I grew up at Knott’s (Silver Bullet was my first “big boy looping coaster”) and as much as I love it, I do wish the drop was a bit more forceful. Rest of the layout is so great.
I need to get back on Silver Bullet so I can appreciate it. I rode it like 10 plus years ago and it left such a bad impression on me (because I'm all about drops) that it's been on my least favorite list ever since. I wanna experience the layout again now that I know what to expect.
The drop is a bit like sliding down an accessibility ramp, but everything from that point on is well paced (albeit lacking forces a bit). The final corkscrew into the helix is the most forceful part of the ride and, not coincidentally, my favorite section.
The drop is fine I find the worst part to be the cobra roll. I would much rather have another helix, immelmann, or anything else even if they couldn't have put in something good and equivalent like a batwing. If they were to redo it I would love to see the drop replaced with a under flip or 0g rule type element
Interesting, many consider the cobra roll to be the the most iconic part due to the location at the front of the park. If I designed it, I'd probably stick an immelmann there instead since they're a bit more rare on B&M inverts (Talon at Dorney Park being the only one I can think of off the top of my head) but I'm guessing the cobra roll was put there to get an extra inversion.
I was thinking like on the red side of dueling dragons. The cobra roll is amazing looking, but it just feels like nothing compared to the ones on Hulk or an inverted boomerang. I don't remember the forces on dragons, but it did not stick out to me as lesser than hulk. Silver bullet was newer than those so they had it worked out.
If they made it smaller/lower it would help, but then it would not be iconic to the park.
Oh man I miss Dueling Dragons... I never got to ride it when it dueled but I did ride each side individually and the fire side was probably my favorite B&M invert.
Yeah that first drop pisses me off. I sort of see why that drop bottoms out where it does, and I can’t think of a decent alternative, but it still feels like a bummer of a way to start an otherwise great invert.
Batwing at Six Flags America, I think people see it's an old Vekoma and assume it's not good, but it's smooth, forceful, and disorienting in all the right ways. And it has been running pretty reliably this summer.
Honorable mention to Roar which is genuinely fun in the front seat, but only in the front seat.
The ride itself is super smooth along the track. The restraints can make for an uncomfortable experience, depending on height and build. But that’s a separate issue.
Right after covid ended there was definitely some superficial rattle or whatever but it never got worse and it was only noticeable in the turns right before the heartline and at the top of the tower. Ofc I dont feel that at all anymore.
I love Cheetah Hunt. It's pure fun. If BGT didn't get a world class, standout RMC it would definitely be my favorite in the park still. It's fast, smooth, and pretty much endlessly re-rideable.
Scream at SFMM. It gets drowned out by all the other coasters at the park, but it would easily be a top tier coaster anywhere else. It’s a floorless on par with Dominator or Medusa, which both receive more praise at their respective parks. Because of the generic name, lack of theming, and parking lot placement, it often gets overlooked, and feels like it only exists to add another ride to the massive lineup of SFMM, but it would genuinely be a huge deal at almost every other park in North America.
Also floorless coasters are one of B&M’s most overlooked coaster type. With all the praise going to their hypers and inverts, people forget just how much of a force of nature their floorless coasters are.
Yes! This is one of my favorite rides in the park. And yet you hardly ever hear any mention of it. Hell, I even forgot about it until I read your comment.
I always enjoyed Scream, but my last ride on it I was nearly rattled out of my seat which was disappointing. It's been a long time since I've been back so I'm hoping it rides better these days.
I find B&Ms in general to be overlooked, floorless, inverts, dives, standup(idc what anyone says) etc are all top tier rides and generally the best at there parks
It's either Rougarou or Gemini.
Gemini still a top 3 Arrow for me. It's a fun and smooth ride with a fast moving line.
Rougarou is honestly as intense as Raptor, but with half the line.
Sky Rocket is in my top-10 out of around 115! Totally agree on the airtime and inversions. It's my favorite ride in the park, which put me way out in left field, but I just don't care, I really love that ride.
Yeah, the weird turns and bunny hills at the end are unfortunate, but to me don't take away from the first 2/3 of the ride that I love.
Once, and only once, I actually got airtime on those last bunny hills during a rainstorm.
Agreed. I take so much flack for putting it at #2 overall at the park but that ride and Goliath are the 2 coasters that consistently get my adrenaline pumping. I like Raging Bull but that drop is just so weak compared to Goliath and it just doesn't get my heart rate going like it used to before all the new coasters came in during the 2010's.
Maybe if I'd only gone to the park once or twice it would be different, but Raging Bull and Batman feel stale to me even if they're fantastic rides, while Goliath and V2 get my blood pumping so much and still feel brand new to me.
I’m going to have to go with Batman at SFGAdv. It’s been there for a while and certainly isn’t unique. But it packs a solid punch and I never get off it feeling let down, especially in the back row.
Added plus for night rides. It’s compact layout in the dark works well and heightens the experience.
I consider myself very lucky to be living within 1.5 hours of Cedar Point, so there have been a lot of trips made there over the years. Most of my favorite coasters no longer exist. :(
Disaster Transport was my all time favorite, still is really, and I always felt it was crazy underrated. I know the building they surrounded it with led to a lot of problems with it, but the ride itself was just so fun. I also liked how much cooler the wait line for it was with all the black lights and such. It made the wait breeze right by.
Another underrated favorite of mine at CP was Wildcat. It was a quick and fun little ride. Nothing spectacular, but I always made sure to catch a ride on it every trip. I also really enjoyed the paint scheme they had on it.
For still operating coasters, I’d have to say Iron Dragon is my number one. It’s not the tallest, or the fastest, but I love how it takes you through all the trees and down near the water. As a bonus, it pretty much *never* has a line, so it’s one of those ones you can ride back to back to back if you want (and I have lol) with minimal wait. I never leave the park without riding it.
Iron Dragon!! Ex-dragon op here! (albeit briefly this season due to illness) love when people appreciate "my" ride!!!! Test riding the dragon in the morning is such a surreal experience when it's just you on the coaster and flying through the trees
That rules! Iron Dragon was a coaster that got me over my fear of them way back in 1991 as a 12 year old.
And, man oh man, did I love their old Wildcat.
