10 Greatest RIDES.....Ever?

[bulldogmom]

Okay, I went back and read the original post and realized the intent- to name rides that are in some way innovative or historic. My earlier list was purely my own personal favorite top 10 rides.

So, after giving it a lot of thought, I have come up w/a new list of rides that I think are in some way standouts or examples of what rides are meant to do. (I have not ridden all of these)

 

Thesis: Amusement parks, particularly beginning with Disneyland, and amusement rides in general, are created with a specific purpose: to fulfill a fantasy. Whether you want to fly (who doesn't?), travel at high speeds, or experience a haunted house, rides are created to create some sort of fantasy or illusion for the rider. With this in mind, my revised list...

 

1. Haunted Mansion and Peter Pan's Flight- Magic Kingdom. These are, I think, the ultimate fantasy rides in that they truly put you right in the middle of the fantasy. The awesome effects, which I think only Disney can pull off, allow you to suspend disbelief for a few minutes and totally immerse yourself in the fantasy. The reason I picked Peter Pan: the unique track, in which you board a little boat-shaped car and soar above the landscape. It really gives the illusion of flying over the landscape. The sequence where you "fly out the bedroom window" truly makes you feel you ARE Peter Pan (or the kids, I guess- it's been awhile), not just riding some ride.

 

2. Racer, Kennywood- a classic woodie, and one of the three remaining (correct me if I'm wrong) racing coasters in the world that's made of a single track. Ingenious design. The tight twists and turns of this coaster make it feel much faster than it actually is. The coaster is truly an original, not a clone of anything- it was designed specifically for the hilly landscape in 1927 by then-famous designer John Miller.

 

3. Someone mentioned the Matterhorn Bobsleds at Disneyland, for being the first modern "steel" coaster (it has steel rails). I have to concur, although I've never ridden it. I've seen video footage, though, and it looks great! Again, give Disney credit for creating both an innovative ride complete with the fantasy experience (in this case, you're actually on a bobsled).

 

4. Revolution, SFMM. This debuted in 1976 and is, correct me if I'm wrong, considered the first modern looping coaster. In that way it's both a classic and at the time was a precursor of things to come. As someone said, Herr Anton was an innovator in his time, with his shuttle loops that, while lame by today's standards, represented the future of coasters in the mid 1970s. As a bonus, Revolution was featured in my favorite (and probably every coaster fanatic's favorite) movie, "Rollercoaster". The classic line: "The loop! The loop! Here comes the loop!" Remember, those were the days when a loop was a huge deal (I'm old enough to remember, unfortunately)

 

5. I'm still sticking with Magnum, my personal favorite. Sure, it was the first "hypercoaster" that started the "biggest, tallest, fastest" race, but for me it's not about the numbers. There are bigger and faster now, but few better than Magnum. It's the entire package- the smoothness, the speed, the drops, the airtime, that awesome lakeside view, the bunny hops, the laser-and-fog-filled tunnels.

 

6. Cinema 360. Remember these? The dome-shaped buildings where you sat inside and watched a movie where the screen was the whole building. The movie was a POV that made you feel like you were flying, surfing, in a car race, whatever. We had one at Kennywood circa 1979. I personally did not like these- they gave me motion sickness, believe it or not- but I think they were the precursor of the simulator rides that have become so popular (ie Spiderman, etc). Again, an innovation in using all of the senses to create an experience that you're actually THERE (wherever that is).

 

7. Demon Drop, Cedar Point- this was one of the first "drop" or "freefall" rides that started a trend saying, "Wht don't we just drop straight down?" Now we have bigger and better, like the PittFall, Giant Drop, etc. Another theory: there's nothing like that few seconds of weightlessness, intense negative Gs, and adrenaline-rush like a good freefall provides. Maybe the sensation of falling triggers some happy chemicals in the brain? Somebody should do a study.

 

8. Skycoaster- these are now ubiquitous. You know, where you are strapped into a harness and literally flung into the air. I have never ridden one, only because I've never found a willing partner. Humans have always had a fascination with being able to fly like a bird, and I think this is as close as it gets.

 

9. Ferris Wheel- the oldie but goodie. The original wheel was built by George Ferris (who lived in Pittsburgh for a time) for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. This giant, at 364 feet high, had more people looking at it than riding it. Nothing like it had ever been conceived of before. Then came the variations- Sky Wheels, spinning wheels, etc. If you want to read a good book, read "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson. It tells the simultaneous tale of the Columbian Exposition and the career of early serial killer H H Holmes. There are some interesting parts about George Ferris and the development of his idea.

 

10. Big Shot, Stratosphere, Las Vegas. Never been on, but would absolutely love to. Somebody was innovative- they took the tallest freestanding bldg west of the Mississippi, at 1,149 feet tall, and put a thrill ride on top of it! This shoots you 1,081 feet into the air. I don't think there's anything closer to being shot into space than to board an actual rocket.

[DATman]

^Next time, could you just put a space between paragraphs or big numbered sections like that? It just makes it a little easier to read.

 

Still, I really like your list, apart from Magnum. It really has nothing for it now. After riding it this summer, I can say that it has the WORST airtime hills I've ever been on. I mean, they are triangles! They aren't very exciting and they cause more pain than joy. Also, the whole banking is off. I think the only really good bit of banking is at the very end...

 

Same with Demon Drop. I mean, the weightlessness is great, but the brakes are just painful.

