TWISTED TIMBERS

Please see my review of Twisted Timbers posted on the CoasterCritic: http://www.coastercritic.com/2018/04/review-twisted-timbers/

BANSHEE AT KINGS ISLAND

Please see my review of Banshee posted on the CoasterCritic: http://www.coastercritic.com/2018/05/review-banshee-kings-island/

WICKER MAN AT ALTON TOWERS

Please see my review of Wicker Man posted on the CoasterCritic: http://www.coastercritic.com/2018/05/review-wicker-man-alton-towers/

THE JOKER - SIX FLAGS GREAT ADVENTURE

The Joker – Six Flags Great Adventure

This 4-D free fly coaster from S&S rides has been installed at a number of Six Flags parks.  It’s known as The Joker at all parks with the exception of Six Flags Fiesta Texas, where it’s called Batman: The Ride.  (Of course they had to name it Batman at Fiesta Texas, as it seems that every Six Flags park must have a ride with Batman in the title.)  I’ve ridden the installations at Great Adventure and Fiesta Texas, which are identical, so am basing my review on those and more specifically, The Joker at Great Adventure.

The Joker operates with five vehicles seating four riders in swivelling face-off seats on either side of the track.  (There’s a purple and a green side, representing The DC Comics villain’s signature colors.)  The seats are tilted slightly backward.  When the vehicles are dispatched they ascend a 120-foot 90- degree chain lift hill and riders get contrasting views depending upon which way they are facing.  The inclined seats rock while going up the lift hill, adding to the anticipation.  After reaching the top the seats flip over for the first of half a dozen times, at seemingly random intervals.  As is evident from the photograph, this is a multi-level ride with a series of dips and short hops.  And because there is no way to anticipate when the seats will flip, the ride is utterly chaotic.  There are two 90-degree “raven drops” which feel like free falls.  The riders find themselves facing almost straight down. 

The ride experience is disorienting and unpredictable with everything topsy-turvy.  At times it can be pretty intense and I find that it varies according to weight distribution.  The most intense ride I had occurred when I was riding with two people facing me while there was an empty seat beside me.  The combined weight of the two riders facing me caused me to flip over harder than had I been riding four to a vehicle.  While The Joker is by no means an extreme thrill ride, it’s a fun ride that wreaks havoc with the senses.  3 ½ out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Six Flags Great Adventure, visit https://www.sixflags.com/greatadventure

KUMBA

Overview

Kumba is a steel B&M (Bolliger & Mabillard) “sitting coaster” located at Busch Gardens Tampa.  Operating with four trains (only three are on the track at any given time) seating four across in eight rows for a total capacity of 32 riders, Kumba has been one of the park’s premier attractions since it opened in 1993.  It features seven inversions.  

Fun Facts

Kumba was the first B&M coaster with interlocking corkscrews and a dive loop.  And it’s one of only three in the world with a vertical loop encircling the lift hill.

Ride Experience

The ride begins with a right turn out of the loading station.  The train ascends a 143-foot chain lift hill, navigates a pre-drop and drops 135 feet to the left.  It then goes up into a 114-foot vertical loop followed by a dive loop.  The next element is a zero-g roll which packs a punch.  This leads up into a cobra roll, the last element before the block brake.  After the block brake the train navigates two interlocking corkscrews and flies through two tunnels before returning to the loading station. Kumba means "roar" in South African congo language - and roar it does, with no sand or other dampener to mute the sound of the trains.

Final Thoughts and Rating

Kumba offers a ride which is both thrilling and wonderfully smooth.  The elements flow so fluently that there is no need to brace oneself or ride defensively.  It features a great layout which was copied to at least one later, floorless B&M coaster.   In addition, the ride duration is 2:54, which is longer than that of a number of operating coasters.  Although this coaster is 25 years old it rides as well as the supposedly new and improved models.  I really got a kick out of it and ended up riding repeatedly.  Kumba rates a 4 on a scale of 1 to 5.  For more information about rides at Busch Gardens Tampa, visit buschgardens.com/tampa/https://

STINGER

Stinger is a Vekoma inverted boomerang located at Dorney Park.  It was originally located at California’s Great Adventure, where it was known as Invertigo.  With 7 cars seating two across in two rows for a total capacity of 28 riders, it differs from other boomerangs I’ve ridden in that it features face-off seats so that riders are riding in opposite directions.