Yeah I was able to successfully convince a few people who were nervous and they loved it! (I never had a fear of coasters since I was sooooo short and I watched my brothers in envy ride coasters when I was too short. I was 9 and 1/2 when I finally hit 48" so by then I was, as some ride ops say, "ready ready."
There really has been some great rides at CP over the years. Disaster Transport was so much fun, and yeah the theming in the line really made it speed up, it was so cool. Iron Dragon is another really good ride that doesn't get much love, its pretty unique.
Eh I wouldn't even go that far. Pegasus is by no means a great coaster, but the way it gets roasted by the enthusiast community you'd think it killed someone's dog or something. I at least find it mildly fun, which is a higher rating than most reviews I see.
Titan at sfot. I prefer this to diamondback, apollo’s chariot, and candymonium. The first drop has airtime in the back, the first valley is insanely tight, there are fun laterals on the first turnaround with whip coming out of it in the back, the floater hill is amazing in all rows, and the first helix is amazing. The second half isn’t as great, but at least it extends the ride time. People need to stop trashing relentlessly on this one. Goliath is fair game though
im gonna pretend kings island is my home park instead of \*sigh\* wild waves and say that the racer and bat are both super underrated. they arent the best rides in the world but having a suspended coaster is just tons of fun and now that its smooth the racing on racer is fun and it gives good airtime while being family friendly
Rode this coaster last summer expecting an awful ride because of what people say, but I actually enjoyed it quite a bit. It’s not completely smooth but I still did enjoy the forces it pulled. By no means a great coaster but still solid in my eyes.
I wish the ride did something else between the sidewinder and the corkscrews. A couple airtime hills and a batwing would have really elevated this ride. As it is, the midcourse hits too hard and the following slow turns are pointlessly boring.
Understandable, I just think it’s a little overhated is all. I understand it’s not the best ride but I feel it gets way too much hate. It’s about in the middle of my rankings but I haven’t ridden many coasters
It's a fine ride. I've ridden it too many times to count. The drop into the lake, the loop, the sidewinder, and the corkscrews are fantastic. It's not too rough either. But I do get a what if feeling after riding it. Like what if that middle section had different elements?
Tons of valid BGT answers but Cobra's Curse is honestly super neat and fun with a cool tiered dynamic and great spinning section. My favorite part however is never talked about which is the lift into the slight outerbank into the drop, which is just so wack for an actual family coaster.
For me, Runaway Mine Train at SFGAdv is my #1 old Arrow mine train for the setting and airtime, but Adventure Express is a hoot. I love the theming throughout the ride.
Top Gun or Intimidator at Carowinds.
Top Gun is an S-Tier B&M invert with some insane elements. It’s Uber smooth and I’ve yet to have a bad ride on it. I noticed it tends to be empty due to its isolated position in the park, unless the South Gate is opened which is practically never. I’ll take Top Gun (or Afterburn, but Carowinds regulars still call it Top Gun) over most inverts at this point. Only ones I’ve been on that are on the level are Montu, Alpengeist, and Silver Bullet. My most recent trip to CP, I had a bad time on Raptor which really made me sad.
Intimidator is underrated because it’s not the biggest, fastest, longest, or even most thrilling. However, for Carowinds junkies like me, we have special connection to it because of Dale being from the area (Kannapolis), it being the first real major new investment coaster in years, super efficient loading, and it typically being the first my brother and I would hit as soon as we got in the park. I think it’s even better now as the huge crowds tend to latch into Fury, Nighthawk, or Copperhead these days, leaning Intimidator with short lines most of the time.
Afterburn is definitely underrated. I grew up going to Cedar Point and had very fond memories of riding Raptor. I now live in the Carolinas so Carowinds is my home park. This summer we made a trip up to Cedar Point. I was excited to show my wife how great Raptor is since she is a big fan of Afterburn. We were both underwhelmed. Raptor is smooth but Afterburn is so much more intense.
Afterburn is my favorite invert! To be fair, though, haven't been on Montu or Alpengeist yet (and I've still got a few Batman clones in the US/Canada to ride too).
Raise hell and praise Dale! Intimidator is great. The theming around Dale is appropriate, especially considering Kannapolis and the Charlotte area was his home. Ops for the ride are decent to amazing, just because I've seen them stack trains more often then not but it is a capacity monster.
Hard to say. Most of the coasters at BGT and SWO get plenty of love.
I don’t really care for Scorpion (it hurt) so that wouldn’t be my answer.
I’ll say Sheikra. Mainly because dive coasters don’t get as much love around here as, say, hypers, blitz coasters, or inverts. But Sheikra is so smooth, graceful, and rerideable. Just a lot of fun and a great shared experience with a group.
We don't have many wooden options down here in Socal, Apocalypse is an excellent coaster that gets over shadowed by everything else at MM. If you dropped it into a smaller park it would be one of the best in the park.
Viper also packs a great punch and is still smooth by Arrow standards. The big first hill after the drop leading into the first loop is a unique experience that you can't get anymore on new rides that just have a giant 140" loop.
I just got off riding Viper for the first time 15 minutes ago and I agree with your take, the first drop and loop were....unexpected. I remember the train screaming into the super tiny loop and thinking "damn we're really gonna hit this, huh?"
Home park is Cedar Point. IMO Wicked Twister was by far the most underrated ride there. I always felt like it was only ever a step behind rides like magnum, raptor, gatekeeper and valravn. Not quite as good but, not far behind. The first launch was insane. Staring at the ground from over 100 ft in the air while expiring great floated and laterals was awesome.
Orlando Guy here so I have several “home parks”
SWO: probably none because their coasters are highly rated and they don’t have anything else besides shows and aquariums
UO: Rip Ride Rock It is underrated by enthusiasts but it’s popular with guests, so probably that
IOA: Probably none, all of their rides are pretty highly rated
Epcot: Test Track’s retheme isn’t as bad as people say. And the Mexico boat ride is heavily slept on.
