POSSESSED

Dorney Park

Possessed has been through a number of incarnations since its inception at Six Flags World of Adventure, which became Geauga Lake after the park was sold to Cedar Fair.   Originally named Superman: Ultimate Escape, it has also been known as Steel Venom, Voodoo and finally, Possessed.  After being transferred to Dorney Park, it was known as Voodoo but due to a copyright issue, the name was changed to Possessed.    An inverted LIM (linear induction motor) launch coaster, it propels riders back and forth between two spikes, one of which is twisted and one of which is straight.   Unlike many suspended coasters, this one seats only two across.   From the loading station, the train is launched at a speed of 70mph to about ¾ of the way up the twisted spike, rotating the riders 180 degrees in the process.   The riders are then launched backwards up the straight spike, launched forward up the twisted spike and again launched backwards up the straight spike.   After the second launch up the straight spike, the holding brake freezes the train so that riders are held there for a couple of seconds before being launched back to the twisted spike.   The train is then launched backwards back to the loading station, so that riders are launched up the twisted spike three times but up the straight spike only twice.   Although this coaster is 180 feet tall, because the train is not launched to the top of either spike, the drop is only 125 feet.  According to Roller Coaster Database, the maximum vertical angle is 90 degrees.  I must admit that I was somewhat apprehensive about riding Possessed but it’s not nearly as scary as it looks.    The scariest moment, in my three rides, was being held on the straight spike after the second launch up that spike.  This was somewhat unnerving.  And there was a definite thrill to be experienced in the 180-degree rotation on the twisted spike.  I tried several different riding positions and found that the front seat was better for the twisted spike, as that resulted in being significantly higher up than those at the back of the train, but of course the exact opposite is true when the train is launched backwards up the other spike.   The ride is very short and this makes sense because it’s too repetitive to sustain anyone’s enthusiasm or excitement for much longer.  Possessed provides an interesting and somewhat electrifying ride but not one which is any way spectacular, probably due to the relatively low G forces.   The one thing about it that does stand out is that it’s different.    3 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Dorney Park, visit www.dorneypark.com

THUNDERHAWK

Dorney Park

This ancient coaster (opened 1923) holds some sentimental value for me, as it’s one of the first coasters I ever rode, with my Aunt Agnes who was crippled with polio and wore a brace on one leg but loved roller coasters.   At that time it was painted yellow but is now a sort of beige color.    And although it has undergone a number of other modifications over the years, it has been surprisingly well maintained.  From the loading station, the train makes a right turn and ascends an 80-foot lift hill.  It then drops 65 feet and proceeds through a series of twists, turns and drops.   The addition of trim brakes did not do much for the airtime but it still has some.    Not surprisingly, the ride is a bit rough but I would actually call it good rough, in sharp contrast to the roughness of some other older wooden coasters I’ve ridden.   Thunderhawk is hardly exceptional but due to its age, is something of a classic.  2 ½ out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Dorney Park, visit www.dorneypark.com

DOMINATOR

Kings Dominion

This floorless coaster, originally known as Batman:The Knight Flight before being transplanted from Geauga Lake,  dominates the landscape from the Kings Dominion parking lot, as it’s the closest ride to the park’s entrance.  It was therefore my first and last ride of the day.   When the all clear signal is given, the floor drops out from the loading platform and the train makes a right turn out of the station (after a small dip similar to the one on Nitro) before ascending a 157-foot lift hill.   It then descends 148 feet at a right angle, shoots up into a 135-foot vertical loop, makes an upward right turn, swoops down and goes up into a cobra roll.   The ride features a substantial length of track (4,120 feet) and a total of 5 inversions, the other two of which are interlocking corkscrews.  It’s very well laid out and nicely paced, with good airtime and a strong thrill factor. Although I enjoyed my rides, I found them to be a bit rough in spots and would advise riders to keep their heads back to avoid an ear boxing.  Dominator is as good as if not better than most coasters of this type.  4 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Kings Dominion, visit www.kingsdominion.com

