Tracking the Thrills
A Guide to North America’s Roller Coaster Thrill Parks
By Devin Olson
That sound may stay with you for a lifetime. It may be the clicking of a wooden coaster’s lift hill or compressed air blasting
you sky high. At any rate, walking through the turnstiles of one of America’s thrill parks as screams fill the air may take
you back to that day you first decided to challenge a twisted track or get tossed through the air. When you stand with your
ticket at the front gate, you hold in your hand the ticket to another world; the key to escapism from the troubles of
everyday life. In this magical realm, you’re transported back to an age when nothing mattered, and you can let out stress
by screaming your lungs out at over 100 miles an hour as the wind rushes through your hair. This isn’t an ordinary place
by any means. This is a thrill park.
Every year, amusement parks across the continent collectively install dozens of new roller coasters and even
more non-coaster thrill rides. This network of thrill parks beckons the young, the old, and every age in between to come
chase after a world of extreme thrills. The people, the food, the theming, the shows – all elements unite around the
centerpiece thrill rides in an effort to immerse visitors with an ambient atmosphere certain to leave them coming back for
more, time after time. But where do the country’s greatest amusement parks dwell? Beyond the names that have
become commonplace like Disneyland and Six Flags, words at the top of a thrill-seeker’s vocabulary include Busch
Gardens Williamsburg, Cedar Point, Kennywood, and Knott’s Berry Farm; parks that started off smaller than Walt Disney
World but have grown into destinations for all regions.
Whether you’ve already experienced dozens of theme parks or are just seeking out a travel destination that the
entire family can enjoy this summer, we invite you to use Tracking the Thrills for a colorful glance at the fifty largest
American thrill parks. In our pages providing a glimpse at the largest and greatest amusement parks around the country,
we’ll guide you to experience the best of the best while knowing how to avoid the less desirable along the way. For each
of our amusement parks listed, you will have a resource in your hands for not only park basics, but also insider tips on
how to have the most enjoyable experience possible. Honest and balanced reviews of major coasters, water rides, and
highest-priority non-coaster thrill rides, along with recommended dining and other information will help you take full
advantage of your day at the park. We aim to provide you with the fairest reviews of each park and ride possible to help
prepare you for your own quest for thrills.
For more details on each park, visit us on the web at COASTER-net.com. Our site provides thousands of
pictures, ride listings, park maps, in-depth articles for parks and rides around the globe, all the latest news, and everything
else related to extreme thrill rides. We know what you demand from an amusement park, and whether you’re a
connoisseur of casual park-goer, our goal is to help you find just that.
Contents
Feature Articles:
004. The Birth of a Phenomenon: Tracing the American Theme Park
008. From Dreams to Screams: The Making of a Modern Coaster
012. Commitment to Safety: Relentless Effort to Keep Thrills Rideable
016. Where to Go From Here: Following the Patterns Through Time
020. Coasting on Enthusiasm: An Obsession with Extreme Rides
024. Advice from the Inside: Get the Most Thrill for Your Dollar
Parks:
028. Adventureland – Altoona (Des Moines), IA
030. Busch Gardens Tampa – Tampa Bay, FL
032. Busch Gardens Williamsburg – Williamsburg, VA
034. Cedar Point (Cedar Fair)* – Sandusky, OH
036. Disneyland Resort: Disneyland / Disney’s California Adventure – Anaheim, CA
038. Dollywood* – Pigeon Forge, TN
040. Dorney Park (Cedar Fair)† – Allentown, PA
042. Frontier City (Six Flags)† – Oklahoma City, OK
044. Geauga Lake (Cedar Fair)† – Aurora (Cleveland), OH
046. Great Escape† – Lake George, NY
048. Hersheypark – Hershey, PA
050. Holiday World†* – Santa Claus, IN
052. Kennywood – West Mifflin (Pittsburgh), PA
054. Knott’s Berry Farm (Cedar Fair) – Buena Vista, CA
056. La Ronde (Six Flags)* – Montreal, ON
058. Michigan’s Adventure (Cedar Fair)* – Muskagee, MI
060. Morey's Piers – Wildwood, NJ
062. Mt. Olympus Theme Park†* – Wisconsin Dells, WI
064. Paramount Canada’s Wonderland – Vaughan, ON
066. Paramount’s Carowinds† – Charlotte, NC
068. Paramount’s Great America† – Santa Clara, CA
070. Paramount’s Kings Dominion†* – Doswell (Richmond), VA
072. Paramount’s Kings Island† – Kings Mill (Cincinnati), OH
074. Silver Dollar City / Celebration City – Branson, MO
076. Silverwood†* – Athol, ID
078. Six Flags America† – Largo, MD (Washington D.C.)
080. Six Flags Darien Lake†* – Darien Center (Buffalo), NY
082. Six Flags Elitch Gardens† – Denver, CO
084. Six Flags Fiesta Texas† – San Antonio, TX
086. Six Flags Great Adventure* – Jackson, NJ
088. Six Flags Great America† – Gurnee (Chicago), IL
090. Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom† – Louisville, KY
092. Six Flags Magic Mountain* – Valencia (Los Angeles), CA
094. Six Flags Marine World – Vallejo, CA
096. Six Flags New England†* – Agawam, MA
098. Six Flags New Orleans – New Orleans, LA
100. Six Flags over Georgia* – Austell (Atlanta), GA
102. Six Flags over Texas* – Arlington, TX
104. Six Flags St. Louis†* – Eureka (St. Louis), MO
106. Universal Studios Florida / Islands of Adventure – Orlando, FL
108. Valleyfair (Cedar Fair)†* – Shakopee (Minneapolis), MN
110. Walt Disney World: Animal Kingdom* / EPCOT / Magic Kingdom / Disney-MGM Studios – Lake Buena Vista
(Orlando), FL
112. Wild Adventures – Valdosta, GA
114. Worlds of Fun (Cedar Fair)* – Kansas City, MO
Other:
120. Acknowledgements
*Indicates new ride that inherently may experience downtime. To ensure operation, check with the park before visiting.
†Indicates adjacent water park included in admission. Rides not included in park admission are excluded from listings.
Must-experience rides are denoted by green titles; average by yellow titles; and nonrecommendations by red titles.
The Birth of a Phenomenon:
Tracing the American Theme Park
Today, it’s no wonder to find a major theme park within an hour or two of any given metropolitan area. Busch, Disney,
Paramount, Six Flags, and Universal bring their brands of theme parks to all parts of the country with distinctive themes
that their visitors have come to know. These parks not only spin us in circles and drop us hundreds of feet in a matter of
seconds, but they also place us in the midst of a story, a theme or themes that add another dimension entirely to the
experience. And while amusement parks and rides date back well into the nineteenth century in America, theme parks, in
contrast, are a relatively new occurrence. While Walt Disney first popularized the idea of the modern, full-scale theme
park, he wasn’t the first to experiment with this idea. There were others that tested out the theme park on a smaller scale
prior to 1955’s Disneyland, and the idea proved a success.
Coney Island was the place to be in the early twentieth century. The first modern roller coasters built for the sole
purpose of thrilling had graced the shores of the Atlantic there, and the Brooklyn, New York location had since become a
breeding ground for new ideas. One of those ideas was the Scenic Railway, a coaster that would find popularity around
the world. The concept of this primitive wooden coaster was a theme in itself, with a backdrop of mountains, and artificial
rocks around the support structure. The appeal of this ride was a track layout that would not only fly riders down dips and
up hills, but would also take them to a place far removed from the bustling urban streets and cityscape of buildings that
surrounded. While the Scenic Railway rides were only individual attractions, entire themed parks would follow.
Louis Koch was an entrepreneur in the 1940s when he realized that a small Indiana town was missing something.
Santa Claus was the name of this town, but it was a mere name and nothing else. Kids were expecting more from a town
with such a promising name, so Koch gave it to them. He created Santa Claus Land, a small amusement park with a
common theme throughout: Christmas. The year was 1946, long before ground was even broken for Disneyland, and a
theme park was operating in the Midwest before the term “theme park” had even been coined. In the decades that would
follow, this park would grow to begin rivaling Disneyland itself, eventually becoming the park today known as Holiday
World & Splashin’ Safari with four holiday-themed sections and world-famous roller coasters.
When Disneyland did come along nine years later, the entire world took notice of this brilliant innovation. The first
season, guests passed through the gates into Walt Disney’s fantasy world by the tens of thousands, all at a cost of just
$1.00. The cartoonist and original “imagineer” took bringing characters on paper to reality a step further than animations,
breathing new life into them through tangible worlds. Cinderella, Snow White, Peter Pan, and others were given their own
domains of reality, while animatronic characters brought books, cartoons, and fantasies to life as adventurers walked,
rolled, drifted, or hovered by. When the Matterhorn Bobsleds coaster opened four years after the park’s debut, the
modern tubular steel coaster was born and inspired a new age of roller coaster design that would find its way into other
up-and-coming additions to the growing theme park phenomenon.
In the decades following Disneyland, new brands of theme parks would also establish themselves and achieve
popularity in America. The first of those theme park chains started out in the sixties after Texas native Angus Wynne
began a park named Six Flags over Texas in 1961. The name reflected the six historic possessions of the state by the
Confederate States of America, France, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, Spain, and the United States. For the first time, a
theme park focused on history rather than fantasy. The other theme park breakthrough that Six Flags over Texas
introduced was a collection of larger thrills as the park began adding major coasters for the thrill-seekers along with the
attractions to satisfy families. Six years after Six Flags over Texas was established, Wynne began expanding Six Flags
into the nationally-recognized chain by planting Six Flags over Georgia just outside Atlanta, and 1971‘s Six Flags over
Mid-America (now Six Flags St. Louis) in the St. Louis region.
Likewise, the beer company Busch invested in three theme parks bringing another style to the industry. The
company had previous experience with two beer gardens in California, and now wanted to start their own chain of theme
parks incorporating live animals into an experience taking guests through themed gardens, then providing free tours of the
breweries. The first of the Busch Gardens properties opened in Tampa Bay, Florida, in 1959; followed by Los Angeles,
California in 1966; and finally Williamsburg, Virginia in 1975. While the Los Angeles park closed in 1986, the Tampa
location flourished with its African theme and native animals as the Williamsburg park grew to one of the most popular
parks for its realistic representation of old-world Europe. Eventually, Busch would expand their reign to also include the
SeaWorld properties around the United States, going on to include thrill rides in the sea life parks.
After Walt Disney World brought Disney’s version of the major theme park to the opposite side of the United
States in 1971, built on a small portion of 35,000 acres just outside of Orlando, Florida, other movie studios began to see
the market for showcasing their brands and immersing guests in worlds of their own. In 1964, Universal established their
own name in the theme park world through opening Universal Studios Hollywood. However, this park would manage to
draw guests for some forty years without anything resembling a roller coaster. Instead of traditional thrill rides, tours and
eventually rides through backlot studio-themed attractions and shows would provide a temporary substitute for legitimate
thrill rides.
In the 1970s, the sheer number of new parks springing up from sea to shining sea made for a true milestone in
the age of American theme parks. In the midst of the other theme park chains, a new upstart came onto the scene in
1972 by the name of Family Leisure Centers. Planting parks first near Cincinnati, Ohio with Kings Island, then near
Richmond, Virginia with Kings Dominion, Family Leisure Centers used the history of Coney Island, the characters of
Hanna-Barbera, and African safari appeal to draw guests. After the initial success, Family Leisure Centers acquired the
independent theme parks Carowinds in Charlotte, North Carolina, and later Canada’s Wonderland in Ontario, Canada
during the course of the next decade.
Not only were movie studios and beer breweries interested in opening new theme parks; there were also a
number of independent individuals who realized their park visions. Independent parks sprang up around America such as
Houston, Texas’ AstroWorld in 1968 and 1974’s Great Adventure in New Jersey. Then, there was a new type of business
interested in establishing theme parks when a hotel chain that saw the value in using park destinations to attract overnight
guests. On May 29, 1976, Marriott opened two nearly identical parks in Santa Clara, California, and just outside Chicago,
Illinois; both known as Marriott’s Great America. While a third was proposed just south of Washington, D.C., concerns
over historic land it was slated to be built on scrapped the project. However, after eight years in the business, Marriott
would put their parks up for sale. While Family Leisure Centers, now known as Kings Entertainment Company,
purchased the California park, the growing Six Flags chain added the Illinois location to their growing collection of parks
nationwide.
After a relatively uneventful decade for major new theme parks in the 1980s, the nineties began with Universal
opening a second destination to compete with Disney in Orlando, Florida: Universal Studios Florida. Two years later, a
third movie studio was interested in making a start in the North American theme park business. That studio was
Paramount, and the opportunity came about when Kings Entertainment Company put all five of their parks up for sale.
Paramount snatched them up, adding their name to the front of all five parks. Now, distinctive Paramount themes such as
Days of Thunder, Top Gun, and Wayne’s World became the identities of the latest attractions on the scene. In 1999, the
theatrical theming continued as another new theme park opened adjacent to the original Universal Studios Florida park:
Islands of Adventure. This new destination park raised the bar for the Universal chain by offering cutting-edge roller
coasters side-by-side with simulated experiences and familiar ride types taken to the extreme, and soon became known
as the prime example of this concept.
One more chain of theme and amusement parks was forming in the 1990s called Premier Parks, based at
Frontier City in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The chain had formed through assuming control of a variety of small,
independent theme parks across the country and around the world which now included Adventure World of Largo,
Maryland; Darien Lake of Darien Center, New York; Elitch Gardens of Denver, Colorado; Kentucky Kingdom of Louisville,
Kentucky; and Marine World of Vallejo, California. Looking to expand their reigns to all regions of the United States and
go international in the late nineties, Six Flags and the Premier Parks chain merged under the more prominent name.
Soon, Six Flags would have a record thirty-eight properties to the company’s name.
Still, traditional amusement parks found their place among the many theme parks of today, with the Cedar Fair
chain originally formed from Sandusky, Ohio’s Cedar Point and Shakopee, Minnesota’s Valleyfair now operating seven
major amusement parks and theme parks around the United States. Along with operating parks with distinct themes such
as Knott’s Berry Farm in California and Worlds of Fun in Kansas City, Cedar Fair also runs more traditional amusement
parks such as Dorney Park in Pennsylvania and Michigan’s Adventure. Yet it would be almost impossible for these parks
to escape the effects of the theme park phenomenon, and most of them contain at least several themed rides and
attractions along the more traditional amusement park midways. Another effect of the theme park phenomenon is several
hybrid amusement and theme parks that have found the place for smaller themed sections within a larger, older
amusement park. One example of this is the classic traditional park Kennywood just outside of Pittsburgh, which features
the Lost Kennywood section themed to the historic 1920s-era Luna Parks along with the tropically themed Volcano Valley.
The future of the American theme park is bound to be a bright one. While new theme parks have become much
more uncommon than they were during the building boom thirty years ago, existing parks continuously grow more
impressive. Three decades ago it was a rarity to find more than four or five coasters in a single park, while today at least
half a dozen coasters have become expected of a major park and the themes behind them continue to advance with
technology. In the end, it all comes down to turning dreams into reality; converting an idea into an experience for millions
to enjoy. As the best is constantly outdone in a battle for the most impressive theme parks, thrill-seekers have a world of
new themed experiences to anticipate in the years to come.
From Dreams to Screams:
The Making of a Modern Coaster
While you watch a coaster navigate its way through the twisted maze of track, the thought may arise: what does it take to
bring something like this from paper into the extreme ride millions enjoy? How could a ride this high and fast possibly run
as smoothly as it does, hundreds of times a day, hundreds of days a year? The answer is years of planning and design,
along with precision engineering and construction using the latest technology. Indeed, the roller coaster has progressed
far beyond the days when rickety wooden coasters were designed without the aid of computer software, without
computers entirely, and more by hand than anything else. Today the rides reach layers of the atmosphere exclusive to
skyscrapers years ago, and the complex jumbles of track we see fail to even resemble their predecessors. And of course,
all of this is made possible through modern methods and technological advances that make engineering the wildest
dreams into screams perfectly conceivable.
Where does it all start, one might ask? Far before any signs of a new ride appear on-site and even farther back
before any thrill-seekers have the chance to become thrill-riders, it all starts off very simply. It starts off with an idea. That
idea may originate from a rival park’s popular attraction, from an everyday inspiration, or even from a movie. After the
idea becomes a blueprint with the help of a ride-designing firm and the funds are in place to support it, the next step will
be for the park to attain approval from the city. The battle to receive approval may be a long and difficult one for parks
within the vicinity of residential areas or with restrictions in place due to local air travel. But once the permits are issued,
the first signs of a new ride on the way will begin to appear.
The first signs of a new ride may be an existing attraction at a park closing. While some parks have bountiful
expansion land to use for new attractions, many existing parks find the need to eliminate older, less popular rides and
attractions in favor of a new ride that could better use the same space. Very rarely will any park eliminate an existing
attraction without plans for a replacement, unless high maintenance costs or a high level of complaints from guests force
the closure. On the other hand, some developed parks will simply find room for a new coaster within pockets of free
space existing in the midst of other attractions, with elevated stretches of track weaving over the midways. At any rate,
preparations for construction or destruction work in anticipation of a new ride will include telltale markings on the ground,
flagging around trees to signify a removal, and flagged stakes in the ground. Soil tests will also be taken before any
construction work starts to determine how deep foundations will need to be dug.
Once the land is cleared off and raised or lowered to the desired levels, and once all obstructions removed from
the future coaster’s path, drilling or digging will take place to prepare for the installation of concrete footers or other
foundation types which will eventually anchor supports. Precision surveying is used throughout the construction process,
first to ensure that every footer is placed exactly where it should be, then later on to verify that all of the supports and track
sections are placed correctly. Due to the precision of the work, the crew can begin construction wherever desired, or
begin construction on multiple sections of track concurrently then connect them later on without concern over whether the
track will fit. Round or square forms are placed in the footing holes next, concrete is poured, and in the case of wooden
coasters, a long, wide trench is dug and rebar placed along the layout to accommodate the complex support structure.
Before it dries, the anchor bolts or strips of metal that the supports will connect to are inserted in the concrete.
For steel coasters, work would have begun well before this point in time, likely hundreds of miles away, to
prefabricate the components of the ride and its structure, from the steel columns for the supports, to the track. Curves are
bent and sections are measured to a high grade of accuracy so that everything will fit into place as well as possible at the
construction site. Once the structure is complete and painted, divided into sections of usually thirty feet or less, it is sent
to the destination park to be assembled when needed. Usually track will be temporarily placed in a parking lot, empty
field, or another backlot area, then trucked to the actual construction site when the time comes. As soon as track or
supports have arrived at the park, roller coaster experts will have little trouble predicting what type of a new ride is in the
works based on the design of the parts, unless, of course, the new ride is far removed from anything previously seen.
With footers placed and concrete dried, the next step is the vertical construction. The excitement over a new
attraction in the community of coaster lovers really begins when the first eye-catching supports begin to rise to their
publically unknown heights. As each support is lifted over the footer, construction workers fit its holes over the projecting
bolts and secure nuts over it. The most common support types for steel coasters are single columns and A-frame tubes,
but on taller rides, more complex supports will usually be used, such as square support towers. For wooden coasters,
bents are assembled, which are sections of several support beams that are connected together and then raised atop
previously erected sections. As the supports rise higher for a large steel coaster’s superstructure, construction workers
will sit atop the structure or be lifted to await the crane’s next load. They will then guide the next segment into place as it
hangs from the cables and initially bolt it into place. Afterwards, a final tightening or welding completes the process.
Even at this point in time, many parks will still keep the nature of their new ride under wraps, waiting to confirm it
in an official announcement once most of the details are finalized with the designer and an target opening date
determined. Amusement parks have mastered the art of secrecy to build up anticipation and so that competition will be
kept not knowing exactly what they’ll be up against next season. But once the press release is finally out, parks may
invite select groups of coaster enthusiasts on a hard hat tour to explore the progress on the future attraction. At this time,
the park may begin the first commercial promotion of the new ride with teasers of the excitement to come.
After the first supports are standing, the track may begin to go up. Normally, the first track to rise will be for the
final brake run, station, and transfer and storage tracks, so that the majority of the electrical and surrounding structural
work in these areas can be installed soon after. For any traditional steel coaster, a lift hill’s installation entails the placing
of the track, parallel catwalks, the lift chain itself, and the drive motor. When the highest piece of track is raised into place
for the traditional topping ceremony, a flag will adorn the crown piece, or even a Christmas tree if the ceremony occurs in
the midst of winter. Contrastingly, a wooden coaster’s track is typically put together board by board in eight layers, then
capped off with strips of steel for the wheels to ride on. A ceremony may also take place when the final segment of track
is completed, marking the end of the major construction work.
While the station building is still rising and storage buildings for trains being completed, testing of the various ride
systems, from the electrical system, to the computer system, to the braking system, will eliminate possible glitches before
the testing of the actual trains begins. When the trains finally arrive, they are lifted onto the storage tracks where they can
be conveniently switched over to the main track circuit as necessary. Once the track is clear for the first train to run the
course, often times it will be taken on a pull-through during which a crane will slowly guide the train through every inch of
the layout . This testing procedure is used to ensure that there are no problems with the track or any clearances, and that
all supports are out of reach to riders. Next, the full-speed tests will begin, and trains will be loaded with sand bags or
water-filled containers to simulate the weight of riders.
A computer-monitored test dummy equipped with sensors may also be used to generate readings on the g-forces
experienced before any live riders are given the chance to experience the coaster. When the moment of truth does arrive,
park officials, ride designers, and construction workers who made the ride possible will often have the privilege of the first
ride. As the opening day nears, the queue line, queue shelters, nearby pathways, and surrounding scenery, theming, and
fixtures will be completed. Meanwhile, the ride’s team of operators and attendants will be trained, sometimes by the
designers themselves. In the weeks leading up to the first public rides, the seats on the first ride will often be auctioned
off for charity.
Once the state has inspected the coaster and issued a permit clearing it for operation, a little-publicized soft
opening may be held for trial runs with guests while any special effects and special operating procedures are fine-tuned.
Usually, a media day is held to introduce the new thrill-inducing experience to members of various media, and these days
may coincide with the grand opening or occur before the ride is unveiled to the general public. The inaugural ride is
taken, and celebrities may be invited to attend. Finally, the word is out, and the new coaster is officially open as the park’s
newest landmark. Throughout the year, the park will promote their exciting new attraction and attendance will almost
always increase with a new draw like a major roller coaster. The one problem during this time is controlling crowds and
operating the ride efficiently while trying to avoid major downtime that may come with an experimental ride system.
The bringing to life of a new concept from design, to construction, to testing is a fascinating process that requires
a variety of talents and lines of work along the way. The amazing new creations that rise year after year are a testament
to the commitment of amusement parks and ride designers to build their attractions bigger and better with time. Roller
coasters continue to improve over time, and the brilliant minds behind them will continue thinking up new ways to excite
as long as the demand is intact.
Commitment to Safety:
Relentless Effort to Keep Thrills Rideable
It all starts at 6:00 in the morning for ride inspectors as they walk the impossibly twisted steel tracks hundreds of feet in
the air, strapped to safety cables. For each park’s fleet of ride operators, the job begins well before the first thrill-seekers
of the day eagerly hop into their seats. Some may not even think about the years of daily efforts to ensure safety, but the
maintaining of safety during potentially deadly speeds and potentially deadly heights is a responsibility shared by many. It
takes a lot to ensure that no rider should ever have to worry about his or her safety while strapped into a ride; from ride
designers, to inspectors, to mechanics, to operators, to security, to riders themselves, it’s a weighty job to ensure that all
thrill-seekers have the time of their lives, not the end of their lives.
Daily work includes inspecting every inch of the track for cracks as small as hairline-sized, or any movement of
the ride from the track, down to the supports, to the footings that they rest on. The ride’s computer systems must also be
checked since this is what a number of the safety systems rely on. Trains are inspected and storehouses usually kept
stocked with necessary parts to make replacements to any given component of the ride. In the off-season, parks will take
the vehicles off the track and completely disassemble their components, then rebuild them before the start of the next
season. It may be a considerable effort, but parks find dismantling down to the framework necessary so that every area
can be x-rayed and inspected to check for excessive wear and tear.
During the season, monitoring the safety, health, and enjoyment of guests is a job that ride operators carry out
before a thrill-seeker even steps in line. Height attendants enforce restrictions set in place by every park or ride designer
to ensure that guests are the correct size to fit restraints. If riders are too short or small, they may be able to slip from
their restraints during the ride. If riders are too heavy, the restraints may not be adequate to hold them. If riders are too
tall, they may brush their hands or feet on supports at high speeds. While in the queue, line monitors enforce policies
prohibiting smoking, line cutting, sitting on handrails, but most importantly of all, keeping guests out of restricted areas and
away from the ride while in motion.
Before a ride is even built, extensive safety is designed into every inch of the creation with the knowledge that
millions of riders’ lives will be riding on the engineering for an indefinite time frame. It may be hard to comprehend a 400foot-tall, 100-mile-per-hour roller coaster being as safe as it is while it sends a trainload of screaming riders through the
air, but after just a quick glance at all of the safety systems that have been developed over the past hundred years, it all
becomes intelligible. Statistically, just driving down the road on the way to the park is far more dangerous than anything
you experience inside the gates. At the amusement park, your life is in the hands of professionals and years of design
behind failsafe ride systems.
One of the most common questions that anyone unfamiliar with rides will ask is, “How do they know that the train
will stay on the track?” This isn’t any suped-up railroad; this is a unique design of its own, developed since the 1910’s to
be one of the most failsafe forms of transportation possible at high speeds. While the first coasters were nothing more
than wheeled cars on a track with guide planks to prevent them from crashing off the side, it’s an entirely different story
today. The modern coaster design employs an ingenious six-wheeled setup so that the track is surrounded by rows of
three wheels on each rail covering the top, side, and bottom in order to render a derailment impossible.
Along with the basics of today’s coaster design, computer systems continuously monitor a ride’s safety systems
from the moment the key is turned to begin its operation. From ensuring that two trains never collide, to verifying that
restraints are locked the entire ride, the technical aspect is ever-present. The mechanical systems that have existed since
the days long before computers also do their part to make rides failsafe. Ride mechanisms help to make unwelcome
situations physically impossible such as a train rolling backwards on the lift hill when not designed to do so, or a collision
of two trains at high speeds. The systems designed into today’s thrill-rides are in place so that accidents are logically
nearly unthinkable.
However, the human touch is and always will be a requisite for all rides that have ever existed and will ever exist.
Where the computers leave off, the ride operators and attendants take over. As soon as a guest steps into his or her
seat, a ride attendant must verify that each individual properly fits into the seats with the restraints secured. Even if a seat
is left empty, protocol requires that the restraint must still be secured in order for the ride to be dispatched. Along with
inspecting the restraints for fixedness, ride attendants also check for any loose objects belonging to riders that may
become hazardous projectiles at high speeds or get caught in some part of the ride. Once each attendant and operator
has verified that everything is clear, they must each hold down on a button in agreement to send the train on its way along
with using hand signals.
So that no two ride vehicles can ever collide and cause injuries, ride layouts are separated into zones. Only one
vehicle is allowed in a single zone at a time. Brakes separate each zone, and to increase capacity, some rides use midcourse block brake sections so that multiple vehicles may run at one time, but if one stalls for some reason during its
zone, the block brakes behind will remain locked off so that the train behind will stay out of the zone with the problematic
vehicle, thus preventing a collision. All brakes are automatically in the “on” position, and must require power to let a
vehicle through. Therefore, during a power outage all vehicles will be stopped in their own zones rather than colliding.
In the event of a power outage or a lift chain or cable snapping on a full-circuit ride, trains are armed with antirollback dogs, small devices on the bottom of cars that follow a ratchet up the side of the lift hill and will fall into place to
stop the train in its tracks before a rollback can occur. While many attribute the common sound on a lift hill to the chain
itself, it’s actually the result of the anti-rollback system. On launched rides, on the other hand, brakes lining or directly
behind the launch strip will catch the train after an unsuccessful launch before it has time to reach the station or first turn.
Brakes are also a vital system for freefall tower rides, as all that separates riders from the ground during a 70-mile per
hour fall is the braking system. But rest assured, permanent magnetic brakes will slow the vehicle to a cushioned stop
each and every time.
Redundant safety sensors are included on the vehicles and along the path of rides to detect anything resembling
a malfunction. If the system senses that a restraint has become unlocked, it will stop the vehicle wherever possible, and
the sensors along the track note the vehicle’s location as it passes. On rides where the vehicle passes through the station
at high speeds, sensors on the air gates separating future riders from the track will automatically bring the coaster to a
stop if a guest tries to push through. While ride breakdowns occur from time to time and may be inconvenient to guests
waiting in line, these are usually due to any one of many potential problems that the sensors may detect, or a problem
with a sensor itself. In the event of any unknown problem, the entire ride will be shut down until the exact cause is
determined and repaired, which will occur more often on newer, more complex rides, especially prototypes.
After mechanics or technicians have targeted and eliminated a problem, each vehicle will be tested without riders
so that if the test is unsuccessful, passengers won’t experience any discomfort or have to be led off the ride. When a ride
does cease operating while loaded with passengers, usually it will occur within an area designed to handle such problems
through being equipped with catwalks and stairs to the ground, or even an elevator system if located at a considerable
height. However, in rare cases a ride will break down on an elevated portion of track without easy access, in which case
park employees or rescue personnel will use rescue equipment to evacuate riders. Although such instances usually
receive media coverage due to their rarity and location, riders are in no danger and in the hands of trained professionals.
When all is said and done, parks generally do all that they can to make accidents and injuries impossible, but the
responsibility of safety must also fall on guests as well. A considerable number of ride-related deaths that have befallen
amusement park guests over the past decade can be traced back to noncompliance with clearly stated rules and common
sense. Standing up on a sit-down coaster, wiggling free of restraints for “more excitement,” reaching arms out of the car
while in motion, and ignoring health warning signs are familiar scenarios leading to thrill ride tragedies. A shared
responsibility falls on the shoulders of guests to report negligence on the part of any guest or park employee alike
immediately. And if aware of any potential problem or malfunction with any part of a ride, not reporting such a problem is
also a dangerous form of negligence.
Where to Go From Here:
Following the Patterns Through Time
In 1978, the tallest and fastest roller coaster was an unfathomable 125 feet and sixty miles an hour. Over two and a half
decades later, statistics like those earn nothing but yawns. Today, we press on from over forty-five stories and 128 miles
an hour. We press on because whenever something more impressive than the last ride emerges, people take notice.
The claim to a tallest, fastest, or longest-dropping ride will send ride lovers from around the world packing their travel gear
and setting their sights on the newest behemoth. Since the battle over records on modern rides took off in the seventies,
every several years marks the introduction of a new ride to dominate all.
30 Years of record-breakers
1978 – Gemini – Cedar Point, Sandusky, OH, USA – 125’, 60 m.p.h.
1978 – Colossus – Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia, CA, USA – 125’, 62 m.p.h.
1978 – Loch Ness Monster – Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Williamsburg, VA, USA – 130’
1979 – Beast – Paramount’s Kings Island, Kings Mills, OH, USA – 141’, 65 m.p.h.
1989 – Great American Scream Machine – Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, NJ, USA – 173’
1989 – Magnum XL-200 – Cedar Point, Sandusky, OH, USA – 205’, 72 m.p.h.
1991 – Steel Phantom – Kennywood, West Mifflin, PA, USA – 225’, 80 m.p.h.
1994 – Fujiyama – Fujikyu Highlands, Fujiyama, Japan – 259’
2000 – Goliath – Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia, CA, USA – 85 m.p.h.
2000 – Millennium Force – Cedar Point, Sandusky, OH, USA – 311’, 93 m.p.h.
2000 – Steel Dragon 2000 – Nagashima SpaLand, Nagashima, Japan – 318’, 95 m.p.h.
2001 – Dodonpa – Fujikyu Highlands, Fujiyama, Japan – 107 m.p.h.
2003 – Top Thrill Dragster – Cedar Point, Sandusky, OH, USA – 420’, 120 m.p.h.
2005 – Kingda Ka – Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, NJ, USA – 456’, 128 m.p.h.
Taking a look back in time raises questions about the future. Is it possible that we’ll see another year like 1978 or
2000, where world records were raised three times in just a matter of months? And will Cedar Point, the park that first
brought us the 200-foot mega-coaster, the 300-foot giga-coaster, and the 400-foot tera-coaster (also known as the “stratacoaster”), reclaim the records again with the world’s first 500-footer? While another year with multiple records in a matter
of months becomes increasingly unlikely due to the increasing costs as coasters rise higher, both rumors and history
indicate that Cedar Point is looking to get their hands back on the world record. When could this happen? The way
things are looking, possibly as early as 2007. But the traditional roller coaster isn’t the only way to reach new heights in
the world of thrill-rides these days.