[PirateTinkerbell]

Great nominations! I COMPLETELY agree that Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean should be there. They really are some of (if not the) best rides ever!

 

 

p.s.: I think it was a flying chocolate chip cookie on Space Mountain too

 

 

My TOP 10: (no particular order)

 

1. Pirates of the Caribbean (no explanation needed)

 

2. Haunted Mansion DISNEYLAND (again, no explanation needed)

 

3. Supreme Scream (great to cure a fear of heights)

 

4. Astro Blasters (Disney darkride and lazer tag all-together... it's amazingness born)

 

5. Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (I don't really care about the "good tower" "bad tower" thing. They're both great and should be enjoyed for the great ride that they are)

 

6. Xcelerator (great feeling to be shot off that fast and go straight up and straight down)

 

7. Tatsu (fly, baby, fly)

 

8. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (back seat) (great over those little bumps and alltogether a great ride. i enjoy every time i'm on it)

 

9. Indiana Jones (ok... it has a gigantic boulder and a gigantic snake and a gigantic flaming pit of lava.... what more can you ask for? OH YEAH!! Indiana Jones you gotta love the Indy)

 

10. Splash Mountain (I love Brer Rabbit.... Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah-Day )

Best ride in the world

[Airtime&Gravity]

In no order

 

Pirates of the Caribbean-A fun dark ride, and just an awsome ride

 

Haunted Mansion-The premier haunted house that can't be beat

 

Cyclone-A classic coaster that continues to be a great ride even though it is 80 years old

 

Magnum-The coaster that brought the mania to build the world's fastest coaster to new heights

 

Expedition GeForce-the ultimate steel coaster

 

Voyage-A long, fast, and thrilling wooden coaster built by a relatively new company

 

Tower of Terror-A heavily themed free fall ride that thrills people of all ages

 

Nemesis-A heavily themed, intense, and fast inverted coaster that does not go above tree level

 

Storm Runner-Probably one of the best launched coaster built

 

Blue Fall-the ultimate free fall ride

[BeemerBoy]

6. Cinema 360. Remember these? The dome-shaped buildings where you sat inside and watched a movie where the screen was the whole building. The movie was a POV that made you feel like you were flying, surfing, in a car race, whatever. We had one at Kennywood circa 1979. I personally did not like these- they gave me motion sickness, believe it or not- but I think they were the precursor of the simulator rides that have become so popular (ie Spiderman, etc). Again, an innovation in using all of the senses to create an experience that you're actually THERE (wherever that is).

 

Hmm, interesting choice. Although I wouldn't necessarily consider it worthy of a spot on the list, it's definitely a possible honorable mention. It really made me think of If You Had Wings at WDW.

 

I think they were the precursor of the simulator rides that have become so popular (ie Spiderman, etc).

Excellent point. Although, I'd say they sparked the popularity of IMAX, which in turn led to Spiderman, Soarin', etc. Either way, nice pick.

[hifalling]

I really do think that The Enchanted Tiki Room, should be given some credit for the advancement of Audio Animatronics...technically the attraction is a show, but it helped spawn the greats that have been mentioned here several times!

 

chuck "Don't want to upset the Tiki Gods" garcia

[BeemerBoy]

^ You've really got a thing with birds lately, huh Chuck?

 

Truthfully, yeah, it's often a pretty overlooked attraction that had alot of significance.

[hifalling]

^ You've really got a thing with birds lately, huh Chuck?

 

Truthfully, yeah, it's often a pretty overlooked attraction that had alot of significance.

 

HAHAHAHA! I didn't even notice! Seriously, I fell out of my seat! I just thought it should get atleast an honorable mention!

 

 

YAY! THAT WAS MY 100th POST!

 

Took me two years! DANG IT!

[GMAN962]

Nice job! Here's mine.

 

Caurosel

 

Log Rides

 

Roller coasters

 

The Zipper (It's a popular carnival ride, right?)

 

Ferris Wheels

 

 

Well, it's not 10, but still. I think they're probably some of the most successful rides.

 

-Mike

[vjgx]

My top 10 of no particular order:

 

1. The Riddler's Revenge - To me, this is more than the world's tallest and fastest stand-up coaster... It's a very special coaster to me because it's the one thing that changed me from coaster-phobic to a coaster lover, all in under 2 minutes.

 

2. Log Flume (any type) - A very classic ride. Always fun, and almost always well-done.

 

3. Ferris Wheel - Nothing like a great view for the less thrill-inclined guests!

 

4. Xcelerator - This thing was the start of the Intamin rocket coasters... and though it may be one of the smallest, I'll always love it!

 

5. Drop rides (any type) - Take the best part of coasters -- airtime -- and make a ride based on it... GENIUS!!

 

6. Bumper Cars - The best way to take out anger at a theme park.

 

7. X - I haven't ridden it yet... But the whole idea of the ride is revolutionary -- good or not.

 

8. Psyclone - Everyone but me hates this ride. I actually quited liked it! It's a good test of how tough you are... and what your threshold for lack of fun is on a coaster.

 

9. Batman The Ride - A very revolutionary ride for its time... and still has some of the best forces around!

 

10. The Tram - This thing is a Godsend when your legs are sore at the end of the day...

[Real]

John Allen? John Miller? Harry Traver? Herbet Schmeck? Prior and Church?

 

No mention of any of those? Sad. Unless of course you mean (just talking coasters) rides after Disney invention of the tubular rail, then alot of those lists are decent. But the absolute classics and rides that are almost mythological come from these men.