Matt N
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Shambhala (PortAventura Park)
Hi guys. I’m in a very thread-making mood this afternoon, so I thought I’d make this one about coasters you like that others don’t and coasters you don’t like that others do. Now I admit that on the face of it, this may look very similar to “overrated and underrated coasters”, however I think this one is a little more specific, because I think you can find something overrated and still really like it, for example.
So, I’d best get the ball rolling with my candidates for each category.
In terms of a coaster that I like that others don’t, I actually had a couple I considered here, but I personally thought my best candidate was Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit at Universal Studios Florida. I hear nothing but terrible reviews of this coaster, but I must admit that I rather enjoyed it on both of my 2 rides I’ve had over the years (admittedly, to varying degrees)! In fact, when I first rode it back in August 2014, I was absolutely floored by it, and I’d say it was probably my number 2 coaster behind Swarm at the time (I should point out that my coaster count was only about 20-25 at the time, but my point still stands)! When I rerode in August 2016, I did not enjoy it quite as much, but I still think it’s a really solid coaster! While I admit it had a definite rattle, I did not personally remember finding it overly rough, it had some pretty nice bits of airtime (the non-inverted loop in particular had a great moment of ejector from memory!) and I did think it had some very nice speedy moments as well, with the onboard music also adding a really fun and unique layer to the experience! I admit the pacing/MCBRs did hold it back slightly, as well as the rattle, but on the whole, my memories of HRRR are quite positive; while it’s not my favourite coaster by any means, it is in my top 20 and I’d give it a solid 8/10! That being said, however, I have not ridden it since 2016, and there are definitely a few coasters that I liked a lot in 2016 that I like far less now, so maybe a reride is needed...
In terms of a coaster that I don’t like that others do, my candidate was a lot more obvious to me here. My contrast with the majority opinion on this ride is perhaps far, far greater than any other coaster I’ve been on; the ride I’ve chosen here is Olympia Looping. Now, I had the chance to get 2 rides on Olympia in January 2020 at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, and I admit that I did probably overhype myself for it a little too much given that it’s a 30 year old travelling coaster, but most reviews I’d heard of Olympia were overwhelmingly positive. People always praised it for its “jaw-dropping intensity and pacing” and “phenomenal smoothness and comfort”, calling it “the best coaster in the UK when it goes to Hyde Park” and saying it was “smoother than most permanent coasters”. Even though there are some who aren’t quite as enamoured with it, even those enthusiasts seem to rave about Olympia to a certain degree, so I was naturally very excited to ride. Now before I delve into why I don’t particularly enjoy Olympia, let me preface my very controversial opinion with the positives. For a 30 year old travelling Schwarzkopf, it is an absolute technical marvel, and it’s a truly beautiful ride to look at, especially at night! It is also perhaps one of the most efficiently operated coasters I’ve ever seen, and I think the actual layout is very good for a travelling roller coaster built in the 1980s! However, forgetting these factors, I admit that I did not really like Olympia at all, and I’d say there were a few key factors as to why. The first factor is that while the ride lived up to the billed intensity, it was a very different kind of intensity to other rides I’ve been on, and I’d say it was too much for me to handle, personally. Those loops were very, very intense, potentially more so than any other roller coaster elements I’ve ever experienced, and while that’s certainly very commendable if you like that sort of thing, and don’t get me wrong, there are some intense coasters that I really like, I tend to prefer coasters that are more fun and rerideable, and I didn’t really think the layout did anything else I really enjoyed that redeemed my opinion of it after the loops. My second major critique of Olympia Looping that hampered my enjoyment of it further is the trains. Now I wasn’t expecting B&M hyper coaster or Mack launch coaster levels of comfort from the ride’s trains by any means, given that it’s over 30 years old, however I must admit that the cars did lack legroom considering I’m not overly tall; I personally struggled to comfortably fit my legs into the car. However, my main issue with the trains was the ride’s shoulder bars, as they were very hard and tightened noticeably during the ride. Now the tightening itself is not necessarily the major problem here; I only find it a very minor nitpick on Swarm, and even Icon’s restraints tighten to a degree, but it did not impact my enjoyment of Icon whatsoever. However, I personally found that these restraints tightened far more noticeably than on any other coaster I’ve been on, resulting in immense shoulder pain. I know you shouldn’t necessarily let restraints dictate your opinion on a ride, but it’s hard for me not to when my overriding memory is feeling like I’m getting crushed and wincing with pain every time the ride goes up or down or changes direction. I was personally hoping that I’d feel that sense of euphoria, raw joy and a desire to reride upon getting off that I get from some of my very favourite coasters, or potentially even just a sense of “I liked it”. However, my actual feelings getting off Olympia (both times) were unfortunately a sense of raw pain in my shoulders and a desire to sit down because of the nausea and dizziness I was feeling, which unfortunately does not bode well for my personal enjoyment of a coaster. I feel incredibly honoured to have ridden it, and I still think it’s a ride that I admire from a technical, visual and historical standpoint, especially considering it’s a 1980s travelling Schwarzkopf, but the actual ride experience itself is perhaps the most bitterly disappointed I’ve ever been stepping off a roller coaster.
So, those are my choices for this thread, but what would you pick?