Other types of thrill-rides have also seen constant growth since their introduction, such as freefall tower rides.
This breed of vertical thrill-rides delivering unhindered vertical freefall originated with Intamin’s First Generation Freefall
machines, the first of which was built at Six Flags Magic Mountain and Six Flags over Texas in 1982. These rides would
lift passengers inside of a tower before transferring onto a coaster-like track to drop vertically and slide back down, ending
with rides on their backs. In 199 4, Walt Disney World brought their own version of freefall onto the scene with Twilight
Zone Tower of Terror at MGM Studios. This ride operated much like an elevator, except with freefall included. But it
wasn’t until the next year that the freefall ride craze was really kicked off by the first of Intamin’s Giant Drop towers,
Hellevator at Kentucky Kingdom (now Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom). For the first time, thrill-seekers rode in cars on the
exterior of a central tower to provide an unimpeded view as they were lifted over fifteen stories in the air and fell straight
back down to the ground before a magnetic stop.
The vertical tower rides were taken to the next level of extreme by a man named Stan Checketts in 1995, who
experimented with compressed air to launch a car both up and down the sides of his tower. In just three years, his
company S&S Power was installing complexes of up to four towers reaching over 300 feet into the sky. Intamin’s towers
continued to grow as well, with 1998 marking the debut of the 390-foot-tall Giant Drop at Australia’s Dream World, using
the support column of a coaster for the freefall tower itself. And while the Australian ride’s heights have still gone
unbeaten, the Intamin tower has continued to progress and inspire other companies to build similar, though smaller rides.
Intamin’s Gyro-Drop hit the market in 1999, putting a twist on the tower by sending a ring of riders rotating 360 degrees
around the tower as it ascends. Then, Apocalypse at the UK’s Drayton Manor added stand-up cars and a forward tilt at
the top to the already intense Giant Drop.
But up isn’t the only place that the future will take us. Taking a look back in time tells us that creativity alone is
one of the most major ingredients for successful new thrill rides rather than records. There have been a number of
significant coasters over just the last several decades that have pushed the limits of imagination instead of just height or
speed. A park may receive international attention for having the world’s largest roller coaster, but another method for
getting in the spotlight is by introducing a coaster on which one or more aspect of the design was completely new to the
world.
30 Years of innovations
1975 – Corkscrew – Knott’s Berry Farm, Buena Park, CA, USA – Steel Looping
1977 – Greased Lightning – Paramount’s Great America, Santa Clara, CA, USA
King Kobra – Paramount’s Kings Dominion, Doswell, VA, USA
White Lightning – Paramount’s Carowinds, Charlotte, NC, USA – Flywheel-Launched, Shuttle-Looping
1978 – Lightnin’ Loops – Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, NJ, USA – Dueling
1981 – Bat – Paramount’s Kings Island, Kings Mills, OH, USA – Suspended
1983 – Extreme Roller – Worlds of Fun, Kansas City, MO, USA – Stand-Up
1992 – Batman: the Ride – Six Flags Great America, Gurnee, IL, USA – Inverted
1996 – Flight of Fear – Paramount’s Kings Dominion, Doswell, VA, USA
Flight of Fear – Paramount’s Kings Island, Kings Mills, OH, USA – Linear-Induction-Motor-Launched
1999 – Medusa – Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, NJ, USA – Floorless
2000 – Son of Beast – Paramount’s Kings Island, Kings Mills, OH, USA – Wooden Looping
2000 – Stealth – Paramount’s Great America, Santa Clara, CA, USA – Flying
2001 – X – Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia, CA, USA – Fourth-Dimensional
2001 – HyperSonic XLC – Paramount’s Kings Dominion, Doswell, VA, USA – Pneumatically-Launched
2002 – Xcelerator – Knott’s Berry Farm, Buena Park, CA, USA – Hydraulically-Launched
Since the steel tubular track’s introduction in 1959 and the first steel looping coaster sixteen years later, simple
sit-down loopers have given way to a variety of new takes on the roller coaster. From seating arrangements, to track
elements, to new propulsion techniques, designers experiment with all types of variation on tradition. And when one new
idea comes about, it’s bound to inspire more innovations. When Knott’s Berry Farm’s Arrow Dynamics Corkscrew hit the
scene in 1975, it would only be a matter of months before other designers rolled out their own versions of the steel looper.
Anton Schwarzkopf of Germany introduced Great American Revolution (now Revolution) at Magic Mountain (now Six
Flags Magic Mountain) the next year, which was followed by the next version of Corkscrew coasters at Cedar Point and
Valleyfair.
And when Schwarzkopf introduced the shuttle-looping coaster in 1977, it was Arrow that proceeded to unveil their
own version the year after. Then, the suspended swinging coaster became the new rage in the 1980s. Early versions of
this coaster traced back to Bisby’s Spiral Airship at Long Beach, California’s Queen’s Park, and with the invention of the
steel tubular system came a renewed interest in traveling beneath the track. The original prototype Alpenflug in 1975 was
erected at Germany’s Oktoberfest, but fell short of safety standards and was permanently closed after just days in
operation. That ride then led to Arrow’s Bat at Kings Island (now Paramount’s Kings Island), an ambitious 2,456-foot,
dual-lift-hill coaster. However, the new coaster failed due to copious unsoluble problems with the mechanics and
unbanked track design. Schwarzkopf, at the same time, was planning on introducing his own version at Busch Gardens
Williamsburg. But when his company went bankrupt, Arrow took on the project and came through with a successful
suspended coaster, Big Bad Wolf, in 1984, and XLR-8 the same year at Six Flags AstroWorld in Houston, Texas.
The other undertaking for designers in the 1980s was the stand-up coaster, first experimented with by Arrow by
simply replacing the trains on two sit-down coasters. Scream Roller at Worlds of Fun and River King Mine Train at Six
Flags St. Louis and were both given the stand-up treatment and marketed as new experiences. Worlds of Fun’s ride
became Extreme Roller in 1983 and the St. Louis coaster was converted into Rail Blazer the next year. Yet again, the
new invention died off temporarily when both rides were converted back to traditional sit-down trains in 1984 resulting
from problems with the initial design and a tragic death on Rail Blazer. Again, another company picked up the concept,
this time turning it into a success. Togo of Japan came to America to construct King Cobra, which would become the first
coaster designed from the beginning with stand-up trains. Kings Island was also the park to introduce this coaster, and
enjoyed its success.
When the new decade rolled around, a new era of coaster innovations was rolled out with it. The two new players
in the coaster business emerged: the Schwarzkopf-inspired Intamin and their former apprentices Bolliger and Mabillard
(B&M). After introducing their own stand-up coaster, the duo proceeded to make their most valuable contribution to the
ride trade: the inverted coaster. Using simplistic cars firmly mounted to bottom of the track, unlike the suspended
swingers with car floors and sides, B&M took their riders through daring inversions never seen before and provided a ride
smoother than ever before with a perfected track type, and acrobatics and inversions never before attempted. Batman:
the Ride at Six Flags Great America was the first attempt, and a complete success that would ignite a new craze.
Four years later, it was the coaster’s propulsion technique rather than the track and seating configuration that was
drawing rave reviews and attention. Premier Rides came on the scene by introducing the Outer Limits: Flight of Fear
(now Flight of Fear) coasters at Paramount’s Kings Dominion and Paramount’s Kings Island. These rides used
electromagnets known as Linear Induction Motors to blast the trains off at acceleration previously impossible. In the next
five years, new technologies on S&S Power’s first two coaster, HyperSonic XLC: Xtreme Launch Coaster also at
Paramount’s Kings Dominion and Dodonpa at Fujikyu Highlands in Japan would make acceleration possible at four and a
half times the rate found on the Flight of Fear rides by utilizing compressed air. However, it would be Intamin’s hydraulics
that would launch the world’s largest and fastest coasters two years afterwards.
The experimentation with new types of seating and arrangements in relation to the track’s position were the
concern with several other new coaster types seen throughout the turn of the millennium. Bolliger and Mabillard crossed
the inverted coaster’s floorless trains with the above-track sit-down coaster in the invention of the floorless coaster with
Medusa at Six Flags Great Adventure in 1999. After sit-down and stand-up trains, there was still one more position to try:
lay-down. The first coaster to experiment with this was the smaller coaster SkyTrak at Manchester, England‘s Granada
Studios in 1997, but the world truly took notice in 2000 when Stealth at Paramount’s Great America brought the prone
position to a major coaster featuring all of the thrill elements ever dreamed possible to send riders soaring beneath the
track in superhero position.
In the midst of the new seating types never dreamt possible, a failed hundred-year-old idea was revived
successfully with modern engineering and construction methods. The vertical loop was once more included on a wooden
coaster when Son of Beast opened at Paramount’s Kings Island, opening up a new realm of possibilities for older
counterpart to the modern steel coasters. Thrill-seekers wondered how more extreme the coasters could become. Then,
there was X. The simplicity of this coaster’s name couldn’t be further from the nature of the ride, a complex system
revolutionizing the modern coaster with an abundance of new technology. Not only did riders sit on the exterior of the
track for the first time, but they also experienced complete vertical rotation of the seats timed to coincide with extreme
track elements such as half-loops, half-rolls, and a vertical first drop. Using this “fourth-dimensional” coaster design
created by Arrow Dynamics, the pioneer of the modern steel coaster, the possibilities for a ride are truly endless.
While the companies played around with perfecting each other’s concept, hybrid rides have also been seen on a
regular basis in the amusement park industry, combining several innovations into one unique ride. In 1998, Journey to
Atlantis combined the water ride and roller coaster; the same year, Volcano: the Blast Coaster from Intamin opened at
Paramount’s Kings Dominion, combining the inverted coaster with the Linear Induction Motor launch system and opening
up a new world of possibilities for both inverted coasters and launched coasters. Later that year, Intamin introduced their
inverted, launched, shuttle-coaster or “Impulse” coaster with Linear Gale at LaQua in Japan which brought all three
appeals together into one entity. Three years later, a hybrid design was seen on a freefall tower when Acrophobia at Six
Flags over Georgia opened, using a stand-up floorless vehicle design for the first time.
Now, several years into the new millennium, fans wonder where the roller coaster will be going in the future. Up,
most definitely, but where else? Will we be seeing the first magnetically levitated coaster trains in the future? Will we
ever see an inverted wooden coaster? Will roller coasters be used as transportation one day? All that we know for
certain is that a millennium of new possibilities awaits; an infinitude of new dreams, concepts, and future realities
promising that, as long as the masses of thrill-seekers are willing to ride, the amusement parks and designers are willing
to take the thrill ride to new extremes.
Coasting on Enthusiasm:
An Obsession with Extreme Rides
For some, exploring the world of extreme scream machines means more than just the occasional weekend at the local
theme park. As rides have grown more impressive with time, a community of thrill ride fanatics has grown into a network
of tens of thousands living in all parts of the world on a mission to ride as many rides, visit as many parks, and know as
much about the subject matter as humanly possible. It all stems from the common enjoyment that most visit amusement
park guests seek out, only these people take things a step further, making thrill rides and thrill parks a part of daily life.
They proudly display their favorite ride logos on their apparel, join together in international clubs, and may listen to the
latest coaster news more than they watch the local news station. These aren’t just casual amusement park lovers; this is
a select group known as coaster enthusiasts.
They‘re difficult to spot if not for the ride logos on their clothes, coming in all ages and from all backgrounds. But
when the casual conversation centers around hydraulically-launched Intamin AG Rocket Coasters with overbanks and
270-degree vertical heartlines, you can rest assured that you’re probably in the company of coaster enthusiasts. It isn’t
rocket science; it’s the latest thrill ride jargon. While some terms such as “airtime” have become more widely recognized,
the coaster culture is constantly complexifying continually with the new types of thrill rides. Instantaneous information
sharing with the aid of modern technology has made it possible for an entire virtual world of amusement parks and thrill
rides to exist parallel to the reality of the tangible experience that anyone can interact with for a day through a ticket or
season pass.
Some ride enthusiasts may keep their interest to themselves, but others are proud to share it with the world every
day. Through related web sites, enthusiasts rave about their favorites and complain about their least favorites, share
updates, and speculate and dream about future rides. They can also share their own park photography and movies, and
discuss the latest with other enthusiasts through message boards. “I think the internet can be a useful tool for research
and discussion on theme parks,” said enthusiast Matt Meckley. “I have met different people and have gotten into some
great discussions on coasters, parks, and rumors regarding their futures. I love coming online and reading up on what
parks have planned each season to bring their guests.” Fellow enthusiast Chris Sterner agrees. “The internet allows
enthusiasts to join together to discuss their hopes for parks, share ideas, and talk to others about their addiction to thrills,”
he says.
The world wide web is also a powerful marketing tool for the amusement parks to reach their enthusiast audience,
especially the latest generations. And when it isn’t the park itself providing regular or live updates on construction of a
new ride through web cams, pictures, or blogs, the enthusiasts themselves will likely document every step of the process
before and after it becomes apparent that a major new ride is on the way. Much of the hype for new attractions can be
generated by online discussion and speculation involving an amusement park’s next major move, since the planning of
future attractions is such a closely guarded secret. “I think enthusiasts are anxious to learn about how the business is
managed, but unfortunately, sometimes that information is inaccessible,” says Cedar Point’s Tony Clark. “Our most
frequently asked question? ‘What’s the new ride for next year?’ We quickly answer, ‘I’m sorry. We haven’t released our
capital expenditures for next season.”
But how do the parks themselves view the coaster enthusiast community and the deluge of input that these
devoted fans put forth? President and general manager of Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari Will Koch notes that the
amusement industry can learn from the opinions of enthusiasts. “We truly value our friendships and relationships with our
enthusiast friends,” he says. “We’ve learned a lot from them over the years. As with any guest, not every suggestion is
acted on, but there have been many good ideas that we have used one way or another.” Koch then adds, “We are
energized by their love of the industry and park.” And when it comes to enthusiast favorites like Holiday World and Ohio’s
Cedar Point, the fans don’t hesitate to voice their opinions. Clark is in agreement with Koch on the value of enthusiasts to
the business. “Amusement parks can learn a lot from enthusiasts,” he says. “They are, after all, our ‘biggest fans’ and
they provide great feedback on our performance…. [They] are definitely are toughest critics. They pay attention to every
detail about parks and attractions.”
Along with providing opinions on park operation, the enthusiasts are, in fact, their most dedicated patrons, likely to
generate far more visits than a casual guest during the season and throughout their lifetimes. Fans also help to advertise
by spreading news on the parks’ latest and greatest attractions by word of mouth. An amusement park can only advertise
so much, making word of mouth one of the most powerful marketing tools. In example, until recent years Cedar Point has
only focused advertising on the areas lying within a 250-mile radius of the park. Yet, the park has gained worldwide
recognition for decades due to its reputation of amazing rides, even long before the internet became a commonality. For
this reason, many parks will take measures to offer their fans perks and special events, and continually support the
enthusiast community as a whole by hosting regular events for their organizations and clubs.
These enthusiasts don’t just ride and talk about their favorites; they have also been known to take action in the
past when necessary, promoting their causes of saving historic thrill rides. Back when the historic Giant Dipper at
California’s Belmont Park was in danger of going the way of the dinosaur, enthusiasts united to give the park a helping
hand and financial help in restoring the important historical landmark to the ride it once was. And while most won’t go on
to maintain, build, or design coasters for a living, a few have successfully constructed rideable coasters in their back yards
and built detailed models of the most familiar scream machines to them. And in the age of computers, dreaming up a new
scream machine and working out a design to virtually ride in 3-D is only as far away as the nearest computer. Using one
of the many coaster simulations in existence like No Limits, coaster lovers can hand-design a realistic coaster, choosing
from dozens of ride types. They can also build complete 3-D worlds around the track to either recreate an existing ride
down to the smallest details or design new innovative coasters for other enthusiasts around the world to ride with them.
So what exactly are the qualities that enthusiasts seek out, and what makes the ultimate ride in their eyes? They
note that it all depends on the type of ride. “A quality of a ride depends on the type of the ride,” Sterner believes. “On a
recent trip to Paramount’s Kings Island, I got to experience Italian Job Stunt Track, which is a good ride due to fun tight
turns, good airtime, and interesting effects. For a smaller, compact coaster, this one is actually pretty good. However, a
larger ride like Magnum XL-200 at Cedar Point needs no story or effects; it relies purely on good coaster fun.” But when
all is said and done, how did it all start for these enthusiasts? Where does such a crazy life-long hobby take off? Sterner,
now with over 100 coasters under his belt, remembers the ride that got him hooked: his first trip onboard Grizzly at
Paramount’s Kings Dominion. “Up the lift hill, I got that scared feeling that every first rider has of ‘Why am I doing this?’….
It was between this point and the bottom of the hill where I found my enthusiasm. There’s not a happier place in the world
than at the bottom of a drop.”
When it comes to the first ride that many might hesitate to take, enthusiasts have the same general advice. “Go
for it!,” says Meckley . “Once you get down that first drop or through that first loop, you’ll feel like you accomplished
something.” Current coaster lovers point out that all it takes is one good ride to hook someone for life. Occasionally
negative experiences will discourage future rides for years, yet a single enjoyable experience can translate into a life-long
quest for thrills. “To anyone considering riding a major coaster for the first time,” Sterner says, “I have the same advice as
everyone else: do it. Whenever you think that you can’t do it, stop, take a deep breath, and keep on going. Once you’ve
gone down the first drop, there’s nothing anybody can do to stop gravity, but I guarantee that, at the end of the ride, you
will have enjoyed yourself.”
Advice from the Inside:
Get the Most Thrill for Your Dollar
When it comes to looking for advice on how to get the most out of your day at the park, there’s no better place to turn than
the seasoned park-goers who make a point of visiting as many parks as many times as possible each season. Whether
you’re a casual or obsessed park-goer, collaborating with park locals on enjoying your day at their home park is always a
step in the right direction to getting your full money’s worth. That’s exactly what we’ve done for our top fifty amusement
parks in gathering tips on when to visit, how to visit, and how to go about your visit throughout your day. Yet there are still
several more general tips that the enthusiasts have to offer that apply to most parks in general from how to save the most
money on your admission to tips on how to ride the coasters comfortably.
Considering going back to the park you’re visiting later on in the season or spending several days when you do
go? While the large majority of visitors simply purchase single-day admission for the full price, season passes are often
worth the cost even if you only plan to spend several days at the park. Along with paying for themselves after two or three
visits, the season passes have also begun to contain a number of other perks varying from park to park. Some of those
benefits include early admission before the crowds have their chance to invade the turnstiles, special pass-holder-only
days, and perhaps most valuable of all, unlimited admission to all other parks in a chain for the entire season. If you plan
on traveling, this perk will come in handy being that a chain such as Six Flags for example has fourteen larger parks
located throughout major metropolitan areas in North America.
If you only plan on spending a day or two at the park, however, you will usually find special deals on soda cans, at
local grocery stores, drug stores, or movie rental stores, and those locations may even sell discounted tickets. Always
check a park’s official web site for special online-only bargains on ticket purchases. In many cases, the best deals will
only be valid on weekdays or the less crowded times of the year such as the beginning and end of the operating season.
If you want to avoid the crowds, knowing what hours of the day, days of the week, and times of the year to hit up the park
can be extremely beneficial. One myth is that all holidays are extremely busy days, yet usually that only applies to
holidays such as Independence Day and Halloween. In contrast, holidays such as Memorial Day, Mother’s Day, and
Father’s Day can be some of the less crowded times to visit. Also, keep in mind that storms scare the crowds away; if you
sacrifice the ideal sunny day for overcast weather, you may be in the minority, and if you visit soon after a storm rolls
through, enjoy light crowds the rest of the day.
Once you’ve found the best deal on tickets and have made it inside the gates, the real test begins: the test of
knowing how to conquer the park in a manner so that you enjoy every minute of the day. First of all, you may want to map
out a good strategy for the order in which you wait or don’t wait for the major attractions, a strategy that will likely include
getting in line for the most popular and lowest-capacity rides before the crowds, either just as the park opens or as the
crowds begin filing out in the evening. If the coaster only has one train running or that train only holds several riders at a
time and runs the track every few minutes, you will want to find any legal means of avoiding a several-hour wait unless
standing in the queue that long is absolutely necessary. Several parks now offer line reservation systems to eliminate
waiting in line altogether, where machine at the queue entrances provide guests with tickets displaying a time to return
and skip to the front of the line. At Disney parks, this service is offered free to all guests while tickets last.
So you’ve made it through the line and you’ve made it into the station for the coaster that you’ve been dying to
ride for years. Now what? With a good number of rides, knowing where to sit can be the difference between a backache
or headache and a ride of your life. Usually, sitting at the very front of the train, the front row of any one of the cars, or
any seat in the front third of the train is the sure-fire way to experience the smoothest ride possible. However, if the ride is
well-engineered to ride smoothly anywhere on the train, heading all the way to the back of the train will provide you with a
ride containing physics that can be far more intense and more enjoyable than other rows as you’re whipped over the hills
and around the turns for added forces. Yet some rides are highly visual experiences where riding in the front row is the
only way to get the maximum effect, and waiting a few extra minutes for the front may be worth it.
However, experiencing the best ride possible doesn’t end with picking which air gate you’ll walk through to board.
Knowing how to ride is also a very important part of the equation that goes into the ultimate experience. If the ride utilizes
over-the-shoulder restraints, especially restraints lacking adequate padding, you may need to work towards getting a
comfortable ride. First, notice where the top of the over-the-shoulder restraints come down over riders. If you’re taller
than average, the restraints may push into your shoulders and rub up against them, making for soreness afterwards. To
deal with this problem, sit several inches forward in the seat and lean slightly back, thus creating added room between the
top of the restraint and your shoulders.
As the ride flips and spins you through the layout, you may have to practice defensive riding in which you brace
yourself in one position forcefully in which your head or back are unable to hit against the restraint, head rest, or back of
the seat. In some cases, you will need to hold your head forward away from the headrest, and in others you may find that
you need to keep it back or to the side to avoid headbanging better. However, in some rare cases, headbanging will be
completely unavoidable. If you see a ride color-coded red in our listing, you will have to defensively ride in most cases,
and even with many rides given the yellow status and some green rides we have noted that you will need to practice the
act of bracing yourself to fully enjoy your experience.
During the heat of the summer, make sure that you take precautions to avoid dehydration and sunburn throughout
your day at the park. Note the locations of water fountains, cooling areas with misting devices, restaurants, and airconditioned buildings as these places may soon become popular hangouts. You may want to stop at restaurants
throughout the day for a free cup of ice water, and look into deals on free refills for other drinks. At some parks, namely
Indiana’s Holiday World, you will even find perks such as free sodas all day, no charge whatsoever aside from admission.
While most parks take steps towards comfort in the heat with shaded waiting areas and large fans, a few still remain that
unfortunately haven’t. And of course, what better method of cooling off can you find than water rides? For that reason,
we have included all water rides at the featured parks in our listings.
Being the discerning guest is your key to being the fully satisfied guest at the day’s end. The goal of every park is
to leave you and every member of your party fulfilled for the moment but eager to come back and experience another
unforgettable day once more. A truly great park is one that you will be compelled to visit over and over again, year after
year as it continually grows better with each season. You, as the guest, should always feel welcome by the park’s
turnstiles and experience the culmination of efforts on the part of thousands to make your amusement park experience
memorable in every aspect.
Adventureland – Altoona (Des Moines), Iowa
Summary and TipsFor the past thirty-two years, Adventureland has been bringing the major amusement park experience to the state of Iowa
almost exclusively and today stands as the largest thrill park for a nearly-200-mile radius. Conveniently located roughly
five minutes from Des Moines, Adventureland may rank among the smaller of North America’s major theme parks, but the
regional destination has garnered a noteworthy assemblage of rides over the years. The must-ride coaster is the classic
wood-tracked Tornado, and two other major coasters also rampage within the gates: the twisting, wooden Outlaw; and the
simplistic, steel-tracked looper Dragon. Don’t approach the park expecting a theme park experience, because the
theming generally lacks aside from several rides such as the Underground enclosed junior coaster, the flat ride
Sidewinder, and the Saw Mill Splash water ride. Expect high standards when it comes to staff, as Adventureland boasts
an excellent collection of experienced employees and exceptional guest services. If your desire is to have the park largely
to yourself without renting it out, plan your visit to coincide with the Iowa vs. Iowa State football game late in the season.
Otherwise, try to make your way directly to the back where the major coasters reside to avoid what crowds you will find on
a normal visit. General admission is priced just below average, while children and seniors receive a slight discount.
Park LayoutUpon reaching the end of Main Street, you will find yourself in front of the Space Shot with the midway heading off to the
right and left. Following the path right and circling around the park counterclockwise, you will pass by the Log Flume and
then Tornado. A right turn will lead you back to Dragon, and you will soon find yourself at the very back of the park at
Saw Mill Splash and Outlaw. Meanwhile, taking a trip around Adventureland clockwise will provide you with an
opportunity to hop on most of the spinning rides at the front left of the park, and then Raging River before finally winding
up at Outlaw.
Major CoastersDragon- A double loop and its setting over a lake are the main draws to this 1990 steel coaster, a simplistic ride by
today’s standards, but the park’s only major steel coaster.
Outlaw- This newer wooden coaster offers up a twister layout contrasting that of its older counterpart. Although smaller
than Tornado, this is perhaps the park favorite for its twisting action, but lacks smoothness.
Tornado- The park favorite. This 1978 out and back wooden coaster provides a journey over camelback hills and hops
designed to produce negative g’s while the train moves along at 58 mph.
Other Thrill RidesFalling Star- Your Magic Carpet experience rotates a group of riders quickly around vertical circles on a level platform,
equalling exceptional positive g-forces at the bottom and some airtime at the top.
Inverter- A 24-passenger car is attached to an arm and tower to be taken around through a vertical loop while riders are
flipped forwards concurrently on an additional axis of travel.
Mixer- Two groups of riders attached to arms and a central tower rotate vertically in opposite directions while the entire
ride spins horizontally. Not too fast, and not one of the most thrilling rides out there.
Sidewinder- This thrilling Revolution model seats riders in a ring comprised of groups of four, feet dangling, for the backand-forth 240° swinging motion of the ride while the ring rotates.
Space Shot- A larger, 235’ version of the popular launched freefall tower offers a powerful blastoff into the sky and
intense airtime before you fall and climb gradually less and slow back to the platform.
Water RidesRaging River- If you’re craving some white water rafting action, consider a ride on the park’s own version of this popular
amusement park experience.
Saw Mill Splash- Go for a spin and a dampening on a raft that will climb a lift hill before sliding down through two helixes
and a double-dip into a small splashdown all while continuously spinning.
Log Flume- Adventureland’s log flume is a fun experience for all ages. Don’t be fooled though – although the second
drop is the larger of a duo, the first provides more of a soaking.
DiningIowa Café- The park’s largest food location is conveniently situated along Main Street. Fried chicken is the specialty
here, but salads and desserts are also served.
Busch Gardens Tampa – Tampa Bay, Florida
Summary and TipsSince 1959, Busch Gardens’ original location has endeavored to perfect the theme park experience through blending an
African safari experience with an abundance of major quality roller coasters and family-geared attractions. The status of
the Tampa park as a major tourism draw is solidified by the combination of rides, shows, food, and all other elements to
form a park that can be appreciated by all for its rich attention to detail. Not one, not two, but three Swiss-engineered
steel coaster masterpieces are Tampa’s highlight for thrill-seekers, with Kumba, Montu, and SheiKra all drawing rave
reviews the world over. Along with its half a dozen major coasters, Busch has taken into consideration the demands of
every member of the family, thus building a collection of rides for everyone including completely unique experiences with
a wide appeal such as Rhino Rally. For a tour around a large portion of the 335-acre property, hop onboard the park’s
train, which stops in Nairobi, Congo, and Stanleyville. In addition, the park’s Skyride runs between the Crown Colony and
Congo for an aerial perspective on the lush acreage. For just slightly more than general admission, the Busch Gardens
Fun Card provides the best value for admission with benefits of a season pass for far cheaper than usual.
Park LayoutYou will enter the Morocco section and must make the choice of heading right or left. Choosing left will take you to Gwazi
and then through the Bird Gardens section. The next stop around the clockwise tour of the park heads through
Stanleyville where the path divides to lead underneath SheiKra. It next leads past the Tanganyika Tidal Wave on the left
and the Stanley Falls Flume on the right. The next section is Congo, home to Python, Kumba, and finally Congo River
Rapids. Meanwhile, taking a right turn at Morocco will head straight into the Crown Colony where you can continue
straight into Egypt where you will find Montu, or turn left into the Edge of Africa animal preservation. Finally, taking a right
at Morocco and then a left will lead into Nairobi, past Rhino Rally, and then into Timbuktu to Scorpion and on to Congo.
Major CoastersGwazi- A ferocious duel awaits you on dual wooden tracks. Choose the Lion or Tiger side while the twisted 3,400‘ layouts
battle each other at 50 mph. Disappointingly rough for just seven years old.
Kumba- This sit-down coaster ventures upside-down seven times, including once around the 143‘ lift, with an L-shaped
layout. Provides an enjoyable, mostly smooth trip of 3,978‘ at up to 60 mph.
Montu- Be sure to experience this smooth, well-themed inverted coaster. During seven inversions, the 3,983‘ track
weaves past Egyptian theming and through trenches as an added plus.
Python- Your typical Corkscrew coaster of the seventies with a short, simple layout featuring a double-corkscrew
inversion. Slightly rough and an unimpressive ride, in contrast to the other major coasters.
Scorpion- A classic eighties single-looper providing a smooth, fast ride going heavy on the g-forces. Along with the loop,
Scorpion winds through a double and triple helix in a figure-eight-like layout.
SheiKra- Standing at a dominating 200’, this coaster features a large inversion, two large vertical drops, three other
speedy curves, and a “water splash,” with intricate theming surrounding.
Other Thrill RidesPhoenix- This swinging ship vertical ride, themed to an Egyptian cargo vessel, takes riders through complete 360° loops
once they gradually swing into the motion.
Rhino Rally- Part Land Rover ride, part water ride, Rhino Rally is an inventive off-road tour that starts off with a trip past
the wild animals and cleverly winds up floating down a river attached to a floating “bridge.”
Sandstorm- Six arms holding rings holding rings of three cars at the end tilt out to the side while the entire ride rotates
along with the individual rings of cars.
Water RidesCongo River Rapids- Enhanced from your normal white water rapids experience by a lush landscape, Congo River
Rapids takes boats of a dozen through an enjoyable themed course.
Stanley Falls- The park’s log flume winds through the Stanleyville section next to SheiKra. The grand finale and ride’s
main feature is a 40’ drop. Above average for a flume ride.
Tanganyika Tidal Wave- One of the longest, most original splashdown rides in existence. After several twists and turns,
you will climb a lift followed by a 55’ double-dipping plunge and inevitable splash.
DiningCrown Colony Restaurant- Enjoy a view of the Serengeti Plain section in this upscale restaurant while you order from
the menu containing seafood, sandwiches, and fried chicken.
Zagora Café- Dine on steak, a turkey sandwich, chicken fajita wraps, chicken strips, or hamburgers on a nicely shaded
outdoor patio. Breakfast is available until 10:30 a.m.
Zambia Smokehouse- Constructed directly below one of SheiKra’s high-speed elements, this well-themed 500-seat
restaurant’s menu includes chicken, ribs, sandwiches, and plenty of desserts.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg – Williamsburg, Virginia
Summary and TipsStep into Busch Gardens Williamsburg and you will be transported into the elegance of Old World Europe, only with all of
the modern thrills and conveniences of the twenty-first century. This theme park is undisputedly one of the most
splendiferous in the world, with great pains taken to ensure the amenity in every aspect of your experience. With only four
coasters and a handful of non-coaster thrills, rushing around the park to fit in everything is unnecessary provided you
have a full day to spend at the park, while a good ride operating team and high-capacity attractions typically make for
minimal time in the queues. The park opens gradually each morning, with additional sections opening as the morning
progresses. The best strategy to experience everything with the shortest lines possible is to take off in the opposite
direction of the crowds after entering in the morning. Head right through Ireland or straight through Scotland and move
towards the back of the park at your own leisure. Set aside time to enjoy the luxuriant detail; rushing through the park can
spoil the experience. Busch Gardens is fully equipped with in-park transportation: a triangle of cable cars connects
Banbury Cross, England; Aquitaine, France; and Rhinefeld, Germany; and a train stops in Heatherdowns, Scotland; Festa
Italia, Italy; and New France. If you’re contemplating packing even more into your day or days at Busch Gardens, look
into purchasing a Bounce Ticket for unlimited admission to both parks at a discount rate over a two- or three-day period.
