Ten Best Coasters You Rode in 2017

[boldikus]

Doesn't matter if it was new-to-you this year, or if its a favorite at your home park that you've ridden a thousand times. They don't need to be in order/ranked, but they HAVE to have been coasters you rode in 2017.

 

What were the ten that stand out? I'll start.

 

El Toro

Skyrush

Superman: The Ride (SFNE) (new)

Wicked Cyclone (new)

Cheetah Hunt (new)

White Lightning (new)

Mako (new)

Montu (new)

Nitro

Sheikra (new)

[coasterbill]

Sheikra ahead of Kumba. Woah, didn't expect that. lol

 

1) Millennium Force (still... sorry guys)

2) El Toro

3) Phoenix

4) Maverick

5) Lightning Rod

6) Goliath (Great America)

7) Kumba

8) Montu

9) Intimidator 305

10) Wicked Cyclone

 

* Though the Beast at night in a thunderstorm was the best coaster ride of the year by far. I don't know how to rank it because during the day, t's fun... but not anywhere near a top 10 ride.

 

* Mystery Mine would have been #12 (after Raptor at #11) and it's a shame it missed the list because people really need to visualize how hilariously high I rate that thing to fully appreciate how f*cking stupid I am.

Edited December 21, 2017 by coasterbill

[boldikus]

(If you rank coasters, the easiest thing to do is pick the first ten you rode this year)

 

Also, I realize if people travel a lot its basically just going to be their top 10, give or take a few (like Bill lol)

 

Sheikra ahead of Kumba. Woah, didn't expect that. lol

 

 

Kumba was great but.... you'll have to wait for the finale of the trip report.

[Canobie Coaster]

1) Lightning Rod (new)

2) Phoenix

3) Expedition GeForce (new)

4) Iron Rattler (new)

5) Boulder Dash

6) Wildfire (new)

7) Helix (new)

8) Voyage

9) El Toro

10) Skyrush

 

1-7 are strong, but I feel that I could swap any of the following in for 7-10: Shambhala, Phantom's Revenge, or Balder.

Edited February 4, 2018 by Canobie Coaster

[coasterbill]

Also, I realize if people travel a lot its basically just going to be their top 10, give or take a few (like Bill lol)

 

Yeah, we apparently had a great year. The only coasters I would have put on that list that I can't are Fury and possibly Tatsu.

 

Kumba was great but....

 

If I hear any bullsh*t about a rattle you owe me a beer. lol

[chickenbowl]

Interesting topic! It's been a relatively quiet year for me, so this might look strange. The only major parks I visited were Disneyland, SWSD, SWO, Dollywood, SFOG, Lagoon, Castles 'n Coasters, Valleyfair, World's of Fun, and Adventureland.

 

1. Lightning Rod, NEW - Not only best of the year, but best of my life.

2. Prowler, NEW - Surprisingly amazing, I was not ready for how fun this was.

3. Mako, NEW - Definitely one of the better B&M Hypers, very fun!

4. Renegade, NEW - Also great, just like Prowler. Second half is powerful.

5. Goliath (SFOG) - Only a couple rainy slowish rides this spring. Still a top 25 ride, especially once warmed up.

6. Tennessee Tornado - Such an amazingly solid looper. I simply love this one!

7. Monster, NEW - The best Gerstlauer I've ridden. Some great parts, but the elements are pretty laggy and strange.

8. Mamba, NEW - A lot less lame than I anticipated! The first few hills have some stellar floater, plus I love the length!

9. Cannibal, NEW - It's ok. The drop is incredible, the following inversions are fun, but the second half is pretty weak/meh.

10. Manta (SWSD) - A wonderful family coaster, I'm so glad to have this less than a mile from where I live.

[thrillseeker4552]

Great topic. In no particular order...

 

Fury 325

Intimidator 305

Maverick

Millennium Force

Twisted Colossus

X2

Tatsu

Intimidator

Cannibal

Top Thrill Dragster

[viking86]

I only visited four parks this year, two of them being the Paris Disney parks, so my selection of rides to choose from is rather limited. But my 2017 Top 10 list looks something like this:

 

1) Schwur des Kärnan - Hansa Park (new) - Totally f*cked up ride, but in an awesome way!

2) Piraten - Djurs Sommarland - It's an Intamin Mega-Lite. Do I need to say more?

3) Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain: Rebel Mission - Disneyland Paris (new) - The biggest surprise of the year, this mid-90's Vekoma kicks some serious ass!

4) Fluch von Novgorod - Hansa Park (new) - Another great surprise, smooth and intense ride. Just wish it was a tad longer.

5) Juvelen - Djurs Sommarland (new) - Fantastic family ride, and more intense than I expected.

6) Nessie Superrollercoaster - Hansa Park (new) - A very fun Schwarzkopf looping coaster, and it runs great!

