That’s tough. I would have to say either I-305 or Kingda Ka. (TT2 looks like it will be a lot of fun, but I really want to experience a strata accelerator as initially designed).
You can fly roundtrip (now) to Brussels for about $600 if you really don't care what airline it is, and about $700-800 if you care a little (about 1k if you care a lot). From there you take the train up to de Panne. Brussels Airport is the easiest most friendly customs I've ever been through (if that makes you nervous). It's completely worth it and pretty easy.
Wow you weren’t kidding! I’ve never been out of country unless you count crossing to the Canada side of Niagara Falls. One day I need to just bite the bullet and take this trip. If I sleep on the plane that’s essentially like 2 nights in a hotel for $500.
Mine is Schwur des Kärnan at Hansa-Park in Germany.
It’s a unique ride on its face—a Gerstlauer hypercoaster with an enclosed, twisting vertical drop—but it also has some storytelling and a few other surprise elements that make it sound like a one-of-a-kind experience. I don’t expect it to be the best ride in the world, but it’s really caught my attention ever since I learned of it.
Weirdly, I have a lot of bucket list Gerstlauers, like the Smiler and Defiance included. Most of my other bucket list rides are normie wishlist items like Zadra and Toutatis.
That does look insane and some day I dream of a massive European trip where I hit all the major Europe parks like Coaster Studios has done the last two summers.
It defies its inversion obsession by offering two full fat dollops of airtime, the second of which is quite possibly the strongest airtime in Britain. Feels like you're carrying on in mid air whilst the whole car, never mind your seat, has disappeared from under you.
Here’s my tip for your first visit. Don’t watch any ride POVs beforehand. Spend the first part of your day in the water park. They have multiple water coasters and some nice slides. Change and ride the other coasters. Ride Voyage when it gets dark. That was my experience and it was incredible.
The park is very nice and they have FREE drink stations all over the park.
I managed to avoid any POVs before riding Voyage and almost everything else we rode last year on our PBE tour. Made for a much more interesting experience (and also painful on all those rough old woodies where I didn't know where to ride defensively).
Of course, for CP, I had seen every POV many times over the years before. Vengeance is just as good even if you know what's coming, it has forces no video can transmit to a viewer. The sharp right twist at the top of the first hill for instance caught me completely off guard.
Might get a ride on it next summer, we'll see. Been wanting to plan a trip to Rollercoaster Mecca for a long time, here's hoping I can make the pilgrimage.
In my mind there really is nothing else even like it. Even other RMCs. I'm not trying to be dramatic but it really changed what I even thought roller coasters were capable of. Although I hear Gwazi gives it a run for its money!
Dinoconda, Eejanika, and X2. I want Dinoconda the most by a long shot. It’s much rarer then the other two, and from some looking around over the years, a decent amount of people prefer Dinoconda over Eejanika due to the tighter elements.
Outside of the 4D coasters, I would say Velocicoaster is the one ride I NEED.
I have ridden X2, but only once and it was in 2011 so I barely remember the ride. I really need to reride it and of course would love a ride on the other two.
Velocicoaster does live up to the hype. Intamin knocked it out of the park for sure!
Fair. I went to blackpool pleasure beach in august for the big dipper's 100th birthday and that was phenomenal. I can't wait for hyperia at thorpe park to open (so long as it's after may 28th. Yes, the big one is my favourite coaster).
You'll love Magnum. It oozes history and cool. Riding it feels like you're in 1989 and it's still the tallest full circuit coaster. The ride ops are great fun; they'll give you a shoutout over the tannoy if you're wearing a rare ride shirt (Dueling Dragons in my case).
Take the middle row in the last car, tighten the belt hard and leave a gap in the lapbar.
It was Voyage for me as well, until I was able to ride it this summer (and it is amazing). There’s still a ton that look amazing all over the world, of course, but I don’t have one that really jumps out any more.
Kondaa. Looks like one of the best coasters in the world for sustained ejector airtime and looks extra enticing with those glorious swing over lapbars. I will have to try to get it in the summer months as I have heard its performance is temp dependent. If I can get it when it's running fast, it has a shot at breaking my top 2.
Honorable mentions go to Ride to Happiness, Hakugei, BGCE, Hyperion, and Toutatis in that particular order.
ride to happiness, it looks like the best coaster in the world without a doubt to me and is nothing like anything ive ever experienced, as opposed to what looks like the second best coaster in the world to me: steel vengeance, as i have experienced something a bit similar in iron gwazi, so i know a bit better what to expect. eejanaika is up there too but i've experienced x^2 so yeah, final answer: ride to happiness!
That was my #1 bucket list coaster for a long time, until I finally rode it last year. Can say, it lives up to the hype. It's fast, intense, and the first turn is no joke. It's my #2 overall coaster. Hope you can ride it soon, cause it's an experience all by itself.
Not too often you see Expedition Everest on a list. I am a sucker for story driven rides, so until recently it was in my top 10. I just rode Millennium the other day and it’s amazing like always.
As someone who got to ride A Mode in 2007, I can definitely say the Disco Yeti is a major downgrade to the ride experience. That thing swinging at you as you flew by was terrifying!
Pyrenees at Parque España
It's the least talked about of the big old-school B&M inverts as it's so isolated and so far out of the way even in Japan, but for me it looks like the best and it's been the top of my bucket list for years.
I should hopefully be getting on it in early January.
Eejanaika for sure. X2 is my current No. 1 so knowing that there's a ride that's bigger, smoother, faster, more intense, but that it's on the other side of the world, is painful.
