WILD ONE - SIX FLAGS AMERICA

Wild One, made by Dinn Corporation, is the older of the two wooden coasters at Six Flags America and has an interesting history.  Dating back to 1917, it has been through several incarnations.   Partially destroyed by fire not once by twice, it was finally restored to its original condition and acquired by Six Flags America.   Seating two across in rows of two with six cars for a total capacity of 24 riders, the train makes a left turn from the loading station and ascends a 98-foot lift hill before plunging 88 feet slightly to the right but mostly straight, reaching a maximum speed of 53mph.   This is followed by a couple of consecutive drops and right-banked turn.  The remainder of the ride is much of the same, the highlight being a series of bunny hills during which the train is really hopping!  These afford good airtime and have the riders fairly bouncing out of their seats. 

                                       

Because this coaster is a true classic, I wish that I had liked it more but found it a bit too rough for comfort.  To be fair, I would have to say that Wild One has stood the test of time and will no doubt appeal to many who enjoy a brisk, rollicking ride. 2 ½ out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Six Flags America, visit www.sixflags.com/america

ROAR - SIX FLAGS AMERICA

Built by Great Coasters International, Roar is one of two wooden roller coasters at Six Flags America.  With six cars seating two across in rows of two for a total capacity of 24 riders, the train makes a right turn from the loading station and ascends a 94.6-foot lift hill before plummeting 85 feet at a wicked right angle.   It then climbs, banks left and drops left.  From that point it’s a series of banked turns and angled drops on a 3,468-foot track that includes a 200-foot roofed tunnel.

                                                        

With a maximum speed of 50.5 mph and G-force of 3.5, this coaster is not exactly a blockbuster but because of the angles and relentless motion it is by no means lacking in thrills.  The airtime is excellent and the ride is nowhere near as rough as one would expect from a wooden coaster that’s been operating since 1998.  Roar is a gem.  4 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Six Flags America, visit www.sixflags.com/america

JOKER'S JINX - SIX FLAGS AMERICA

Joker’s Jinx is a Premier Rides launched coaster featuring a “spaghetti bowl” track.    With six cars seating two across in rows of two for a total capacity of 24 riders, the train launches to 60 mph out of the loading station and into a tunnel.   It proceeds into a cobra roll and goes through a series of twists and turns, sidewinder and corkscrew.   Without a mid-course brake run, it passes through a series of rings which resembles a giant slinky toy.

                                      

The 2,705-foot track is contained within a remarkably compact area.   Of the four inversions, the corkscrew at the end – IMHO - is the best.  It seemed to go fast and there was perceptible airtime.  As to the launch, in the dark this is a blast!

While not exceptional, Joker’s Jinx provides a ride that is seamless, smooth and highly entertaining.  3 ½ out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Six Flags America, visit www.sixflags.com/america

BATWING - SIX FLAGS AMERICA

This Vekoma Flying Dutchman coaster at Six Flags America is notable for its custom riding position and sudden changes of direction.   The train consists of 6 cars seating 4 across, for a total capacity of 24 riders.  After being heavily – and I mean heavily – restrained, the riders are tilted backwards as the ride ops rotate the train so that riders are a degree beyond being flat on their backs.  Upon dispatch, the train makes a left turn from the loading station and ascends a 115-foot lift hill.  After a short left turn the train goes into a twist (Lie to Fly element), flipping the riders over into a flying position and sending them down the initial 103-foot drop.  This is followed by a horseshoe curve, Fly to Lie (lying down)  element going into a vertical loop and Lie to Fly element leading into a turn and two consecutive in-line twists.  Finally the train enters a helix and returns the riders to a Fly to Lie position so that they return to the station in the same position as the one in which they left it.

The highlights of the ride for me were the vertical loop in the lying position and the double in-line twist in the flying position.  The loop was awesome and being flipped over twice during the consecutive in-line twists almost blew me away.  Through much of the ride I had the sensation of flying close to the ground, perilously close to the supports, with no awareness whatsoever of the track.   I also had the sensation of being about to pitch forward into nothingness and was thankful for the tight restraints.   This was my first ride on a Flying Dutchman coaster and the only Vekoma coaster I’d ever ridden that I actually liked.

Batwing is a well-designed coaster that provides a novel and exciting ride.  4 out of 5 stars.  Note:  The author is the one with the leg tattoos in the photo taken from the loading station.  For more information about rides at Six Flags America, visit www.sixflags.com/america.