Park LayoutAfter passing through Banbury Cross, England, you will have to decide between heading left to San Marco, Italy; right to
Killarney, Ireland; or straight into Heatherdowns, Scotland, where you will encounter Loch Ness Monster. San Marco will
lead straight through to Festa Italia, Italy, where you will find Apollo’s Chariot, or to the right and through to Oktoberfest,
Germany to Big Bad Wolf and Alpengeist. Ireland will lead through to Aquitaine, France and on to New France, while a
bridge from Heatherdowns, Scotland will lead to Rhinefeld, Germany where all three routes link up.
Major CoastersAlpengeist- This top-rated inverted looper will take you into the alps on a 195’ “ski lift” only to plunge through an out-ofcontrol six inversions and a layout working its way through the natural terrain.
Apollo’s Chariot- Another top-rated coaster, Apollo’s Chariot will take you into the sky before plunging 210’ towards
water. A smooth, fast, and air-time-packed ride and comfortable trains equal an outstanding ride.
Big Bad Wolf- Widely considered the best coaster of its type, this suspended, swinging twister will take you flying through
a Bavarian-themed village. After a second lift, a 99’ drop towards water ends the ride with style.
Loch Ness Monster- A park classic. This looping coaster will throw you through the world’s only interlocking loops, along
with some tunneled double-helix action as you ride over the central lake.
Water RidesEscape from Pompeii- The usual 50’ splashdown ride is enhanced with a nice pre-drop ride. Before the climactic
plunge, a tunnel full of pyrotechnics and falling objects leave riders unsure of what to expect next.
Le Scoot Log Flume- If you feel like a ride through the backwoods of New France and an escape from summer heat,
check out this dual-lift log flume featuring a final picturesque splashdown parallel to Alpengeist.
Roman Rapids- A classical theme enhances the usual rapids ride’s soaking experience with this run of white water and
waterfalls located in the shadow of Apollo’s Chariot. Beware of the final coin-operated geysers.
Other RidesBattering Ram- Your average swinging ship with a 180° motion, only situated in the themed, well-landscaped Garden of
Invention at the heart of San Marco, Italy.
Curse of DarKastle: the Ride- Don’t expect a scream-packed extreme ride here, but do be prepared to see the park’s
talent with theming taken full advantage of in a well-done dark ride.
Da Vinci’s Cradle- A Flying Carpet-type ride that will send you in vertical circles with plenty of noticeable forces while
remaining level for a view of DaVinci’s Garden of Invention.
DiningFesthaus- Sitting at the back of Oktoberfest is the largest sit-down restaurant in the park and entire state, a German
themed building offering live performances as you eat your corned beef or turkey sandwich, or pizza.
Ristorante della Piazza- Located before the San Marco-Oktoberfest bridge, this Italian restaurant enhances the dining
experience with beautifully-themed outdoor seating and live performances.
Trappers Smokehouse- At the entrance to New France from Aquitaine you will find this popular stop for slowly-smoked
chicken, ribs, salmon, including mesquite barbecued choices.
Cedar Point – Sandusky, Ohio
Summary and TipsMere words fail to capture the true excellence of the Cedar Point experience for amusement park connoisseurs. The past
136 years have effectively transformed a mere bathing beach into the single-largest amusement resort in the world, with
its unique location spanning a 364-acre peninsula jutting into Lake Erie. History has proven that Cedar Point holds an
elite title of importance, being that many of the current 16 coasters include an unprecedented number of world-recordbreakers. A monumental collection of non-coaster rides also blankets the park, fitting in between the coasters and
bringing the ride count up to nearly 70. Joining forces with the amusement park is Cedar Point’s large outdoor and indoor
water parks, an upcharge attraction area, and of course miles of picturesque shoreline ideal for bathing. Cable cars are
available for transportation from the entry to the end of the main midway, and the CP & LE Railroad circles around the
back half of the park for a scenic tour. If more than one day at the park complex is desired, accommodations are plentiful.
Three large hotels, hundreds of cabins, and camping sites provide not only on-site accommodations but also discounted
tickets and early entry to the park the next morning. To avoid the crowds and traditional “running of the bulls” at the main
gate in the morning, visit Tuesday to Thursday during the beginning and end of the season from May to June and late
August through September while local schools are in session. On any given day, stick around the rides around closing
time for shorter waits.
Park LayoutThe main midway branches off to the right in the direction of MaXair and Wicked Twister while continuing past Raptor and
Blue Streak towards Corkscrew. Crossing under Corkscrew, you will be taken past Power Tower, Top Thrill Dragster,
Magnum XL-200, and Gemini straight ahead at a fork in the path. However, taking the fork to the left will lead past
Wildcat, Iron Dragon, Mantis, and Millennium Force. The Top Thrill Dragster midway continues on to Camp Snoopy and
finally the Mean Streak plaza area where it winds around and connects with the Millennium Force midway.
Major CoastersBlue Streak- Small in comparison to most of the other major coasters, but a much more enjoyable ride than its larger
wooden counterpart. An out and back run will deliver some airtime over a series of hops.
Corkscrew- Not overly impressive by today’s standards, but the biggest redeeming quality may be the double corkscrew
situated directly over the midway. In all, you will head upside down three times and reach 48 mph.
Gemini- Don’t be fooled by the supports, this is a steel-tracked racer. After a 125’ climb, you will get moving at 60 mph
for a speedy race and helix finale. Both sides are fun, but blue draws slightly better reviews.
Iron Dragon- A slow but relaxing suspended twister that will fly you around over water while swinging through the fog.
Don’t expect anything too thrilling, but a gentle flight over and under larger coasters.
Magnum XL-200- A 200’ tall out and back steel coaster considered a classic by many for its history and flight over
camelback hills paralleling the lake, but criticized by others for its jerky hops on the way back.
Mantis- Stand up and face a 145’ climb and 3,900‘ twister layout containing four inversions, but brace yourself for the high
levels of g-forces on your legs and some growing roughness during the ten-year-old ride.
Mean Streak- Long, tall, fast, but rough. Prepare to be jiggled and shaken throughout this wooden giant’s circular, 5,427’
layout. However, for wood-tracked-coaster lovers, this is only one of two at the park.
Millennium Force- Consistently rated one of the top steel coasters on earth. After taking a steep climb and drop over
300’, you will speed smoothly through huge curves and air-time-inducing hills before ending with speed to spare.
Raptor- A celebrated inverted coaster with a long, twisted, loopy layout featuring six inversions. The first drop will send
you swooping down over the main midway and into a loop directly above the heads of pedestrians.
Top Thrill Dragster- Incredibly short for duration, but incredibly impressive in all other aspects. A 120-mph launch will
rocket you straight up 420’, then spiraling straight back down into a smooth magnetic stop.
Wicked Twister- Blast off to 72 mph and race along the beach before climbing 215’ and falling backwards several times.
The vertically twisting towers at each end of the inverted shuttle layout make this a ride not to miss.
Wildcat- Size doesn’t matter much with this coaster, a step back in time and step down in size, but still fast-paced and
forceful with a smooth ride curving through its compact, once-common twister layout.
Other Thrill RidesChaos- On this amusement park classic, 18 cars of two rotate in a circle horizontally before the wheel goes vertical,
topping off at 70’, and the cars freely flip and spin.
MaXair- A super-sized Frisbee that will swing you back and forth over the midway at up to 70 mph while the outwardfacing ring rotates. Catch some airtime and an interesting perspective while pausing 130° and 140‘ up.
Power Tower- Blast into the sky or rocket towards the ground at up to 50 mph on this quadruple launched 300’ freefall
tower complex for a good view. Two sides blast up, two sides blast down.
*Skyhawk- Take a swing set, enlarge it to take you 125’ into the air and seat 40, and you have Skyhawk. This Screamin’
Swing model takes flight high above Snake River Falls at the back of the park.
Troika- A noteworthy flat ride that serves up an interesting motion providing all types of g-forces. You might want to
consider riding after the higher-priority thrill rides if the line is short.
Water RidesSnake River Falls- An 83‘ tall splashdown ride with a figure-8 layout. After emerging from a tunnel, you will be taken
down a centerpiece plunge in a boat of 20 passengers to create an enormous splash.
Thunder Canyon- Located at the back left of the park, this well-themed river rapids ride will take you between and under
canyon walls and waterfalls during a 1,600’ run. One alternative to paying for water park admission.
DiningCoasters Drive-In- Located at the end of the entry midway, Coasters is the signature Cedar Fair restaurant that serves
traditional amusement park fare including cheeseburgers, fries, and milk shakes.
Game Day Grille- Situated in a sports-themed environment, diners can watch games on the screens while eating chili,
wings, steak burgers, and seafood. Between the Blue Streak and Raptor stations.
Johnny Rockets- An old-fashioned diner along the main midway just across from Raptor’s first drop, Johnny Rockets
serves up chilidogs, hamburgers, fries, and thick old-fashioned milk shakes.
Disneyland Resort: Disneyland / Disney’s California Adventure – Anaheim, California
Summary and TipsWalt Disney had a clear vision when founding his Anaheim, California theme park, and that vision would soon alter the
course of amusement park entertainment forever. He sought to bring families closer through a park where adults and kids
could enjoy rides side by side, and today’s Disneyland Resort is everything Walt could have hoped for – and more.
Perhaps the world’s single most renowned theme park, the original Disneyland concept has grown into the Disneyland
Resort, encompassing the adjacent 2001 park Disney’s California Adventure. Crowds are fairly consistent throughout the
year, but for the lightest attendance, visit the park during the school year and stay far away in time sandwiched between
Christmas and New Year’s Day. Transportation around the park is abundant, but one of the greatest conveniences that
Disneyland has afforded guests is the Fastpass, a ride reservation system free to those in the know who take advantage
of it. Check a ride entrance for a Fastpass machine, insert the same ticket that gained you admission to the park, and
receive a ticket to zip though the Fastpass queue later. However, these tickets are limited in quantity, so the early bird
gets the worm. For the cheapest general admission possible, plan ahead. By purchasing your tickets online at
disneyland.com several weeks before your visit, you can rest assured that you will save a considerable amount of cash.
Park LayoutDisneyland’s Main Street USA leads to the center of the park, just in front of Cinderella’s Castle. From there, the park
divides. The first midway on the right leads into Tomorrowland where Space Mountain is located. The next midway,
counterclockwise, heads to Fantasyland and eventually Mickey’s Toontown at the back of the park, passing the
Matterhorn Bobsleds along the way. On the left side of Cinderella’s Castle, another path leads into Fantasyland, followed
by a path to Frontierland that eventually winds up in New Orleans Square where Pirates of the Caribbean is found, then
Critter Country, home to Splash Mountain. Finally, the last path on the left will guide you to Adventureland where Indiana
Jones awaits.
Disney’s California Adventure’s Sunshine Plaza entry area feeds into the Hollywood Pictures Backlot section to
the left where the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror finds itself. Meanwhile, veering rightwards after Sunshine Plaza will take
you around Grizzly River Run, into the Golden State section. After Golden State, Paradise Pier comprises the back loop
of Disney’s California Adventure, with Maliboomer and California Screamin’ situated at the very back of the park.
Major CoastersBig Thunder Mountain Railroad (DL)- One of the most well-themed mine trains out there ventures through a rocky
landscape with a 2,671’ track winding its way through.
California Screamin’ (DCA)- Resembling a classic wooden coaster, this adventurous 6,072’ steel track includes a 55mph launch, two lifts, and a Mickey-fied loop. Unfortunately, the ride is now hindered by unnecessary brakes.
Matterhorn Bobsleds (DL)- The steel coaster that started it all takes carloads of up to eight careening around and
through a 147’ mountain with gentle speeds of up to 18 mph.
Space Mountain (DL)- This park classic and family favorite is running better than ever after last year’s complete
refurbishing for the park’s 50th anniversary. The ride that never gets old.
Other Thrill RidesIndiana Jones Adventure (DL)- Put yourself in the middle of the action from the movie Raiders of the Lost Ark on this
dark jeep ride that includes the movie’s near-miss boulder scene.
Maliboomer (DCA)- Launch into the sky high above Paradise Pier on two of the towers in this triple freefall complex. This
180’ tall version of the Space Shot towers is perhaps the park’s most extreme ride.
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (DCA)- An out-of-control enclosed freefall ride takes guests into the heart of the
Hotel and into an uncooperative “elevator.” Don’t pass up a ride on this guest favorite.
Water RidesGrizzly River Run (DCA)- Consistently ranked one of the world’s top water rides, this white water rapids run goes far
above and beyond the ordinary with a helix, plunge, and cavernous tunnels.
Pirates of the Caribbean (DL)- Even more prominent and well-loved in the water ride world is this cruise through an
enclosed, themed layout surrounded by the storyline that inspired the movie.
Splash Mountain (DL)- Large, eight-rider logs take riders through a third world-class water ride experience. The BrerRabbit-themed attraction features, once again, admirable theming.
DiningPacific Wharf Café (DCA)- One of the park’s less expensive guest favorite stops for any type of meal serves everything
from soups to fresh-baked breads. Located in the Golden State area.
Plaza Inn (DL)- If you’re around Main Street USA and looking for a bite to eat, stop in at this beautiful building. On the
menu is beef, chicken, pasta, and dessert. A breakfast buffet is also offered.
Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port (DL)- Located in Tomorrowland is this futuristic themed restaurant. One of the more
affordable eateries in the park serves pizzas, slices, pasta, and salads.
Wine Country Trattoria (DCA)- Another favorite restaurant located in the Golden State section serves a variety of
pastas, sandwiches, soups. Both indoor and outdoor dining is offered here.
Dollywood – Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Summary and TipsDolly Parton’s version of the American theme park takes visitors through a splendiferous, rustic setting to discover several
choice coasters and other rides. In 1999, Dollywood arrived on the radar screen for ride enthusiasts with the oversized
looping steel coaster Tennessee Tornado. Then, 2004 brought an unprecedented wooden twister known as Thunderhead
that would draw rave reviews as one of the best coasters in the world. Now, the 125-acre theme park is a distinctive
tourist attraction of exceeding popularity for the Smoky Mountain foothills and a growing force among theme parks.
Dollywood’s themed sections lead visitors through various aspects of local and historical culture, and quality of the
destination park caliber is sewn into all aspects of the experience, from the luxuriant scenic landscaping to highly-rated
Southern-style cooking. Thrill-seekers can enjoy the ever-growing collection of thrill including the new Timber Tower,
three outstanding water rides, and traditional flat rides in the Country Fair section. Upon entering the park at opening, a
ride on Thunderhead, conveniently located near the entrance, may prove the wisest choice before the lines get too long.
The County Fair area usually accumulates long lines, so if you want to experience spinning rides, head to this area next.
Throughout the day, be sure to take advantage of Dollywood’s great collection of water rides, and try at least one of our
recommended restaurants in the park for some good cooking. Along with the theme park, an adjacent water park is
offered at a separate admission fee, and the nearby Pigeon Forge strip is home to smaller rides and other attractions.
Park LayoutAt the entrance, you will arrive in the Showstreet section and can head straight ahead into Thunderhead Gap for wooden
coaster action or to the right and down Showstreet. Halfway down Showstreet on the right you will encounter the
entrance to the Adventures in Imagination section, and farther along, the interconnecting Jukebox Junction. Continuing
beyond the end of Showstreet, you will enter Rivertown Junction, which heads straight and loops to the right into the
Village and then Country Fair sections. Heading left in Rivertown Junction, meanwhile, will take you into Dreamland
Forest and Craftsman’s Valley, with Tennessee Tornado at the very back of the park.
Major CoastersTennessee Tornado- A larger, triple-inverting steel coaster taking advantage of the terrain for a subterranean first drop
into an oversized loop. However, shortness of duration is the downfall here.
Thunderhead- One of the smoothest, most wildly-twisting wooden coasters out there, Thunderhead dishes up 3,230‘ of
mayhem at up to 55 mph, including a station fly-through. A definite must-ride.
Other Thrill RidesScrambler- One of the attractions in the Country Fair section is a fair and park classic alike, the Scrambler, which throws
riders around with lateral g’s provided by two horizontal rotations.
Sky Rider- If wait times permit, a quick spin on this ride may be a compliment to the day. Fly a two-person craft 70’ over
the Country Fair for a good view and breeze despite lacking intensity.
*Timber Tower- It may just look like a short, 65‘ freefall tower at first, but then the entire tower topples over within feet of
the ground while the rider ring rotates and falls in each direction over theming and effects.
Water RidesBlazing Fury- The story of this smaller, enclosed water-coaster-type ride is a raging inferno consuming an 1880s town.
After riding through the town, you will splash down as the finale. Worth a short wait.
Daredevil Falls- A well-themed log flume with eight-passenger boats that float past theming and through a tunnel before
taking a trip down the middle of a 60’ waterfall. You won’t get exceptionally wet.
Slidewinder- More of a water slide than ride, but a guest favorite. Fill your raft to its capacity of six riders and you will
enjoy a fast-paced trip down a twisting slide leaving no dry spots on your clothes afterwards.
Smoky Mountain River Rampage- This goes above and beyond your average white water rapids ride with good theming
and waterfalls aplenty sure to leave you wet when you get off.
DiningAunt Granny’s All-You-Care-to-Eat Buffet- Brunch, lunch, and dinner selections include Southern bacon, catfish, fried
chicken, sausage, meatloaf, and mashed potatoes and gravy.
Backstage Restaurant- Local Tennessee cooking can be found on the menu with a chicken sandwich, rib eye streak,
roast pork, with skillet potatoes and salads also offered.
Hickory House BBQ- A restaurant serving top-rated pork barbecue sandwiches along with rib platters and turkey. For a
sampling of everything, try the Hickory House Combo.
Dorney Park – Allentown, Pennsylvania
Summary and TipsDorney is an exemplary amusement park that focuses on delivering the highest concentration of thrills possible
throughout its 200 acres while maintaining a fun, bright, clean atmosphere. Concrete paths and red, rock-dotted mulch
gardens will guide you from attraction to attraction as you discover a wide array of spinning rides in the midst of several
quality coasters not to miss. The signature coaster track, Steel Force, spans the back, lower side of the park with a
turnaround situated at Lake Dorney, where the newest coaster, Hydra: the Revenge lurks. Many consider the park’s two
best rides to be Hydra and the inverted Talon – a ride sure to make a stunning impression on you as you enter the park
with its twisted orange, yellow, and blue steel. Dorney is home to a plethora of flat rides that could easily consume the
better part of the day, and two railroads exist mainly for enjoyment rather than transportation. Along with the amusement
park, the adjacent Wildwater Kingdom is included in admission, amounting to a major value due to the magnitude and
quality of the water park. Visiting in May and mid-September will provide you with a discount of one third off the normal
summer ticket prices. If you don’t plan on spending an entire day at Dorney Park, admission after 5 p.m. when the park
closes at 10 or later and after 3:30 when the park closes at 8:00 or earlier will cost you only half of a normal day’s
admission. However, if you want time to ride and re-ride the large collection of thrills, it will likely take an entire day.
Park LayoutThe main entry midway leads to the Wildwater Kingdom water park to the right and at the end, with Talon separating the
two parks, and taking an early left will send you downhill towards the back midways. Veering left before Dominator will
take you to the Laser midway or continuing on past Dominator will take you to the Steel Force midway, both of which
connect. Meanwhile, a left then right after the entrance will take you into Camp Snoopy, and a left at the end of the entry
midway will lead you to the Hydra midway, all of which interconnect.
Major CoastersHydra: the Revenge- A six-inversion floorless, above-track looper with a unique layout. A roll from the station will start
your ride off before taking on six more inversions and some other fun, smooth elements.
Laser- Don’t let looks deceive you. This smaller eighties looper packs a huge punch with intense positive g-forces as you
fly through a double loop and two helixes. A speedy, smooth ride using lap bars only.
Steel Force- A 200’ out and back ride with good 75-mph speed, some decent airtime at several points, and lateral g’s in a
swooping turnaround helix. The view alone makes Steel Force a must-ride.
Talon- You can’t miss this inverted coaster as it dominates over the entry midway. Prepare to dive from the 135’ perch
and soar through four inversions while twisting through a beautiful 3,110‘ course.
ThunderHawk- Dorney’s antique 1923 wooden coaster will shove you around as it curves above the midway and will also
make sure that you get a few nice moments of negative g’s along the way.
Other Thrill RidesDominator- Blast off towards the sky or ground on either side of this 18-story pneumatic launched freefall tower. An
intense launch and quick reversal at the top will serve up considerable intensity.
Hang Time- A Top Spin model located at the Talon entrance that takes two long rows of thrill-seekers flipping 59‘ in the
air on two vertical axes while suspended over a line of water geysers.
Meteor- Travel 70‘ into the sky and back down again in a looping 360° motion while your legs dangle. Meteor takes the
traditional swinging ship ride like Dorney’s own Sea Dragon to the extreme.
Monster- This flat ride sends groups of four freely-spinning two-seater cars spinning in circles while the arms they’re
attached to rotate around a third axis, all adding up to equal true horizontal chaos.
Revolution- If you have time for only one spinning ride, hop on this one. Facing other pairs of riders, the circular seating
configuration spins in circles as it concurrently completes a swinging motion.
Water RidesThunder Canyon- Located just beyond Talon along the main midway, an excellent whitewater rapids experience will
drench you while you raft through a twisting course leading past boulders and waterfalls.
Thunder Creek Mountain- This classic 1982 log flume provides a nice, relaxed ride drifting through the terrain next to
Hydra. Climb the hillside and then float through several curves before the splashdown.
White Water Landing- A figure-8 version of the popular splashdown water ride tows the boats up 83‘ to enter a dark
tunnel and emerge for a plunge into the pool waiting at the bottom.
DiningCoasters Drive-In- If you’re craving the standard amusement park meal of a cheeseburger and milkshake with fries, stop
off at this fifties-themed restaurant located along the main entry midway.
Game Day Grille- Catch up on your latest sports games while you down favorite sports foods including barbecued wings,
burgers, chili, Philly cheese steaks, and some spicy selections.
Frontier City – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Summary and TipsAlthough this amusement park may hold the status of Six Flags’ “flagship” park, don’t expect anything like the chain’s
larger parks such as Great America, Great Adventure, or Magic Mountain. Ironically, Frontier City stands out as one of
Oklahoma-City-based chain’s more miniscule parks, but that’s not to say that you should pass it up if you’re anywhere
around the Sooner State in search of some thrills. Despite recent innovations or at least off-the-shelf quality rides, the
collection found here boasts a smattering of attractions that have become uncommon in addition to several of the more
familiar ride types. The major recently installed thrill is ErUPtion, a large slingshot-type ride distinctive for being offered to
guests free of additional charge. Furthermore, Silver Bullet and Wildcat offer quality steel- and wood-tracked coaster
experiences, respectively. For a relaxing tour of the park’s perimeter without walking, take a trip aboard Frontier City’s
miniature railway. Admission at the gate is priced just below average at under $30, but for anyone planning to spend
more than two days at the park, as with most Six Flags properties, plan ahead. Purchasing a season pass will signify
unlimited visits for the price of two. For an escape from the fervent summer weather and added value, the nearby water
park White Water Bay, is included in admission, offering up an average collection of water attractions.
Park LayoutAfter passing through the entry gate, you can either turn right to head to Diamond Back or left into the rest of the park.
Continuing left, you will find yourself in the park’s kiddy section, while taking a right turn into the park will lead to the main
loop. Taking a left and following the perimeter of the park around clockwise will lead to Silver Bullet and Wildcat, while
venturing to the right will lead past Hangman and on to Renegade Rapids. Towards the center of Frontier City is the
Mystery River Log Flume.
Major CoastersDiamond Back- One of several rides of its type left in the world, and with good reason. If you don’t feel like climbing to
the 56‘ platform to board this short single-loop shuttle coaster, you won’t be missing out on much.
Silver Bullet- A rare treat for fans of smaller, intense, smooth coasters. The short 1,942’ layout of this German-made
gem will provide a satisfying ride through a loop and figure-8s while it lasts.
Wildcat- The traditional wooden coaster of the collection reaches intermediate heights while running along an L-shaped
track course through some woods that ends in a run of small dips over water.
Other Thrill RidesErUPtion- This typically-upcharge ride is free of cost at Frontier City – a major reason to check it out. Your normal
slingshot ride is taken to the extreme, launching a vehicle 235’ to perform some acrobatics.
Hangman- A spin-off of the popular Space Shot towers found at dozens of parks around the world seats a dozen riders
around a tower before launching them skyward 100’ like a rocket and then back down again.
Mindbender- Seated in a 24-person gondola, riders are taken into the air to perform vertical loops up to 50’ while the car
performs controlled flipping forwards and backwards.
Rodeo Round-Up- Riders circle up in enclosed cars, pulling down doors on the sit-down cars, but no restraints. Then,
the wheel starts spinning and eventually tilts towards the sky for loops while pinning riders to their seats.
Terrible Twister- This Rotor, a ride type seldom installed at parks, is a circular ride suspending riders mid-air without
restraints as g-forces push them against the sides of a cylinder.
Tomahawk- Riders sit with legs dangling, suspended in cars of 16 from two 72‘ tall arms that then begin carrying the cars
up and over complete multiple 360° loops and dive back down.
Water RidesMystery River Log Flume- Seated in log-themed rafts with up to three other riders, the park’s flume ride ventures
through a tunnel and several curves before a final lift and splashdown.
Renegade Rapids- For your best bet to escape from the summer heat at Frontier City, take a trip onboard this wellthemed two-minute white water rapids course.
DiningLaBambas Cantina- If you’re looking for Mexican food, head on over to this location for tacos, burritos, quesadillas,
nachos across from the Mystery River Log Flume’s splashdown and Carousel
Saddlerock Café- A Western-themed restaurant that serves 1/3-lb hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken strips. Located just to
the right of the main entrance path.
Savoy Pizza Parlor- Located across from the entrance in Fort Frontier, this antiquated restaurant offers freshly prepared
pizzas slathered with all of your favorite toppings.
Geauga Lake – Aurora (Cleveland), Ohio
Summary and TipsAlthough plagued by numerous changes of ownership resulting in instability since the 1990s, this 118-year-old
amusement park has convalesced with resilience and an ever-expanding collection of attractions. In fact, those
attractions now completely encompass the lake that lent the park its name, spread out over a portion of some 690 acres.
While formerly cramped, the park has been blessed with the advantage of former Sea World property across the lake from
the original amusement park’s location for future expansion to compliment an already impressive ride collection. Through
a major expansion under Six Flags guidance in 2000 and 2001, the park amplified the thrills by five coasters and dozens
of other attractions in just two years. When Six Flags sold the park to rival chain Cedar Fair, the Six Flags characters and
names gave way to a less theme-oriented experience and a new focus on amusement park tradition. If the dilemma of
visiting the park now or later presents itself, choose later. Geauga Lake will need several more years to organize
operations thoroughly. If you do decide to enjoy the park’s noteworthy ride collection now, however, ensure ample time
for a ride or two on the star coaster Dominator. Due to Geauga Lake’s size, a ferry provides transportation across the
lake and a small monorail circles the front of the park near the rapidly-growing Wildwater Kingdom water park.
Park LayoutInside the entrance gate, the park divides to the right and left, with the lake straight ahead. Heading an immediate right,
you will find yourself at the 50s Midway among the X-Flight, Steel Venom, and Big Dipper coasters, and continuing on,
you will enter the original section of the water park. At the end of the entry plaza, a right will take you to the KidWorks
Play Zone. A left will head past ThunderHawk into Western Village, where the park spreads out at another left to lead to
Double Loop and Villain. Heading straight past ThunderHawk, the path wraps around the lake, leading past the Power
City section containing Dominator. Next, it heads over a bridge by Raging Wolf Bobs to the back section where several
flat rides can be found in the Happy Harbor section and the majority of the water park resides.
Major CoastersBig Dipper- The park’s classic wooden ride will take you through a fun out and back course topping out at 65‘ before
careening through the water park. Relatively tame by today’s standards, but still fun.
Dominator- Perhaps the star attraction, this floorless, above-track multi-looper soars through a longer 4,210‘ layout over
the lake focusing on twister action and several large inversions. Smooth and graceful.
Double Loop- An outdated coaster with an obvious centerpiece feature of two loops. Double Loop is that and not much
else; a short, out and back steel coaster from three decades past.
Head Spin- Your typical Boomerang steel coaster model, which shuttles the train back and forth between two 125’ lift
slopes and three inversions. Other than unoriginality, the downfalls are roughness and a slow return.
Raging Wolf Bobs- Built to share the reputation of the defunct Riverview Park Bobs, this wooden coaster unfortunately
falls short, but recent improvements have made it worth checking out.
Steel Venom- Blast off on this inverted coaster before climbing a vertical 360° twist and falling backwards. From there,
it’s shuttling between the twist and a straight tower, gradually gaining speed before a mid-air surprise.
ThunderHawk- If you’ve ridden similar Suspended Looping Coasters, coaster count is one of the best reasons to ride this
fast, rough inverted coaster, made better than the pack only by its lakeside setting.
Villain- A larger double-out-and-back wooden coaster with a run of several good camelback hills and turnarounds. Be
prepared to brace yourself at several rough parts though, especially the surprise “trick-track.”
X-Flight- Taking a trip up to 115’ on their backs, riders then flip over and begin an exhilarating flight through five
inversions total, including an intense vertical loop and diving helix finale.
Other Thrill RidesBlack Squid- Known as Monster elsewhere, this ride takes four cars spinning in groups at the end of six octopus-like
arms that raise and lower as they rotate around a central point.
El Dorado- This Flying Carpet model located in front of the Big Dipper provides some fun positive and negative g-forces
and a decent view as the platform of riders circles in a vertical motion.
Pirate’s Flight- If it’s a short wait or if you need to unwind, this swinging ride with two-seater cars may be just the ride for
you. Located within the back Happy Harbor section.
Texas Twister- This tornadic, Texas-themed version of the now-popular Top Spin ride takes two rows of 20 passengers
spinning quickly head over heels as they’re lifted in circular motion.
Time Warp- A vertical ride seating two-dozen riders in two vehicles before the arm suspending them starts swinging
upwards and soon in full 360° loops.
Water RidesGrizzly Run Rapids- Geauga Lake’s white water rapids ride floats through an average 1,500’ course featuring some
theming, one tunnel, and one million gallons of water.
Pepsi Plunge- Located in front of Double Loop and Villain, this log flume will take you along a double-out-and-back layout
featuring two lift hills and plunges, the second one being the largest at 40‘.
Shipwreck Falls- Your average 50‘ tall splashdown raft ride sends20-rider boats up, around, and plunging down for an
impressive wave of water that soaks onlookers and riders alike.
Dining-
Beachcombers- The Hurricane Hannah’s water park section contains this restaurant that dishes up buffalo wings,
cheeseburgers, chicken fingers, chicken salad sandwiches, and nachos.
Jukebox Café- A themed feature of the 50s Midway is this diner dishing up bacon cheeseburgers, regular
cheeseburgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, and fries.
Picnic by the Lake- Enjoy a view of the lake while you eat in picnic pavilions for the daily buffet taking place from 2-3
p.m. Choices include fried chicken, hot dogs, baked beans, and ice cream for dessert.
Great Escape – Lake George, NY, USA
Summary and TipsThe smaller of Six Flags’ two New York properties is substantial for a visit that may occupy the better part of a day to fully
experience. While this park lacks a profusion of thrill-rides, coaster enthusiasts will undoubtedly enjoy Comet, a classic
wooden coaster that once lived a legendary life in Ontario. While Comet has remained the lambent star of Great Escape
since its 1994 debut, the relatively new Six Flags management has introduced additional mediocre and smaller-sized
rides to the collection since arriving on the scene. Those attractions include the Boomerang coaster popular among fourdozen other parks, the rare type of family coaster known as Alpine Bobsled, and the unique combination of dark ride and
standard steel coaster that Nightmare at Crack Axle Canyon provides. Great Escape proceeds in its growth season to
season, and next year will add a second-hand inverted steel coaster to the mix. Currently, an above-average collection of
non-coaster rides is also in the selection, and entry to the small adjacent Splashwater Kingdom water park is free with
amusement park admission. Visiting after 4:00 p.m. will make for a discount just shy of half off standard admission, which
can make for up to six hours at the park on weekends in July through October.
Park LayoutEntering the International Village section, the closest major ride is Boomerang, located straight ahead. Taking the first left
after the entrance will lead you the Storytown themed area which then leads into the Ghost Town section home to
Steamin’ Demon, Nightmare at Crack Axle Canyon, and Poland Springs Plunge. However, continuing straight after the
entrance and turning left at the train tracks will either lead into Looney Tunes National Park or across a bridge over the
tracks after turning right. On the other side of the tracks is Fest Area, and heading straight through will take you to
Splashwater Kingdom and to Comet. However, a left in Fest Area will take you to Raging River and the North Woods
Picnic Grove.