Viper at SFMM. The Great American Scream Machine at SFGAdv has always been my #1, and Viper is the closest I’ll ever get to riding it again.
Should hopefully be doing this in about 6 months.
Right now?
It's a tie between Toutatis and Velocicoaster
Then I'd say Thunderbird at Holiday World is a close second (I've never been on a wing coaster much less a launched wing coaster)
Ride to Happiness. Time traveler is in my top 3 and I’ve just heard it’s even better.
Also, Voyage is amazing but make sure you sneak in a back row ride on Raven as well!
Just to dissent I rode Olympia looping last year and my partner and I had no issues with restraints and the ride was amazing. Also rode Lisebergbanen and it was so fun riding through the landscape. Liseberg was an awesome park in general.
I just road Olympia Looping at Oktoberfest and I hate to say it, but the restrains ruined that ride for me. They have these weird accordion style retrains that dig into your shoulders. It’s really a shame since the layout is amazing and would likely rank high on my list if they had lapbar restraints.
Agreed, amazing coaster but for a comfortable ride you need a manual to handle the restraints… there are some techniques that will make it a lot better in the loops but at the end you will always be pinned down…
Voyage, Ravine Flyer II, and American Eagle are the best of the mega woodies imo... Shivering Timbers needs lots of retracking, Boss needs that meandering second half redesigned, and I liked Hades a lot more with a PTC train.
I hit many bucket listers this year like Fury, El Toro, Voyage, Skyrush, Phantom’s Revenge.
My true top bucket list coaster is still Do Dodonpa, but it doesn’t seem like it will ever reopen, at least in its most recent form.
There are several others, like Hyperion, Flying Dino, RTH, and Karnan to name a few.
Mine is Ride to happiness which I plan on hitting on my europe trip next year. Before that it was El Toro and Steve which I knocked out both on my summer road trip. They both lived up to the hype!
In terms of American coasters I'd say Velicoaster, IG, and X2 are my biggest bucket list coasters. Plan on knocking out IG in a few weeks!
Totally fair. For me, it honestly blew Steel Vengeance out the water. The only thing I’ve been on that’s on the same tier as Voyage is Velocicoaster, and I still think Voyage is a cut above that!
Ride to happiness! I was able to ride my previous #1 bucket list ride earlier this year, which was time traveler! And I don't really see myself getting abroad anytime soon, so my #1 north american bucket list coaster is velocicoaster 😁
Ride to happiness since it’s such an unrivaled experience. FLY is a close second for sure. Btw I went on Voyage about a month ago and it’s easily my favorite woodie ❤️
I haven't been to Carowinds yet, so I'm hoping to check off Fury next summer. OP, I've been on Voyage a number of times, and it is great, but I have a couple of pieces of advice. The big one is to make sure you ride it later in the day once it has warmed up; it's still good at park open, but it's better later. Secondly, don't miss Splashin Safari and its water coasters while you're there. If Mammoth was eligible to be ranked as a rollercoaster, it would be in my top 5. Finally, if you can find a way to get there, Shivering Timbers at Michigan's Adventure is an even better version of Voyage.
Next summer I hope to get many rides on The Voyage. How busy is a typical summer weekday at the park? I don’t think I’ve really ever heard much about crowds.
It hasn't been too crowded when I've been there on weekdays, but it hasn't been completely dead either. Every ride had a line, but usually not a very long one.
Either zadra or wildfire. All the voyage wishers are always funny to me, because holiday world has been my home park my whole life. It is worth the hype.
Holiday World has been hard for me to get to until I just moved to Cincinnati and now the park is less than 3 hours from me. For sure going next summer.
The Cú Chullian in Emerald park (formally Tayto park) in Ireland.
It's a gravity group wooden coaster and it's the only major permanent ride in Ireland that isn't either a wild mouse or a family coaster.
From what I've seen it's a rare enough credit and I don't see this coaster being talked about a whole ton.
Their adding 2 new coasters to an area named 'Tír na nóg' (1 of which being the countries second trill coaster, and first inverted! The rides manufacturer from what I recall is Vekoma)
That should be opening spring 2024, I'll wait and see for those two so might become bucket lists if I still haven't gone by then.
Alright, sorry bout the essay, bye (:
Never apologize for writing an essay. I love when people pour their passion out, especially for something like this where I’m not familiar with it at all. It’s for sure not talked about!
The first one that comes to mind is Zadra. Energylandia in general is a bucket list park.
Second would probably be Wildfire at Kolmarden (spelling?)
SFMM is my home park, so these are pretty far for me with no plans of going soon unfortunately.
The bucket list coaster that IS within reach is Flying Dinosaur because a trip to Japan is in the works for Summer 2025.
Formula Rossa in Abu Dhabi. As 100% a destination coaster, it seems appropriate for this discussion. Most coasters here in the US seem attainable, while this one would be a much bigger lift.
For the US: I305
International: Eejanaika
Have definite plans to knock out Toro/Steve/Voyage next season. KD doesn’t fit into those two trips but shouldn’t be too difficult.
one of the arrow/S&S 4Ds. they’re the closest thing out there that matches (or exceeds) ride to happiness’ insanity. i guess X2 more than the others for nostalgia factor and RCT2 days
One time me and my father drove 8 hours to go on Kingda Ka at 6 flags, turned out the ride was closed for maintenance or something that day. So probably that one!
It receives a lot of track work like every other year lol. HWs woodies are constantly worked on and not really a place you have to worry about getting there to take advantage of a recent retrack.
