Roller Coasters of Kennywood: Ranked

 Kennywood, located just outside of Pittsburgh, has become a personal favorite park of mine. The park has an old-fashioned atmosphere, and a number of one-of-a-kind attractions. The park is home to eight roller coasters, nearly all of which are unique experiences that can only be found at Kennywood. Even though this park lacks the budget of major chain parks, it still manages to have some noteworthy standouts that make it a must visit. 

8. Lil' Phantom - N/A - Again this is a kiddie coaster that I have not had the opportunity to ride on any of my visits, nor do I really intend on riding it. Not just that but this is an extremely small ride, even for a kiddie coaster, definitely nothing noteworthy. I do like the idea of pairing the name with the rides marquee attraction though. 

7. Racer - 6/10 - Racer is a fun and classic coaster, even if its elements aren't exactly intense. The ride is unique for a dueling coaster as you start on one side of the track and finish on the other, so rather than it being two wooden coasters that interact it is actually one long ride with two lift hills. Anyways the dueling aspect is always fun and I enjoy the unique feel of the coaster combined with the legendary old fashioned lap bars (that stop about a foot above your legs). Even if this ride is old, it provides a fun and comfortable (if a bit tame) experience that's worth trying.

6. Exterminator - 6/10 - While this spinning Wild Mouse isn't as unique as some of the parks' other coasters in terms of layout, the indoor setting and theming is what makes Exterminator special. This is such an interesting theme choice for a ride, and I find that it gives Exterminator good character. Past the unique theme, the experience is both comfortable and fun, and during the summer months does good at getting you out of the sun. Even if it isn't an intense ride, or one with "Disney Level" theming, I find Exterminator to be a solid and memorable family attraction. 

5. Jack Rabbit - 7/10 - The majority of Jack Rabbit's points come from a single moment on this coaster that is absolutely iconic; the double down. The two consecutive drops in the middle of this ride make for one of the best airtime experiences of any ride in the world, and its a great combo when combined with the coaster's complete lack of restraint (besides a seatbelt). Past that incredible moment, the ride is pretty dull, with a couple mild airtime moments. That said, Jack Rabbit is smooth for its age and definitely an enjoyable experience overall, and that combined with the coasters legendary Double Down make it a staple of the park. 

4. Sky Rocket - 7/10 - Sky Rocket is a unique ride to say the least. Kennywood got the coaster cheap as a prototype by Premier Rides, and it shows in the final product. That said I'd argue this is better than the Skyrocket Model we know today. The launch to start packs a good punch, and the drop has some solid airtime. Sky Rocket's 3 inversions are all solid, and the final provides great hangtime (especially with the lap bar restraints). The drop off of the midcourse is surprisingly powerful as well. Unfortunately the ride has one of the weirdest finales I've ever experienced, as it just meanders the course until the breaks. If it didn't have that terrible ending the ride would easily be a classic in my eyes. That said Sky Rocket is a really good and unique launch coaster. 

3. Thunderbolt - 7/10 - Thunderbolt is a special ride. Built into the valley, Thunderbolt's largest drop is actually its final drop. The fact that you need to ride with a partner adds a unique element to the experience, and the laterals on every turn make this a memorable ride. While Thunderbolt might not be the best paced experience, it certainly delivers on being a unique, fun and exciting classic Woodie. Also of note are Thunderbolts light restraints that make every moment of airtime exhilarating.

 

2. Steel Curtain - 8/10 - I will admit that Steel Curtain is a little underwhelming given its large stature, high inversion count and unique design. The ride has a noticeable vibration and many of the inversions don't hit as hard as they should. That said, Steel Curtain is still a hell of a ride. The first drop is a classic and the fact that the ride features lap bars adds a great sense of freedom. I enjoy the fact that Steel Curtain features a variety of forces and elements, and it fits in perfectly with Kennywood's style. While it might not be the masterpiece many thought it could be, Steel Curtain is still a rock solid #2 in Kennywood's lineup and a noteworthy coaster overall. 

1. Phantom's Revenge - 9/10 - Phantom's Revenge, like almost all of Kennywood's attractions, is a special ride. The ride might not be a hypercoaster for its height (only 160') or first drop, but its second drop gives it the notable title as the ride plummets 228ft into a ravine. Phantom's Revenge, like its fellow coasters, has very limited restraints, allowing you to fly out of your seat during the rides multiple airtime moments. Both the first and second drops deliver on the thrills, and Phantom's finale is one of the best in the world. The consecutive airtime hills combined with the relaxed restraints allows for some of the best airtime out there. Phantom's Revenge isn't the longest ride, but it packs a lot into its layout, and combined with the smooth profiling and amazing restraints make the coaster a world class attraction and the perfect marquee ride of Kennywood.

