21 votes

What is your favorite roller coaster?

Tell us why and where the ride is.

35 comments

  1. [2]
    b9s4
    Link
    I'm gonna go with Millennium Force at Cedar Point. I grew up not too far from Sandusky and my family would take vacations to Cedar Point almost every year so that all of us kids could go ride the...

    I'm gonna go with Millennium Force at Cedar Point. I grew up not too far from Sandusky and my family would take vacations to Cedar Point almost every year so that all of us kids could go ride the latest coasters. I was beyond excited that when Millennium Force was scheduled to be completed, I was tall enough to ride, and it lived up to every expectation I had. I no longer live near there, but my love for coasters persists 20+ years later, and I would love to somehow go back in time and ride some of my favorites again, like Corkscrew (my first ever coaster), Disaster Transport (RIP), Wicked Twister (RIP), and Raptor.

    9 votes
    1. BigPharma
      Link Parent
      I love this one, too! So many memories of getting to Cedar Point as it opened, running to the Millennium Force line and trying to chain as many consecutive rides as possible before the wait was...

      I love this one, too! So many memories of getting to Cedar Point as it opened, running to the Millennium Force line and trying to chain as many consecutive rides as possible before the wait was too long.

      3 votes
  2. [3]
    tinyogre
    Link
    Pretty partial to Space Mountain. Not the fastest or longest ride and if it was outside or well lit it would probably be pretty boring. But being in the dark makes it special. It’s also local and...

    Pretty partial to Space Mountain. Not the fastest or longest ride and if it was outside or well lit it would probably be pretty boring. But being in the dark makes it special.

    It’s also local and I have a Disneyland pass. For just pure coaster thrills locally, Magic Mountain and Knott’s Berry Farm both have Disney beat. Disney’s more about presentation than thrills.

    6 votes
    1. [2]
      b9s4
      Link Parent
      Having done both Disney World's and Disneyland's Space Mountain, Disneyland had the better one!

      Having done both Disney World's and Disneyland's Space Mountain, Disneyland had the better one!

      5 votes
      1. Odstane
        Link Parent
        I am actually in the opposite boat - while I love both parks SM, I prefer WDW’s because the ride cars are slimmer and you sit lower on the track. It always felt more engaging to me. I hear Paris...

        I am actually in the opposite boat - while I love both parks SM, I prefer WDW’s because the ride cars are slimmer and you sit lower on the track. It always felt more engaging to me.

        I hear Paris park has the best SM by a mile though

        1 vote
  3. [2]
    TheWhetherMan
    Link
    My absolute favorite is the Maverick at Cedar Point (which I thought I remembered a news article saying they had removed it but apparently it's still up?). With a fast past, it had everything:...

    My absolute favorite is the Maverick at Cedar Point (which I thought I remembered a news article saying they had removed it but apparently it's still up?). With a fast past, it had everything: Plenty of loops, twists, and turns, two fast launches so you're not spending days to get to the top of the initial hill, a beautiful view of Lake Erie, and not a long wait time. When my dad took me up there for my birthday years ago, we rode it 3-4 times in a row in under an hour, thanks to the aforementioned Fast Past

    4 votes
    1. adamcarrot
      Link Parent
      It's still rolling. It is a great ride

      It's still rolling. It is a great ride

      3 votes
  4. [6]
    bd_rom
    Link
    Vortex at Canada’s Wonderland. I don’t know why but I always come back!

    Vortex at Canada’s Wonderland. I don’t know why but I always come back!

    3 votes
    1. [5]
      cfabbro
      (edited )
      Link Parent
      Ghoster Coaster all the way! It's a "kids" coaster, and I'm in my 40s, but I still make sure to ride it at least once every time I'm at Wonderland just for nostalgia's sake, since it was the first...

      Ghoster Coaster all the way! It's a "kids" coaster, and I'm in my 40s, but I still make sure to ride it at least once every time I'm at Wonderland just for nostalgia's sake, since it was the first coaster I ever rode. And it was my (now 9yo) nephew's first too, and he still loves it as well, which makes it even more fun to take a ride on when he's with me. :P

      2 votes
      1. [4]
        bd_rom
        Link Parent
        Absolutely. Making the trek from the lakeshore ‘Sauga suburbs aaalll up to Wonderland was so much more rewarding when the coasters were “simpler”, weirdly enough!

        Absolutely. Making the trek from the lakeshore ‘Sauga suburbs aaalll up to Wonderland was so much more rewarding when the coasters were “simpler”, weirdly enough!

        2 votes
        1. [3]
          cfabbro
          Link Parent
          Port Credit? I lived there for a while myself, but most of my early life was spent in nearby Lorne Park. :) p.s. You don't have to answer that if you don't feel comfortable getting that specific...

          Port Credit? I lived there for a while myself, but most of my early life was spent in nearby Lorne Park. :)

          p.s. You don't have to answer that if you don't feel comfortable getting that specific on the interwebs with a stranger. :P

          1 vote
          1. [2]
            bd_rom
            Link Parent
            Haha: I’m guessing, and I’m spitballing here, you possibly went to LPSS, and also possibly owned a kick ass dual Pentium Pro 200 at some point with a caddy load CD burner?