                        

The coaster features the same elements as other Vekoma boomerangs – i.e., lift hill, cobra roll, vertical loop and second lift hill.  Upon dispatch the train is pulled up a 131-foot lift hill, backwards or forward depending upon which way you’re facing, drops 125 feet through the station, enters a cobra roll, goes through a 72-foot vertical loop and reaches the second lift hill, after which it drops and travels through the same elements  in reverse.

To say that Stinger doesn’t have the best track record is an understatement.  This coaster has experienced a lot of downtime due to malfunctions and one year was closed for much of the season.  When it’s operating normally, however, it provides an enjoyable ride experience, superior to that on most boomerangs.  The elements are fun and I especially like the face-off seats.  It’s refreshing to be able to look riders sitting across from you straight in the eye and maybe even exchange a few words with them on the way up the lift hill.  Stinger gets 4 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Dorney Park visit https://www.dorneypark.com/https://www.dorneypark.com/

FIRECHASER EXPRESS

A double launch family coaster added to Dollywood’s lineup in 2014, FireChaser Express is beautifully themed and constructed.   The theme is a volunteer fire station in the Smoky Mountains.  Operating with three trains containing 7 cars seating two across for a total capacity of 14 riders per train, the ride begins with a siren going off.   The train is then launched, negotiating a couple of twisty turns, before reaching the lift hill.  After ascending the lift hill it navigates a couple more turns, goes over a camelback, swings right into another camelback and proceeds through more twisting turns, travelling through a tower.    Additional turns follow and the train enters a make-believe storage warehouse containing fireworks.   This is an enclosed area in which riders are treated to flames and the menace of “Big Bertha,” a firecracker pointing at the train and throwing out sparks.  This results in a spray of mist resembling smoke.  From the “Gasoline and Fireworks Emporium” the train is launched backwards through more turns and another fire tower before returning to the station.

This is a really fun ride with some nice elements although I must say that the fireworks storage area felt somewhat claustrophobic.   It also felt very hot and I would imagine that on a hot day the heat would be intense enough to feel suffocating.  The launches are tire-propelled, something of a rarity, as there are less than half a dozen at the time of writing this that use that type of launch.  FireChaser Express gets 3 ½ out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Dollywood, visit www.dollywood.com/

LIGHTNING ROD - DOLLYWOOD

Themed after a 1950’s hot rod, Lightning Rod is the world’s first launched wooden coaster and recent (as of 2016) addition to RMC’s (Rocky Mountain Construction) impressive portfolio.   A terrain coaster, it’s built on a mountain and hidden from view except for the lift hill, overbanked turn at the end of the ride and small section of track leading into the turn.  So for anyone riding it for the first time, there’s an element of suspense in that you don’t know what you’re letting yourself in for.

With six cars seating two across in two rows for a total of 24 riders, the train makes a right turn out of the loading station and approaches the lift hill, where it is launched.  (The restraint consists of a lap bar and shin guard, the same restraint system on other RMC creations.) 

The launch is an unusual one in that coasters are typically stationary when launched whereas this one is already in motion.  Also unusual is that the launch becomes progressively faster instead of remaining at the same speed.  Upon reaching the top of the lift the train takes a short, deceptive drop before rising and dropping a breathtaking 165 feet at a 73-degree angle.  It then takes riders on a fast-paced course of steeply banked turns, veering left (breaking wave turn)/ right/ left/ right/ left/ right.  In the midst of this is the so-called “twist and shout” element, which has riders breezing through a section of crazily twisted track.  The quick changes of direction, interspersed with airtime hills, make it almost impossible to anticipate what’s coming next.  On one of the turns riders are thrown somewhat forcefully to the left.  The latter part of the ride features a double up and quadruple down leading into a 180-degree overbanked right turn (publicized as a “non-inverting half loop”), from which the train descends and veers right before hitting the brake run.

The ride is short but absolutely amazing.  What makes it amazing is the combination of velocity, novelty and unpredictability.    There was so much being thrown at me that I found it difficult to process.  It offers good airtime with some nice lateral G’s.  From start to finish, Lightning Rod is electrifying.   5 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Dollywood, visit www.dollywood.com/

THI3TEEN

Thi3teen is a roller coaster/dark ride with some innovative elements.  With five cars seating two across in two rows for a total capacity of 20 riders, the train makes a turn out of the loading station before ascending a 60-foot lift hill and navigating a series of small twisty airtime hills.  It then ascends a second lift hill which leads to the “Crypt,” in which riders are in for quite a surprise.  Shrouded in darkness, riders see flashing lights and other visual effects.  The train suddenly and unexpectedly drops, not once but twice.  It then propels the riders backwards out of the crypt while traversing a backwards helix before returning to the station.