FLIGHT OF FEAR

Kings Dominion

Being turned upside down in total darkness without any warning is something that has never particularly appealed to me, which is why I skipped Flight of Fear on my previous visit to Kings Dominion.  However, on the second visit I decided to give it a go and am glad that I did.  The entire ride takes place inside an unprepossessing building designed to look like a military fort.  Like Volcano the Blast Coaster, Flight of Fear has separate areas for unloading and loading the train, so that riders on the loading platform see a completely empty train.   Once the train is loaded and cleared for dispatch, it’s launched from zero to 54 mph almost instantaneously, with no preamble or period of anticipation.   (This is a linear induction motor launch coaster.) The riders go zooming off into the darkness with little idea of what awaits them.  What awaits them is a pretty wild ride with four inversions, the first of which is a cobra roll.   The other two are a sidewinder and corkscrew.  Inbetween these are multiple twists and turns.  The corkscrew comes up after the first brake run, following a downward curve.   Although there is faint illumination at times, allowing the riders to see some of the turns, there is no illumination during the inversions.  These take place in total darkness and I must say that going through a cobra roll in the dark was a really freaky experience.   I should mention that the restraints consist only of a lap bar and seat belt that fastens on the far side of the seat but does not go across the rider.  Even so, it works.  Flight of Fear is a novel and vastly entertaining coaster.  4 ½ out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Kings Dominion, visit www.kingsdominion.com

REBEL YELL

Kings Dominion

This wooden duelling coaster features two tracks with red and blue trains although both red and blue trains run on both tracks.  From the side on which I was riding, the train makes a right turn out of the loading station and ascends an 85-foot lift hill.  (From the other side, the train presumably makes a left turn out of the station.)  It then drops 81 feet before going through a series of turns, drops and bunny hills which afford some nice pops of airtime.   As a result I found myself repeatedly sliding forward in my seat and couldn’t use my feet to brace myself because there was an open space between my row and the row in front of me, with nothing to offer resistance.   Duelling coasters are always fun and this one is no different.   In my opinion Rebel Yell is not as good a ride as, for instance, Lightning Racer, but not at all bad.  3 out of 4 stars.   For more information about rides at Kings Dominion, visit www.kingsdominion.com

GRIZZLY

Kings Dominion

Because Grizzly is mostly hidden in the woods, I had little or no idea of what to expect.   The only thing I expected was a ride on an aging wooden coaster and that is what I got.    From the loading station, the train turns left and navigates a switchtrack before ascending an 87-foot lift hill.   The lift hill proved to be a precursor of what was to come.  While on the lift hill, the train struck me as unstable to the point of feeling rickety.    After the initial 84-foot drop, the train underwent a noticeable loss of acceleration upon reaching the first turn.   From there it went through a series of drops and turns.   It was a very rough ride, even from the 3^rd row.    At one point the train goes through a tunnel and although this is probably the high point of the ride, I thought that it was also the roughest part.   This coaster features 3, 150 feet of track and a figure 8 layout.  Grizzly isn’t a bad ride if you like it rough. 2 ½ out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Kings Dominion, visit www.kingsdominion.com  The second photograph is courtesy of Coaster Image, a great site for coaster photographs: www.coasterimage.com

OUTLAW RUN

Silver Dollar City

Outlaw Run was among the most eagerly anticipated coasters to open in 2013 and after six rides on it, I can certainly appreciate why.  This coaster has it all – aggressive thrills, airtime, novelty – and threatens to displace El Toro as my all-time favourite woodie.  From the old west-themed loading station, the train goes under the bridge used to exit the ride and ascends a 107-foot lift hill.  From there it makes a short dip and short hop up before plunging 162 feet at an 81-degree angle.  (Before Outlaw Run opened, El Toro had the steepest drop of any wooden coaster in the USA at 76 degrees.)   The drop, as anticipated, was breathtaking, with phenomenal floater airtime.   Following the drop is a 153-degree overbanked turn which almost feels like an inversion.  The ride supposedly features three inversions but the only time I perceived myself to be completely upside down was during the double barrel roll – although the first overbanked turn came awfully close.   With the drops, turns and inversions, this coaster has both floater and ejector airtime.  I found the airtime to be somewhat better in the back of the train although the front seat is fun because there’s nothing like staring down at that first drop.  The train moves along at a pretty good clip (68mph) and never perceptibly slows down. Toward the end of the ride is a pretty amazing wave turn followed by the double barrel roll, which was beyond awesome and almost blew me away.   An inversion such as this on a wooden coaster is cause for celebration.   I should mention the fact that the restraints consist only of a lap bar and shin restraint, and there is really nothing to hold onto!  This works, however, the only drawback being that the shin restraint makes it impossible for riders to put their feet flat down on the floor of the train and can be felt at moments of airtime but I didn’t find that to detract from the quality of the ride.  Alas, the ride is over all too soon.  Outlaw Run is a marvel of engineering and one of the best coasters I’ve ever ridden.  5 out of 5 stars.  For move information about rides at Silver Dollar City, visit www.silverdollarcity.com