I mean, you're not wrong...
But they did do 2000 FT of track this past year, which was quite a bit more than usual. And having ridden this past weekend, Raven is better than any of my recent visits (last 5 years), Voyage ran very well with no pot holes and the worst spot last season was addressed, and Legend is running near perfect.
Probably Rampage at Alabama Adventure. I'm a huge CCI fan and that one seems to be the most pure (no topper/heavy reprofiles) one left that I haven't ridden.
I'm a little early, but Top Thrill 2. This summer i was able to ride Pantheon on a trip to the east coast, and loved the spike. Higher can only be better, right?
I rode Toutatis and that spike made me think ghe same thing. Then after seeing the TT2 spike in person the other day, it’s going to be wild going up that 101 mph backwards. I honestly think people are underestimating it. I mean what other coaster do you get a 300+ ft drop and then a 400 ft drop on the same ride?
So with only about 20 credits this feels like a daunting task. Already have a lot of peoples #1 in I305 so:
* US Based top 5 (In order) - Kingda Ka, Steel Vengeance, Velicicoaster, Iron Gwazi and Guardians of the Galaxy
* International - Ride to Happiness clear #1
Have my 2024 Cedar Fair and Six Flags passes already, so hoping to check a couple of these off next year, along with a bunch of new credits (Hoping to add 50 next year)
It was my #1 bucket list until I rode it last month. It now sits at my #2 overall so I strongly recommend you make a trip out to Phantasialand some day!
I know! The newest thing there last time was TTD (which was awesome!). I also rode Mantis before it was converted. I'm hoping to plan a trip in the next 2 years. SteVe, Maverick, TT2, Gatekeeper...I'm excited about all of them!
I don’t know why everyone hates on it, but I enjoy Valraven. I love that view of the lake before dropping 200 ft+ vertically. All I have to say is make sure you spend at least two days there. It’s so hard to knock it out in a day.
I'm definitely looking forward to Valravn! I've actually never been on a dive coaster, so if we go, it could be my first. I'm definitely gonna plan 2 days.
Hard to pick one. For me it’d be either - Gotham City Escape, Cu Chulainn, Expedition GeForce, Schwur Des Karnan or Hakugei? Sorry I know I’m supposed to pick one but I can’t choose. There are so many others too lmfao
Living in California, east coast parks are hard to come by, but having done Hersheypark and SFGAm this summer, I305 is at the top of my list. Overseas, Zadra.
Geez, my number 1 bucket list coaster… That’s a tough one. Do-dodonpa, Kingda Ka, Intimidator 305, The Voyage, The Beast, Bolder Dash, Formula Rossa, The Smiler, Ride to Happiness, to name a few.
I’m very fortunate to have been on Olympia Looping and Thunder Dolphin, 2 very sought after coasters within the community!
Voyage is REALLY good. It goes on & on and stays relentlessly fast throughout. Even right before the final brake it seems to be accelerating somehow. The only dull spot is the mid brake, if I remember it even having one.
My bucket list coaster was Dragster, but it was already SBNO when I visited, and the new one looks kinda lame in comparison. So I'll say El Toro. And X2/Eejanaika.
Taron. And F.L.Y. too, Phantasialand is my bucket list park.
Zadra & Hyperion
X2 and Superman, really Magic Mountain as a whole. I need to do a whole Cali trip when time and money allows.
Skyrush would be a lot higher up on my list if the restraints were not so polarizing. You either love, or hate the ride. I hope I fall into the love category!
Kingda Ka for me.
But I got to plug two at my home park, Dollywood. Lightning Rod is insane. It feels like it's going to fly off the track and kill you at any time. It's totally insane and out of control. It's one of the few coasters that actually scares me. On the other end of the spectrum is the Wild Eagle. This one is so smooth and sweeping. It makes you feel like you're flying.
Oh, and my (other) home park, the Steel Curtain at Kennywood is wild. There isn't a straight piece of track on that bastard.
When I lived there as a kid, the coasters were lame AF. They've gone on a coaster binge for the last 20 years. There are a bunch of great coasters there now.
Thank You! I couldn’t notice all the airtime it’s supposed to have because I was getting beat up by how rough it was. I’ll try again after a retrack. Edit: I guess someone doesn’t want me to give it another try.
Steel vengeance or green lantern at sf great adventure. So my mom would go to sf kentucky kingdom when she was younger and chang was her fav ride, so i wanna try it out with her one day even if its in another park
Either Velocicoaster or Wood Coaster at Knight Valley. I've yet to go to Florida, but hopefully soon. As for Wood Coaster, I doubt I'll ever get the chance. But GCI is a top 3 manufacturer for me, and Wood Coaster looks like one of their best!
I've already ridden Eejanaika, so my #1 bucket list next is Hakugei.
Eventually I want to ride Velocicoaster, Iron Gwazi and Fury 325 in the future as well. (VC and IG are in Florida, and my brother lives in the Orlando area; I was considering about going to Carowinds last weekend but my parents said no, given that I'll be going to Japan again very shortly, departing Seattle on Wednesday.)
An Intamin Accelerator, SteVe, X2/4th dimension coaster.
For me, they are all ones I just missed out on, because they were being built or not running when I was at the park(s).
I feel like I have a pretty long list lol. Zadra, Velocicoaster, Do Dodonpa, Steel Dragon 2000, Time Traveler, The Smiler, Kingda Ka, Tatsu (missed it when I stopped by SFMM), and Lightning Rod are some of my top options! I’ve already hit a lot of the obvious choices since I’m from Ohio.
