it’s about the jank that gives it personality, the height, the views and the speed.
SO happy to se Space Mountain (MK) on the list! It was my first steel coaster and it absolutely holds up with that airtime and sense of speed.
X2 is my #2/288. It’s brutal but I absolutely love it. The engineering behind that ride is phenomenal and genius.
You all already know I’m campaigning for Adventure Express for #1. Love that Arrow is getting some love today!!
Surprising choice, to be honest. Not my favorite cause it hurts every time I rode (I far prefer The Bat).
Arrow may not be the forefront of coaster innovation today, but they paved the way for the coaster innovation we have today. I'm happy that even though it did not place (it has some flaws), you included a shot of Gold Coaster at Dreamworld in the video.
1 X2
2 Viper (Magic Mountain)
3 Bat
4 Loch Ness Monster
5 Viper (Darien Lake)
6 Gemini
7 Iron Dragon
8 Carolina Gold Rusher
9 Trailblazer
10 Runaway Mine Train (SFGAd)
My first roller coaster was The Viper that's at Six Flags Darien Lake near Buffalo, NY. Not to be confused with another coaster of the same name. It opened in 1982 and was the first coaster in the world with 5 inversions. Absolutely love that coaster! ❤ It's one of the smoothest riding Arrow Coasters, and it's the most reliable coaster in the park. Some people complain about head banging, but I think it depends on what row you're in, how tall you are, etc. Just make sure the over the shoulder restraint is firmly against your chest when they lock it. It will pop up a bit to give you space for air time lol, but it may help with not moving around as much.
My favorite Arrow coasters are Desperado, Magnum, X2, Big One, Tennessee Tornado, Viper
Which Viper? Magic Mountain or Darien Lake's?
@@markvolpe2305 The Mountain
For me it goes
1. X2
2. Magnum Xl 200
3. Viper (sfmm)
4. Gemini
5. The Bat (kings island)
6. Carolina Cyclone (Carowinds)
7. Dragon Fyre (Canada’s Wonderland)
8. Ninja sfmm
9. Canyon blaster (recent ride 2008) found it bumpy
10. Desperado
Canyon Blaster has an awesome pop of airtime right after the vertical loops, right before you turn into the corkscrews. And it's weird airtime, because of how low down and how you sit within the train. It's like, squatting down then someone picking you up in that position. It's weird. Loved it. Think it's only up front though. Don't get it in the back.
I mean I'm a massive fan for Vortex at Kings Island was completely crushed when they announced that it was closing forever😢
Done 2 Arrows,
Vampire at Chessington, got me over my fear of rollercoasters.
The Big one is just OK
Arrow will always be special for enthusiasts
That was a great list. X2 is in my top 5 roller coasters. Glad to see the Matterhorn as a honorable mention. I lived in Kansas City for almost my whole life and losing the Orient Express was a tough loss but since worlds of fun brought back the Zambezi Zinger there is always hope for the Orient Express to return with another company.
You tricked me with Demon, I was going to be excited if you put it on the list because it's my favorite Arrow Looper I've ridden. And that's coming from someone who has ridden Vortex and Tennessee Tornado. Perhaps you need to ride it again in the back, specifically SFGAMs.
The Demon at CGA, my nearest major park is smoother than it’s Six Flags counterpart.
@zacharyyamashita8554 Is it really smoother? It's interesting because I find the first half of Demon at Six Flags to be as smooth aa Tennessee Tornado even. SFGAM Demon does have better theming and a better setting.
@@maxhagenauer24 Yeah about that theming.
They're currently tearing down at least some of the old rock work. We don't know if it will be replaced - it wasn't replaced in California.
@Danrarbc I know, just a little rock work because it fell on the track, I don't see them removing it. It's such a antique to the park and the Chicago people that even six flags wouldn't tear it down, and it's still in great condition. Removing Demon will be like removing Whizzer.