WILDFIRE

Silver Dollar City

Wildfire is not dissimilar to other B&M looping steel coasters I’ve ridden but there is one notable difference.  Most coasters of this type descend the initial drop at an angle before entering the first inversion but the drop on Wildfire is straight down.   From the loading station, the train makes a right turn, ascends a 120-foot lift hill and drops an impressive 155 feet before entering an Immelmann loop.   This is followed by a vertical loop, cobra roll and finally, near the end of the ride, a corkscrew.    The train travels at a speed of 66 mph and features a banked curve before the corkscrew.   Wildfire provides an enjoyable ride experience and in my opinion is a cut above other coasters of similar design. 4 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Silver Dollar City, visit www.silverdollarcity.com

POWDER KEG

Silver Dollar City

Powder Keg is somewhat different from other launch coasters I’ve ridden in that it uses compressed air in lieu of a hydraulic launch, linear induction motor or linear synchronous motor.   At the outset of the ride, the train is moved over to the left from the track in the loading station to a launch track.   With a certain amount of fanfare – there are flashing stoplights – the train is launched from 0 to 53 mph up a 98-foot lift hill, at which point it drops 110 feet.  (The ride ops at the time that I rode were claiming that the launch is from zero to 60 and that the drop is 119 feet; Roller Coaster Database says 53 and 110, so take your pick.)    It then goes through a series of turns and drops.  Somewhat unusually, there is a second lift hill about three quarters of the way through the ride.  I found this to be a very smooth, fun ride with a lot of kick but can’t say that Powder Keg blew me away.  3 out of 5 stars.  Photograph by Jeremy Thompson, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.  For more information about rides at Silver Dollar City, visit

www.silverdollarcity.com

GATEKEEPER

Cedar Point

Cedar Point’s new coaster for 2013, Gatekeeper, is very aptly named because part of the track overhangs the entrance gates to the park.  A wing coaster seating four across, with two seats on each side of the track, it’s accessed by two flights of stairs leading left and right.   Out of the loading station the train turns right, ascends a 170-foot lift hill and  goes into a dive drop, from which it plunges 164 feet.  This sets a new record for the tallest inversion on a roller coaster, previously held by Volcano The Blast Coaster at 155 feet.   From there the train enters an Immelmann loop.   The configuration of the track is interesting, as the initial section resembles a series of coils contained within a compact area whereas the latter section is stretched out and faintly resembles a figure 8.   On the stretched out section, the train passes through openings in two closely-spaced columns.  Other elements of the ride include a flat spin, zero-g roll, inline twist and inclined dive loop, the last of which is displayed in photograph #4.   Due to the similarity in design/concept, comparisons with Dollywood’s Wild Eagle are almost inevitable.  I found Gatekeeper to be the better of the two rides, for both the elements and the airtime.  4 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Cedar Point, visit www.cedarpoint.com

RAPTOR

Cedar Point

Raptor is a coaster I had bypassed on previous visits to Cedar Point in favor of more extreme thrill rides such as Millennium Force and Top Thrill Dragster.  I finally decided to give it a try and am glad that I did.  An inverted/suspended coaster seating four across,  it makes a left turn from the loading station, ascends a 137-foot lift hill and drops 119 feet  before going up into a 100-foot vertical loop.  This is followed by a zero-g roll, cobra roll and first of two helixes.  The ride features two corkscrews and a pretty intense helix towards the end.  What a fun ride!  I’ve been on several similar coasters but thought that this one is somewhat above average.  3 ½ out of 5 stars.   For more information about rides at Cedar Point, visit www.cedarpoint.com

