Kings Island - two quick visits 6/4 and 6/6

Boesball said:
I've ridden four or five B&M hypers, and they are basically all the same, with Diamondback being a bit better because of its layout and splash down and Raging Bull being a bit worse with it's lacking of ever floater air time besides its first drop. .

I've had the opportunity to ride a few B&M hypers, and I've gotta disagree with them all being the same. Appollo's Chariot offers a unique ride despite having a similar footprint to Diamondback. At the far end of the circuit, the dive over the water is amazing, with a bunch of elements not seen on other B&Ms. Over at Carowinds, Fury 325 offers a loong circuit but limited intensity (to me), while next door, Intimidator (again to my experience) amps up the intensity with its run. I think the basic problem with Raging Bull (a coaster that I agree is lacking) is in its tight/compact latout. If it had the length of say American Eagle, I think the elements would really stand out, instead its circuit is probably better suited to an invert than a hyper.

Eric y Alvaro Van A said:

As far as the floater airtime is concerned, I also think Shambhala is where they figured it out... I don't know about the rest of the newer B&M hypers that opened after Diamondback, but Shambhala really serves some ejector air. I like where the company is going with that product.

I rode DB and Shambhala within a few weeks of each other this season and Shambhala is the definite winner here. Amazing first drop and air that was much better than DB. No criticism of DB but I'm in love with Shambhala.

Good to hear it's running well. I'd read a few reports that the ride was quite rough. Also read some negative reviews of PortAdventura as a whole; mostly claims that the rides weren't well maintained, and some people felt scared riding one of the coasters cause they felt a rattle they'd never experienced before and feared faulty track. It's a bucket list park for me.

Tbone, all of those things are true. Baco is now unrideable, had been a favorite of mine. Absolutely brutal. Huge rust spot on one of the supports for Dragon Khan, never seen that before on any B&M.

The Intamin drop tower is what had the rattle and fishtail motion that completely freaked me out. It's a gorgeous park, but maintenance is slipping.