Major CoastersAlpine Bobsled- One of only two coasters like it on the continent, this third-hand bobsled run sends single cars down a
twisting run of 1,490‘ with the freedom to move from side to side of the steel “track.”
Boomerang: Coast to Coaster- The unoriginal yet still decent layout of Boomerang tows the train backwards up a slope
form the station before plowing through three inversions forwards and backwards.
Comet- The park’s classic ride without a doubt is Comet, originally constructed in 1926 and now running through a
double-out-and-back layout packed with airtime hills along with the four turnarounds.
Nightmare at Crack Axle Canyon- Enclosed in a 65’ tall building is this small and compact steel twister, a fourth-hand
steel twister from popular seventies and eighties designer Anton Schwarzkopf.
Steamin’ Demon- Great Escape’s old-fashioned corkscrewing steel coaster flips riders over three times and provides a
small number of other thrills along the way along with unfortunate roughness.
Other Thrill RidesBlizzard- Usually named Scrambler, this type of ride spins three groups of four two-seater cars around on two axes
towards and away from the central point. Worth a short wait.
Condor- A gentle scrambler-like ride surrounding a central tower that hoists riders over 100‘ above the park for a good
view as a dual-axis action much like that of Blizzard commences.
Pirate Ship- Nothing different from the normal swinging ship, the Pirate takes 40 passengers back and forth and up and
down for a more relaxing experience than other rides provide.
Rainbow- Seated on a platform attached to an arm, two rows of passengers are whisked into the sky and back down time
and time again like a ferris wheel taken to the extreme.
Trabant- This flat ride seems simple enough at first, with riders seated in cars forming a circle, but then the ring begins
tilting every which way along with spinning.
Water RidesPoland Springs Plunge- A family-geared log flume takes riders on a leisurely trip around the Nightmare at Crack Axle
Canyon building with one lift hill and splashdown included in the jaunt.
Raging River- In the heat of the summer, you may want to take some time away from the other rides to enjoy this white
water rapids course along with Poland Springs Plunge.
DiningCharacter Café- The park’s newest restaurant fits in with the Looney Tunes National Park while serving grilled chicken
sandwiches, chicken strips, sirloin burgers, hot dogs, fries, and various salads.
Chicken Chalet- This Fest Area location specializes in chicken with poultry served as chicken tenders and popcorn
chicken, with dips offered and fries available on the side.
Saddle Rock Café- A wide range of choices can be found on the menu of this Ghost Town food location: barbecue ribs
and beef sandwiches, chicken, and the usual hamburgers and fries.
Hersheypark – Hershey, Pennsylvania
Summary and TipsChocolate entrepreneur Milton Hershey’s vision of a resort for his employees has become the Northeast’s second-largest
park over 99 years and one of the sweetest places in Pennsylvania for thrill-seekers and candy-lovers alike to satisfy their
cravings. While retaining a number of the classics from the past several decades, Hersheypark has introduced a layer of
newer rides; when expansion room began to lack, Hershey’s unwavering effort to introduce new attractions led to the
construction of new atop old. Star rides now include Great Bear, Storm Runner, and Lightning Racer with the former two
featuring added excitement through their interaction with existing rides. Along with the high concentration of thrills, a
dense blanket of greenery covers the amusement park, with cleanliness and a family atmosphere beneath the canopy of
trees. Of course, one clear distinction of Hersheypark is the smell of chocolate wafting through the air and lungs of
screaming thrill-seekers. Once the gates open in the morning, avoid the crowds veering right and instead head left into
Midway America. In the way of transportation, three modes of convenience are offered: railroad, monorail, and cable
cars. For relaxation, Hersheypark offers plenty of family-friendly rides such as an observation tower and ferris wheel.
And for younger thrill-seekers, kids’ rides can be found dispersed amongst the larger rides. If you’ll only be staying 3-6
hours, look into a sunset savings ticket, which is the most valuable on days when the park closes at 11. An added bonus
for overnight guests to one of Hershey’s several top-notch resorts is the preview plan in which admission is granted free
for the last few hours when tomorrow’s ticket is purchased ahead of time. On top of that, crowds are generally light in the
hours before closing.
Park LayoutThe Tudor Square section precedes the main entrance, which then leads through Rhineland and Founder’s Circle. An
intersection will take you to the left into Music Box Way, Pioneer Frontier, and eventually Midway America, each section
forming their own loops of pathway. Meanwhile, taking a right at the intersection will lead to Comet Hollow, followed by
Mine Town, while continuing straight at the intersection will take you directly into Mine Town.
Major CoastersComet- Hershey’s oldest coaster rides along a T-shaped layout with some good airtime, an 84‘ terrain-hugging first drop,
and an overall good, old-fashioned ride that completes any day at Hersheypark.
Great Bear- Built directly above midways and other attractions, interactivity is a major plus to this inverted looper. The
unique ride starts off with a helix, then dives 124‘ down a hillside into the first of four inversions.
Lightning Racer- One of the highest-rated wooden coasters in the world since its 2000 debut, this masterpiece features
two sides – Lightning and Thunder – dueling each other out in an intense race to the finish.
Sidewinder- The normal Boomerang model, Sidewinder sends you down the 125’ lift, into a double cobra roll inversion
and traditional loop, then through the slightly rough ride backwards.
Sooperdooperlooper- A historic single-looper with a surprisingly intense inversion followed by a somewhat laid-back trip
twisting through the woods, completing a tunnel, and ending in a helix.
Storm Runner- An exhilarating launched coaster reaching 75 mph after climbing a vertical hill and diving 180’ into a
ravine. After three inversions, the 2,600‘ ride wraps up sure to leave you wanting another ride.
Wildcat- As twisted as they come, this wooden coaster gets moving with a twisting first drop into a relentless 3,183‘ of
track. Expect a slightly rough ride, and brace yourself after the first helix.
Other Thrill RidesChaos- Cars of two rotate around a central point horizontally and vertically. When the motion goes vertical, it sends the
cars flipping freely in all directions. Located in Midway America.
Claw- An inward-facing ring of 32 riders rotates slowly while it swings back and forth, eventually reaching a nearly
inverted position 65’ in the air. Hershey’s most popular spinning ride among enthusiasts.
Flying Falcon- A more rare type of ride from 1990 offers up your traditional Scrambler ride, only with some altitude added
into the equation as the rotating cars are carried up a central tower.
Frontier Flyers- The traditional Flying Scooters allows riders to take control of their experience and steer the crafts while
rotating around and swinging through the air. A consistent spinning ride favorite.
Whip- One of the many classic types of rides featured in Midway America is this old-fashioned flat ride near Lightning
Racer’s station that rotates around two U-turns speedily for a whipping effect.
Water RidesCanyon River Rapids- Spread out over four acres, this whitewater rapids raft ride features all of the waterfall and rapids
action you can ask for, and proves a good ride for cooling off during the summer.
Coal Cracker- This noticeably older “hydro-flume” meanders underneath newer attractions built since its 1973 debut.
Rafts are designed to hydroplane rather than splash down, so don’t expect to get too wet.
Tidal Force- A large version of the splashdown ride known for its oversized wave ready to drench all riders and any
onlookers who venture close enough when the boat hits the water at 53 mph.
DiningFamous Famiglia Pizza and Berks’ Hot Dogs- Travel to Rhineland to enjoy some brand-name New-York-style pizza
and quality hot dogs as you dine on the restaurant’s patio.
Minetown Restaurant- The themed section’s primary eatery has a wide range of choices on its menu such from burgers,
to chicken strips, to pizza. Indoor and outdoor dining is offered.
Tudor Grill- Located just outside the park entrance, this restaurant serves up selections of meat including ribs, burgers,
and salmon, with plenty of chocolate on the menu for dessert.
Holiday World – Santa Claus, Indiana
Summary and TipsFamily-operated since its establishment by Louis Koch as the world’s first theme park in 1946, the Holiday World of today
has become internationally recognized for its outstanding value and quality. Featuring four sections themed around
popular holidays, this park has grown from an unassuming, modest recreational spot in Santa Claus, Indiana to a complex
containing not only a theme park but also a major adjacent water park. Although the goal of Holiday World is to create the
ideal experience for families with kids under 15, all ages can easily appreciate the experience, especially with its three
highly ranked wooden coasters: Legend, Raven, and the enormous Voyage for this year. As you walk from one attraction
to the next, you may notice all of the little touches the park has thought out to help make the experience enjoyable and
worth every dollar spent, such as shaded paths and a well-trained, friendly staff. You may be rejoicing over the free
parking as you enter through the gates, unaware that free sodas and free sunscreen lotion are also offered as very
unconventional perks. Entering Holiday World, you will finally transcend the realm of $5 theme park soda cans. While the
popularity of the park continually grows, expect the park itself and the park value to grow with it.
Park LayoutThe entry gate leads into the Christmas section, the home of several smaller flat rides. Taking a left-hander halfway down
the main Christmas midway will lead into the forest of Halloween with the Raven on your left. Continuing on the path
beyond Raven, you will encounter Scarecrow Scrambler, Frightful Falls, and the Legend. At the end of the Halloween
midways is the entrance to Splashin’ Safari, while heading to the right leads into Fourth of July and meets up with the end
of the Christmas midway. Liberty Launch is the centerpiece of Fourth of July, with Raging Rapids on the left side, and the
entrance paths to Thanksgiving and ultimately Voyage on either side of Raging Rapids.
Major CoastersLegend- Beginning with a 116‘ twisting drop, Legend sends riders twisting through the woods for two minutes, completing
four tunnels and a furious finale. However, a lack of banking leads to some uncomfortable lateral forces.
Raven- A top-rated wooden coaster that takes full advantage of natural terrain to turn a smaller ride into a fast, intense
run through the woods and out over Lake Rudolph leaving riders screaming for more.
*Voyage- This wooden coaster takes all of the favorite aspects of the original two and carries them to the extreme. An
unpredictable 6,442’ of track will take you back into the far reaches of the park with airtime and speed aplenty.
Other Thrill RidesBanshee- One of several noteworthy vertical rides takes a large car of riders through vertical loops without inverting,
much like a high-speed ferris wheel delivering memorable vertical g-forces.
Eagle’s Flight- Fly a two-seater car on this swing-like Flying Scooters ride equipped with rudders that can make for some
crazy action if steered right. Located at the back of Fourth of July.
Liberty Launch- A single, smaller version of the launched freefall towers usually found in complexes at major theme
parks, this ride blasts passengers 80‘ skyward and back down.
Revolution- The traditional Round-Up situated in Fourth of July pins passengers to the walls as the circular ride rotates
quickly and tilts for a few added degrees of excitement.
Scarecrow Scrambler- Almost everyone is familiar with this classic type of amusement ride that Holiday World has given
a Halloween theme. Lateral forces help define the experience as cars scramble around on two axes.
Water RidesFrightful Falls- Journeying through the woods beneath Legend is this log flume that has haunted for twenty-two years as
it makes its way through the dark forest and climbs a 40’ lift hill before splashing down.
Raging Rapids- You and seven other riders per circular raft meander through a double out and back river rapids course
situated between Fourth of July and Thanksgiving.
DiningBarbecue USA- Located just beyond Liberty Launch in the Fourth of July section, this restaurant serves Big Chuck’s
Famous BBQ with chicken and pork sandwiches along with baked beans and fries.
Kringle’s Kafé / Kringle’s Ice Cream / Mrs. Klaus’ Kitchen- This complex of three eateries on the main Christmas
midway serves up burgers, pizza, sandwiches, and plenty of choices for dessert.
*Plymouth Rock Café- If you feel like sitting down to a traditional Thanksgiving meal, check out the park’s largest
restaurant. Enjoy a meal of turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes just in front of Voyage’s lift hill.
Kennywood – West Mifflin (Pittsburgh), Pennsylvania
Summary and TipsWell over 100 years has aged this park into a thoroughly ripened American classic that every true amusement park lover
must experience at least once in a lifetime. Serene gardens, picturesque architecture, and gracefully shaded midways
surround a collection of three world-renowned classic wooden coasters dating as far back as 1921. Jack Rabbit, Racer,
and Thunderbolt draw coaster aficionados from all corners of the continent with their unique histories and equally unique
ride experiences. Kennywood’s tradition of constructing major rides through the natural ravines that surround the 80-acre
park has led to such feats as Phantom’s Revenge, a celebrated steel coaster with a 230-foot drop towards the
Monongahela River threading between tracks of the Thunderbolt. Navigating around the park you can rest assured that
the layout of Kennywood has been planned to almost completely eliminate any dead ends, unlike most parks. An ambient
wealth of historic and contemporary treats impart a unique feel upon Kennywood that all should appreciate. While the
park recently did away with its original pay-per-ride system, tickets are still cheaper than most parks at just under $30.
Moreover, if you visit in the evening after 5:00, your ticket price will be reduced by almost half. Look for this park possibly
to begin to double in size over the next decade.
Park LayoutAfter crossing under Kennywood Boulevard to enter, the park spreads out, leading to the Volcano Valley to the right and
on past Phantom’s Revenge and Swing Shot to Lost Kennywood. Straight ahead, you will find Exterminator and the
Pittsburgh Plunge, while PittFall stands on the far side of the section and a path leads back under Phantom’s Revenge to
the Thunderbolt midway. If you choose to head straight after the entry, you will follow the shaded midways to eventually
reach the back section, with the Sky Coaster’s arch standing as the centerpiece above the park’s lagoon. You will find
Jack Rabbit to your right, Racer ahead, and Aero 360 on the opposite side of the lagoon.
Major CoastersExterminator- Enclosed in subterranean darkness, this oversized wild mouse will take you on a spin through themed
scenes. Don’t put it ahead of the other coasters if the line extends too far outside.
Jack Rabbit- This 1921 classic may look undersized with a 40’ lift, but its powerful negative g-forces will amaze. An
exceptional amount of airtime will force you clear out of your seat as you double-dip into a ravine.
Phantom’s Revenge- 1991’s Steel Phantom was reborn for its 10th anniversary as an amazing new experience. Whether
it’s the 23-story drop towards the river or ejector-strength airtime on speed hills, be prepared to be impressed.
Racer- Tamer than any of the park’s other major wooden coasters, but still a fun classic not to miss. Don’t forget to reach
out and high-five a few hands on the other train as you race – a highlight of the experience.
Thunderbolt- Many consider this one of the best wooden coasters in the world for its history along with its classic terrainhugging layout built in the ravine beneath Phantom and a final, largest drop of 90‘.
Other Thrill RidesAero 360- Located at the back right near the lake is this twist on the more traditional swinging ship leaving four-dozen
riders hanging 90’ in the air with legs dangling during the 360° flight.
King Kahuna- Take a ferris-wheel-like trip to 40‘ in one of two rows of 20 riders before being spun and tossed through the
air on two axes. Prepare for some good hang-time.
PittFall- Get an outstanding bird’s eye view of the park and Pittsburgh area as you climb the dominating 25-story tower
before freefalling back to earth at 65 mph. Worth at least one ride.
*Swing Shot- A new breed of pendulum ride takes 32 passengers riding two separate swings up to 100 feet in the air at
the front of the park through the power of pneumatics.
Volcano- Enclosed in restraint-free cars, positive g-forces pin riders into their seats while the wheel of cars rotates
continually faster and eventually performs inclined loops. Located across from King Kahuna.
Whip- This park classic was formerly a staple of parks, and is now one of only several in the world remaining. You’ll know
why it’s called Whip when you round one of two U-turns along the flat course.
Water RidesPittsburg Plunge- Your standard splashdown ride finds itself in the middle of Lost Kennywood with a classic amusement
park theme surrounding the 50‘ plunge and splashdown pool.
Log Jammer- Located next to the Racer at the back of Kennywood, the classic 1975 Log Jammer takes riders through a
trough twisting and turning in the woods before its lift and 53’ drop finale.
Raging Rapids- This eighties-era white water rapids ride takes circular rafts floating and splashing through a course
snaking along the edge of a ravine just beyond Thunderbolt’s highest point.
DiningParkside Terrace Café- A guest favorite located in the heart of the park, this cafeteria-style location loads up plates with
moderately priced choices including turkey and pasta.
Potato Patch- The world’s most famous amusement park fries stand serves old-fashioned fried potatoes like it has for
decades next Thunderbolt. Toppings offered include cheese and gravy.
Soda Fountain Stand- Occupying a former carousel building, Kennywood’s largest food stand is located adjacent to the
current carousel and serves traditional foods such as burgers and hot dogs.
Knott’s Berry Farm – Buena Park, California
Summary and TipsAs with Hersheypark, another familiar brand name lends itself to a major theme park, and the result is another sweet
experience. Knott’s Berry Farm has called its Southern California city of Buena Park home since debuting in 1940 and
has seen much change in the sixty-six years that have elapsed. Over just the span of the past decade, Knott’s has grown
from an inferior, less noteworthy park into a thrill paradise. Once the Cedar Fair chain purchased the growing tourist
destination, Knott’s transformed into the park that thrill-seekers and families alike love today. The star coasters,
GhostRider, Xcelerator, and Silver Bullet, have become recognized as some of the best rides of their respective types
after debuting in a rapid-fire four-year time period. Classic Western and Pacific themes from the days before Cedar Fair
add to the experience along with a well-maintained feel. If you’re looking for a little relaxation, Ghost Town offers two
modes of transportation around the park: the Calico Railroad and Butterfield Stagecoach. Admission is an average $45,
with a $10 discount available at knotts.com. If you visit after 4:00 p.m., ticket prices are cut in less than half. The park is
open every day of the year minus Christmas, making season passes far more expensive than seasonal parks at $115. If
you’re staying overnight, look into purchasing a package deal including accommodations at the adjacent Knott’s Berry
Farm Resort Hotel.
Park LayoutThe Grand Entrance leads into the Indian Trails section where Silver Bullet will be the obvious first ride for many guests.
To the right immediately after the entrance is Camp Snoopy, and Fiesta Village beyond, complete with Montezooma’s
Revenge. To the left of the entrance is Ghost Town, home to the GhostRider. Continuing straight down the entry
midway, you will encounter Calico Square where a left will take you to Bigfoot Rapids in Wild Water Wilderness.
Continuing straight to the back of the park and heading right will take you into the Boardwalk section, a hot spot for thrill
rides: RipTide on your right, Perilous Plunge on your left, Boomerang on your right, Xcelerator straight ahead, and
Supreme Scream to the right. Meanwhile, the Boardwalk connects with Fiesta Village and heads back towards Calico
Square past the Timber Mountain Log Ride.
Major CoastersBoomerang- Loop upside-down six times in all on this typical Boomerang coaster shuttling riders back and forth once –
not too quickly, and not too smoothly – between two 125’ slopes.
Ghost Rider- A coaster praised for its compact, double-L-shaped layout hurtling riders through dense wooden structure at
up to 56 mph. GhostRider also caters a smooth, air-time-filled ride.
Montezooma’s Revenge- Your normal German-engineered shuttle-looper of the 1970s launches at 55 mph smoothly
through a single loop, up a reversing spike, and through the loop and station backwards.
Silver Bullet- An inverted coaster erected over a lake and the entry midway that soars through six inversions helping to
make up a fast-paced, smooth, and intense 55-mph experience.
Xcelerator- Riding in ’57 Chevys with attitude, riders blast off at 82 mph to ascend a 21-story vertical hill and complete a
smooth, intense figure-8 leading to a graceful stop. Don’t miss this ride.
Other Thrill RidesHat Dance- In the midst of Fiesta Village is a less traditional version of a popular ride. The standard teacups ride is
spiced up with hat-themed cars spinning around a central point on two axes.
La Revolucion- A circle comprised of inverted rows of four riders rotates horizontally while performing a controlled
pendulum-like swing to reach a height of 65’ in each direction.
RipTide- You and 37 others sit back to back in two rows, feet dangling, and are sent up in circular motion while the
seating flips in intense action over the Boardwalk and water geysers.
Supreme Scream- A 254‘ triple freefall tower complex featuring the downward-launching 50 mph Turbo Drop ride
program for all towers and providing an excellent view of the city.
Wipeout- This simple-looking spinning ride gets going in circles only to begin an up-and-down rocking motion as the ring
of passengers continues to spin in faster circles.
Water RidesBigfoot Rapids- A fairly straightforward white water rapids course that loops around an L-shaped layout, drifting past a
themed village in the Wild Water Wilderness section.
Perilous Plunge- As intense as splashdown rides get, boats are sent down a nearly vertical 115‘ plunge into the
splashdown pool. Unfortunately, over-the-shoulder restraints take away from the ride.
Timber Mountain Log Ride- Knott’s classic 1969 log flume takes a jaunt past artificial rockwork, meandering 2,100 feet
through Ghost Town and then dipping 39’ to splash down.
DiningCoasters Drive-In- The Cedar Fair standard is appropriately located in the fifties-themed Boardwalk section. Hot burgers
and fries and cold milk shakes are served at this location.
La Cocinita- Get your fix of Mexican food at this buffet where you will find burritos, enchiladas, and other choices.
Situated in Fiesta Village by the park’s lake.
Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant- Perhaps the only restaurant with the claim to starting the park itself. No one
can pass up the fried chicken at Mrs. Knott’s, a piece of tradition since 1934. Adjacent to the entrance.
La Ronde – Montreal, Ontario
Summary and TipsCanada’s Six Flags outpost is uniquely situated on a Montreal island converted into an amusement park inspired after its
hosting of the 1967 World Expo. As a relatively newer addition to the Six Flags chain and not altogether a “true” Six Flags
theme park yet, La Ronde will have foreseeable years ahead until measuring up to the big boys in the chain. Yet, this
park is showing a huge potential for thrill-seekers north of the United States and continues welcome multi-million-dollar
expansion on a regular basis. This year, La Ronde continues an attempt to push ahead of the country’s only other major
theme park, Paramount Canada’s Wonderland, by erecting the country’s largest coaster, the 175-foot Goliath from
praised Swiss steel coaster masterminds Bolliger and Mabillard. Goliath joins an assortment of rides including B&M’s
only previous Canadian project, Vampire, and the park’s runner-up attraction Monstre, an oversized wooden racing
coaster. The collection also contains several second-rate steel coasters that Canadians have unfortunately grown used to
for years in the absence of higher-quality thrills; rides such as Cobra and Boomerang. To get the most out of your day,
consider heading to the back of the park upon entering in the morning and tackling Goliath first thing. Then, work your
way forward towards Monstre.
Park LayoutTaking a left after the entrance will lead to the park’s loop home to Tornade, Vertigo, Cobra, Vampire, and Manitou.
Meanwhile, a right heads first to Boomerang, then on to Super Manège, Splash, and Monstre. However, continuing
straight down the main midway after the entrance will lead past the lake on your left and meet up with the Monstre path
before heading to the back of the park where Goliath dominates.
Major CoastersBoomerang- Nothing special, but still a thrilling ride for first-timers as your regular three-inversion ride loops a train
through a cobra roll and traditional loop both forwards and backwards.
Cobra- Stand up and face your fears of roughness and wear and tear on this mean green steel twister. After the ride’s
main feature, a vertical loop, a twister course whips riders through 2,575 track feet.
*Goliath- The new giant of the park dominates over the back of the park with a lift rising to 175‘ and a 4,039’ L-shaped
course of one smooth airtime hill after another traveling to the end of the island and back.
Monstre- A racing coaster that may ride tamer than it appears as you and the parallel track drop only half of the total 130‘
of height before following two similar yet not identical layouts.
Super Manège- A “second-generation” version of the original Corkscrew ride expands upon the concept of corkscrewing
upside-down to feature some other thrill elements.
Vampire- Like the Batman: the Ride inverted loopers found at Six Flags parks in the United States, Vampire will take you
through five inversions and a twister section in a smooth and intense experience.
Other Thrill RidesBateau Pirate- Take a trip over the high seas on a traditional swinging pirate ship located between the main midway and
Monstre. This ride type proves a family favorite for its moderate lack of intensity.
Manitou- A guest favorite, Manitou seats 24 riders in a ring suspended from the main arm swinging them in an arc while
the ring rotates for an added axis of thrills. Adjacent to Super Manège.
Orbite- A highlight of the park is this launched freefall tower with a location at the central lagoon providing a great view of
Montreal while you blast towards the top of the 150’ tower and back down.
Tornade- Forty passengers at a time flip forwards and backwards as their two rows are taken looping between two
supports on two axes. Water geysers provide an added element of excitement.
Vertigo- The modern counterpart of Bateau Pirate is this pendulum-type ride seating two-dozen in back-to-back groups of
three with legs dangling, suspended from an overhead arm looping 60’ through the sky.
Water RidesSplash- La Ronde’s first water ride was installed two years ago to provide guests with an opportunity to dampen their
clothes in the heat after the ride’s boat performs a single 50‘ splashdown.
DiningVarious stands; no indoor, sit-down / full-service locations.
Michigan’s Adventure – Muskegon, Michigan
Summary and TipsMichigan’s one major thrill spot is an amusement park in transition – a transition from a more low-key family-owned park
to the identity of a major, thrill-saturated park that new owners Cedar Fair like their parks to have. Before the Jourden
family sold Michigan’s Adventure, the park was already off to a good start with several minor and intermediate-sized
coaster tracks including 1998’s unprecedented Shivering Timbers, one of the world’s largest wooden coasters. Today,
thrill-seekers can find a duo of major wooden coasters and one major steel coaster along with a decent-sized collection of
traditional flat rides. You will also find the three usual types of water rides, completed with this year’s addition of Grand
Rapids. Along with the amusement park, the adjacent WildWater Adventure water park will help to fill up any summer day
with its modern collection of slides and attractions, all included in the reasonable admission price. And while the
amusement park's collection of rides may not take a full day to complete, rides and re-rides on Shivering Timbers are
almost a guarantee. Michigan’s Adventure has a largely clean atmosphere, with good landscaping close to midways, but
a considerable lack of trees. A good staff will help make your day more enjoyable. Holidays seem to be the prime time to
avoid crowds at Michigan’s Adventure.
Park LayoutDirectly beyond the entrance plaza on the left is Zach’s Zoomer while Corkscrew is directly ahead on the right. Turning
right after the entry plaza will take you into the park’s central concentration of rides, a large plaza containing all of the
noteworthy spinning rides in addition to Logger’s Run and the two largest coasters: Wolverine Wildcat and Shivering
Timbers. However, continuing straight through after the entrance, you will pass the park’s lake on your right and then
come to the WildWater Adventure entrance. After a right-hand turn, the path leads to Adventure Falls and finally Grand
Rapids.
Major CoastersCorkscrew- Your average Corkscrew model from the 1970s will take you through a standard double corkscrew and not
much else during a short, rough ride. Almost as much fun just to watch.
Shivering Timbers- This top-rated wooden coaster takes the out and back design to the extreme, stretching out to 5,383‘
long, with an incredible abundance of hills serving up coveted airtime, and a couple other surprises.
Wolverine Wildcat- The mid-sized addition to the wooden coaster trio tops off at 85‘ before sending riders around a fun,
fast-paced double out and back, lakeside layout that never gets boring.
Other Thrill RidesChaos- This popular vertical spinning ride sends carloads of two flipping head-over-heals upside-down while rotating on a
second axis horizontally and then tilting towards the sky vertically.
Falling Star- For a good view and interesting vertical forces, take a spin onboard this Flying Carpet model. Located in the
spinning ride hotspot at the front of the park, parallel to the parking lot.
Scrambler- The traditional amusement park and fair ride is situated between the Giant Gondola ferris wheel and Mad
Mouse, providing a wild trip around two horizontal axes.
Sea Dragon- A standard swinging ship enhanced by its cool location swinging out over the park’s lake. A favorite at
parks around the world for its wide appeal throughout the age ranges.
Tilt-a-Whirl- This amusement park classic can be found next to Logger’s Run. Dual-passenger cars free to swing in
complete circles are pulled around a larger circle complete with elevation changes.
Water RidesAdventure Falls- Your best bet for cooling off without setting foot in WildWater Adventure is this splashdown ride sending
a boatload down into the awaiting splash zone, the recipe for a major wave.
*Grand Rapids- Michigan’s Adventure is the newest park to receive a white water rapids ride with Grand Rapids, a
1,500‘, two-minute version located adjacent to Adventure Falls.
Logger’s Run- Your average log flume consists of a lift hill, several curves and turnarounds, and then a final splashdown.
Conveniently located close to Shivering Timbers – a good option for drying off.
Dining*Coasters Drive-In- Traditional fare can be found at this fifties-themed restaurant located between the entrance and
Corkscrew. Feast on juicy burgers, fries, and milkshakes here.
Wagon Pizza- Between Logger’s Run and Shivering Timbers is this small eatery. Cheese and pepperoni pizzas are the
specialties here, but deli sandwiches are also served.
Wildcat Grill- Just in front of the Wolverine Wildcat, this restaurant serves hamburgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, and
combos, along with fries and milkshakes.
Morey’s Piers – Wildwood, New Jersey
Summary and TipsIf you’re a fan of amusement boardwalks, a trip to the southern New Jersey coastline of Wildwood will lead to your
ultimate dreamland. The largest complex of amusement piers to be found is a definite attraction for thrill-seekers and
beach-lovers alike to check out. An ample collection of rides at Morey’s Piers includes the Great White, a favorite seaside
wooden coaster, a number of smaller steel coasters, and various other thrill-rides. A clear view of the Atlantic Ocean
beyond the ends of the piers makes for a scenic perfect backdrop for the park, and a high-energy, highly concentrated
attraction atmosphere is a major element of the experience, especially at night. For a tour of the complex, take a trip
onboard the Spencer Ave. Pier’s Sky Ride, cable cars that will take you beyond the end of the boardwalk and back.
Another option is to take the powered trip aboard the suspended Sky Ships at the Schellenger Ave. Pier, or get exercise
peddling the parallel Sky Cycle track. True to boardwalk tradition, these piers utilize the pay-as-you-go system, but
wristbands covering all of the major rides we list can be purchased for use throughout the complex. Savings is offered for
families of four, and books of up to 190 tickets ideal for larger groups are sold for up to one-third off the normal price. The
maximum cost for the largest coasters is eight tickets apiece.
Park LayoutMorey’s Piers is divided into three piers: the 25th Avenue Pier at the north, the Schellenger Avenue Pier in the middle, and
the Spencer Avenue Pier at the south. 25th Avenue contains three coasters – Great Nor’ Easter, Doo Wopper, and Flitzer
– and one of two Raging Waters Waterparks at the end. Schellenger Avenue contains two coasters – Sea Serpent and
Rollie’s Coaster – and the second, larger Raging Waters complex next to the Atlantic. Finally, the Spencer Avenue Pier’s
star attraction is the Great White with its wooden tracks extending well beyond the pier onto the beach.
Major CoastersFlitzer- This 1969 steel coaster takes on that year’s theme of space exploration with a compact, twisting steel track
winding its way through celestially themed props. Rehabbed for the 2005 season.
Great Nor’ Easter- Starts and ends with a bang through 2,261‘ of red track offering up the normal Suspended Looping
Coaster experience, but enhanced by interaction with water slides and great view of the Atlantic.
Great White- The star of the Wildwood piers, this wooden coaster starts out with a 25‘ plunge underneath the boardwalk
before climbing 110‘ and taking on the satisfactory oceanfront, double-out-and-back track.
Sea Serpent- The same story as with its nearly fifty counterparts found around the world: a double-inverting cobra roll
inversion, single vertical loop, and two lift slopes to propel the train forwards and backwards.
Other Thrill RidesAtmosFEAR- Smaller than other launched freefall tower, but still an intense must-ride. At the 25th Ave. Pier, AtmosFEAR
dominates over most other rides at a height of 140’, with 50-mph top speeds.
Condor- Located at 25th Ave., this spinning vertical ride takes four rings of seven carloads spinning around a central
tower of 112‘ on the way up to the top. Provides a nice ride and view.
Maelstrom- This Schellenger Ave Spinout model whisks a ring of 24 riders around in circles and then flipping over into
inverted position while continuing with the rotation motion.
Inverter- A two-dozen-rider car is sent through the air in loops by the arm it’s attached to while it flips forward toward the
ground on another axis. Inverter is located on the Spencer Ave. Pier.
Water RidesZoom Phloom- On the 25th Ave. Pier, Morey’s sole amusement-type water ride is this log flume, an outstanding ride of
this type for its length and interaction with other boardwalk attractions.
DiningBeach Grill- Located at the end of the 25th Ave. Pier within the Raging Waters Waterpark. Serves up amusement park
favorites such as cheeseburgers, cheese steaks, and fries.
Jumbo’s- Located at the front of the Schellenger Ave. Pier. Shrimp is the specialty here, but other items include crabs,
clams, scallops, fish, and chicken, along with more traditional amusement park fare.
Wrecker’s Grill- Located at the end of the Schellenger Ave. Pier. More traditional park food found at this Raging Waters
restaurant includes hot dogs, burgers, and fries.
