Best Drop Ride!!!

[simaticable]

Acrophobia at SFOG; the view from the top is amazing, it's very intimidating, and it's the only one of its kind in the U.S.

[Blue Fire Guy]

^^ Can't agree more! I wonder what that "ker-chunk" is supposed to do to one's body?

 

Robb had another traumatizing experience on the IAAPA 2010 helicopter kiddie drop tower that was strikingly similar to my experience on the ARM (it's on YouTube). If I rode that one, I'd consider it to be the best drop ride under 50 feet tall!

[#1rollercoasterfan]

My favorite is Tower Of Terror at both Disneyland & Disney World. I also like Dr. Doom at Universal Orlando. But however I don't care for the Drop Tower type anymore like the one at CGA. I used to go on Drop Tower but for some reason I'm not up for it anymore.(One ride that scares me!!!)

[ScottyDoesKnow]

For thrills: Acrophobia, SFoG

There's nothing like watching the ground from between your legs in a standing position. So crazy, so intense.

 

For experience: Tower of Terror, Disney's Hollywood Studios

The storyline, theming, EVERYTHING! You become so deeply immersed in the experience, LOVE IT! I also love the unpredictability. Such a unique ride.

[cfc]

Those Larson towers are pretty frightening--mainly because they seem so rickety!

 

I agree that the Tower of Terror rides give the best overall experience, as it's tough to beat Disney when it comes to theming and story (the TOT at DisneySea is the best themed of them all).

[AusCoasterFan]

I love GIANT DROP at Dreamworld, not only because of the height, but the slow ascent, long wait at the top, occasionally experiencing the tower shake at the Tower of Terror shuttle races up the tower and the sudden drop with absolutely no warning

 

The other one is the BIG SHOT at the Stratosphere because it fires you to a full height of 1081 feet offering spectacular views of Vegas and the Strip. Quite a terrifying experience... but great though!

[cfc]

^Giant Drop is a lot of fun, but I still lean toward Blue Fall as the best of the "standard" drop towers.

[azza29]

I agree that the Tower of Terror rides give the best overall experience, as it's tough to beat Disney when it comes to theming and story (the TOT at DisneySea is the best themed of them all).

 

My brother doesn't like drop rides (so of course I always suggest he try the frog hoppers if the big ones are too intense!) but I think I might actually be able to get him to ride Tower of Terror. If that works hopefully he won't be so intimidated by the regular outdoor drop towers.

[PKI Jizzman]

For sheer terror? Giant Drop in Australia. I mean other than Magic Mountain there's no where else to go for that. Giant Drop and Tower of Terror have it on lock down for sure. Acrophobia and ARM towers, also with Drop Tower at Kings Island have an honerable mention.

[Sooner21]

Superman: Tower of Power (Six Flags over Texas)

 

Close Second:

Acrophobia (Six Flags over Georgia) - Tilt = Intense

Geronimo Drop (Ghost Town in the Sky) - Awesome view

[_koppen]

Mystery Castle - Phantasialand.

[Airtime&Gravity]

While it wasn't as scary as the drop tower at Waldameer, Sasquatch at Great Escape was an impressive ride. The launch side was closed, so I rode the drop side. THe climb to the top was quick, and the top provided a great view of the area. The drop was also good, and there were still a few scary points, such as when the car reached the top and was preparing to drop. The bounces at the bottom were also great, and made for a great ride. I'm not a big fan of drop towers, but Sasquatch was great. The view and fun factor edged out Waldameer's drop tower and its OMFG factor as my favorite drop tower.

Edited May 31, 2013 by Airtime&Gravity

[azza29]

After riding it on Monday Waldameer's is my new favourite. Sudden, forceful drop that I haven't found on any other towers yet.

[BigDipper 80]

More of a question, but I'm honestly surprised that I haven't seen this posted anywhere on the forum, unless I completely overlooked it. It seems that there's an Intamin drop tower on the top of the Canton Tower in Guangzhou, China. Being that it's the third-tallest structure on Earth, is this drop tower higher up than Big Shot?

 

 

EDIT: I found another Youtube video, and yup, this thing is at the very top of the Canton Tower. Frightening.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8XygNhi6-g

[yay101]

^

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canton_Tower

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stratosphere_Tower

 

According to these pages, Canton Tower (to the top) is 1,969 feet and Stratosphere Tower (to the top) is 1,149 feet. So yes, Canton Tower is taller. And that ride looks insane.

 

My personal favorite freefall is Drop Tower at King's Island, with the most insane drop. I think Pitt Fall at Kennywood is worthy of a mention because imo it had the best view. RIP Pitt Fall.

[shivtim]

I have to go with Mystery Castle at Phantasialand. Fantastic ride!

[DanM64]

Pitt Fall was definitely my favorite drop tower- ride in the seats facing the valley and the steel mill and the view was fantastic!! It felt like you were so much higher than you were.

 

I prefer those style drop towers to the gyro drop like the Drop Zones and KI and KD even though they're not as tall, they feel like they drop faster than the gyro drops to me for some reason, even though I know they aren't. Drop Zone is awfully fun too though, as is Giant Drop at SFGAm- on Giant Drop I think the best seats are the ones that face I-94.

