Rollercoaster Advice | Summer 2022 Amusement Park Review and Ideas

[TheOriginalTiki]

Indeed! According to Hulk it’s infamously known as the “Lagoon Roll.” I can appreciate the design and thought of it, but with my preference for positive G-force instead of airtime, I can’t say it’s my favorite part of the coaster

@TheOriginalTiki Did you do the rapids ride while you were there? If so, how was the wait? It was by far the longest line in the park when I was there last summer.

Rattlesnake Rapids was like the one BAD experience I had the whole trip. The line set up is awful. You exit the same tiny corridor you queue in, so the parties grouping together was nearly CONSTANT. Also the iconic rattlesnake sign was just inexplicably not there for some reason. 45 minute wait later, and the cast member tells me no single riders...I'm like...what. There were TONS of people riding on the individual seats by themselves. I'm assuming this is a capacity issue and they might not want to group strangers together for some reason even though that's been the practice on literally every other raft ride on the planet, but I did know that this park had some weird and cryptic management decisions so I just sort of walked away without raising a stink about it. The guy said I could wait for a party to volunteer to group with me but that was just a social anxiety (bleep) show waiting to happen. To add insult to injury, the freaking Dole Whip stand next to the ride was closed. Also the Lagoon roll is actually the two inline twists that go over the water. It's great, but the three-quarter loop overbank thing really feels like nothing else on the planet while the Lagoon Roll...while excellent, very much has the feeling of the Sky Rocket 2 barrel rolls. The Mosasaurus Roll on Velocicoaster though...yea, STOKED for that. I keep hearing "upside down airtime" and I just can't imagine what it actually feels like!

 

[TheOriginalTiki]

I REALLY don't know why Lagoon doesn't allow single riders on the Ferris wheel either, and was pretty bummed about that given how spectacular the views must be from up there between the mountain backdrop and being right next to Cannibal. Stuff like that and Jet Star are probably the primary motivation on bringing my grandma back with me. Perhaps as the first leg of a larger national park trip.

 

[spacemt354]

Rattlesnake Rapids was like the one BAD experience I had the whole trip. The line set up is awful. You exit the same tiny corridor you queue in, so the parties grouping together was nearly CONSTANT. Also the iconic rattlesnake sign was just inexplicably not there for some reason. 45 minute wait later, and the cast member tells me no single riders...I'm like...what. There were TONS of people riding on the individual seats by themselves. I'm assuming this is a capacity issue and they might not want to group strangers together for some reason even though that's been the practice on literally every other raft ride on the planet, but I did know that this park had some weird and cryptic management decisions so I just sort of walked away without raising a stink about it. The guy said I could wait for a party to volunteer to group with me but that was just a social anxiety (bleep) show waiting to happen. To add insult to injury, the freaking Dole Whip stand next to the ride was closed. Also the Lagoon roll is actually the two inline twists that go over the water. It's great, but the three-quarter loop overbank thing really feels like nothing else on the planet while the Lagoon Roll...while excellent, very much has the feeling of the Sky Rocket 2 barrel rolls. The Mosasaurus Roll on Velocicoaster though...yea, STOKED for that. I keep hearing "upside down airtime" and I just can't imagine what it actually feels like!

The mosasaurus roll is one of the best coaster elements I've experienced - it literally feels like you're being dropped in the lagoon!

 

[MickeyWaffleCo.]

Also the Lagoon roll is actually the two inline twists that go over the water. It's great, but the three-quarter loop overbank thing really feels like nothing else on the planet while the Lagoon Roll...while excellent, very much has the feeling of the Sky Rocket 2 barrel rolls

Ah my bad. Must’ve misread your post

 

[Mickeynerd17]

DOLLYWOOD

This park was absolutely wonderful and distinctly reminded me of late 2000s early 2010s WDW in its overall atmosphere. Everything was clean, maintained, and the staff was very friendly (loved the "have a blessed day").

The most fascinating thing about the park was the fully functional church with nondenominational service on Sundays INSIDE the park. The church was very rustic and had cloth drapes that looked like stained glass windows on the inside. I 1

Also, I did have the cinnamon bread, and it was amazing, especially with the apple E1butter. I'd highly recommend it.

For the coasters, the big standout was Lightning Rod for obvious reasons. That one coaster carries the whole park and cemented my love for RMCs. Glassy smooth and completely relentless on the airtime hills. The launch up the hill isn't bad, but once you get going it starts wailing at your body in a fun way. Definitely a must-do in my book.