Kennywood might not have the budget and flash of the major chain parks, but Kennywood's lineup has no bad rides, and a world class coaster as a headliner. I'm excited to see what this park does in the future, especially as almost attraction they add is one-of-a-kind. As far as overall lineups go, I'd consider Kennywood's one of the most underrated out there. 

Ride Tiers: 

World Class Rides: Phantom's Revenge 

Must Rides/Classics: Steel Curtain 

Solid Rides: Thunderbolt, Sky Rocket, Jack Rabbit, Exterminator, Racer 

Unremarkable Rides: N/A 

Bad Rides: N/A

Roller Coasters Of Six Flags Darien Lake: Ranked

     Six Flags Darien Lake might not have the largest collection of coasters, or the most flashy, but considering it was the first amusement park I've ever experienced, I'm always going to have a soft spot for the park and its ride lineup. Today I'll examine the park's eight roller coasters and see how they stack up against each other. 

8. Hoot N Holler - N/A - This is the park's kiddie coaster, and the one I have never ridden. The ride requires you to be with a child who falls within the height requirements to ride, and frankly I'm not that desperate to put that extra effort in.

7. Boomerang - 3/10 - Boomerang is one of many identical coasters known as "Vekoma Boomerangs" that exist around the country. The ride is simple, but surprisingly intense. The problems is that the ride's track is so rough that the ride's inversions are near unbearable, and the fact that you have to do it all backwards really makes this a workout for your head and stomach. Overall my least favorite coaster model and one I often dread to ride, even if I have nostalgia with this one. 

6. Mind Eraser - 3/10 - I have not ridden this ride too recently, however this is another ride model (Known as the "Vekoma Suspended Looping Coaster") that has a bunch of clones at other parks. My memory with both this coaster and from those other clones is of an intense, but insanely rough experience with awful restraints. Even if this ride has decent restraints, the track is so poorly profiled that the experience (combined with the rides intense layout) is still not very exciting. That said I put it over Boomerang as Mind Eraser does feature a couple interesting elements and a decent sense of speed. 

5. Predator - 5/10 - I used to absolutely despise Predator, but for some reason I actually enjoyed my recent rides. This is one of the roughest wooden coasters one will find, yet my recent rides I found that it didn't bother me much, and I enjoyed the coaster's airtime. That said some sections are quite unbearable and I would be stretching to call it a good ride. Perhaps if it continues to give enjoyable rides next year I'll move it into the "good" category. 

4. Motocoaster - 6/10 - Motocoaster is solid for a family ride, and meets the bare minimum requirements in my eyes for a "good ride". The launch is very good, and the ride's motorcycle seat gimmick elevates this above being just a decent family coaster. Past that, the rides course is fairly uninspiring. That said, Motocoaster is a comfortable experience with a good gimmick and a fun launch.

3. Viper - 6/10 - Viper is a ride that has grown on me in recent visits, and I find it to be a solid "classic" looping coaster. This was the first coaster in the world to feature 5 inversions, and I enjoy the rides layout. The first half with the drop, loop and batwing is the highlight of the ride, as the inversions are smooth and exciting. The second half features two corkscrews, however they are not nearly as rough as those on Corkscrew at CP. The ride finishes with an exciting tunnel feature that adds some nice variety. Viper is still an old ride and therefore isn't the most well designed ride out there (also the trains are quite uncomfortable), but it still earns its title as a classic coaster with some exciting inversions and a fun tunnel element.

 

2. Tantrum - 6.5/10 - Tantrum is Darien Lake's newest coaster, and it is a good fit for this park. It isn't exactly a noteworthy ride, but it certainly is a good supporting coaster. Tantrum's drop is the highlight, being beyond vertical and launching the rider out of their seat. Beyond the drop the ride is smooth and the inversions are well executed. When you hit the breaks, you are out of breath but also a little underwhelmed due to the short track length. That said, the short experience is made better by the use of lap bars, which is always the ideal ride restraint. While too small to be a standout, Tantrum has some solid moments and is a fun ride. 

1. Ride of Steel - 8/10 - Ride of Steel is Darien Lake's marquee attraction, and has been for over two decades. Standing at 208ft tall, Ride of Steel features a great first drop aided by some amazing lap bar Restraints. While the remainder of the layout is a bit repetitive (two helixes for some reason), I really find this to be at the standard of most hypercoasters. The airtime throughout is consistent and often intense, and the coaster maintains an exciting sense of speed throughout. Even with a questionable layout, Ride of Steel is an airtime-packed speed machine with great restraints and noteworthy moments that put it in the same league as other hypercoasters.