P.S. I apologise for my take on Olympia; reading back, I admit it looks incredibly bitter, and I’m probably being way too harsh given its circumstances! Maybe I need to give it another chance some time...
So, I’d best get the ball rolling with my candidates for each category.
In terms of a coaster that I like that others don’t, I actually had a couple I considered here, but I personally thought my best candidate was Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit at Universal Studios Florida. I hear nothing but terrible reviews of this coaster, but I must admit that I rather enjoyed it on both of my 2 rides I’ve had over the years (admittedly, to varying degrees)! In fact, when I first rode it back in August 2014, I was absolutely floored by it, and I’d say it was probably my number 2 coaster behind Swarm at the time (I should point out that my coaster count was only about 20-25 at the time, but my point still stands)! When I rerode in August 2016, I did not enjoy it quite as much, but I still think it’s a really solid coaster! While I admit it had a definite rattle, I did not personally remember finding it overly rough, it had some pretty nice bits of airtime (the non-inverted loop in particular had a great moment of ejector from memory!) and I did think it had some very nice speedy moments as well, with the onboard music also adding a really fun and unique layer to the experience! I admit the pacing/MCBRs did hold it back slightly, as well as the rattle, but on the whole, my memories of HRRR are quite positive; while it’s not my favourite coaster by any means, it is in my top 20 and I’d give it a solid 8/10! That being said, however, I have not ridden it since 2016, and there are definitely a few coasters that I liked a lot in 2016 that I like far less now, so maybe a reride is needed...
In terms of a coaster that I don’t like that others do, my candidate was a lot more obvious to me here. My contrast with the majority opinion on this ride is perhaps far, far greater than any other coaster I’ve been on; the ride I’ve chosen here is Olympia Looping. Now, I had the chance to get 2 rides on Olympia in January 2020 at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, and I admit that I did probably overhype myself for it a little too much given that it’s a 30 year old travelling coaster, but most reviews I’d heard of Olympia were overwhelmingly positive. People always praised it for its “jaw-dropping intensity and pacing” and “phenomenal smoothness and comfort”, calling it “the best coaster in the UK when it goes to Hyde Park” and saying it was “smoother than most permanent coasters”. Even though there are some who aren’t quite as enamoured with it, even those enthusiasts seem to rave about Olympia to a certain degree, so I was naturally very excited to ride. Now before I delve into why I don’t particularly enjoy Olympia, let me preface my very controversial opinion with the positives. For a 30 year old travelling Schwarzkopf, it is an absolute technical marvel, and it’s a truly beautiful ride to look at, especially at night! It is also perhaps one of the most efficiently operated coasters I’ve ever seen, and I think the actual layout is very good for a travelling roller coaster built in the 1980s! However, forgetting these factors, I admit that I did not really like Olympia at all, and I’d say there were a few key factors as to why. The first factor is that while the ride lived up to the billed intensity, it was a very different kind of intensity to other rides I’ve been on, and I’d say it was too much for me to handle, personally. Those loops were very, very intense, potentially more so than any other roller coaster elements I’ve ever experienced, and while that’s certainly very commendable if you like that sort of thing, and don’t get me wrong, there are some intense coasters that I really like, I tend to prefer coasters that are more fun and rerideable, and I didn’t really think the layout did anything else I really enjoyed that redeemed my opinion of it after the loops. My second major critique of Olympia Looping that hampered my enjoyment of it further is the trains. Now I wasn’t expecting B&M hyper coaster or Mack launch coaster levels of comfort from the ride’s trains by any means, given that it’s over 30 years old, however I must admit that the cars did lack legroom considering I’m not overly tall; I personally struggled to comfortably fit my legs into the car. However, my main issue with the trains was the ride’s shoulder bars, as they were very hard and tightened noticeably during the ride. Now the tightening itself is not necessarily the major problem here; I only find it a very minor nitpick on Swarm, and even Icon’s restraints tighten to a degree, but it did not impact my enjoyment of Icon whatsoever. However, I personally found that these restraints tightened far more noticeably than on any other coaster I’ve been on, resulting in immense shoulder pain. I know you shouldn’t necessarily let restraints dictate your opinion on a ride, but it’s hard for me not to when my overriding memory is feeling like I’m getting crushed and wincing with pain every time the ride goes up or down or changes direction. I was personally hoping that I’d feel that sense of euphoria, raw joy and a desire to reride upon getting off that I get from some of my very favourite coasters, or potentially even just a sense of “I liked it”. However, my actual feelings getting off Olympia (both times) were unfortunately a sense of raw pain in my shoulders and a desire to sit down because of the nausea and dizziness I was feeling, which unfortunately does not bode well for my personal enjoyment of a coaster. I feel incredibly honoured to have ridden it, and I still think it’s a ride that I admire from a technical, visual and historical standpoint, especially considering it’s a 1980s travelling Schwarzkopf, but the actual ride experience itself is perhaps the most bitterly disappointed I’ve ever been stepping off a roller coaster.
So, those are my choices for this thread, but what would you pick?
P.S. I apologise for my take on Olympia; reading back, I admit it looks incredibly bitter, and I’m probably being way too harsh given its circumstances! Maybe I need to give it another chance some time...
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