Does Magnum Deserve #1?

On many tv specials is states Magnum as the #1 coaster. Sure it was the first coaster over 200 feet, but I can name alot of hypers that are better. I think it is #1 just because it is famous and classic because of the record it beat. It is like the Coney Island Cyclone. I have not been on it but there have been many clones of it. Just like like Cyclone, Magnum has been "cloned" but those "cloned" ones never become as famous as the original. 3 years ago I rode Magnum and it was the best coaster I ever rode. Last year I rode it and it was very rough and unenjoyable. This was mostly because of the cars and the uncomfortable lapbars. Personally, I don't believe this deserve's that #1 spot because it isn't all that great. What do you think?
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SFDL NEEDS A GOOD EXPANSION!!!!!!!

IMO, NO! That ride seriously dissapointed me more then anything. the airtime is good. But where the thrills!? The ride was slow and rough to me. I think it doesnt deserve in the top 10. But thats MY opinion...

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Steve
Staff
SFWoA Online

I don't know if it deserves #1, but then what coaster does?

When they make these lists, it is just compiled from the GPs responses...and as we all know, the GP might adore a coaster that we find not so great.

But in the case of Magnum, I think it is a great coaster, it has some fantastic airtime and it is still pretty smooth (except the turnaround).  And for its age, it is still a great coaster.

I personally don't have a #1 list, only because as a coaster fanatic, I love all coaster!  From the small mine trains to the gigantic Gigas...they are all great in their own respects...

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"Enjoy your record-breaking ride on Millennium Force"

I am not saying that those top 10 things are accurate, all I am saying is that I can think of a lot more coasters that are better than Magnum.
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SFDL NEEDS A GOOD EXPANSION!!!!!!!

Its still my fav steel coaster because its, IMO, the best steel coaster I've ridden. 

Don't pay attention to the polls, or what TV shows say, because they don't mean anything.  Just ride the coasters, and decide which ones you like the most for yourself.  The polls and TV shows will never make everyone happy, so just don't worry about it. 

No coaster deserves #1.  Some people prefer apples, some people prefer oranges.  PLEASE do not let this turn into a flame war, or into a thread bashing Magnum.
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- Peabody

Exactly, everyone's #1 coaster is going to be different.  I have seen people claim Hulk to be the best Steel ride they've ever been on, but for me, its not even in my top 20 steel.  (Really, not even close.)  Does anything make my opinion more valid then theirs?  Not at all.  Like i said, don't worry about the polls.   
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Father Lucifer, you never looked so sane. You did always did prefer the drizzle to the rain

It's my favorite, but others disagree. It's your own opinion.

#1 steel...yes, but not #1 overall, IMO #1 should be a wooden coaster.
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"This Movie spent way to much money on special effects, look they couldnt even afford to buy those little dudes shoes!"

Calling the modern coasters better than Magnum is like calling the Sears Tower better than the Empire State Building.  Sure, the Sears Tower is taller and more updated, but the Empire State Building has always had a history and quality about it that makes it more special than the Sears Tower.  So, sure there are many coasters that are of higher quality than Magnum, but it's history and legacy put it higher on the list than the newer coasters.  That's how I see it anyway...

Well, its my favorite coaster, so I would say sure, give it number one. Of course, thats just my opinion, I can see how you can think others are better.

At Coastermania last year...hell last year all the time, Magnum was nearly a walk-on for me, and I loved it. Everytime I went to the park, I got some power-riding in. During night ERT, I had some great times, and then at HalloWeekends, I got probably the most airtime best of no trims. It was running so intense and fast, the rides were insane.

I was even doubting my thoughts about MF being a better coaster. Then after the few rides I got in during ERT, I was just amazed at the intensity and sheer speed through the whole run. The tunnels were defeaning, and the people screaming their heads off added even more to the experience.

Also since Raptor got a new paint job last year, it was running much faster, and more intense. I could feel the blood pooling to my toes on the last two rides of the summer for me. The G's were incredible.

I hope that painting Mantis [perhaps Magnum too] will help out in the same way this year as well.

To answer your question tough, if you have ever gone to CoasterMania, and ridden Magnum with the energy of the riders there...it will have to second guessing your favorite coaster.

Bringing back all these memories makes me wish it was May...**sniff** :)

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Mayday - Memorial Day Weekend - Nonpoint, Nickelback, Oleander, Staind
Ozzfest - June 8 - Drowning Pool, Papa Roach, Linkin Park, Disturbed, Black Sabbath
Awake Tour- June 15 - Darwin's Waiting Room, Puddle of Mudd, Deftones, Godsmack

Well the Sears Tower is better not because it's taller or newer, but because it's in Chicago not that horrible place north of New Jersey!

Anyway, Magnum deserves to be #1 as much as Phantom's Revenge, Raging Bull, Hulk (yeech ;)), Kumba, or hell even Matterhorn. If someone likes it, so be it. Personally, it's not my #1, but it once was and is still a top ten.
jeremy
--"I am so full of happy!"

Actually those shows had nothing to do with GP, some were based on the NAPHA and others on the Golden Tickets...both of which are voted on by Enthusiasts only though I'd lend more faith to the Golden Tickets based on the way they distribute surveys.

Magnum probably held #1 a few years longer than it should have but for a lot of us it was a nostalgic best that was hard to beat based not only on the ride itself but how we felt about it...Magnum was the last coaster that truly frightened me and always represented that crucial step between bravery and cowardice.

All these years later it still has a special place in my heart and though I no longer consider it my #1 I *do* remember it warmly and still consider it the best ride at CP.

As many have said though, #1's are very preference based and something I love might be far from your cup of tea. For example I always bring up Shivering Timbers, many woodie fans thing it's the best thing since sliced bread but I've just never been impressed by it due to the repetitive nature of the ride while my favourite, the Legend, is usually despised by people who like airtime in place of intensity.

To each his own :-)
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* The Legend @ HW
* Superman: Ride of Steel @ SFNE
* Mondial Top Scan

The Sears Tower? That's not even the best building in Chicago, the Prudential Tower all the way, baby :-)

Magnum will always have a certain place in a historical context. That's something you can't buy with stats or gimmicks.

I've had some really bad rides on Magnum, but I've had a whole lot of good rides. After hundreds of laps, I can say that Magnum has a lot of "peronsality." It's different every time. Last year we had some pretty good rides toward the end of the year. Mid-season it seemed to be a dog.

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com, Sillynonsense.com
"As far as I can tell it doesn't matter who you are. If you can believe, there's something worth fighting for..." - Garbage, "Parade"

That personality is one of it's best features.  I've never seen a steel coaster have such a personality like a wood coaster.
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- Peabody

Depends who you're asking...
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Flying High Again.

Does Magnum deserve #1?  Well, go ride the front seat at closing time on cool summer night,  and see if there is still a doubt in your mind. 

The combination of incredible visuals coming out over the lake, incredible airtime, and that unmistakable feeling of nostalgia creates a one of a kind experience.

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-FCR
I'd Rather Be Riding Roller Coasters

There is no ride out there that deserves #1.  There are so many great coasters out there how can someone choose a #1.  Like Jeff said Magnum has the historical importance going for it.  I have said it before and I will say it again for me geography has a lot to do with it.  If I lived in Virgina with out a doubt Apollo would be my favorite.  If I lived in New England Superman would be my number one. 

Magnum will always be my baby and weather I ever move out of the Ohio or lose my interest in coasters Magnum will always hold a special place in my heart. 

I am really cutting back on my part visits so hopefully by the end of this season I will hit 2500.

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Daniel Haverlock
magnum count :2166
www.spiritofthepoint.com