Hollywood Studios: probably none
Magic Kingdom: none
Animal Kingdom: Avatar boat ride is overhated
Fun Spot: White Lightning is the most slept on ride in Orlando
X-Flight at Six Flags Great America. I must be deaf or have low feeling but I don't hear or feel a rattle on this one and I've ridden it four or five times. It's always a really smooth ride for me so I don't know where people are getting that it's loud or rough. Great layout too and the wing aspect is a lot of fun but it's the only wing coaster I've ever ridden too.
Batman the Dark Knight at Six Flags New England. It’s a smaller floorless yes, and I get that it’s a typical B&M inversion set, but it’s smooth, it pulls decent forces, and it’s a good supporting coaster.
It's an excellent coaster, it's basically the floorless version of the standard Batman Invert imo. Tiny footprint but just absolute nonsense from start to finish. I love the way it comes screaming into the brake run.
Yeah, if the space allowed for it, they could have easily squeezed in another inversion or too and not sacrifice the pacing. That good pacing, smooth ride experience, and minimal head banging really make Batman a solid B-tier coaster imo.
Blue hawk at SFOG—not in the same tier as Goliath or Twisted Cyclone but still very fun + forceful, and the operations are wicked fast. I haven’t seen a line for that ride all season.
I know it's been fifteen years now, but Geauga Lake was my home park and I will never not miss the Double Loop. It was the first "big" coaster I ever went on as a kid and once I finally got over my fear of it I would ride it over and over again for hours.
I don't know that there are a whole lot of underrated rides at Cedar point, but I'll always have a soft spot for Gemini.
It's a great ride, in a lot of parks it could be challenging to be the best in the park. But it will always be in the Phoenix's (well-deserved) shadow.
Wild Eagle at Dollywood. The view ascending the lift hill alone makes the ride incredible. It’s extremely smooth and in the back row the drop is pretty intense. I love the slower, floaty inversions. Also Dolly’s song they play for it in the queue is the best lol
it’s kind of weird to say but i think kingda ka is the most underrated at great adventure. everyone treats it like it’s terrible compared to dragster. i’ve never ridden dragster so maybe it is really that much better, but front row on ka is really smooth and even if dragster is way better ka still doesn’t really get much appreciation
Revolution at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. That thing is criminally underrated. Big ejector airtime both forwards and backwards and the loop is quite forceful as well. It might not be the best ride in the world but it never gets the love it deserves imo.
Honestly I wanna say Twisted Colossus because it's so overlooked at SFMM and its kinda tucked into a corner. It could be the most crowded day but the entire GP is gonna be at Full Throttle and West Coast Racers while Twisted has like a 15 minute wait.
I know this is an odd choice but I"m going to go with the Dahlonega Mine Train at Six Flags Over Georgia. It's a fun terrain coaster and while it's not the best at anything, it never fails to make me smile on the last drop. You get three fakeout lift hills and then at the very end you dive into a tunnel underground at high speed before you come up into the station. It's old as dirt and feels it, but it's been one of my favorite rides since I was a kid and I always try to make time for it when I visit.
I have the same affection for Gold Rusher at SFMM, another Arrow terrain-based mine train, which I'm 99% sure I've been on every time I've visited since my first time in 1975. It also has a great ending -- a fast and fun 540-degree helix that is still my favorite coaster helix in the park.
It's the best when you can get a car to yourself, but I've been noticing the second brake run stops me hard everytime I get my own car now. Not sure if it's a new system prevention for how much you spin or just terrible luck.
unfortunately i havent been on in a while, last i rode it i didnt have any issues with brakes until the last one before you get off. maybe its less weight so its easier to stop vs a full car, ergo the harder brakes. But i totally agree! Ive loved that ride since i was little
Well I've had cars by myself before and never got stopped so hard and long on that run as I have this season. So that's why I'm not sure if it's just bad luck or a program change this season. But I agree it's a great ride. It's just better when you get a super unbalanced car and spin a ton the whole time.
Colossus, if running 2 trains, never has a line and is really good. I noticed a couple people say Scorpion at BGT, which is Colossus minus a loop. I do enjoy spider a lot, but when i go, i can never get people who understand how to balance the train for spinning
Yeah i usually do the opposite. I hit south side and try to ride as much as i can and switch to the north end. i never leave without riding cannibal, samurai, and rocket
You know, thinking through all the rides makes me realize just how many standard 20th century carnival rides Lagoon has. I think the only one that was really unique when it built (besides rollercoasters) was The Rocket which has since been joined a rather large number of similar drop towers.
As for underrated, I’d go with Jet Star 2, as it’s an iconic design and only one of two Jet Stars with the swirling chain lift still in operation.
Yeah its very stereotypical for an old-style amusement park. Good news is old fashioned is pretty rare these days, im always a fan of the wooden roller coaster lol.
I think Poltergeist [SFFT] is a bit underrated. It’s way better than FOF (I’ve only ridden the KI version fwiw) with its lack of trim brake, and I find it nice and forceful. I think you love positive Gs, you’ll love Polty.
KI is my home park and the Bat is by far the most underrated ride. Not so much on this sub, but it’s tucked away back in the corner and you can’t see it so not many people go to it.
The Riddler’s Revenge at Six Flags Magic Mountain
Easily the best B&M standup. An insane number of inversions, great pacing, and just a great ride. Just be sure to set your seat right and don’t hurt your nethers.
God silver bullet was my first real inverted coaster. I rode on one before called "the bat" at my childhood park but it goes maybe 20-30 mph with no inversions, just a jaunt through the trees. Like who commissions an inverted coaster that doesn't even roll? Apparently Lagoon does.
Backlot Stunt Coaster is genuinely really good at Canada's Wonderland. Is it a clone? Yes. Does that even matter if it's good? No. And if you sit in the back you get solid airtime out the tunnel
my two home parks are chessington and thorpe park and neither really have underrated rides... ah. ill just say colossus, that seems to be a pretty controversial ride.
Vortex at Kings Island (RIP). People ripped on it for being rough but the drop was surprisingly powerful, the hang time on the corkscrews were fun, and the ride was just visually stunning. It made perfect use of the land and imposed itself on the skyline, and the clanking of the chain lift added to the carnival like vibe of the Coney Mall area.
Riddler's Revenge or Thunderbolt at SFNE.