I have two favorite Arrow coasters. First is Loch Ness Monster, rode it for the first time a month after it opened and was my first steel coaster. Second was Big Bad Wolf. I never failed to get multiple rides on each when visiting BGW in the 80s. I was sad to see Big Bad Wolf go but was happy to hear Nessie was getting a makeover this off season. I currently have plans to make a trip to BGW next summer, I haven't been there since 1990 so I have quite a few new credits to get.
Cedar Point is my home park but I got to experience X2 last year. It's such a unique sensation. Hard to describe but nothing else is really comparable.
My personal top ten Arrows...
1. X2 @ Six Flags Magic Mountain
2. Phantom's Revenge* @ Kennywood
3. Magnum XL-200 @ Cedar Ponnt
4. Tennessee Tornado @ Dollywood
5. Gemini @ Cedar Point
6. Bat @ Kings Island
7. Loch Ness Monster @ Busch Gardens Williamsburg
8. Vortex @ Canada's Wonderland
9. Matterhorn Bobsleds @ Disneyland
10. Desperado* @ Buffalo Bill's Resort & Casino
*If excluding these, Viper @ Six Flags Magic Mountain and Thunderation @ Silver Dollar City are #11 & #12, respectively.
what’s phantom’s *** for?
Thunderation is definitely the best arrow mine train.
Viper at Magic Mountain is THE most underrated coaster ive ever ridden. Its an ELITE coaster. I bet i will like Viper more than Tennessee Tornado. I haven’t done Tennessee Tornado yet
No it is not
@@SixFlagsfan-bt7uw Viper is elite. Thats a hill i will die on. Its in my top 25 for a very good reason. Ive done 191 coasters and Viper sits at my No. 24
@@HockeyGUY66871 me when I lie:
Having done both, Tennessee Tornado is the better ride, but Viper isn’t far behind at all.
@@connorauman6735 i cant wait to to Tennessee Tornado but i feel Viper is probably way more forceful. Cause that 1st loop on Viper pulls probably around 5gs on a hot day. Thats my 3rd favorite inversion ive ever done because it was super intense
Alan Schilke who now works for RMC designed Tennessee Tornado, Road Runner Express at Six Flags Fiesta Texas, and came up with the concept for X2, the 4th dimension coaster.
Makes sense.
@@zacharyyamashita8554 I think that’s the real reason Taylor loves them!!!
He's actually semi-retired now.
He'll step in and do a design if a concept really grabs him but he's no longer doing much at all most of the time now.
He never worked for RMC, he worked for Ride Centerline which RMC contracted.
I’m so glad to see Space Mountain on this list. This is my #1 Arrow coaster by far and it’s not even close
Love your ranking! Lochness was my 2nd big coaster, my first was Big Bad Wolf RIP 😢
I’m surprised that Viper at Six Flags Darien Lake missed the list.
Maybe he didn't ride it yet? But that is also one of my favorite Arrows and my first looping coaster.
My ten favorites in no particular order are Matterhorn Bobsleds at Disneyland, Ninja, Goldrusher, and X2 at Six Flags Magic Mountain, Loch Ness Monster and Big Bad Wolf (R.I.P.) at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Tennessee Tornado at Dollywood, Road Runner Express at Six Flags Fiesta Texas, and Adventure Express, and Bat at Kings Island.
Vortex at Kings Island just barely made the cut and I wasn't sure if I should include Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland as it had new track from Dynamic Attractions installed in 2014.
I don’t care if it’s defunct: Big Bad Wolf will always be #1 for me. You’ll have to pry that out of my cold, dead hands.
Magnum is one of the most endearing coasters of all-time I think. It is honestly either my first or second favorite at Cedar Point, but my thighs definitely take a beating. ArieForce One is the only other coaster that can give me cruises like Magnum.
I always marathon Magnum for every CP trip
I rode dragon mountain as a kid and loved it. I just wish it wasn’t at such an obscure park. Also viper at Darien lake is a good ride. I’m planning on riding x2 next year. Good video
Maybe not the best, but I always enjoy Viper at Darien Lake. Maybe moreso because I live near there, but it's a fun ride.
