Coaster intensity vs. Coaster length

Hi all,

An interesting issue was raised in an unrelated post on B&M dive machines. Some maintained that short rides are usually a bit of a let-down, irrespective of the buzz they generate. Others suggest that it is the intensity of the experience that matters most, regardless of ride length.

Personally, I'd be inclined towards the latter argument and would rather experience a short ride with no flat spots e.g. Oblivion or TTD than a longer ride with some dull moments e.g. The Ultimate, the Pepsi Max Big One. However, the best rides tend to be those with both length and intensity e.g. IMHO Kraken at Sea world. What do you think re: this issue. Are rides that deliver on both counts rare?

Can anyone give me some other examples of coasters that satisfy in terms of ride length and ride intensity. I need to start planning my next holiday to the USA! :-)

Best regards.
*** This post was edited by BeyondOblivion 8/1/2003 9:22:39 AM ***

Without the mid-course brakes on (as it has been running this year), Raptor packs quite a punch all of the way through it's 3790 ft. length.

Later,
EV
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"Here's the thing about living in the past. If it was so good, then how come it didn't last? If it helps you, I'll put it in a phrase. Those were the times, but these are the days." - The Human League

I agree that a punch is better than length. Hence my user name, I love impulses which aren't long at all, but pack quite a punch on the launches etc. I also loved Xcelerator and TTD, although at this point, I'm leaning towards Xcelerator, although I've ridden that more recently, and its not as fast that the entire experience just turns to a blur!

As far as coasters whose length ruins them, the Beast and Sonny come to mind as those that I thought about halfway through "can I get off yet?" as I was bored and tired of riding something that just seemed to drag on.

I think rides that strike a good balance are (as mentioned) Raptor, Kumba, Lightning Racer, MF, Ghostrider and Viper (SFMM). Sorry that doesn't help you much with trip planning - kind of all over the country there! ;)

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Formerly PittDesigner (graduating soon!)
Lifelong fan of all Impulses!
--Brett

Like the late John Allen once said, "A good rollercaoster is as theatrically contrived as a Broadway play. It has to have a great first drop, keep you guessing through the middle, and have a strong finish."

That being said, I prefer rides that have a liitle more to them than just a quick punch and its over. Just like good nookie would be. I'm not one to make wham bam, and it's over. Women get mad at you when that happens!!!!

Wood - anything else is an imitation

Normally I'd say it's not the length that matters, it's the, uh...

Forget it.

While I very much enjoy short, intense coasters like Hypersonic, the coasters that make it into the top of my favorites list tend to be long (Millennium Force, Beast, Legend, S:RoS, etc.). I feel more satisfied, overall, after a ride on a lengthy, yet intense coaster. Those are also the ones I prefer to reride over and over.

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-Mike B.
Son of Hulk
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For me it's all about pacing. The ride can be 15 seconds or four minutes as long as each section or portion of the ride offers something worthwhile.

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trying to keep up the pace

Exactly Zingo, PACING....that's the key!!!!

Wood anything else is an imitation

Dragster is 17 seconds of pure adrenaline, I cannot see a ride that has a beggining like that last any longer then it does. It is the one ride that seems to defy logic in that regard. I come off that thing completely and totally satisfied.

On the other hand Cornball is tiny and I don't know if thay could possibly pack anymore into the thing. I am more about the general ride then the lenght. If it blows me away I love it, regardless of the length.

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If given the choice I'd choose a hamburger over a hotdog anyday of the week.

Then there's Kraken - not the longest, or tallest, or fastest.... but it fits together beautifully. It's the only ride that I know of that's just perfect - any changes would ruin the coaster.

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« adix@nedesigns.com »

Raging Bull is best when you're first. [6/16/03]

I can't see any reason how Legend doesn't qualify for a perfect length, as well as perfectly paced. It might very well be the perfect coaster. (Ohhhhh... blasphemy;))
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Death on two legs

Hi-Miler!!! ;)

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"I go out at 3 o' clock for a quart of milk and come home to my son treating his body like an amusement park!" - Estelle Costanza

The coaster that comes to my mind when I am asked for a ride that has great length and intensity is Montu. This ride probably is the most intense coaster in the state of Florida, and it just keeps throwing stuff at you. Kraken was also good, but IMO it could have been just a little more intense. Still a great ride though.

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"Every day is a bad day on Hollywood and Vine!"

Vortex at Paramount's Kings Island comes to my mind. I can't get enough of this ride, especially the two consecutive loops and intense helix at the end. The same goes for Raptor at Cedar Point. Nothings better than that in-line twist and great helix finale.

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Intelligence is a God given gift: Know how to use it.

The first coaster that came to my mind was Raptor. It is great all the way through. TTD also satisfies me even though it is a really short ride. I was actually glad that I had waited for 3 hours to get on the ride. Mean Streak on the other hand was long, slow, and boring. The trims absolutely kill this ride.

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Check out this Great America site with up to date news and forums: www.sfgreatamerica.com

HypersonicXLC comes to mind. Its only about 15 seconds long, but a very intense ride.

Another ride I would like to mention is Phantom's Revenge. I think the train spends maybe double the ride time on the lift hill and once the ride gets going its over very quickly. However after the 2nd drop and it goes into the 2nd half (the insane half) its one crazy ejector hill after another.

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1. Millennium Force
2. HypersonicXLC
3. Alpengeist

I gotta back you up Rob. Legend is quite possibly the perfect coaster. What is does and what it has is simply amazing.

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If given the choice I'd choose a hamburger over a hotdog anyday of the week.

Pacing is the key here, im going to want my positive, negative and lateral gs in semi equal propotions thrown together in a logical way. It can be as long as the Beast or as short as Yankee Cannonball but just give me the goods!

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Summer 03-CP, HP, SFDL, SFNE, SFWOA, and SFGAm.

I am inclind to agree that pacing is key. One point to keep in mind though is that for some people, the lift hill, with its slow, building anticipation, is almost the most important part, at least as far as pacing. Think of it as foreplay...

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I am the TickTockMan

Batman:The Ride comes to mind on this one.:)It's makes taller,draged out,and over paced inverts green with envy.;)

Let's just say lift hills are liken to the lights in the theatre dimming, as the curtain draws slowly open.

Trying to stay with the John Allen theme

Wood - anything else is an imititation