CoasterBuzz Podcast #62 posted

I've got to agree with the half that X-flight is more enjoyable than the B&M Superman's.

Superman is much better in my opinion. I never did Tatsu.

You don't do Tatsu. Tatsu does you. ;) And real hard too.

I've been on BORG Assimilator and X-Flight and those two CAN'T hold a candle to Tatsu. In my book, there is absolutely no competition whatsoever in this category anymore since Tatsu's inception. To go from Tatsu to one of the Flying Dutchmen is like downsizing from first-class to coach. Not that great of an analogy, but you get my point! I won't even bother to begin with the three Superman Flyers.

I see Tatsu doing for Flyers what The Riddler's Revenge did for standups -- the pinnacle and the farthest this genre of coaster will ever go. You can decide on your own if that's an unfortunate or fortunate thing.

It occurs to me that none of us even mentioned the Zamperla models. Personally I think those give the best riding position to simulate flight as they're the only ones where you lie totally flat. Having said that, they're like sitting in a shopping trolley on cobblestones; not a lot of fun.

Yeah, we did all forget/ignore those. They do have good points -- the true lay-flat positioning to mimick flight, the clever locking and releasing mechanism. They have far more bad points, though -- a very unpleasant ride experience resulting from abrupt transitions and ill-padded, cage-like cars.

^ Come on, Clarice, you KNOW you like those face-guards... ;)

I also enjoy the Vekoma Flying Dutchmen over the B&M variation. However, I did not like Borg as much as the other two, because I didn't find any place to hang on... going through the loop and such made me feel like I was falling out, and all I had was that little nub to brace with and keep myself upright with. X-F and Batwing both have handles for riders, and I enjoyed that much more.

Flying Carpet!

Flying Carpet!

Flying Carpet!

Actually, you referred to it correctly in the podcast. :)

I haven't been on a B&M flyer, but chalk me up as one who throroughly enjoyed X-Flight. The back seat I thought was a bit rough, but in the front or middle of the train, I had some great, smooth rides. They've got a good layout, a lot of G's, and a unique perspective. It's not my favorite ride, but according to my ballot for Mitch's poll it is my 16th favorite steel coaster, and 16 ain't too bad.

I wondered some of the same stuff about staying in the castle, too... what if you want to go out for something to eat, or to play mini golf or something? Maybe you get assigned a personal security guard that escorts you to and from the gate. Staying there would be cool and everything, but I sure as hell wouldn't want to be a prisoner in there.

Big Daddy Gonch said "Flying Carpet" the whole time.

And I still think it was possibly the best flat ride at the park...

...sad, but understanding. :(

I agree that with the guy from Ireland that the Pretzel Loop is the only cool portion of Superman B&M Flyers but I still give the advantage to the B&M. X-Flight is very rough and the othe Vekoma at SFA is even worse. At least all the B&M's are smooth. I also agree that the main problem with the Vekoma is the seat comfort. They are just lightyears behind the B&M design.

On another note I think that Jeff needs to actually get out to some different theme parks this coming season so that he can be more active in his own Podcasts.

I like tatsu loads better than the flying dutchman's.

The vekoma version is painfull like some kind of mid-evil torture device. Also, I do not laying on my back with the sun blasting my face going up the lift hill.

Granted, the superman flyers have much to be desired, but they(to me) are much more enjoyable than the vekoma's.