            Haha: I’m guessing, and I’m spitballing here, you possibly went to LPSS, and also possibly owned a kick ass dual Pentium Pro 200 at some point with a caddy load CD burner?

            2 votes
            1. cfabbro
              Link Parent
              Dude. Yes. WTF. Taking this to PMs! :P

              Dude. Yes. WTF. Taking this to PMs! :P

              1 vote
  5. [2]
    dr_frahnkunsteen
    Link
    It’s gotta be the Giant Dipper in Santa Cruz. It’s a rickety old wooden coaster on the sea and it starts off with a wonderful pre-climb dip in the dark that gets me every time even when I know...

    It’s gotta be the Giant Dipper in Santa Cruz. It’s a rickety old wooden coaster on the sea and it starts off with a wonderful pre-climb dip in the dark that gets me every time even when I know it’s coming. I love the way it feels like the whole thing could come apart right underneath you. To me that’s more thrilling than any big modern coaster.

    3 votes
    1. tinyogre
      Link Parent
      Often doubles for Coney Island’s old wooden coaster in movies too!

      Often doubles for Coney Island’s old wooden coaster in movies too!

      3 votes
  6. weew
    Link
    Good old local wooden coaster that's simply called the Coaster. Nothing special but lots of fun memories. It's just a few simple quick drops and turns. The best part, though, was that it had a...

    Good old local wooden coaster that's simply called the Coaster.

    Nothing special but lots of fun memories. It's just a few simple quick drops and turns. The best part, though, was that it had a 1950's view of personal safety i.e. there was a lap bar and that was it. It wasn't even all that tight and it depended on the rider to not be stupid and grab the bar if they were in danger.

    If you wanted to be stupid though... man, I legit nearly flew out (knees were going past the lap bar) before I grabbed on to it again. Hilarious fun that would absolutely not fly today.

    They may have upgraded the restraints, I haven't ridden it in 10 years...

    3 votes
  7. Bullmaestro
    Link
    Best one I rode was Shockwave at Drayton Manor. I haven't been to many theme parks, and honestly one loop and three corkscrews isn't that thrilling.

    Best one I rode was Shockwave at Drayton Manor. I haven't been to many theme parks, and honestly one loop and three corkscrews isn't that thrilling.

    3 votes
  8. [4]
    Thanatos929
    Link
    I've only ever been to Carowinds, Sea World, and a state fair or two. But out of those, the Ricochet at Carowinds is definitely my favorite. It's got a lot of twists and turns, and it's relatively...

    I've only ever been to Carowinds, Sea World, and a state fair or two. But out of those, the Ricochet at Carowinds is definitely my favorite. It's got a lot of twists and turns, and it's relatively quick. It's also one of the less popular ones there, so I can go on it several times in a row without a huge wait.

    2 votes
    1. [3]
      adamcarrot
      Link Parent
      Funny that that coaster is one of the few that I didn't ride when I went there several years ago. I'm going there in a couple weeks so I plan to try it then!

      Funny that that coaster is one of the few that I didn't ride when I went there several years ago. I'm going there in a couple weeks so I plan to try it then!

      3 votes
      1. [2]
        Thanatos929
        Link Parent
        The Carolina Cyclone is a close second, so if you haven't gone on that one then I'd recommend it as well. As a side note, riding faster rides at state fairs (specifically in the SE US) can be ......

        The Carolina Cyclone is a close second, so if you haven't gone on that one then I'd recommend it as well.

        As a side note, riding faster rides at state fairs (specifically in the SE US) can be ... scarier than intended. Haha. Got mildly electrocuted on one of them.

        2 votes
        1. TheWhetherMan
          Link Parent
          I find it funny that the two Carowind coasters that were mentioned were the ones we didn't try (either didn't look interesting or were closed when we went a couple of months ago)

          I find it funny that the two Carowind coasters that were mentioned were the ones we didn't try (either didn't look interesting or were closed when we went a couple of months ago)

          1 vote
  9. AshWilliams
    Link
    The backwards Rebel Yell (now named Racer 75) in Kings Dominion. It's an old wooden coaster built in the '70s that has 2 identical/mirrored tracks that have racing trains. It's a decent coaster on...

    The backwards Rebel Yell (now named Racer 75) in Kings Dominion. It's an old wooden coaster built in the '70s that has 2 identical/mirrored tracks that have racing trains. It's a decent coaster on its own, but in the early '90s they turned one of the track's trains backwards which made it way more fun.

    2 votes
  10. JustLookWhoItIs
    Link
    The Lightning Rod at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN. Crazy fun, getting launched and accelerated uphill in the smokey mountains. Super smooth ride. High speeds but the track is long enough that...

    The Lightning Rod at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN. Crazy fun, getting launched and accelerated uphill in the smokey mountains. Super smooth ride. High speeds but the track is long enough that it's not over too quickly. Just a really good experience overall.

    2 votes
  11. [2]
    Subvocal
    Link
    I haven’t had the opportunity to be on too many, but I’ve always loved Superman/Bizarro at Six Flags New England.