GOLIATH

Six Flags Fiesta

This suspended B&M coaster, in its third incarnation (formerly known as Gambit and Batman:The Ride before being transplanted to Six Flags Fiesta) seats four across and ascends the 105-ft. lift hill directly from the station as soon as the train is dispatched. It then drops 80 feet at an angle before traversing the first of two tight loops.  This is immediately followed by a zero-g roll and the second loop.  I thought that the sequence of inversions contributed a lot to the overall ride experience.  Altogether there are 5 inversions including 2 corkscrews and a couple of other nice elements, most notably a helix and a downward turn that gave me the sensation of free flying.  It’s definitely a fun ride but in my opinion nothing exceptional.  3 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Six Flags Fiesta, visit  www.sixflags.com/fiestatexas/‎

BOOMERANG COAST TO COASTER

Six Flags Fiesta

I’d done a similar ride before but on a smaller scale, so that this was to some extent a fresh experience.  A coaster in operation at several Six Flags parks, Boomerang Coast to Coaster goes through the second part of the ride exactly in reverse of the first part.  Although not much fazes me when it comes to roller coasters and I consider myself a seasoned veteran, I must admit that the first part of the ride had me completely unnerved.  Being pulled up the first lift hill backwards made me feel as if I was about to pitch forward at any moment and I had to brace myself hard with my feet. This was slow torture.   Before reaching the top of the 116-foot lift hill - and none too soon, from my perspective - the catch car releases the train, sending the riders hurtling downhill through the loading station before rocketing up into a cobra roll followed by a vertical loop.  The train then ascends a second lift hill, facing forward, and without warning is sent downhill backwards before going through the 3 inversions in reverse.  I found that going down the second hill backwards was a lot easier than going up the first hill backwards but also found the inversions more disorienting when experienced in reverse.   Boomerang is a ride that packs quite a punch - maximum G-force is 5.2 - but it’s not for everyone and I personally found it to be a bit much.   One thing I will say in its favor is that the ride is relatively smooth.   I was comparing it with Flashback at Six Flags New England and while Flashback is a headbanger, Boomerang is not. 2 ½ out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Six Flags Fiesta, visit www.sixflags.com/fiestatexas/‎

POLTERGEIST

Six Flags Fiesta

This linear induction motor launch coaster is different from anything I had ridden before due to the configuration of the track.   The track is contained within a remarkably compact area, much more so than even the space taken up by a compact twister such as the Coney Island Cyclone.  The ride begins with a launch out of the station from 0 to 60mph and I must say that the launch was a blast. After the launch to just under 80 feet (no, this is not a tall coaster) the train goes through a number of twists and turns within this limited area, so that the rider has the sensation of going around in circles.  The ride features 4 inversions, including a cobra roll, sidewinder, and near the end of the ride, corkscrew.  This was my first time on an inverted coaster without a harness and I decided that it would be good practice for my upcoming ride on Outlaw Run (which has nothing in common with Poltergeist other than a lap bar as the primary restraint).  Of note is that the maximum G force is a whopping 4.5.  Poltergeist is a fun ride with elements that give it novelty value but nothing so exceptional that I would be dying to get back on it.  3 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Six Flags Fiesta, visit www.sixflags.com/fiestatexas/‎

SUPERMAN KRYPTON COASTER

Six Flags Fiesta

Built over the side of a quarry, this  floorless coaster is purportedly the fastest B&M coaster of its type, with a top speed of 70mph.   It features some exquisite scenery and nice, long (4,025 ft.) track.  As the ride is dispatched, the floor drops out and the train, with riders sitting four across, climbs a 168-foot lift hill which hangs over a cliff.   The train then enters a helix, drops 163 feet at a deliciously wicked right angle and shoots up into a pretty impressive 145-foot vertical loop, followed by a zero-g roll.   The vertical loop was the largest on any coaster until 2013. There are six inversions in all, the other four being a cobra roll and double corkscrew.  I thought that the combination of elements in such a scenic setting made for a very good ride.  And at 2:35, you get a lot of ride.  I liked Superman Krypton Coaster enough to ride it three times in succession .and thought that it stacks up well against other inverted coasters I’ve ridden.  4 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Six Flags Fiesta, visit www.sixflags.com/fiestatexas/‎

