How was XLR-8?

Kids would love it though, so it would serve as a great family coaster. And I have non-enthusiast friends who lived in Texas in the 80s and thought XLR-8 was very fun.

It's odd how the Inverts caught on so well, but the suspendeds didn't. I wonder if it was a matter of not enough parks having the terrain for an economical, good ride where as inverts do fine on flat land since the supports are much more minimal. Seems like if cost was on par with getting an invert, they would have been just as popular back then. The first time I saw Ninja on TV in the 80s, I thought that was the coolest looking coaster ever!

I wish I could go back and ride it again since I last rode it in 02' and obviously won't be able to again. I honestly was a little bit surprised at how many people had said negative things about XLR-8, and how much much I enjoyed it.

As far as the other three I've been on, here's how I see it:

1) BBW-I believe I rode this when it first opened and have ridden it many times since. I used to think it was pretty good, but I don't get much out of it anymore. I also think it has one of the most anti-climatic endings to a coaster (okay, the mine train at KI has it beat)

2) Iron Dragon-Obviously another coaster that has a bad reputation among enthusiasts, it's not so bad and is popular among the family demographic

3) Top Gun-While a little bit on the short side, this is the suspended coaster that dreams are made of. Without a second lift to slow things down, it's nice to keep cruising the whole way.

I got one ride on XLR-8 back on closing weekend of '05. My ride was forwards, and I have to say it was really tame from what I remember.

X-LR8 was a waste of steel, forceless and pretty much one of the worst steel coasters I have ever ridden.

I wouldn't call it a waste of steel, it was pretty much just to get the whole suspended coaster idea working.

It wasn't a waste because thousands of people enjoyed it over the years and I'm sure it was all the talk in Houston when it premiered..good for AstroWorld. And I am sure many many locals miss it; although, if given the chance to ride it again, they might realize they weren't missing much. ;)

Probably the only suspended you COULD have ridden backwards... ;)

Nah, I think Big Bad Wolf would be fine backward. The final drop is the only question mark. The swinging really takes out most of the forces that can cause trouble going backward.

XLR8 set your expectations high, at first, because the lift hill was *tall*. Then, reality hit you after the first element-- this ride would have absolutely NO substantial speed, swing, drops, or any momentum to speak of at all.

You could look over the edge of your car and see the huge footprint of this coaster-- it was massive. You could ponder the waste of real estate and your thoughts would drift to other coasters they could build around this one, or better yet, replace it with. After three leisurely minutes, when the train lumbered back into the station, you were completely satisfied that one ride was all you needed.

There was no thrill, no pacing, no momentum, no story. Not satisfying for children, either. Fun to look at, however.

MM's Ninja is best in class, IMHO. ]

The first and most striking impression is that the hillside is hidden at first when you're ascending the lift, and then, SURPRISE!

Second, when Ninja cascades down that first drop, WOW! Speed and vibrant side to side swing! Trees rushing by! Water rides underneath! More and more swing! Faster momentum! Laughter and screaming as a great coaster should warrant!

Then, a lift hill at the end of the ride. Klunk.

To answer your question I was amazed when I rode Iron Dragon at CP. I have been on XLR-8 about 40 times. I found X and Iron to be VERY similiar.

X was actually a very good ride at AW. While it did not capture the regulars attention much, it was a good transition ride for the kids that wanted something a little fast and bigger than the kiddie coaster. It also did well with families with no loops or intense speed. It also provided a nice view.

As far as moving it was intended to be at AW for three years then move. During that three years the ride rotation program stopped. *** Edited 3/24/2008 1:28:27 PM UTC by Markieb***