What's new

Top 10(ish): 2024 Edition - page 124

RIP Kondaa? Oof.

1. Helix - Liseberg
2. Ride to Happiness - Plopsaland de Panne
3. ArieForce One - Fun Spot America Atlanta
4. Python in Bamboo Forest - Wanda Nanchang
5. Jungle Trailblazer - Fantawild Dreamland Zhengzhou
6. Twisted Colossus - Six Flags Magic Mountain
7. Flying Aces - Ferrari World
8. Skyrush - Hersheypark
9. Toutatis - Parc Astérix
10. Taiga - Linnanmäki

11. Eejanaika - Fuji-Q Highland
12. Wood Coaster - Knight Valley
13. Hakugei - Nagashima Spa Land
14. Iron Gwazi - Busch Gardens Tampa
15. Twisted Timbers - Kings Dominion
16. Steel Vengeance - Cedar Point
17. Zadra - Energylandia
18. Fjord Flying Dragon - Happy Valley Tianjin
19. Wildcat's Revenge - Hersheypark
20. Beyond the Cloud - Suzhou Amusement Land Forest World
21. Storm Chaser - Kentucky Kingdom
22. Wicked Cyclone - Six Flags New England
23. Phoenix - Knoebels
24. El Toro - Six Flags Great Adventure
25. Untamed - Walibi Holland
 
New top 20 after visiting Belgium last week! Cred count is now at 199, maybe Hyperia will be my #200?

  1. Ride to Happiness, Plopsaland
  2. Helix, Liseberg
  3. Zadra, Energylandia
  4. Batman Gotham City Escape, Parque Warner
  5. Taron, Phantasialand
  6. Taiga, Linnanmaki
  7. Dive Coaster, Chimelong Paradise
  8. Stealth, Thorpe
  9. Lech Coaster, Legendia
  10. Kondaa, Walibi Belgium
  11. Swarm, Thorpe
  12. Tornado, Sarkanniemi
  13. F.L.Y., Phantasialand
  14. Hyperion, Energylandia
  15. Wildfire, Kolmarden
  16. Icon, Blackpool Pleasure Beach
  17. Black Mamba, Phantasialand
  18. Baron 1989, Efteling
  19. Nemesis Inferno, Thorpe
  20. Air, Alton Towers
 
#1 Taron - Phantasialand
#2 Ride to Happiness - Plopsaland De Panne
#3 Untamed - Walibi Holland
#4 Storm - The Dragon Legend - Tusenfryd
#5 Helix - Liseberg
#6 FLY - Phantasialand
#7 Piraten - Djurs Sommerland
#8 Hyperia - Thorpe Park
#9 Balder - Liseberg
#10 Juvelen - Djurs Sommerland
#11 Joris en de Draak (Water) - Efteling
#12 Joris en de Draak (Vuur) - Efteling
#13 Kondaa - Walibi Belgium
#14 Cu Chulainn - Emerald Park
#15 Megafobia - Oakwood Theme Park
#16 Smiler - Alton Towers
#17 Black Mamba - Phantasialand
#18 Nemesis Reborn - Alton Towers
#19 Goliath - Walibi Holland
#20 Lost Gravity - Walibi Holland
#21 Stealth - Thorpe Park
#22 OzIris - Parc Asterix
#23 Colorado Adventure - Phantasialand
#24 Loup-Garou - Walibi Belgium
#25 Valkyria - Liseberg

Icon (now #26): my ride in Summer 2018 was nothing short of phenomenal, but just didn't quite hit the same on future visits but to be fair I've only visited in winter ever since.

New #50: Wicker Man at Alton Towers
New #100: Luna at Liseberg
 
I am fresh off of a great vacation trip to Denmark and Sweden (Trip Report to follow!), and glad to report y'all weren't wrong about Helix!