While the size of the drops and speed of the ride are quite modest and unremarkable, the entry to and exit from the crypt are indeed remarkable.  When the train dropped in the crypt, my reaction was yikes!  The experience of being propelled out of the crypt backwards was delightful and somewhat awesome.  While Thi3teen is not an extreme thrill ride by any stretch of the imagination, it gets high marks for it uniqueness.  4 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Alton Towers, visit https://www.altontowers.com  Video courtesy of East Coaster General.

WOODEN WARRIOR

This wooden family coaster at Quassy Amusement Park is deceptive in that it delivers more thrills than its modest proportions would suggest.  Built by The Gravity Group (The Voyage, Ravine Flyer II), it was the first coaster to feature Timberliner trains.  With six cars per train seating two across for a total capacity of 12 riders, the train veers slightly right and ascends a small lift hill before making a right turn and dropping 36 feet.  It then ascends and drops several more times before entering a tunnel that leads to the turnaround.  Once out of the tunnel the train navigates a succession of short drops before returning to the loading station.

OK, so it’s not a blockbuster but it happens to be very good.  The airtime is phenomenal!  If you’re looking for a good roller coaster ride, this is it.  Wooden Warrior is a shining example of why bigger is not necessarily better.  I’m only sorry that the ride is so short.  Of note is that the restraint is markedly different from anything I’d previously encountered.  It’s a pivoting lap bar that extends outside the train and swings back inward over the rider before locking in place.  Wooden Warrior gets 4 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Quassy Amusement Park, visit www. Quassy.com/

WICKED CYCLONE

Wicked Cyclone is Rocky Mountain Construction’s makeover of Riverside Cyclone at Six Flags New England.  What RMC did was to transform a boring, moribund coaster into something exciting and vital.  With two trains comprised of 6 cars seating two across for a total of 24 riders, the ride begins with a right turn out of the loading station and ascent of a 109-foot chain lift hill.  The train then plummets at a 78-degree angle and goes up into a 120-degree left overbanked turn.  This leads into a bunny hop and 200-degree zero-g stall.  The remainder of the ride consists of several more overbanked turns, a double down, two zero-g rolls and the first ever double reversing bank airtime hill.   These elements are interspersed with a number of small airtime hills.

The three inversions are awesome – pretty intense -  and the small hills offer great ejector airtime.  From start to finish there is not a dull moment.  This coaster races through the elements in such a way as to leave the riders breathless and euphoric. And I really liked the restraints, consisting of only a lap bar and shin guard, which resulted in a glorious feeling of freedom. Wicked Cyclone is both novel and fabulous. 5 out of 5 stars. Video courtesy of Six Flags New England.  For more information about rides at Six Flags New England, visit  https://www.sixflags.com/newengland Video courtesy of Six Flags New England.

THI3TEEN

Thi3teen is a roller coaster/dark ride with some innovative elements.  With five cars seating two across in two rows for a total capacity of 20 riders, the train makes a turn out of the loading station before ascending a 60-foot lift hill and navigating a series of small twisty airtime hills.  It then ascends a second lift hill which leads to the “Crypt,” in which riders are in for quite a surprise.  Shrouded in darkness, riders see flashing lights and other visual effects.  The train suddenly and unexpectedly drops, not once but twice. (These are the first freefalls of this type to be included on any roller coaster.)  It then propels the riders backwards out of the crypt while traversing a backwards helix before returning to the station.

While the size of the drops and speed of the ride are quite modest and unremarkable, the entry to and exit from the crypt are indeed remarkable.  When the train dropped in the crypt, my reaction was yikes!  The experience of being propelled out of the crypt backwards was delightful and somewhat awesome.  While Thi3teen is not an extreme thrill ride by any stretch of the imagination, it gets high marks for it uniqueness.  4 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Alton Towers, visit https://www.altontowers.com  Photos courtesy of Alton Towers.