Mt. Olympus Theme Park – Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Summary and TipsWhat originally began as another go-cart park for Wisconsin Dells has transformed into the city’s commanding destination
for thrills. A merger of three popular attractions along the main Wisconsin Dells Parkway has led to the creation of a 90acre megalopolis of a theme park complex comprised of outdoor and indoor amusement and water parks. Three major
wooden coasters dominate over the Greek-themed complex, but an average-priced admission will also buy you access to
all other amusement rides, slides, go-kart tracks, and attractions on the property. The highlight for any roller coaster
connoisseur will be 2005’s cynosure attraction Hades, one of the largest, most unique wooden coasters in existence.
New this year is the Parthenon indoor portion of the amusement park housing the spinning steel coaster Opa. Moreover,
with over 60 acres remaining for expansion and new rides and attractions every year, the future looks like a bright one for
Wisconsin’s first theme park. If you plan to stay overnight in the city, lodging at the adjacent Treasure Island Resort and
Pleasant View Motel will gain you a free admission to Mt. Olympus. But if you only plan on spending minimal time at the
complex or riding a select number of attractions, you can purchase an admission-only ticket for next to nothing and pay
additionally for individual ride tickets.
Park LayoutEntering through the main gate, you will come across a four-way intersection. Taking a right will take you to all four major
coasters, while taking a left will lead to the Kiddie Land section. Continuing straight through the dry section of the park,
you will encounter the Pegasus junior coaster to the left and various go-kart tracks in all directions. At the end of the
midway, the path diverges to lead to the Bay of Dreams indoor water park to the left and straight ahead, and on to all of
the outdoor water attractions to the right.
Major CoastersCyclops- A short, smaller wooden coaster with attitude. After a quick 70’ swoop, you will plow into intense airtime hills
and cross under Hades and Zeus. Must be an adult to sit in the back car due to the intense “floater” air.
Dive to Atlantis- Half water ride, half roller coaster. After meandering slowly through the flume, you’re taken up a lift hill,
down a small dip, and then into the grand finale of a decent splashdown element.
Hades- Go higher and deeper than most other wooden coasters for a smooth, powerful ride through two deep
underground sections tunneling beneath the parking lot that feature 90° banked turns and surprise speed hills.
*Opa- Twist and spin through the new Parthenon portion of the park on a fast-paced smaller steel coaster. A compliment
to the existing coaster collection and an ideal ride for entire families.
Zeus- An intermediate-sized, out and back woodie running underneath Hades. On Zeus, you’ll find plenty of fast-paced
airtime hills throughout the journey delivering pops of “ejector”-strength airtime.
Other Thrill RidesCurrently none.
Water RidesCurrently none, with the exception of the water ride / coaster hybrid Dive to Atlantis (see above).
DiningVarious stands; no indoor, sit-down / full-service locations.
Paramount Canada’s Wonderland – Vaughan, Ontario
Summary and TipsOne of a select handful of theme parks in Canada can be found in Ontario in the form of Paramount Canada’s
Wonderland, a park that brings the theme park experience to the Canada like no other park. At first glance, it appears
equivalent to the Paramount properties found throughout the United States, with similar themes adorning rides from Drop
Zone to Top Gun. However, the focus of Canada’s Wonderland is on its collection of spinning rides rather than coasters,
as coasters that would be considered average at other parks are the main attractions here, and no single ride stands out
as a park favorite. Years of no new coasters have befallen the northern Paramount emplacement, and most of the
existing coasters are showing their age. However, last year brought the addition of the family coaster Italian Job Stunt
Track, which now stands out as the smoothest and perhaps most enjoyable facet of the coaster collection. Yet, a major
bragging right that Canada’s Wonderland holds is an exceedingly large collection of major vertical and spinning thrill rides,
with rare treats such as Psyclone, Shockwave, and Sledgehammer. Make sure that you set aside time to enjoy these
rides along with the coasters! An average-sized water park found at the back of the property, Splash Works, is included in
general admission. Visit at the beginning of the day or in the evening on weekdays for the smallest crowds.
Park LayoutHalfway down the International Street entry midway, a right will take you into the World Exposition of 1890 section where
you can find Top Gun, Tomb Raider, Delirium, and Sledgehammer. Continuing through this section, you will pass Italian
Job and Mighty Canadian Minebuster on your left, with Sky Rider to the right. Finally, the section leads into Splash
Works. However, continuing to the end of International Street, the path forks in front of the Wonderland Mountain to lead
past Vortex to the left and into the International Festival section to the right. International Festival feeds into Medieval
Faire where Cliffhanger, Dragon Fyre, Drop Zone, Wilde Beast, and Bat can be found. Continuing around the back of the
park counterclockwise, you will pass through the kids’ areas before entering Splash Works.
Major CoastersBat- Three inversions forwards and backwards are the main features of this Boomerang coaster. Brace yourself after the
125’ fall through the station starts off the ride.
Dragon Fyre- This steel coaster takes a step back to a day of relatively simplistic loopers. A boring layout by today’s
standards consists of a double loop, curve, double corkscrew, and slow helix.
Italian Job Stunt Track- Put yourself in the middle of a movie chase scene, complete with quick takeoffs and explosions.
Smaller than most coasters, but still an exciting ride with a detailed theme.
Mighty Canadian Minebuster- An L-shaped wooden coaster that rides over some good hills paralleling the water park
but screams out the need for major maintenance due to its roughness.
Sky Rider- Stand up and brace yourself for dear life. Sky Rider is a single-looping, double-out-and-back steel ride with
attitude, a little too much in fact as the banked curves make for major headbanging.
Tomb Raider: the Ride- This 50‘ tall carnival-like coaster takes groups of four on a disappointingly short, quick, jerky ride
while lying down in caged vehicles unlike higher-quality “flying coasters.”
Top Gun- Unlike the other Top Gun coasters, this is a Suspended Looping Coaster, the multi-looping twister commonly
installed for its compact layout but commonly disliked for roughness.
Vortex- A suspended, swinging coaster with a fast-paced, well-designed layout of 2,361’. The setting earns it points, with
the first lift hill situated on the park’s artificial Wonderland Mountain.
Wilde Beast- The sister ride to two other Paramount woodies navigates riders through a figure-8-like course that tops off
at a moderate 82’. Like the Minebuster, this ride is in need of an overhaul.
Other Thrill RidesCliffhanger- This Top Spin model takes two rows of 20 riders attached to arms at each end flipping vertically through
rapid-fire rolls and looping upside-down for some quality hang time.
Drop Zone Stunt Tower- A larger, 230‘ version of the popular Giant Drop freefall tower that lifts single cars of four riders
to the top at 11 mph before a 63-mph freefall and magnetic brakes end the ride with style.
Psyclone- Forty passengers sit around a ring attached to a giant pendulum-like arm, facing outward with legs dangling.
The ring begins rotating and arm begins swinging for two axes of thrill.
Shockwave- This Topscan model takes an asterisk-shaped configuration of thirty riders on an arm spinning while the fiverider cars flip vertically. Then, the arm begins swinging through inclined loops.
Sledge Hammer- Small, inward-facing rings of passengers begin swinging around a central tower like octopus arms
before the six arms leap skyward, adding altitude into the equation.
Water RidesTimberwolf Falls- If you want to cool off without setting foot in the water park, take a trip on this simplistic splashdown
ride with its single 50‘ drop or check out White Water Canyon.
White Water Canyon- Ride with five others crazy enough to want to get drenched by waterfalls and white water rapids as
you float through the trough adjacent to Splash Works.
DiningSouthside Grille- The park’s only indoor, air-conditioned, sit-down restaurant serves up burgers and chicken strips.
Located in the World Exposition of 1890 section.
Paramount’s Carowinds – Charlotte, North Carolina
Summary and TipsGenerally ranked third of the five Paramount Parks for its exceptional ride collection, Carowinds completes any tour of the
Mid-Atlantic’s major theme parks. Straddling the Carolina divide, Paramount’s Carowinds is based in Charlotte and
extends into South Carolina; in fact, the park’s original star attraction Thunder Road races south across the border before
returning. The theme park quality is above average, though not up at the level of Kings Dominion and Kings Island yet,
with a growing handful of star attractions including the ever-popular inverted coaster Top Gun: the Jet Coaster. To beat
the crowds, enter through the South (back) gate for easy access to Top Gun first thing in the morning. From there, you
may want to experience the equally popular flying coaster BORG Assimilator before its crowds reach full strength. Avoid
visiting around the opening of the Boomerang Bay water park section Memorial Day weekend when some of the largest
crowds flood the park, especially with its 2006 revamp as Carowinds’ “new” attraction. Crowds tend to be lightest early in
the season along with most Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. The park encourages visitors to investigate
purchasing Platinum Season Passes for VIP privileges such as attraction preview events, free tickets, and discounts. If
you plan to visit Carowinds or other Paramount parks several times in a single season, a pass will come in handy as a
money-saving tool.
Park LayoutPassing through the North Gate, you will find yourself in the Paramount Plaza with Rip Roarin’ Rapids on your right.
Heading around Carowinds counterclockwise, you will enter Carolina Showplace, home to Vortex, then continue into Thrill
Zone where Hurler and Drop Zone are located. Heading towards the back of the park from there, you will enter Carolina
Boardwalk, passing by Carolina Cyclone and entering the Carolina RFD section with Boomerang Bay’s entrance on the
right. Beyond White Water Falls, a right will take you into County Fair where Thunder Road and Top Gun can be found.
Taking a clockwise trip around the park takes you past BORG Assimilator and the children’s areas before meeting up with
Carolina RFD.
Major CoastersBORG Assimilator- The only coaster ever themed to Star Trek starts out with riders lying over the track, but ends up with
them lying underneath in “flying” position for an exhilarating, intense, slightly rough ride.
Carolina Cyclone- This 1980 quadruple-inversion steel coaster is running well for its age, providing the thrills of a double
loop and double corkscrew in a short 2,100’ double out and back layout.
Hurler- If you want airtime, this ride is for you. Rough, but still smoother than its VA counterpart, you will be hurled over a
3,157‘ triple-out-and-back course with speed hills aplenty, but also four less fun turns.
Thunder Road- A classic air-time-filled out and back wooden racer traveling across the border, Thunder Road puts two
tracks side by side for the “out” run and then separates to complete the run back to the station.
Top Gun: the Jet Coaster- Considered by most to be the star attraction, this inverted twister loops through a stylish sixinversion layout with all the smoothness and intensity you can ask for.
Vortex- Recent years’ improvements have led to a smooth stand-up coaster throughout its layout featuring a first loop
directly after a plunge from 90’, curve over the lift hill, corkscrew, and figure-8 finale.
Other Thrill RidesDrop Zone Stunt Tower- A 174‘ version of the popular Giant Drop freefall tower that lifts single cars of four riders to the
top before a 16-story freefall of mph and magnetic brakes end the ride with style.
Phantom Flyers- A fun Flying Scooters ride in which riders help steer their crafts as they rotate around a central point
and swing out, making for twisting or “snapping” action with the turn of a rudder.
Rocket Power Air-Time- The Nickelodeon theme is the only difference from other Flying Carpet rides. Air-Time is aptly
named for negative g’s experienced as the vehicle completes a quick, non-inverting vertical circle.
Scream Weaver- After the major coasters, try to hit up this fun Enterprise treat. Sitting in completely restraint-free,
enclosed cars, you will rotate horizontally, then loop vertically around a wheel.
Water RidesRip Roarin’ Rapids- A longer than average version of the white water rapids experience, but degraded recently by the
removal of the final waterfall. The other two water rides provide more of a soaking.
White Water Falls- Carowinds’ splashdown ride takes riders up five stories before descending a 45’ drop and making a
grand splashdown intended to soak both riders and spectators alike.
Wild Thornberries River Adventure- Enhanced by Nickelodeon theming, log flume riders are put in the center of the
popular cartoon while they splash along the trough and encounter a surprisingly wet drop.
DiningCountry Kitchen- Enjoy a tasty southern meal of fried chicken, corn on the cob, and mashed potatoes at this park
favorite since the beginning. Located in the Carolina RFD section.
Happy Days Diner- This Paramount-brand restaurant in front of Hurler offers a themed atmosphere inspired by the
seventies TV series. If you feel like having a burger or sandwich, Happy Days is one of your best bets.
Wings- This restaurant offers some of the best-quality food in the park, but at a price. Chicken and pizza meals are on the
menu, with cake offered for dessert.
Paramount’s Great America – Santa Clara, California
Summary and TipsThe West Coast outpost for Paramount brings the movie-themed experience to life on a smaller scale than the other
parks. Due to a disadvantageous lack of expansion room, Great America has been restrained from rising to the level of
its counterparts. Unfortunately, that situation has incited the removal of several star coasters over the years in favor of
new attractions designed to draw the families, exemplified by the recent removal of the milestone flying coaster Stealth in
favor of the chain’s final new Paramount-brand water park. However, several above-average rides still exist, namely the
two Swiss-engineered steel coasters Top Gun and Vortex. Thankfully, the Boomerang Bay water park has helped drain
the crowds from the thrill ride portion of the park on hot days, and no ride clearly stands out as far more popular than the
rest, so you likely won’t need to map out any complex strategy for avoiding the crowds. The park itself is decent in quality,
with general cleanliness, some good landscaping in parts, and staff generally found to be average. Since riding the major
coasters may not take too long, assure that you set aside time for the vertical and spinning rides such as Delirium, Drop
Zone, and Orbit. If you’re waiting for a new thrill ride draw before visiting Great America, give it a few years and hope for
a major new coaster as compensation for the recent removals. For $20 off your admission ticket, purchase through the
park’s website, pgathrills.com, or use the Pay Once Visit Twice offer to enjoy two days at the standard rate of $50.
Park LayoutTaking a left at the Carousel Columbia leads around the park’s loop clockwise, past Top Gun on the left, followed by
Flying Eagles, Orbit, and Rip Roaring Rapids. Across from Delirium is the entrance to Boomerang Bay. However,
heading straight down the entry midway will take you past Vortex on the left followed by Whitewater Falls and Demon on
the right, then Invertigo on the left. Finally, the midway leads past Grizzly and Drop Zone at the back of the park.
Major CoastersDemon- Two double inversions are the main attraction to this steel twister, but roughness from age and construction
before the days of abundant quality steel coasters detract from an otherwise good ride.
Grizzly- A wooden coaster with a roughly figure-8 layout, but unfortunately that isn’t the only rough thing about it. Like its
two Paramount counterparts Grizzly and Wilde Beast, you’ll need to hang on tight and try to enjoy.
Invertigo- The normal Boomerang coaster is inverted and intensified with an exceptional 5 g’s of force as you whip
through three inversions twice with legs dangling, facing other riders on the interior of the train.
Top Gun- Three inversions are on the flight plan for this older yet smooth and swift-flying inverted coaster. The layout
may be shorter than average at 2,260‘, but it packs a punch nonetheless.
Vortex- A smaller, mostly smooth stand-up coaster with a T-shaped layout and two inversions. After the 91‘ lift hill, a
loop, corkscrew, and several twists and turns follow.
Other Thrill RidesDelirium- This Revolution type of vertical ride seats 32 riders in a ring of eight cars before swinging back and forth while
rotating for two axes of thrills. A popular ride among guests and critics alike.
Drop Zone Stunt Tower- A 224‘ version of the popular Giant Drop freefall tower lifts four single cars of four riders to the
top before a four-second freefall and magnetic brakes end the ride with style.
Flying Eagles- For some relaxation, consider a ride on this family favorite provided that long lines aren’t a problem.
You’ll get to pilot your own Flying Scooter as it flies in circles above the midway.
HMB Endeavor- Located at the back of the park, Great America’s swinging ship ride takes passengers not only back and
forth, but then completely upside-down to complete several loops.
Orbit- This Enterprise seats up to two riders in a wheel of restraint-free, caged cars. When the wheel begins spinning
horizontally and eventually vertically, g-forces pin riders into their seats.
Water RidesLogger’s Run- Now considered a part of Boomerang Bay, this log flume passes over the water park as it winds towards
the climactic, parallel-troughed 60’ double-dipping drop back down to the station.
Rip Roaring Rapids- Six riders at a time splash and wind through a bent T-shaped course located just behind Orbit.
Before Boomerang Bay, this was a top escape from the heat, with two geyser lagoons.
Whitewater Falls- Located at the front of the park is your standard splashdown model, boasting a 50’ plunge intended to
drench the boatload of 20 riders and spectators alike.
DiningAmerican Café- One of the park’s most popular restaurants serves up all-American favorites in the All-American Plaza.
Enjoy cheeseburgers, chicken strips, hamburgers, and fries.
Maggie Brown’s- This old-fashioned cafeteria-style restaurant in Hollywood Plaza serves fried chicken with the favorite
sides of biscuits, corn on the cob, and mashed potatoes.
Nicktoons Café- For a dining experience enhanced by the presence of the popular Nickelodeon characters, stop by this
Nickelodeon Central restaurant and enjoy burgers, chicken, pizza, and sandwiches.
Paramount’s Kings Dominion – Doswell (Richmond), Virginia
Summary and TipsAfter over thirty years of maturation, Paramount’s Kings Dominion is in its prime, with a well-planned feel, enjoyable
atmosphere, good staff, and balanced collection of attractions. Over the past decade, the park has meliorated from an
average regional park into a more aesthetical, thrill-packed destination with one of the largest ride collections on the East
Coast. All ages can easily enjoy a collection of thirteen coasters, which includes five smaller tracks and plenty to satisfy
the thrill-seekers. The unique inverted launched coaster Volcano is the park’s star attraction, followed by the freefalling
Drop Zone, and the HyperSonic XLC™ vertical launched coaster. All of these rides were innovative for their times and
still hold regional records while maintaining their status of popularity in the Mid-Atlantic. However, two downsides to the
coaster collection are short durations for most of the coaster tracks and two rides with incredibly rough portions of track –
Hurler® and Shockwave. If you hit the park during the early or mid part of the week though, wait times should be
satisfactory, especially during the summer when crowds tend to head towards the free adjacent WaterWorks water park.
If you plan to visit the park more than once or twice throughout the season, purchasing a season pass will not only save
you money, but will also provide a number of extra benefits including free no-wait ride tickets and early admittance to the
park and water park. Purchase your season pass as early as possible for the absolute lowest prices.
Park LayoutWhen you enter Paramount’s Kings Dominion, International Street leads past Berserker before dividing into three sections
at the Eiffel Tower: Old Virginia to the right, the Grove straight ahead, and Nickelodeon™ Central to the left. Old Virginia
is home to Grizzly, while the Grove contains Shockwave, Drop Zone Stunt Tower®, Rebel Yell™, HyperSonic XLC™, and
Hurler®. Old Virginia loops around into the Grove, while Nickelodeon™ Central leads to the Grove after a right or straight
through to the thrill hotspot Congo, home to Tomb Raider™: Firefall, Volcano: the Blast Coaster™, Italian Job Turbo
Coaster, and Anaconda. Meanwhile, the Grove will guide you back to the WaterWorks water park.
Major CoastersAnaconda- Prepare to dive underwater before rising over the lake and taking on four inversions and a twister section. If
you’re tall, the restraints may beat you up towards the end unless you sit forward in the seat.
Flight of Fear- Improvements in 2001 transformed a rough ride into a very enjoyable coaster. After entering a UFO, you
will board and launch at 54 mph into an intense maze of twisting, inverting track in darkness.
Grizzly- Fierce and ferocious, this 87’ tall wooden coaster will throw you around throughout at speeds reaching 50 mph,
but give a nice tour through the Virginia forest. Be sure to hang on after the tunnel.
Hurler®- Be prepared for good airtime on the stretches of hills, but a considerable amount of jostling and roughness on
the banked turns. Sit as close to the front as possible for a somewhat bearable ride.
HyperSonic XLC™- Short, but sweet. A pneumatic launch will staple you into the seat at 80 mph before a 165’ vertical
hill. Hold your head slightly forward after the launch to avoid headbanging, especially during the sudden braking.
*Italian Job Turbo Coaster- Slightly out of place in the Congo area, the park’s fourth launched coaster will take you
through LA chase scenes during a twisted layout. A smaller ride, but satisfactory if wait times permit.
Rebel Yell™- A park classic that completes any day. Sit towards the front of either the forwards or backwards side for a
fast, fun out-and-back-style race with airtime included on abundant hills. Avoid back rows to avoid discomfort.
Shockwave- A stand-up coaster as intense as they come. Enjoyable forces can be found the first drop, loop, and two
hills that follow, but brace yourself for all you’re worth on the banked turns and two final hops.
Volcano: the Blast Coaster™- A blast from beginning to end. This smooth yet incredibly forceful and fast inverted, 70mph launched coaster sporting a unique, prominent theme is all but guaranteed to leave you screaming for more.
Other Thrill RidesBerserker- If the restraints don’t scare you away, this swinging ship will provide a memorable experience as it flips you in
360° rotations and pauses upside-down briefly for an interesting perspective of the world.
Drop Zone Stunt Tower®- You and 55 friends can concurrently enjoy one of the world’s largest freefall towers as you’re
taken to eye level with the Eiffel Tower before plunging 272‘ and slowing swiftly from 72 mph.
Nickelodeon™ Space Surfer- Located near the Eiffel Tower, this Aviator provides a nice, relaxing flight consisting of
360° horizontal swings 90’ above the park as you fly past the pine trees and around the central pole.
Tomb Raider™: Firefall- Half show, half ride, and worth the normally short wait. Get placed in the middle of a
Paramount flick as you’re tossed 60’ over impressive pyro- and hydro-technics in the midst of movie props.
Triple Spin™- A noteworthy flat ride located by Shockwave, this Troika model serves up an interesting motion providing
all types of g-forces. Consider riding after the higher-priority thrill rides provided that the line is short.
Water RidesShenandoah Log Flume- This relaxing log flume features two lift hills and 40‘ drops separated by a peaceful trip
meandering through the Old Virginia section’s woods. Coin-operated sprayers follow the final drop.
White Water Canyon- An enjoyable rapids ride takes you through a longer-than-average layout with some good rapids,
at least one waterfall, and a final tunnel. Located off the beaten path beyond Shenandoah Log Flume.
DiningBubba Gump’s Shrimp Shack™- A Forrest-Gump-themed restaurant with a facade as the backdrop of Tomb Raider™
serves, of course, shrimp, among other items such as a tasty grilled chicken sandwich.
Country Kitchen- Located by the Carrousel, this old-fashioned restaurant stands out with one of the best settings in the
park at the back of the building. Order ribs, fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and the works.
Happy Days Diner- This classic TV show-themed restaurant with a seating area directly in front of HyperSonic XLC’s™
launch has various sandwiches, hot dogs, and burgers on the menu.
Paramount’s Kings Island – Kings Mill (Cincinnati), Ohio
Summary and TipsAs the flagship theme park in the Paramount chain, Kings Island predates its sister parks with thirty-five years under its
belt and exceeds the other four properties with the most experience in introducing innovative rides and attractions. During
the process of expanding to a whopping 400 developed acres, Kings Island has learned the true art of creating a
successful experience for all ages. Every season, this park consistently ranks among the top theme parks for its plethoric
ride collection, adjacent water park, and the world’s largest kids’ area. This year, a new indoor water park resort joins the
complex, further solidifying Kings Island as a destination park. The most loved of a dozen coasters are still the two major
wooden seventies rides, Beast and Racer, but newer thrills such as Flight of Fear, Drop Zone, and Delirium are the
highlights of the modern additions. While the most impressive coaster is the record-breaking wooden Son of Beast, most
consider the ride a disappointment due to an aggressive track. Staff and theming at this park are exceptional and,
considering the park’s size, a commendable job is done to keep it well maintained. Along with the major coasters, Kings
Island’s newly revamped Nickelodeon Universe section is home to some five smaller coasters for the kids. Unlike most
other parks, Kings Island still has its railroad, providing convenient transportation between the theme park and water park.
For the best value on single- and dual-day admission, purchase your tickets in advance online at pki.com.
Park LayoutInternational Street first branches off to the left into Action Zone at the entrance where Delirium, Drop Zone, Face / Off,
Son of Beast, and Top Gun can be found. On the right side, International Street branches off into Nickelodeon Universe.
At the end of International Street, the midway divides at the Eiffel Tower. To the left here, the path leads into Coney Mall,
under Racer to Flight of Fear, and past Italian Job Stunt Track to Vortex. The Oktoberfest section, home to Viking’s Fury,
joins up Coney Mall with Action Zone. Heading straight at the Eiffel Tower will lead into Rivertown, to Tomb Raider and
Beast at the very back of the park, or looping around to the right beyond White Water Canyon to head through
Nickelodeon Universe and on to Boomerang Bay at the front right of the park.
Major CoastersBeast- The enthusiasm for this former record-holding wooden coaster has never ceased. Its equally incessant 7,359’ of
unpredictable track ventures through the woods, through several tunnels and a double-helix finale.
Face / Off- The intense 5 g’s on this inverted coaster make it memorable, along with hanging 130’ in the air at the end of
a track before plunging backwards into three inversions.
Flight of Fear- This enclosed, themed launcher is a definite must-ride for anyone unfamiliar with it or its counterpart. An
extremely twisted 2,705’ of steel track in darkness will stay with you for a while.
Italian Job Stunt Track- Blast off in your Mini-Cooper to reach 40 mph before entering a chaotic chase scene from the
movie. An enjoyable smaller ride packed with theming and some surprises.
Racer- The inspiration for several other coasters, Racer is a true classic of a woodie. While the two sides speed along
the out and back 3,415‘ layout in a race to the finish, enjoy airtime aplenty.
Son of Beast- Sit in the front. If your back can take the harshness as this record-breaking wooden coaster roars down a
218’ drop at 78 mph, then you may be able to enjoy the world’s only wooden coaster loop, and a long ride.
Top Gun- A movie-themed suspended coaster will take off from a 100‘ lift hill into a maze of twists and turns sending the
train swinging in each direction. A fun but not overly impressive ride.
Vortex- A larger-than-average sit-down steel looper, Vortex contains a satisfying length with six inversions, despite some
less-than-satisfying headbanging along the way through the 3,800‘ track.
Other Thrill RidesDelirium- A vertical ride providing an interesting and enjoyable motion. Fifty riders sitting in an outward circle spin
gradually while swinging continuously higher to eventually reach 140‘ in a 260° arc.
Drop Zone Stunt Tower- Acrophobic beware. This dominating freefall tower rotates the ring of riders around the central
tower as you ascend for an incredible panorama before the 264’, 67-mph plunge back to earth.
Tomb Raider: the Ride- Enclosed in darkness, this spinning ride will send you flipping on two vertical axes while special
effects and theming add to the experience. Don’t expect the ride of your life, and you’ll be impressed.
Viking Fury- This swinging ship rocks the boatload of up to 56 riders over a lake. Unlike similar Paramount rides, this
one does not invert, so sit on one of the ends for the most intense ride.
Water RidesCongo Falls- An smaller version of the splashdown ride finds itself in Action Zone amongst the newer thrill rides. The
difference between this model and others is a double-dipping splashdown providing a pop of air.
White Water Canyon- Kings Island’s must-ride water ride for hot summer days is one of the favorite river rapids rides
among major amusement parks for its scale, setting, and water action.
Wild Thornberrys River Adventure- The park remodeled this traditional dual-lift log flume into a Nickelodeon adventure
in 2001 with plenty of theming and a few surprises along the way.
DiningBubba Gump’s Shrimp Shack- This dining experience contrasting the Oktoberfest section’s theme will take you into the
world of Forrest Gump as you enjoy seafood including, of course, shrimp, along with sandwiches.
Festhaus- You’ll find this German-themed dining hall, fittingly enough, in Oktoberfest. If you want a wide range of variety
to choose from, step out of the heat and sit down in the park’s largest restaurant.
Happy Days Diner- Kings Island’s version of the TV-show-themed restaurant offers a selection of burgers, sandwiches,
and milkshakes on the menu. Located in the Coney Mall section.
Silver Dollar City / Celebration City – Branson, Missouri
Summary and TipsDeep in the Ozark Mountains, a theme park has grown around the popularity of a natural wonder, inherently attaining a
commended historical, traditional, rustic feel. Since 1960, tourists have been drawn to Branson, Missouri to Marvel Cave
where the Silver Dollar City complex has emerged as a top theme park experience. Several years ago, Silver Dollar City
assumed control of an amusement park several miles away that had maintained a lower profile and began converting that
park into Celebration City, a 112-acre sister park. While Celebration City now features the complex’s collection of more
traditional American amusement park rides including permanent installations of portable carnival-like rides and a top-rated
wooden coaster, the original park is a well-manicured expanse of lush scenery featuring quality steel roller coasters and
water rides. Like the other major destination parks, new ride additions arrive fewer and farther between, but few are ever
letdowns. If you’re seeking out the best of the best coaster tracks, you will be pleased by Celebration City’s Ozark Wildcat
and Silver Dollar City’s PowderKeg and WildFire, with the latter being the overall top attraction of the complex. The
admission cost of Celebration City is about half of today’s average, a fair price considering that normally-upcharge
attractions such as mini-golf and go-carts are offered free of additional charge. Silver Dollar City’s admission is average
for a major theme park. Purchasing tickets at the park is cheaper than through the parks’ web site, and packages for the
parks and other local attractions are available.
Park LayoutCelebration City begins with Celebration Street, which ends at the park’s mini-golf course and then leads to the right and
left. To the right, the midway leads into the Electric Boardwalk section where Fireball, Shoot-D-Chute, and Accelerator
can be found. To the left, the path enters the Route 66 area, and passes by Jack Rabbit, and Thunderbolt, ending at
Orbit. Turning right, Ozark Wildcat stands straight ahead.
Silver Dollar City’s entrance area consists of a complex of shops and themed midways diverging from a traditional
Main Street. Along the left-hand side of the park, you can find your way to the American Plunge log flume and follow
Waterfall Lane to WildFire. Continuing to the back left of the park, you will come across PowderKeg. However, turning to
the right just after American Plunge will take you down Riverfront Road with Lost River of the Ozarks passing by on the
left and the Wilderness Waterboggan straight ahead. To the right, the pathways loop back around clockwise towards
Main Street.
Major CoastersJack Rabbit (CC)- This intermediate-sized steel twister finds itself in the Route 66 section. Its 52’ height, 32-mph speeds,
and an interesting, compact layout make it a fun ride for all ages.
Ozark Wildcat (CC)- A great average-sized wooden twister that dishes all the thrills any ride of its type should, but
doesn’t go beyond an 80‘ tall, 2,600‘ long ride that lasts one-and-a-half minutes.
PowderKeg (SDC)- This steel ride explodes with a 53-mph launch into a twister layout through the forest. After a final lift,
a 110‘, 64-mph drop and helix serves as a grand finale.
Thunderation (SDC)- One of the most unique mine trains out there provides a fun 3,022’ course twisting through an
inward-winding helix and tunnels at up to 48 mph. Sit in the third or fifth car to ride backwards.
Thunderbolt (CC)- Another compact steel twister located along Route 66 provides an off-the-shelf 60’, 35-mph layout
filled with banked dives and quick helixes. Family friendly like Jack Rabbit.
WildFire (SDC)- Don’t miss out on this smooth, sit-down steel coaster’s flight providing a great view from the 120‘ lift
situated on a hillside, a 155’ drop, and five smooth inversions. The only downside is lacking length.
Other Thrill RidesAccelerator (CC)- One of the shorter, 80’ versions of the normally dominating freefall towers will blast you up and back
down for a short but still fun pneumatically-launched freefall experience.
Fireball (CC)- Located along the Electric Boardwalk. Two-dozen passengers sit around an inward-facing ring with legs
dangling before the ring begins rotating and swinging 60’ in the air like a pendulum.
Flying Circus (CC)- Pilot your own flying craft on this Flying Scooters, a classic ride that kids of all ages enjoy for the
interaction of individually manning the crafts as they swing around a central point.
*Galleon (SDC)- One of Silver Dollar City’s first non-tracked rides is this swinging ship situated in the midst of the new
Grand Exposition section. Your typical back-and-forth vertical ride.
Orbiter (CC)- It may not orbit the earth as its theme implies, but this Flying Carpet ride located on Route 66 does perform
a complete vertical loop while the platform seating riders remains stationary.
Water RidesAmerican Plunge (SDC)- A smaller than average log flume is enhanced by the dense, picturesque foliage surrounding
the course. Make sure you get in a ride if the lines permit.
Lost River of the Ozarks (SDC)- This white water rapids ride carries rafts of six through a resplendent natural setting
while encountering the inevitable rapids and waterfalls. A must-ride for the scenery alone.
Shoot-D-Chute (CC)- Celebration City is off to a start in the water ride department with this junior-sized log flume. Its
layout contains two lifts, three drops, and rises to a humble 35’ height.
Wilderness Waterboggan (SDC)- Riders board rafts before setting off along slide-like paths racing each other through a
meandering course in the woods before emerging with a double-dipping finale.