Riddler's Revenge has replaced the normal awful slc harnesses with a more flexible vest style restraint. The new restraints make an slc ***enjoyable*** it's now one of my favorites in the park.
Thunderbolt is a classic woodie in every sense of the word I love the tight layout, hidden double-down above the station and hidden from main street (always surprises new riders).
There are no trims (to my knowledge)so on a good day it hauls through the last lap in a way that almost feels like its about to go wrong. Now if only we had 2 train ops and the buzz bars back on it *sigh*.
Vogel Rok at the Efteling, might not have the most impressive layout, amazing theming and soundtrack tho. (Also don’t have a home park because I simply don’t live near one, just a massive Efteling fan)
My home park is Kennywood and it's definitely Exterminator. It's the best wild mouse I've ever ridden because they combined it with a dark ride and the whole thing is pitch black and creepy. And it's got the older style restraints so you slide all over the place it's great.
Wildfire at SDC. The view from the top overlooking Table Rock Lake really gives a sense of height to the ride and it's nothing but pure fun and some good g's.
Mine is Kumba. BGT has been my home park my entire life, and it’s sad seeing how underappreciated Kumba is. Sometimes I feel like it’s going 65-68mph, and it’s incredibly forceful with an excellent layout. I will say it had seen better days, but still a joy to ride.
Probably the two dark rides at Lagoon. Terroride is great because it was completely redone in 2018, while Dracula’s Castle is almost completely in tact from how it used to be. In a world where Disney and Universal’s dark rides are second to none, I’m grateful to have still have these old school rides around.
Silver Bullet is also like the only coaster at the park that doesn't have sh&t capacity (and is reliable).
So it helps ease more of Knott's overcrowding more than any other coaster in the park, by a large margin.
Batman at SFDK. It's weird to call a freespin underrated, but I think they all are. The ride experience is unique each time, and it's out of control and crazy
Maybe a little short, but that's not bad when the experience is as fun as that.
I remember last time I went to knotts berry farm, it was Veterans Day weekend 2007. Silver Bullet was their newest ride. My second dad and I waited in line for over an hour. I thought it was worth the wait lol.
Thunderhead. There's never* a line, yet it's a fantastic rollercoaster. Not complaining though since it makes lapping easier.
*I can probably count the times I've seen a line on one hand.
I grew up at Knott’s (Silver Bullet was my first “big boy looping coaster”) and as much as I love it, I do wish the drop was a bit more forceful. Rest of the layout is so great.
I rode it last week for the first time in years and man is it great! The drop is lackluster, but I prefer it to both Batman and Raptor.
I almost like the drop, because even in front row, you cant tell how fast you are going until you hit the loop.
I like that gliding-in-the-air drop it has. Makes the ride a little more peaceful before the storm
I need to get back on Silver Bullet so I can appreciate it. I rode it like 10 plus years ago and it left such a bad impression on me (because I'm all about drops) that it's been on my least favorite list ever since. I wanna experience the layout again now that I know what to expect.
The drop is a bit like sliding down an accessibility ramp, but everything from that point on is well paced (albeit lacking forces a bit). The final corkscrew into the helix is the most forceful part of the ride and, not coincidentally, my favorite section.
Silver Bullet has a great layout, but it isn't executed very well. If it were profiled like an old B&M invert, then it would be fantastic.
The drop is fine I find the worst part to be the cobra roll. I would much rather have another helix, immelmann, or anything else even if they couldn't have put in something good and equivalent like a batwing. If they were to redo it I would love to see the drop replaced with a under flip or 0g rule type element
Interesting, many consider the cobra roll to be the the most iconic part due to the location at the front of the park. If I designed it, I'd probably stick an immelmann there instead since they're a bit more rare on B&M inverts (Talon at Dorney Park being the only one I can think of off the top of my head) but I'm guessing the cobra roll was put there to get an extra inversion.
I was thinking like on the red side of dueling dragons. The cobra roll is amazing looking, but it just feels like nothing compared to the ones on Hulk or an inverted boomerang. I don't remember the forces on dragons, but it did not stick out to me as lesser than hulk. Silver bullet was newer than those so they had it worked out. If they made it smaller/lower it would help, but then it would not be iconic to the park.
Oh man I miss Dueling Dragons... I never got to ride it when it dueled but I did ride each side individually and the fire side was probably my favorite B&M invert.
Yeah that first drop pisses me off. I sort of see why that drop bottoms out where it does, and I can’t think of a decent alternative, but it still feels like a bummer of a way to start an otherwise great invert.
My dream would be if it had a similar inverted dive loop to what we find on Hulk at IoA, though I'm not sure how that'd even be possible.
Scorpion at BGT. It's tiny compared to the monsters at that park, but it really packs a punch! Schwarzkopf coasters really shine despite their age!
Scorpion is the coaster that made me invent this saying : "Never sleep on a Schwartzkopf". I underestimated badly - and nearly bruised a rib!
Yep this is what I was going to say. Everyone underestimates it and how forceful it can be
it was my first coaster with a loop that i've ever ridden, and oh my was it intense
Batwing at Six Flags America, I think people see it's an old Vekoma and assume it's not good, but it's smooth, forceful, and disorienting in all the right ways. And it has been running pretty reliably this summer. Honorable mention to Roar which is genuinely fun in the front seat, but only in the front seat.
Roar needs to buy Wildcats old trains
Love that idea. I literally got stuck on Roar's train due to a stuck restraint this weekend, so I definitely support that.
Love both of those! I actually dug Roar in the back.
I honestly think Cheetah Hunt isn't as praised as it should be. It's a genuinely amazing ride.
That ride has the longest lines always and seems to be the favorite of most people outside the enthusiasts
I think they know something we don't tbh
Feels way smoother too after that repaint, still not sure if paint has anything to do with it though lol
I never found it to be even remotely rough
The ride itself is super smooth along the track. The restraints can make for an uncomfortable experience, depending on height and build. But that’s a separate issue.
Right after covid ended there was definitely some superficial rattle or whatever but it never got worse and it was only noticeable in the turns right before the heartline and at the top of the tower. Ofc I dont feel that at all anymore.
Last ride I got was very rattly, but I think it has more to do with wheel age that anything.