Still wrestling with where it fits into the respective Top 10-15; right now have it at the #10 slot:

RankCoasterPark
1Steel VengeanceCedar Point
2VoyageHoliday World
3VelociCoasterIslands of Adventure
4Iron GwaziBusch Gardens Tampa
5Storm ChaserKentucky Kingdom
6SkyrushHersheypark
7MaverickCedar Point
8El ToroSix Flags Great Adventure
9X2Six Flags Magic Mountain
10HelixLiseberg
11Outlaw RunSilver Dollar City
12Fury 325Carowinds
13Wildcat's RevengeHersheypark
14Intimidator 305Kings Dominion
15Formula RossaFerrari World Abu Dhabi
16Ravine Flyer IIWaldameer
17PhoenixKnoebels
18Millennium ForceCedar Point
19Top Thrill 2Cedar Point
20Top Thrill DragsterCedar Point
21Twisted TimbersKings Dominion
22Flying AcesFerrari World Abu Dhabi
23Iron RattlerSix Flags Fiesta Texas
24New Texas GiantSix Flags Over Texas
25Storm RunnerHersheypark
Welp have some new motion, this time in the form of finally getting a chance to ride ArieForce One down in Atlanta (slots in at #5). On reflection, this also causes Storm Chaser to tumble; Arie does what Storm Chaser does as a smaller RMC, just better.

I also totally forgot to mention; TT2 also clocks in at #20, indeed better than the original.

Leaving all new-for-2024 coasters bolded:

RankCoasterPark
1Steel VengeanceCedar Point
2VoyageHoliday World
3VelociCoasterIslands of Adventure
4Iron GwaziBusch Gardens Tampa
5ArieForce OneFunSpot Atlanta
6SkyrushHersheypark
7MaverickCedar Point
8El ToroSix Flags Great Adventure
9X2Six Flags Magic Mountain
10HelixLiseberg
11Outlaw RunSilver Dollar City
12Storm ChaserKentucky Kingdom
13Fury 325Carowinds
14Wildcat's RevengeHersheypark
15Intimidator 305Kings Dominion
16Formula RossaFerrari World Abu Dhabi
17Ravine Flyer IIWaldameer
18PhoenixKnoebels
19Millennium ForceCedar Point
20Top Thrill 2Cedar Point
21Top Thrill DragsterCedar Point
22Twisted TimbersKings Dominion
23Flying AcesFerrari World Abu Dhabi
24Storm RunnerHersheypark
25Iron RattlerSix Flags Fiesta Texas
 
Welp have some new motion, this time in the form of finally getting a chance to ride ArieForce One down in Atlanta (slots in at #5). On reflection, this also causes Storm Chaser to tumble; Arie does what Storm Chaser does as a smaller RMC, just better.

I felt the exact same after my first couple of runs, it immediately replaced it in my ranking and is somewhere in my teens now.
It's a bit like when I first rode Twisted Cyclone (SFNE) but once I'd ridden a few more RMCs I realised it's quite weak in comparison.

Cracking top 25, but where's the european love? ;)
 
I felt the exact same after my first couple of runs, it immediately replaced it in my ranking and is somewhere in my teens now.
It's a bit like when I first rode Twisted Cyclone (SFNE) but once I'd ridden a few more RMCs I realised it's quite weak in comparison.

Cracking top 25, but where's the european love? ;)
Hah! My Denmark/Sweden trip is actually my first European coasters! Trip report to come, but Helix and Balder were so awesome to finally get.
 
Updating after a few days at Silver Dollar City, Holiday World, Kentucky Kingdom, and Kings Island.

Kind of the toughest update in a while, as the Voyage was SO good, like SO SO good. My first ride in the front was perfect, and after riding it, I was convinced I had a new #1.

So I went and did something that was pretty long coming and made a spreadsheet of all creds I can remember riding and reassessed the top 10. (+/- 215 and counting as memories come in)

Unfortunately, deciding it's time to retire Nemesis. It's been 20 years since I rode it, and while I still have great memories, it's not a fair assessment anymore, considering just how lucky we are with all of these new, next-level beasts over the past decade +.

I'm also retiring El Toro for similar reasons.