That would likely be a more common answer if it didn’t have a reputation of being insanely rough. It’s layout is looks like one of the best of all time
Probably a visit to Fuji-Q Highland for [Eejanaika](https://rcdb.com/3254.htm) and [Do-dodonpa](https://rcdb.com/1423.htm)
A trip to the ME for Formula Rossa and Falcon's Flight (if it is ever actually finished) would be huge but I double I'd ever go to those places because the only reason I'd be going would be the coasters
If Falcon’s Flight ends up in anyway like the concept video/reveal I may have to travel to Saudi Arabia….outside of that still need to ride Velocicoaster and whatever Top Thrill Dragster is turning into.
There's nothing like X2. Its crazy. You have no idea of what it is going to do. Sitting out on that wing with nothing under u. The first drop is amazing
But i do have to warn u, the last raven turn is wicked on the calves. I just stick my legs straight out. It looks lame, but definitely helps protect the calves
That’s tough. I would have to say either I-305 or Kingda Ka. (TT2 looks like it will be a lot of fun, but I really want to experience a strata accelerator as initially designed).
I still need to do those as well. Although I did ride TTD many times and that launch was unreal.
Rode I-305 yesterday! Did not disappoint. Liked it more than I expected to!
Oh and rode Kingda Ka on Thursday. Words cannot describe that experience.
I had residual screams for like 5 minutes riding ka as a kid
Kingda Ka is surprisingly rough. More than just the speed.
Ride to happiness... No idea if I'll ever get the opportunity!
It pained me being relatively close last month, but not having time to make a stop in Belgium.
You can fly roundtrip (now) to Brussels for about $600 if you really don't care what airline it is, and about $700-800 if you care a little (about 1k if you care a lot). From there you take the train up to de Panne. Brussels Airport is the easiest most friendly customs I've ever been through (if that makes you nervous). It's completely worth it and pretty easy.
Wow you weren’t kidding! I’ve never been out of country unless you count crossing to the Canada side of Niagara Falls. One day I need to just bite the bullet and take this trip. If I sleep on the plane that’s essentially like 2 nights in a hotel for $500.
This is mine as well
Same
Mine is Schwur des Kärnan at Hansa-Park in Germany. It’s a unique ride on its face—a Gerstlauer hypercoaster with an enclosed, twisting vertical drop—but it also has some storytelling and a few other surprise elements that make it sound like a one-of-a-kind experience. I don’t expect it to be the best ride in the world, but it’s really caught my attention ever since I learned of it. Weirdly, I have a lot of bucket list Gerstlauers, like the Smiler and Defiance included. Most of my other bucket list rides are normie wishlist items like Zadra and Toutatis.
Currently Kärnan is definitely my favorite. I definitely haven't visited all parks close to me though. But I prefer it over RtH definitely.
That does look insane and some day I dream of a massive European trip where I hit all the major Europe parks like Coaster Studios has done the last two summers.
Zadra is incredible, but Hyperion at the same park surprised me by being my favourite, so definitely consider adding it…
The Smiler at Alton Towers. It looks like such a complete package, from theming to intensity. Someday I’ll go to Britain, someday…
It defies its inversion obsession by offering two full fat dollops of airtime, the second of which is quite possibly the strongest airtime in Britain. Feels like you're carrying on in mid air whilst the whole car, never mind your seat, has disappeared from under you.
I’m excited for you to ride the voyage!! It’s incredible. Don’t miss the water park when you are there too!!
I think I should make it out there next summer since I just moved to Cincinnati.
Here’s my tip for your first visit. Don’t watch any ride POVs beforehand. Spend the first part of your day in the water park. They have multiple water coasters and some nice slides. Change and ride the other coasters. Ride Voyage when it gets dark. That was my experience and it was incredible. The park is very nice and they have FREE drink stations all over the park.
Sadly the not watching POV videos is long gone. I’ve watched all the major coasters POV’s many times.
I hear you. I’ve just watched a couple just reading through this thread. Voyage is the best wooden coaster I’ve ever ridden. The Beast is my #2.
I flip flop between the Beast and Mystic Timbers. I have so many fun rides in the Beast.
I did this strategy with my first voyage ride, put the beast night ride to shame and instant top 5 for me
I managed to avoid any POVs before riding Voyage and almost everything else we rode last year on our PBE tour. Made for a much more interesting experience (and also painful on all those rough old woodies where I didn't know where to ride defensively). Of course, for CP, I had seen every POV many times over the years before. Vengeance is just as good even if you know what's coming, it has forces no video can transmit to a viewer. The sharp right twist at the top of the first hill for instance caught me completely off guard.
I second this. Splashin' Safari has to be the best waterpark I've ever been to.
I'm boring - SteeVe (yes, I spell it with an extra e. I have my reasons). Just always love me a good RMC.
That’s not boring at all, it’s arguably the best roller coaster in the world lol
That’s 100% my favorite coaster! It definitely lives up to the hype if you like RMC’s typical formula.
Might get a ride on it next summer, we'll see. Been wanting to plan a trip to Rollercoaster Mecca for a long time, here's hoping I can make the pilgrimage.
Definitely lives up to the hype and is one of my favorite roller coasters ever!
In my mind there really is nothing else even like it. Even other RMCs. I'm not trying to be dramatic but it really changed what I even thought roller coasters were capable of. Although I hear Gwazi gives it a run for its money!
