Well we've made it into the Top 10, and there are some new entries on the list for sure. You will also notice that there are some similarities between a lot of coasters on this list and I think it just kind of dials in what I really love about riding these gigantic machines. So without further ado, let's jump into the list.
Wonder Woman: Golden Lasso Coaster - Six Flags Fiesta Texas
This is one of the newest rides I've ridden, and maybe recency bias has something to do with its placement, but my god this roller coaster is bonkers. I've ridden 125 roller coasters and there is literally nothing like this ride that I had been on before. First of all, Wonder Woman only rides on a single rail, with trains lined up in single file instead of being 2 or 4-across. This results in it being able to take the elements of the ride at a much faster/borderline insane pace, allowing the ride to basically throw you around like a ragdoll in the best way possible.
If you ever get a chance to jump on one of these, they pack a hell of a punch and I can't recommend experiencing it at least once enough. If you can, get in the back so you can absolutely yeeted over the drop and through the rest of the ride. It's one of those rides where you get off and just can't figure out what just happened. The closest comparison I have is probably Maverick at Cedar Point, but this just dials up the crazy factor to 11.
Stats:
Height: 113 ft.
Drop: 100 ft. Vertical Drop (90°)
Speed: 52 mph
Inversions: 3
If you ever get a chance to jump on one of these, they pack a hell of a punch and I can't recommend experiencing it at least once enough. If you can, get in the back so you can absolutely yeeted over the drop and through the rest of the ride. It's one of those rides where you get off and just can't figure out what just happened. The closest comparison I have is probably Maverick at Cedar Point, but this just dials up the crazy factor to 11.
Stats:
Height: 113 ft.
Drop: 100 ft. Vertical Drop (90°)
Speed: 52 mph
Inversions: 3
#4: Skyrush - Hersheypark
Skyrush is just a different kind of animal. One of my favorite things on any ride is airtime, the feeling of lifting out of your seat, whether it's a gentle floating sensation or a violent ejecting one. Skyrush definitely does the latter. This ride is just crazy from the get-go with a super fast cable-lift that just throws you over the top of a 200-ft hill into one of the biggest moments of ejector air I've ever experienced.
If you look at the layout of this ride, it doesn't really look too crazy in terms of elements, but I don't know that there's another roller coaster that is trying so hard to just toss you out of your seat throughout. Wonder Woman is probably close, but that's got shoulder restraints, Skyrush basically has you in a chair with a lapbar. Overall, this is just a crazy ejector machine and I think if you like that crazy, out-of-control, intense feeling on a roller coaster, this one is for you. Stats: Height: 212 ft. Drop: 200 ft. Speed: 75 mph |
#3: Twisted Timbers - Kings Dominion
So remember how I said that Skyrush was a crazy ejector airtime machine? How about a ride that does that and more in a much smaller package. Twisted Timbers is a hybrid wood and steel coaster that has a little bit of everything. Like Wonder Woman, the stats won't jump off the page to you but this ride flat-out flies through all of its crazy elements and inversions with nothing more than a robust lapbar holding you in.
The ride opens with a rare barrel roll drop, which gives such a cool feeling with your arms free in the air. Then it hits an overbank turn and goes into the ride's signature elements: three INSANE ejector hills in a row. Thank goodness for that lapbar because this ride tries its hardest to throw you out of your seat. The rest of the ride has cool moments including some inversions and some fun little pops of airtime, but the ejector hills steal the show. In a park with a giant 300-ft giga-coaster, a surprising amount of people think that this small coaster is the superior ride, which should tell you a lot.
Stats:
Height: 111 ft.
Drop: 109 ft.
Speed: 54 mph
Inversions: 3
The ride opens with a rare barrel roll drop, which gives such a cool feeling with your arms free in the air. Then it hits an overbank turn and goes into the ride's signature elements: three INSANE ejector hills in a row. Thank goodness for that lapbar because this ride tries its hardest to throw you out of your seat. The rest of the ride has cool moments including some inversions and some fun little pops of airtime, but the ejector hills steal the show. In a park with a giant 300-ft giga-coaster, a surprising amount of people think that this small coaster is the superior ride, which should tell you a lot.
Stats:
Height: 111 ft.
Drop: 109 ft.