That said, here's my final, definitive, super serious list...until I change my mind again:

1. Velocicoaster
2. The Voyage
3. Iron Gwazi
4. Zadra
5. Steel Vengeance
6. Phantom's Revenge
7. Skyrush
8. Incredible Hulk
9. Maverick
10. Outlaw Run
 
My top 20 list shifted a bit this past month. I added 3 new coasters to my top 20
  1. Skyrush - Hersheypark
  2. Intimidator 305 - Kings Dominion
  3. Phoenix - Knoebels
  4. Fury 325 - Carowinds
  5. Arie Force One - Fun Spot Atlanta
  6. Twisted Timbers - Kings Dominion
  7. The Ride to Happiness - Plopsaland de Panne - This ride is super fun. I love the second launch, the weird backflip element (hope I can snag a front flip on a future ride) and the double airtime hills at the end. IDK if it lives up to top 5 material (those coasters just do their thing a bit better) and I do kinda wish it was a tad bit longer or did a tad bit more, but its still world class and worth going the hour out of my way for it.
  8. El Toro - Six Flags Great Adventure
  9. Iron Gwazi - Busch Gardens Tampa
  10. Lightning Rod - Dollywood
  11. Phantom's Revenge - Kennywood
  12. Superman the Ride - Six Flags New England
  13. The Voyage - Holiday World - It sits just barely out of my top 10 because its a bit of a workout to ride this. You wonder when its gonna end lol. There were a few rough spots that could use work but you could tell HW tries their best to take care of it. I do love that its longer than the average roller coaster though and you could tell it was built with enthusiasts in mind. Once I learned to ride it, the ride experience improved for me.
  14. Wildcat's Revenge - Hersheypark
  15. Velocicoaster - Islands of Adventure
  16. Hyperia - Thorpe Park - Thorpe Park finally has the one top 20 coaster it needed to elevate its collection. Unfortunately in typical Thorpe fashion, the ride is fairly short and leaves you wanting more. The elements it does have are really neat though. I especially love the hangtime over the queue and the killer unexpected first drop. Its probably one of my favorite first drops in the whole world.
  17. Pantheon - Busch Gardens Williamsburg
  18. Iron Rattler - Six Flags Fiesta Texas
  19. Railblazer - California's Great America
  20. Wonder Woman's Golden Lasso - Six Flags Fiesta Texas
 
Since I last posted in here I've done the run of parks between Silver Dollar City and Kennywood for the first time which had a lot of additions to the top 10%. Lovely Hyperia sneaks in there too after 4 rides last week however I feel it's going to go up or down once I ride it more, it was tricky to gauge an initial reaction.

1. Untamed
2. Ride To Happiness
3. Steel Vengeance
4. Zadra
5. Schwur des Kärnan
6. Expedition GeForce
7. Twisted Timbers
8. Toutatis
9. Kondaa
10. Wildcat’s Revenge
11. Maverick
12. Outlaw Run
13. Pantheon
14. Taron
15. Wildfire (Kolmarden)
16. Wicked Cyclone
17. Twisted Colossus
18. Superman The Ride (Six Flags New England)
19. El Toro
20. Hyperion
21. Hyperia
22. Shambhala
23. Orion
24. Nitro
25. Diamondback
26. Candymonium
27. Helix
28. Kingda Ka
29. Skyrush
30. Millennium Force
31. Flucht von Novgorod
32. Voyage
33. Storm Chaser (Kentucky Kingdom)
34. Jersey Devil Coaster
35. Flying Aces
36. Alpengeist
37. Apollo’s Chariot
38. Time Traveler
39. X2
40. Phantom's Revenge
 
I've ridden a decent amount of new creds this year and it's time for the annual 'rankings' update.

The order of the ranking within each ‘group’ is relatively marginal and loose.

S+ Rank

1 - Steel Vengeance

2 - Iron Gwazi

3 - Lightning Rod

4 - Maverick

5 - Zadra

6 - Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

S Rank

7 - Mystic Timbers

8 - The Phantom’s Revenge

9 - Millenium Force

10 - Intimidator 305

11 - Untamed

12 - The Beast

13 - The Ride to Happiness

A+ Rank

Everything A+ rank and higher is what I consider ‘Elite’.

14 - VelociCoaster

15 - Hyperion

16 - Lech Coaster

17 - Nemesis

18 - Pantheon

19 - Expedition GeForce

20 - Twisted Timbers

21 - Taiga

22 - Helix

A Rank

23 - Fury 325

24 - The Voyage

25 - Shambhala

26 - Space Mountain (Magic Kingdom)

27 - Storm Runner

28 - The Legend

29 - Orion

30 - El Toro

Here's what I thought might be in the running for a placement: Nemesis Reborn, Kondaa, Toutatis, Hyperia, Railblazer, Goldstriker, X2, Twisted Colossus and Ghostrider.