Although Lightning Rod carries the park, the other coasters are by no means any lesser. Tornado was a wonderfuly boost of adrenaline with its loops. The restraints are a bit cumbersome but the ride in general wasn't painful. Wild Eagle was exactly as described: if Soarin was a Rollercoaster. I got front row on that baby and it was magnificent. There was a spiral towards the end that gave me some brain slosh but nothing I couldn't handle.

Mystery Mine was.....

uh....

interesting.

Very bulky, cumbersome restraints and a bit painful on some of the turns at the beginning. I understand why people say the first half is awkward, because that's really the only way to describe it. The vertical chain lifts wigged me out at first, but the vertical drop was just fine. Overall a great coaster, but it's down on my list because everything else was just top-notch.

The last notable coaster was Thunderhead. HOLY COW. That thing was INTENSE. When riding this I didn't think all GCI coasters were like this, but after Mystic Timbers I know that to not be true. Extremely fun coaster but it really beats you up. Re-rides are tough on this one but doable if you can handle it.

I overall loved this park and can't wait to visit again (especially if they add to their lineup!)
9/10

RANKINGS:

1. Lightning Rod

2. Wild Eagle

3. Tennessee Tornado

4. Thunderhead

5. Firechaser Express

6. Dragonflyer

7. Mystery Mine

8. Blazing Fury (only because it's barely a Rollercoaster. I loved the ride).

 

[Mickeynerd17]

I've got definite rankings on Kings Island I'll share soon, but I've got my first Cedar Point day tomorrow, so I'll get back to you all on that soon.

 

[ThemeParkPriest]

I've got definite rankings on Kings Island I'll share soon, but I've got my first Cedar Point day tomorrow, so I'll get back to you all on that soon.

What a coincidence…I’m here too (I was planning on meeting up with James G from the forum, but he is having a tough start to the day)! If you see an Augustana basketball shirt around, that’s me. Enjoy the day…It doesn’t seem too busy!

 

[TheOriginalTiki]

DOLLYWOOD

This park was absolutely wonderful and distinctly reminded me of late 2000s early 2010s WDW in its overall atmosphere. Everything was clean, maintained, and the staff was very friendly (loved the "have a blessed day").

The most fascinating thing about the park was the fully functional church with nondenominational service on Sundays INSIDE the park. The church was very rustic and had cloth drapes that looked like stained glass windows on the inside. I 1

Also, I did have the cinnamon bread, and it was amazing, especially with the apple E1butter. I'd highly recommend it.

For the coasters, the big standout was Lightning Rod for obvious reasons. That one coaster carries the whole park and cemented my love for RMCs. Glassy smooth and completely relentless on the airtime hills. The launch up the hill isn't bad, but once you get going it starts wailing at your body in a fun way. Definitely a must-do in my book.

Although Lightning Rod carries the park, the other coasters are by no means any lesser. Tornado was a wonderfuly boost of adrenaline with its loops. The restraints are a bit cumbersome but the ride in general wasn't painful. Wild Eagle was exactly as described: if Soarin was a Rollercoaster. I got front row on that baby and it was magnificent. There was a spiral towards the end that gave me some brain slosh but nothing I couldn't handle.

Mystery Mine was.....

uh....

interesting.

Very bulky, cumbersome restraints and a bit painful on some of the turns at the beginning. I understand why people say the first half is awkward, because that's really the only way to describe it. The vertical chain lifts wigged me out at first, but the vertical drop was just fine. Overall a great coaster, but it's down on my list because everything else was just top-notch.

The last notable coaster was Thunderhead. HOLY COW. That thing was INTENSE. When riding this I didn't think all GCI coasters were like this, but after Mystic Timbers I know that to not be true. Extremely fun coaster but it really beats you up. Re-rides are tough on this one but doable if you can handle it.

I overall loved this park and can't wait to visit again (especially if they add to their lineup!)
9/10

RANKINGS:

1. Lightning Rod

2. Wild Eagle

3. Tennessee Tornado

4. Thunderhead

5. Firechaser Express

6. Dragonflyer

7. Mystery Mine

8. Blazing Fury (only because it's barely a Rollercoaster. I loved the ride).

Me coldly judging you for putting Dragonflyer above Mystery Mine

 

[TheOriginalTiki]

For those who missed it, here's my two Lagoon vlogs!

 

[Mickeynerd17]

Me coldly judging you for putting Dragonflyer above Mystery Mine
View attachment 648525

Dragonflyer was a more comfortable experience overall for me. I'd rank Mystery Mine higher if the restraints weren't so bulky and the first half was done differently.