Speed: 54 mph
Inversions: 3
#2: Iron Rattler - Six Flags Fiesta Texas
Ladies and gentlemen, meet the big brother of Twisted Timbers. This is another ride by Rocky Mountain Construction, their third on this list. Just like Twisted Timbers, Iron Rattler used to be a BAD wooden roller coaster that was revamped with steel track to be a top-tier, thrilling steel/wood hybrid. Seriously, here's the old POV of the wooden version, that's terrible.
So what makes Iron Rattler awesome? Basically everything I said about Twisted Timbers but the ride also interacts with the surrounding quarry wall which adds a really interesting terrain element. The double-twisting first drop (at 81°) is just bananas, especially getting whipped over the top in the back. Then the ride flies through crazy airtime moments, inversions, and even a tunnel through the quarry wall. The POV I linked seems to crawl through the top of the quarry wall, which was definitely not the case when I rode it.
In all honesty, I think this ride might drop for me as I get on more and more coasters. I remember it as just this mind-blowing whirlwind, but I know RMC has even crazier coasters that I have yet to get on. But for now, this ride has crept up to #2 and will stay there until the next time I revisit my rankings.
Stats:
Height: 179 ft.
Drop: 171 ft. (81°)
Speed: 70 mph
Inversions: 1
In all honesty, I think this ride might drop for me as I get on more and more coasters. I remember it as just this mind-blowing whirlwind, but I know RMC has even crazier coasters that I have yet to get on. But for now, this ride has crept up to #2 and will stay there until the next time I revisit my rankings.
Stats:
Height: 179 ft.
Drop: 171 ft. (81°)
Speed: 70 mph
Inversions: 1
#1: Apollo's Chariot
Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Apollo's Chariot was my #1 the last time I did the list and it stays in that spot here. Objectively speaking, it might not be the best coaster on my list, but it may always be my favorite. When I spent a year in Virginia, Busch Gardens was my home away from home and I spent countless hours at the park, often riding Apollo's Chariot at least 2 or 3 times a visit. I've probably ridden this ride 100 times, all over the train, and it simply doesn't disappoint.
It doesn't bring the intensity of the RMC coasters earlier, but it is the epitome of a fun ride. No inversions on this guy, just big drops and tons of floater airtime, especially in the back row. It's glossy smooth, which is insane considering it's more than 20 years old, and is the perfect ride to marathon because there's nothing that tires you out or makes you sick, there is no headbanging or intense inversions, and the seats and restraints are very comfortable.
Now I've ridden a few hyper coasters from B&M (a 200+ ft. roller coaster), but Apollo is still the best for me despite some updates in the newer models. The little drop after the lift, before the first drop, is just a brilliant idea because you get yanked down the hill in the backrow for some serious airtime. The setting is amazing, tucked back in the woods along the river with almost nothing else around you. This ride hits the top of my list because it's an amazing ride at my favorite park and I can't wait to get back to ride this thing again.
Stats:
Height: 170 ft.
Drop: 210 ft.
Speed: 73 mph
It doesn't bring the intensity of the RMC coasters earlier, but it is the epitome of a fun ride. No inversions on this guy, just big drops and tons of floater airtime, especially in the back row. It's glossy smooth, which is insane considering it's more than 20 years old, and is the perfect ride to marathon because there's nothing that tires you out or makes you sick, there is no headbanging or intense inversions, and the seats and restraints are very comfortable.
Now I've ridden a few hyper coasters from B&M (a 200+ ft. roller coaster), but Apollo is still the best for me despite some updates in the newer models. The little drop after the lift, before the first drop, is just a brilliant idea because you get yanked down the hill in the backrow for some serious airtime. The setting is amazing, tucked back in the woods along the river with almost nothing else around you. This ride hits the top of my list because it's an amazing ride at my favorite park and I can't wait to get back to ride this thing again.
Stats:
Height: 170 ft.
Drop: 210 ft.
Speed: 73 mph
So there it is, my newest list of my Top 10 Coasters. I hope you enjoyed reading it because I absolutely love talking about these things. If you disagree with any of my picks or think I've missed any, chime off here or wherever I post it.
At this point, I'm really hoping that COVID ends soon so that we can get back to normalcy and get on these adrenaline machines again, because I think we all need to experience the things we've missed for the greater part of a year. In the meantime, stay safe, wear a mask, and I hope everyone can stay healthy.
At this point, I'm really hoping that COVID ends soon so that we can get back to normalcy and get on these adrenaline machines again, because I think we all need to experience the things we've missed for the greater part of a year. In the meantime, stay safe, wear a mask, and I hope everyone can stay healthy.