SUPERMAN - RIDE OF STEEL - SIX FLAGS AMERICA

Superman – Ride of Steel is an Intamin mega coaster and by far the tallest ride at Six Flags America, towering over the landscape.   Seating two across with a total capacity of 32 riders, the train makes a right turn from the loading station and ascends a 197-foot lift hill, at the top of which is an awesome moment of hang time if you’re sitting in the front row.  (Even from the second row you get an almost unobstructed view due to the lowness of the seats.)  It then drops 205 feet at a 68-degree angle, reaching a maximum speed of 73mph.  The initial drop is pretty spectacular, offering some good ejector airtime for those sitting in the back.  This is followed by an overbanked (90-degree) right turn and 143-foot climb to the second drop, then an upward 540-degree right helix leading up to

a smaller hill.   Next is an extended 540-degree downward left helix before the train turns right, drops left, navigates some bunny hills and comes to an abrupt stop just outside the loading station.

This coaster offers some pretty good air time, significantly more if you’re riding in the back.  However, of all the Intamin hyper/mega/giga coasters I’ve ridden, this is the only one that failed to completely blow me away.  This is for two reasons: 1) I felt that the helixes were too long; and 2) I found the restraints uncomfortable.  As to the helixes, you do get the sensation of flying along but they could easily have been made shorter.  As to the restraints, the T-shaped lap bars include T-bars with plastic shin rests connected to the tops of the bars by metal poles.   The shin rests are made of hard plastic and they hurt during moments of airtime, when the legs knock against them.  My advice when riding is to keep your legs as far away from them as possible.  That being said, Superman – Ride of Steel is a topnotch roller coaster that provides a thrilling and action-packed ride.  4 ½ out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Six Flags America, visit www.sixflags.com/america

DEMON - SIX FLAGS GREAT AMERICA

This Arrow Dynamics looper dates back to 1976 and remains in pretty good condition for its age.  Consisting of six cars seating two across in rows of two for a total capacity of 24 riders, the train leaves the loading station, travels through a short tunnel, ascends  a 103.7-foot lift hill, veers left and drops 90 feet.  It then goes through two consecutive vertical loops before entering a tunnel with special lighting effects.  From there it rises, negotiates a left turn and enters a second tunnel, finishing with a double corkscrew before returning to the station.

The ride experience is enjoyable for the first three quarters of the ride.  Although some

may disagree with me,  I found the double corkscrew brutally rough and consequently had no inclination to re-ride.  Demon is OK if you don’t mind getting banged up a bit.  2 ½ out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Six Flags Great America,  visit www.sixflags.com/greatamerica

AMERICAN EAGLE

A wooden racing coaster with an out and back layout, American Eagle bears the distinction of being the first wooden coaster designed by Intamin.   It probably holds a record for longest entryway to a ride, as it’s necessary to go up and down a number of ramps and flights of stairs to get to the loading station.  There are four trains – two red and two blue – each of which accommodates 30 riders (five cars seating two across in rows of three).   Upon leaving the station, the blue train makes a left turn and the red train makes a right turn before ascending a 127-foot lift hill.  Both trains then drop 147 feet on a straight course – but not at the same time – then travel over a couple of airtime hills and hit a set of trim brakes before entering a left-banked 560-degree helix, in which the red train has the inside track.   This is followed by more airtime hills and a second helix.  The red and blue trains are not always on the same course or going through the same elements until they hit the brake run and it’s a matter of which one crosses the finish line first.

The ride experience is excellent, not nearly as rough as would be expected for a coaster that’s been operating since 1981.  A 147-foot drop is remarkable for a wooden racing coaster; that’s 57 feet more than Hersheypark’s Lightning Racer, another outstanding wooden racing coaster!  The only thing I didn’t like about it is that it is SOOOO slow right before entering the first helix.   Otherwise it’s fine.   American Eagle is simply a delight.  4 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Six Flags Great America,  visit www.sixflags.com/greatamerica

VIPER - SIX FLAGS GREAT AMERICA

A wooden coaster featuring a layout modeled after the Coney Island Cyclone, Viper takes it riders through a rollicking series of turns and airtime hills.   With five cars seating two across in rows of three for a total capacity of 30 riders, the train makes two left turns from the loading station and ascends a 100-foot lift hill, dropping 80 feet sharply to the left before going up into a right-banked turn followed by two consecutive drops.  It turns left and travels over two airtime hills through headchoppers, once again turning left with a double down.  Continuing its course over a series of small hills, it never lets up until hitting the brake run. 

