Good ride "choreography"

In watching the speculation and debate unfold over this year's new coasters (looks like Goliath critics have been silenced ;)), I'm curious to know what you think makes a good coaster? What combination of elements, or choreography as some call it, add up to a super coaster?

People often tend to center on one trait, like airtime, gravitational forces, etc., but I think it's a combination of all of those things. Take Goliath, for example. It appears to be a great combination of the drop, speed, transitional elements, a little air time and one mean helix. I get the strong impression that Millennium Force will offer this balance, as well virtually any of the out-and-back CCI's.

What do you think?

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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com

I think a combination of air time and turns and elements go into making a good coaster. Also it is how it uses the land it is on. You can't just slap something somewhere, you have to incorporate it into the land it is on.

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Matt Bly
http://www.geocities.com/sfohio

That's one of the only things I don't like about my home park (CP), is that the terrain is about as interesting as my big toe. On the other hand, look at a ride like Boulder Dash, and it looks so random and unpredictable.

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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
*** This post was edited by Jeff on 2/15/00. ***

Inversions (or overbanked 122 degree turns) A good first hill that gives you speed and reaquaints you with your stomach. Speed through the whole ride. And a ride that never lets up; no breaks, once you get to the top of the lift hill the only break you get is returning to the station.

I think a good ride must have an exciting ride from start to finish. It should seem fast and make you wonder where your going next. When you return to the station with your jaw open in amazement, and running to the line again wanting another trip is a great ride. It doesn't need to be the tallest or even the fastest just fun.

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I can't wait for the 2000 season to start!!

I think the best rides are the ones that when you finally get yourself safe in the seat before the ride leaves the station you can feel your heart thumping in your chest and in your head
the ride HAS to leave "that" smile on your face
(lips sticking to teeth smile)
and as coasterpunk put it so perfectly
the ride that you get off and go running back in line for!!
(although highly devoted and adore Raptor-I love Blue Streak too-doesnt have to be new-steel-fancy-or go 80mph-just fun!!)
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Welcome back Raptor riders-how was your flight?

Well said LuvRaptor. I get that feeling all the time on Raptor.

For me it's Originality. When I get on a coaster, I want to experience something totally unexpected and new! This is why Raptor is by far my favorite coaster. When Raptor debuted in 1994, I was speechless. Never had I experienced a disorienting cobra roll or been hurled through a set of bat wings (i think that's what you call that thing) all with my feet hanging to the ground below! It was incredible! I still love the part right after the mid-course block where you take a sharp turning dive and hit a corkscrew that turns you in the opposite direction. The g-forces along with a blur of people that look like they could get kicked make that part awesome. The things a freakin' symphony I tell ya! I could go all day!

For me it's innovation. I like riding different/ new types of rides that give you a cool sensation when going through the coaster's elements. I think B&M are masters at this. Also, good choreography should include a good, solid drop, different elements of surprise, and inversions, but not too close together.
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-Josh

A good roller coaster must have many things to make it a good coaster. To me, I like em high. I love a long lift hill. The at the top you have to be able to see the parking lot. I love to look at cars so high above. Then the drop has to be steep, practicly verticle.It has to be really fast. It has to have at least more than 4 inversions. It has to be smooth. I like fast, banked turns, and of course,FRONT ROW

I think that a good ride has only a few, if no turns. I like how Kumba changes direction, with an element. There are only two directional changes the whole ride that aren't an inversion or element. I also think that a coaster needs to make use of the terrain, seeeming to keep it's speed throghout the entire ride, even though it is slowing down. Kumba also does this, with the first part of the ride almost entirely sky-high, with the last 45 seconds almost completely on the ground giving a feeling of speed higher than coming off the first drop. That is why I think Kumba is the best, it is a technologiacl wonder.

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Thank you for riding Raptor and enjoy your day here at Cedar Point, America's RollerCoast!