Dining-
Mickey’s Pizza (CC)- Celebration City’s indoor, sit-down restaurant finds itself on the Electric Boardwalk, serving Italian
favorites such as spaghetti and meatballs, and, of course, freshly-prepared pizza.
Mine Restaurant (SDC)- If you’re into barbecue, this buffet-style restaurant will be tempting with its barbecue chicken,
ribs, and sausage. Corn bread, stew, and mashed potatoes and gravy are also served.
Molly’s Mill Restaurant (SDC)- Old-fashioned home-style cooking such as chicken and noodles, sweet potatoes, and
ride pilaf can be found here. A buffet is also offered, which includes honey-glazed ham and prime rib.
Silverwood – Athol, Idaho
Summary and TipsSilverwood stands out as an oasis in the middle of an unfortunately amusement-park-starved region of America. Idaho
thrill-seekers first saw hope in 1990 when Silverwood emerged as a player in the business by investing in a second-hand
Californian steel coaster. Today, the amusement park offers three major coasters, two water rides, several flat and
vertical rides, and the adjacent Boulder Beach water park for a general admission price of $33. The highlight of any thrillseeker’s trip is undoubtedly Tremors, the cynosure custom-designed wooden twister, and Timber Terror comes in second
for providing coaster lovers with a slightly smaller, more straightforward wooden coaster experience. New this year is
Panic Plunge, a fourteen-story freefall tower. Meanwhile, the 1975 Corkscrew still operates as the ancestral thrill-ride with
the distinction of the world’s first coaster to take riders corkscrewing upside-down when it lived another life at Knott’s Berry
Farm. However, by today’s standards, the park’s sole steel coaster fails to impress. Silverwood itself is all about its few
rides, and fails to embellish the experience. Simple, narrow, asphalt paths lead through an expanse of fairground-like
rides, making the major quality thrill rides seem somewhat out of place. Yet, from year to year, the amusement park
improves, and the current wooden coasters alone provide adequate incentive for any thrill-seeker in the area to visit.
Park LayoutAfter the entrance, heading straight and bearing left will take you into Boulder Beach, while making a U-turn will lead
towards the dry rides. The path heads both straight along with right and left to form a large loop. Heading straight will
lead to the Roaring Creek Log Flume, while a right is the quickest path to the Country Carnival section, the home of
Corkscrew. Continuing past Corkscrew, you will pass by Thunder Canyon and then head left at picnic pavilions towards
Tremors and the Coaster Alley area. Passing under Tremors, the midway leads to Timber Terror and then meeting back
up with the other side of the loop at the Tinywood kids’ section.
Major CoastersCorkscrew- A secondhand steel ride that was the first modern looping ride in the world; now far beyond its prime. Two
corkscrews, four turns, and a first 62‘ drop are the extent of the ride.
Timber Terror- An enjoyable 85’ tall out and back wooden coaster runs over series of hills bordering the front of
Silverwood at up to 55 mph, with a swooping far turnaround near the park entrance.
Tremors- The star attraction boasts a completely twisted and unconventional 3,000’ layout including such features as a
103’ first drop, 60-mph pass through a gift shop, and four subterranean tunnels.
Other Thrill RidesMonster- Groups of four two-seater cars spin around freely on the end of six octopus-like arms while being lifted above
the midway next to Corkscrew. A classic spinning ride.
*Panic Plunge- Conveniently located between Timber Terror and Tremors, this smaller-sized freefall tower takes groups
of a dozen 140 feet skyward before dropping them back to earth at 47 mph.
Round-Up- Positioned between Corkscrew and Thunder Canyon, this amusement park and carnival favorite allows riders
to stand against the walls of a cylinder before beginning a rotation and upward tilt.
Scrambler- Another standard favorite among amusement rides, Scrambler spins riders over its platform on two horizontal
axes for a quick and chaotic experience. Located adjacent to Round-Up.
Water RidesRoaring Creek Log Flume- This log flume will take you on a nice, relaxing, trip meandering through the woods and a
tunnel before taking a climb and plunging into the final splashdown pool.
Thunder Canyon- The park’s white water rafting ride loops around between Corkscrew and Tremors, with another one of
the park’s more picturesque settings, plenty of rapids, and a final tunnel.
DiningLindy’s Restaurant & Lounge- One of the first buildings you will see upon entering is this restaurant that serves
everything from chicken, to ribs, to taco salad.
High Moon Saloon- Taking a slight left then right after the entrance leads to this restaurant where you can order your
own customized pizza, a corn dog, smoothies, and other treats.
Theatre of Illusion- Located on the path between the entrance and Roaring Creek Log Flume, the theatre serves pizza,
nachos, and other meals to enjoy while you watch a magic show.
Six Flags America – Largo, Maryland (Washington, D.C.)
Summary and TipsDue to its status as the sole theme park with a close proximity to the Nation’s Capital and implications of the name Six
Flags America, one would expect this park to lead the nation’s Six Flags parks as a flagship operation. That sentiment,
however, is far from the truth as the overall experience currently falls short of world-class. When visiting Six Flags
America, keep the fact in mind that this park ranks among the newer, more inexperienced Six Flags parks, meaning that
this park itself has a larger than normal share of problems despite several amazing rides. You will discover a bewildering
layout, incomplete and lacking theming, inconveniences, and poor customer service, but with the right attitude you can
experience a few outstanding rides while attempting to ignore the negative portion of the experience. All of the steel
coasters may lack in originality, but if you haven’t experienced them at other parks, you may want to ride them here.
Rides such as Superman: Ride of Steel, Batwing, Joker’s Jinx, and Wild One set a high standard for the park’s ride
quality, but rides like Mind Eraser pull that standard down. If flat rides are your thing, the park’s whopping dozen is sure to
satisfy. Avoid visiting the park in the heat of the summer, as you may find yourself in the midst of multi-hour lines while
baking in the sun. Consider giving this park several more seasons to improve before you visit, or be prepared for the
aforementioned and you may even be pleasantly surprised. The start of the season before the Hurricane Harbor water
park opens is usually the least crowded time of the year to visit.
Park LayoutWalking down Main Street 1776, the Hurricane Harbor entrance passes on the right. At the end of Main Street, you will
be led into Nantucket to the left and Coyote Creek beyond where you can find Mind Eraser, or Skull Island after a right
where Roar is located. Taking a right at the end of Main Street, you will enter Olde Boston and Gotham City after a left,
which contains Joker’s Jinx, Superman, and eventually Batwing after a bleak, long, dead-ended path. Looney Tunes
Movie Town is just beyond Olde Boston at the front right of the park, with Southwest Territory beyond Movie Town and its
two coasters Two-Face and Wild One.
Major CoastersBatwing- Prepare to fly like a superhero on this fun, intense coaster as the wind rushes over your body. Some find it
slightly rough, though most complain about long wait times due to a double station only used at half-capacity.
Joker’s Jinx- Removal of over-the-shoulder restraints in 2002 made this launched twister a very enjoyable ride. After
blasting off at 63 mph, you will be flipped over four times and twisted in every direction.
Mind Eraser- Don’t be fooled by the shiny paint job; this is the oldest steel coaster in the park. Though only 11 years old,
with its age comes some headbanging as you twist and spin inverted below the track.
Roar- A good wooden twister, though unfortunately not at its prime any longer after just eight years. Don’t expect much
airtime, but do expect some intense curves and other twister action with positive g’s.
Superman: Ride of Steel- Although downgraded by recent metal strips added to the restraints, the incredible 200’ first
drop and airtime on the third hill are unforgettable. The L-shaped layout also contains two large flat helixes.
Two-Face: the Flipside- The intense 5 g’s on this inverted coaster make it memorable, along with hanging 130’ in the air
at the end of a track sitting opposite other riders before plunging backwards into three inversions.
Wild One- The park classic. This wooden coaster is one of the oldest in existence, and although it has been modified
over the years, it still provides a fast ride with airtime and a track that runs smoother than ever.
Other Thrill RidesFalling Star- A Flying Carpet vertical ride sending the platform of passengers in vertical circles providing some
memorable forces, much like a ferris wheel’s motion taken to the extreme.
Krypton Comet- Your typical Chaos ride features 18 cars free to spin you upside-down and right side up again as the
wheel you and 35 other riders rotate around goes vertical.
Iron Eagle- A load of 42 riders is taken up 82‘ in 360° rotations while flipping horizontally. A type of ride that never caught
on, perhaps due to its slowness and uncomfortable restraints.
Riddle Me This- Normally seen more at carnivals than parks, this Round-Up simulates a ride in a dryer when it sends a
circular platform full of riders spinning, pinning them to the walls before the ride tilts for added excitement.
Tower of Doom- If you aren’t a fan of heights, this is one of the smallest major freefall rides of its type. Get a decent view
of the front of the park before your car drops down the 140’ tower.
Water RidesPenguin’s Blizzard River- Call it a slide, call it a water ride, this is an experience that may leave you dizzy along with wet
as you spin while navigating left-hand turns and splash down into Gotham City.
Renegade Rapids- One of the better rapids ride out there will be sure to soak your shoes and probably the rest of your
body. Though theming lacks, a nice trip around a wet course makes up for that.
Shipwreck Falls- Your average 50’ tall splashdown ride features an above-average-sized wave that will drench riders
and onlookers alike. Stand on the exit bridge for the best soaking.
Typhoon SeaCoaster- Had the theming ever been completed, this would be a better ride. However, uniqueness earns it
major points. Prepare for some spinning action, and brace yourself for the first drop.
DiningCrazy Horse Saloon- Located in Coyote Creek, one of only two larger sit-down restaurants in the park dishes up
along with some live entertainment while you eat.
Hollywood Back Lot Café- Right at the front of Looney Tunes Movie Town you will find this themed eatery where kids of
all ages can dine with the cartoon characters.
Six Flags Darien Lake – Darien Center (Buffalo), New York
Summary and TipsThis Northern Six Flags property is situated between Buffalo, New York, and Niagara Falls in a region of the continent
lacking competition among amusement parks. Consequently, Darien Lake has taken it easy over the years, making for an
average collection of major coasters, spinning rides, and water rides, but only one top-quality ride. That one ride is the
hyper-coaster Superman: Ride of Steel, installed in 1999 to kick off Six Flags’ ownership along with other general park
improvements. However, an unfortunate lack of progress has taken place since then. The park quality itself is average,
with scenic areas surrounding the half a dozen lakes and ponds scattered throughout the complex. However, finding your
way around the park may become a slightly difficult task as you discover a spontaneous layout standing out as obviously
not the work of careful master planning. If you decide to pack the swimsuit, you will be afforded a smaller water park,
Hook’s Lagoon, along with the three standard water rides of any amusement park: the log flume, splashdown, and white
water rapids. Darien Lake has become a popular destination for overnight guests, meaning that the park features
abundant accommodations. The park’s campground is extremely convenient to the park, but if camping isn’t your thing,
the adjacent Six Flags Lodge on the Lake is situated nearby, along Darien Lake. For the best value, look into purchasing
your tickets online. The adjacent Darien Lake Performing Arts Center is a major draw for crowds, and the park rewards
concertgoers with combo tickets through ticketmaster.com for dirt-cheap.
Park LayoutThe main entry midway passes through Hook’s Lagoon, and a U-turn at the end enters the water park. After the entry
midway, and park diverges into central plazas of shops and restaurants. Heading straight through, you will soon discover
Predator on your left, with a path underneath leading to Superman. Continuing straight to the back of the park, you will
pass Boomerang on your right and loop around past Twister and Pirate. Meanwhile, turning right after the entry midway
leads past Silver Bullet. Turning right again at Shipwreck Falls, you will continue past Poland Springs Plunge, turning left
and right to a dead end at Mind Eraser, or turning left and continuing straight to Viper, Ranger, and Grizzly Run.
Major CoastersBoomerang: Coast to Coaster- Three inversions, forwards and backwards, are the main attraction to this Boomerang
coaster, which may look fun, but feel somewhat less fun with notable roughness.
Mind Eraser- Five inversions grace a lake and mist effects enhance the normal Suspended Looping Coaster model, a
version of the popular compact inverted twister notably smoother than many others.
Predator- This ferocious wooden coaster delivers a brutal ride over 3,400‘ of wooden tracks laid out in a double-out-andback course with a disappointingly slow finale; a contrast to its beautiful lakeside aesthetic quality.
Superman: Ride of Steel- Smooth, fast, intense, and by far Darien’s greatest ride. Situated over a lake, a 205’ first drop
kicks off an incredible air-time-packed experience. Keep your legs back so the restraints don’t do too much damage.
Viper- Despite its significance of being the first ride with five inversions, 1982‘s Viper is below average for the most part.
However, after the mid-course brakes, things improve with a cool subterranean finale.
Other Thrill RidesPirate- The amusement park industry’s favorite family-geared vertical ride finds itself at Six Flags Darien Lake situated
over the back Fun Lake at the opposite corner as Boomerang.
Ranger- This vertical looper is essentially its sister ride Pirate taken to the extreme. While the aforementioned ride mainly
appeals to families, this 360-degree version appeals more to the thrill-seeking crowd.
Silver Bullet- If you want to take a looping trip through the sky without the headbanging of Viper, take a trip on this classic
spinning ride where g-forces will be the only thing to keep you in your seat.
Texas Twister- Consider a ride onboard this Top Spin located at the back of the park if you haven’t experienced it
elsewhere. Seated in two rows with 39 others, you will be tossed through several complete rotations.
UFO- Between Shipwreck Falls and Viper is this unique treat – your normal Round-Up ride, but tilted on its side. Standing
against circular walls, the ride begins spinning, then tilts a complete 90 degrees.
Water RidesGrizzly Run- This rapids ride is given the same theme as several other parks use. Circular rafts float through the white
water, dodging rocks and waterfalls, gradually floating to the bottom of the layout.
Poland Spring Plunge- Your average log flume and the smallest of the water ride trio boasts two lift hills and a course
winding along the banks of the Willows Lake located adjacent to Mind Eraser.
Shipwreck Falls- No different than most of your simple splashdown rides with simple oval layouts, Shipwreck Falls takes
twenty passengers in a boat up to the top, around a U-turn, and back down for a nice splash.
DiningBeaver Brothers Lakeside Café- A park favorite is this huge, well-themed restaurant located beside the lake closest to
Boomerang. You will find a great selection of food here from breakfast to burgers.
Maria's Spaghetti House- Located in the Midway section near the Grand Theater is this sit-down Italian restaurant that
serves favorites like pasta and pizza for both lunch and dinner.
Trapper's- Pizza and submarine sandwiches are some of the specialties at this eatery located in Darien Square in close
proximity to the Beaver Brothers Lakeside Café.
Six Flags Elitch Gardens – Denver, Colorado
Summary and TipsWhen Elitch Gardens simply ran out of space in 1994, the park decided to pack it up, move across town, and re-establish
themselves. While the theme park has seen considerable growth since then and occasional investment under new Six
Flags ownership, a new land crisis has ironically prevented the new park from rising to the top. However, the park
continues using its own strategy to add to an average collection of rides and half a dozen major coasters. While other
parks have solved space limitations by constructing major new rides atop of the old, Elitch Gardens has instead added a
number of smaller rides in the space available, densely packing the grounds with attractions including one of the largest
collections of partial-circuit coasters in the world. Unfortunately, to coaster enthusiasts, wiser decisions could have been
made in the way of new rides, and Elitch Gardens has largely introduced attractions generally considered mediocre
experiences. However, competition is scarce in the region, so if you visit Colorado, this is the one major theme park to
check out. The most recent coaster, Half-Pipe, is perhaps the most enjoyable and unique in the collection, but other
experiences worth checking out to help fill your day are the freefalling Tower of Doom and decent wooden coaster Twister
II. If you get your fill of dry rides, Island Kingdom is an average-sized water park included in the admission price of $39.
Park LayoutFollowing the Entry Pavilion and midway past the Observation Tower, you will either enter the Island Kingdom Water Park
straight ahead or turn left to enter the amusement portion of the park. Passing by a number of flat rides and the park’s
ferris wheel, you will arrive in front of Sidewinder where pathways lead right, left, and under. Heading left will take you to
Flying Coaster; heading right, to Chaos, Mind Eraser, and Batwing, and straight ahead, into the remaining acres of Elitch
Gardens. After crossing under Sidewinder, a path to the left will take you to the Sidewinder and Disaster Canyon
entrances, but continuing straight will guide you to the back of the park where (clockwise) Mile-High Falls; Twister II;
Shake, Rattle & Roll; Rainbow; Half-Pipe; Tower of Doom; and Boomerang stand.
Major CoastersBoomerang: Coast to Coaster- Your typical three-inversion shuttle-looping ride serving up the same ride forwards and
backwards, but not one of the smoothest rides in the world.
Flying Coaster- Short, compact, and jerky sums this ride up. Single caged cars take a spiralling journey to 50‘ where
they are flipped and whipped back down while riders lie on their stomachs.
Half-Pipe- A fun steel coaster smoother and perhaps more enjoyable than anything else at the park. The U-shaped ride
will propel you to the top of 100’ spikes while the two cars spin in complete horizontal rotations.
Mind Eraser- 2,261‘ of standard Suspended Looping Coaster track is twisted to form five inversions, all packed into a
compact, rough layout that will best be enjoyed by bracing your body.
Sidewinder- One of the few remaining rides of its model. After a 56‘ trek to the loading platform, a short launched shuttle
ride through a loop, wait, and second launch backwards is what you’ll get.
Twister II- A modified version of an original Elitch classic unfortunately fails to live up to the original’s reputation. Plagued
by some roughness, this otherwise enjoyable wooden twister gives a wild 55-mph ride.
Other Thrill RidesBatwing- Swing through the air 90‘ over the midway on this Aviator ride located next to Mind Eraser. Crafts seating two
are taken around a central tower as passengers are given the opportunity to pilot the ride.
Chaos- Eighteen dual-passenger cars flip vertically while rotating around a wheel that eventually finds itself vertical,
performing loops. Located just in front of Mind Eraser’s first drop.
Rainbow- Your normal Flying Carpet ride provides some intense positive and negative g-forces while riders rotate in a
vertical circle towards Twister II without going upside-down.
Shake, Rattle, & Roll- The popular Top Spin ride takes two rows of riders into the air like a ferris wheel before flipping
them in rapid-fire style half a dozen times as they’re taken in vertical circles.
Tower of Doom- A 220‘ version of the Giant Drop tower takes a maximum of 16 riders at a time up the side of the tower
for a good view before the individual cars freefall back to earth.
Water RidesDisaster Canyon- Elitch Gardens’ river rapids run sends rafts floating down a snaking course meandering around the
front left of the park. One of the wetter rides of its type.
Mile-High Falls- Your normal 50‘ tall, wave-producing splashdown raft ride is located over Disaster Canyon. Mile-High
Falls has the unique distinction of being the highest ride of its kind above sea level.
DiningOld West BBQ- This grill located by Troika dishes up ribs, steak, and turkey legs, along with pulled pork sandwiches and
corn on the cob.
Rockin' E Buckaroo BBQ & Grill- You will find a long menu at this restaurant including burritos, chicken strips,
hamburgers, subs, and country music while you eat.
Six Flags Fiesta Texas – San Antonio, Texas
Summary and TipsFiesta Texas established its identity in 1991 upon debuting as a theme park situated in a unique location at the bottom of
a defunct quarry. The park made good use of the location in erecting the world’s largest wooden coaster at the time,
Rattler, to put Fiesta Texas on the map from the start. Unfortunately, Rattler is hardly the ride it originally was any longer,
but the good news is that it’s now only one several dozen thrill-inducing attractions. Today, Superman Krypton Coaster
claims the title of star attraction, taking advantage of the cliff faces for record-breaking dives and an impressive layout by
anyone’s standards. From the moment you approach Fiesta Texas, you may be struck by the park’s beauty, with
waterfalls cascading down the quarry walls and a lush blanket of greenery over the center of the park. Beautiful
landscaping and architecture adorns much of the park, enhancing the experience. Due to the park’s geographic
emplacement, a variety of water rides are offered along with the respectable Armadillo Beach water park free of separate
admission. In-park transportation is also available in the form of the scenic Whistle Stop railroad. If considering multiple
visits within a single season, look into purchasing a season pass, as Fiesta Texas offers passes to the Six Flags parks for
one of the cheapest rates to be found. Due to the recent closure of Houston’s Six Flags AstroWorld, Fiesta Texas carries
more weight than ever as one of the Lone-Star State’s top destinations.
Park LayoutLos Festivales serves as the entry plaza feeding into the main loop around the park. At the end of the plaza, you will
notice Boomerang. Traveling counterclockwise, you will immediately encounter the Armadillo Beach water park, then
cross the train tracks. Next, you will pass into Crackaxle Canyon and past Road Runner Express on your right, followed
by Rattler and Gully Washer. Bridging the gap between Crackaxle Canyon and Los Festivales is Spassburg, home to
Superman, Der Twister, and under Bugs’ White Water Rapids to Poltergeist back at the front of the park. From
Spassburg, two paths lead into Rockville, the section containing Chaos, Power Surge, and Scream, then a single path
heads into the dead-ending Fiesta Bay Boardwalk where Frisbee and S.S. Overboard can be found.
Major CoastersBoomerang: Coast to Coaster- Fall down the lift slope back through the station and whip through three inversions
before experiencing it all again in reverse. Your normal, slightly rough Boomerang.
Poltergeist- A 63-mph launch leads into a spaghetti-bowl of a twister layout with four inversions and all of the curves you
could ever ask for. With lap and shin bars only now, the ride is a truly enjoyable experience.
Rattler- Hindered by changes over the years shortening the first drop to 124‘ and slowing down the ride to counter
roughness instead of re-tracking, this once-king of wooden coasters is now less than enjoyable.
Road Runner Express- A 73‘ tall steel mine train coaster perfect for intermediate thrill-seekers, this ride will take you
through a twisting layout beside the quarry walls below Rattler.
Superman Krypton Coaster- The star superhero coaster takes riders on a swooping layout climbing and dropping 16
stories over the side of the quarry, then completing six inversions.
Other Thrill RidesChaos- Seated in 18 individual cars, riders find themselves rotating around an angled wheel while the cars of two rock
back and forth and then flip over freely on an additional axis for a truly chaotic ride experience.
Der Twister- The park’s other major spinning ride for inverting action is this Top Spin, a popular attraction for its fastpaced action rolling riders over time and again as they tumble through the sky and back down.
Frisbee- This fun, spinning, pendulum-like ride seats an inward-facing circle of 40 passengers that starts to rotate as it
begins swinging back and forth to reach nearly vertical and 63’ at up to 50 mph.
Scream- The name says it all; this ride will have you screaming with enthusiasm as it provides one thrilling blastoff after
another up the 164‘ vertical towers before gradually slowing to a stop.
S.S. Overboard- Fiesta Texas’ traditional swinging ship ride takes 40 riders wanting to brave the high seas rocking back
and forth up to 51’ in the air. Not for those prone to seasickness.
Water RidesBugs’ White Water Rapids- This may appear to be merely a junior-sized log flume at first, but upon closer inspection
proves to be one of the more unique rides of its type, with several small rabbit hops.
Gully Washer- An overall excellent white water rapids ride takes riders through a well-themed course. Be sure to hit this
ride early on in the day if you plan on riding, as its lines typically get long.
Power Surge- This double-dipping splashdown ride climbs quarry walls before U-turning and diving over a cliff. A
moment of airtime on the way down, then the wave soaks riders and an overhead bridge.
DiningCrow's Nest Café- On the Fiesta Bay Boardwalk you will run across this location for traditional amusement park food
such as hot dogs, corn dogs, and curly fries.
International Food Court at Sangerfest Halle- Just about any popular international food you could ask for you will find
on the menu of these restaurants, from American, to Mexican, to Italian.
Ol' Blues- Sit down to a meal of barbecue or smoked beef brisket, chicken, or turkey at this restaurant, located in the heat
of the Crackaxle Canyon section.
Six Flags Great Adventure – Jackson, New Jersey
Summary and TipsOne third animal park, one third water park, but most notably one third theme park, this Six Flags complex in upper New
Jersey has grown into one of the continent’s largest theme parks over the past thirty-two years. Great Adventure has not
only introduced redefining thrill rides every one to two years but has also focused on expanding the enormous 2,200-acre
property into one of the Eastern Seaboard’s top destination resorts. Highlights for thrill-seekers include, first and
foremost, the tallest and fastest roller coaster ever conceived, 2005’s Kingda Ka; the former East Coast’s largest coaster
Nitro from 2001; and now El Toro, the world’s third-largest wooden coaster. However, those are only small tastes of the
enormous ride collection. The actual quality of the park is exceptional, especially for a Six Flags property, with good
theming and picturesque landscaping. Newly revamped sections have improved the park’s overall quality in just the past
two seasons such as the Golden Kingdom, Plaza del Festival, and Bugs Bunny’s National Park. Strategy upon entering
the gates in the morning should be to head immediately to Kingda Ka or Nitro, the two largest crowd-drawers, followed by
a trip around the park stopping next at El Toro or Superman: Ultimate Flight. If you don’t ride Kingda Ka first thing, you
may want to get in line around 2:30 when others are consuming lunch for a shorter wait.
Park LayoutAt the end of Main Street, the park is spread out to the right and left. Choosing to turn right and then right once more will
take you into Fantasy Forest and on to the Old Country and Movietown loop of the park home to Batman & Robin: the
Chiller and Batman: the Ride. Meanwhile, turning right and continuing straight from Main Street heads through Lakefront
and past Movietown to Nitro and Looney Tunes Seaport, with the Nitro area connecting to Movietown. Meanwhile, a left
turn after Main Street heads into Looney Tunes National Park with the Boardwalk section on the left containing Great
American Scream Machine and Superman. Continuing straight farther and then turning left at the Boardwalk will lead to
the Golden Kingdom, home of Kingda Ka, and on to Plaza del Festival where Rolling Thunder and El Toro can be found.
Finally, continuing straight after the Boardwalk heads into Frontier Adventures straight through to Medusa.
Major CoastersBatman and Robin: the Chiller- The dynamic duo take the form of racing loopers launching at 70 mph into several
inversions before rolling up a 200‘ slope and riding backwards. Minimal restraints are a plus.
Batman: the Ride- Batman rides again on the second ride of its type. The 2,700’ inverted scream machine climbs 105’ to
dive into a loop, roll, second loop, and twister section containing two corkscrews.
*El Toro- The new bigger brother to Rolling Thunder is one of the tallest, steepest wooden coasters in the world and
boasts a long, fast 4,400’ layout combining an out and back with a twister course.
Great American Scream Machine- A large, traditional steel looper beginning with a twisting drop from 173’ into three
elevated loops and wrapping up with four more inversions. Brace yourself for some jerkiness.
Kingda Ka- This absolute must-ride blasts off at 128 mph to ascend a 456’ vertical hill and fly over a speed hill. Short
duration, but unprecedented intensity. Shoulder restraints are the disadvantage to sister ride Top Thrill Dragster.
Medusa- This floorless, above-track looper speeds through seven twisting and looping inversions at over 60 mph during
3,985‘ of smooth, lime green track. Not as forceful as other rides, but still enjoyable.
Nitro- Praised for its abundant airtime and smoothness, Nitro climbs to 236’ before plunging into an L-shaped layout
focusing on camelback hills and impressive dives, and finishing off with a series of hops.
Rolling Thunder- Race a parallel wooden track over a 3,200‘ layout forming a spread-out figure-8-type course and
featuring airtime hills along the way. Situated between the behemoths Kingda Ka and El Toro.
Superman: Ultimate Flight- Fulfill your dreams of flying through the skies like a superhero on this inverted, lay-down
steel looper with an intense first pretzel loop and series of swoops leading up to the final roll.
Other Thrill RidesChaos- A popular spinning ride common around the world that takes a rotating wheel surrounded by 18 dual-passenger
cars spinning at an angle into the air while the cars freely swing and loop.
Fantasy Fling- Standing against the walls of this circular ride, passengers are pressed into place by the forces before the
drum tilts diagonally to add a few more degrees of thrill to the experience.
Spinmeister- One of Great Adventure’s higher-priority flat rides is this classic 1979 German-crafted Enterprise, a rare
treat for its lack of any restraints as it sends riders in cages looping in quick rotations.
Stuntman’s Freefall- A first-generation freefall ride takes a car of riders up an elevator-like 130‘ tower before switching
onto an L-shaped coaster-like track, leaving riders on their backs at the bottom. Rougher than other versions.
Top Spin- Seated in two long rows, this spinning ride flips riders through an experience like the dozens of other Top Spin
models in existence featuring both rapid-fire and hang-time-inducing maneuvers.
Water RidesCongo Rapids- This white water rafting course will take you and 11 others per raft on a tour of several acres just behind
Nitro, past some decent theming and surprise water geysers along the way.
Movie Town Water Effects- Located next to Batman & Robin, this shorter-than-average splashdown ride that shows its
age more than ever but provides a method of cooling off nonetheless.
Poland Spring Plunge- A modified flume ride that formerly ran two parallel troughs but now runs a single, crude course.
Don’t expect to get too wet, as you will hydroplane rather than splash down.
Saw Mill Log Flume- If you want a good, well-themed, old-fashioned log flume experience, ride this 1980s model. And if
the splashdowns don’t dampen your clothes, the geysers may.
DiningBest of the West- A park favorite located in Frontier Adventures features sandwiches such as grilled chicken and
barbecue pork, burgers, and chicken fritters in an air-conditioned dining area.
Granny’s Country Kitchen- This Fantasy Forest stop-off contains indoor dining as well and serves chicken fried and in
the form of fritters along with salads and various choices for dessert.
Mama Flora’s Cucina- If you have a craving for Italian food, head into Movie Town where this restaurant serves freshlyprepared pizza. Sandwiches, mozzarella sticks, and fries are also served.
Six Flags Great America – Gurnee (Chicago), Illinois
Summary and TipsWhen this Great America park was sold by Marriott in 1984 and Six Flags assumed control, the park took a different
direction from its California counterpart. In the end, the Illinois property transformed into the superior of the two with a far
larger collection of coasters and the blessing of far more land for expansion. Compared to former counterpart
Paramount’s Great America, the Six Flags park now contains twice as many major coasters and is spread out over three
times as much land, at 300 acres in size. The recent addition of a Six-Flags-brand Hurricane Harbor water park further
expanded the already impressive theme park size, and both parks are included in a single admission price. The coaster
collection found here is superior to most, with a number of must-rides. The hyper-twister Raging Bull dominates the other
coasters, and although most of the other tracks lack originality, they do provide outstanding rides nonetheless. Your first
ride in the morning should be Superman: Ultimate Flight, Déjà Vu, V2: Vertical Velocity, or Raging Bull due to those four
rides’ exceptional popularities. If you head straight to the back of the park from the entrance, make sure that Déjà Vu is
one of your first stops due to its unreliable operation. Park pricing is above average, but fair enough considering the
enormous variety that Great America has to offer. However, season passes here are the most expensive of the entire Six
Flags chain.
Park LayoutHeading clockwise around the park at the Carousel Plaza entry, visitors first pass through Orleans Place, past Superman,
and then cross under the train tracks into Mardi Gras. Yankee Harbor follows with Batman on the right and V2 on the left,
and the path continues into Yukon Territory, home to Iron Wolf, and on to the County Fair and eventually American Eagle.
Meanwhile, heading right at Carousel Plaza and continuing straight will lead directly to Hurricane Harbor while taking a
right then left under the train tracks leads into Hometown Square past Whizzer. Turning right then will lead into Southwest
Territory where Raging Bull and Viper can be found, and another entrance to Hurricane Harbor is provided. However,
continuing straight through Hometown Square leads past Déjà Vu and Demon before meeting up with the County Fair and
Southwest Territory sections at the back of the park.
Major CoastersAmerican Eagle- Ride this large wooden racer forwards or backwards while the parallel tracks plunge 147‘ and race
along a large run of hills and helixes reaching into the parking lot.
Batman: the Ride- Some say there’s nothing like the original, and this inverted coaster is just that. Batman still rocks on
after 14 years, providing a fast and enjoyable flight through a compact, loopy twister layout.
Déjà Vu- The Boomerang coaster taken to the extreme. Inverted under the track, the train first climbs a vertical lift of 191’
to plunge into three inversions, up a second lift, and through it again in reverse. Breakdowns are common.
Demon- A double loop and double corkscrew are the main bragging rights of this modified 1976 scream machine with an
infernal theme and ride quality slightly luckily shy of hellish.
Iron Wolf- This stand-up coaster gives an intense ride, but shows its age. A twister layout of 2,900‘ contains a vertical
loop to start off with and corkscrew to finish off with, but some roughness throughout.
Raging Bull- A fast and graceful 5,057‘ of steel track will fly your train down a 208‘ first drop into darkness and back up
into a hyper-twister layout not only featuring banked curves, but also air-time-inducing hills.
