Good Coasters With Bad Reputations

Good coasters with bad reputations? I will go with Son of Beast. By far, one of my favorite woodies right behind the Beast. I like Mean Streak as well, but it is not really in my top five. I was not aware that the Vortex at PKI had a bad rep. I have always liked the layout of that coaster. I don't think this really qualifies, but maybe. I hear a lot of people that do not like Wicked Twister, but I think it is one of the most underrated coasters, especially at CP. I couldn't believe the year WT opened, I waited no longer than 15 minutes to get on this ride. I rode it first thing with a friend of mine. As soon as we got off of the ride, we looked at the line, which was no longer than before, so we went again. Definitely A++

I agree with RavenTTD that the Wildcat at CP definitely delivers more than I ever thought it would. *** Edited 5/12/2004 7:36:38 PM UTC by Dragster Freak***

Most Vekoma rides. Or at least the Boomerangs and SLCs that people usually trash. I haven't met a version of either that I haven't enjoyed.

Good Coasters with Bad Reps-
-I would agree that Thunderhawk at DP doesn't get the love it deserves.

-Sky Princess...I don't hear it get bashed, but I never see anyone give it any love.

-Alpine Bobsled..I had a blast on this ride.

-Williams Grove Cyclone..okay, so I don't really believe that it's a good coaster, but it was so painful, that it was funny...LOL

Bad Coasters with Good Reps –
-Jokers Jinx…a snooze fest. Way too slow!!!

-Any boomerang…I am not sure that they qualify as having a good rep, but the gp must love them because they are at just about every major park out there (I realize part of that is cost and/or space driven, but parks wouldn’t add them if the didn’t think they would do well.)

-Magnum…I don’t know that I would classify it as a “bad” coaster, but it gets more love than I feel it deserves (I understand it’s place in history. Outside of that, I didn’t care much for it).

Sean

Villain at Geauga Lake

I still hear a lot of negative feedback on the Vekoma flyers. I LOVE THEM! X-Flight is by far one of my favorite coasters. Borg rocked as well. I look forward to Batwing this weekend.

You either hate them or love them.

-Tina

*** Edited 5/12/2004 9:21:39 PM UTC by coasterqueenTRN***

Alpengeist: I'll admit, a lot of folks love this ride, but lately I hear a lot of complaints about its 'forcelessness.' Whatever. This coaster is friggin' fabulous, and is my #2 steel. I'm not sure why B&M inverts are only considered good if they're full of strong positive Gs...but as always, YMMV.

Anaconda: This coaster catches a lot of heat because of one little spot that causes a weensy bit of headbanging. Still a great Arrow looper in my book.

Drachen Fire:Yeah, I'm going to go there...again. Sorry. I loved it, and never thought it was painful.

Great American Scream Machine (SFGAdv): While I think this coaster has the same 'deadman's curve' Bob speaks of on Shockwave (which I've never ridden), this coaster rocks. I'm a big fan of Arrow loopers, and GASM made me a fan of big Arrow loopers. :) The power this thing has entering the three vertical loops (especially that glorious first one) is spectacular.

Great Bear: This B&M invert doesn't usually get a bad rep because of any lack of forces, but rather its short and 'uninspired' layout. It might have still been a great ride with a couple of corks and helices at the end, but then it wouldn't have that awesome section of straight 'speed' track over the water. I loooove straight track, and think it's way underrated.

Manhattan Express: Togo #1 in this list. Yes, there will be more. I found that this 'unbearably rough POS' (I'm paraphrasing here) was the best coaster in Vegas. Maybe it was my lucky front seat ride that made it smooth as glass...I don't know. I do know that I absolutely fell in love with the two inversions--especially that glorious twist 'n' dive--and the cyclone-style layout with its twists, turns, and killer bunny hops was really unexpected.

Mind Eraser (SFA): This is a tough one. SFA is close to home, so I've had many rides on ME, but they vary from great to lousy. I have a sort of love/hate relationship with SLCs in general for this reason. The layout is absolutely awesome, as many have mentioned, but the severe shuffling often makes for an unpleasant experience. The pacing is damn near perfect, though, no matter how the train is performing.

Ninja (SFoG): Another coaster that so many think is too rough. I think it's a fantastic layout, and consider it the predecessor to the SLC. I actually prefer Ninja's first two inversions to the SLCs' rollover. Rough? Maybe a little, but I've been on worse.

Shockwave (PKD): Togo #2. Rather than repeating what's already been said in my own words, I'll just quote what RavenTTD said, which sums up my opinion of Shockwave quite accurately: "The restraints are great, the loop is perfect, and it has plenty of ejector air. Yeah it is rough and will throw you around a bit if you are not ready for it, but if all rides were as smooth as B&M's...*yawn*"

Texas Giant: All I hear about the Giant is that it's unbearably rough, so this could again be an instance where the front seat was the reason I had a smooth ride. It has a brilliant layout, and is every bit what Mean Streak should have been (and almost was, in its prime). It rocketed to my #4 wood spot when I first rode it two years ago.

Toboggan (Trimper's, or any Chance Toboggan, really): A lot of people think of these contraptions as deathtraps. They might be 100% correct, but I love them nonetheless. ;) I couldn't bear SoB's head-pounding drops, but for some reason I get the biggest kick out of the hills at the bottom of the Toboggan's spiral. It sounds like your average garbage truck emptying a dumpster every time the cars navigate this section, but that's part of what gives them character. And I dare you to find stronger (and more painful) lateral Gs than in that last curve.

