Rollercoasters where the best bit is at the end?

[Secret Weapon]

I like the fact that The Smiler ends on a high with a double-corkscrew at the end (presumably as a homage to the old Corkscrew ride).

It isn't my absolute favourite part of the ride, but I like the fact that it keeps inverting right until the end, instead of simply rolling to a gradual stop.

EDIT: I personally don't like heartline rolls, but Colossus at Thorpe Park is somewhat similar in that the bulk of its inversions happen at the end.

 

[Martin]

Speaking of Europa, Silver Star's slalom at the end is really fun

 

[Dave]

I like the fact that The Smiler ends on a high with a double-corkscrew at the end (presumably as a homage to the old Corkscrew ride).

It isn't my absolute favourite part of the ride, but I like the fact that it keeps inverting right until the end, instead of simply rolling to a gradual stop.

EDIT: I personally don't like heartline rolls, but Colossus at Thorpe Park is somewhat similar in that the bulk of its inversions happen at the end.

I would say those are barrel rolls not corkscrews and not a homage to anything other than quickly getting two inversions in.

 

[Slackjawedyokel]

I love that on Heidi The Ride(ee) they bothered to put theming on the turnaround back into the station. It would’ve been fine just to leave it blank but they bothered to make a little scene there.

I also really like the final elements of the Ride to Hapiness before the brake run; the two pops of airtime over the bunnyhop hills and the headchopper.

 

[GooseOnTheLoose]

I like the fact that The Smiler ends on a high with a double-corkscrew at the end (presumably as a homage to the old Corkscrew ride).

It isn't my absolute favourite part of the ride, but I like the fact that it keeps inverting right until the end, instead of simply rolling to a gradual stop.

EDIT: I personally don't like heartline rolls, but Colossus at Thorpe Park is somewhat similar in that the bulk of its inversions happen at the end.

I think you are being far too literal with your interpretation of "homage", especially given your previous flair for connecting the dots between Staffordshire theme parks and the Gloucester constabulary's excavation schedules.

@Dave is might be correct regarding the type of inversion, but I feel he is missing the subtextual richness that only you can bring to the table.

If John Wardley is indeed Detective Constable Hazel Savage, then surely the final two rolls on The Smiler are not a nod to a defunct Vekoma at all. They obviously represent the twisting double helix of the DNA evidence which finally secured the conviction in the Golden State Killer cold case. The way they wrap around is clearly a metaphor for the closing of the net. It brings a tear to the eye.

And Colossus? Those four consecutive heartline rolls? That isn't lazy design or a cheap way to hit a record. It's clearly a visceral, physical re-enactment of the slow motion white Ford Bronco chase during the OJ Simpson trial. Round and round, going nowhere fast, endlessly repetitive, leaving the entire nation feeling slightly sick but unable to look away.

Truly, the narrative depth of Merlin's coaster portfolio is wasted on the casual visitor.