Superman: Ultimate Flight- Impersonate your favorite superhero on this truly enjoyable “flying” experience beneath
2,798‘ of graceful track completing both a vertical and horizontal inversion.
V2: Vertical Velocity- After gradually attaining 68 mph, the train shuttles back and forth along the smooth U-shaped
layout to reach the tops of vertical spikes, one of which contains a complete roll.
Viper- One of several rides modeled after the famed Coney Island Cyclone, this wooden twister usually provides a fairly
smooth, fast ride complete with plenty of cross-overs and -unders.
Whizzer- A relaxing, family-friendly steel twister that glides through the woods of Hometown Square. The last remaining
ride of its Speed Racer make on the continent, and a classic.
Other Thrill RidesCondor- Get moving in a Scrambler-like flat ride before you realize that this is no flat ride. As the cars rotate on two axes,
they climb up a 112’ tower for a good view over Orleans Place and slowly descend back down.
Giant Drop- After a lofty climb to 227‘, the half a dozen single cars descend the tower via a 62-mph freefall. Among the
larger freefall towers of its type, inherently making it one of the best.
King Chaos- Your traditional Top-Spin-type ride is spiced up with a regal paint job and theme to fit its Mardi Gras
surroundings. If you’re a fan of being spun upside-down rapidly, check out this ride.
Orbit- An original 1976 attraction, this Enterprise ride spins over Hometown Square between Déjà Vu and Whizzer. Gforces will press you into your seat as you spin first horizontally then loop vertically.
Revolution- Strap yourself in for a wild, enjoyable ride swinging you and 23 other riders up to an 85° angle as the
suspended ring rotates like a frisbee. The park’s second-favorite non-coaster.
Water RidesIce Mountain Splash / Logger’s Run- This pair of flume rides consists of the 60’ Ice Mountain Splash, with its entrance
in Yankee Harbor, and slightly smaller, more traditional Yukon Territory log flume.
Roaring Rapids- Take a trip through the waters of New Orleans on this Mardi Gras white water rafting ride. One of the
larger rides of its type, Roaring Rapids seats a dozen passengers per raft.
Splashwater Falls- The County Fair section’s splashdown ride is your typical model with a 50’ plunge into the awaiting
pool. Good for a quick escape from the heat, but low priority in the whole scheme of rides.
DiningAunt Martha's Chicken Dinner Restaurant- Situated in the Hometown Square section, this old-fashioned eatery dishes
up traditional meals of fried chicken and mashed potatoes.
Crazy Buffalo Saloon- If you like your meals all-you-can-eat style, check out this buffet-style restaurant in Southwest
Territory located within close proximity to Raging Bull.
Mooseburger Lodge- Pile all of the fixin’s on your burger at this Yukon Territory location close to Batman: the Ride, or
order chicken or hot ribs.
Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom – Louisville, Kentucky
Summary and TipsKentucky Kingdom belongs in the category of newer Six Flags parks that will need some years ahead before rising into
the group of the more elite, world-class theme parks of North America. Yet, this park is one of your best bets in the
Kentucky region, and features several outstanding rides in an average-ranking park setting. Since the reign of Six Flags
began in 1999, several new experiences have joined an above-average ride collection including the rare, third-hand
German shuttle-looping coaster Greezed Lightnin’. Previous stars of the collection include the popular oversized stand-up
coaster Chang and the dueling wooden tracks of Twisted Twins. Yet, the inverted looping coaster T2: Terror to the
Second Level leaves much to be desired. And when it comes down to park quality itself, Kentucky Kingdom leaves room
for improvement. The actual park is divided in two with a roadway running down the center and a single midway bridging
the gap, and aside from the dry rides, the Hurricane Bay water park is sub-par. Located adjacent to the Kentucky Fair
and Exposition Center. Admission is a fair $38, with free admission for seniors 65 and over, and special deals on
admission are periodically offered online at sixflags.com. It should be noted that season passes can be purchased for the
lowest price of any major Six Flags park here as well.
Park LayoutHellevator dominates over the entry area, standing directly in front of the main gate. The front half of the park consists of
one single loop. Traveling clockwise, you will pass Bluebeard’s Bounty and Greezed Lightnin’ on your left before reaching
the bridge across the highway. Traveling counterclockwise, you will pass Enterprise and Rainbow on your right before
crossing the bridge over the Circle of Champions road. After the ramp from the bridge, you can either continue straight to
tour the back loop clockwise, or make a U-turn. Heading clockwise, you will pass the Hurricane Bay entrance on your
right, and Chang, T2, and Penguin’s Blizzard River on your left. Next, you will pass between the two wooden coasters
with Thunder Run on your right and Twisted Twins on your left before passing Mile-High Falls and ending your tour back
at the bridge.
Major CoastersChang- A larger stand-up, looping, steel twister that runs smoothly through 4,155‘ of track containing a first loop of 122‘
and four other inversions, making for a satisfying ride. Arguably the park’s best ride.
Greezed Lightnin’- This third-hand coaster is a rarity and still running well. Prepare to be launched through a loop, then
fall through the loop and fly through the station backwards with only lap bars holding you in.
T2: Terror to the 2nd Level- Your typical Suspended Looping Coaster model contains a lift of just over 100’, five
inversions, six other curves, 2,172 overall track feet, and a terrifyingly-rough track.
Thunder Run- This triple-out-and-back wooden coaster climbs a 90‘ lift hill before plunging into some good airtime hills.
However, its downfall is four unenjoyable, rough banked turnarounds.
Twisted Twins- After separating at the station, the two sides of this wooden coaster duel it out in head-on fly-by first
drops, proceeding to face off more through 3,000 twisting feet of track.
Other Thrill RidesBluebeard’s Bounty- Your average pirate-themed swinging ship can be found at Kentucky Kingdom at the front left of
the park just before the Roadrunner Express wild mouse coaster.
Chaos- The standard model name of this spinning ride is truly fitting as riders discover when they’re taken looping
through the sky with individual two-seater cars flipping freely in all directions.
Hellevator- The first modern freefall tower reaches heights of 15 stories before the four individual cars plunge down the
side of the cylindrical structure at up to 54 mph. The original, and still a good ride.
Enterprise- With riders seated inside a ring of enclosed cars, the classic Enterprise takes passengers looping towards the
sky and back down after spinning horizontally and diagonally.
Rainbow- Leap into the sky and back down again on this vertical ride that operates with a motion much like a ferris wheel
in overdrive. Located near the park’s bridge in the front section.
Water RidesMile-High Falls- A larger shoot-the-chutes-type ride with a figure-8 layout takes a boatload up to 90’ before sending it
plunging into a splashdown pool, resulting in a nice escape from the summer heat.
Penguin’s Blizzard River- Located at the back of the park, this 1,500’ river rapids course vaunts some exceptional polar
theming spicing up the typical assortment of white water rapids and waterfalls.
DiningBlue Moose Café- Stop by this restaurant if you’re in the mood for some fried selections. This location specializes in fried
chicken and fish, along with grilled chicken salads.
Casa Mia- If you feel like Italian food, this is Kentucky Kingdom’s best bet. Stop by this restaurant for your freshly
prepared pizza and bread sticks.
Swampwater Jack’s- A cafeteria-style eatery, this location features a menu that includes cheeseburgers, hamburgers,
and chicken both grilled and tenderized.
Six Flags Magic Mountain – Valencia (Los Angeles), California
Summary and TipsAll other Six Flags park’s coaster collections are put to shame by this 1971 theme park’s years of one ride addition after
another. The largest park in the Six Flags chain, Magic Mountain is home to a whopping nineteen coaster tracks, more
than any other park in the world can claim. However, the one oversight in the lineup is a lacking number of spinning and
vertical rides to round out the collection. Laid out over 260 acres, Six Flags Magic Mountain is a lush oasis in the middle
of a Southern California desert just northwest of Los Angeles. However, this park isn’t without its share of problems;
despite thirty-five years of experience, Magic Mountain has found difficulty in keeping its enormous park clean and
collection of rides operational. You likely won’t get to experience everything if you only spend one day at the park, so be
sure to check at the entrance first thing for a list of rides that will be closed for the day. Even if all of the rides are
operational, it may take you a re-visit to fit in ride and re-rides on all of the many coasters offered, so consider purchasing
a season pass, which will likely pay for itself in less than two visits. If you only have one day to spend, make sure that you
ride the collection of unique star coasters: Goliath, Riddler’s Revenge, Superman: the Escape, Tatsu, and X. You may
find that X is an ideal ride to start with in the morning due to its popularity and location at the front of the park, and that
Déjà Vu is another prime ride to hit while you can due to its especial unreliability.
Park LayoutSix Flags Magic Mountain has a straightforward layout of a single loop. At the front Six Flags Plaza, you will be greeted
by Revolution, and a left-hand turn will lead into Baja Ridge, home to Viper and X. Continuing clockwise directs you to
Rapids Camp Crossing and into Cyclone Bay where Déjà Vu and Psyclone reside. Next, you will find yourself in the
Movie District at the back of the park, home to Riddler’s Revenge. On your right is Samurai Summit, containing Ninja and
Tatsu. Meanwhile, a counterclockwise tour will lead past Flashback into Bugs Bunny World and High Sierra Territory,
then into Colossus County Fair as Goliath, Colossus, and Scream tower overhead. Heading straight leads into Batman:
the Ride’s Gotham City Backlot section, while continuing around the loop takes you past Superman.
Major CoastersBatman: the Ride- Enjoyable and intense, Batman’s 2,700’ long inverted flight through the skies loops around five
inversions and a collection of high-speed curves at up to 50 mph.
Colossus- The once king of wooden coasters races parallel tracks along a large, 4,325‘ figure-8 course. Unfortunately,
the ride is less intense than it was upon debut in 1978. For the best ride, hop in the front car.
Déjà Vu- Inverted under the track, you will be taken through three oversized inversions and up two completely vertical lifts
forwards and backwards before being released on your way. Experiences relatively frequent downtime.
Flashback- Consistently rated one of the worst rides in the world. The unique layout of this steel coaster is comprised of
steep, highly banked and painful dives from one layer of track to another.
Goliath- A top-rated steel hyper-coaster beginning with a 255’ plunge into a subterranean tunnel and featuring a twister
section for the second half, complete with an intense double helix during 4,500 track feet.
Ninja- Suspended and swinging beneath the track, Ninja flies through a wooded section of the park interacting with Tatsu,
Log Jammer, and some terrain, and containing a lift hill at the beginning and end.
Psyclone- A wooden twister modeled after the Coney Island Cyclone, but not living up to the reputation of the original.
Unfortunately, a rough track downgrades the ride from what it could be.
Revolution- Historical significance makes this ride worth checking. You will be taken on a trip through the woods and the
world’s first steel loop, but over-the-shoulder restraints compromise the once-great ride.
Riddler’s Revenge- The largest and one of the smoothest stand-up coasters out there, this beautiful 4,370‘ of green track
loops and twists through an inversion-riddled, enjoyable three-minute ride.
Scream- Although a former parking lot setting takes points off for surroundings, this floorless looper comes through with a
large, graceful 3,985‘ layout featuring one inversion after another.
Superman: the Escape- After blasting off at up to 100 mph, the parallel tracks head 90° skyward up a 415’ tower,
reaching around 330’ and reversing for several seconds of airtime and one great view.
*Tatsu- The largest, most unique ride of its type. Swoop down the terrain and soar over smaller rides in prone position
while meandering through an inverted track’s four inversions including a 124’ headfirst pretzel loop.
Viper- One of the largest traditional looping rides sends the train snaking though elevated inversions as high as 140’
including three vertical loops and a final double corkscrew. Prepare for some jerkiness.
X- Unlike any other, X takes riders on either side of the train on an unforgettable ride, cars flipping head over heels while
the track completes daring maneuvers such as a 215‘ vertical drop and half-inversions.
Other Thrill RidesAcme Atom Smasher- Gotham City Backlot is home to this Himlaya-style ride where a ring of forward-facing riders spins
around a circular course complete with rabbit hops.
Buccaneer- If you’ve ridden a swinging ship elsewhere, you should probably pass up this 1980 model located in
Colossus County Fair and instead stick to the more unique attractions.
Freefall- The original and one of the few rides of its type remaining offers a primitive, more coaster-like approach to the
freefall concept lifting a single car like an elevator and dropping it 100‘ at 55 mph.
Grinder Gearworks- After boarding a circular drum, riders are spun around at an increasing speed until gravity pins them
to the walls and the entire ride tilts skyward. Located in Gotham City Backlot.
Spin Out- This Rotor uses the same basic concept of Grinder Gearworks, sticking riders to the side of a spinning drum’s
walls. The difference is that the drum fails to tilt; instead, the floor drops out.
Water RidesArrowhead Splashdown / Log Jammer- Two parallel flume ride courses meander underneath Ninja and Tatsu on a
natural hillside. Interaction and scenery gives this ride bonus points.
Roaring Rapids- Round rafts of a dozen splash through a wild run of rapids located in its own section, Rapids Camp
Crossing. Above average for its type, but low priority when all other rides are considered.
Tidal Wave- Located just in front of Riddler’s Revenge, this shoot-the-chutes ride sends boats up and around before
plunging 45’ into the pool, hence the name. Once again, low priority.
DiningLaughing Dragon Pizza Company- If you’re looking for Italian food, check out this themed Samurai Summit stop for
pizza and pasta. This is a full-service restaurant.
Los Cuates Mexican Grill- Located in the Cyclone Bay section, this is the park’s prime stop for anyone with a hungering
for Mexican food such as burritos and tacos.
Moose Burger Lodge- The park’s guest favorite for dining takes the form of a Canadian-themed, full-service, sit-down
restaurant in High Sierra Territory with live entertainment and tasty plates.
Six Flags Marine World – Vallejo, California
Summary and TipsOceanic animals were formerly the main focus of this Northern California safari park, but beginning in 1998, Marine World
shifted the focus to the introduction of thrill rides. Now, the park is effectively divided into a front coaster section
occupying acres of former parking space and the back original half home to the animal exhibits with thrill rides
interspersed. Since Six Flags took over operation in 1999, an explosion of new rides has helped shape the park’s identity
as a thrill paradise. In 1999, the wooden twister Roar became the park’s star attraction; a title shared by its twisting steel
cousin Medusa the following year, and then equally shared by V2: Vertical Velocity the year after, and Zonga in 2003.
This quality quartet has drawn rave reviews since its installation, making it difficult for any coaster lover to pick a favorite
ride at this park, and more than balancing out the duo mediocre coasters Boomerang and Kong installed beforehand.
Aside from coasters, most of Marine World’s thrill rides found are unoriginal, but worth a ride if you haven’t experienced
them previously. Perhaps mainly due to its previous status as a purely spectator-geared park, Marine World has retained
its original scenery, interlacing above-average theming with the new rides. The visual quality of the park, for the better
part, is spectacular, with lush tropical foliage and a lake spanning the back of Marine World. The best deal on admission
will be to purchase your tickets online at the official Six Flags web site.
Park LayoutThe entrance plaza passes under V2 in front of the turnstiles. Entering the park, a left-hand at the first intersection will
take you past Monsoon Falls on your left, and another left will direct you to Roar and Zonga. A right-hand U-turn
immediately after the entry gate, on the other hand, will pass Kong and dead-end at Medusa. However, heading straight
down the entry midway will take you to the lake, with a left path heading into Looney Tunes Seaport and a right path
passing Hammerhead Shark. After another right at a fork in the path, that midway leads beyond White Water Safari to
Boomerang, with the remaining spinning rides looping around the right side of Marine World.
Major CoastersBoomerang: Coast to Coaster- One of several Boomerangs on the West Coast will take you up two 125’ lift hills, each
time being released to complete three slightly rough inversions, once backwards.
Kong- If you like them rough, this ride is for you. Kong’s inverted track twists through a first roll-over double-inversion, a
sidewinder, and finishes off with a double-roll in an aggressive one-and-a-half-minute ride.
Medusa- Watch the track speed by beneath your dangling feet as the train completes a very original layout of 3,937‘, the
main attraction being seven inversions. Former parking lot beneath takes off points.
Roar- Ride aloud though a classic twenties-like wooden twister taken to the extreme. Roar’s layout sends riders around
3,467‘ of rails twisted 14 curves including a steep, twisting first drop of 90‘.
V2: Vertical Velocity- Shortened due to height restrictions shortly after opening, this inverted launcher will shuttle you
between a diagonal roll over the park’s entry and a back vertical spike of 150’.
Zonga- This large eighties multi-looper features a climb of 115‘ before taking on four circular loops, interrupted by steep
banked curves and braking sections. Be prepared for intense g-forces.
Other Thrill RidesArk- This swinging ship, located just across from Boomerang, rocks back and forth over a pond. One of the most
common amusement rides, but still a family favorite.
Hammerhead Shark- Your vertical ride known as the Hawk is given the theme of an oceanic predator. Two groups of 16
passengers inverted from 65’ arms are taken through complete loops.
Jambo- The usual Flying Carpet finds itself at the back right of Marine World. The basic concept of this ride is a platform
of riders looping through the air without turning upside-down.
Tasmanian Devil- The inward-facing version of the Frisbee spins a ring of 40 riders continuously while the arm dangling
the ring swings back and forth. A guest favorite.
Voodoo- Flip at a rapid pace through two vertical axes of inversions as the vehicle sitting between two arms is taken on
loops while rolling over speedily.
Water RidesMonsoon Falls- For the best chance to get thoroughly drenched, check out this splashdown ride conveniently located
within a stone’s throw of the main entrance.
White Water Safari- Some of the park’s normal resplendent scenery surrounds an interesting double-out-and-back white
water rafting course that snakes through the back right of the park.
DiningBlue Water Bay Café- One of the most unique restaurants is this aquarium-themed buffet serving fried chicken, macaroni
and cheese, and spaghetti among other choices. Directly across from the gate.
Broiler- Located at the back center of the park, facing the lake. A wide selection from cheeseburgers and hamburgers to
chicken sandwiches, hot dogs and soup are all on the menu here.
Little Italy- If you’re longing for a pizza, this will be your prime stop. Located adjacent to Hammerhead Shark, this Italian
restaurant serves pizzas of all sizes, spaghetti, breadsticks, and fries.
Six Flags New England – Agawam, Massachusetts
Summary and TipsAlong the banks of the Connecticut River, one of Six Flags’ preeminent acquisitions from the past decade brings the major
theme park experience to the New England region. When the Six Flags chain “flagged” this innocent park in 2000, the
company pumped wisely spent capital investment into the transformation that lacked in most other similar cases. Not only
was the park revamped into a more family-friendly, quality experience, but 2000 also saw the start of a new era for thrillseekers. Rising along the river, the custom-designed hyper-coaster Superman: Ride of Steel rose to become one of the
top-rated steel coasters in the world, and an influx of other new rides and theming complimented the park for the first time.
Six Flags didn’t abandon their New England park either, bringing a second star superhero coaster to the scene in the form
of Batman: the Dark Knight. Along with the amusement rides, the large, newer Hurricane Harbor water park wraps
around the front and side of the park, complimenting the collection of dry rides with an exceptional attraction collection of
its own included in admission. New this year is the addition of two attractions arriving from Six Flags’ lost Houston park
AstroWorld: the highly-rated
spinning ride, and the park’s fourth water ride,
.
Park LayoutYou will start off in the Main Street section, and then follow the midway to an intersection, with Thunderbolt straight ahead.
Turning left, you will pass Ship Wreck Falls to the left of the main midway, then past paths leading to Flashback and
Cyclone on the left. At the end of this midway, you will end up at Blizzard River. Choosing to head right after Main Street,
you will pass Scream on your left, followed by a path leading to the DC Superhero Adventures loop of the park containing
Superman and Nightwing. Concurrently, a right-hand path leads into Hurricane Harbor. Continuing down the main
midway, you will pass Poland Spring Plunge on your right and Mind Eraser and Double Trouble on your left before arriving
in front of Batman.
Major CoastersBatman: the Dark Knight- With the track speeding beneath your dangling feet, Batman will fly you at 55 mph looping and
diving to complete five inversions in a snazzy 2,600‘ layout.
Cyclone- The wooden tracks rumble and shake as it rides along a once praised 3,600‘, triple-out-and-back track.
Unfortunately, growing roughness and braking have led to a downgrading of this ride.
Flashback- Like dozens of similar Boomerang coasters, Flashback delivers a 985‘ A-shaped layout containing three
inversions, each taken twice as you shuttle and shuffle through.
Mind Eraser- Nicknamed a “Hang ‘N’ Bang” coaster, this typical fast and compact Suspended Looping Coaster will send
you through five quick inversions that don’t go too kindly on riders’ heads.
Superman: Ride of Steel- Consistently rated one of the best rides in the world, Superman towers over the rest, dishing
up a superhero-worthy out and back / twister combo of a smooth, intense ride.
Thunderbolt- The park’s antique wooden coaster is fairly small, at only 70‘ tall, but takes a step back in time as it rides
along the traditional figure-8 layout for a fairly gentle ride.
Other Thrill RidesDouble Trouble- Two cars attached to an arm and central support tower are swung up to the top of 50’ vertical loops
before they begin flipping on their own independent vertical axes.
Nightwing- The Enterprise-type ride is modernized with “flying” seating, meaning that riders lay down in a ring of cars to
rotate in a horizontal circle and then tilt vertically for 76’-tall loops.
Scream- Pick between three 205’, 55-mph towers and three types of rides on this launched freefall tower complex, or
sample the entire trio: Space Shot, Turbo Drop, and Combo.
*
- Two platforms of riders are hoisted 65‘ vertically before flipping over both forwards and backwards with
an action resembling that of a fly swatter. A guest favorite at its former park.
Time Warp- Located inside the layout of Mr. Six’s Pandemonium, this 80’ vertical ride takes two groups of riders looping
into the sky and diving back down as legs dangle.
Water RidesBlizzard River- Head to the far left of the park just beyond Mr. Six’s Pandemonium to experience one of the cooler, and
better themed white water rapids experiences out there.
*
- For a dizzying and dampening experience, go for a spin onboard this raft ride where the motion of the
water currents continuously spins the rafts during a 669‘ layout.
Poland Spring Plunge- A 36-year-old log flume located beside the Giant Wheel that twists and turns underneath the final
lift hill before climbing it and plunging for a splashdown finale.
Ship Wreck Falls- For a third method of cooling down from the summer heat, consider hitting up this shoot-the-chutes
experience: a simplistic oval course with a single lift hill and soaking plunge.
DiningBig Ben’s Longhorn BBQ- Located within Crack-Axle Canyon, this location offers barbecue ribs and chicken, chicken
strips, and several choices of desserts.
DC Superheroes Café- Hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken tenders, pizza, and fries are the most popular items on the menu,
and if you aren’t too full afterwards, desserts are also served.
Riverboat Café- Just inside the park, this eatery serves meats such as turkey, roast beef, and ham, along with traditional
amusement park fare like pizza, hamburgers, and hot dogs.
Six Flags New Orleans – New Orleans, Louisiana
Summary and TipsNote: Although the operating schedule of Six Flags New Orleans is uncertain due to the region’s 2005 hurricane
devastation, the park may possibly reopen at some point in time during the 2006 season. Check with the official website
at sixflags.com before considering scheduling a visit.
The newest park in the Six Flags chain was originally constructed in 2000 under the name Jazzland, then
acquired by Six Flags after financial troubles and set in a better direction. A decent-sized collection of rides now adorns
the midways at Six Flags New Orleans, including first-rate steel and wooden coasters along with some spinning ride
rarities. The two star coasters are the popular steel coaster model Batman: the Ride and the custom-designed wooden
coaster MegaZeph. If you stay for an entire day, you will have ample time to sample a good collection of spinning rides
that transcends our listing. The park is well planned with a straightforward layout encircling a central lagoon, meaning that
you likely won’t have to worry about getting lost during your visit. No in-park transportation is available, but the park’s
140-acre size makes it fairly accessible.
Park LayoutMain Street Square accompanies the entry gate, and heading right will lead into the Looney Tunes Adventures kids’ area
followed by Mardi Gras, and past Jester. Continuing into Pontchartrain Beach, you will pass MegaZeph and the Bayou
Blaster and Sonic Slam complex as you make your way around a central lagoon. Heading left after the entrance will take
you into Cajun Country, complete with Zydeco Scream, where you will encounter the DC Comics Super Heroes
Adventures loop in the path. This then leads past Batman before connecting with Pontchartrain Beach.
Major CoastersBatman: the Ride- A second-hand version of the traditional Batman inverted coaster still in good condition. Flip and twist
upside-down as you fly beneath the track at an enjoyable 50 mph.
Jester- Relocated from Texas where it operated since 1992, this compact triple-looper is unfortunately in far from prime
shape, as the 1,936‘ layout is almost as rough as it is twisted.
MegaZeph- New Orleans’ wood-tracked coaster delivers a double-out-and-back experience featuring speeds of up to 57
mph, and a smooth, enjoyable 4,000’ run of airtime hills and turnarounds.
Zydeco Scream- A fancy name for your traditional Boomerang. Swirl through a cobra roll inversion, a vertical loop, and
then do it over again, though slower the second time. Prepare for some slight roughness.
Other Thrill RidesCatwoman’s Whip- A rare ride among theme parks known as a Shake takes five groups of four cars spinning on two
horizontal axes while the individual cars swing back and forth vertically.
Dizzy Lizzy- Swing out over the central lagoon on this fun, relaxing Frisbee ride – a pendulum-type ride with an inwardfacing ring of seating that gradually spins as it’s tossed vertically.
Bayou Blaster / Sonic Slam- This dual launched tower complex offers two 185’ towers ready to either blast you vertically
on the Bayou Blaster side or rocket you towards the earth on Sonic Slam.
Lex Luthor’s Invertatron- This Top Spin ride themed to Superman’s menace takes two rows of passengers on a doubleaxis vertical trip between and above two support columns.
Pontchartrain Flyer- After boarding a two-person craft with legs dangling, a central tower will lift you to 100’ to rotate
around the tower with the wind in your face. A nice, relaxing experience.
Water RidesOzarka Splash- Conveniently located near the front gate, this log flume will try to dampen you with 48’ and 30’ drops
splashing down into the wet trough.
Spillway Splashout- New Orleans’ splashdown-type boat ride tows a load of riders up 50’, around a U-turn, then back
down and plunging into a pool of water next to the park’s lagoon.
DiningMagnolia Garden Café- Located at Main Street Square, this location serves fried chicken, chicken tenders, barbecue
ribs, cheese burgers as just several of the items on the menu.
Gator LaCroix’s Dockside Café- Live entertainment accompanies meals of cheeseburgers, turkey legs, barbecue
chicken, chicken sandwiches, and chicken tenders.
Six Flags over Georgia – Austell (Atlanta), Georgia
Summary and TipsAs the second-oldest Six Flags park, Six Flags over Georgia has matured into a large, lush thrill paradise in the years that
have followed its 1967 debut. Fairly well-themed sections will take you on a journey through the history of the state and
country, with brightly-colored thrill rides seeming somewhat out of place as their themes, or lack thereof, contrast the
original well-planned sections representing the original flags that flew over Georgia. The star coaster, new this year, is the
dominating Goliath, sure to make a stunning impression on you while driving up to the park with its 200’ heights and track
swooping over the park and roadways. The sheer number of must-ride coasters gracing the 330-acre park is noteworthy,
from Georgia Cyclone and Scorcher at the front to Great American Scream Machine and Superman: Ultimate Flight at the
back. Déjà Vu is usually one of the longer lines in the park and experiences the most frequent downtime, so consider
riding it towards the beginning of the day. The only ride we strongly advise against is Ninja, a compact looping coaster. If
you do decide to challenge this ride, however, you may want to save it for the end of the day, considering that it may
provide you with a headache for the rest of your visit. Six Flags over Georgia’s major oversight is flat rides; although
several have been added in recent years, they still severely lack. Cable cars and a relaxing antique train provide two
alternatives to walking, and an out-of-the-way path past Splash Water Falls and the Carousel provides a shortcut to the
park’s back reaches.
Park LayoutAfter the Promonade, a right turn will take you into British, then Confederate, passing by Georgia Cyclone and
Acrophobia, with Spanish (Bugs Bunny Land) on the right. Beyond follows Lickskillet, containing Déjà Vu, and Cotton
States at the back of the park where Ninja, Great American Scream Machine, and Superman reside. Meanwhile, a left at
the Promonade takes you into Georgia, the home of Georgia Scorcher; followed by USA, where you can find Goliath.
Heading straight will lead to Gotham City for MindBender and Batman, while a right connects to the French and
Confederate sections.
Major CoastersBatman: the Ride- Like all of its cloned sister rides, Batman delivers a twisted, intense, yet smooth inverted looping
experience with five inversions, a 2,700’ track, and Gotham City theming.
Déjà Vu- Nineteen-story vertical lift towers haul an inverted train towards the sky before it swoops back down through the
station and around three inversions forwards and in reverse during the X-shaped course. Not a reliable ride.
Georgia Cyclone- Many rate this a top wooden classic for its layout packed with curves, structural crossunders, and
surprise airtime hills along the way. Don’t miss out on this true classic.
Georgia Scorcher- An enjoyable stand-up coaster with an extremely elegant layout gracing the front of the park. Not
overly intense, but a fun ride for its twister layout and two inversions.
*Goliath- Smooth, fast, and comfortable, this new 200’ coaster is Over Georgia’s new star. Prepare for a high-speed, 70mph tour at the front of the park over six hills and a diving spiral in front of the main gate.
Great American Scream Machine- The lakeside setting and intense airtime-inducing run of hills define this classic Lshaped woodie. Brace yourself for a quick stop at the end of the ride to end the fun.
MindBender- Not quite as intense as some other similar loopers, but a unique classic in itself for its lack of restraints,
wooded hillside setting, diving double helix, and vertical loops to commence and end the ride.
Ninja- This aptly-named compact steel twister will make sure that you’ve been thoroughly walloped unless you brace
yourself for dear life. Almost more fun to watch than ride as it loops over water.
Superman: Ultimate Flight- Fly like the Man of Steel through a sweeping, graceful, terrain-hugging layout. Prepare for
an intense first inversion known as a pretzel loop, sweeping turns, and a final roll.
Other Thrill RidesAcrophobia- The stand-up, floorless riding position of this Gyro-Drop freefall tower must be experienced. You will plunge
161’ after a good 360° view and slight tilt forward, but be prepared for 3 g’s in uncomfortable areas.
Freefall- Acrophobia’s first-generation grandparent of a freefall ride lifts single carloads inside a shaft 100‘ before sending
them sliding down an L-shaped track and braking at the end.
Shake, Rattle, & Roll- The usual Scrambler ride is enclosed in a building and surrounded by a fifties theme while 12
carloads of riders spin on two horizontal axes for a chaotic experience.
Wheelie- Your typically fun Enterprise-type ride that will rotate you horizontally in enclosed, restraint-free cars before the
wheel tilts towards the sky and completes fast-paced loops.
Water RidesDeer Park Plunge- This log flume winds through the woods at the front of the park between the train and Georgia
Scorcher with your normal two lift hills and plunges for this type of ride.
Splash Water Falls- If the weather’s warm, you might want to cool off on this splashdown ride with a nice terrain setting
next to Dahlonega Mine Train and your normal 50‘ drop into a pool.
Thunder River- A river rapids raft ride through the woods between Lickskillet and Gotham City, Thunder River serves up
a turbulent ride with a nice forested location.
DiningDeeJay’s Diner- This fifties-themed diner is located at front the entrance of USA adjacent to Goliath’s lift hill and serves
fried chicken sandwiches, fries, and burgers with a selection of toppings.
Miner’s Cookhouse- Situated in Lickskillet between Déjà Vu and Wheelie, this eatery boasts specialties of barbecue pork
sandwiches and grilled burgers.
Plantation House- Fried chicken tenders are the specialty at this restaurant located at the center of Confederate section.
Salads and desserts are also available.
Six Flags over Texas – Arlington, Texas
Summary and TipsThe original spark that ignited the Six Flags fire has become a lush ride oasis after 45 years, and for many, the favorite
park of the entire chain. Angus Wynne would be proud of his theme park, with its 205 acres brought to life by seven major
coasters for the thrill-seekers and plenty of other ride types for all ages to enjoy. New rides from the post-Wynne era have
remained mostly true to the themed sections he originally laid out, deviating to allow for such franchises as DC Comics
attractions. Dominating over all else is Titan, a steel coaster likely to make a stunning impression on you while
approaching the park with its 245-foot heights. Aside from this masterpiece, Over Texas contains other must-rides such
as the launched shuttle-looping coaster Mr. Freeze and the classic steel looper Shockwave. An impressive collection of
non-coaster thrills can also be found, reigned over by the 325‘ freefall tower complex Superman: Tower of Power, and
complimented this year by the addition of several new vertical and spinning rides. The park itself is superior in quality,
with largely clean paths leading through well-landscaped sections, and plenty of trees to shade guests from the Texas
heat in the original sections. Lines can accumulate fast though, and the staff here isn’t the best in the world. One other
downside to this park is its layout, as first-time visitors can easily become lost.