The ride experience is, in a word, super.  Although patterned after the Cyclone, Viper has none of the Cyclone’s punishing roughness.  It is a little rough but not uncomfortably so.   I was fine sitting in the back, something I would never do on the Cyclone.    The ride features a couple of very, very good airtime hills and while the top speed is 50 mph, it gives the impression of going along at a pretty good clip.   In an age of modern wooden coasters with staggering drops, this relatively small coaster can hold its own.  Viper is a gem.  5 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Six Flags Great America, visit www.sixflags.com/greatamerica

RAGING BULL

This Bolliger and Mabillard “hyper-twister” coaster contains many of the same elements as other B&M hyper coasters but with a different layout.  (The restraints consists of lap bars similar to those on other B&M hypers.) Seating four across in nine rows for a total capacity of 36, the train makes a left turn from the station, dips (like B&M’s Nitro) and ascends a 202-foot lift hill.  Upon reaching the top, it makes a pre-drop before plummeting 208 feet into a tunnel at 73 mph and going up into the first of two hammerhead turns.   Coming off the hammerhead turn, the train slows perceptibly in ascending the second hill.  This is because trim brakes were added since the ride first opened.   After dropping 128 feet the train passes under the lift hill and ascends to the second hammerhead turn.  The ride features a number of twists and unlike other B&M hyper coasters I’ve ridden, this one has a helix AFTER the brake run, not before.   The helix is followed by several turns and some bunny hills.

The ride experience is enjoyable and at 2 minutes 30 seconds, you get a lot of ride for your money.   The pre-drop at the top of the lift hill is fun because riders get the impression that they are about to take off, only to discover that this was just a teaser.  (Pre-drops are common – B&M’s Apollo’s Chariot has one – and designed to ease the tension on the chain pulling the train up the lift hill.)  One thing I didn’t like about the ride was the trim brakes, as I felt that they detracted from the overall ride experience and created the impression that the train was about to lose power.   All in all, however, Raging Bull gives you a ride which is definitely above average.  4 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Six Flags Great America, visit www.sixflags.com/greatamerica

X-FLIGHT

An aviation-themed wing coaster, X-Flight soars through multiple inversions on 3000 feet of steel track.  Seating two across in eight rows on opposite sides of the track for a total capacity of 32 riders, the train loads from a station designed to resemble an airplane hangar.   After ascending a 120-foot lift hill, it goes into a 120-foot dive drop, reaching its maximum speed of 55mph.  This is followed by a zero-g roll, Immelmann loop, turn over water and second zero-g roll.  After that comes the most thrilling element of the ride, an in-line twist through a “keyhole” in a very real air control tower acquired from Chicago’s O’Hare airport.  A couple of turns later the ride is over.

 The ride is nicely themed, down to the ride ops in their flight suits.  The ride experience itself is intense from start to finish, particularly so at the point at which the train passes through the control tower.  Riders have the perception of a near collision.   I found this to be especially true when riding on the right side, because of the way the train rolls over.   It was a feeling of omigod, we’re going to hit that tower!  Even after multiple rides, I felt the same way.  X-Flight is a well-designed and highly entertaining coaster.  4 ½ out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Six Flags Great America, visit www.sixflags.com/greatamerica

GOLIATH - SIX FLAGS GREAT AMERICA

Hailed as the tallest, fastest and steepest wooden coaster in existence as of 2014, Goliath is the second record-breaking woodie built by Rocky Mountain Construction to open in two consecutive years.  (Outlaw Run was the first.)   This massive structure features 3100 feet of track contained within a fairly compact area.   Consisting of six cars seating two across in rows of two for a total capacity of 24 riders, the train makes a left turn from the loading station and ascends a 45-degree, 165-foot lift hill.   It then drops 180 feet at an 85-degree angle into a tunnel, reaching its maximum speed of 72 mph, goes up into an overbanked turn and drops again.  This is followed by a dive loop and zero-g stall.   The track is full of twists and turns and during the latter part of the ride the train travels through a second tunnel.