RITA

Rita is an Intamin accelerator coaster located in the Dark Forest section of AltonTowers theme park.  With five cars per train seating two across for a total of 20 riders, it features a hydraulic launch and is themed as an abandoned drag racer.  Upon dispatch – after a recording saying “Hold on tight, you must escape!” -  it accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds.  The train proceeds to navigate a series of sharp turns – right, right, left, left, right, left – and small airtime hills before hitting the brake run and returning to the station. 

Of note is the fact that Rita’s track is red in some spots and green in others.  This is because the green sections of track blend in with the trees.  (Zoning regulations at Alton Towers, which is heavily wooded, prohibit the erection of attractions visible above the tree line.)  I found this to be a really fun ride, especially the launch, but nothing exceptional. 3 out of 5 stars.  .  For more information about rides at Alton Towers, visit https://www.altontowers.com

NEMESIS - ALTON TOWERS

Nemesis at Alton Towers is an inverted coaster manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard.  It consists of two trains with eight cars seating four across, for a total of 32 riders.  Upon dispatch the train veers slightly right out of the station before ascending the chain lift hill and plunging 104 feet to the left into a corkscrew.  It then enters a downward helix and goes up into a zero-g roll.  This is followed by a vertical loop and corkscrew.  It traverses what might best be described as a horseshoe configuration before entering the vertical loop.  After the final corkscrew the train speeds through an underground tunnel before returning to the station.

While limited as to the number of elements, Nemesis offers a very intense ride.  The inversions flow nicely and don’t give the riders much of an opportunity to catch their breath.  And although rough in spots, Nemesis is enjoyable enough to merit repeat rides.  4 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Alton Towers, visit https://www.altontowers.com

THE SMILER

As of 2017, The Smiler at Alton Towers holds the world record for most inversions on a roller coaster.  A Gerstlauer Infinity coaster, it features four trains with four cars seating four across for a total of 16 riders.    The restraint is an over the shoulder harness.  The queue leading up to the loading station is ominously dark although the loading station itself is brightly lit.

Upon dispatch the train takes a 180-degree left turn and propels the riders through a heartline roll in the dark before emerging from the station and ascending the first of two chain lift hills. From the top the train veers to the right and downward, entering a corkscrew followed by three consecutive dive loops.   It then ascends into a sidewinder and traverses a corkscrew, coming to a stop at the second lift hill. 

There is a about a 10-second pause at the bottom of the second lift hill, an opportunity for riders to catch their breath.  The lift hill is a vertical one and after reaching the top of the hill the ride really kicks into high gear, going through a corkscrew, sea serpent inversion, cobra roll and two corkscrews before returning to the station.

The inversions themselves are nothing unusual but the sheer number of them is rather amazing and results in a pretty awesome ride experience.   Prior to riding The Smiler, the maximum number of inversions I had experienced on a coaster was 7. I did wonder whether 14 inversions might be a bit much, but it works and is easily doable.  Of all the roller coaster inversions I’ve experienced, a heartline roll is undoubtedly the most intense.  For The Smiler to feature a heartline roll prior to reaching the lift hill made for a great start.  (I’d ridden only one other coaster with a heartline roll before the lift hill, Hydra at Dorney Park.)   The vertical lift hill is a great way to start the second half of the ride and the inversions that followed were pretty intense, particularly the combination of cobra roll and sea serpent.  While rough in spots, The Smiler proved to be enjoyable enough to merit repeat rides.  And it should be noted that Smiler has a single rider queue, which enabled me to get on in less than 10 minutes.  4 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Alton Towers, visit https://www.altontowers.com/

OBLIVION

Oblivion at Alton Towers has the distinction of being the first dive coaster ever built.  Manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard (as is the case with all existing dive coasters), it stands 65 feet tall at ground level.  The train consists of two rows seating 8 across for a total of 16 riders.  Prior to dispatch, the riders see a video designed to scarify.   The train ascends a 65-foot chain lift hill and upon reaching the drop, hangs over the drop for about five seconds before plunging 180 feet at a an 89-degree angle into an underground tunnel.  From there it rises up into a right overbanked turn before returning to the station.

