An Imaginary Roller Coaster Tour

[Chris]

Most of the coasters I will be posting are ones that I have ridden. If I won the lottery, I would join one of those groups that travel around and ride coasters. They usually get invited to "Sneak Previews" and the like. I would love that. For now, this is the next best thing. Join me, won't you?

I'll start at the theme park that is closest to my home and that I have been to quite a few times. I had to be about 10 or so, and I rode White Lightning, (which is no longer there, I read it is somewhere in South Africa now.) White Lightning was the first coaster with a loop I had ever ridden and I was in love from there on out.

Carowinds is unique in that it sits on the border of NC and SC. There is a large golden bricked area that represents the border so you can literally have a foot in each state.

This is the Borg Assimilator - at least it used to be. Apparently Paramount no longer owns Carowinds. This was posted by thedirector1. It shows what the ride is like from the outside as well as on board.

I am not afraid of any coaster. I never get sick on them, even after eating a meal. However, this one was my match. When you start out, the seats tilt you backwards so far, you feel like you are standing on your head. You go up the lift hill backwards and head first. All you see is sky. Then it goes so fast, you don't know if you are upside down, right side up or what. You don't even know you are in the loop until you are halfway through. I'd ride it again, for sure, but not without a little modicum of caution.

[Chris]

My very favorite coaster at Carowinds is The Vortex. This is a stand-up coaster and it kicks ass!

Thank you lazor222 for sharing the offride version.



And thank you andrewtcombs for the onride view.

[Chris]

One of the most unique rides is Thunder Road, a great old-time wooden coaster. It sits right on the NC/SC border and the NC side goes frontwards while the SC side goes backwards. (Political statement? ;D ) I skip the NC side and go straight for the SC.

Forward, posted by mpazos.



And backwards fom 01matt.

[Chris]

Another great Carowinds coaster, Afterburn. (Formerly Top Gun.)

Thanks to Screamscape for the offride view.



And builder73 with the onride view.

[Chris]

And now, Carowinds' first double looping coaster and a legend, The Carolina Cyclone. This is their second oldest coaster, Thunder Road being the oldest. Both have been there since I was a kid.

First up, the offride view by james4rcc.



And the onride view by anders94.

[Chris]

Now we move south down to Florida and to my second favorite park, (second to Hard Rock Park), Islands Of Adventure. This is home to the 2nd best coaster ever, The Incredible Hulk. (Take a guess at my favorite. If you guessed Led Zeppelin, then, damn, you are good!) The very first time I rode it, I was not expecting the launch off the hill. That is just plain awesome. Hang on and enjoy! Thanks to zildjian13 for the onride view.



And to superhidden for the offride view.

[Chris]

Moving to Floridas' west coast, we head to Busch Gardens and take a ride on Montu. This was the very first hanging coaster I had ever ridden. Thanks to colomtothebo for the onride look.



And thanks Meteorotaki for the outside view.

[Chris]

Another great Busch Gardens coaster, Kumba.

Thanks again to Meteorotaki for the outside view.

The first time I went to Busch Gardens, this was the first coaster I rode. It was early in the morning and not many people had arrived yet. There was no line, so the staff let the few of us that were on it ride about 4 or 5 times in a row without getting off. Now that was a treat!



And thanks diddiyo for the onride view.

[Chris]

Now we are off to Fabulous VEGAS baby! Not only is Vegas a great place to visit, it has some of the best roller coasters around. Why sit around in a dull casino when there is so much else to see and do?

First off, The Manhattan Express on the roof of the New York, New York hotel. This was an amazing ride. Thank you Linker83.



And the night view, which is close to my heart because that is when I rode it. You get great views of the light of the Luxor, the strip, the green lights of the MGM Grand and of Lady Liberty. Thanks to oastdotcom for sharing.

[Chris]

Now, off to the Sahara to experience Speed, The Ride. This wild ride goes right through the sign of the Sahara and you get to watch the Stratosphere stand on its' head.....twice. I love the backwards part the best. My friend Bill and I rode this together. When we reached the top of the tower, Bill only had one thing to say......."Oh shit!" ;D Thanks to jdybata.

[Chris]

And now, for something completely different.

Bill and I also rode the Big Shot on top of the Stratosphere. I am not afraid of heights, but in this case, it was much better to stare straight ahead than to look down. After we were at the top and at the stall point, I had no problems looking all the way down. It was like being in a plane, plus the descent was gentle, so I was able to look all over without getting sick. The ascent, however, is quite a jolt! Thanks to vladtnet for this video.



And from alex1290, the night view.



And finally, from kvjkilgoretrout , the offride view.

[Chris]

I have ridden everything I have posted so far, but this list is not all inclusive. However, these are the best of the best. The list of coasters that I want to ride goes on for a while. My #1 pick on my wish list is Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point in Ohio. A friend and I are talking about going there, but I am not sure how that is going to work out. I do want to get to the Coaster Mecca of the world before I die. It's a moral imperative.

And the front seat view from CoasterFinatic76.



And now both off and onride views. I included this because it shows the view of a camera mounted on the front and looking backwards. You may want to mute this as the girls get a little loud. Thanks to screammachineman.

[Chris]

And now, when thrill rides go wrong!

One of the things you risk when riding Top Thrill Dragster is rollback. True coaster fanatics would give anything to experience this. Courtesy of Beethoven1111.



I always wondered what would happen if a coaster got stuck. Thanks to mbfeagley, we get to find out.

[Chris]

And now NXTonline shares his experience of being stuck on Superman. I would not want to be in this situation.