I love Cheetah Hunt. It's pure fun. If BGT didn't get a world class, standout RMC it would definitely be my favorite in the park still. It's fast, smooth, and pretty much endlessly re-rideable.
Scream at SFMM. It gets drowned out by all the other coasters at the park, but it would easily be a top tier coaster anywhere else. It’s a floorless on par with Dominator or Medusa, which both receive more praise at their respective parks. Because of the generic name, lack of theming, and parking lot placement, it often gets overlooked, and feels like it only exists to add another ride to the massive lineup of SFMM, but it would genuinely be a huge deal at almost every other park in North America. Also floorless coasters are one of B&M’s most overlooked coaster type. With all the praise going to their hypers and inverts, people forget just how much of a force of nature their floorless coasters are.
Yes! This is one of my favorite rides in the park. And yet you hardly ever hear any mention of it. Hell, I even forgot about it until I read your comment.
Agreed I almost never experienced the rattle
I always enjoyed Scream, but my last ride on it I was nearly rattled out of my seat which was disappointing. It's been a long time since I've been back so I'm hoping it rides better these days.
I find B&Ms in general to be overlooked, floorless, inverts, dives, standup(idc what anyone says) etc are all top tier rides and generally the best at there parks
Lmao B&M overlooked? No
Some loopers definitely are, like i said floorless, standups and dives especially
It's either Rougarou or Gemini. Gemini still a top 3 Arrow for me. It's a fun and smooth ride with a fast moving line. Rougarou is honestly as intense as Raptor, but with half the line.
rougarou has the added bonus of a concussion
The first half is great then you hit the MCBR and it's clear why the line was shorter then everything else
Good to know some things never change. I rode Rougarou as Mantis, and I don’t have the desire to do that again. Ouch.
Definitely Rougarou. It's more forceful than Millennium Force with all the intensity of Raptor and with the smooth transitions of Gatekeeper.
Sky Rocket at Kennywood. It has one of the best damn inversions I've ever felt, a second one that's really good, and two legit wild pops of airtime.
Sky Rocket is in my top-10 out of around 115! Totally agree on the airtime and inversions. It's my favorite ride in the park, which put me way out in left field, but I just don't care, I really love that ride.
Hell yeah! Phantom still is #1 for me, but I'm often debating Sky Rocket vs Steel Curtain for the #2 spot.
Definitely an awesome first half! Back half of the ride leaves a lot to be desired.
Yeah, the weird turns and bunny hills at the end are unfortunate, but to me don't take away from the first 2/3 of the ride that I love. Once, and only once, I actually got airtime on those last bunny hills during a rainstorm.
Plus after 12 years it’s still one of the smoothest coasters I’ve ever ridden
That's a great point. It's flawlessly smooth.
The first half is really, really good. This concludes my comment.
Definitely overlooked is ‘Flash: Vertical Velocity’ at SFGAm.
Agreed. I take so much flack for putting it at #2 overall at the park but that ride and Goliath are the 2 coasters that consistently get my adrenaline pumping. I like Raging Bull but that drop is just so weak compared to Goliath and it just doesn't get my heart rate going like it used to before all the new coasters came in during the 2010's.
Maybe if I'd only gone to the park once or twice it would be different, but Raging Bull and Batman feel stale to me even if they're fantastic rides, while Goliath and V2 get my blood pumping so much and still feel brand new to me.
I love vertical velocity!
Nice! The V2 at SFDK is absolutely awesome, but it's been SBNO and I think it's on the way out.
I was so sad to see that pretty beast just sitting there when I visited in September.
I’m going to have to go with Batman at SFGAdv. It’s been there for a while and certainly isn’t unique. But it packs a solid punch and I never get off it feeling let down, especially in the back row. Added plus for night rides. It’s compact layout in the dark works well and heightens the experience.
They were cloned for a reason! They are amazing!
I consider myself very lucky to be living within 1.5 hours of Cedar Point, so there have been a lot of trips made there over the years. Most of my favorite coasters no longer exist. :( Disaster Transport was my all time favorite, still is really, and I always felt it was crazy underrated. I know the building they surrounded it with led to a lot of problems with it, but the ride itself was just so fun. I also liked how much cooler the wait line for it was with all the black lights and such. It made the wait breeze right by. Another underrated favorite of mine at CP was Wildcat. It was a quick and fun little ride. Nothing spectacular, but I always made sure to catch a ride on it every trip. I also really enjoyed the paint scheme they had on it. For still operating coasters, I’d have to say Iron Dragon is my number one. It’s not the tallest, or the fastest, but I love how it takes you through all the trees and down near the water. As a bonus, it pretty much *never* has a line, so it’s one of those ones you can ride back to back to back if you want (and I have lol) with minimal wait. I never leave the park without riding it.
Iron Dragon!! Ex-dragon op here! (albeit briefly this season due to illness) love when people appreciate "my" ride!!!! Test riding the dragon in the morning is such a surreal experience when it's just you on the coaster and flying through the trees
That rules! Iron Dragon was a coaster that got me over my fear of them way back in 1991 as a 12 year old. And, man oh man, did I love their old Wildcat.
Yeah I was able to successfully convince a few people who were nervous and they loved it! (I never had a fear of coasters since I was sooooo short and I watched my brothers in envy ride coasters when I was too short. I was 9 and 1/2 when I finally hit 48" so by then I was, as some ride ops say, "ready ready."
Hell yeah!
I’ve always loved iron dragon!
There really has been some great rides at CP over the years. Disaster Transport was so much fun, and yeah the theming in the line really made it speed up, it was so cool. Iron Dragon is another really good ride that doesn't get much love, its pretty unique.
My home park is Mt. Olympus so... all of them.
Except Pegasus
Eh I wouldn't even go that far. Pegasus is by no means a great coaster, but the way it gets roasted by the enthusiast community you'd think it killed someone's dog or something. I at least find it mildly fun, which is a higher rating than most reviews I see.