The ride is short but sweet.   The drop is awesome although I would have welcomed a second drop with hang time such as can be enjoyed on later B&M dive machines.  However, considering that Oblivion was innovative and the first of its kind, I can’t complain.  Also, it features a single rider queue, which enabled me to get on quickly.  4 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Alton Towers, visit https://www.altontowers.com/

GALACTICA

The space-themed Galactica, formerly known as Air, enjoys the distinction of being the first flying coaster to be manufactured by B&M (Bolliger & Mabillard).  It operates with 3 trains containing 7 cars seating 4 across for a total capacity of 28 riders.  There are 2 ride queues so that riders can board from either side of the loading platform.  Once the riders are harnessed in (with over the shoulder restraints and restraints to hold the ankles in place) the train is pronated so that riders are positioned face down.  Upon dispatch the train makes a right turn and ascends a chain lift hill before dropping to the right, racing ahead and flipping the riders over onto their backs.  This is followed by an upward turn – after which riders are once again in a face down position – flight under a bridge and 360-degree in-line twist.

Air was renamed Galactica after VR (virtual reality) headsets were added to the ride.  This would have been interesting to experience but the VR gear was not operating during my visit to Alton Towers so I rode Galactica without any enhancements – not that it needs any.  The fly-to-lie and lie-to-fly transitions were seamless, very smooth, and overall the ride was delightful.  4 out of 5 stars. .  For more information about rides at Alton Towers, visit https://www.altontowers.com

GOLIATH - SIX FLAGS NEW ENGLAND

A giant inverted boomerang, Goliath is an imposing sight with its twin towers that stand 191.6 feet tall.  The ride begins with the train being pulled up a vertical lift hill, almost to the top of the first tower, before plummeting 177 feet through the loading station and ascending into a 110-foot cobra roll.  This is followed by a 102-foot vertical loop and ascent up the second tower.  As is the case with other Vekoma boomerangs, the train then repeats the ride in reverse, once again ascending the first tower before dropping into the station.

Boomerangs are notorious for giving riders the sensation of being about to pitch forward into nothingness during the initial ascent, and the fact that this one features a vertical lift makes it more forceful than most.  I found the vertical lift unnerving and held onto the restraints for dear life.  This was pretty intense stuff.  Otherwise the ride was unremarkable, a case of been there done that.  Goliath gets 3 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Six Flags New England, visit https://www.sixflags.com/newengland

SIDEWINDER HERSHEYPARK

This Vekoma boomerang has been operating since 1991.  With 7 cars seating 2 across in 2 rows for a total capacity of 28 riders, the train is pulled up a 116-foot catch car lift hill before being released and propelled through the loading station and up into a cobra roll followed up a vertical loop.  It then ascends a second lift hill and goes through the course in reverse.

As all Vekoma boomerangs feature the same three inversions, I can’t say that this one is in any way novel or remarkable.  What I can say is that whereas I would have expected a coaster of this vintage to be rough, the ride was much smoother than anticipated.  Also the soft restraints were welcome although a bit heavy.   And at 5.2 the maximum G-force is pretty good.  Sidewinder offers an enjoyable enough ride.  2 ½ out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Hersheypark, visit www.hersheypark.com

TEMPESTO

This LSM coaster from Premier Rides necessarily has a one-train operation, as the train is launched backwards and forward from the station.  With a total capacity of 18 riders (3 cars seating 2 across in 3 rows), the train is launched forward at the beginning of the ride and rises just short of the twist at the top.  It then launches backwards onto a curved track with a stall at the top  before again launching forward and navigating the twist at the top.  This is followed by an inline twist.  The train banks right and goes through a non-inverting loop before once again racing forward through the loading area and rolling backwards.  It reaches a maximum speed of 62 mph.

I must admit that I didn’t have high expectations of this ride but it certainly exceeded my expectations.  The launch was a blast and the layout of the track resulted in some interesting surprises.  The reversals of direction were somewhat disconcerting in a good way; the inline twist was fabulous.  Tempesto is a welcome addition to Busch Gardens Williamsburg.  The ride is short but sweet. 4 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at BGW, visit https://seaworldparks.com/en/buschgardens-williamsburg/  Video courtesy of Busch Gardens.

LOCH NESS MONSTER

This coaster from Arrow Dynamics is the only operating coaster to feature two interlocking vertical loops.  It has a long train although I didn’t count the number of rows and the stats are not available on rcdb.  The restraint consists of an overhead harness.  Upon departing the loading station, the train ascends a 130-foot lift hill, with the chain clanking away, before turning right and dropping 114 feet to Busch Garden’s Rhine River, then rising up into the first of the loops.  It then races into a downward spiraling tunnel, from which it travels up a second lift hill before again turning right and entering the second loop.  The ride comes to an end shortly after the second loop.