BATMAN: THE RIDE

SIX FLAGS GREAT ADVENTURE

I had observed Batman: The Ride from the loading area of Nitro on numerous occasions and never felt the slightest inclination to ride it because I’d heard that it was sufficiently disorienting to induce headaches and nausea.  However, I was ready for a new experience and decided to take the plunge.  A suspended coaster with multiple inversions, Batman is in operation at a number of Six Flags parks although there are differences in the ride from park to park so this review will be confined to the one at Six Flags Great Adventure.   The ride is nicely themed, accessed through a tunnel, and boarded in a dark area no doubt designed to resemble the Batcave.  Once dispatched, the train climbs the 105-ft. lift hill, drops on a curve and immediately traverses the periphery of a very tight loop.  (The loop is so tight that for the train to actually travel inside the loop would be an impossibility.)  It then goes into a zero-g roll and around another loop before a drop followed by two corkscrews.   What struck me most about this ride was the intensity and relentlessness.  This is a coaster with very abrupt directional changes which occur sequentially and rapidly, leaving the rider with no time to regroup.  I didn’t know whether I was coming or going.   The maximum g-force is 4 and it can certainly be felt. Parenthetically, I had struck up a conversation with a young couple who got on the ride just before I did.  When the one train that was running at the time returned to the station, I asked them what they thought of the ride and the guy said “She’s going to be sick!”  This did not bode well, as I was next to ride, but contrary to my expectations, I actually enjoyed the ride.   The feeling of disorientation and dizzying inversions were to some extent thrilling.  However, I must say that although I did not become nauseated, I did feel lightheaded at the end of the ride and decided that it was a good time to get some lunch, chill out and regain my equilibrium.  I would not recommend Batman: The Ride to anyone prone to motion sickness but would recommend it to anyone else interested in having a good ride.  3 ½ out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Six Flags Great Adventure, visit www.sixflags.com/greatadventure/

SUPERMAN: ULTIMATE FLIGHT

SUPERMAN AT SIX FLAGS GREAT ADVENTURE

The most intriguing thing about this coaster, in operation at several Six Flags parks, is the concept and its implementation, the concept being flight simulation.   This is achieved by pronating the train prior to dispatch so that the riders are riding face down.  For me, this was a novelty and although I suppose that the intention was to create a sensation of flying freely, I found that it contributed to a heightened sense of vulnerability.  I knew that my harness was nice and snug but nevertheless felt as if I was going to pitch forward and fall out of the train at any moment during the ascent of the 106-foot lift hill.  The train drops 100 feet and shortly thereafter proceeds into its signature element, a 78-foot pretzel loop (see 4^th photograph).  This is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the ride, partly because of the sudden, unexpected acceleration and plunge to the ground.   Other notable elements of the ride are two horseshoe turns and a nice inline twist.  I tried to capture this last element in the 3^rd photograph but it didn’t come out very well, as you can’t see the train rolling over.   Anyway, Superman: Ultimate Flight provides an interesting, different and fun ride experience.  The only thing I definitely disliked was having to maintain this posture (see 5^th photograph) at the end of the ride for several minutes, with my hair falling all over my face, while stuck outside the loading area waiting for the next train to be dispatched.  3 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Six Flags Great Adventure, visit www.sixflags.com/greatadventure/

SHEIKRA

Busch Gardens Tampa

This was to some extent déjà vu, as I knew that SheiKra was very similar in design to Griffon, another dive coaster, at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.   Still, it was a different coaster and a new experience, one well worth having.  Whereas Griffon consists of 3 rows that seat 10 across, SheiKra consists of 3 rows that seat 8 across.   As the ride is dispatched, the floor drops out, the train makes a right turn to the 200-foot lift hill and at the top of the  hill, makes a U-turn to the first drop.   It hangs the riders over the drop for some very suspenseful seconds – and like Griffon, affords a breathtaking view of the park – before abruptly dropping them 200 feet at a 90-degree angle.   Awesome!  Although I’d been through this drill twice before, hanging over a precipice and going almost straight down is always a thrill.   This is followed by a 140-foot Immelmann loop and a second drop of 138 feet.  At the second drop, the riders once again hang over the edge before plunging into a tunnel.    I thought that the tunnel was a nice touch.  The splashdown after a turnaround is more like a splash-up, as the water sprays out as the train reaches the bottom of the turn and goes up into a helix.  The riders don’t get wet but anyone standing outside the ride close to the track had better watch out!  SheiKra is a thrilling coaster with an unusual twist.  4 ½ out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides a Busch Gardens Tampa, visit seaworldparks.com/buschgardens-tampa