omaha's line in the sand: 4 i think - rollercoasters

[TimeForGuinness]

love them

[lukethedrifter]

A few birthday's back my surprise gift was a ride in one of these.

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I pooped myself.

[The Third Man]

I haven't been on a rollercoaster in five years. I miss them so much. I really need to get to a theme park (or nine) this summer. Like Michael, I really really want to go to Cedar Point this summer if possible.

[fulldeck]

Love them!

[BenNX74205]

Have any of you been on the Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point? Tallest coaster there is, shooting 420 feet into the air at a speed of 120mph! The ride only lasts like 30 seconds, but it is INTENSE!

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[clevername]

that one kinda reminds me of the old Viper they had at Six Flags in Atlanta. You were shot like out of a canon straight into a loop then waaaaaay up into the air only to then fall straight back the way you came going back through the loop backwards (an interesting sensation) back through the central station and up in the air on another rail in the back then settling back into the station.

30 seconds of awesomeness. We used to go during the early spring or late fall when it wasn't crowded and had times when we literally plopped down in the front seat and rode it 4 or 5 times in a row because there was no line.

It's gone now, though, for some silly Superman ride I've only ridden once and wasn't that impressed with. I haven't been in forever, though.

edit: couldn't find a video but here's an animation of it that does a pretty good job of showing what it's like (at least from the back seat, which is very fun on the last part of the ride):

edit numero dos: apparently the video can't be imbedded, so here's the link http://youtube.com/watch?v=vPKb2k1Md8I

[Popeye_Card]

Have any of you been on the Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point? Tallest coaster there is, shooting 420 feet into the air at a speed of 120mph! The ride only lasts like 30 seconds, but it is INTENSE!

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I've been on it a few times.

Honestly? I don't care much for it. You wait in line way too long to be on the ride for all of 10 seconds. It's cool and all, but I'd rate it as my 5th or 6th favorite coaster just at Cedar Point.

Note to Michael: Go on a Thursday if you can. Fewest people at the park on average, and most rides have ~20-30 minute waits. Some none at all.

[BenNX74205]

Honestly? I don't care much for it. You wait in line way too long to be on the ride for all of 10 seconds. It's cool and all, but I'd rate it as my 5th or 6th favorite coaster just at Cedar Point.

I agree that the wait for it is incredibly long, but the lines for most of the big coasters at CP are really long. It's not my favorite ride of forever, but it was one of the most memorable coaster experiences, even though it is a short ride. When you are going over the crest and come flying off of the seat it gets crazy, and then you are hurtling down towards the ground as you tower over all the other coasters. It was quite a rush, though I would categorize it more as a "thrill ride" than a roller coaster for the reason you pointed out--it's really short.

If I frequented CP often (which I sadly don't) it would not be high on my priority list, but when I went for the first time it was right up there with Millenium Force as "coasters I MUST go on while I'm here."

[KyCardinalFan]

I had to vote I hate them, although I've never been on one. I get motion sickness fairly easily so I thought I'd spare myself and other patrons, especially those behind me, my vomit.


I posted something similar in the self-photos thread, but there's a great amusement park in southern Indiana about 3 hours from St. Louis called Holiday World. It has the best wooden roller coasters, with The Voyage named the #1 Wooden roller coaster (on the planet). Over the last few years the park has also been named the best family park as well as the cleanest park. They have free soft drink refills and free sunscreen at their water park. It really is a great place (and so close to me!)

Here are video clips of their roller coasters:

http://www.holidayworld.com/family_water_rides.html

[Arthur Dent]

I had to vote I hate them, although I've never been on one. I get motion sickness fairly easily so I thought I'd spare myself and other patrons, especially those behind me, my vomit.

Which brings up and important hypothetical question: Is it possible while riding a roller coaster to vomit near the top of a loop in such a way that it lands on you at the bottom?