Vortex at CWL is so much fun, tooo!
X2 is my all-time favorite rollercoaster that is still standing. Last year I finally gave in and rode Viper. I had never wanted to get off a rollercoaster as much as I wanted to be off of that one. I remember Arrows being rough and janky between the elements but it was almost painful. It reminded me of how I felt after riding Drachen Fire 25 years earlier! I went to Carowinds in August and rode the Carolina Cyclone for nostalgia. Another classic Arrow head banger; even my 17 year old niece complained. I like that you gave a shout out to their suspendeds but one of them should have been on this list. Big Bad Wolf was my all-time favorite rollercoaster until it was torn down in 2009. Ninja is kinda boring but at least it's not that rough. I haven't been on The Bat or Iron Dragon yet but my sister has and said they aren't as good as BBW. I still want to give them a go though. Looking forward to riding Lochness again next year. Hopefully they can smooth out its roughness, though it kinda will take away from the nostalgia.
coaster studios: "arrow dynamics, formally know as arrow development"
me immediately after that sentence: also Arrow Huss but go on.
I rode Tennessee Tornado for the first time this past weekend. The inversions provided some good positive Gs, but the ride needs a refurbishment BADLY!
I’m happy England made it on this list with the big one!
I learned recently that Arrow did not invent tubular steel track--there were weird French coasters using it years before Matterhorn Bobsleds. But they and Schwarzkopf were the first companies to really explore its potential.
My favorite Arrow has to be a defunct one, Big Bad Wolf at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. For still-standing rides I'm gonna go with Loch Ness Monster. You know, for the first 40 years of my life I had only ridden coasters by two companies, PTC and Arrow, so an Arrow coaster is still sort of my mental default for how a steel coaster is. The world has moved on, but they did some great stuff.
Great vid fella...thanks!! 👍🙏
You pretty much nailed them. I also loved Demon and Shockwave at SF Great America!
2 of my favorite coasters that aren't on this list that you haven't mentioned are: 1. Viper at Six Flags Darien Lake, the park maintains it very well and it's still pretty smooth for it's age. 2. Vortex at Canada's Wonderland, a very awesome suspended coaster. I'm probably in the minority for this, but I did enjoy my 1 night ride on the Cedar Creek Mine Ride at Cedar Point.
So happy to see my first coaster ever (Space Mountain) and first big coaster (Tennessee Tornado) on the list!
X2 is my #1 coaster (out of nearly 300). I really want to ride the one in Japan, it's #1 on the bucket list.
My favorite Arrow is the only one I've been on. Viper at my home park, Six Flags Darien Lake. at #2 is Viper at SFMM, because I remember seeing a Popular Mechanics for Kids video about rollercoasters and that was one of the main rides they talked about.
Then of course there's X2
Another Honorable Mention would have to go to Corkscrew! (now at Silverwood) First modern inverting Steel Coaster. Still not a bad ride today!
The only Arrow Mine Trains I've ridden are my very first coaster, Hersheypark's Trailblazer, and one of my most recent creds, El Diablo: Tren de la Mina at PortAventura. Trailblazer is an unusually short one with only one lift hill, and its only real moments of note are a dip under the Dry Gulch Railroad tracks that was little Matt's very first headchopper, and a helix near the end. It's very tame for a Mine Train, though when I first rode it anything more intense would have been way too much for me. My young daughter liked it when I rode with her many years later.
El Diablo gets some criticism from enthusiasts for meandering pointlessly in its middle section, but I enjoyed it. It's one of the latest and longest ones, with three lifts and lots of lateral-filled, classically janky transitions. There's some nice low-key Wild West theming. The best moment is the long swooping drop/turn off the third lift, not far from the end. I rate it a good family coaster.