The ride experience is nothing short of amazing.   The first drop is spectacular, the dive loop insanely good and the zero-g stall awesome.   This is the first wooden coaster to feature a dive loop and zero-g stall.  It’s the second one from Rocky Mountain Construction to feature inversions without an overhead harness.  The restraints consist of a combination lap bar and shin guard, with nothing to hold onto, contributing to the sense of vulnerability.  I loved the restraints and everything else about this coaster.   Goliath is a marvel of engineering and an absolute delight.  5 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Six Flags Great America, visit www.sixflags.com/greatamerica

WILD BEAST - CANADA'S WONDERLAND

Wild Beast is the smaller of the two wooden coasters at Canada’s Wonderland manufactured by Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters.   Seating 28 riders (7 cars seating two across in two rows), the train makes a left turn out of the station, veers slightly right and ascends an 82-foot lift hill.  It then drops 78 feet to the left, traverses a small hill, makes a left turn, goes over another small hill, turns right for a couple of small hills, then left for more small hills before heading back to the station.   What struck me most about this coaster is the lateral motion.  It’s a rough ride, and the experience of repeatedly being thrown from side to side reminded me of the Coney Island Cyclone at its worst – although this is not nearly as good or thrilling a ride as the Cyclone.  2 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Canada’s Wonderland, visit www.canadaswonderland.com

MIGHTY CANADIAN MINEBUSTER - CANADA'S WONDERLAND

This wooden coaster built by  Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters dates back to the opening of Canada’s Wonderland in 1981.  Consisting of five cars seating two across in rows of three, the train makes a left turn out of the station and ascends a 90-foot lift hill, making a dip before turning right and dropping 87 feet, reaching a maximum speed of 55.9 mph.  It then traverses a succession of small hills, turns right and drops.   After more small hills the train banks left and enters a tunnel.  Upon exiting the tunnel it makes a left turn and returns to the station.  The ride is just OK for negative-g forces but what a bumpy ride!  I found myself bouncing up and down to the point at which it felt uncomfortable.   Mighty Canadian Minebuster feels every bit as old as its 33 years. 2 ½ out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Canada’s Wonderland, visit www.canadaswonderland.com

DRAGON FIRE

This Arrow Dynamics looping coaster is classified as “extreme” by Roller Coaster Database.  The stats are not particularly impressive but the ride could be said to be extreme in terms of its intensity.  With seven cars seating two across and accommodating four riders for a total capacity of twenty eight, the train makes a left turn out of the station and ascends a 78-foot lift hill, drops 78 feet and travels through two consecutive loops.  At a maximum speed of 50 mph, it turns left and goes through a double corkscrew.   This is followed by a right turn, after which the train enters a helix before returning to the station.   What makes this coaster somewhat unique is that it’s the only Arrow Dynamics coaster on which the riders go through the corkscrew element in a counterclockwise direction.  Unique or not, this ride is, in my opinion, torturous.   At 1 minute 30 seconds, it’s mercifully short – mercifully because it’s rough to the point of being painful.   I got such an ear-boxing that nothing would tempt me to ride it again.   Dragon Fire is by no means uninteresting but I found it unenjoyable in the extreme.  2 out of 5 stars.   Photograph courtesy of Canada’s Wonderland.  For more information about rides at Canada’s Wonderland, visit www.canadaswonderland.com

VORTEX

Although I’d ridden a number of inverted coasters, I’d never ridden a suspended coaster, so that this was a new experience.   Built by Arrow Dynamics, Vortex is one of several coasters configured around Canada’s Wonderland’s Wonder Mountain.  Consisting of six cars seating two across in rows of two,  the train proceeds directly from the loading station up a 91-foot lift hill, reaching the centre of the mountain, before making a right turn and dropping 85 feet.  It negotiates a series of sweeping sideways turns, flying over the grass and at one point swooping just over the water.   What makes this ride especially dynamic is that the cars swing freely from side to side, resulting in lateral g forces.    I found, however, that the swinging motion also contributes to the ride’s being a bit rough in spots.   Given the coaster’s design, the restraints are, not surprisingly, harnesses.  With a speed of 55 mph, Vortex is the fastest coaster of this type in operation as of 2014.  3 out of 5 stars.    For more information about rides at Canada’s Wonderland visit www.canadaswonderland.com 