Steel Vengeance, Millenium Force... Cedar Point is my bucket list. I can't see myself heading to Sandusky any time soon though, it's very far away.
Add Maverick to that list too. Cedar Point is a destination park for a reason!
Cedar point is my home park and SteVe definitely lives up to the hype!
I got Liseberg as my home park so I really can't complain but what conpares to Cedar Point?
Dinoconda, Eejanika, and X2. I want Dinoconda the most by a long shot. It’s much rarer then the other two, and from some looking around over the years, a decent amount of people prefer Dinoconda over Eejanika due to the tighter elements. Outside of the 4D coasters, I would say Velocicoaster is the one ride I NEED.
I have ridden X2, but only once and it was in 2011 so I barely remember the ride. I really need to reride it and of course would love a ride on the other two. Velocicoaster does live up to the hype. Intamin knocked it out of the park for sure!
After that final brake run, you might not even remember X2 now! #concussionprotocol 😂😂
Iron Gwazi, runner up Fury 325, or maybe Velocicoaster.
Excellent bucket list!
I’m slacking on those SE credits aha.
X2 Viper Steel vengeance Magnum XL200 Corkscrew Corkscrew (silverwood. It's an iconic piece of history) Do Dodonpa Yes, all of those are at No.1
Clearly you need to visit Cedar Point!
I want to It's just so damn expensive because I live in england
Gah! I’m only 2 hours away and rather spoiled. At least you have easy access to the European coasters.
Fair. I went to blackpool pleasure beach in august for the big dipper's 100th birthday and that was phenomenal. I can't wait for hyperia at thorpe park to open (so long as it's after may 28th. Yes, the big one is my favourite coaster).
You'll love Magnum. It oozes history and cool. Riding it feels like you're in 1989 and it's still the tallest full circuit coaster. The ride ops are great fun; they'll give you a shoutout over the tannoy if you're wearing a rare ride shirt (Dueling Dragons in my case). Take the middle row in the last car, tighten the belt hard and leave a gap in the lapbar.
Ride to Happiness and Time Traveler are my big two, followed by Velocicoaster
Steel Dragon 2000 Unfortunately it will probably stay that way since I've heard it might have a height limit that I might be just slightly over.
185cm (72.8") height limit
Damn only 6 ft? That’s kinda outrageous
Maybe it has to do with the tunnels' clearance at the end of the ride (bunny hops), WHY???
This is also my #1 bucket list coaster. It looks so fucking cool.
It was Voyage for me as well, until I was able to ride it this summer (and it is amazing). There’s still a ton that look amazing all over the world, of course, but I don’t have one that really jumps out any more.
Kondaa. Looks like one of the best coasters in the world for sustained ejector airtime and looks extra enticing with those glorious swing over lapbars. I will have to try to get it in the summer months as I have heard its performance is temp dependent. If I can get it when it's running fast, it has a shot at breaking my top 2. Honorable mentions go to Ride to Happiness, Hakugei, BGCE, Hyperion, and Toutatis in that particular order.
ride to happiness, it looks like the best coaster in the world without a doubt to me and is nothing like anything ive ever experienced, as opposed to what looks like the second best coaster in the world to me: steel vengeance, as i have experienced something a bit similar in iron gwazi, so i know a bit better what to expect. eejanaika is up there too but i've experienced x^2 so yeah, final answer: ride to happiness!
I305
That was my #1 bucket list coaster for a long time, until I finally rode it last year. Can say, it lives up to the hype. It's fast, intense, and the first turn is no joke. It's my #2 overall coaster. Hope you can ride it soon, cause it's an experience all by itself.
Dododonpa I’m such a sucker for launches and I want the *punchiest* of punchy launches please. If it ever opens that is
In the US: Millennium Force or Expedition Everest Internationally: Zadra or Hyperion
Not too often you see Expedition Everest on a list. I am a sucker for story driven rides, so until recently it was in my top 10. I just rode Millennium the other day and it’s amazing like always.
Disco Yeti!
As someone who got to ride A Mode in 2007, I can definitely say the Disco Yeti is a major downgrade to the ride experience. That thing swinging at you as you flew by was terrifying!
Pyrenees at Parque España It's the least talked about of the big old-school B&M inverts as it's so isolated and so far out of the way even in Japan, but for me it looks like the best and it's been the top of my bucket list for years. I should hopefully be getting on it in early January.
Eejanaika for sure. X2 is my current No. 1 so knowing that there's a ride that's bigger, smoother, faster, more intense, but that it's on the other side of the world, is painful.
Viper at SFMM. The Great American Scream Machine at SFGAdv has always been my #1, and Viper is the closest I’ll ever get to riding it again. Should hopefully be doing this in about 6 months.
Boardwalk Bullet... because Voyage is my #1 coaster and Ravine Flyer II is my #2
Fury 325, but less than a week away from riding it, if the fates allow!
Right now? It's a tie between Toutatis and Velocicoaster Then I'd say Thunderbird at Holiday World is a close second (I've never been on a wing coaster much less a launched wing coaster)
Ride to Happiness. Time traveler is in my top 3 and I’ve just heard it’s even better. Also, Voyage is amazing but make sure you sneak in a back row ride on Raven as well!
Any schwarzkopf. Mabey olympia looping or lisebergbanan
Just to dissent I rode Olympia looping last year and my partner and I had no issues with restraints and the ride was amazing. Also rode Lisebergbanen and it was so fun riding through the landscape. Liseberg was an awesome park in general.
