Updated top 25. Note that I haven't yet been to Europe, and I haven't ridden Gwazi and ArieForce -- which I expect would make this list...
25. GateKeeper (Cedar Point)
This ride is the ultimate "I'm at Cedar Point, my happy place" coaster. Incredibly graceful. Awesome views of the beach. The near-miss is stellar. Not the most intense ride but one I enjoy so much.
24. X2 (Magic Mountain)
IMHO, this is the most intense coaster in the U.S. It might rank higher if the soundtrack and fire effects were operating more consistently. The layout doesn't feel as unpredictable after you've ridden it several times, but it's tough to avoid the leg-banging at the end of the ride that kinda hurts. It's still tough to not smile at the end of this one. I liken it to peaty whisky -- once you have a taste for it, it can become an obsession.
23. T Express (Everland)
I only got 3 rides on this one in October 2022 because of the crazy lines and slow operations at this park. The airtime is stellar and the setting is beautiful. That said, I probably would like it much more if it were warmer when this was running (low 50s Farenheit/~11 Celsius). Even though the ride is less than 20 years old, the layout feels a bit dated when compared to some of the more modern coasters from RMC, etc. In other words, there were a few spots that felt they would be dead even in warmer weather. Still an awesome ride though.
22. Space Mountain (Disneyland)
This ride is pure fun. The soundtrack and frequent re-themes add to the variety one can get on this coaster. I understand that something like Hagrid's or Guardian's -- the latter of which I haven't ridden yet -- are probably better rides of this genre, but the simplicity of this ride works well for me.
21. GhostRider (Knott's Berry Farm)
This is currently my favorite roller coaster in my home state. Not a dull moment on this ride. Other than Legend at Holiday World and Twister at Knoebels, this might have the best lateral forces of anything I've ridden. Night rides are great (although a bit overrated), and the smoothness and length of this roller coaster help give GhostRider a top 25 spot in my rankings.
20. Mako (SeaWorld Orlando)
Mako has a nice setting on the water and the best floater airtime in any first half of a roller coaster that I can recall. The second half isn't as impressive, but the fact that each hill delivers so well in the first half gives this a top 20 spot.
19. Skyrush (Hersheypark)
The back, left, wing seat of this makes me feel like I'm riding some wild animal that ones to throw me off of it. I haven't had this experience on any other ride. It's amazing. I actually don't feel so much traditional airtime on Skyrush but nothing about this ride is traditional. Total insanity and bliss.
18. Wonder Woman Golden Lasso Coaster (Fiesta Texas)
This ride does some of what Skyrush does but adds more ejector forces in a beautiful setting. It's short, but if it were longer, I'm not sure many people (including myself) could take it.
17. Orion (Kings Island)
This is a stellar roller coaster. I feel like most enthusiasts would rate this much higher if Fury didn't exist. Every moment on this ride delivers. Yes, it is short, but it is also blue. And blue is my favorite color. So, yeah.
16. Incredible Hulk Coaster (Islands of Adventure)
I do miss the old theming where the launch was meant to symbolize the rider being Bruce transformed into the Hulk. Other than that, this ride is incredibly smooth and intense. I love the launch, how the track goes under the water, the mist, etc. It was a top-3 ride for me when it first opened. While others have surpassed it, there is a strong nostalgia factor for me with this (as with others on my list).
15. Twisted Timbers (Kings Dominion)
The best roller coaster for ejector airtime. It doesn't do a whole lot else, but it doesn't need to.
14. Storm Chaser (Kentucky Kingdom)
Similar to Twisted Timbers. It doesn't have as many strong, traditional ejector pops, but it has a bit more character. It has a janky look and feel to it even though it's a newer ride. I like that.
13. Fury 325 (Carowinds)
Unlucky #13 just broke. I feel like it should be penalized more since the ride clearly isn't as sustainable as it should be. But it's a lot of fun, super intense, and a masterpiece otherwise. I only have had two rides on it (one front row, and one back row), so I'd love to get back there if/when it opens again.