And finally (and certainly not least)...

Viper (SFGAdv): Of the coasters I've ridden, this has perhaps the worst reputation of them all...and it's also Togo #3. In case you haven't yet guessed, I like Togos. :) Aside from the jolt you get at the bottom of the first drop, I love every (short) bit of this ride. The first inversion is WACKY. Probably the most disorienting single inversion I've had the pleasure of negotiating. Then a quick curve into a super-smooth heartline. Short and very sweet.

So there you have it, quite a list of what many consider average or downright lousy coasters. The best part about many of them is the short lines...more rides for me! :)

My choice would be American Eagle at SFGAm. Last season the trains were running much faster than in previous seasons through the turnaround helix and through the closing helix, making it a fun element instead of part of the reentry to the station. AE's 140'+ first drop is still one of the best thrills in wooden coasterdom to me.

I think of X-Flight. Everyone here likes the B&M Flyers more for their pretzel loop. Riden both X-Flight and Superman, I like the Vekoma layout much better.

Another reason about X-Flight. The Six Flags crew always had a one train operation when I was there. Maybe I was there on all the off days, but my opinion stands.

Also I love Mantis, mainly becuase I have found a comfortable spot to stand.

Though I absolutely adored Mantis when it opened, I must admit that my interest in the ride has waned as the years have passed. However, that all changed instantly when I had a couple of trimless rides last fall. It was as fast, smooth, and intense as it was in '96. Smooth, you ask? Believe it. The headbanging just goes away. IMHO, Mantis becomes a masterpiece all over again when you can snag a rare trimless ride. I might even go so far as to call it a top 5 ride. Of course, YMMV.

Blue Streak at CP. Many people complain that it's rough and doesn't deliver an exciting ride. I think it still has lots of airtime and the classic look just adds so much to the ride. It's just a shame they don't run classic trains.

I'll second Vater and throw SFGAdv's Viper some love. I only rode a couple of times the first season it was open. Other than the total lack of banking on the last curve, I thought it was short but sweet. If it had never been built and then magically showed up new at SFMM or Knott's this summer I would probably think it stunk. A lot of my attachment to particular coasters is pretty much emotional, and not based on a critique of the ride year after year.

Vater, I thought I might be one of the few who remembered and loved Drachen Fire (may it rise once more!). I must have ridden it 30 times in it's first 2 years (although I think it's the reason my wife hates coasters).

I have only ridden Mind Eraser SLC at SFNE, but I think it's a blast for what it offers (although not worth any more than a ten minute wait, which is rare).

Bad coaster with good reputation:

Kumba. I was looking forward to this coaster for years. When I went in '01, I was thourghally disappointed. It was rough, and not very well paced in my opinion.

d8 - Who still thinks B&M are the best coasters out there.

Kumba is hit or miss, but it is more frequently a hit among enthusiasts. Impressions seem to range from incredible to awful depending on how close the ride is to its yearly rehab.

Good coasters with a bad rep.:

Batman Knight Flight, aka Dominator at GL. Many people dis this ride because it lacks a few elements that other floorless coasters have. But, IMO the ride has one of the best layouts of any B&M, and it dose pack a heck of a punch. Very underrated ride.

SuperDooperLooper at Hershey park. This ride dosen't have much of a rep., however it is a simple but very fun ride.

Villain at GL. Second best woodie in Ohio, enough said. :)

Bad coasters with a good rep.:

Thunderbolt at Kennywood. All tho a nice wooden classic, it's still a far cry from other wooden coasters I've ridden, and it's very over-rated.

Maggie at CP. The roughest hyper I've ridden. Those lap bars, at times make the great air time on the ride more painfull then enjoyable.

I find Hurricane Catagory 5 as a good coaster with a bad rep. I think its a good coaster, great layout, but I would change the trains.

edit: And, Vater, I don't know what was up with that, there was a whole post there, but it didn't get posted, but your quote made me laugh:). *** Edited 5/13/2004 3:08:56 AM UTC by TeknoScorpion***

I'm definitly gonna have to go with Viper @ SFMM for my good coaster w/ bad reputations. Great first drop, awesome inversions, lots of speed, quick with a big punch. Oh, and all boomerang coasters- inverted or not- are awesome, they never get old. Hail Deja Vu!

The bad coaster that gets the rave and shouldn't...Definitly Magnum XL 200 @ CP... worst hyper I have ever ridden. Absolutely no airtime on any of the hills, and I was in the back. Rough at the bottom, and an uncomfortable seat. TTD- besides being the tallest and fastest- it ain't that great either.

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Rich_Johnson said:
Also I love Mantis, mainly becuase I have found a comfortable spot to stand.

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I fouhnd a good place to stand as well....in line for *virtually* any other coaster at CP. ;)

Come on, like I could resist THAT opening...:)

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TCKR said:
Kumba is hit or miss, but it is more frequently a hit among enthusiasts. Impressions seem to range from incredible to awful depending on how close the ride is to its yearly rehab.

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Kumba has always been good to me. By far, the best of the B&M sitdown/floorless coasters. Better than Medusa, better than Kraken, better than Hulk...

I have yet to ride Wildfire or Drago Khan, though.

Goliath @ SFMM is a great ride, but most people always slam it to death. I understand that it's relatively short, has only one real airtime hill and has a "rampy" drop. But the ride is fast, intense and easily the best helix ever. The one air hill that it does have is awesome, plus the low and wide train picks up speed very well.