BACKLOT STUNT COASTER

A linear induction motor launch coaster, Backlot Stunt Coaster is themed after the chase scene at the end of the film Italian Job.  The train consists of three cars, each seating four riders, two across, that look like exactly that – cars.   From the station the train is launched in 3 seconds from 0 to 40 mph and enters a right upward helix before dropping, veering right and going through several mainly left-banked turns.  While this is happening, it passes police cars and highway signs.  It comes to a stop and there is a second launch into a tunnel.  In total darkness the train twists around several times before emerging into daylight, banking left and heading back to the station.   As originally designed by Premier Rides, the coaster featured numerous special effects but most of these have been removed.  I actually rode this coaster by accident, thinking that I had entered the queue for a completely different coaster, but found the ride to be highly entertaining.  Backlot Stunt Coaster gets 3 out of 5 stars.  Photo courtesy of Canada’s Wonderland. For more information about rides at Canada’s Wonderland, visit www.canadaswonderland.com

FLIGHT DECK - CANADA'S WONDERLAND

Formerly known as Top Gun and nicely themed after the film of that name,  Flight Deck is a Vekoma extreme inverted coaster featuring five inversions including a roll over, sidewinder and double in-line twist.  Please see my review of Mind Eraser; as far as I can determine, Flight Deck is essentially the same ride.  The stats and elements are identical.  And so is the roughness of the ride, the only difference being that whereas Mind Eraser was equally rough on the head, neck and shoulders, Flight Deck was primarily rough on the shoulders – so brutally rough that a day after riding it my shoulders were still sore.  2 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Canada’s Wonderland, visit www.canadaswonderland.com

BEHEMOTH

This B&M hypercoaster is noteworthy for both the height and length of the ride.  Seating only two across in eight rows staggered so that in the first row the seats are side by side and in the second spaced apart, the train makes a right turn from the station before ascending a 230-foot lift hill.   It then drops 215 feet at a 75-degree angle, drops again and goes up into a hammerhead turn.   From the front row, the hang time over the initial drop is absolutely mind-blowing, more intense than that on any other coaster I’d ridden.  It was equivalent to experiencing ejector airtime before the train even dropped.  After the hammerhead turn are three consecutive airtime-filled drops – the last of which is over a lake - followed by a brake run.  The train then enters a helix and navigates several bunny hills before returning to the station.  Unlike other B&M coasters of roughly similar design, on which the restraints consist of only lap bars, this one has both lap bars and seat belts.  This towering monster is aptly named.  Smooth, fast and powerful, Behemoth is a coaster well worth riding.  And with a ride duration of 3 minutes 10 seconds, you get a lot of ride for your money.  5 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Canada’s Wonderland, visit www.canadaswonderland.com

LEVIATHAN

One of only four giga coasters (full-circuit coasters between 300 and 399 feet in height) in existence as of 2014, Leviathan is the tallest coaster manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard and a sight to behold.  Seating four across in eight rows, the train makes a right turn from the loading station before ascending a 306-foot chain lift hill.  The chain lift is impressively fast.  Once at the top, the train drops a precipitous 306 feet at an 80-degree angle into a tunnel, and what a drop!  It was breathtaking.  The initial drop is followed by an overbanked right turn and second drop (location of the on-ride camera), after which the train turns sharply left.  The left turn comes as a complete surprise and provides some good ejector airtime.   Another drop and the train shoots up into a camelback.  At one point it crosses the track.  There is no brake run until the conclusion of the ride, as the train is returning to the station. With multiple airtime hills (lots of floater airtime) hammerhead turn and maximum speed of 92 mph, the ride is first class from start to finish.  Leviathan is smooth, fast, furious and fun. 5 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Canada’s Wonderland, visit www.canadaswonderland.com

AVALANCHE

     

      Kings Dominion

This Mack bobsled coaster – the only one operating in the USA at the time of writing – was quite a departure from anything I’d ridden previously, as I’d never ridden a coaster without tracks.  So this proved to be a refreshing change.  From the 69-foot lift hill, the train drops a mere 12 feet before negotiating a series of chutes.  While hardly an aggressive thrill ride, it affords reasonably good lateral G-forces.  The sinuous motion results in an out of control feeling.  Avalanche is nicely themed, with 7 cars per train designed to look like Olympic bobsleds from different countries.  This was a fun ride.  2 1/2 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Kings Dominion, visit https://www.kingsdominion.com/‎