Considering the fact that this ride dates back to 1978, it has stood the test of time very well.  I was expecting a headbanger but this is not the case. It’s remarkably smooth and the initial drop is sizeable for the time at which this coaster was built.  Among the highlights of the ride is the tunnel, longer than I had anticipated and a very enjoyable element.  The Loch Ness Monster is a lot of fun.  4 out of 5 stars.  From more information about rides at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, visit https://seaworldparks.com/en/buschgardens-williamsburg/

JUDGE ROY SCREAM

This wooden coaster from William Cobb & Associates dates back to 1980 and features an out and back layout.  Seating two across in three rows with four cars for a total capacity of 24 riders, the train makes a right turn from the loading station and ascends a 71-foot lift hill.  Once at the top it drops 65 feet and continues its course over several more consecutive drops.  This is followed by a right turn, after which the train traverses a series of dips on its way back to the station.  The maximum speed is 53 mph.

                                                                                                  

The ride is surprisingly smooth for a wooden coaster 36 years old at the time of my writing this.   There was none of the roughness that I had anticipated.  While hardly a high thrill ride, Judge Roy Scream is an enjoyable and fun ride.  3 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Six Flags Over Texas, visit www.sixflags.com/overtexas.  

CAROLINA COBRA

Carolina Cobra is a Vekoma boomerang that features the same elements as every other Vekoma boomerang I’ve ridden: cobra roll and vertical loop.  This one, however, has an interesting history, in that it was moved from Geauga Lake (where it was called Mind Eraser) purchased by Cedar Fair and moved to Carowinds.  Seating 2 across in 7 rows with 7 cars for a total capacity of 28 riders, the train is pulled backwards up a 125-foot lift hill before dropping 120 feet through the loading station and ascending into a cobra roll, followed by a 360-degree vertical loop.  It then goes up another 125-foot lift hill and repeats the elements in reverse.                          

As boomerangs go, this one is pretty good.  I’ve been on some that were real headbangers and that is not the case here.  The ride was comfortable and enjoyable.  Also, at 5.2, the G-force is very good.  3 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Carowinds, visit www.carowinds.com.

ROADRUNNER EXPRESS

The last mine train to be built by Arrow Dynamics at a Six Flags park, Roadrunner Express is an intermediate coaster with appeal to a wide demographic.  It’s situated next to Iron Rattler and in fact passes under Iron Rattler; this undoubtedly adds to its appeal.  Featuring two trains with six cars seating two across in three rows for a total capacity of 36 riders, it goes directly from the loading station up a 73-foot lift hill before dropping 45 feet, veering to the right twice and to the left twice.  It then ascends a second, 38-foot lift hill before dropping again and swerving right, right, left and left.  The turns are sharp enough to add an edge to the ride and it feels as if the rider is entering a small helix.

While the height and other stats are hardly impressive, Roadrunner Express does manage to pack a punch.  Hardly an extreme thrill ride, it’s nevertheless quite enjoyable.  I rode this coaster a couple of times between rides on Iron Rattler and got a kick out of it.  3 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Six Flags Fiesta Texas, visit www. sixflags.com/fiestatexas

TITAN

This hypercoaster from Giovanola is the tallest and fastest coaster at Six Flags Over Texas.  It boasts a height of 245 feet and top speed of 85 mph.  The restraint consists of a lap bar and seat belt. Seating two across with five cars in rows of three for a total capacity of 30 riders, the train makes a U-turn from the loading station before ascending a 245-foot chain lift hill.  It then drops a whopping 255 feet at a 65-degree angle into a tunnel before rising into a turnaround which resembles a shortened version of the hammerhead turns for which B&M coasters are famous.  From that point it goes into a camelback followed by a 540-degree helix.  This comes just before the mid-course brake run, after which riders negotiate an overbanked left turn and enter a second helix.  More overbanked turns follow as the train runs its course through a layout somewhat atypical in that it’s a combination out and back/twister.  There’s a lot of lateral motion before the train hits the final brake run.