7) Big Thunder Mountain - Disneyland Paris (new) - Solid mine train coaster, but the ride features a couple of trims which detracts a little from the experience. Fantastic ending!

8) Rock 'n' Roller Coaster - Disneyland Paris (new) - It's good, but not great.

9) Dragekongen - Djurs Sommarland (new) - The only slight disappointment of the year, it's a family coaster but I was still expecting a bit more. Also a bit rattly for a brand new ride.

10) Crush's Coaster - Disneyland Paris (new) - It was a fun ride, but not memorable and the only reason it's on this top 10 list is the lack of other choices...

Edited December 21, 2017 by viking86

[Ed Farmer]

Don't really keep rankings, but it's easier to do in the scope of a single season. Here we go (in order).

 

Kumba

Goliath (SFGAm)

Raging Bull

Montu

Batman The Ride

Mako

Shivering Timbers

Sheikra

X-Flight

Manta

 

A fairly B&M-heavy list. Of the ranked, only Mako was new to me. The worst (overall) was Twister II at Elitch, which desperately needs to be Rocky Mountained. I thought I'd hit a few more places than what ended up happening, but that is what next season is for- and it's only a few months away.

Edited December 21, 2017 by Ed Farmer

[DoinItForTheFame]

In no specific order:

 

Mystery Mine

Lightning Rod

Nitro

El Toro

Superman (Six Flags America)

Verbolten (BGW)

New Texas Giant

 

And, can I add Zumanjaro: Drop Of Doom to my list?!?! I mean, DUH it's not a coaster... But I loved that ride so much!!! Seriously my favorite ride of 2017!!!

[SLCHeadache]

(If you rank coasters, the easiest thing to do is pick the first ten you rode this year)

 

Also, I realize if people travel a lot its basically just going to be their top 10, give or take a few (like Bill lol)

I'm in that category. This year was my first time riding coasters outside of my home park, so just take my current sig and swap Renegade and Flying Turns with Afterburn and Apollo's Chariot.

 

 

Re: DoinItForTheFame, curious that Verbolten made your top list. It takes a close second to Green Lantern (SFMM) on my worst list. Cheesy and terrible show building, and made me vomit once. Not even the good kind of cheesy (Skull Mountain).

Edited December 21, 2017 by SLCHeadache

[Rollercoaster Rider]

In No Order

 

1- Joker @ SF Mexico

2- Rage @ Adventure Island, UK

3- Accelerator @ Drayton Manor

4- Big Dipper @ Blackpool

5- Rita @ Alton Towers

6- Crazy Mouse @ Gulliver's Milton Keynes

7- Scorpion Express @ Chessington

8- Raptor Attack @ Lightwater Valley

9- Avalanche @ Blackpool

10- Joker @ Six Flags Great America

 

To steal from the dude below me, Here are 10 unique things I did

1- Derby Racer @ Playland Park, Rye

2- Adventureville @ Adventure Island UK

3- Gruffao River Ride @ Chessington

4- Derren Brown @ Thorpe

5- Rapids @ Six Flags Mexico (C'mon a Rapids ride with statues peeing on you)

6- Dora's World Voyage @ Blackpool

7- Silver Mine @ Gulliver's Milton Keynes

8- Cyclosaur @ Flamingoland

9- Impossible @ Blackpool

10- Valhalla @ Blackpool (Wish I had worn bags over my shoes)

HM- Joker's Queue Line @ SF Mexico

Edited December 22, 2017 by Rollercoaster Rider

[ytterbiumanalyst]

Another great offseason thread. There were a bunch of good ones this year.

 

1. The Outlaw Run

2. The Skyrush

3. The Phoenix

4. The El Toro

5. The Voyage

6. The Mystery Mine

7. The Nitro

8. The Thunderbird (HW)

9. The Wild Eagle

10. The Great White

 

Honourable mention to The Skull Mountain. It was terrible but so great at the same time.

 

And I know it wasn't asked for, but I'm a nerd and I like lists, so I'm going to make one of the best flats I rode this year too.

 

1. "IT" (Moreys)

2. Flyers (Knoebels)

3. Zumanjaro (SF Great Adventure)

4. AtmosFEAR (Moreys)

5. Grand Carousel (Knoebels)

6. Conestoga (Lake Winnie)

7. Bumper Cars (Knoebels)

8. Whipper (Knoebels)

9. 1001 Nachts (Knoebels)

10. Giant Barn Swing (Silver Dollar City)

[CaptainUnknown]

In no order:

 

White Lightning: Fun Spot Orlando

Renegade: Valleyfair

Kumba: BGT

Montu: BGT

Mummy: USO

Cheetah Hunt: BGT

Wild Thing: Valleyfair

Sheikra: BGT

Freedom Fighter: Fun Spot Orlando

Spongebob Squarepants Rock Bottom Plunge: Nickelodeon Universe

[Jason Maier]

In no particular order . . . .