[Angry_Gumball]

The ARM/Larson Super Shot that Butler Amusements brought in to the San Mateo County Fair today was INSANE. This was my first ride on one of these beasts, and it did not disappoint. It's only 90 feet tall, but it packs a NASTY punch. There are overhead panels that prevent you from knowing when you're at the top. Even more insane is that it will drop you immediately when the car reaches the top, and when it does drop, it does so like a bag of ACE-sized bricks. To me, it felt more like a downwards launch! The airtime on it (though brief) was just as powerful, if not more powerful than CGA's Intamin and SCBB's S&S. These were pretty much my thoughts during my first ride:

 

"It's so puny, how can this possibly top Drop Tower and Double Sho-- *CLUNK* OMFG! EXTREME EJECTOR AIRTIME!!!"

 

I am quoting a post from a year ago as I finally got to witness this form of drop tower. My first ride I did not expect much, just a shorter Drop Tower ride. Once I realized how quick you drop as soon as you reach the top (there is no hesitation, just instant drop) and how you can't see how close to the top you are, I got nervous. Yes, the drop caught me off guard and it feels like this may actually be an accelerated freefall as I actually had ejector air as opposed to just floating on the Intamin towers...

 

In the end, a stubby 70' tower won over the world's tallest drop tower. Yes, I just said that.

[PKI Jizzman]

I've been surprised with Drop Zone at Kings Island this year. I didn't remember it being as good as it has been in the past. It really sustains that airtime the whole way down.

[ucfjav930]

How come no one talks about Kings Dominions DropTower: Scream Zone. Having lived in Florida for my whole life, I've only been exposed to the Larson Towers at the DadeCounty Fair every year. Although back in the late 90's early 00's we used to have an Intamin Giant Drop running through our Fair every year. That was the scariest one, but then I visited Kings Dominion in 2010, and rode DropTower 5 times in a row, the airtime, the height, the lift, the setting, it's honestly awesome. My opinion will soon change next year, when BuschGardens opens FalconsFury.

[ultradude306]

The ARM/Larson Super Shot that Butler Amusements brought in to the San Mateo County Fair today was INSANE. This was my first ride on one of these beasts, and it did not disappoint. It's only 90 feet tall, but it packs a NASTY punch. There are overhead panels that prevent you from knowing when you're at the top. Even more insane is that it will drop you immediately when the car reaches the top, and when it does drop, it does so like a bag of ACE-sized bricks. To me, it felt more like a downwards launch! The airtime on it (though brief) was just as powerful, if not more powerful than CGA's Intamin and SCBB's S&S. These were pretty much my thoughts during my first ride:

 

"It's so puny, how can this possibly top Drop Tower and Double Sho-- *CLUNK* OMFG! EXTREME EJECTOR AIRTIME!!!"

 

I am quoting a post from a year ago as I finally got to witness this form of drop tower. My first ride I did not expect much, just a shorter Drop Tower ride. Once I realized how quick you drop as soon as you reach the top (there is no hesitation, just instant drop) and how you can't see how close to the top you are, I got nervous. Yes, the drop caught me off guard and it feels like this may actually be an accelerated freefall as I actually had ejector air as opposed to just floating on the Intamin towers...

 

In the end, a stubby 70' tower won over the world's tallest drop tower. Yes, I just said that.

Well, this is really getting me excited for the fair next year... the local midway provider owns one of these drop towers, but I have never gotten the chance to ride one of these. As for your comment on the accelerated freefall, as far as I know, the ARM/Larson version of the ride doesn't have one.... it just falls. HOWEVER, the Fabri version (I.E. Determinator at Thorpe Park) does use such technology.

 

Speaking of rides with accelerated freefalls, that brings me to my first of my two favourite drop towers... Space Shot at Galaxyland in Edmonton. Despite the name, the ride is actually an S&S double shot, which offers some crazy ejector airtime at the top of the tower. Another interesting feature with the ride is that it's indoors, which almost gives a false sense of security... I certainly know I wasn't expecting it!

 

As I said before, however, i could not decide a winner, so this brings me to my second top choice. Drop Zone (now Drop Tower) at Canada's Wonderland. This ride is essentially the opposite of the previous one... offering a long, slow buildup as they bring you up to the 230' level, and offers great floater air on the way down... Further widening the gap between the rides, while the Galaxyland version is fun, with a small bit of intensity, this ride is all out intense. It's probably still the only ride that scares me a bit, and the whole ride just seems really menacing... idk why, but maybe the ride just looks really intimidating because I grew up going to that park when it was the largest ride there, and everyone was scared to go on it.

[yay101]

^If we're including Space Shots and Double Shots and other upward-launched towers, then I completely take back my reply and say that the best drop ride - by far - is Double Shot at Indiana Beach. That ride was my favorite ride in the park (yes it was better than Cornball Express and Steel Hawg IMO, but not by much). It was intense and had airtime better than most roller coasters I've been on.

[IneedTPforbunghole]

Right now, mine's Acrophobia. Next year, that will most certainly change when I ride Falcon's Fury...

[Athletekim]

I have only been on one which is ARM/Larson's AtmosFear at Morey's Piers. I loved how the ride was on a the boardwalk so you were already higher up from the ground before the ride started. My favorite part though was not being able to tell when you were at the top because of the overhead panels.

 

Hopefully I will be able to go and try Knoebels' new drop tower this summer!

[grinch1313]

The ARM/Larson drop towers are completely terrifying. I've been on a few of them and they get me every time. I rode AtmosFear at Knoebels last week and it's a fantastic ride. It feels very tall when you are on it. I got a good view of Twister from that side of the tower.

 

My favorite drop ride (and possibly favorite theme park ride overall) is Tower of Terror at Hollywood Studios. The Twilight Zone is one of my favorite TV shows. I love the drop and the parts where you don't know whether you're going up or down. It's so much fun.