Beyond Ride of Steel, Darien Lake lacks highlight rides, but Viper, Motocoaster and Tantrum are all solid supporting coasters. I'm not sure what this park will go with for its next ride, but I'm guessing it is either going to be a Single Rail Coaster by RMC, or a Free Spin Coaster by S&S. Either of these options would likely become the 2nd best ride in the park, and potentially become the standout ride this park needs. 

Ride Tiers 

World Class Rides: N/A 

Must Rides/Classics: Ride of Steel 

Solid Rides: Viper, Motocoaster, Tantrum

Unremarkable Rides: Predator 

Weak Attractions: Mind Eraser, Boomerang

Roller Coasters of Cedar Point: Ranked

     I figured I would start out this blog by ranking the roller coasters at the most acclaimed amusement park in the world for thrill enthusiasts; Cedar Point. Cedar Point currently operates 16 Roller Coasters (although I'll include the recently torn down Wicked Twister in my ranking just for fun), and is home to some of the most unique and iconic roller coasters on the planet. This is NOT my review of the park, which will come later, instead this is simply a quick ranking and short review of each ride. It is here I'd also like to showcase the format for each park I plan to discuss. 

- Ride and/or Roller Coaster Ranking 

- 1-4 Ride Spotlight Posts (An in-depth review of a ride/coaster) 

- Park Experience and Review 

    With that out of the way, its time to breakdown all 17 (again, including the recently removed Wicked Twister) coasters of Cedar Point from the worst to the best. 

17. Wilderness Run - 2/10 - It's not fair to even give a kiddie ride a score as it isn't really the same type of ride as the rest of these, but I figured I'd give it one anyways for consistency. Interesting fact this kiddie coaster was the first roller coaster built by coaster manufacturer Intamin, who would go on to build the two tallest coasters in the world (one of them being later on this list) 

16. Woodstock Express - 3/10 - Another kiddie ride, however this one at least is of reasonable size. Again, its only here and rated for consistency. 

15. Cedar Creek Mine Ride - 3/10 - Now we actually have our first substantial roller coaster, and man is this ride bad. It isn't my least favorite ride in the world, but it isn't far off. This is a simple family coaster with a low top speed and height, but that said, this is one of the most brutal rides here due to its ridiculous roughness. I just don't get anything from this experience other than discomfort. Family Mine Trains are rarely good rides, but this certainly a below average family coaster. 

14. Corkscrew - 3/10 - This was the first coaster in the world to feature three inversions, and the age shows; Corkscrew is not a fun experience. The two titular "Corkscrew" elements are rough and cause major headbanging against the restraints, and the rides "airtime hill" is a jarring and painful element that adds little to the experience. If you're looking for a headache, this is the ride for you. Decent vertical loop though. 

13. Iron Dragon - 4/10 - Iron Dragon isn't bad, and its a decent introductory ride, but it still feels like wasted potential. The ride has two lift hills, but feels like it doesn't really try anything interesting until its finale over the water. The ride isn't even uncomfortable, its just plain boring. I wouldn't mind its lack of intriguing maneuvers if the ride's line wasn't always at least 40 minutes. This ride's line is almost never worth the actual experience (At least the previous two coasters typically have the shortest lines in the park). 

12. Gemini - 6/10 - Quite the jump from #13 to #12, but that said this is perhaps my hottest take on the list. Many Cedar Point regulars consider this ride a classic, however I just haven't seen the appeal. The ride may be surprisingly smooth and offer a couple decent airtime moments, but the ride has far too many dead spots to keep me invested throughout. This was certainly ambitious upon opening decades ago, but today the ride struggles to maintain its energy throughout its ride time. That said, still a solid experience and definitely worth checking out if the line is short. Also should mention that the racing element of the ride is a fun detail. 

11. Blue Streak -  6/10 - Blue Streak is the parks only traditional wooden coaster, and while it is a solid ride, the park definitely needs a standout wooden coaster in the future. Blue Streak isn't bad by any stretch, but it doesn't really do anything unique when compared to similar attractions. On a positive note the ride often has a short wait, isn't rough at all considering its age, and has a few decent airtime moments. Blue Streak is a classic and a solid support. 

10. Wicked Twister - 7/10 - Ok so this ride was just removed, but since I've ridden it just as recently as any of these other rides I though I'd include it. This ride did always feel a bit gimmicky compared to Cedar Point's other attractions, but it was still a good time. The launches were always solid, and the ride was solid from start to finish. It might have been simple, but Wicked Twister is the perfect example of a high floor, low ceiling ride, and was certainly a really fun supporting ride. 

9. Rougarou - 7/10 - Rougarou is a tale of two halves. The first half of the ride is stellar; the first drop is packed with air, the inversions are smooth and graceful, and the ride is exciting. Unfortunately the 2nd half falls short in comparison. After some mid course trims, the ride becomes rough and janky through the remainder of the course, and that holds it back from being one of Cedar Point's great rides. That said, Rougarou still is a solid ride and I enjoy its setting in the park. 

