I rode January 2001 and it seemed pretty jackhammery/shuffle-y to me. Wasn't impressed. From what I read it varies from really good to just ok depending on time of year and when the last overhaul was. *** Edited 12/1/2007 9:09:06 PM UTC by matt.***
It has some really great elements to it and wasn't very rough. From what I remember, it was longer in duration than I was expecting too - which happened to be a good thing. The whole on-ride photo at the end seemed lame to me though.
GhostRider used to be a top 10 wooden roller coaster...and all the multiple enthusiast and industry polls backed that up.
Nowadays, it's just a shell of its former self. When it's maintained well, it's a superb ride. Tons of airtime, vicious laterals, head-choppers, sensation of ride picking up more speed throughout the layout, the works, etc.
However, when it goes months and months without an extensive rehab, it'll beat the crap out of you as the trains tend to shuffle around and "jack-hammer" more. The way the coaster was designed, the trains power through the course very aggressively, so the track and structure tends to deteriorate quicker.
halltd, it also takes your picture at the bottom of the first drop. It's suppose to be a during the ride, then right after the ride type of thing.
And since GhostRider runs all year, the experience varies widely. I've had rides that rivaled (the late) Psyclone for roughness, but right after a rehab it runs superb.
Pretty much what Parker just said. I haven't been on Ghostie in about a year, and the last time around it was fairly brutal.
My girlfriend and I are leaving on Wednesday for an extended SoCal park trip. I'll be sure to do a trip report when I get back and let you know how it went.
I rode it three times from different seats last month and it was pretty brutal all around. The back seat was really wild, with tons of ejector air, but man did it hurt me good. I had a headache after my last two rides. My girlfriend had a frown on her face in the on ride photo, and a woman in the seat in front of me after one of my later rides was in tears. No joke.
So when will PTC design a new train for GG, or for that matter, when will GG design their own train? It seems like every GG/CCI coaster destroys itself in just a few years, something I am worried about with Ravine Flyer.
Acoustic Viscosity said: Not in the LA area, although pretty darn close.
Eh. Knott's Berry Farm isn't even in the greater Los Angeles area. It's in Orange County (or "The OC" as some of you out-of-state pop culture whores like to call it).
(San Diego/La Jolla/Mission Bay) is a good 60 - 80 minutes away from Orange County.
Wouldn't necessarily call that close. Close enough if you really wanted to make the drive out there, but not "darn close." :)
I've rode it the past 2 years and it is a beat down, but Hey it's still top ten. I have the same feeling when I get off of the Grizz at KD.
Giant Dipper at Belmont Park is well worth the drive down. Just buy the all day ride wrist band and watch the sunset on the ocean as you enjoy one of the coasters out there.
I rode it two years ago and was not impressed at all. I had very high expectations, but the roughness completely disappointed me. I would love to plan another trip around a concluded scheduled rehab. I would like to experience it when it is running great.