And here's how they did...!

*****

🎺 2024 Rankings (new entries in red) 🎺

1 - Steel Vengeance

2 - Iron Gwazi

3 - Lightning Rod

4 - Maverick

5 - X2

6 - Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

7 - Space Mountain (Disneyland)

8 - Toutatis


9 - Zadra

10 - Mystic Timbers

11 - The Phantom’s Revenge

12 - Millennium Force

13 - Intimidator 305

14 - Twisted Colossus

15 - Untamed

16 - The Beast

17 - The Ride to Happiness

18 - Ghostrider

19 - Hyperion

20 - VelociCoaster

21 - Lech Coaster

22 - Pantheon

23 - Expedition GeForce

24 - Twisted Timbers

25 - Taiga

26 - Helix

27 - Fury 325

28 - The Voyage

29 - Shambhala

30 - Space Mountain (Magic Kingdom)

*****

Wowzers... I didn't expect a single new entry into the top 10 and I ended up with three - what a haul! Bonus comments:

- Nemesis, you are hereby banished from the land, for I am too sensitive to your new rattly ways and 'prescribed' military theme. Don't worry, she remains loitering on the outskirts of the top 30. I would willingly welcome her back, but only once the hurt has subsided.

- Hyperia - also loitering on the outskirts... perhaps it will sneak in if it avoids juddering around violently (as it did on my last ride) on my next Thorpe visit.

- This update has made me aware of the 'dynamics of appreciation'. I've ridden yet another killer RMC (Twisted Colossus) and as an wholly unexpected result, Zadra, which I rank higher than TC, has dropped slightly (?!) despite me having some amazing rides on it this year. At this point in my coaster pro career, my mind and heart are seemingly more amazed but other weird, wonderful and fresher experiences on offer and a more diverse set of rides in my upper rankings. Speaking of...

- X2 earns its place by being outrageous (you can read my review of that here).

- Toutatis exceeded expectations and is a truly outstanding, full package ride.

- Space Mountain (Disneyland) - I assumed this was an inferior clone of the Magic Kingdom original (which I have always been very fond of) and I really didn't have any expectations at all... but this version ended up being even better \o/. It was SOOOOO ****ING GOOOOOODDD YEEEEASSS!!! In addition to the themeing, the unexpected sensation of speed, forces and air (!), two aspects really heightened this ride for me, which are minor spoilers and it's best going in blind but here they are:

(1) You ascend three lift hills back to back at the start of the ride... honestly it was pretty exciting going up the second hill and seeing the entry to the 'space' part of the ride... but you get there and go up again?! Maximum hype!

(2) The retro 'ooky spooky space' soundtrack is absolutely slamming.

It doesn't matter if it is good... it only matters if it rocks!!! \m/, - and Space Mountain, you truly rocked my socks off 🤩🥰

*****

Thanks for reading.
 
Last edited:
Realizing I'm not sure I posted in here last year so here's 2024 start of year rankings

0: Bobsleds (Seabreeze)
1: Steel Vengeance
2: Lightning Rod
3: Voyage
4: Storm Chaser
5: Twisted Timbers
6: Outlaw Run
7: Goliath (Six Flags Great America)
8: Shambhala
9: Phoenix (Knoebels)
10: Iron Gwazi
11: X2
12: Leap The Dips
13: Phantom's Revenge
14: Jurassic World Velocicoaster
15: Fury 325
16: Lightning Run
17: Pantheon
18: Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
19: Thunderbird
20: Space Mountain (WDW)
21: Maverick
22: Oscar's Wacky Taxi
23: Matterhorn Bobsleds
24: Twisted Colossus
25: Railblazer
25: Iron Rattler
27: Wonder Woman Golden Lasso Coaster
28: Orion
29: Wonder Woman Flight of Courage
30: Afterburn
31: Montu
32: Renegade
33: Mamba
34: Prowler
35: Top Thrill Dragster

Not sure I'll get much new this year.

