Top Ten Roller Coasters in the USA

I have been on 7 out of the 10. Sheikra, Montu, and Superman New England will come this year (yeah, I know, I know....lol.)

I agree with some of the list but I only pay attention to my own. ;-)

I can't wait to see Nitro and Storm Runner again. :-P

-Tina

There's nothing wrong with drawing distinctions between levels of goodness. People do it all the time.

For example, the Michelin star rating system for restaurants:

* -- worth a visit, if you're already in town

** -- worth a detour, if you're within a town or two

*** -- worth a journey. In other words, they recommend you go wherever this is just to eat in the restaurant.

To put that in coaster perspective: "one star" would be for rides that you'd definitely want to hit on a visit. Two stars for rides that cause you to add a park to a trip you are already planning. Three stars are reserved for the rides you plan the trip *for* in the first place.

edit: cursed spelling. *** Edited 2/15/2006 5:40:19 PM UTC by Brian Noble***

Among polls, there will never be one that satifies everyone, at least this one attempts to be scientific and fair. Definitely not a bad group there....

One question though, am I the only one that feels the SFA/SFDL supes are highly overrated?

1. Intamin Hyper
2. Intamin Giga
3. B&M Hyper
4. B&M Invert
5. Intamin Hyper
6. B&M Dive Machine
7. Intamin Hyper
8. Intamin Rocket
9. B&M Hyper
10. Intamin Rocket

Why do other companies even try?

Those polls are about as scientific as it gets. It had over 500 ballots for wooden coasters and 300-some for steel ones.

Think about it, the networks can tell us what political candidates are ahead, what products are more or less popular, and if the country's in favor of this or that based on polls of similar (if not fewer) amounts of people.

I feel the same way CoasterFan4Life. On the other hand, S:ROS at SFNE is where it belongs IMO.

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sirloindude said: Sirloindude, who asks, "Where's Kraken?"

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I think #21 is a very complimentary ranking for a coaster, (that to me anyway) has always been an underdog of sorts. Being that it's one of two coasters at a park that specializes in sealife, and that advertising for the coaster itself has always been pretty elusive outside of the Orlando, (Heck I was an enthusiast when I first rode it, and I knew nothing of it until I got to Orlando)...#21 is a great ranking.

I think it really was a very even, and truthful poll. Don't know why, or how anybody could really oppose it. *** Edited 2/15/2006 11:15:50 PM UTC by Floorless Fan***

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nstod said:
I'm a little surprised at Xcelerator being up there. Having been on TTD and Xcelerator numerous times, I would ride TTD any day of the week over Xcelerator. But, to each his own.

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I'm probably one of the few that agrees with you, but I've heard time and time again how much better the launch is on Xcelerator, not to mention better airtime over the top hat.

But what it really comes down to is Xcel has carried far more riders due to TTD's problems.

Idk, I actually like the S:RoS at SFA. It's a fun ride and has nice airtime. :) Can't wait until April so I can start riding coasters here in the East.

I've been on 8, although it's been a LONG time since I rode Apollo (it's opening year). Might actually complete the circuit this year. There's a possible trip to Florida and Maryland in the works, so who knows.

I definitely agree on the list, although not necessarily the order. While I can't really comment on Sheikra, all three Supermen, Nitro, Millennium and Storm Runner definitely belong up there, and I really can't think of better candidates than the other 4 (equal, maybe, better? no, example being Phantom's Revenge). I would put the SFA/SFDL Supers ahead of the SFNE though ... just by the slightest of margins though!

DWeaver, the part you missed is that it doesn't matter how many more riders, that's the beauty of this poll. Xcel just flat out beats TTD. I rode Xcel the winter before TTD opened and while TTD was fun, I got off it thinking "wow that was fast ... wow that was high ... wow that was weak compared to Xcelerator!"

--Brett, who is pleasantly surprised that Storm Runner finally got the ranking it deserved last year ;)

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I would put the SFA/SFDL Supers ahead of the SFNE though ... just by the slightest of margins though!

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Let me guess... you're a helix fan. ;)

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rollergator said:
^ I've only got 8, Supes @ SFDL might just come along this Spring since it was closed on my last visit (talk about whine-fests, LOL)...and I have NOT been back to Hershey since SR was built (*prepares for a beating from jeremy*)....

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Beatings would constitute a parole violaion, but I can still poke you with a stick (a very *long* stick to reach from VA to FLA) :)

I'm sitting on 7, missing the aforemention Shiekra, never been to New England (I'm allergic to all things Boston - Brady, Bird, Buckner....:)) and I havent been to cali since '98. Worst part, the next time I *do* go to Cali, it'll probably be for Napa not Knotts (ooh alliteration).

As for Kraken, I still think that is the best engineered coaster I've ever been on. Everything on the ride was very "Baby Bear" (just right). Not my absolute favorite, but in my top(ish) tier. It'd likely be just after the group of Bull, SupeDL/A, PR, and Montu. Along with the likes of TG:TJC, Fire, and the CP sisters (Millie & Maggie)

lata, jeremy
--who finds it way to hard to really rank steel coasters

You have got to be kidding me, Nitro is one of the most over-rated roller coasters at Great Adventure. It's definitly a try once and never again type of coaster. I was also unimpressed with the Superman at Darien Lake.

I have all ten. I don't find the list out of line, basically because they are all very well engineered rides. The B & M hypers are built so well that they may lack "punch" to some people. But that's because they're so well built, which would justify the spot on the list.

Sheikra's drops are enough to win it a spot. I don't think it'll last for a long time on the list, once the novelty wears off. But I could be wrong - Millennium Force remains up there, and it survives with only one trick.

I am still surprised to see Phantom's Revenge get bumped from the top ten. I rode it more times last season than I can even count, and I am still not tired of it. Its my #2, and I have ridden all but two of those coasters.

Thats my only disagreement with that list. The SM clones are great rides, rode Darien Lake's on opening day last season and it ripped.

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coasterqueenTRN said:
Superman New England will come this year

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Dang Tina. You seriously haven't been up there yet? What're you doing sitting on the internet???

Oh yeah...the park's closed right now. ;)

I've been on 9 of 10 (no Sheikra, though I got to see it test). I'm not sure how Montu beat out X or Talon or Fire Dragon or Tennessee Tornado or etc. :-P *** Edited 2/16/2006 5:01:55 PM UTC by ApolloAndy***

Hell, I've been to kennywood each of the last five years and was never really impressed by T bolt. Something happened last year because I couldn't get enough of it!

Also came to like PR more than any non invert B&M ive ridden except for kumba

I wonder how many of the people who've expressed their displeasure with the poll results actually voted in it?

Next year, take some time to fill out a ballot (for sure, there will be a thread in here announcing it), rank the coasters you've ridden, and if enough people feel the same way about certain coasters, the rankings can change.

I could care less about the poll, I am just surpirsed by one of the results is all. No big deal.