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Overrated (but still great) coasters...?

Wild Mouse, Blackpool.

I personally don't think this ride is overrated, but I feel that anyone who rides it after hearing other enthusiast hype over it are going to be disappointed. Wild Mouse is a fun, last of its kind throwback. With its main appeal being the thrill of danger only an older ride can give you. This makes it a great ride for enthusiasts who have grown tired of copy and paste modern coasters and want to experience something unique. But for the general guest or less traveled enthusiast I don't think it would have the same appeal.

If rides like the Wild Mouse still existed at parks across the country I doubt this one would be considered especially note worthy. See also my views on the Big Dipper which I've never understood why it's considered such a classic when better and older examples still exist.
 
I used to rate Nemesis as my number 1, of course. But now I have done over 500 coasters, it is 'merely' top 20.

Still superb.
 
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I would have to say Black Mamba, it's a great invert and it's in my top 10 but I heard so many claiming it was better than Nemesis and it just wasn't in my view. Nemesis never lets up really, Mamba really fizzles towards the end. It's great but it's not as good as others say and certainly doesn't take the bit*hes crown. :D
 
Like many coasters, Black Mamba was initially reacted to with 'OMFG - best ride ever' - because the theming, experience and natural comparisons to Nemesis due to the way it is built. Phantasialand rides tend to have that initial WOW - because they theme so diligently.

Many rides begin like this: The Swarm is another.

True icons are still rated highly 10-20 years after they open.
 
The most overrated coasters I have ridden are, in no particular order:

i. Shambhala - I must add that I found this to rank lower than The Smiler or The Swarm, it was just so boring and lacklustre in comparison. Just about edges being "great".

ii. Krake (Heide Park) - Was built up as being superior to Oblivion, and with inversions and theming to match. Similar to Shambhala, was far too smooth and monotonous to be epic. Still good, though.

iii. Nemesis (Alton Towers) - Never have, and I doubt never will, understand the excitement around it. I think a lot of it is built up on nostalgia and prestige. I expect if Nemesis was installed today at AT there wouldn't be as much praise. Decent, thrilling ride which fits the bill nicely for AT however.

iv. Stealth (Thorpe Park) - short but sweet. However still astounds me today how people can rate such a short and uninteresting layout as 'the best'.

My top 5, to put this into context, are:

1. The Smiler (AT)
2. Flug Der Damonen (Heide)
3. Saw - The Ride (TP)
4. Taron (PL)
5. Helix (LB)

:)
 
iii. Nemesis (Alton Towers) - Never have, and I doubt never will, understand the excitement around it. I think a lot of it is built up on nostalgia and prestige. I expect if Nemesis was installed today at AT there wouldn't be as much praise. Decent, thrilling ride which fits the bill nicely for AT however.

You must have posted that fully committed to being the burning effigy on SW8. ;)

Agree with Stealth though, I much prefer Rita.
 
The most overrated coasters I have ridden are, in no particular order:

i. Shambhala - I must add that I found this to rank lower than The Smiler or The Swarm, it was just so boring and lacklustre in comparison. Just about edges being "great".

ii. Krake (Heide Park) - Was built up as being superior to Oblivion, and with inversions and theming to match. Similar to Shambhala, was far too smooth and monotonous to be epic. Still good, though.

iii. Nemesis (Alton Towers) - Never have, and I doubt never will, understand the excitement around it. I think a lot of it is built up on nostalgia and prestige. I expect if Nemesis was installed today at AT there wouldn't be as much praise. Decent, thrilling ride which fits the bill nicely for AT however.

iv. Stealth (Thorpe Park) - short but sweet. However still astounds me today how people can rate such a short and uninteresting layout as 'the best'.

My top 5, to put this into context, are:

1. The Smiler (AT)
2. Flug Der Damonen (Heide)
3. Saw - The Ride (TP)
4. Taron (PL)
5. Helix (LB)

:)

Out of interest, why do you rate Saw as a better than coasters such as Taron, Helix, Shambhala and Nemesis? That's an opinion that I've not seen before!

:)
 
Out of interest, why do you rate Saw as a better than coasters such as Taron, Helix, Shambhala and Nemesis? That's an opinion that I've not seen before!

:)

It has always been my belief that roller coasters shouldn't be "silky smooth". Rides that are too smooth have no personality. Out of personal taste, I find myself enjoying more intense, joltier, rougher coasters. It is for this reason why Taron does not rate as highly because it rides *too* smoothly in my opinion. Let's be under no illusion, it is a great ride, and does indeed make my top 5, alongside Helix.

Gerstlauers I find have a balance between intensity and roughness. I also like SAW - The Ride because of its indoor section which I am also fond of.

The same can be said about Flug Der Damenom being no.2. Did not ride like a smooth traditional B&M - and that's why I loved it!

It has become popular to actively dislike rough and jolty rides in the community over recent years. Perhaps when I'm older and my body catches up with me I might have to switch to the B&Ms! ;)
 
I found Heide-Park's wing coaster pretty darn smooth. Solid coaster, but only top 50 or so for me. I think Gatekeeper is a better coaster, and Raptor has the better interactions.

As for Saw, I think it's rubbish to be honest. It's so short and leaves me with a bit of a headache. On my last trip to TP, I didn't even bother with it - partly due to the throughputs and fastrack queue meaning the main queue just didn't seem to budge!

:)
 
I do believe when I visited they were messing with the wheel compounds! On rows 5 & 6 it was some part Nylon compound which made it run faster albeit rougher, a staff member told me! The demonic loop's hangtime is fantastic! The musical score is also some of my most favourite I have heard at a theme park to date!

The complaints regarding SAW are valid, I digress. The throughput is woeful - it only realistically achieves 600pph (on average) given Thorpe's staff and clientele.

However, it is very difficult to find a ride at Thorpe that is:
i.) Open
ii.) run on more than 1 vehicle/gondola/train/boat
iii.) not with a saturated fastrack queue
So if the ride were at a better ran park then I am sure these problems would not exist.
 
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A coaster that would only be in your top few in certain conditions, based on certain wheel compounds and/or weather and/or other...

It's a bit, you know...

:p

lol! I see your point - however that's why I love this community - it's so subjective and everyone is different!
 
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