I expected to like this coaster a lot more than I did. (I didn’t dislike it; it just failed to wow me.) The first drop was pretty astonishing and the ride has some nice elements but there were a few things that I felt detracted from the overall ride experience.   First of all, the location of the mid-course brake run struck me as odd, as it isn’t on a straight section of track but rather on the approach to an overbanked turn.  Secondly, the two helices struck me as overkill.  Thirdly and finally, the sensation of going around in circles was somewhat dizzying.  However, I suspect that most riders will enjoy this ride more than I did.  Titan offers a comparatively long ride replete with thrills and intensity. 4 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Six Flags Over Texas, visit www.sixflags.com/overtexas. 

MR. FREEZE REVERSE BLAST - SIX FLAGS OVER TEXAS

A launched LIM shuttle coaster from Premier Rides, Mr. Freeze Reverse Blast is aptly named.   Seating two across with five cars for a total capacity of 20 riders, the train is shuffled sideways from the loading platform to the point of dispatch before the ride begins.   The riders, restrained by only a lap bar with a short seat belt that hooks onto the side, are launched out of the station backward, through a tunnel, at 70 mph. Catapulted through an inverted top hat, riders go through an overbanked turn before being sent backward up a 218-foot vertical spike.  (The train does not go all the way to the top of the spike but does take riders to a considerable height.)  After being held briefly on the spike at a 90-degree angle, riders plummet down and finish the course facing forward.   Although there is only one inversion, riders go through it twice.

The ride is nicely themed to resemble an abandoned snow cone factory.  As to the ride experience, being launched through the tunnel backward was indeed a blast.  The reversals of direction made it difficult to keep track of which end was up and this served to enhance the ride experience.  The scariest part was being suspended on the steep vertical spike.  Mr. Freeze Reverse Blast is a very short ride but an unusual and fun one.  4 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Six Flags Over Texas, visit www.sixflags.com/overtexas. 

SHOCK WAVE

Opened in 1978, this double-looping coaster from Schwartzkopf remains one of the premier attractions at Six Flags Over Texas.  It travels at a maximum speed of 60 mph and features some nice elements.  Seating two across in two rows with 7 cars for a total capacity of 28 riders, the train goes straight from the loading station up a 116-foot chain lift hill.  Once at the top, it makes a U-turn and traverses a small incline while approaching the first drop.  It then drops 105 feet at a 46-degree angle.  This is followed by two consecutive vertical loops, small hill and mid-course brake run.  From that point it makes a right turn, drops and veers left before dropping again.  The ride finishes with an additional hill leading into a helix. 

      This coaster has stood the test of time well.  It’s not at all rough and with a maximum G-force of         5.9, it’s a force to be reckoned with.  Although I wouldn’t rate it extremely high on the thrill               scale, it does offer a lively ride with some very nice pops of airtime.  Shock Wave is easily re-             rideable and a lot of fun.  3 ½ out of 5 stars. For more information about rides at Six Flags Over        Texas, visit www.sixflags.com/overtexas

NEW TEXAS GIANT

What do you get when you take a lumbering wooden coaster, replace the track with steel and make numerous other modifications?  In this case you get the New Texas Giant, a Rocky Mountain Construction makeover featuring that company’s famed I-Box track.  You also get a ride that’s as smooth as it is exhilarating.

With six cars seating two across for a total capacity of 24 riders, the train makes a right turn out of the loading station and ascends a 153-foot chain lift hill before dropping 147 feet at a wicked 79-degree angle.  This is followed by a double up into a 90-degree overbanked turn, drop and ascent into another overbanked turn, then guess what? - drop with ascension into a 115-degree overbanked turn.   This leads into a small hill before the mid-course brake run.  From that point the train drops sharply to the left, traverses a series of hills, speeds around turns and races through three tunnels – all of this at a maximum speed of 65 mph which feels faster - before hitting the final brake run.

From start to finish the ride is absolutely amazing.  The restraints – which consist of a lap bar and seat belt – are supremely comfortable although there’s nothing to hold onto, baby!  As if the initial drop weren’t awesome enough, the overbanked turns make for a thrilling ride.  The ride features numerous airtime hills and the airtime is glorious!  One memorable moment occurred while going into a left turn during the latter part of the ride.  I found myself fairly bouncing out of my seat.   The tunnels near the end of the ride are a blast, with small dips affording more airtime.  The New Texas Giant gives about as good a ride as I’ve had on any coaster.  5 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Six Flags Over Texas, visit www.sixflags.com/overtexas.