Time to update this after a weekend at CP. Moved in Italics

0: Bobsleds (Seabreeze)
1: Steel Vengeance
2: Lightning Rod
3: Voyage
4: Storm Chaser
5: Twisted Timbers
6: Outlaw Run
7: Goliath (Six Flags Great America)
8: Shambhala
9: Phoenix (Knoebels)
10: Iron Gwazi
11: X2
12: Leap The Dips
13: Phantom's Revenge
14: Jurassic World Velocicoaster
15: Fury 325
16: Lightning Run
17: Pantheon
18: Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
19: Thunderbird
20: Space Mountain (WDW)
21: Oscar's Wacky Taxi
22: Matterhorn Bobsleds
23: Twisted Colossus
24: Railblazer
25: Iron Rattler
26: Wonder Woman Golden Lasso Coaster
27: Orion
28: Wonder Woman Flight of Courage
29: Maverick
30: Afterburn
31: Montu
32: Renegade
33: Mamba
34: Prowler
35: Top Thrill Dragster

This particular trip was NOT kind to Maverick. Only chose to ride it once after it gave me a massive migraine. Those Intamin OTSR's are still hard with my height and even with the soft straps they can still be quite painful. That said this trip also VERY much reaffirmed Steel Vengeance as my number one. It was riding amazing morning and night.
 
Nothing new, but some changes from reriding some things the last couple months.

1. Steel Vengeance
2. Skyrush
3. Voyage
4. Lightning Rod
5. Wildcat's Revenge
6. Piraten
7. VelociCoaster
8. Wildfire
9. Phoenix - Up from #16
10. Iron Gwazi

11. Twisted Timbers
12. Ravine Flyer II - Down from #8
13. Phantom's Revenge - Up from #20

14. Fury 325
15. Storm Chaser
16. Maverick
17. Nemesis
18. Untamed
19. Shambhala
20. Mako

21. Colossos
22. Wicked Cyclone
23. Renegade
24. Mystic Timbers
25. Millennium Force - Up from 28
26. Fonix
27. Pantheon
28. Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
29. Raven
30. Silver Bullet

There's always gonna be some fear that your number one might not hold up. But having rejoiced with Steel Vengeance, just from going up the first big airtime hill, I knew it was still the best coaster in the world. Managed to get quite a few rides this past weekend, including some night rides. And it's still brilliant at daytime.

Phoenix gets better and better every time I ride it, as I discover new quirks with its airtime that keep it being the most pure fun coaster I've ever been on. It deserves to be back in the Top 10. Honestly a perfect ride.

Ravine Flyer II took a hit down a few spots (though I'm happy about that, as it gives other rides the deserving chance to be higher). After being shocked by a few night rides from my first visit 5 years ago, I managed to get several more during the day this past Monday to make sure it wasn't a fluke. Well, the first couple rides were a little concerning, running a little rougher than I remember. But I think it just needed to warm up and break in, because soon enough I kept going back for the back row. This thing is ridiculous, and the first half is honestly better than nearly anything on Voyage. The ops were liberal with restraint checks to, and combine that with a loose seatbelt, the first drop is INSANE in the back. Still knocking it down a few spots, but it put up a fight to stay high.

Phantom's Revenge was just as violent as I remember. Not much to say about it really other than it deserves the raise.

I'm keeping Maverick in the same spot. I had an incredible night ride (one of my best rides on it), but the next morning I started noticing the restraints more. The vests can be a little bothersome on the shoulders for airtime... much prefer the snappy transitions and launches. It was cool to get back on this after having done more new Intamins, and this still rips... they really don't make them like they used to.

And I had my best rides ever on Millennium Force. It always feels like such a privilege getting on a ride like this and it's incredible how well it's held up after nearly a quarter of a century. And the airtime is great! Each hill gets better than the last. Still one of the best first drops too.
 
My week-long Northeast extravaganza has come to a close, and with it I’m welcoming a whopping… one coaster to the top 20? Ok, so some stuff didn’t hit quite as hard as I’d hoped, but I’m still grateful to have pretty much completed New England, if only so that next time I visit I can focus solely on non-coaster outings.

