Good looks/no ride

I thought this was a really unique coaster, but after studying it, it looks pretty tame: http://www.rcdb.com/ig1212.htm?picture=1

I know it is not good form to judge a coaster having not ridden it (an believe me, I would LOVE to ride this coaster along with the other looks good coaster at this park). So I open it to you folks. What are some of the more intersting looking coasters you've seen, but were disappointed by the ride? Also, if you simply have links to strange or interesting rides, please share them even if they ride well too.

For me I guess Flashback might seem obvious. But aside from the head banging, I think it is a fun ride so I wouldn't call it Good looks/no ride. A better example might be the infamous hang n' bangs...but I've never been on one so I can't comment.

I nominate SOB and Roller Coaster (formerly known as Manhattan Express).

Here's a link to a video of a pretty interesting 'ride':

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZL5jOGUN_Ms

One less reason to have to walk. :) *** Edited 11/30/2006 4:36:25 PM UTC by Incidentalist***

Mean....Streak.... ;)

True about Mean Streak. I was really looking forward to riding it when I went. I was underwhelmed.

Anyway, I guess to mix it up a bit, we should also mention ugly coasters that pack a punch. For me, Ghostrider is a lot more fun than it looks. But what do I know. ;)

Here's another coaster that doesn't look like it's a great overall ride, but what an element!

http://www.rcdb.com/ig1290.htm?picture=12

Thunder Dolphin is another that looks awesome, but the reviews have been less than flattering.

As for coasters that pack a surprisingly big punch. I'd say that the two 'small' coasters in Indiana fit that bill. Raven and Cornball don't look like much, but most of us know that looks can be deceiving.

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Incidentalist said:

Here's a link to a video of a pretty interesting 'ride':

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZL5jOGUN_Ms

One less reason to have to walk. :)

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It's things like this that make me wonder how the Japanese stay skinnier than Americans. :)

^There are not as many buffets there. They also eat more healthy and most people ride bikes or *gasp* walk.

Did anybody else open up the first link and look at that park.

That park was cool. The Togo racing standup looked really funny. Having ridden a Togo Standup i feel bad for those people. Racing deathtraps.

They also have a pipeline coaster. Which they are the coolest. I rode Ultra Twister a bunch of times. So it looks like Japan has some good parks.

Also that shopping cart coaster looked really funny

^LMAO! Shopping Cart: The Ride!

Love it!

-Tina

Ninja at SFOG (and its close-genetically-but-geographically distant cousin Goudurix) looks frickin' amazing. All those elements swooping over a lake. But it's... um... less than stellar let's say.

I still ride it everytime I go though.

BTMRs, all look great, and the few times you see the train it looks like its "out of control." Not to mention when you actually board the thing (I know slightly outside the scope of the question) there is just so much scenery to look at. Finally there is the night transformation, purples and orange lights abound casting a slightly eirie mood.

The Boss was a disappointment for me.

I don't know what exactly that InfraMan-Jet Jaguar- Power Ranger thing is in Pic 5, but I think it's cool (in a campy way).

"Giant robot attack, destroy!" :)

Here are a few that I found browsing around www.rcdb.com . These are -different- coasters at the same park:

http://www.rcdb.com/ig3141.htm?picture=6
http://www.rcdb.com/ig2982.htm?picture=2

Mean Streak looks bad AS* but it's the crapest ride at the point

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Audioslaved said:
Did anybody else open up the first link and look at that park. That park was cool. The Togo racing standup looked really funny. Having ridden a Togo Standup i feel bad for those people. Racing deathtraps.

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While I understand what you're saying, that particular Togo stand-up is butter smooth. I am serious, by the way. I've got some shots of it here:

http://www.themeparks.ie/asia/mitsui/

To come back to the original posters comment, a lot of Japanese coasters are pretty tame, but they do have the odd outstanding ride. My favourite park attraction from over there was in fact not a coaster at all, but rather their cold walkthroughs; they have rooms chilled to -30 degrees (celsius) full of animatronic snowmen et al. A great way to cool down on a hot day.

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Jeff Young said:

It's things like this that make me wonder how the Japanese stay skinnier than Americans.

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Jeff, that supermarket is in China NOT Japan.

Those coasters in Happy Valley look cool because the parks scenery is awesome.

For rides that don't look like they would be that awesome but are good, I would go with viper at SFGAm. I'm always suprised by the great ride I get on it. I would also go with all impulse coasters. I mean there just 2 spikes, but i enjoy them greatly.

For rides that look good but arent very good. Son of Beast, Mean Streak, and the Superman Ultimate Flights. I love the pretzel loop, but thats it to the short ride.

Richard, thanks for sharing those pictures. The park looks georgeous. I thought this shot was interesting because it mentions something that is being discussed in a different topic: http://www.themeparks.ie/asia/mitsui/grampus1.htm

Here's the topic:

http://www.coasterbuzz.com/forum.aspx?mode=thread&TopicID=46142

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Paris said:

Jeff, that supermarket is in China NOT Japan.

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They all look the same... ;)

<= Chinese