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Your Top Ten Coasters

Maverick's restraints are absolutely fine these days, when I first rode in 2013 it was outside of my top 20 on my MH ballot. With the new restraints it's now 2nd behind Steel Vengeance even though I've now been on twice as many coasters.
 
I really don`t want to criticize anyone`s opinion...but I have a hard time understanding when people compare Taron to Maverick without considering the theming differences. If it`s just about the layout and the intensity, then it`s not hard to understand why some people prefer Maverick. But honestly, when someone (like Matt) is ranking Taron higher than Maverick...how is that hard to understand? Tarons whole experience including the theming is soooo extraordinary...!
 
GeorgeT said:
I really don`t want to criticize anyone`s opinion...but I have a hard time understanding when people compare Taron to Maverick without considering the theming differences. If it`s just about the layout and the intensity, then it`s not hard to understand why some people prefer Maverick. But honestly, when someone (like Matt) is ranking Taron higher than Maverick...how is that hard to understand? Tarons whole experience including the theming is soooo extraordinary...!
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Just to clarify, I haven't ridden Taron. But I personally think it looks more my sort of thing as a ride than Maverick, and that theming does of course look outstanding!

Besides, everyone is entitled to their own opinion on these things!
 
It isn't hard to understand why someone would think Taron is better than Maverick.

If you prefer theming over the layout, then of course. Taron is beautifully themed.

As for me - I always used to say I preferred theming over a layout - and generally I do - but when you go on a coaster and genuinely feel it is perfectly designed in every way (as i believe Maverick is pretty much the perfect coaster), it's difficult to cling on to the theming argument in my personal opinion.

Taron is a great coaster. Happily in my top 50. But for me at least, it's not the second coming of Christ. To be blunt, I expected a little more from the ride when I first rode. But it's beautiful. And at night it's brilliant.

I actually think Black Mamba is better integrated into the area in which it is, for the record - but Taron is the better ride.

:)
 
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It's the freedom of the restraints combined with the the airtime and transitions that make Taron so special for me, and I guess that's why plenty of people rate it higher than Maverick.

I've not done Maverick yet (will report back around June!), but looking at the layout, I think it would clearly be the better ride if it had Taron style restraints.

Cannot wait to get back on Taron in January.
 
Of course if you are looking for a very well themed coaster and this is your preference then there is a good chance you will prefer Taron to Maverick. You may also prefer Black Mamba, Big Thunder Mountain, Expedition Everest and the likes.

Track and train however there is no contest. That's not to say Taron isn't great because it is, I adore Taron and it was in my top 10 until this summer. Maverick is just brilliant though, I rate Steel Vengeance and El Toro higher because they are balls to the walls crazy but Maverick is the perfect rollercoaster. It's not as if it is plonked on a car park either; it's nicely landscaped, does have some theming and does actually have some launch effects (Taron and Phantasialand, take note). I love the freedom of lap restraints but the OTSRs on Maverick really are fine.

I'm not saying that anyone who prefers Taron to Maverick is wrong, we all have different preferences and enjoy different things from coasters. At the end of the day they are both top coasters!
 
Been a while since I updated mine and it has changed quite a bit since then, so my current top 10 (I think....) is;

1. Steel Vengeance (Cedar Point) - By some distance, and I'm not sure anything would be able to top it. It really does push the limits! Insane amounts of airtime (sometimes too much) and it just goes on forever!
2. Maverick (Cedar Point) - I loved this coaster in 2013 and it's only got better with the new restraints - they really are a big improvement. Snappy transitions, some nice airtime and the 2nd launch is really quite good too.
3. El Toro (SFGAdv) - Slightly rougher this year than my rides in 2013 but still a cracking coaster. Really good layout with a good mix of speed, airtime and some nice twisty bits at the end. Still my #1 wood.
4. i305 (Kings Dominion) - Probably the most intense coaster I've been on, I greyed out everytime on the turn straight after the drop!
5. Eejanika (Fuji Q) - Absolutely mental coaster. The extra height and elements it has over it's little sister X2, really do give it the edge. Very intense in parts.
6. Skyrush (Hersheypark) - Has dropped slightly from riding it this year compared to 2013 when I last rode it, mainly down to the restraints. I think my tolerances must be getting lower with old age! Great layout, and insane airtime. Didn't help that it was at the end of a 3 week trip with lots of airtime machines, so the 'blades' ramming into my airtime bruises wasn't too pleasant to say the least!
7. Outlaw Run (Silver Dollar City) - Again, great airtime and a real feeling of speed / being out of control. Slightly ruined by the pointless barrel rolls at the end.
8. Formula Rossa (Ferrari World) - Amazing launch, especially on the front row, and the layout after isn't too shabby either. Definitely my favourite hydraulic launch coaster, just edging out TTD.
9. Fury 325 (Carowinds) - Toss up between this and my no.10 for my favourite B&M. Nice layout and as smooth as you'd expect with a nice feeling of speed.
10. Raptor (Cedar Point) - My favourite invert model, it's just a great intense layout, helped by the fact they never seem to have the mid course on!

Just missing out would be...Phoenix, Twisted Colossus and Expedition Geforce.
 
10: Icon – Blackpool Pleasure Beach – We all know it’s not the best Launched Coaster at all, but I really enjoyed following the construction of this and it’s the best coaster at a pretty miserable park, so for that reason it takes my number 10

9: De Vliegende Hollander – De Efteling – I don’t care what people say, this is the best water coaster I’ve ever been on, I love the theming, impressive set pieces and I actually enjoy the somewhat rough and uninspired layout.

8: Silver Star – Europa Park – Some people prefer Shambhala or Mako, I prefer Silver Star it offers more of a punch than people expect and that drop after the MCBR is to die for.