1: Voyage
2: Project 305
3: Iron Gwazi
4: Steel Vengeance
5: Toutatis
6: Skyrush
7: Arie Force One
8: Velocicoaster
9: Fury 325
10: El Toro
11: Phantom’s Revenge
12: Expedition GeForce
13: Ravine Flyer II
14: Pantheon
15: Wildcat’s Revenge
16: Legend
17: Maverick
18: Boulder Dash
19: Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
20: Raven
 
Havent been to many parks and having trouble with top 3 but here is what it stands at right now
1. Mystic Timbers
2. Iron Rattler
3. Maverick
4. Millennium Force
5. Steel Vengeance
6. Orion
7. Raging Bull
8. Magnum XL-200
9. Banshee
10. The Beast
I will be getting a ride on STEVE in 3 weeks but I for some reason have liked it but not as much as I've heard.
 
  1. Iron Gwazi
  2. Voltron*
  3. Velocicoaster
  4. Ride To Happiness
  5. Helix
  6. Hyperion
  7. Hyperia
  8. Kondaa
  9. Balder
  10. Untamed


*New cred - Absolutely blew me away, the pacing is just outstanding. My expectations were just a very long Lost Gravity. I'm surprised that more people ain't banging on about it.



Honourable Mentions

Zadra - Brilliant RMC with an impressive layout but on a cold October day it didn't do it for me.

Taron - Excellent theme, lacks airtime IMO

Toutatis - Good elements but it didn't impress me like others on here.
 
1. Zadra - Energylandia
2. Taron - Phantasialand
3. Iron Gwazi - Busch Gardens Tampa
4. Velocicoaster - Universal IOA
5. Hyperion - Energylandia
6. Balder - Liseberg
7. F.LY - Phantasialand
8. Mako - SeaWorld Orlando
9. Helix - Liseberg
10. Untamed - Walibi Holland

*New additions in bold*.
 
Last edited:
I don't usually do top tens. Especially as some of the coasters on my list I havent ridden in over a decade so now idea how to compare it to coasters more recent in memory. Plus, I tend to just rank mine by how fun I remember them so don't take it too seriously.
Either way, here's my current top 10 copied over from coaster-count. No judgement please. 🤣

  1. Piraten - Djurs Sommerland
  2. Black Mamba - Phantasialand
  3. Montu - Busch Gardens Tampa
  4. Wicker Man - Alton Towers
  5. Icon - Pleasure Beach Resort
  6. Expedition GeForce - Holiday Park
  7. Nemesis (OG) - Alton Towers
  8. Shambhala - PortAventura Park
  9. Flucht von Novgorod - Hansa Park
  10. Wild Mouse (RIP)- Pleasure Beach Resort
 
A sneaky peek at what's to come.

#1 Taron - Phantasialand
#2 Voltron Nevera - Europa Park
#3 Ride to Happiness - Plopsaland De Panne
#4 Toutatis - Parc Astérix
#5 Untamed - Walibi Holland
#6 Storm - The Dragon Legend - Tusenfryd
#7 Helix - Liseberg
#8 FLY - Phantasialand
#9 Expedition GeForce - Holiday Park
#10 Piraten - Djurs Sommerland
#11 Wodan Timbur Coaster - Europa Park
#12 Hyperia - Thorpe Park
#13 Balder - Liseberg
#14 Karacho - Erlebnispark Tripsdrill
#15 Juvelen - Djurs Sommerland
#16 Joris (Water) - Efteling
#17 Joris (Vuur) - Efteling
#18 Silver Star - Europa Park
#19 Kondaa - Walibi Belgium
#20 Cú Chulainn - Emerald Park
#21 Megafobia - Oakwood Theme Park
#22 Smiler - Alton Towers
#23 Black Mamba - Phantasialand
#24 Nemesis Reborn - Alton Towers
#25 Goliath - Walibi Holland
 
I don't usually do top tens. Especially as some of the coasters on my list I havent ridden in over a decade so now idea how to compare it to coasters more recent in memory.

Right!?! Plus rides change over time, weather or circumstances on the day. And there's such a wide variety with some so completely different to others. I just don't know how people do it.

Yet I can still see some rankings that just are baffling to me (like have we ridden the same thing) and others that get a big thumbs up.
 
Top