Since September of 2003, we've been writing our columns extolling the virtues of roller coasters in America's amusement parks. Being from Hawaii, and with limited vacation time, we planned our trips to experience not only the highest and fastest, but also rides that have been highly rated and/or have historical significance. Many remain on our "to do" list including the famous Coney Island Cyclone and The Boss in St. Louis. However, since 2000, we have ridden 262 coasters and have sampled some excellent wooden and steel rides. In this column, we'll share our 10 favorite wooden scream machines with you.
We each made separate, blind, lists of our top 15 woodies. We compared them only to find that 14 out of the 15 were the same coasters! Then the work began. We had to pare the list down to ten and decide on the order. At the end of the column, we'll include six "honorable mentions". For every coaster enthusiast, there is a different top ten. This is only our opinion, and we'd love to hear yours.
#10 - Voyage
Holiday World, Santa Claus, IN
We selected this overwhelming creation because of its intense speed (up to 70mph), its steep drops, and its banked curves. This ride literally keeps you on the edge of your seat, and packs an extreme wallop.
Voyage, beginning an astonishing trip (Photo by Robb Alvey www.themeparkreview.com)
Voyage, even the ending feels out of control (Photo by Robb Alvey www.themeparkreview.com)
#9 - Kentucky Rumbler
Beech Bend, Bowling Green, KY
Kentucky Rumbler was introduced at Beech Bend amusement park in May of 2006. It is a creation built by Great Coasters International. The ride is silky smooth and the track layout is wickedly twisted. This coaster reaches a top speed of approximately 48 miles per hour and is 2,827 feet long. We chose this ride, not only for its thrill factor, but also for its pastoral location.
Kentucky Rumbler - rumbling where the cows safely graze (Photo by Shredley)
Joni's ready to rumble! (Photo by Shredley)
#8 - The Beast
Paramount's Kings Island, Kings Mills, OH
This was the first serious roller coaster that we rode together. The Beast still holds the record for the world's longest wooden coaster. It features two lift hills, many tunnels, and an incredible helix finale. The Beast was the inspiration for our coaster riding antics. It can be found on almost every coaster enthusiast's list of favorites.
The Beast - first drop on a long and winding track (Photo courtesy of Paramount's Kings Island)
The Beast - into the tunnel of the helix finale (Photo by Joe Schwartz www.joyrides.com)
#7 - Giant Dipper
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz, CA
This coaster has a fascinating history and a beautiful setting on the boardwalk at Santa Cruz. The Giant Dipper has wonderful airtime. As you board the train, you feel as if you've gone back in time to the 1920's.
Giant Dipper - the best ride on the boardwalk (Photo by Eric Gieszl www.ultimaterollercoaster.com)
Giant Dipper - exhilarating riders since 1924 (Photo courtesy of Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk)
#6 Phoenix
Knoebels Amusement Resort, Elysburg, PA
Speaking of airtime, the Phoenix is king. The ride starts off with the usual first drop and the first turnaround. After that, you never seem to be back in your seat because of the ride's constant floating sensation. The continuous bunny hills give that true "magic carpet" feel. One ride on this coaster is never enough.
Phoenix - the first drop of your amazing flight (Photo by Robb Alvey www.themeparkreview.com)
Phoenix anticipating astonishing airtime (Photo by Robb Alvey www.themeparkreview.com)
#5 Hades
Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park, Wisconsin Dells, WI
This roller coaster starts with a bang and ends with a flourish. Hades has a very unique feature because the track tunnels under the parking lot giving guests a long ride in the dark. It is fast, steep, scary, and addicting.
Hades - a Heck of a ride! (Photo by Duane Marden www.rcdb.com)
Hades - riders ascend from the spooky, dark tunnel (Photo by Shredley)
#4 Boulder Dash
Lake Compounce Theme Park, Bristol, CT
Boulder Dash is an amazing out-and-back woodie. Your trip takes you along a mountainside where you are surrounded by trees and boulders. The ride begins when the train plummets down from the lift hill plateau and screams past the boarding station. This experience is both exciting and scenic.
Boulder Dash dashes down the mountain (Photo by Gonchar www.coasterimage.com)
Joni & Shredley take a front seat romp on Boulder Dash (Photo by Joyce Harris)
#3 Thunderhead
Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, TN
Thunderhead at Dollywood was built by Great Coasters International and began operating in April 2004. It features a station fly-through at the midpoint of the ride. The top speed is 55 miles per hour along its fiendishly twisted track. This ride has received coaster enthusiasts' raves from all over the world.
Thunderhead - Hooray for Dollywood! (Photo by Gonchar www.coasterimage.com)
Thunderhead - hurling down the track (Photo by Shredley)
#2 Shivering Timbers
Michigan's Adventure, Muskegon, MI
Imagine a roller coaster that gives the thrill of the first drop - over and over again! That's what Shivering Timbers is all about. Riders fly off their seats continuously on this mammoth out-and-back scream machine. With track over a mile long, Shivering Timbers delivers tremendous airtime and punch after punch. We drove 13 hours to ride it, and the trip was well worth it!
Shivering Timbers - the picture says it all (Photo courtesy of Michigan's Adventure)
Shiver me timbers, matey--- front seat, first drop (Photo by Joel Rogers www.coastergallery.com)
#1 Ghostrider
Knott's Berry Farm, Buena Park, CA
A great coaster is like great theatre. At times, the ride delivers extreme intensity only to be followed by periods of relative calm. The Ghostrider experience begins with the fabulous aroma of its wooden structure, causing us to say, "There's nothing like the smell of coasters in the morning!" It's fast, long, beautiful, and twisted. It's the ghost with the most.
Ghostrider's logo on the tin roof of the first drop (Photo by Joel Rogers www.coastergallery.com)
Ghostrider - the view from Ghost Town (Photo by Robb Alvey www.themeparkreview.com)
Joni and Andi head for the Ghost (Photo by Shredley)
Ghostrider - the whole enchilada (Photo by Allyn Fratkin www.fratkin.com)
Other wonderful wooden roller coasters receiving our honorable mention are:
Raven- Holiday World, Santa Claus, IN
Roar - Six Flags Marine World, Vallejo, CA
Jack Rabbit - Kennywood Park, West Mifflin, PA
Twister - Knoebels Amusement Resort, Elysburg, PA
Viper - Six Flags Great America, Gurnee, IL
Great American Scream Machine - Six Flags Over Georgia, Austell, GA
Next month, we will present the list of our favorite steel coasters. This will be a daunting task considering the variety from which we will have to choose.
Much Aloha!
-Joni and Shredley
Next Installment: Chapter XXXVIII: Our top ten favorite steel roller coasters
Related Links:
www.holidayworld.com
www.beechbend.com
www.paramountparks.com
www.beachboardwalk.com
www.knoebels.com
www.mtolympusthemepark.com
www.lakecompounce.com
www.dollywood.com
www.miadventure.com
www.knotts.com
www.sixflags.com
www.kennywood.com
www.rcdb.com
www.themeparkreview.com
www.joyrides.com
www.coasterimage.com
www.coastergallery.com
www.ultimaterollercoaster.com
www.fratkin.com
www.aceonline.org
