Smaller Coasters overall can be more thrilling

I think the attitude when a smaller coaster is built is "Oh, it isn't that big, it can't be better than a 300 ft coaster"

I believe that's the contrary. Most of the smaller coasters I have ridden, have beaten out many of their larger counterparts.

What do you guys think?

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God Bless Theme Parks!

It really depends on the coasters' elements, design, layout, and g's.

For example, compare CCI coasters and Son of Beast - SoB is much taller and faster than any of CCI's coasters like Ghostrider or Legend, but the CCI's provide more airtime, higher laterals, and an overall funner and more thrilling experience.

-Jeff

http://americacoasters.com

Xbombman: That could be from someone's particular point of view.

While SOB is thrilling, it lacks alot of what I call "classic" wooden coaster elements.

But let's face it, it's a prototype design, give em time:)

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God Bless Theme Parks!

Yea i think Top Gun @ PGA is really intense for a small Inverted coaster

I agree with xbombman's comment about the elements, layout, etc. I think of Talon and Alpengeist. If you gave me the choice of riding only one of them numerous times on a given day (beam me up Scotty!), I would pick Talon. The ride experience on it is just more fun.

And woodies? For me, nothing beats the overall enjoyment of the "smaller" Phoenix's ride (although some come close, and they are also on the small side).

To use an analogy, it reminds me of athletes. Sometimes the smaller person gives more "pound for pound" than his/her larger counterparts.

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I know you rider
Gonna miss me when I'm gone

Smaller coasters can definitely be as thrilling, if not more thrilling, than larger ones. I think this especially holds true when it comes to wooden coasters. I've been on both Mean Streak and SOB, and yet neither would be in my top 10 favorite woodies. If I wanted to get picky and make a top 3 list, they would all be under 125 feet tall (Legend, Shivering Timbers, and Raven).

As for steel coasters, size seems to work well for some types and not for others. Take intverteds for example, my personal favorite (Fire Dragon) is nowhere near as tall as Alpengeist or Montu. But then if you asked me what I thought of Millennium Force I would say the size is what makes the ride.

It's all a matter of personal opinion in the end, though.

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James Draeger
http://draegs.tripod.com/
"Legend is a wooden Jesus"

*** This post was edited by ACEerCG on 9/7/2001. ***

I think it's apples and oranges. A great coaster is just that, large or small, it's the detail and design that make a great coaster, not the size. What were the top two steel coasters this year, MF and S:ROS, neither are *smaller* coasters.
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Work like you've just gotten paid, Love like you've never been hurt, and dance like no one's watching!

I always said the Beastie was the best woodie at Kings Island, but nobody ever agrees. It's fast and has air time and laterals!

The kiddie coaster at Idlewild gave the ones at Kennywood a run for their money!

And on a larger scale, the Viper at SFGAm really kicks some major as*. Gets better every year.

You are right Michael, The Cornball Express Coaster is a CCI woodie and it is very exciting! I have rode alot of coasters and sometimes the smaller ones are alot of fun. I had my reservations at first about riding the Cornball and I thought it was soooooo much fun. I can't wait till IB opens nest season!! I'm really glad i got the chance to ride it!
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My daughter BEGGED me to ride the kid coasters(blantant lie)HEHEE..lol.

*** This post was edited by coasterdude39 on 9/7/2001. ***

CCI built 6 out of the top ten wooden coasters, and most CCIs are small. I personally enjoyed the Blue Streak at CLP and the BS@ CP. Heck, small arrow looper-corkscrews and even Disastor Transport are fun rides!
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Got a problem with RWB/MS? you've got a problem with me!
www.woodencoaster.com
I pray that I will never see a Six Flags Conneaut Lake

Have you guys been on Scorpion at BGT? That is a cool ride!

Scorpion and Disaster Transport are the "Underdog" coasters at their respective parks!
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God Bless Theme Parks!

coasterbill73 said:
I always said the Beastie was the best woodie at Kings Island, but nobody ever agrees. It's fast and has air time and laterals!

I agree that Beastie is a masterpiece. Certainly it and its cousins are the best Juniors that I have ever ridden. But, at PKI it's up against it's big brother the Beast which is a big masterpiece.

I loved scorpion. I rode that ride so many times and had a blast.

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Nitro: The Most Explosive Coaster on the Planet explodes at Six Flags Great Adventure in 2001.

coasterdude39 said:
You are right Michael, The Cornball Express Coaster is a CCI woodie and it is very exciting! I have rode alot of coasters and sometimes the smaller ones are alot of fun. I had my reservations at first about riding the Cornball and I thought it was soooooo much fun. I can't wait till IB opens nest season!! I'm really glad i got the chance to ride it!

Same here!

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The one who drops the Spirit Stick goes to HADES!
Check out the new http://indianabeach.8k.com/

Smaller coasters *can* be overall thrilling, but that is not necessarily the case. I mean, my favorite woodie (and coaster in general) The Legend is a medium sized coaster. But my second favorite wooden coaster is the biggest one in the world, Son of Beast. I find Sonny to be more satisfying than all but one of the wooden coasters I've ridden an that includes such smaller CCI creations as Villain, Raven, and Cyclps as well as every GCI save ROAR-West which I havent ridden. Again, it all depends on the person.
lata,
jeremy
--really feeling Alicia Keys right now.

Look at Space Mountain(s).
That ride is not exceptionally tall, but it still manages to be a favorite at its respective parks.

Same with Big Thunder Mountain(s). It is a far cry from the tallest and most intense ride, but still manages to hold its own against those twice its height.. Its just so much fun!

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RAPTOR-Kick the Sky!