12. Intimidator 305 (Kings Dominion)
This feels like the fastest ride on earth with some amazing turns interrupted by graceful pops of floater airtime. A super unique experience that wasn't as intense as I anticipated but just intense enough for me.
11. Phoenix (Knoebels)
Even though I'm older than this ride, the fact that it feels like it was built a century ago because of the restraints set in a park that feels even older makes the airtime even more pronounced. This ride is so much fun and feels like something I can marathon for hours.
10. Space Mountain (WDW Magic Kingdom)
Yes, I'm a Space Mountain fanboy, but it's also the ride that set me on my enthusiast path when I was 10. It still holds up too. I look at it as representing the MCU of roller coasters: there's a reason this is arguably the most famous roller coaster in the world. It has something for everyone. I still am left with a huge smile on my face after riding this. It will likely always have an honorary spot in my top 10.
9. Hakugei (Nagashima Spa Land)
This ride is not like Space Mountain, though. It is the most intense RMC I have ever ridden. The ride looks amazing with the white structure and blue track on the water. Every element delivers incredible force and for me, it's the perfect length. The only thing that keeps it from beating #8 is that the restraints on this one come down during the course of every ride so that I'm stapled by the end of it.
8. Steel Vengeance (Cedar Point)
The perfect roller coaster on paper. Long ride, tons of airtime, inversions, set on the water, smooth, comfortable, etc. It doesn't rank higher because all the ibox RMCs that I've ridden sorta feel similar in some ways to each other. It doesn't feel unique. But it's still spectacular.
7. Eejanaika (Fuji-Q Highland)
While some might say Eejanaika is much more similar to X2 than SV to other RMCs, Eejanaika feels like its own monster. When you're riding it, it feels like you're going backward most of the time, so the elements feel more surprising and you're forced to adopt the mindset of not even trying to anticipate the next move. It's just total insanity. It's also much smoother than I thought it would be, although it still has a bite. The setting at the base of Mt. Fuji is also beautiful. This is my current favorite coaster outside of the U.S.
6. Nitro (Great Adventure)
My caveat is that I only have had 2 rides on this: once in 2001 and once in 2019. Having said that, I've never had more fun on a roller coaster than I have had on those 2 Nitro rides. The best ride for floater airtime IMO. Nice setting. Long ride. Exhilarating.
5. Alpengeist (Busch Gardens Williamsburg)
This used to be my #1. I rode it in 1997, 2019, and 2022. I'm very pleasantly surprised how well it has held up. I love the theming, the intensity, and how it weaves through the terrain in a way where anticipating the next element is difficult. I get the criticism that the second half is a bit lackluster, but that doesn't diminish how much I love this ride.
4. Millennium Force (Cedar Point)
My top giga. That amazing first drop combined with the sense that you're on a speeding train by the water makes this ride so exhilarating and freeing. It makes me feel like nothing else in the world matters. Truly a euphoric sensation. Critics say it's not intense enough, but I'm not sure I'd like it if it were more intense. This ride tries to make you have as much fun as possible and succeeds at that.
3. VelociCoaster (Islands of Adventure)
The total package of theming and thrills. I wouldn't be surprised if this were my #1 one day. It's not as crazy as my top 2 but delivers everything else. Yes, the Mosasaurus roll is incredible but the top hat in the back row might be my favorite moment on any roller coaster. I hope that it can stay as smooth as it was when I rode it in December of 2021.
2. Lightning Rod (Dollywood)
This is a unique beast of a ride that uses its terrain perfectly. I've heard it isn't as punch since I rode it in 2019, and I only got 2 rides on it then. But those two rides made me restore my faith in the universe. The night ride was one of the best night rides I've ever had on anything. Every element was incredible. I need to get more rides on it, but I remember getting off this one thinking that it was a work of art. The only thing that gives my #1 the edge over it is that Lightning Rod isn't quite as long.
1. The Voyage (Holiday World)
This is the total package: A+ airtime, a terrific setting in the woods, a long ride, smooth but with a small bite. The Holiwood Nights night rides on The Voyage are an experience that every enthusiast should have on their bucket lists. I can't picture a more euphoric experience on an amusement park ride. I just wish Holiday World were easier to get to...
, until next time
