A Great Adventure
by hey everyone! I went to Great Adventure yesterday. Now listen to my review!
Despite all the hooplah and excitement about the tallest rollercoaster in the WORLD, Kingda Ka, right here in NJ... AND despite my love for rollercoasters, I did not manage to go to Great Adventure and ride it until JUST this year. That's a over a year after it was opened. Crazy.
Also, I found out about a new wooden rollercoaster (second tallest and longest wooden rollercoaster in the US, and has the steepest drop for a wooden coaster IN THE WORLD. I was excited about this particularly because its wooden, and I love wooden rollercoasters. They are way more exciting, in my humble opinion.
KINGDA KA
So let me tell you what I thought about Kingda Ka first. The short version: it was "eh". As in so-so. It is somewhat exciting to be on line for, however, as it kept breaking down. (beware of rant) You don't know if you're going to be spending all day in line for a machine that will break down for the rest of the day, or not. That's suspenseful. And stupid.
Also, there's always that thought in the back of your mind like: what if it breaks down WHILE I'm on it. That's suspenseful and stupid, too.
At first I kept hoping to see a coaster roll back down the 400+ foot vert. With time I found myself getting closer to riding, I found myself in a complete 180. I was wishing every single coaster car over. For both the preceding reasons...if it breaks down before I go, it may never work again, OR it may breakdown with me on it. Neither are cool.
When I was only 3 groups away from riding, I found my faint nervousness leave. I was ready. When it was my turn, I hopped in, and we set off for our destination, where they prep'd to launch us. One last reminder was given in that stuffy nosed movie trailer voice, "Keep your head back, arms down, and enjoy the ride."
3 seconds later we were begining to be propelled up to 128 mph, 3 more seconds, and we were there. So cool. Then we rushed up the 400+ foot tower, only to go over the top...sorta slow. I didn't feel weightless. I didn't feel like I was 465 feet high. Maybe it was cause I was looking straight forward. We were in the last row, all I saw were other cars. Maybe I should have looked out to the side, but it had escaped my mind. I rushed back down, then up a big hill. Sure you move fast. But there wasn't much thrill after the initial launch. I think I would have preferred the down part not to spiral. The whole ride is only like a minute and a half.
Last remark about it. I think I could live without it from now on. I've been on the tallest rollercoaster in the world. I can brag about it. But I don't really care if I never get to go on it again. If the opportunity presents itself, I will. Otherwise..."eh, no biggie."
EL TORO
I expected this to be good. Especially while waiting in line seeing people nearly puking in the front seat as they came down their second descent. I also had previously noticed an incredibly banked turn. Little did I know what lay ahead for me.
JP and I waited on line for the front seats. It was worth it, though our friend got to ride twice, and we could have, too, had we only chosen a less coveted seat.
The ride was phenomenal. Classic Wooden Jitters, with turns that were so banked. It was such a thrill! This ride rivals California's Ghost Rider. I may dare even say it's turns are more exciting, but it's not as "dangerous" feeling. Give that a few years, and I'm sure it'll be right there, though. I look forward to riding El Toro many more times to come. I highly recommend it.
AI Summary
26 Comments
Another reason to come to Vancouver...
Not the biggest, newest, anything-est.. but people come from far and wide for this one. :-)
Coaster, Playland Amusement Park, Vancouver, BC
There are roller coasters, and then there are mind-blowing roller coasters. This is one of the latter. Get in line, and then hold on to your hats, the lap bar, and anything else you can find. This is one coaster that lets you know that it is in control, and you are merely at its mercy. This wonderful ACE Classic Coaster is perpetually scheduled to be shut down "in a year or two," so be sure to go to the lovely city of Vancouver and experience this coaster before it's too late. You will not regret a trip to ride this little-known gem of a coaster. (The news has been a bit more positive lately, but nothing's for sure yet.)
http://www.coasterglobe.com/coasters/coaster.cfm?coasterid=65
sounds like a good time, man. i considered snaggin' one of those tickets, but something came up. SF:GA is only a half hour or so from me. i have yet to get on El Toro.
aw, dude! You should have come! El Toro was great, definitely make sure you get to ride it, next time. :D
editing badly needed in this article.
dude the oldest coaster in the us is like ten minutes from me if you want to do some old school...
hah, de veras? Caul montana rusa?
i think rolling thunder (the other wooden roller coaster-is it still there?) was the scariest to me mostly because at every turn you weren't sure if the rickety cart was going to fly off the track or if the entire thing was going to fall apart right there. also suspenseful.
rolling thunder ist still there, and El Toro was built OVER it in some parts, which is pretty cool. Rolling thunder is scary/fun. You feel like you might fall out, or tip over. Good times. I love when they have both coasters going at the same time, and you race.
Todd, that was pretty much exactly what Ben was saying about Kingda Ka and El Toro too.
Really!?
maybe you've actually been dating todd for 4 years.
The best Coaster I have been on is the Aerosmith one in Disney's MGM Studios. It is intense!!
lol. This proves that you grew up in the 80's. Good stuff.
el toro was GREAT!!!!
nitro rocked as usual too
it did indeed
tl:dr
Though I just really like saying
KINGDA KA
KINGDA KA
Whatever pet I'm getting next...
that is it's name!
KINGDA KA
I included a short version in the long version.
What I thought about Kingda Ka first. The short version: it was "eh". As in so-so.
Ahh thanks kingda ka!
That is what I shall call you.
Kingda ka
kingda todd?
awwww toddy, sounds like you had a good time!! bummer that the kingda ka wasnt what you imagined.
was it hot there? like here, NO ONE goes to six flags in the summer cause it's like 300 degrees with no breeze.
it was hot, but easily bearable. Probably like 80 or 90. There's an occasional breeze. Its actually a very nice park.
It was too bad kingda ka wasn't so great, but, I could be so bold as to say to you, "I've been on the biggest rollercoaster in the world, and you haven't, ha ha". And I wouldn't be lying. If I were a jerk, I'd say it. Do I feel like being a jerk? mmm Maybe. :P
Soo lame! We went on Monday and..El Toro wasn't running :( We did get to go on Nitro twice (once at night, which was neat) and that was good cause Nitro is my favorite. We saw lots of puke...weird.
aw! I'm so sorry! Did you go on Kingda Ka?
Noo..that's too scary for me (Nitro freaks me out as is) and no one felt like standing on line for it after realizing that it isn't good enough for that kind of wait.