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My Favorite Steel Coasters, Page One
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Page published 11/30/01
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My taste in steel coasters differ from that of most enthusiasts, as the rankings below indicate. I rated these based on which coasters I'd most prefer to ride. So it has to do with the coasters I liked and enjoyed, and is not necessarily based on the coasters I thought were marvels of design or engineering. So you'll note that in my ten favorite coasters, there is not a single B&M coaster listed. I do not much care for B&M coaster designs, ride experiences, or appearance. I do, on the other hand, really like mine trains, so two of them are listed. If I had space for a third, Disney's Big Thunder Mountain would be here, too!
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#1
My all-time favorite steel coaster is Superman, Ride of Steel at Six Flags New England (right). I devoted a separate page to that ride. Check that and my SFNE trip report for additional descriptions and photographs. This ride features the best that steel can offer for me - sensational drops, airtime, great curves, a twisting layout at the end, tunnels, and great speed. The entire ride is INTENSE! I can't ask for anything more from this ride. It rates as my favorite steel, and even beats the wooden coasters at SFNE! That, for me, says it all.
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#2
Phantom's Revenge, (right) at Kennywood Park, really surprised me. I was one of the apparently few fans of the Steel Phantom. I was really devastated when I learned of its removal. Even though I was appeased at the solution of saving the best of the Steel Phantom to create the Phantom's Revenge, I wasn't convinced until I rode it. What a wonderful ride! It's everything I want in steel - HUGE drops, incredible speed, nice turns, and intensity. It features airtime, comfortable trains, no loops, and one of the best drops I've ever experienced. I like twisting drops, but a great coaster should also have a big straight drop to satisfy me. Phantom's Revenge does it all, and does it in "America's Finest Traditional Park"!
"Photo taken by Joe Cernelli
(http://kennywood.coasterbuzz.com)
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#3
The Mindbender (left), at Six Flags Over Georgia, reigned as my favorite steel coaster for some years. I have little interest in loops. Once I've done a loop, I feel that I've done them all. To me, so many steel coasters are built to be looping machines, and just don't offer me the kind of roller coaster thrills I seek. B&M hypercoasters tried, but I hate 4-abreast seating. The Mindbender has 2 loops, but they're not what draws me to this ride. For me the Mindbender is about fabulous swooping curves, good drops, airtime, and speed. The massive "loop" in the middle of the ride, really just a glorious swoop curve, is the ultimate moment on this ride. Intense action, and extraordinary speeds through the final loop just make this ride very special to me.
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#4
I could never say enough good about Volcano, the Blast Coaster at Paramount's Kings Dominion. As the world's fastest and only full-circuit launched suspended coaster, this exceptionally smooth and fast ride features speeds that seem unreal. The first launch is great. The long sweeping curve after that launch practically defines the word "smooth". But it's the second launch, something unique in coastering, that really puts this ride in my top favorites! That is followed by a vertical climb inside the mountain, something else unmatched in the world of roller coasters. Finally, the rest of the ride is exciting, too; the inverted "blast" out of the mountain, 3 comfortable heartline rollovers, and several swooping curves along with continued speed, and a final curving drop into complete darkness just make me love this ride. I only wish the line were shorter so I could ride more frequently!
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#5
While this Superman, Ride of Steel, at Six Flags America, left, doesn't come close to the one in New England, it's still a very fine coaster. The first drop is so steep, it seems impossible. While not as tall as the one in New England, this one features a very nice 90-degree curve at the bottom of that drop. This is followed by another good hill. The ride has too much flat track, including two lengthy flat helices, and the flat approach to both. Nonetheless, the ride is smooth, fun, and very fast, and features several points of exceptional airtime. Clearly, Intamin gets my vote for best hypercoasters!
Photo by Robbie Hooley
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