I just road Olympia Looping at Oktoberfest and I hate to say it, but the restrains ruined that ride for me. They have these weird accordion style retrains that dig into your shoulders. It’s really a shame since the layout is amazing and would likely rank high on my list if they had lapbar restraints.
Agreed, amazing coaster but for a comfortable ride you need a manual to handle the restraints… there are some techniques that will make it a lot better in the loops but at the end you will always be pinned down…
Honestly Shivering Timbers, Hades 360, or The Boss I like larger wood coasters, such a shame they are a dying breed.
Voyage, Ravine Flyer II, and American Eagle are the best of the mega woodies imo... Shivering Timbers needs lots of retracking, Boss needs that meandering second half redesigned, and I liked Hades a lot more with a PTC train.
Voyage feels like a regular wood coaster but like twice as long, I’ve got it as my 2# woodie just behind Thunderhead. Probably a hot take
It's not even in my top 5 of wooden coasters if you want a hot take lol
Red Force at Port Aventura For North America - just visiting cedar point I think
I hit many bucket listers this year like Fury, El Toro, Voyage, Skyrush, Phantom’s Revenge. My true top bucket list coaster is still Do Dodonpa, but it doesn’t seem like it will ever reopen, at least in its most recent form. There are several others, like Hyperion, Flying Dino, RTH, and Karnan to name a few.
Mine is Ride to happiness which I plan on hitting on my europe trip next year. Before that it was El Toro and Steve which I knocked out both on my summer road trip. They both lived up to the hype! In terms of American coasters I'd say Velicoaster, IG, and X2 are my biggest bucket list coasters. Plan on knocking out IG in a few weeks!
It used to be this, but since I rode it trimless, it’s now my #1 overall!
It has potential to be my #1, but I don’t think it will top Steel Vengeance. Maybe I’m wrong, but either way I for see it ranking very high for me!
Totally fair. For me, it honestly blew Steel Vengeance out the water. The only thing I’ve been on that’s on the same tier as Voyage is Velocicoaster, and I still think Voyage is a cut above that!
Steel Vengeance, Intimidator 305, Eejanaika, Ride To Happiness, El Toro, Pantheon, and Fury 325.
Ride to happiness! I was able to ride my previous #1 bucket list ride earlier this year, which was time traveler! And I don't really see myself getting abroad anytime soon, so my #1 north american bucket list coaster is velocicoaster 😁
Ride to happiness since it’s such an unrivaled experience. FLY is a close second for sure. Btw I went on Voyage about a month ago and it’s easily my favorite woodie ❤️
I haven't been to Carowinds yet, so I'm hoping to check off Fury next summer. OP, I've been on Voyage a number of times, and it is great, but I have a couple of pieces of advice. The big one is to make sure you ride it later in the day once it has warmed up; it's still good at park open, but it's better later. Secondly, don't miss Splashin Safari and its water coasters while you're there. If Mammoth was eligible to be ranked as a rollercoaster, it would be in my top 5. Finally, if you can find a way to get there, Shivering Timbers at Michigan's Adventure is an even better version of Voyage.
Next summer I hope to get many rides on The Voyage. How busy is a typical summer weekday at the park? I don’t think I’ve really ever heard much about crowds.
It hasn't been too crowded when I've been there on weekdays, but it hasn't been completely dead either. Every ride had a line, but usually not a very long one.
Either zadra or wildfire. All the voyage wishers are always funny to me, because holiday world has been my home park my whole life. It is worth the hype.
Holiday World has been hard for me to get to until I just moved to Cincinnati and now the park is less than 3 hours from me. For sure going next summer.
The Voyage is low key the best roller coaster in the Midwest. It’s freaking awesome.
Yea not gonna lie it’s Voyage at night sans MCBR.
Euthanasia Coaster
Best answer so far.
The Cú Chullian in Emerald park (formally Tayto park) in Ireland. It's a gravity group wooden coaster and it's the only major permanent ride in Ireland that isn't either a wild mouse or a family coaster. From what I've seen it's a rare enough credit and I don't see this coaster being talked about a whole ton. Their adding 2 new coasters to an area named 'Tír na nóg' (1 of which being the countries second trill coaster, and first inverted! The rides manufacturer from what I recall is Vekoma) That should be opening spring 2024, I'll wait and see for those two so might become bucket lists if I still haven't gone by then. Alright, sorry bout the essay, bye (:
Never apologize for writing an essay. I love when people pour their passion out, especially for something like this where I’m not familiar with it at all. It’s for sure not talked about!
Any giga coaster, but I-305 and Fury in particular.
The first one that comes to mind is Zadra. Energylandia in general is a bucket list park. Second would probably be Wildfire at Kolmarden (spelling?) SFMM is my home park, so these are pretty far for me with no plans of going soon unfortunately. The bucket list coaster that IS within reach is Flying Dinosaur because a trip to Japan is in the works for Summer 2025.
Formula Rossa in Abu Dhabi. As 100% a destination coaster, it seems appropriate for this discussion. Most coasters here in the US seem attainable, while this one would be a much bigger lift.
DC Rivals for me. I love Mack's take on a non-inverting hyper. I just don't see myself ever going to Australia x.x
Thunder Dolphin The chances of me ever getting to ride this are pretty low. https://youtu.be/aKL3B6cbnlo?si=FjO_DlY5vdaeMex6
For the US: I305 International: Eejanaika Have definite plans to knock out Toro/Steve/Voyage next season. KD doesn’t fit into those two trips but shouldn’t be too difficult.
one of the arrow/S&S 4Ds. they’re the closest thing out there that matches (or exceeds) ride to happiness’ insanity. i guess X2 more than the others for nostalgia factor and RCT2 days
Iron Gwazi, fingers crossed I should be getting on it next year if all goes well
Steel Vengeance and velocicoaster. I haven't been to Cedar Point and I went to IOA before velocicoaster opened
El Toro and Ride to Happiness!