Park LayoutYou will enter into the Looney Tunes USA section where you can either turn right into USA or left into the Mexico /
Spanish section. Mexico / Spanish winds around into Texas where the path turns right into Old South and France, then
back to the front into Looney Tunes USA. Meanwhile, Texas continues on to loop around the back of the park where it
transforms into Boomtown and meets back up with USA. Continuing on leads to Goodtimes Square and the dead-ending
Gotham City to the left. A back route parallels the lake at the front of the park and connects Goodtimes Square up with
Looney Tunes USA.
Major CoastersBatman: the Ride- Six Flags’ DC Comics-brand inverted looper sends riders under the yellow track through two loops,
two corkscrews, and a zero-g roll for a satisfying flight through the Gotham City skies.
Flashback- Your average Boomerang model, complete with the normal backwards-forwards shuttle course, three
inversions – each taken twice – and some roughness noticeable throughout.
Judge Roy Scream- Your average out and back wooden coaster is given a photogenic lakeside setting at the front of the
park, and serves up a decent ride. A smooth track, but not too forceful.
Mr. Freeze- Batman’s nemesis launches passengers through a top hat inversion, a highly-banked turn, and then blasting
up a 218‘ tower to fall in reverse and do it over again. Lap and shin restraints only are a plus.
Shockwave- A duo of loops commences this swift and smooth steel coaster, then the track takes a trip through the woods
with some rare pops of airtime for a looping coaster. Enhanced by a lap-bar-only restraint system.
Texas Giant- Once one of the most popular wooden rides in the world, Texas Giant has unfortunately passed its prime
and is now an above-average larger wooden coaster with rough spots along the 4,920‘ layout.
Titan- Tall, fast, smooth, and twisted sums up this steel coaster. Titan’s hyper-twister layout vaunts eight curves, two
being upwards and downwards double-helixes, and a 255’ first drop leading underground at 85 mph.
Other Thrill RidesConquistador- The tamer version of Rock-N-Rocket is a swinging ship that, instead of taking riders through 360-degree
rotations, ventures 90 degrees in each direction while swinging back and forth.
*Crazy Legs- Your normal Troika takes three rings of seven two-seater cars free to swing slightly side to side for a dualhorizontal-axis spin while arms raise the rotating rings.
*Rock-N-Rocket- Aspiring astronauts can strap themselves in and take off on this oversized swinging ship ride where
they will find themselves high in the air, upside-down in several instances.
Superman: Tower of Power- This dominating triple freefall tower complex runs on the Combo program, meaning that
each tower offers a combination of upward and downward launches.
Wildcatter- The original freefall ride still remains after 24 years, dwarfed at 100’ but allowing a new generation of riders to
experience the primitive elevator-like ride followed by a quick slope back to the start.
Water RidesEl Aserradero- The world’s first log flume dates back to 1963, and still takes riders on its historic trip. As log-themed rafts
float through, the woods between the Spain and Texas sections hide the course ahead.
Roaring Rapids- One of the larger, though older white water rapids courses out there sends large, circular rafts of a
dozen heading down a quarter-mile run of tumultuous river water.
Splash Water Falls- Over Texas’ version of the splashdown or shoot-the-chutes ride is a drenching experience, whatever
you call it. Stand on the exit bridge to get soaked without riding.
DiningChubbie’s Diner- Burgers are the specialty here, including cheddar burgers and bacon burgers, with fries and grilled
chicken salads offered on the side.
Texas BBQ- Tastes of the home state in this restaurant include barbecue turkey legs and beef along with smoked
sausage while an old west theme surrounds you.
USA Food Court- This eatery contains the park’s widest selection of food. The menu here ranges from pizzas to burgers
to chicken tenders, hot dogs, and Tex-Mex selections.
Six Flags St. Louis – Eureka (St. Louis), Missouri
Summary and TipsAlthough Six Flags St. Louis was the third Six Flags theme park, it has unfortunately lagged behind the others when it
comes to new rides. However, that said, this 132-acre property is one of the nicest Six Flags locations aesthetically, with
more care put into the visual experience than many other parks: plentiful trees, gardens, and more detailed theming than
the newer Six Flags parks, all spread out over natural, undulating terrain. The St. Louis theme park also contains a
handful of major coasters including several world-class tracks: the common Batman: the Ride inverted coaster, the sister
ride to Six Flags over Texas’ Mr. Freeze, and the custom-designed wooden terrain twister Boss. This season, the
collection of several quality non-coaster thrill-rides is complimented by the addition of the second-hand freefall tower,
. Although an above-average team staffs the park, long lines are difficult to avoid much of the
time, especially on the water rides. Mr. Freeze also accumulates one of the longest lines in the park on average, so either
head straight back to get in line upon entering the park in the morning or wait to ride it until later in the day. As for dining,
the major sit-down restaurants’ food is expensive but served in large portions, so if you just want a quick bite to eat, stop
by one of the stands such as a tasty ice cream shop near the entrance. If you don’t want to walk the entire park, take a
tour onboard the Tommy G. Robertson Railroad.
Park LayoutImmediately after entering the 1904 World’s Fair section, a right turn will lead the way into Warner Bros. Backlot where
Batman and Ninja can be found, while a U-turn leads into Hurricane Harbor. Taking a left after entering the park,
meanwhile, heads into Looney Tunes Town and on to the DC Comics Plaza where Mr. Freeze dominates. However,
following the right side of the 1904 World’s Fair plaza to the end, you will enter Chouteau’s Market, followed by Gateway
to the West. Finally, at the back right of the park is Illinois and Screamin’ Eagle, with Tidal Wave below. However,
following the left side of the entry plaza beyond the end leads through Gateway to the West, on to Britannia where Boss is
located.
Major CoastersBatman: the Ride- A mirror image of the other Six Flags parks’ Batmen, this smooth, powerful coaster will throw you for
five loops, rolls, and corkscrews total at up to 50 mph, with a powerful four g’s throughout.
Boss- A highly ranked terrain wooden coaster with a very unique layout that provides unexpected curves and drops. An
unexpected first 150’ double-dip propels you into enjoyable 5,051’ ride. Occasionally slightly rough.
Mr. Freeze- Riders launch at 70 mph through an inversion, highly-banked curve, and blast vertically only to fall through
the ride in reverse, all without over-the-shoulder restraints. Be prepared for relatively frequent breakdowns.
Ninja- A compact, twisted ride will take you through four inversions if you decide to conquer its rough track. If you want to
come off this coaster in good health, sit in the front row with your head firmly against the middle or side of the headrest.
Screamin’ Eagle- St. Louis’ classic out and back wooden coaster is downgraded from what it once was due to
maintenance needs, but this ride will still complete the day for any coaster fan. Brace yourself for the final brakes.
Other Thrill RidesHighland Fling- One of the park’s favorite spinning rides is this classic model of Enterprise. Up to two riders sit in each
car surrounding a central wheel that rotates horizontally and vertically.
Joker Inc.- One of Batman’s many menaces takes riders on a swinging ship experience rocking the boatload of riders
back and forth, venturing higher and higher into the sky.
Rush Street Flyer- The traditional Flying Carpet vertical ride takes on a native Illinois theme. A stationary platform
carrying riders jumps through the air and back down in full rotations.
Tom’s Twister- Riders stand against the wall of a drum before it begins spinning like a washing machine. As the g-forces
press them to the side, the floor below drops away several inches.
Xcalibur- A rare, second-hand vertical ride from New Jersey seats a ring of cars with the freedom to flip over vertically at
the end of a giant arm swinging like a pendulum into the sky.
*
- This 23-story freefall attraction takes half a dozen separate cars up the side of the tower before
sending them back down to earth in a 62-mph, 117’ plunge.
Water RidesIce Mountain Splash- This parallel-trough log flume twists beneath a wooded setting of pine trees with a conclusion of
dual 60’ drops back into the water. Don’t worry about getting overly drenched.
Thunder River- A 1,550’ river rapids ride covers seven acres of land encompassing Mr. Freeze. Large, dozen-person
rafts navigate the river, but the line is usually one of the park’s longest in summer months.
Tidal Wave- The traditional splashdown ride consists of a 20-rider boat climbing and then plunging several stories into a
pool filled with 300,000 gallons of water for a wet and grand finale.
DiningCalico Sal’s Famous Fried Chicken- Fried chicken and chicken strips are the specialty here, with biscuits and fries
offered on the site and one of the park’s larger dessert menus.
Moose Burger Lodge- The park’s favorite restaurant is this Six Flags brand full-service, hunting-lodge-themed eatery
that serves up tasty plates such as grilled chicken, barbecue ribs, and bacon-cheddar burgers.
Screen Stars Diner- Take a trip to Hollywood and back to the 1950s if you’re craving a burger, chicken sandwich, or
chicken strips served with a milkshake and fries.
Universal Studios Florida / Islands of Adventure – Orlando, Florida
Summary and TipsBringing movies to life has been the goal of Universal Studios’ Florida destination since 1990. With the help of cuttingedge special effects, an abundance of simulated attractions found their way into Universal Studios over the years, but
more recently some of the most popular thrill rides in the world have found their way into the complex, combining
cinematic storylines with incredible ride experiences. In 1999, Islands of Adventure opened on the Universal property
adjacent to the original park and brought a new level of major world-class thrill rides to Orlando in a heavily-themed
experience constantly rated one of the world’s best. If you’re a thrill-seeker on your way to the Orlando area and have to
make the tough decision between any one of the Disney parks or the Universal complex, these two neighboring parks
would edge out the competition. For the thrill-seeking crowd, the three amazing must-ride coasters of the complex and a
number of other non-coaster thrill-rides concentrated mainly at Islands of Adventure make this one of the top destinations
in the world. The amount of detail built into these parks will ensure that there will be more to see every time you visit,
however, ride additions typically arrive only several per decade. Like Disney, the Universal parks have afforded guests
with the convenience of reserving rides instead of waiting in line; however, the Universal Express system is only offered
on select attractions. Check at the front gate to reserve ride times. Don’t ever settle for full price on your hotel and park
tickets. To experience the Universal Studios parks for the most reasonable price tag, search the internet for the plethora
of discounts and packages that exists.
Park LayoutIslands of Adventure’s Port of Entry leads to the lakefront where a boat ride will take you across or the paths will lead you
around. Taking the clockwise trip around the park, you will first pass into Marvel Superhero Island where most guests will
stop for a ride on the Incredible Hulk. Continuing clockwise, you will pass Dr. Doom’s FearFall and the Amazing
Adventures of Spider-man, and then enter Toon Lagoon. This “island” is home to Popeye and Bluto’s Rat Bilge Barges to
the right and Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls on the left. The next area, at the back of the park, is Jurassic Park, with
Jurassic Park River Adventure on the left. Passing into the Lost Continent, you will encounter Dueling Dragons, and at
the end of this section, Seuss Landing connects back up with Port of Entry.
The Universal Studios half of the complex begins with an entry plaza leading to the left and straight ahead into the
Production Central section, or straight ahead and to the right into Hollywood. Continuing straight after the entrance and
through Production Central, you will eventually wind up in New York with Revenge of the Mummy straight ahead. Turning
right at Mummy, the section transforms into San Francisco, the home of Jaws. San Francisco loops around the back of
the park, leading into World Expo, Kidzone, and back to Hollywood.
Major CoastersDueling Dragons (IoA)- Choose your fate of Fire or Ice as two individually incredible inverted coasters battle each other
out in a smooth, fast-paced, and well-planned duel including several memorably close inversions.
Incredible Hulk (IoA)- Starting off with a bang, Hulk will launch you into a roll and down a 105’ drop to reach 67 mph and
take on a 3,700‘ long, snaking, seven-inversion twister layout. A consistent favorite.
Revenge of the Mummy (USF)- This dark coaster will immerse you in an intricate story and take you on an unpredictable
track featuring a dead end and three launches. A small ride for size, but as big as they come theme-wise.
Other Thrill RidesAmazing Adventures of Spider-man (IoA)- Not a thrill-ride per-se, but one of the most exciting and realistic simulations
out there to accompany a dark ride as cars with a wide range of motion travel between 3-D screens and effects.
Dr. Doom’s FearFall (IoA)- Your normal Space Shot and Turbo Drop launched freefall towers, although shorter than
usual at 199’, are made even sweeter with a nice pre-ride story preparing you for your blastoff or blast down.
Water RidesDudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls (IoA)- This parallel-tracked log flume takes a journey through a cartoonish world
complete with the park signature of theming everywhere you look. A picturesque finale ends a good ride.
Jaws (USF)- Your calm cruise takes a turn for the worst when your fishing boat is attacked by the inevitable menace. An
outdated attraction by today’s standards, but still a park favorite.
Jurassic Park River Adventure (IoA)- Your boat will take a trip through Jurassic Park, into a building full of animatronic
dinosaurs before things go terribly wrong and you narrowly escape in an 85‘ splashdown.
Popeye and Bluto’s Rat Bilge Barges (IoA)- One of the most celebrated rides of its type in the world, this white water
rapids ride is completely surrounded by detailed theming to immerse you in the cartoon as you’re soaked.
DiningCafé La Bamba (US)- The Hollywood section is home to one of the park’s star restaurants, an eatery serving
hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chicken, and ribs.
Enchanted Oak Tavern (IoA)- Venture into the Lost Continent section if you feel like having a feast of ribs, smoked
chicken, turkey, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, and salads.
Lombard's Seafood Grille (US)- Along the streets of San Francisco is this restaurant with delectable choices for seafood
lovers such as lobster along with pasta and steak.
Mythos Restaurant (IoA)- Islands of Adventure’s favorite restaurant among guests is another Lost Continent location, a
mythically-themed location along the central lagoon.
Valleyfair – Shakopee (Minneapolis), Minnesota
Summary and TipsAppropriately named for its smaller, fair-like feel, Valleyfair is a 90-acre park located between the Minnesota River and
County Road 101 just southwest of Minneapolis. Two excellent major steel coasters dominate over the amusement park:
the hyper-coaster Wild Thing and the launched Steel Venom inverted coaster. Like any fair, Valleyfair hosts a good-sized
collection of non-coaster thrill rides and flat rides to spin you in any direction desired. And like other Cedar Fair
properties, Valleyfair is home to a Challenge Park section containing extra-pay thrills such as the limited capacity vertical
rides Skycoaster and Skyscraper. A water park named Whitewater Country is offered, but unfortunately, this water park is
in major need of expansion, with only two major slide complexes and a handful of other attractions. The park is usually
clean and well maintained, with mowed grass fields in place of gardens. For a discount, visit after 5 p.m. and receive a
half-priced admission, or if you need more time to fit in all of the rides, consider purchasing a ticket for two consecutive
days at just slightly more than a single-day ticket.
Park LayoutHeading right after the entrance will take you to the High Roller midway and then on to the KidWorks section. A left U-turn
after the entrance will lead to Steel Venom and the Challenge Park upcharge ride area, while a slight left will lead to the
midway running along Wild Thing. After passing RipTide, a path to the right leads under Corkscrew to connect back to
the High Roller midway. The Wild Thing and High Roller midways loop around and meet, then a midway leads to the
back water park and Excalibur at the far reaches of the park.
Major CoastersCorkscrew- As one of the oldest coasters of its type, Corkscrew is unimpressive by today’s standards at only 85‘, 50
mph, and 1,950’ long, but worth checking out if the line is short.
Excalibur- A mine train-like coaster taken to the extreme. After a 100‘ climb, the steel track will plunge into a highly
banked turn and figure-8 before finishing the 2,145’ layout.
High Roller- Your normal out and back wooden layout, and the oldest coaster here. High Roller may not be high or too
fast, but its run of airtime hills may leave you satisfied.
Steel Venom- An Impulse coaster model launching the inverted train between two 180’ towers, one of them straight and
the other twisted a complete 360°. The park’s second-best ride.
Wild Thing- Take a trip over a hyper-coaster run of large camelback hills before speeding through a twister section and
heading back over several small hops. The park favorite.
Other Thrill RidesChaos- Popular among parks around the world, this fun vertical ride seats 18 freely-flipping cars of two around a central
wheel before the ride gets going to spin vertically.
Enterprise- Your amusement park classic combines flat and vertical spinning ride as the ring of caged, restraint-free cars
gets spinning parallel then perpendicular to the ground.
Power Tower- Decide between being launched 250’ into the sky or towards the earth at 50 mph. Two out of three towers
launch upwards, while the other launches down.
RipTide- The modernized, floorless version of the Top Spin flips two back-to-back rows of 19 passengers on two vertical
axes while dangling them over a fountain at the front side.
*Xtreme Swing- Enjoy one of two parallel swings taking you back and forth up to 125’ over the park. With 40 other thrillseekers, you will swing between two large supports up to 60 mph.
Water RidesFlume- A log flume with one of the nicest ride settings in the park. Five-passenger boats float through a twisty layout
before your normal 50’ drop and splashdown.
Thunder Canyon- Like the versions at Cedar Point and Dorney Park, a river sends raftloads through waterfalls and
between walls of rock while the rapids below make for some good water interaction.
Wave- The splashdown boat ride features a standard 50‘ plunge into the wave-generating pool of water ready to soak all
20 riders and anyone standing close enough.
DiningCoasters Drive-In- This fifties-themed fast food restaurant is situated in front of Wild Thing’s first plunge, making it an
easy location to find if you’re craving the amusement park food favorites.
Stadium Pizza & Grill- Located across from Looping Starship, this is one of the park’s larger eateries and a good pit stop
for burgers, pizza, and the like.
Walt Disney World: Animal Kingdom / EPCOT / Magic Kingdom / Disney-MGM Studios – Lake
Buena Vista (Orlando), Florida
Summary and TipsFor a kid of any age, Florida’s Walt Disney World complex is a dream come true. It goes without saying that the Orlandoarea Disney parks are the most popular theme park destinations in the world, and with good reason. With acres upon
acres home to four separate theme parks, three separate water parks, plethoric resort hotels, . The growth of this park
complex since its debut in 1971 would have made Walt Disney proud. Every year, the parks continue unprecedented
expansion, and new this year at the Animal Kingdom park for the 50 th anniversary celebration of Disney theme parks is
Expedition Everest, perhaps the most impressive ride ever constructed by Disney. Advice for all guests it not to trust the
wait times you may see posted around the queues; the lines are often far shorter than the discouraging times listed.
Moreover, don’t forget about Disney’s Fastpass system as you try to eliminate waiting in line; even Expedition Everest
utilizes this innovative ride reservation system. Tickets are generally reduced in price the longer you choose to stay at the
Walt Disney World Resort. For the best bargains possible on tickets and resort packages, search around online at least
several weeks before you visit, as purchasing in advance can further lower the cost of your vacation.
Park LayoutAnimal Kingdom’s entry section is the Oasis, which then bridges over the Discovery River onto Discovery Island. From
there, four bridges lead back off the island into the main themed areas. Heading to the right leads to a fork in the path: a
bridge to the right leading into Dinoland U.S.A., and a bridge on the left into Asia where Expedition Everest can be found.
Meanwhile, heading left on Discovery Island means a similar fork heading into Camp Minnie-Mickey on the left and a
bridge to Africa to the right.
Disney-MGM Studios visitors enter at Hollywood Boulevard and either follow the entry midway to Sunset
Boulevard or break off to the left to head off to attractions such as the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular and Star
Tours. Taking Sunset Boulevard to the right eventually leads to the park’s two star attractions: Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster
and the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.
EPCOT begins with a labyrinth of paths comprising the Future World section beginning at the iconic Spaceship
Earth geodesic dome. Following the pathways to the right after Spaceship Earth will take you to the Living Seas exhibit
and the Soarin’ simulation, while heading left will lead to Mission: Space and Test Track. After Future World, the park
leads around its large central lagoon in the World Showcase section.
At Magic Kingdom, Main Street U.S.A. leads to the park’s central point in front of Cinderella’s Castle where the
pathway divides to lead the way into six interconnecting lands. The first themed area, to the right, will be Tomorrowland,
the home of Space Mountain. Counterclockwise, the next area will be Mickey’s Toontown Fair, followed by Fantasyland,
and Liberty Square. The latter leads to Adventureland on the left and Frontierland on the right, containing Big Thunder
Mountain Railroad.
Major CoastersBig Thunder Mountain Railroad (MK)- Often considered one of the supreme mine train coasters, riders venture through
2,780’ of track comprised of tight turns around rock formations, tunnels, and three lift hills.
*Expedition Everest (AK)- The new cynosure of Animal Kingdom is the most expensive coaster project ever attempted,
taking riders through and around an enormous 199’ mountain with an unpredictable 4,400‘ of steel track.
Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster (MGM)- Blast off in your stretch-limo-themed train at 57 mph while listening to Aerosmith music,
then twist and loop through an enjoyable mess of track, all indoors.
Space Mountain (Magic Kingdom)- This classic pair of dark coasters is a consistent family favorite. The inspiration for
four other rides takes riders through two twisted courses in the midst of celestial theming.
Other Thrill RidesBuzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin (MK)- The aspect of interactivity is cleverly added to a spinning dark ride. Riders
are equipped with laser guns and the ability to rotate their cars to help battle evil forces.
Dinosaur (AK)- This dark ride attempts to take riders back in time in their rovers to dodge meteors along with dinosaurs
without going extinct themselves. One of WDW’s most modern simulated experiences.
Mission: Space (EPCOT)- Intricate theming pays off to give riders an accurate theme-park-level simulation of traveling to
space and back. Focus on the video screen during the ride to avoid potential nausea.
Test Track (EPCOT)- Strap yourself in and prepare to be taken on a test drive with five other riders. You will accelerate
along the track at 60 mph and encounter 50° banked curves.
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (MGM)- An elevator ride goes wrong with the theme of this enclosed freefall experience
situated inside of a 199‘ tall “hotel.” Due to the ride’s enclosed nature, you’ll find an enjoyable lack of restraints.
Water RidesKali River Rapids (AK)- Disney goes above and beyond your normal white water rapids experience with the exotic theme
including plenty of animatronics and even a fiery explosion along the way.
Pirates of the Caribbean- The classic dark themed water ride credited with inspiring the movies takes a boat through
intricately themed scenes, with a few surprises during the ride.
Splash Mountain (Magic Kingdom)- One of the favorite log flumes of the world isn’t all about the 50’ drop or
splashdown; it’s about the amount of theming that Disney put into the experience.
Dining-
Cinderella's Royal Table (MK)- Experience the once-in-a-lifetime experience of dining like royalty inside the very walls of
Cinderella’s Castle in Fantasyland if you’re willing to pay a fortune.
Flame Tree Barbecue (AK)- Enjoy a view of Expedition Everest across the water as you dine on Discovery Island with
treats on your plate like barbecue ribs, chicken, and pork sandwiches.
Garden Grill (EPCOT)- One of the less pricey sit-down restaurants in the park complex is located in EPCOT’s Future
World. Dine with the Disney characters and feast on grilled chicken and steak.
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant (MGM)- One of the most unique theme park restaurants around is this New York
Street drive-in theater where you can enjoy sandwiches and milkshakes.
Wild Adventures – Valdosta, Georgia
Summary and TipsSince this smaller park opened in the 1990s, it has made constant strides to appeal to today’s thrill-seekers and families
with a deluge of rides added in a short time period. Carrying a foreign fauna theme, Wild Adventures is divided into
several themed environments surrounding the rides. However, don’t visit expecting anything of the Busch Gardens
standard; you won’t find the lush landscaping and luxuriant theming of the major destination parks. However, Wild
Adventures gains points for its commitment to continued expansion nearly every season. So far, the ride that stands out
as the star attraction is Cheetah, an out and back wooden coaster with the distinction of being one of the few customdesigned rides to be found at Wild Adventures. Two major steel coasters can also be found: the normal Boomerang
shuttle-looper and Hangman, an off-the-shelf inverted twister. For all ages, this park offers one of the largest collections
of family- and kid-geared rides, including half a dozen minor coasters to accompany the larger attractions. The regular
admission of $40 may seem a bit steep at first, all factors considered, but the park encourages overnight visits by offering
free admission for a second day within six days of the first.
Park LayoutAs you enter the park, you pass into the Swamp section. After turning right, the park divides into the Australian Outback
section after another right and Treasure Cove to the left. Continuing through the Australian Outback, you come to the
African Pridelands where Cheetah can be found and eventually the Wild West section, home to Hangman. Meanwhile,
heading through Treasure Cove will lead into the Wild West to the right and to the Splash Island water park to the left.
Major CoastersBoomerang- Yet another Boomerang coaster was created in 1998 to join its dozens of counterparts, twisting and looping
through the Australia section with three inversions taken forwards and backwards at up to 47 mph.
Cheetah- Originality finally arrived at the park for 2001 in the form of a major wood-tracked coaster. The smooth, 52-mph
out-and-back track contains a wide turnaround and figure-8 finale along with the airtime hills.
Hangman- You may feel like you’re being hung or just plain tortured on this typical Suspended Looping Coaster, only not
to the degree of older models. Get whisked through a loopy, twisted layout with five inversions.
Other Thrill RidesAviator- If you’re looking for a little relaxation, this fun swing-like ride will provide a couple minutes of flight through the air
as floorless, dual-rider cars dangle 100’ in the air while rotating around a tower.
Chaos- Fitting to its name, Chaos’ three dozen passengers are flipped, tilted, and spun in all imaginable directions when
the ring of cars goes vertical, spinning in rotations while cars loop independently.
Double Shot- Seated on four sides of an 85’ tall tower with legs dangling freely, riders are blasted skyward on either side
at 35 mph. Not as impressive as most freefall towers due to its small scale.
Inverter- Prepare to flip upside-down if you decide to ride this vertical spinning ride in which a group of riders is taken in
vertical loops while flipping forwards and backwards 50’ in the air.
Pharaoh’s Fury- Your traditional swinging ship takes the boat on a normal back-and-forth trip gradually swinging higher
and higher into the air. A ride suitable for thrill-seekers of a wide age range.
Water RidesBlackfoot Falls- Twenty riders at a time take on this standard splashdown, climbing a lift to 50’ before plunging down the
single drop to splash into the pool of water and produce a wall of water.
Tasmanian River Rapids- A 1,148’-long version of the white water rapids experience, the River Rapids feature a very
unique layout containing the only “whirlpool” of its kind on the continent.
DiningBuzzby’s Pizza- Along with freshly made pizza, chicken wings can also be found on the menu at this restaurant along
with various salads and desserts.
Lone Star Bar-B-Que- Barbecued pork is the specialty item on the menu, but smoked chicken and ribs are the two other
favorites. Baked beans, stews, and other sides are served as well.
Wild Willies Café- Some of the traditional amusement park foods like cheeseburgers, hot dogs, and cheese fries can be
found here along with a barbecued sandwich.
Worlds of Fun – Kansas City, Missouri
Summary and TipsCedar Fair has exceeded in improving this park over the past 11 years while sticking with Worlds of Fun’s original
intentions. Unlike other parks that have become confused jumbles of original themes and newer brand-name themes
since a major chain assumes operation, Cedar Fair has respected their parks’ original directions, as can be seen in this
case. In Worlds of Fun’s case, the park has continued with its original Around the World in 80 Days theme, with five
countries intended to take guests on an international journey. Though unfortunately arriving few and far between, major
new rides over the years have included star coasters Mamba, a 1997 out and back hyper-coaster; and new this year, the
inverted, looping beauty Patriot. Several other treats can be found in the way of rides, however, one of the most common
complaints among visitors is that top-notch guest service lacks throughout the 175-acre park. One of the best strategies
for conquering the park is to head straight to the back, with a possible stop at Patriot along the way. After riding the star
attractions before their lines accumulate, work your way back towards the entrance against the crowds. To get a tour of
the park without walking, catch a ride on the Worlds of Fun Railroad. If Worlds of Fun’s three water rides don’t suffice for
an escape from summer heat, the Oceans of Fun water park is located next door, but an additional entrance fee is
charged.
Park LayoutUpon entering, you will find yourself in the Scandinavia section, and a right-hand turn after the entry plaza will take you
into Orient where you can ride Spinning Dragons, while bearing left will lead to Africa. Continuing through Orient, you will
come upon Americana, which contains Patriot and Timber Wolf, and eventually Camp Snoopy to the right or Africa –
home to Boomerang and Mamba – straight ahead. Taking off through Africa from the entrance, turning right will lead to
Europa and through to Americana.
Major CoastersBoomerang- Like all other four-dozen Boomerang coasters around the world, this steel coaster performs an A-shaped
layout composed of three inversions each taken twice as it shuttles you between 125’ lifts.
Mamba- A 200’ out and back steel coaster providing a panoramic view and several dominating hills. After a diving
turnaround helix, Mamba will send you back to the station over a series of hops. Hang on for the brakes.
*Patriot- Make sure that you take flight through the skies on this patriotic inverted coaster, a winner for its flowing 3,081’
of red and white-striped track rolled into four inversions and 60-mph top speed.
Spinning Dragons- One of the best smaller coasters out there sends single cars spinning along a smooth and twisted
1,345‘ track featuring wild-mouse-like hairpin curves along with banked, swooping elements.
Timber Wolf- Ride in the front half of the train and keep your head braced forward to avoid hitting the headrest and
squeeze the most enjoyment out of this beastly 4,230‘-long wooden coaster.
Other Thrill RidesDetonator- On a smaller scale than most launched freefall towers, but still packing a punch for its age. Either one of the
dual 200‘ towers will launch you into the sky and deliver intense airtime at the top.
Finnish Fling- One of the few Rotors left in operation pins standing riders to the walls of its cylinder as it spins. But the
most noteworthy part comes when the floor drops out, leaving riders suspended in the air.
Octopus- A flat ride known as Monster elsewhere that may be worth checking out after the must-rides if the wait is short.
Provides a nice break from high-intensity rides if you need one.
ThunderHawk- You and 39 other passengers sitting in two rows will be lifted into the air in a vertical circular motion while
the vehicle flips over fountains quickly and continuously, leaving barely a chance to catch your breath.
Zulu- Sit in a caged car doing away with the need for restraints before taking off rotating around horizontal circles before
your normal Enterprise experience goes vertical and performs quick loops.
Water RidesFury of the Nile- A four-and-a-half minute rapids ride with a peaceful setting among groves of trees. Look out for two
waterfalls as your six-passenger craft floats through, but don’t expect the wettest ride ever.
Monsoon- Take the plunge on Monsoon for an escape from the heat of summer with a splashdown into the heart of
Worlds of Fun’s Africa themed section. The most drenching of the three water rides.
Viking Voyager- A smaller log-flume-type experience with minimal watery action. Due to its shortness with only a single
lift hill, Viking Voyager is worth a ride only with next to no wait.
DiningAll-Stars Grill- Feast on buffalo wings, pork, nachos, hamburgers, and various sandwiches while watching sports games
broadcast over the plasma TV screens.
Coasters Drive-In- Located by Mamba, this fifties-style Cedar Fair-brand restaurant brings you amusement park classics
like cheeseburgers, hamburgers, fries, and thick milk shakes.
Zarda Bar-B-Que- This restaurant, located in the Americana section, is a guest favorite. Zarda Bar-B-Que serves
barbecued ribs, pork, and beef along with salads.
Acknowledgements
A huge thanks goes out to all of the staff behind COASTER-net.com who have made presiding over the site a pleasure
the past several years and have now helped to make this publication a reality through their contributions to the final
product and support along the way:
Matt Rydzik (Vice President)
Matt Vickers (Co-Administrator and Publication Designer)
Clint Novak (Former Co-Administrator)
Amanda Spracklen
Bayard Davis
Brad Garland
Brian
Carl
Carsten Anderson
Chris Dean
Donald Flint
Jeremy Pelton
Joel Bullock
Josh
Josh Davidson
Kevin Russell
Mike Landers
Stephen Baldwin
TJ Andrews
Travis Brandon
The following people contributed their photography to the book:
Anthony Ferguson – p.
Calvin Lasister – p.
Clint Novak – p.
Josh Davidson – p.
Kristin
Matt Vickers – p.
Will Brach – p.
Will Holder – p.
I must thank all of the many individuals behind the parks and chains who provided much help along the way:
Andrea Novotny
Debbie Nauser
Dino Fazio
Kathleen Bell
Kris Williams
Natividad Lewis
Norris Clark
Sarah Lovejoy
Tony Clark
Others I would like to thank for contributing to the book in the form of opinions to keep the reviews balanced are:
Brian
Calvin Lasister
Hilary Purmell
Matt Meckley
Questions, comments, or contributions to this guide? Email author Devin Olson at Webmaster@coaster-net.com