Hersheypark and Kennywood thoughts
I just got back from my coaster vacation (SFWoA, Kennywood, Hersheypark) and really enjoyed myself. Hersheypark has some wonderful coasters (Lightning Racer, Wildcat). I would like to hear your thoughts on the Great Bear. I can't make up my mind whether I like it or not! Is there anyone out there that doesn't like Thunderbolt and Phantom's Revenge?
The much maligned and underrated Great Bear:
Personally, I think this is a great coaster. Standing by itself, its a good coaster, not terrifying, but yet not as mild as some would have you believe. In comparrison to the other inverts I have experienced, while it may not be quite as thrilling as Montu, it has a certain gracefullness to it that Dueling Dragons are sorely lacking. One of the highlights (and oddities) about Great Bear is the helix imediately following the lift hill over 100feet in the air. The only true down side to this is the fact that it is on the short side, but hardly a reason to classify it as anything but a great coaster.
Thunderbolt:
Just as I feel Great Bear is underated, I feel that Thunderbolt is over rated. I am not saying that it is a bad coaster (is there such a thing?) I am just saying that I was not quite as blown away with it as I had expected to be, hearing all the praise and all. Its a good coaster, but nothing exceptional that stands out above other wood... especially Knoebels Pheonix a few hours east.
Phantom's Revenge:
I haven't rode this one yet. However, I did ride Steel Phantom in its final season. Going on that experience, I will hold out high hopes for Revenge. The first two drops of the old Steel Phantom were great... but after that it became brutal and painful... hardly what I call enjoyable. Seeing that Kennywood must have also seen the virtue (and flaw) of their earlier design, they kept the best and scrapped the rest. Looking forward to taking on the Revenge, if not this season, hopefully next.
-------------
"I wasn't always this cynical, but then I started kindergarden..."
Personally, I think this is a great coaster. Standing by itself, its a good coaster, not terrifying, but yet not as mild as some would have you believe. In comparrison to the other inverts I have experienced, while it may not be quite as thrilling as Montu, it has a certain gracefullness to it that Dueling Dragons are sorely lacking. One of the highlights (and oddities) about Great Bear is the helix imediately following the lift hill over 100feet in the air. The only true down side to this is the fact that it is on the short side, but hardly a reason to classify it as anything but a great coaster.
Thunderbolt:
Just as I feel Great Bear is underated, I feel that Thunderbolt is over rated. I am not saying that it is a bad coaster (is there such a thing?) I am just saying that I was not quite as blown away with it as I had expected to be, hearing all the praise and all. Its a good coaster, but nothing exceptional that stands out above other wood... especially Knoebels Pheonix a few hours east.
Phantom's Revenge:
I haven't rode this one yet. However, I did ride Steel Phantom in its final season. Going on that experience, I will hold out high hopes for Revenge. The first two drops of the old Steel Phantom were great... but after that it became brutal and painful... hardly what I call enjoyable. Seeing that Kennywood must have also seen the virtue (and flaw) of their earlier design, they kept the best and scrapped the rest. Looking forward to taking on the Revenge, if not this season, hopefully next.
-------------
"I wasn't always this cynical, but then I started kindergarden..."
Great Bear was weird as it was the first invert I've ridden where I pretty much felt...*nothing*, even in the back. But when I think about it, it fits in with the rest of the HP coasters. Like RobC said about Lracer, it's family friendly. I just dont like the long 'limp' home where it doesnt do anything.
T-Bolt was closed my one trip to KennyWood. I'm a lateral fan and GregLeg said I would like it. Hopefully I'll ride it one day. That is, whenever I return to ride..
Phantom's Revenge, a coaster I was sure I wouldnt like much but was blown away. The double dip was fantastic. So I guess I'm NOT one of the people who DIDNT like PR.
jeremy
-------------
"Nobody writes about the planes that land." Steve Salerno Washington Times 7-10-01
T-Bolt was closed my one trip to KennyWood. I'm a lateral fan and GregLeg said I would like it. Hopefully I'll ride it one day. That is, whenever I return to ride..
Phantom's Revenge, a coaster I was sure I wouldnt like much but was blown away. The double dip was fantastic. So I guess I'm NOT one of the people who DIDNT like PR.
jeremy
-------------
"Nobody writes about the planes that land." Steve Salerno Washington Times 7-10-01
Limps home???.....There's a corkscrew right before the brake run into the station and is still going close to 40 m.p.h. What more do you want?
You Great Bear bashers that just can't seem to get it in your heads, need to realize something. The ride was designed perfectly to fit in the park right where it's at. And it's optimum performance that compliments that design, is at the very least, Sheer and total GENIUS!
-------------
Just when you think you have all the answers, I change the questions
You Great Bear bashers that just can't seem to get it in your heads, need to realize something. The ride was designed perfectly to fit in the park right where it's at. And it's optimum performance that compliments that design, is at the very least, Sheer and total GENIUS!
-------------
Just when you think you have all the answers, I change the questions
You must be logged in to post