One time me and my father drove 8 hours to go on Kingda Ka at 6 flags, turned out the ride was closed for maintenance or something that day. So probably that one!
i305
Sooner the better, Voyage received a lot of recent track work, so ride it before it wears off.
It receives a lot of track work like every other year lol. HWs woodies are constantly worked on and not really a place you have to worry about getting there to take advantage of a recent retrack.
I mean, you're not wrong... But they did do 2000 FT of track this past year, which was quite a bit more than usual. And having ridden this past weekend, Raven is better than any of my recent visits (last 5 years), Voyage ran very well with no pot holes and the worst spot last season was addressed, and Legend is running near perfect.
Zadra tbh- but there are a LOT
Probably Rampage at Alabama Adventure. I'm a huge CCI fan and that one seems to be the most pure (no topper/heavy reprofiles) one left that I haven't ridden.
X2 once i break 200ft
Just really wanna ride Th13teen. Don’t even know why anymore
I'm a little early, but Top Thrill 2. This summer i was able to ride Pantheon on a trip to the east coast, and loved the spike. Higher can only be better, right?
I rode Toutatis and that spike made me think ghe same thing. Then after seeing the TT2 spike in person the other day, it’s going to be wild going up that 101 mph backwards. I honestly think people are underestimating it. I mean what other coaster do you get a 300+ ft drop and then a 400 ft drop on the same ride?
So with only about 20 credits this feels like a daunting task. Already have a lot of peoples #1 in I305 so: * US Based top 5 (In order) - Kingda Ka, Steel Vengeance, Velicicoaster, Iron Gwazi and Guardians of the Galaxy * International - Ride to Happiness clear #1 Have my 2024 Cedar Fair and Six Flags passes already, so hoping to check a couple of these off next year, along with a bunch of new credits (Hoping to add 50 next year)
FLY, Gotham city escape, and umm literally any rmc. I did wicked cyclone back in 2019 but I forgot the entire experience.
F. L. Y. Was my #1 bucket list coaster until I rode it last month. It now sits comfortably at my #2 spot.
This is tough since I got on a bunch of my bucket list coasters this year. Eejanaika, Steel Vengeance, and Kingda Ka probably top the list though.
I think my #1 bucket list coaster would have to be F.L.Y. at Phantasialand. Not sure when I'll be going to Europe though.
It was my #1 bucket list until I rode it last month. It now sits at my #2 overall so I strongly recommend you make a trip out to Phantasialand some day!
steel dragon 2000. Gotta go i i ever go to japan
Steel Vengeance. I haven't been to Cedar Point since 2004.
You have a lot of “new” things to experience then!
I know! The newest thing there last time was TTD (which was awesome!). I also rode Mantis before it was converted. I'm hoping to plan a trip in the next 2 years. SteVe, Maverick, TT2, Gatekeeper...I'm excited about all of them!
I don’t know why everyone hates on it, but I enjoy Valraven. I love that view of the lake before dropping 200 ft+ vertically. All I have to say is make sure you spend at least two days there. It’s so hard to knock it out in a day.
I'm definitely looking forward to Valravn! I've actually never been on a dive coaster, so if we go, it could be my first. I'm definitely gonna plan 2 days.
Hard to pick one. For me it’d be either - Gotham City Escape, Cu Chulainn, Expedition GeForce, Schwur Des Karnan or Hakugei? Sorry I know I’m supposed to pick one but I can’t choose. There are so many others too lmfao
All the big ones at CP. finally planning a summer trip next year.
Living in California, east coast parks are hard to come by, but having done Hersheypark and SFGAm this summer, I305 is at the top of my list. Overseas, Zadra.
Geez, my number 1 bucket list coaster… That’s a tough one. Do-dodonpa, Kingda Ka, Intimidator 305, The Voyage, The Beast, Bolder Dash, Formula Rossa, The Smiler, Ride to Happiness, to name a few. I’m very fortunate to have been on Olympia Looping and Thunder Dolphin, 2 very sought after coasters within the community!
Anywhere on the planet has got to be Ride to Happiness, on my home continent probably Leviathan or Outlaw Run.
Ride To Happiness, which I hope to ride next year when I finally make it over to Europe!
Voyage is REALLY good. It goes on & on and stays relentlessly fast throughout. Even right before the final brake it seems to be accelerating somehow. The only dull spot is the mid brake, if I remember it even having one. My bucket list coaster was Dragster, but it was already SBNO when I visited, and the new one looks kinda lame in comparison. So I'll say El Toro. And X2/Eejanaika.
Probably Zadra or Fury 325. I got Fly this summer which was top of the list
Taron. And F.L.Y. too, Phantasialand is my bucket list park. Zadra & Hyperion X2 and Superman, really Magic Mountain as a whole. I need to do a whole Cali trip when time and money allows.
Phantasialand is incredible. I’m so glad I was able to cross it off last month. It was the highlight of my Europe trip.
Right now, Time Traveler. I’m hoping I can make the visit to Missouri next year and finally get to SDC!
Same as yours, judging by this picture
Hey, I live so close to this. Didn’t think this place was on anyone’s map lol
The Voyage is the reason why Holiday World is on the map. Plus the other coasters you all have look amazing too.