(Walt Disney World's Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is Disney's take on this type of ride and it's amazing, one of my favorite Disney coasters--but I believe Arrow was not involved in that one, though sources differ and I could be wrong.)
...And then there are the *other* Arrows I've ridden:
- Drachen Fire (BGW): This is one of the hardest to rate of any of the coasters I've ridden; it was such an oddball. Transitions so rough it was modified and then torn down for causing injuries. A layout so exciting there was a longstanding (false) rumor that in some sense it was secretly a B&M design. It beat me up, but I was thrilled getting beaten up. Had my first cobra roll, my first a lot of things. The corkscrew partway down the first drop was a unique touch.
- Canobie Corkscrew (Canobie Lake Park): This was one of the original Arrow corkscrews from 1975, transplanted from Illinois and then Alabama. It was the second modern coaster to possess an inversion, the second coaster of any type to have two inversions. And it was pretty underwhelming and rough, sorry. I wasn't so sad that they got rid of it. But it was sort of historic.
- Space Mountain (Walt Disney World, Magic Kingdom): Is Space Mountain. You've probably ridden it. As a coaster, it's a janky quasi-wild-mouse in the dark. But the presentation is something else. Even now, I think it works.
...I've noticed a pattern where Disney fans mostly prefer the California Space Mountain, but coaster and thrill fans prefer the Florida original.
Great list! Did you ever ride Great American Scream Machine at Six Flags Great Adventure when it was open? I miss riding that coaster.
I (Taylor) never did, but Sarah did! She hated it lol
Really good memories of riding canyon blaster 17 straight times while my parents were gambling
Canyon blaster for sure! And Space mountain
Really looking forward to this!
I’ve only ever ridden 2 arrow loopers corkscrew at cedar point and vortex at kings island, I like riding them because it’s a predictable inversion and they can be quite intense for what they are
10. Corkscrew
9. Corkscrew
8. Corkscrew
7. Corkscrew
6. Corkscrew
5. Corkscrew
4. Magnum XL-200
3. Corkscrew
2. Corkscrew
1. Corkscrew
My top 10, FWIW
The single loop/double corkscrew at Rainbows End, Auckland 😄....(and it's now deceased twin at Sea World Gold Coast).
X before becoming X2 was the reason why Arrow became defunct
I remember when Taylor ranked the arrow coasters despite only riding like 2 of them on the list (in 2014-15).
Mine would be:
1. Big Bad Wolf
2. Loch Nes Monster
3. Space Mountain (Disneyland)
4. Big Thunder Mountain
5. Thunderation
6. Matterhorn
7. Tennessee Tornado (Been a long time since I've been on it. Hard to remember)
My favorite Corkscrew at CP and Carolina Cyclone and Demon and Vortex and Viper at SFMM
Probably my favorite Arrow coaster is one that does not exist any more and that is The Orient Express at Worlds of Fun in Kansas City Missouri. It was the second coaster with inter locking loops and had one heck of a boomerrang curve along with one out of control helix.
R.I.P. Orient Express you are truely missed.
*and Arrow Huss
Honestly I recently rode Demon at Six Flags Great America, and I love it. It was my favorite ride in the whole park. I have literally listened to the cue soundtrack while out running multiple times.
I missed the one at CGA this spring sadly, but from videos online I think Six Flag’s is actually better because they play the song and have more of the effects. Hopefully those will return to CGA, but who knows (I don’t want to lose that park).
Great list . I say this all the time but I guess since 2/10 of these are in this list I’d say you’d agree that magic mountain has the best collection of arrow coasters in a single park ?
Ok... but where would you put Vortex on the list?
This is probably an unpopular opinion, but I actually liked Revolution more than Big One! I haven't been on a lot, so I currently have Revolution at 3rd in my rankings and Big One at 5th (Avalanche is at 4th and Icon is at 1st) The drops hit so hard that I actually slammed my thighs against the OTSR, and the backwards loop is such a cool feeling!
Now I'm going to have to ride the rest of the ones I haven't been on.
