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. 

IRON RATTLER

Considering the fabulous job that Rocky Mountain Construction did with New Texas Giant – see my review - I was eager to experience Iron Rattler.  Featuring RMC’s signature I-Box track and outstanding topography (it was built over a limestone quarry), this coaster is a marvel of engineering.  It operates with two Gerstlauer trains of six cars seating two across in two rows for a total capacity of 24 riders.   The restraint consists of a lap bar (with almost nothing to hold onto) and seat belt.  Upon dispatch, the train makes a right turn out of the loading station and picks up speed, almost as a tease, before slowing down and ascending the 179-foot chain lift hill.  For those riding in the front, it  seems to stop dead in its tracks at the crest of the hill, hanging over the drop; for those riding in the back, it likewise comes to a near standstill - and on one of my rides it almost felt as if the train was going to roll backwards.  After several seconds of suspense, the train plummets 171 feet slightly to the left at an 81-degree angle.  What a drop! 

From the initial drop the train ascends and takes the riders through a rollicking, wild ride as it navigates a 110-degree overbanked turn to the right followed by a 95-degree overbanked turn.  It veers slightly left and goes into a barrel roll.  This is followed by a 98-degree overbanked turn and 93-degree overbanked turn.  During the latter part of the course the train swerves to the right and zooms into a tunnel before hitting the brake run and returning to the station.

The terrain is spectacular and the elements are wonderful.  Highlights would undoubtedly be the steep drop, barrel roll and tunnel.  Riding this coaster at night proved to be a pretty amazing experience, as the track is not illuminated and the tunnel was pitch black.  (Although at one point the tunnel featured special effects, this was not the case when I rode; because of the total darkness, going through the tunnel was both eerie and electrifying.)  Iron Rattler is an extreme thrill ride which is also nicely themed, with a rattlesnake head at the front of the trains and a sign saying “World’s Longest Rattlesnake” in the winding queue leading to the loading station (Indeed, it features 3,266 feet of track.)  Totally awesome!  5 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Six Flags Fiesta Texas, visit www.sixflags.com/fiestatexas