Roller coasters

[LtPage1]

Went to 6 Flags in Vallejo today, had a blast. I used to hate roller coasters, but when I was about 12 or 13, I figured out the trick was to imagine I was flying, instead of falling to my horrible death. Worked like a charm, and now I can't get enough.

Where are your favorites? As usual, 6 flags had great coasters with ridiculously long lines for the ones I liked the most. Are there any better parks for avoiding crap like that?

 

[slugg]

If you ever have the chance to go to Orlando, FL, definitely check out Islands of Adventure. That park won "#1 theme park in the US/world" in all sorts of publications, as well as the travel channel, for many years in a row.

Anyways, you'll find The Hulk and Dueling Dragons. The Hulk is AMAZING and it'll definitely catch you by surprise! Dueling Dragons is a double-coaster, with two inverted tracks curving in and out of each other. You can also pay $20 more to go to the next-door park (they're connected) which is Universal Studios, which also has The Mummy (sort of a roller coaster - it's indoor with special effects). There's a LOT to do at both of these parks, on top of the coasters. Unfortunately, the lines are pretty long.

If you can make it to Tampa, FL, we also have Bush Gardens here. Roller coasters include: Kumba, Montu, Shiekra, Python, Scorpion, Gwazi, and Cheetah Chase. On a normal, not overly-busy day, you'll spend 15 to 30 minutes in line, depending on the coaster. Here's a quick run-down:

Kumba: Standard steel coaster. Long train. ~50 MPH max. On of the largest single loops of any coaster.
Montu: Inverted steel coaster, floorless. ~65 MPH max. Tallest inverted loop in the eastern US, last time I checked... but Dueling Dragons might win.
Gwazi: Dual, dueling, wooden coaster. Two sides - Lion and Tiger. Lion has more vertical movement, Tiger has more lateral movement. This is my personal favorite.
Shiekra: Ultra tall, vertical drop coaster. This has two 90 degree drops! Short train, ultra wide (8 seats per row). Floorless. Has 1 loop and splashes in water.
Scorpion: Pretty much a kiddy coaster. 1 loop, 1 helix, you're done.
Python: Small. 2 loops, you're done.
Cheetah Chase: Non-banked kiddy coaster. Even though it's kiddy, it makes you think you're gonna die! Single cart, no train.

 

[sswingle]

Come to Ohio. We have Cedar Point and Kings Island. Many of the highest ranked coasters in the world between the two places.

 

[slugg]

^^ I've always wanted to go to Cedar Point

 

[kaZ8Teen]

CP is da bomb shit

 

[nakedfrog]

I went to Worlds of Fun in KC, MO last summer at apparently just the right time, for the most part we didn't have to wait more than 15 minutes to get on a coaster, and the weather was actually nice. Great rides there.

 

[xboxist]

Cedar Point is the king of roller coasters, imo. Incredible all-around variety, and many epic ones. They cram so many badass rides on that little nub of land. I used to go annually, but I'm sad to say I haven't been there in 3 or 4 years. This thread is making me want to go, like tomorrow.

 

[AmpedSilence]

Hershey Park, some great coasters there also. Great Bear is Awesome! The Comet, Lightening Racer (Dueling wooden coaster!), Wildcat, Strom Runner (Water Coaster!).

Dorney Park Blows...

 

[Lord Zado]

I went to Cedar Point for the first time ever last month. I had an awesome time. Most roller coasters in the country. Very beautiful scenery too. From the taller rides, you can see waaaay out across the lake.

 

[Scarpozzi]

The real key to visiting any amusement park is to find the right time to go.

My wife and I were lucky last time we went to a park... We decided to go in mid-May. We went to Islands of Adventure and Universal. It turns out that very few people were in either park that week because school was ALMOST out.... Classes were wrapping up and no one was taking trips....and only universities were out so it kept the lines short.

Between class trips and church trips, those are the jerks making the lines 50% longer. They ship in up to 200-500 people per group sometimes.

We rode rides all day and the longest wait we had was 5-8 minutes....not counting the Twister attraction. We walked up right when another group started and missed the cutoff.

Seriously....if you can go to a park in late August after school starts for most folks, the lines will be short.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Originally posted by: sswingle
Come to Ohio. We have Cedar Point and Kings Island. Many of the highest ranked coasters in the world between the two places.

kings island is the shit! I went there once...when the son of the beast was just opened.

 

[Old Hippie]

Have you considered joining ACE?

I've been a member for 10 yrs. and attend a few regional functions.

It's a little pricey, but you get a subscription to their excellent magazine. :thumbsup:

 

[DrawninwarD]

Go to Canada's Wonderland. Their new ride, Behemoth, is biggest roller coaster in Canada. Lots of fun.

 

[Descartes]

Used to go to Cedar Point when I lived in Cleveland. Fantastic coasters, and if you know the right times to go there's very little wait compared to Six Flags.