Mitch's Wood Coaster Poll Results

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coasterqueenTRN said:^It ranked THAT high? Damn! Worms everywhere! -Tina

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I don't recall ever having a ride on Beast that was as disappointing as the *one* lap I took this year...half of the "world-record track length" is covered in trim brakes....yucky! :(

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Charles Nungester said:
I think that whole TPR crew went Balder way because they gave them free beer.

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well, the "TPR crew" seem to think that their trip is the reason why Balder isn't number one anymore, since they put 40+ new butts in the ride and not everyone creamed over it.

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Lord Gonchar said:
- Grizzly dead last for the 12th straight year

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Now to be fair, Grizzly tied with Psyclone, giving Californians something else to enjoy along with the wildfires, earthquakes and USC's title hopes. *** Edited 12/7/2006 5:31:06 PM UTC by BogeyMon***

The hate that most people spew about six flags I am utterly shocked that it made #3

I bet if the hate for six flags parks wasnt there I bet it would have made #2.

BUt I am happy that it made #3

Mmmm. Worms.

I'm actually shocked that KW couldn't get a better showing than 49. For instance, I believe SCBB's GD to be a good time, but Thunderbolt and Jack Rabbit are superior, IMHO.

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majortom1981 said:

I bet if the hate for six flags parks wasnt there I bet it would have made #2.

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I bet if it opened with the park, had reasonable operators, and didn't staple every rider it would be #2 AND the SF hate would stop.

It's not like SF doesn't deserve the hate it gets (at least when it comes to ET and KK)...

^ I saw faster ride ops at ValiumFair! ;)

Surprising that even with 2 new, big, talked about coasters this year, Phoenix actually moved UP a spot in the rankings from last year (from 5 to 4).

http://www.ushsho.com/woodpoll13yeartable2006.htm

Interesting to see the big "dips" some coasters took between this year and last, plus the big "lifts" other had. Looks like a lot of non-North American coasters placed better-- that just might be a matter of getting more representation than in past years.

Wow! Looks like some coasters moved up or down by as much as 50 places in the past year. Must be the worms pushing all the dirt around.

Ha ha, I've only ridden one in the top 50. I need to get out more! My steel list should be much different.

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RatherGoodBear said:

Wow! Looks like some coasters moved up or down by as much as 50 places in the past year.

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If someone wanted to do a quick summary of what made some big moves up or down this year it would be much appreciated on this end. Haven't had much time to really pour over the numbers yet.

I dont know if it has been mentioned yet but just as a heads up the steel coaster poll is now open for voting.

If I actually got of my butt some time (or pestered Mitch) it wouldn't be hard to use Excel to get a list of position changes.

What I consider notable moves:

Thunderhead: last 2, this 7t

ST: 2 years ago 1, last 10, this 13

Thundercoaster: last 37, this 28

Both LR's fell about 6 spot in the low 30's

CICylone lost another 10 spots to 36

Robin Hood jumped 18 spots to 43

GACyclone took a big dive from 30 to 46

TXGiant dropped 16 spots to number 50 (despite all of Matt's efforts)

Roller Coaster in Washington jumped to 52

Gwazi lion down 18. Gwazi tiger down 13.

Lincoln park comet dropped 30 spots.

Tree topper gained ~50, but it only had 7 riders and has been all over the map in the past, so...

Serpiente de Fuego drop a whopping 76 places. Not sure what happened there.

Carowinds hurler dropped 24.

I feel like a stock ticker.

Get a job with Jim Cramer! :)

Noticed that Robin Hood *and* Thundercoaster jumped, have to wonder if that was due to work done OR perhaps a batch of new riders....maybe both?

I tried to help Matt with TX Giant... ;)

Gwazi will jump up when it gets MFlyers and operates both sides simultaneously...*will* I tell ya! ;)

I always thought that Robin Hood was extremely underrated as it is a very good ride.

Does anyone know how many people participated in this poll. I haven't seen this info posted here, unless I skipped over it.

I wish, I took the time out to contribute my votes, but unfortunately I never got around to it. It's a shame to, because my Thunderhead vote would've helped rise it up one more notch away from Shivering Timbers.

Also, as far as El Toro's ranking goes, I personally would've had it behind Balder, and Colossos in the Intamin wood coaster rankings.

And I still don't get Voyage at #1. Just like all of you will never get me putting Kentucky Rumbler before it. Notice, I didn't say #1, as I feel several other coasters do deserve to be ahead of both of them, Aska for one.

I wonder how a defunct coaster could move up 45 places (Red Streaker at Willow Mill). Must be pleasant memories.

Other notable American gainers--
Zingo- 55 to 48
Western Washington Fair Coaster- 66 to 52
Skyliner- 98 to 89
Lost Coaster of SM- 100 to 91
Stricker's Grove Tornado- 108 to 98
Rollo Coaster- 139 to 130

Another fun fact:

All three Intamin pre-fabs made the top 10.

^ as are both Gravity Group coasters (1st & 7th)

496 people took the poll, Compared to when I started taking it in 97 there is a ton more european particapation and about 2/3rds more particiapants.

Chuck

I've only ridden 34 on the list, so I guess my base of experience is relatively limited. Still, it seems to me Raging Wolf Bobs at GL should have ranked a little higher than 154, at least since the re-hab's been completed. I would rate it a better ride than, say, Thunderhawk at Dorney (#95) or Wildcat at Hershey (#57).