 

Wild One, Roar, Superman: Ride of Steel, Batwing at Six Flags America

 

Kingda Ka, El Toro, Batman: The Ride, Nitro, Green Lantern and Bizarro at Six Flags Great Adventure.

[bill_s]

Hey, it's not quite offseason yet!

 

Not in precise order:

Skyrush (new)

I305

Storm Runner

El Toro

Superman the Ride (new)

Wicked Cyclone (new)

Dominator (still great after ~1200 rides)

Rebel Yell (racing more this year, a good race is still rare but so much fun)

Volcano (esp. solo rides)

Nitro (night and sunset rides)

 

Special mentions: BGW, good to go there again, although no specific ride quite makes this list many are just below it.

Roar at SFA, best I rode in January.

[larrygator]

Phoenix

Lightning Rod

El Toro

Goliath (SFGAm)

Skyrush

Lightning Run

I-305

Maverick

Storm Chaser

Fury 325

[cal1br3tto]

01. Coaster (Playland)

02. Joker (SFDK)

03. Medusa (SFDK)

04. Superman Ultimate Flight (SFDK)

05. Vertical Velocity (SFDK)

06. Bug Whirled (Playland)

07. Boomerang Coast to Coaster (SFDK)

08. Arctic Blast (Rainier Amusements)

09. Kong (SFDK)

10. Scream Machine (Rainier Amusements)

[boldikus]

If I hear any bullsh*t about a rattle you owe me a beer. lol

Not a single coaster we rode in Florida rattled.

 

It's been a relatively quiet year for me, so this might look strange.

I only visited four parks this year, two of them being the Paris Disney parks, so my selection of rides to choose from is rather limited.

This is why I thought it would be an interesting thread, I knew some of the responses would be random. Also with people that traveled extensively (like Canobie) narrowing it down to the stand-out 10.

 

I'm going to make one of the best flats I rode this year too.

F**k it I'll do it too. No order tho...

 

IT

Falcons Fury

Zumanjaro

AtmosFEAR

Buzzsaw

Justice League (I don't know if this counts as a flat but whatevs)

New England Sky Screamer

Down Time

Zoom Phloom

Moreys/Fun Spots/Compounce Screaming Swing

Compounce Sky Ride RIP

[Jelenp]

Sorry I already had them ordered

 

01. Storm Chaser (NEW)

02. Lightning Rod (NEW)

03. The Voyage (NEW)

04. Lightning Run (NEW)

05. Thunderhead (NEW)

06. DiamondBack (NEW)

07. Raging Bull

08. Mystic Timbers (NEW)

09. Banshee (NEW)

10. Goliath (Great America)

 

Storm Chaser hauls with the new wheels but Lightning Rod almost took its number one spot with a winter night ride. Overall great year!

[YoshiFan]

Not in order

Nitro

El Toro

Bizarro

Batman The Ride

Talon

Lightning Racer

Storm Runner

Fahrenheit

Great Bear

Comet

[MayTheGForceBeWithYou]

In no particular order (new credits marked with *):

-Kawasemi*

-Dodonpa*

-Eejanaika*

-Kumba

-Montu

-Olympia Looping

-Black Mamba*

-Taron*

-Winjas*

-Twisted Colossus

 

I'll do a flats list too (again, no particular order):

-Skater (Top Scan)

-Voodoo Jumper*

-Teufelsrad

-Tower of Terror (Tokyo DisneySea)*

-Falcon's Fury

-Lex Luthor

-Talocan*

-Tentekomai (Gerstlauer Sky Roller)*

-Giant Canyon Swing

-Haunted Mine Drop*

 

Honorable mention for Journey to the Center of the Earth* (assuming dark rides don't really count, but had to mention it)

Edited December 22, 2017 by MayTheGForceBeWithYou

[Prof Kaos]

Went do three parks this year, though visited my home park (CW) a dozen or so times. Kings Island was the highlight, and La Ronde was... La Ronde. All of these were new to me except the CW coasters.

 

Banshee

Mystic Timbers

The Beast

Flight of Fear

Diamondback

Vortex (CW)

Behemoth

Leviathan

Goliath (La Ronde)

Le Vampire (Batman clone)

[robbalvey]

In no particular order:

 

Euro-Mir

Formula Rossa

Olympia Looping

Outlaw Run

Lightning Rod

Space Mountain

Kumba

Expedition GeForce

Dueling Dragons

Hollenblitz

Honorable Mention: Tron Lightcycle Run (Last week of December 2016)

[JordyC]

1. Shambhala - PortAventura Park (NEW)

2. Taron - Phantasialand

3. Goliath - Walibi Holland

4. Alpina Blitz - Nigloland (NEW)

5. Red Force - Ferrari Land (NEW)

6. Star Trek: Operation Enterprise - Movie Park Germany (NEW)

7. Troy - Toverland

8. Lost Gravity - Walibi Holland

9. Gold Rush - Slagharen (NEW)

10. Black Mamba - Phantasialand