Top 10 Steel Coasters in US

[Mouse Skywalker]

Hey Everyone, I thought people here might find this interesting. Did anyone see this LATimes blog with their Top 10 Steel Coasters?

There were some interesting things about it.
No Disney coasters made the list - not too surprising since these were thrill rides for the most part, but I thought Expedition Everest might get some love.

Manta at SeaWorld did not make the list either - even though 1 person on the panel rated it #1.

Incredible Hulk at Universal's Islands of Adventure was the only Orlando area coaster to make the list at #6.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg (which I visited this summer) had 2 coasters on the list: The Griffon (awesome coaster!) and Apollo's Chariot (I thought it was OK, but no Everest).

One final note, the park I grew up in in Pittsburgh, had a coaster that was once the fastest in the world: The Steel Phantom. It was revamped to the Phantom's Revenge, but, alas, also did not make the list.

Check it out if you're interested. These types of lists are always fun for discussion.

http://travel.latimes.com/daily-deal-blog/index.php/top-10-steel-roller--6318/

 

[disneyholic family]

really interesting Dave, thanks for posting!

i've been on 2 of the 10 - incredible hulk and Millenium Force..

i'm surprised either of them made the top 10...

but then again, i'm really not a steel coaster fan....

for me, nothing surpasses a good wood coaster...
my favorite being gemini at Cedar Point - lots of good air time, which is what matters most for me...

 

[jeanigor]

I, too have only been on two of the ten, Millennium Force and Hulk. Looks like I will have to plan a trip to Six Flags...eww.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

I, too have only been on two of the ten, Millennium Force and Hulk. Looks like I will have to plan a trip to Six Flags...eww.

What about Busch Gardens Williamsburg Todd?

 

[jeanigor]

What about Busch Gardens Williamsburg Todd?

I've only been to Busch Gardens Tampa. I rode Kumba shortly after it opened. I don't even know if that ride still exists, it was a number of years ago.

 

[disneycruise05]

I've only been to Busch Gardens Tampa. I rode Kumba shortly after it opened. I don't even know if that ride still exists, it was a number of years ago.

Kumba is still there. As is Gwazi...which is still incredibly painful. I made the mistake of riding that first and had a raging headache for the rest of the day. Granted I still enjoyed Montu and SheiKra, but Gwazi did me in.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

I've only been to Busch Gardens Tampa. I rode Kumba shortly after it opened. I don't even know if that ride still exists, it was a number of years ago.

Sorry, I meant, what about going to Busch Gardens Williamsburg?

 

[jeanigor]

Sorry, I meant, what about going to Busch Gardens Williamsburg?

I have to stop planning vacations to WDW if I wanna visit someplace like Virginia.

I'm kinda booked through Jan 2011.....

 

[HawkeyeThad]

for me, nothing surpasses a good wood coaster...
my favorite being gemini at Cedar Point - lots of good air time, which is what matters most for me...

Gemini is actually considered a steel coaster. It may have a wooden structure, but the track is actually made from steel. I think it's an incredibly underrated ride. I need to get back to Sandusky!

 

[mark2311]

Kumba is still there. As is Gwazi...which is still incredibly painful. I made the mistake of riding that first and had a raging headache for the rest of the day. Granted I still enjoyed Montu and SheiKra, but Gwazi did me in.

I learnt that the hard way as well. Really shakes you about

 

[ADP]

The best steel coaster I've ever experienced was Millenium Force at Cedar Point. How on earth they made that ride so smooth is beyond me. No bumps at all.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I've done Diamond Back at King's Island.....all I can say is.......WOW, it took my breath away. The way you are seated is just plain scary. All that is holding you is that bar between your legs. I could only ride it once. I can definitely understand why it made the list.

 

[airman]

Cedar Point is steel coaster heaven. Millenium Force is awsome it is a long smooth ride up the first drop. Top Fuel dragster can only be described as WOW!, but the ride is 7 seconds long, but what a 7 second!.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

I've ridden Montu and Hulk, but I do think that SheikRa should be on the list.

 

[DisFhan]

I think my top 3 would be, Millennium Force, Maverick, and Top Thrill. All 3 are at Cedar point, you cant beat that place if your in just for the thrill rides.
Sad to say a near bottom on my list would be the new Rip Ride Rockit.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Gemini is actually considered a steel coaster. It may have a wooden structure, but the track is actually made from steel. I think it's an incredibly underrated ride. I need to get back to Sandusky!

Speaking of wooden coasters, I remember riding Mean Streak at Cedar Point the year it opened. That was a really good wooden coaster too.

 

[disneyholic family]

Gemini is actually considered a steel coaster. It may have a wooden structure, but the track is actually made from steel. I think it's an incredibly underrated ride. I need to get back to Sandusky!

really? I always thought it was wood - well anyway, i love it....
it's got the real traditional design, with great air time..
i've ridden it multiple times in a row....that's what i call a coaster...

The best steel coaster I've ever experienced was Millenium Force at Cedar Point. How on earth they made that ride so smooth is beyond me. No bumps at all.

oh wait....i never rode millenium force.....it was the one that they built right before it.....Magnum XL2000? something like that?
whichever it was, i had to ride it alone...i was with the kids by myself that year, and they were too little to ride...so we all stood in line (for about 40 years) then i rode it solo.....
somehow riding solo takes a good deal of the fun out of coaster riding...
but Magnum XL2000 killed me....i was making bargains with god the entire way up that first hill.....(you know "just get me through this alive and i promise....")

I think my top 3 would be, Millennium Force, Maverick, and Top Thrill. All 3 are at Cedar point, you cant beat that place if your in just for the thrill rides.
Sad to say a near bottom on my list would be the new Rip Ride Rockit.

as it turns out i haven't been on any of those.....last time i was at CP was before Millenium Force was built...i've ridden all of the coasters that were built up to then (i think Magnum XL 2000 was the one built right before millenium force)...

CP is a great park!! at least it was the last time we were there...
we always went for 2 days and there was more than enough to keep us busy and then some...

 

[airman]

Mean Streak has gotten worse, Dave, over the years. It will rattle the fillings out, it is rough, Blue Streak also.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Mean Streak has gotten worse, Dave, over the years. It will rattle the fillings out, it is rough, Blue Streak also.

Is that right? Too bad. Blue Streak is an oldie! They have that exact same coaster, with the same name - Blue Streak, at Conneaut Lake Park in NW PA (if the park's ever open).

 

[WaltD4Me]

Is that right? Too bad. Blue Streak is an oldie! They have that exact same coaster, with the same name - Blue Streak, at Conneaut Lake Park in NW PA (if the park's ever open).

Dave, do you ever get to Waldameer Park outside of Erie? It's small, but they just built a new wooden coaster. It is FAST, jerky, but you just fly on that thing!