7: Baron 1898 – De Efteling – Still the best dive coaster I’ve been on for the pure experience it offers, sure it’s lacking in any kind of force, but it’s a great coaster with fantastic theming.

6: Nemesis – Alton Towers – She’s dropped a lot over the years for me, but still rightly deserves a place in my Top 10, Back when B&M made forceful rides that were still smooth, she’s aged a fair bit but I love her to bits.

5: Blue Fire – Europa Park – A ride I was not excited for when I made my first trip to Europa, but completely blew me away, despite a pretty naff launch (That’s Mack for you) I loved every moment of this coaster and I still love re-riding even if it is on my own.

4: Wodan – Europa Park – Best Wooden Coaster. (I’ve been on) It’s fantastic, the queue line sells the whole package and it’s forceful, beautiful and perfect.

3: Montu – Busch Gardens Tampa - I’m not an invert fan, until recently I had Black Mamba in this list, then I rode Montu and realized how forceful an invert can be. I love this coaster and normally I only go for rides with theming…

2: Escape From Gringotts – Universal Orlando - Is it a coaster or not? I don’t care, it is to me and I had to include an incredibly immersive well themed coaster in this list, it would be FJ if that was actually a coaster, so I have to settle with this instead, gorgeous in every way.

1: Taron – Phantasialand - If you took the theming away from Taron, would it be so high? I don’t know, but the fact that the theming is there means you have to rate it that way, It’s a fantastic coaster and klugheim just creates such a fantastic environment that if you say you don’t like Taron, you’re a filthy liar.
 
AstroDan said:
As for me - I always used to say I preferred theming over a layout - and generally I do - but when you go on a coaster and genuinely feel it is perfectly designed in every way (as i believe Maverick is pretty much the perfect coaster), it's difficult to cling on to the theming argument in my personal opinion.

Taron is a great coaster. Happily in my top 50. But for me at least, it's not the second coming of Christ. To be blunt, I expected a little more from the ride when I first rode. But it's beautiful. And at night it's brilliant.
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I have this issue with Monster (Walygator), I find the ride intense from start to finish with every element in the right place. Based on track and track alone, it’s easily in my top 3 coasters (I haven’t done Raptor but have heard that the lack of a proper midcourse brake makes Monster superior?) but Monster’s dire lack of theming or any landscaping really makes it difficult for me to know just where it would sit in my top 10, particularly compared to theming masterpieces like Taron and Baron!
 
Monster is as good a layout, as Baron is with queue/station/lift theming.

Monster is as poor with theming as Baron is with its layout.

:D
 
AstroDan said:
Monster is as good a layout, as Baron is with queue/station/lift theming.

Monster is as poor with theming as Baron is with its layout.

:D
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I'm still not sure why people criticize Baron's layout when Oblivion exists :p Sure it was the 'first vertical drop coaster' but it's hardly what I consider impressive... Perhaps I missed out on the nostalgia party when that ride looked at its best.
 
Tuggerz said:
I'm still not sure why people criticize Baron's layout when Oblivion exists :p Sure it was the 'first vertical drop coaster' but it's hardly what I consider impressive... Perhaps I missed out on the nostalgia party when that ride looked at its best.
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The drop is fantastic IMO (maybe better than taller Dive Coasters, thanks to the tunnel), though yeah as a roller coaster it's lacking. I can't imagine queueing more than 20 minutes for such a short ride
 
speedy said:
The drop is fantastic IMO (maybe better than taller Dive Coasters, thanks to the tunnel), though yeah as a roller coaster it's lacking. I can't imagine queueing more than 20 minutes for such a short ride
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I genuinely preferred the drop on Shiekra to Oblivion... I hate to say it but I just dislike Oblivion, Can't criticize it though as it paved the way for future Dive Coasters as well as things like the Eurofighter.
 
Tuggerz said:
I genuinely preferred the drop on Shiekra to Oblivion... I hate to say it but I just dislike Oblivion, Can't criticize it though as it paved the way for future Dive Coasters as well as things like the Eurofighter.
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I've ridden both but not sure which is better to be honest. I don't maintain an ordered list! SheiKra is definitely better as a complete attraction though.

I haven't tried any of the "mini" Dive Coasters yet though
 
I think people are largely more forgiving of prototype models.

Probably fair enough, really.
 
AstroDan said:
I think people are largely more forgiving of prototype models.

Probably fair enough, really.
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I'd say that people are largely forgiving to Dive Coasters in general despite their unadventurous layouts but then I guess would you be wanting to move around a lot with that much weight on you?


John said:
Griffon is the only genuinely great dive coaster.

On an almost entirely unrelated note (well, it is from a dive coaster), it appears that the Chinese have sorted out how to do bag stores:

https://rcdb.com/13653.htm#p=87180
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That baggage system is giving me panic attacks...
 
Suppose it's time for an update to my top 10 after visiting some European parks, fully expect some abuse over this but here goes...

Overall Top 10
1. The Big One
2. Wild Mouse (Sorry @Rob!)
3. Troy
4. Grand National
5. Megafobia
6. Taron
7. Big Dipper
8. Joris En De Draak
9. Icon
10. Helix

Steel Coasters
1. The Big One
2. Taron
3. Icon
4. Helix
5. Nemesis
6. The Ultimate
7. Fenix
8. The Smiler
9. Nemesis Inferno
10. Black Mamba

Wooden Coasters
1. Wild Mouse
2. Troy
3. Grand National
4. Megafobia
5. Big Dipper
6. Joris En De Draak
7. Balder
8. Wicker Man
9. Roller Coaster (Great Yarmouth PB)
10. Nickelodeon Streak
 
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