My top ten active arrows are as follows
1. X2
2. Magnum XL-200
3. Gemini
4. Tennessee Tornado
5. Desperado
6. Excalibur
7. Viper (SFMM)
Shockwave from SFGAm would have been next
8. Bay (KI)
9. Ninja (SFMM)
10 lochness monster.
Just missing the cut were thunderation, road runner express, snd canyon blaster which I really need to give another ride on.
Just one question why wasn’t viper at Darien lake on this list
There’s only 10 spots- not enough room for everything.
@@CoasterStudios I guess it does have some headbanging
I wish Arrow didn’t go bankrupt because I would’ve loved to see some more loopers that were like Tennessee Tornado
Taylor brave enough to put Magnum at 3? Hahaha MY KING
My favorite is the Demon in Illinois, but that’s because it’s a sentimental ride as my first looping coaster, and I’ve otherwise basically just done mine trains. Still though, a great ride.
Hell yeah this is the content I like to see.
I have always called Dragon Mountain the "Steel Beast"
Now Sarah’s top 10! No way she is putting Magnum 😂
Wonder what would’ve changed around on your list if you included all Arrow coasters, defunct included. I think of Vortex, Shockwave, and the legendary Big Bad Wolf making your list
Great American Scream Machine (SFGAdv) (R.I.P.). I wish it was still there, instead of Green Lantern.
Last year I got off Green Lantern with a worse headache than I ever did on Scream Machine.
I can marathon Magnum all day long. Its my happy coaster at CP.
I’m surprised viper isn’t higher on this list. Rode it right before my Japan trip this year and honestly it might be one of the most intense rides in the world. That opening sequence is just one giant greyout.
Definitely agree with X2's placement. It's the wild card of the Six Flags chain. No Cedar Fair (or any other North American park chain) has anything to measure against it. There are a handful of rides in North America that are better but none that are more unique and only one that is as extreme (i.e I305.) It's superb.
As for Magnum XL-200, I have very mixed feelings. I find that there are only a few seats where it is fun and the rest of the train is super rough and the airtime doesn't quite work. I think is because the trains are so long that on that final run of hills the front car will be ascending the next hill before the back car has even crested the first one. So in the right seat the airtime is amazing but otherwise it just feels like you're going full speed over a speed bump which isn't really what I'm going for.
Arrow's coasters havent aged well like their old loopers and corkscrews but the newer ones are really good.
Magnum, X2, and Tennessee Tornado are great. Airtime Thrills said Viper at SFMM is underrated.
Magnum XL-200 is my #2 (after X2, obviously) because so many memories at CP with Marissa and also because when you get off you can walk 60 yards and get in fast lane line for Dragster/TT2, walk 60 yards the other way and be in the water park (summer only), or walk 20 yards and eat great BBQ on the all season meal plan.
I would put Gemini top 10 as well because of all the memories. The foreign stuff not in North America doesn't belong on this list, sorry. I need to be able to get to my amusement park with my car.
Also honorable mentions to Iron Dragon, and Six Flags Frontier City's Diamondback (Arrow Launch, not to be confused with Kings Island B&M Hyper Diamondback).
I still love Dahlonega Mine Train at Six Flags Over Georgia
Where is Vortex @ Canadas wonderland? That is such an underrated coaster.
more content like this pleaseeee
At least they went out with a bang on X. And X both figuratively and literally marks the spot where Arrow’s bloodied corpse was found. Foreshadowing there MM.
While I AM admittedly sad The Bat didn't get on the list, I can't say I'm surprised when it has the competition that it does.
I had Gemini and a couple of the suspended coasters in my list, otherwise pretty similar...top 3 is the same, just swapped Magnum and Tennessee Tornado
R.I.P Arrow Dynamics
I miss shockwave at SFGA so much
SFMM with two on the list. First time I rode X2 was an absolute blast of a good time. The coaster also smacked me in the back of the head so agree not perfect.
We all know you really loved the great American scream machine