 

[Mickeynerd17]

Back car of Steel Vengeance is literally the craziest experience I've ever had. Wow....

Also, I've 100% fallen in love with Magnum. The vintage 80s spaceship vibe with the old Arrow mine train cars/roughness is incredible. Airtime hills are painful in a fun way (if that makes sense).

It was moderately crowded today but not bad for a Friday. I'm worried about Saturday though. Going to try some rerides on Millenium and Maverick (loved both of those!).

 

[spacemt354]

For those who missed it, here's my two Lagoon vlogs!

Congrats on #100! That's awesome - I'm curious if you've had time/thoughts on like a top 10 or 25 list all-time?

 

[TheOriginalTiki]

Congrats on #100! That's awesome - I'm curious if you've had time/thoughts on like a top 10 or 25 list all-time?

I'll most likely do a proper top 20 list once I get back from my Orlando vacation in September. Velocicoaster and Iron Gwazi are obviously both pretty world class and I except both of them to be solidly in the top five.

 

[TheOriginalTiki]

Back car of Steel Vengeance is literally the craziest experience I've ever had. Wow....

Also, I've 100% fallen in love with Magnum. The vintage 80s spaceship vibe with the old Arrow mine train cars/roughness is incredible. Airtime hills are painful in a fun way (if that makes sense).

It was moderately crowded today but not bad for a Friday. I'm worried about Saturday though. Going to try some rerides on Millenium and Maverick (loved both of those!).

Glad to hear you liked Magnum so much. I know stuff like Maverick and Steve are more world-class, but given the hsitory and the...like you said...80s spaceship vibes, I think that might be THE most anticipated for me. The fact that it's not a big headlining coaster thus easier to marathon certainly helps with the anticipation as well.

 

[spacemt354]

I'll most likely do a proper top 20 list once I get back from my Orlando vacation in September. Velocicoaster and Iron Gwazi are obviously both pretty world class and I except both of them to be solidly in the top five.

I'm curious what your #1 is right now?

This thread and @D Hulk 's trip has inspired me to take some time before next year to explore other theme parks - I've got a list but want to hit the 'top' coasters.

 

[TheOriginalTiki]

I'm curious what your #1 is right now?

My top five currently looks something like this (From #1 to #5)

 

[spacemt354]

My top five currently looks something like this (From #1 to #5)

Awesome! Dollywood is on the list of places within a day's driving for me.

Here's mine at the moment (my list is less than 1/2 of yours I'm at like 35 coasters)

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

 

[D Hulk]

Hulk’s Top 5 to date….

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

Honorable Mentions: Maverick, Iron Rattler, Phantom’s Revenge, Twisted Colossus, Storm Chaser, Skyrush

Noteworthy Coasters Yet-To-Do Include: Lightning Rod, Fury 325, Intimidator 305, Orion, Taron, Zadra

Current Coaster Count: 248

Last Coaster: Wacky Worm at L.A. County Fair

 

[Mickeynerd17]

Surviving Saturday at Cedar Point.

Half the rides have broken down throughout the morning. Tried for Maverick but the thing still hasn't opened 4 hours after opening.

Waited 45 min for SteVe before it broke. 25 min later I couldn't wait anymore and left for Magnum.

I kid you not, 5 SECONDS after I leave the queue it starts back up again. I was so livid I couldn't stand looking at it.

Meanwhile magnum has zero line and I did two rides on it after that asinine wait. Managed to hit valravn in the sweet front row middle seats along with back row gatekeeper and a millennium force ride.

Today's been a serious mixed bag and the worst crowd of the trip so far. We'll see how the rest of the day goes from here.

 

[spacemt354]

Surviving Saturday at Cedar Point.

Half the rides have broken down throughout the morning. Tried for Maverick but the thing still hasn't opened 4 hours after opening.

Waited 45 min for SteVe before it broke. 25 min later I couldn't wait anymore and left for Magnum.

I kid you not, 5 SECONDS after I leave the queue it starts back up again. I was so livid I couldn't stand looking at it.

Meanwhile magnum has zero line and I did two rides on it after that asinine wait. Managed to hit valravn in the sweet front row middle seats along with back row gatekeeper and a millennium force ride.

Today's been a serious mixed bag and the worst crowd of the trip so far. We'll see how the rest of the day goes from here.

Enjoy the day - regardless of crowds or breakdowns you don't realize how lucky you have been on this trip to get to go on all these rides (that I have wanted to go on lol)