8. Valravn - 8/10 - Valravn is a simple ride focused on a drop, and in simplicity it finds success. The first drop on Valravn is incredible, and being held over the drop makes it even more effective. Past that, the ride is smooth and contains a number of graceful inversions. Another underrated part of this ride is the extended view you get from the top of this ride before you plummet. Even the restraints, which some might not like, don't hinder the fun factor of this attraction. 

7. Magnum XL 200 - 8/10 - This one is a shocker for me, and since it is so polarizing it just might move down next time I go. I used to hate Magnum for being rough and either having hills with no airtime, or just uncomfortable airtime. That said, my most recent rides were incredible, with great floater airtime in the first, and exciting ejector airtime at the end. The ride was rough but it didn't hinder it for me, and my recent rides pushed it far up the list, and I'm excited to ride it in the future. Not to mention the location of this ride makes for some incredible views of the lake. 

6. Gatekeeper - 8/10 - Gatekeeper is an icon of the park, being right at the entrance, and deservedly so. Gatekeeper is a smooth and graceful experience with a number of great inversions and a unique first drop experience. The unique effects that the keyholes offer also are a benefit of this ride. Gatekeeper might not be the most intense ride, but it makes up for it in a breathtaking experience that deserves to be the first thing guests see when entering the park. 

5. Raptor - 8/10 - This is a shock as well, as I've never been too big a fan of these inverted coasters, but my recent rides on Raptor blew me away. The ride is packed with elements that deliver on the excitement and intensity, and no second feels wasted. This ride is a must do in the front row, as the elements hit just right up front (but if you want the most intense ride, try the back). Raptor might not be the tallest or the most flashy ride, but it might just be one of the most complete rides in the park, and is one of the best of its kind. 

4. Top Thrill Dragster - 8/10 - TTD is a simple ride for sure, but it does exactly what it sets out to do. Dragster's launch is one of the best in the world, and the lap bars give a unique sense of exposure. The view from 420 feet up is amazing, and the rush the rider gets from this experience is unlike anything else they will experience in the world. Dragster might only last 17 seconds, but the unique experience provided makes it a must do for anybody checking out Cedar Point. 

3. Millennium Force - 9/10 - Millennium Force was a behemoth when built, and still is over 2 decades later. Everything from the moment this ride leaves the station till it hits the break is pure fun, even if the ride might not be perfect. The buildup to the drop and the drop itself are some of the best of their kind, and the first turn after the drop is extremely intense. The rest of the ride is fast, fun, and littered with solid airtime. Millennium Force maintains speed all the way through its layout, and is perhaps the most re-rideable ride at Cedar Point. 

2. Maverick - 9.5/10 - The top 2 are quite close, and Maverick itself is a near perfect ride. The only thing holding it back from a 10 is the occasionally uncomfortable restraints. This ride is a complete package, perhaps more than any other ride out there. An incredible drop, exhilarating launch, forceful maneuvers, whippy inversions and out of your seat airtime make Maverick a breakneck experience from start to finish. Even the theme of this ride is better done than all the other coasters in the park. Maverick is a special coaster, and perhaps the most one-of-a-kind roller coaster at Cedar Point. Nothing you experience anywhere else is quite like Maverick. 

1. Steel Vengeance - 10/10 - I'm certainly not the first individual to call SteVe the best roller coaster in the world, and I won't be the last, this ride was build with the sole goal of the being the best ride ever built and it shows. The ride is tall, long and contains the most airtime of any roller coaster on the planet, as well as four incredible inversions and a layout that twists in and out of its gargantuan structure. Its almost hard to exactly describe Steel Vengeance to somebody who hasn't at least ridden one of its sibling coasters at another park. To those who have experience similar hybrid (steel track, wood supports) coasters built by manufacturer RMC, think of SteVe as just those rides with double the scale, and to those who have never ridden anything like Vengeance, take your time to enjoy your seats on the lift hill, because your not going to sit in them again until the breaks. Steel Vengeance might not be the tallest or fastest ride in the world (or even at the park), but it might just be the most complete package one will ever get out of a coaster. 

Welcome To Coaster Mafia

     This blog will be focused on taking a journey around the country to discuss different amusement parks. I will mostly be focused on reviews and rankings of these parks, as I will rank, rate, and go in-depth on each parks rides, food and overall experience. 

    A little information about myself, I was born and raised in Western New York and my first major roller coaster was Ride of Steel at Darien Lake. Over the last couple years my interest in amusement parks has grown with my ability to travel on my own, and I have developed a passion for travelling around the country and experience different parks. I made this blog to share my take on the parks I visit, and give general recommendations for those new to amusement parks.