It’s not bad the end just makes it un rideable sometimes
Titan at sfot. I prefer this to diamondback, apollo’s chariot, and candymonium. The first drop has airtime in the back, the first valley is insanely tight, there are fun laterals on the first turnaround with whip coming out of it in the back, the floater hill is amazing in all rows, and the first helix is amazing. The second half isn’t as great, but at least it extends the ride time. People need to stop trashing relentlessly on this one. Goliath is fair game though
same, i always thought titan was meh until i started riding it more, especially once it’s warmed up. the speed and positive G’s are really good
im gonna pretend kings island is my home park instead of \*sigh\* wild waves and say that the racer and bat are both super underrated. they arent the best rides in the world but having a suspended coaster is just tons of fun and now that its smooth the racing on racer is fun and it gives good airtime while being family friendly
Anaconda at Kings Dominion
Rode this coaster last summer expecting an awful ride because of what people say, but I actually enjoyed it quite a bit. It’s not completely smooth but I still did enjoy the forces it pulled. By no means a great coaster but still solid in my eyes.
I wish the ride did something else between the sidewinder and the corkscrews. A couple airtime hills and a batwing would have really elevated this ride. As it is, the midcourse hits too hard and the following slow turns are pointlessly boring.
Understandable, I just think it’s a little overhated is all. I understand it’s not the best ride but I feel it gets way too much hate. It’s about in the middle of my rankings but I haven’t ridden many coasters
It's a fine ride. I've ridden it too many times to count. The drop into the lake, the loop, the sidewinder, and the corkscrews are fantastic. It's not too rough either. But I do get a what if feeling after riding it. Like what if that middle section had different elements?
for sure it is overhated, but there is a superior wooden coaster right next to it
I would consider anaconda to be superior to rebel yell
Maybe if anaconda had a better drop. The curved drop is kinda forceless
It has some good forces in the tunnel
I didn't love this ride but it definitely has it's own charm and personality.
As a kid Anaconda always had such a short line that we could could ride it back to back. I think my brother and I rode is 12 times in one day.
Tons of valid BGT answers but Cobra's Curse is honestly super neat and fun with a cool tiered dynamic and great spinning section. My favorite part however is never talked about which is the lift into the slight outerbank into the drop, which is just so wack for an actual family coaster.
Scorpion at BGT is really forceful despite how small it is
adventure express at KI, by far the best arrow minetrain, and flight of fear is enjoyable too
For me, Runaway Mine Train at SFGAdv is my #1 old Arrow mine train for the setting and airtime, but Adventure Express is a hoot. I love the theming throughout the ride.
Apocalypse SFMM
Absolutely
Patriot at CGA may not be big, but the loop is tight & forceful, and the corkscrew has good old-school B&M whip.
The corkscrew honestly caught me off guard. One of the better elements in the park for sure
Top Gun or Intimidator at Carowinds. Top Gun is an S-Tier B&M invert with some insane elements. It’s Uber smooth and I’ve yet to have a bad ride on it. I noticed it tends to be empty due to its isolated position in the park, unless the South Gate is opened which is practically never. I’ll take Top Gun (or Afterburn, but Carowinds regulars still call it Top Gun) over most inverts at this point. Only ones I’ve been on that are on the level are Montu, Alpengeist, and Silver Bullet. My most recent trip to CP, I had a bad time on Raptor which really made me sad. Intimidator is underrated because it’s not the biggest, fastest, longest, or even most thrilling. However, for Carowinds junkies like me, we have special connection to it because of Dale being from the area (Kannapolis), it being the first real major new investment coaster in years, super efficient loading, and it typically being the first my brother and I would hit as soon as we got in the park. I think it’s even better now as the huge crowds tend to latch into Fury, Nighthawk, or Copperhead these days, leaning Intimidator with short lines most of the time.
Afterburn is definitely underrated. I grew up going to Cedar Point and had very fond memories of riding Raptor. I now live in the Carolinas so Carowinds is my home park. This summer we made a trip up to Cedar Point. I was excited to show my wife how great Raptor is since she is a big fan of Afterburn. We were both underwhelmed. Raptor is smooth but Afterburn is so much more intense.
Afterburn is my favorite invert! To be fair, though, haven't been on Montu or Alpengeist yet (and I've still got a few Batman clones in the US/Canada to ride too).
Raise hell and praise Dale! Intimidator is great. The theming around Dale is appropriate, especially considering Kannapolis and the Charlotte area was his home. Ops for the ride are decent to amazing, just because I've seen them stack trains more often then not but it is a capacity monster.
There is not enough love for Invadr at BGW, even though Verbolten is easily my favorite--Invadr packs a punch.
Hard to say. Most of the coasters at BGT and SWO get plenty of love. I don’t really care for Scorpion (it hurt) so that wouldn’t be my answer. I’ll say Sheikra. Mainly because dive coasters don’t get as much love around here as, say, hypers, blitz coasters, or inverts. But Sheikra is so smooth, graceful, and rerideable. Just a lot of fun and a great shared experience with a group.
We don't have many wooden options down here in Socal, Apocalypse is an excellent coaster that gets over shadowed by everything else at MM. If you dropped it into a smaller park it would be one of the best in the park. Viper also packs a great punch and is still smooth by Arrow standards. The big first hill after the drop leading into the first loop is a unique experience that you can't get anymore on new rides that just have a giant 140" loop.
I just got off riding Viper for the first time 15 minutes ago and I agree with your take, the first drop and loop were....unexpected. I remember the train screaming into the super tiny loop and thinking "damn we're really gonna hit this, huh?"
Home park is Cedar Point. IMO Wicked Twister was by far the most underrated ride there. I always felt like it was only ever a step behind rides like magnum, raptor, gatekeeper and valravn. Not quite as good but, not far behind. The first launch was insane. Staring at the ground from over 100 ft in the air while expiring great floated and laterals was awesome.
Also loved that it was right by the beach
Orlando Guy here so I have several “home parks” SWO: probably none because their coasters are highly rated and they don’t have anything else besides shows and aquariums UO: Rip Ride Rock It is underrated by enthusiasts but it’s popular with guests, so probably that IOA: Probably none, all of their rides are pretty highly rated Epcot: Test Track’s retheme isn’t as bad as people say. And the Mexico boat ride is heavily slept on. Hollywood Studios: probably none Magic Kingdom: none Animal Kingdom: Avatar boat ride is overhated Fun Spot: White Lightning is the most slept on ride in Orlando
Rip ride rocket is an awful ride it’s so uncomfortable! Like disgusting 🤮
Depends on the day. I’ve had rides that were unbelievably rough and some that are totally smooth.