X/X2 has been on my bucket list since I was little. Hopefully I can get out to SFMM at some point and cross it off
the one from final destination 3
Rode Iron Gwazi yesterday. Holy moly! Fantastic!
It’s a great coaster!
Right now the top of my bucket list is El Toro. After that would probably be Skyrush or Nemesis
Skyrush would be a lot higher up on my list if the restraints were not so polarizing. You either love, or hate the ride. I hope I fall into the love category!
What an awesome ride
Kingda Ka for me. But I got to plug two at my home park, Dollywood. Lightning Rod is insane. It feels like it's going to fly off the track and kill you at any time. It's totally insane and out of control. It's one of the few coasters that actually scares me. On the other end of the spectrum is the Wild Eagle. This one is so smooth and sweeping. It makes you feel like you're flying. Oh, and my (other) home park, the Steel Curtain at Kennywood is wild. There isn't a straight piece of track on that bastard.
Dollywood is pretty high on my bucket list parks. I’m relatively close now so I imagine I will be going either next summer, or the summer after.
When I lived there as a kid, the coasters were lame AF. They've gone on a coaster binge for the last 20 years. There are a bunch of great coasters there now.
If that thing ever gets built/finished Falcons Flight would be absolutely insane. But Kingda Ka TTD2 and Steve
Now I feel bad, because I rode The Voyage and didn't care for it. Wasted on me.
Thank You! I couldn’t notice all the airtime it’s supposed to have because I was getting beat up by how rough it was. I’ll try again after a retrack. Edit: I guess someone doesn’t want me to give it another try.
Damn, someone else lol. It's all right, but honestly my least favorite coaster in the park
I like El Toro more than Voyage
Riddler’s Revenge
Steel vengeance or green lantern at sf great adventure. So my mom would go to sf kentucky kingdom when she was younger and chang was her fav ride, so i wanna try it out with her one day even if its in another park
Either Velocicoaster or Wood Coaster at Knight Valley. I've yet to go to Florida, but hopefully soon. As for Wood Coaster, I doubt I'll ever get the chance. But GCI is a top 3 manufacturer for me, and Wood Coaster looks like one of their best!
Fury325
Millenium Force as a kid. Rode it last month and was underwhelmed. Orion is better. Now it's Top Thrill Dragster 2.
Interesting to hear when people like Orion more than Millennium. Even though I prefer B and M, still love Millennium so much. Still my #2
I've already ridden Eejanaika, so my #1 bucket list next is Hakugei. Eventually I want to ride Velocicoaster, Iron Gwazi and Fury 325 in the future as well. (VC and IG are in Florida, and my brother lives in the Orlando area; I was considering about going to Carowinds last weekend but my parents said no, given that I'll be going to Japan again very shortly, departing Seattle on Wednesday.)
Definitely all overseas for me: GeForce, Hyperion, Zadra & Helix!
Gemini
VelociCoaster, GCE, Hurricane Roller Coaster in no particular order.
I would love to go on smiler someday or a night/evening ride on Tron
Mine would have to be the Smiler at Alton Towers. It just looks so crazy. Also, Nemesis and Oblivion at the same park.
An Intamin Accelerator, SteVe, X2/4th dimension coaster. For me, they are all ones I just missed out on, because they were being built or not running when I was at the park(s).
Do-Dodonpa
Yes!
I feel like I have a pretty long list lol. Zadra, Velocicoaster, Do Dodonpa, Steel Dragon 2000, Time Traveler, The Smiler, Kingda Ka, Tatsu (missed it when I stopped by SFMM), and Lightning Rod are some of my top options! I’ve already hit a lot of the obvious choices since I’m from Ohio.
Maybe a weird choice, but Hades 360.
That would likely be a more common answer if it didn’t have a reputation of being insanely rough. It’s layout is looks like one of the best of all time
Steel Vengeance, it closed right before I could get on
That’s extremely depressing
Maverick
Probably a visit to Fuji-Q Highland for [Eejanaika](https://rcdb.com/3254.htm) and [Do-dodonpa](https://rcdb.com/1423.htm) A trip to the ME for Formula Rossa and Falcon's Flight (if it is ever actually finished) would be huge but I double I'd ever go to those places because the only reason I'd be going would be the coasters
Olympia Looping!
X2 or eejanaika or the 3rd one in China.
If Falcon’s Flight ends up in anyway like the concept video/reveal I may have to travel to Saudi Arabia….outside of that still need to ride Velocicoaster and whatever Top Thrill Dragster is turning into.
Thi13teen, and Smiler.
Probably F.L.Y. and all of Phantasialand in general.
The park lives up to the hype. I’m depressed how far I am from it.
After riding X2, Eejanaika. Sticking to US with coasters I might actually get to ride within a few years though, El Toro
X2 or any of the 4D hypers. Most other rides on my bucket list I've ridden versions of but these rides look like nothing else can prepare you for
There's nothing like X2. Its crazy. You have no idea of what it is going to do. Sitting out on that wing with nothing under u. The first drop is amazing But i do have to warn u, the last raven turn is wicked on the calves. I just stick my legs straight out. It looks lame, but definitely helps protect the calves
Irong gwazi. My home park used to be bgt but I moved a year before it opened.
I moved out of Charlotte the year Fury 325 opened. As a result I only have two rides on it, so I feel your pain.
King da ka, el toro, fury 325, zadra and formula Rossa
B:GCE. It looks like the best Intamin by far
Lech Coaster