Re: Top 10(ish): 2015 Edition - page 27
No new creds have made it into my top 25 since I last posted in here, but I've done some rearranging and a certain, once unpopular German B&M Hyper has made a significant jump in my rankings after recent rides, so I thought I'd do an update.
1. Intimidator 305, Kings Dominion
2. Expedition GeForce, Holiday Park
3. El Toro, Six Flags Great Adventure
4. Goliath, Walibi Holland
5. Shambhala, Port Aventura
6. Piraten, Djurs Sommerland
7. Phoenix, Knoebels
8. Monster, Walygator Parc
9. X2, Six Flags Magic Mountain
10. Montu, Busch Gardens Tampa
11. Junker, Power Park
12. Helix, Liseberg
13. Tatsu, Six Flags Magic Mountain
14. Talon, Dorney Park
15. Nemesis, Alton Towers
16. Troy, Toverland
17. Silver Star, Europa Park
18. Alpina Blitz, Nigloland
19. Griffon, Busch Gardens Williamsburg
20. Balder, Liseberg
21. Black Mamba, Phantasialand
22. Altair CCW-0204, Cinecitta World
23. Manta, Sea World Orlando
24. Blue Fire, Europa Park
25. Storm Runner, Hershey Park
I've had an interesting journey with Silver Star over the three visits to Europa Park that I have ridden it on. The first time (2011), the trims were on and the ride had very little airtime, so I agreed with a lot of the 'hate' it got. The following year, I was much more impressed. Good floater airtime on all the hills thanks to the lack of trimming, but it also had quite a nasty rattle, which detracted from the experience somewhat. However, after riding it six times over the last couple of days, it was much smoother (My Dad said it was almost as smooth as it was in its first few years of operation) and the airtime was sublime. 'Strong floater' would be the best way to describe it and while I'm more of an ejector fan, it was still beautiful <3. With that being two visits where the trims haven't been used and its popularity seeming to rise over the past few years, I am almost certain that the trimming is a thing of the past on Silver Star and it is now performing as well as it was always meant to.
I've done a bit more shuffling around of stuff, but the only notable change is dropping Helix from my Top 10 (although, it's only gone down 3 places). Riding Blue Fire again, gave me insight into what Helix is just slightly lacking; something I could never put my finger on at the time. It's doesn't give me that "I need to ride again" feeling as much as any of the coasters that are now above it. I'd say it's almost too satisfying. It packs in everything possible and does several things very well, but by doing SO much, the re-rideability factor is reduced a little for me. Blue Fire on the other hand, clearly does less and is not as thrilling, but I love the way it leaves me wanting so many more re-rides. I'm not saying Blue Fire is better than Helix because it's not, I was just using it as a slight contrast to explain my small issue with Helix. It's still a bloody good coaster and the layout offers a very impressive amount of diversity, but I just don't feel it's quite worthy of being in my Top 10. This means that Montu moves in again for at least a little while, which actually makes me really happy <3.
Sorry for the rather lengthy explanations, but I thought both developments deserved some elaboration.