    I haven’t had the opportunity to be on too many, but I’ve always loved Superman/Bizarro at Six Flags New England.

    2 votes
    1. adamcarrot
      Link Parent
      That is an incredible coaster that many have considered one of the best for a long while

      That is an incredible coaster that many have considered one of the best for a long while

      2 votes
  12. MechBear
    Link
    My favourite roller coaster was Air at Alton Towers: https://www.altontowers.com/explore/theme-park/rides-attractions/galactica/ They have called it Galactica now but it's the same ride (shows how...

    My favourite roller coaster was Air at Alton Towers: https://www.altontowers.com/explore/theme-park/rides-attractions/galactica/

    They have called it Galactica now but it's the same ride (shows how old I am?).

    Oblivion (also at Alton Towers) was absolutely terrifying! That hold when you face downwards prior to the drop felt ages.

    Rita was pretty good fun but if you ask me, I'd go back on Galactica any time!

    2 votes
  13. FishFingus
    Link
    Hmm...its been years, but probably either Big Thunder Mountain at Disneyland Paris or any of the little travelling spinning mouse fairground coasters. The scenery of the former was unbeatable,...

    Hmm...its been years, but probably either Big Thunder Mountain at Disneyland Paris or any of the little travelling spinning mouse fairground coasters. The scenery of the former was unbeatable, while the latter throws me around in a way that never ceases to make me laugh.

    1 vote
  14. [2]
    balooga
    Link
    I haven't been on it in more than a decade but I've always loved Montu at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Not sure if it's even still in operation or what condition it's in, but I loved how smooth it was...

    I haven't been on it in more than a decade but I've always loved Montu at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Not sure if it's even still in operation or what condition it's in, but I loved how smooth it was and the quiet roaring sound it made as it swooped around faux-Egyptian scenery. It was my first inverted coaster and that feeling of flying with my legs dangling free still sticks with me. It's not setting any height or speed records, but it's a really fun ride.

    Lots of other good coasters to check out at that park too, of course.

    1 vote
    1. adamcarrot
      Link Parent
      Montu is the best inverted coaster in existence. It still runs like a champ as of last June.

      Montu is the best inverted coaster in existence. It still runs like a champ as of last June.

      1 vote
  15. unkz
    Link
    Crazy mouse at play land in Vancouver. No longer exists because it was a poorly maintained death trap just waiting to kill somebody, which is why it was fun.

    Crazy mouse at play land in Vancouver. No longer exists because it was a poorly maintained death trap just waiting to kill somebody, which is why it was fun.

    1 vote
  16. Xyst
    Link
    As someone that doesn't typically enjoy coasters due to nausea and roller-coaster related head aches, the Seven Dwarves Mine Train at Disney world was a lot of fun. It's super smooth and just an...

    As someone that doesn't typically enjoy coasters due to nausea and roller-coaster related head aches, the Seven Dwarves Mine Train at Disney world was a lot of fun. It's super smooth and just an enjoyable ride with some thrill and some presentation to boot.

    1 vote
  17. SpruceWillis
    Link
    I love a Roller Coaster! Hagrids at Universal Islands of Adventure Florida is a ton of fun. Big Thunder Mountain at Disneyland Paris is incredible and Space Mountain: From the Earth to the Moon...

    I love a Roller Coaster!

    Hagrids at Universal Islands of Adventure Florida is a ton of fun.

    Big Thunder Mountain at Disneyland Paris is incredible and Space Mountain: From the Earth to the Moon (before it became Hyperspace Mountain) at DL Paris is amazing as well, great soundtrack, theming and story.

    Alton Towers has some incredible rollercoasters, Nemesis, Oblivion, Wickerman, Air, The Smiler and Thirteen.

    My favourite though might be either Aerosmith Rock n Roller Coaster at Hollywood Studios or Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom, both great rollercoasters for different reasons abd it really depends on my mood.

    1 vote
  18. Vince
    Link
    I went on the Cosmic Rewind ride at Epcot when it opened and I had to say it was my favorite ride so far in my life. I am from the west coast, so Disneyland is my go to park, but this was my...

    I went on the Cosmic Rewind ride at Epcot when it opened and I had to say it was my favorite ride so far in my life. I am from the west coast, so Disneyland is my go to park, but this was my second trip to Disneyworld. The Cosmic Rewind was super smooth like butter and felt engaging. Unfortunately, I was at Disneyworld before they finished the TRON ride, so I didn't get to experience that.

    1 vote
  19. Kingofthezyx
    (edited )
    Link
    Batman: The Ride at Six Flags Magic Mountain. It's an oldy but goody, it's relatively short but action-packed, and the entrance leading to the ride is a lot of fun. Honorable mention to Superman...

    Batman: The Ride at Six Flags Magic Mountain. It's an oldy but goody, it's relatively short but action-packed, and the entrance leading to the ride is a lot of fun. Honorable mention to Superman at the same park, specifically during fright fest when it runs backwards.

    Least favorite: Tatsu makes me sick, you lay in it face to the ground like you're flying but uh... apparently I would need dramamine were I a superhero.

    1 vote