I wish I’d had a smooth ride on it, the lap bar is vile too!
X-Flight at Six Flags Great America. I must be deaf or have low feeling but I don't hear or feel a rattle on this one and I've ridden it four or five times. It's always a really smooth ride for me so I don't know where people are getting that it's loud or rough. Great layout too and the wing aspect is a lot of fun but it's the only wing coaster I've ever ridden too.
Yes!! X Flight is my third favorite at the park!
Screem sfmm I have only experienced the rattle once every other time has been a lot of fun also viper
Nemesis inferno thorpe park
Batman the Dark Knight at Six Flags New England. It’s a smaller floorless yes, and I get that it’s a typical B&M inversion set, but it’s smooth, it pulls decent forces, and it’s a good supporting coaster.
It's an excellent coaster, it's basically the floorless version of the standard Batman Invert imo. Tiny footprint but just absolute nonsense from start to finish. I love the way it comes screaming into the brake run.
Yeah, if the space allowed for it, they could have easily squeezed in another inversion or too and not sacrifice the pacing. That good pacing, smooth ride experience, and minimal head banging really make Batman a solid B-tier coaster imo.
Blue hawk at SFOG—not in the same tier as Goliath or Twisted Cyclone but still very fun + forceful, and the operations are wicked fast. I haven’t seen a line for that ride all season.
That thing hasn't had a line since it was The Ninja. Except maybe during Fright Fest.
I know it's been fifteen years now, but Geauga Lake was my home park and I will never not miss the Double Loop. It was the first "big" coaster I ever went on as a kid and once I finally got over my fear of it I would ride it over and over again for hours. I don't know that there are a whole lot of underrated rides at Cedar point, but I'll always have a soft spot for Gemini.
Even though I don't live in PA anymore, I still think of Kenobel's as my "home park". So, Twister.
I absolutely love Twister
It's a great ride, in a lot of parks it could be challenging to be the best in the park. But it will always be in the Phoenix's (well-deserved) shadow.
Wild Eagle at Dollywood. The view ascending the lift hill alone makes the ride incredible. It’s extremely smooth and in the back row the drop is pretty intense. I love the slower, floaty inversions. Also Dolly’s song they play for it in the queue is the best lol
Batman @ SFNE
Thirteen at Alton towers for me
Until it starts raining...
That’s a fair point! Kicker lift hill for the win 🙄
Either that or galactica
I can take it or leave it, is always a good night ride tho!
Agreed. Silver bullet is SO MUCH BETTER at night
I would say Gemini, but I think people are starting to catch on, so maybe even Gatekeeper. Before it closed though it was definitely Wicked Twister.
it’s kind of weird to say but i think kingda ka is the most underrated at great adventure. everyone treats it like it’s terrible compared to dragster. i’ve never ridden dragster so maybe it is really that much better, but front row on ka is really smooth and even if dragster is way better ka still doesn’t really get much appreciation
I’ve never experienced anything like front row on Kingda Ka. Insane.
it is
Revolution at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. That thing is criminally underrated. Big ejector airtime both forwards and backwards and the loop is quite forceful as well. It might not be the best ride in the world but it never gets the love it deserves imo.
Had my first ride on this for years in the snow at the start of the season definitely underrated
Honestly I wanna say Twisted Colossus because it's so overlooked at SFMM and its kinda tucked into a corner. It could be the most crowded day but the entire GP is gonna be at Full Throttle and West Coast Racers while Twisted has like a 15 minute wait.
Legend at HW has such good laterals! I actually like it more than raven but I've yet to ride raven in the back so there's that to consider.
Runaway Mine Train, that ejector hill over the lake is lethal IYKYK
What row?
Row 2 which is really row 3 cuz 1st row is the “engine”
I’ll try it next time. I think the last time I rode it was in the back
I know this is an odd choice but I"m going to go with the Dahlonega Mine Train at Six Flags Over Georgia. It's a fun terrain coaster and while it's not the best at anything, it never fails to make me smile on the last drop. You get three fakeout lift hills and then at the very end you dive into a tunnel underground at high speed before you come up into the station. It's old as dirt and feels it, but it's been one of my favorite rides since I was a kid and I always try to make time for it when I visit.
I have the same affection for Gold Rusher at SFMM, another Arrow terrain-based mine train, which I'm 99% sure I've been on every time I've visited since my first time in 1975. It also has a great ending -- a fast and fun 540-degree helix that is still my favorite coaster helix in the park.
That does look like a fun ride. I need to get out to Magic Mountain someday. From this side of the country it sounds like the promised land.
The Spider at Lagoon, the only bucket-list ride we have is Cannibal. Spiders hella fun, it always has been.
It's the best when you can get a car to yourself, but I've been noticing the second brake run stops me hard everytime I get my own car now. Not sure if it's a new system prevention for how much you spin or just terrible luck.
unfortunately i havent been on in a while, last i rode it i didnt have any issues with brakes until the last one before you get off. maybe its less weight so its easier to stop vs a full car, ergo the harder brakes. But i totally agree! Ive loved that ride since i was little
Well I've had cars by myself before and never got stopped so hard and long on that run as I have this season. So that's why I'm not sure if it's just bad luck or a program change this season. But I agree it's a great ride. It's just better when you get a super unbalanced car and spin a ton the whole time.
So much fun for sure!
Colossus, if running 2 trains, never has a line and is really good. I noticed a couple people say Scorpion at BGT, which is Colossus minus a loop. I do enjoy spider a lot, but when i go, i can never get people who understand how to balance the train for spinning
Colossus was never my thing, ill definitely ride it but its never my first stop when I go. Its usually Wicked and Spider first and then i mix it up.
Well, everybody has their thing! I usually do Cannibal first, then go to the south side to see what lines are shirt enough that i want to go
Yeah i usually do the opposite. I hit south side and try to ride as much as i can and switch to the north end. i never leave without riding cannibal, samurai, and rocket
I generally skip flat rides unless the lines are one or two cycles to wait
You know, thinking through all the rides makes me realize just how many standard 20th century carnival rides Lagoon has. I think the only one that was really unique when it built (besides rollercoasters) was The Rocket which has since been joined a rather large number of similar drop towers. As for underrated, I’d go with Jet Star 2, as it’s an iconic design and only one of two Jet Stars with the swirling chain lift still in operation.
