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