Posted
Cleveland's Plain Dealer sent a reporter to Cedar Point and Six Flags Worlds of Adventure to pick the top ten coasters in the area. The results may surprise you, as Mean Streak and Serial Thriller (a Vekoma SLC, or "hang-and-bang" as enthusiasts like to call it) both made the list.
Read more from the Plain Dealer.
"The Future of Roller Coasters"
-RollerCoasterGod
http://OhioThemeParks.com
I'm scratching my head on how Serial Thriller ranked way up there!! I'm surprised he didn't find it as a head-banger... and why Mantis didn't make the list.
I guess that's what happens when everyone has their own opinion.
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Just sit back, and enjoy your record breaking ride on Millennium Force!
Guess I'll have to visit my friend in Pitt. and make some road trips. ;)
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AC?, RB?, MF?, DD?, PR? Who can keep track of it all?
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mmm, roller coaster
(Homer Simpson)
Though I like many of those coasters, I nevertheless think that they could almost all use better theming. If Villain had a tunnel or two and was more wildwest or minecar themed during its course as well, I feel, would greatly enchance the experience.
I think articles like this are priceless - simply because you get a non-enthusiast point of view. Sometimes when we all get "talking coasters" together we miss the larger picture by overanalyzing the details. The average park goer just wants to have fun. I love talking to non-enthusiasts about coasters because it gives fresh perspective.
Sure we all know Mean Streak is a mere shell of it's once mighty self, but to the average guy it still has an awesome, intimidating presence and that can be enough to make it a good ride for that person. They aren't concerned about the trims on the drop, they just see themselves falling 160+ feet. Same with Serial Thriller. We all know the old "hang and bang" joke, but if you took away that banging, it would be a great ride. The average person isn't sitting there thinking about their head getting knocked around a bit, there whooping it up enjoying the numerous footchoppers and disorientation for the twisted layout.
While enthusiasts will dismiss those rankings in a moment, I value them more because they represent what a vast majority of park guests are probably thinking.
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www.coasterimage.com
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"The opposite of war isn't peace, its creation," Rent.
wahoo skipper... I believe Son of Beast is the world's longest roller coaster with only one lift hill. ;)
-Aaron
Aaron, SOB would be the world's longest wooden coaster with one lift.
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www.coasterimage.com
Good article. Regarding the ranking, well, we each have our own personal top ten. I don't think anyone here would agree with my top ten, in fact I'm sure they wouldn't.
Where did this reporter get the ranking statistics he mentioned (i.e., Villian being No. 17 in the country - I thought that was interesting)?
Regarding better theming on these rides, as mentioned by Zar, remember, this is Ohio, not Florida. Six Flags and Cedar Point are traditional amusement parks, not theme parks.
I was glad to see that he ranked Batman Knight Flight. That one really gets ignored on this site - there's absolutely nothing wrong with it, and it's a great coaster, too.
I agree with ophthodoc about B:KF. It is underrated, though it is a really fun ride. It does lack a zero g roll, which sets it back, but still a great ride. My first B&M, so there is a special place in me for it. Anyway, I think Serial Thriller shouldnt have been on the list, but oh well. There is no changing it. Serial Thriller at SFAW is a good ride with several surprising foot choppers and some air on the turn after the Sea Serpent, so I always ride it. And I liked MEan Streak, so I think it can stay where it is.
To answer the question about where did he get the statistics, he got them from Amusement Today. It is pretty much the offical top 25 coaster list for both steel and wooden.
Also, I think that while his list is a little off, he made some good picks. Mean Streak is a great ride and even though it is toned down, it is an awe to ride! Go Mean Streak go!
While I agree with the coasters added (seems to be a common theme), I'd probably substitute Mantis & Gemini for Serial Thriller and Mean Streak, but it's not a huge issue.
I'm guessing that he wanted to go with a top 5 (from each park) list, and then sort of combine them. (Much like those 'Top 10 Coaster' shows from the Discovery channel.)
BTW, not to nit-pick, isn't Beast muuuuchhhh longer than MF?
I do not think that the rating of Mean Streak in the top 10 is a very good judge of the general public. Close to half of the average coaster fans I have been to CP with refuse to ride MS due to previous experiences on the ride. Just today I was at the park in a group of 10, and MS was one of only four coaster which were not ridden by the group (along with Corkscrew, Jr. Gemini, and Woddstock Express). Needless to say, from my experience, those who have ridden it once are much happier skipping it for a another ride on just about any coaster in the park.
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Beware, you may lose your glasses to THE BEAST!
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