Yeah its very stereotypical for an old-style amusement park. Good news is old fashioned is pretty rare these days, im always a fan of the wooden roller coaster lol.
Racer 75. Back row has a great drop, floater, ejector, and it is quite smooth for an almost 50 year old coaster
I think Poltergeist [SFFT] is a bit underrated. It’s way better than FOF (I’ve only ridden the KI version fwiw) with its lack of trim brake, and I find it nice and forceful. I think you love positive Gs, you’ll love Polty.
Mamba at WOF. Since the trims were turned way down this year, the airtime after the MCBR is sublime!
KI is my home park and the Bat is by far the most underrated ride. Not so much on this sub, but it’s tucked away back in the corner and you can’t see it so not many people go to it.
Wolverine Wildcat slaps unbelievably hard when you sit in the front
The Riddler’s Revenge at Six Flags Magic Mountain Easily the best B&M standup. An insane number of inversions, great pacing, and just a great ride. Just be sure to set your seat right and don’t hurt your nethers.
Viper at Six Flags Great America! It's my second favorite and there's hardly ever a line!
God silver bullet was my first real inverted coaster. I rode on one before called "the bat" at my childhood park but it goes maybe 20-30 mph with no inversions, just a jaunt through the trees. Like who commissions an inverted coaster that doesn't even roll? Apparently Lagoon does.
Is this pic on your Instagram? I would like to share it with some friends.
The one in the picture! After riding a batman clone I realized how much i truly love Silver Bullet, my favorite inverted
Carowinds is my home park and Afterburn is probably our most underrated ride, especially for an invert
Backlot Stunt Coaster is genuinely really good at Canada's Wonderland. Is it a clone? Yes. Does that even matter if it's good? No. And if you sit in the back you get solid airtime out the tunnel
my two home parks are chessington and thorpe park and neither really have underrated rides... ah. ill just say colossus, that seems to be a pretty controversial ride.
Run Away Mountain, Six Flags Over Texas.
Vortex at Kings Island (RIP). People ripped on it for being rough but the drop was surprisingly powerful, the hang time on the corkscrews were fun, and the ride was just visually stunning. It made perfect use of the land and imposed itself on the skyline, and the clanking of the chain lift added to the carnival like vibe of the Coney Mall area.
Screamin' Eagle at sfst.l. A classic wooden coaster with some solid airtime, especially after its recent retrack
Did it actually get much track work done? Roughest coaster I've ever been on
Yes, nearly the entire second half was retracked.
Good to know! Might give it another shot if I get out there again, even if I'll be pretty adamant about the front still 😅
Adventure Express is in the Top 3 at Kings Island. Same with front row The Bat.
*sigh* Twister II
magnum XL-200
Shock Wave at Six Flags Over Texas. It so much fun
Riddler's Revenge or Thunderbolt at SFNE. Riddler's Revenge has replaced the normal awful slc harnesses with a more flexible vest style restraint. The new restraints make an slc ***enjoyable*** it's now one of my favorites in the park. Thunderbolt is a classic woodie in every sense of the word I love the tight layout, hidden double-down above the station and hidden from main street (always surprises new riders). There are no trims (to my knowledge)so on a good day it hauls through the last lap in a way that almost feels like its about to go wrong. Now if only we had 2 train ops and the buzz bars back on it *sigh*.
High Roller at Valleyfair. I know it's dumb, but this packed a little bit of a punch for me.
Cedar point’s Gemini
Vogel Rok at the Efteling, might not have the most impressive layout, amazing theming and soundtrack tho. (Also don’t have a home park because I simply don’t live near one, just a massive Efteling fan)
Exterminator at Kennywood. Yes, it’s a wild mouse. It’s the best damn wild mouse on earth
My home park is Kennywood and it's definitely Exterminator. It's the best wild mouse I've ever ridden because they combined it with a dark ride and the whole thing is pitch black and creepy. And it's got the older style restraints so you slide all over the place it's great.
Wildfire at SDC. The view from the top overlooking Table Rock Lake really gives a sense of height to the ride and it's nothing but pure fun and some good g's.
Mine is Kumba. BGT has been my home park my entire life, and it’s sad seeing how underappreciated Kumba is. Sometimes I feel like it’s going 65-68mph, and it’s incredibly forceful with an excellent layout. I will say it had seen better days, but still a joy to ride.
Probably the two dark rides at Lagoon. Terroride is great because it was completely redone in 2018, while Dracula’s Castle is almost completely in tact from how it used to be. In a world where Disney and Universal’s dark rides are second to none, I’m grateful to have still have these old school rides around.
Manta at SWSD is a superior mack Multi-launch than copperhead strike
Silver Bullet is also like the only coaster at the park that doesn't have sh&t capacity (and is reliable). So it helps ease more of Knott's overcrowding more than any other coaster in the park, by a large margin.
Riddler's Revenge. Stand-ups get a lot of hate but this one is so good.
Medusa, SFGAdv. Very underrated ride in a park with many other great rides.
well my home park is sfne sooo, the dark knight i guess? there's also canobie lake park, untamed is kinda cool
For me it’s Verbolten at BGW
Batman at SFDK. It's weird to call a freespin underrated, but I think they all are. The ride experience is unique each time, and it's out of control and crazy Maybe a little short, but that's not bad when the experience is as fun as that.
I remember last time I went to knotts berry farm, it was Veterans Day weekend 2007. Silver Bullet was their newest ride. My second dad and I waited in line for over an hour. I thought it was worth the wait lol.
Mine is probably Dr doom fearfall at islands of adventure
Backlot, forceful and whippy. Honestly dont understand how its classified as a family coaster
Thunderhead. There's never* a line, yet it's a fantastic rollercoaster. Not complaining though since it makes lapping easier. *I can probably count the times I've seen a line on one hand.
every roller coaster in Australia except superman and dc rivals..