TTF Euro Coaster Poll 2011-12

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AstroDan

My thoughts:

1. Silver Star*
Although it's by no means "intense" as the ejector airtime is on an Intamin, I have now been on this coaster dozens of times. And it's just sheer class. The car park location doesn't hinder the enjoyment, and since the brakes have all been upgraded to magnetics, it's improved the ride too. The seating is far superior to what Intamin offer, too - and the capacity of the ride is monstrous.

2. Piraten
I am voting this just on the basis that it looks like a small EGF, with lots of airtime. I have to say it doesn't interest me as much as it probably ought to... can't explain why.

3. Batman la fuga
Really look forward to riding this in summer. Looks crazy. I hear they're really intense, too.

4. Speed*
Adore this ride. Probably the best Gerstlauer I have been on, track and train (I do prefer FvN overall). Airtime hill amazing - and the first drop - WOW!

5. Dragon Khan*
It's good, but it's just eclipsed here. Very old skool B&M, left me with a headache. Decent, though - sure!

6. Stealth*
My 3rd favourite coaster in the UK, but here it is outclassed.

7. Wild Mouse*
Top quality - scary as hell. Shame I can't place this higher.

8. Rock n Roller Coaster*
I have nothing against this coaster, and the new light show really helps. Pretty smooth for a Vekoma.

9. Desert Race*
Rita 1.1. Really rated this when I rode in 2011. A lot better than i expected. Smooth with tons of airtime. Amazing Op Cabin too. Another I would have liked to place higher.

10. Big Thunder Mountain*
Considering how amazing the theming is, i am afraid the ride just doesn't do much. Love the last drop, but I am afraid in a very hard group this coaster isn't going any further for me. Feels harsh, but that's my rating.

:)
Blaze

The strongest group yet by far!

10. Speed
Second half is none-existant, let's it down vey badly.

9. Desert Race
Rita with a sorted third hill and better ending. Not enoug though

8. RnRC
Take away the music and lights, and you're left with an average-at-best spaghetti bowl coaster.

7. Stealth
Don't think a launch and a top hat are enough to qualify

6. Khan
Old School B&M, so it escapes the dull and formulaic criticism, but there are better rides.

5. Silver Star
A very good ride, but I'm placing it just outside, I think the others just about do better.

4. BTM
The perfect family coaster. it has everything

3. Batman
The greatest clone ever made. Nuff said.

2. Wild Mouse
Can't have enough love for this ride, it's trully incredible, and an inspired piece of engineering. Trully magical.

1. Piraten
But there can only be one winner, and it's this piece of sheer, unadulterated perfection. WOW!
AstroDan

But Blaze... you hate formulaic rides yet vote for something off the shelf?

Pffft.

;) :P
Blaze

At least Intamin admit they're just building the same ride over and over again. ;)
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Sam
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JoshC wrote: 8 ) Wild Mouse:
Sounds mental, looks mental, but ive not been on it, so cant really put it any higher then this.
The entire point of the poll is that if you've not been on a ride, you have to estimate based on photos and POVs where it would come in your rankings. So if you haven't been on it but it "looks mental" and "sounds mental", then you shouldn't be placing it this low because you haven't been on it.
AstroDan

Wild Mouse is very hard to judge for those who haven't been on. And, of those that have - some love it for it's wildness, whilst for some - it's a negative.

:)
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Pennywise
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This group really is phenomenally weak, as far as I'm concerned. There are three coasters here which I have ridden (one I enjoyed, one I found to be average, one I disliked)... and various other coasters which don't particularly appeal to me. For example, for first placed coaster here, Silver Star, would've been in 3rd-4th place for me in the last group. Still, there a couple which are clearly worthy of the next round, and the weak group gives Speed, one of my favourite British coasters, a chance of progression.

10. Wild Mouse* - It's just painful! Not in a good way, either! I honestly don't see any sort of appeal from this particular coaster, and am shocked (as with Kumali) by it's progression to this stage. The UK factor, isit?

9. Rock 'n' Rollercoaster - I'm basing this, again, on the Orlando one, to some extent. I fully appreciate that the one in Paris is far, far better; nonetheless, I can't justify higher positioning.

8. Desert Race** - Being placed in the same group as Stealth will, I suspect, significantly lower Desert Race's ranking in this competition. Though personally I don't see much of a difference between the two, in terms of quality, both are very average, but in different ways.

7. Stealth* - Ah, it's such good fun whilst it lasts. But it doesn't last. It doesn't last at all. This, combined with the ridiculous queues that it attracts, my dislike of launch coasters and the general lack of theming... it doesn't even compete.

6. Big Thunder Mountain - Looks like the perfect example of a family coaster, as was pointed out by many during the first round group stages, and thus I've decided to bump up my ranking of it a fair bit here. The theming genuinely is phenomenal, from the looks of things, which really sets it apart from virtually every other coaster in this group.

5. Piraten - This is the sound of me not entirely seeing what all of the fuss is about... hmm... it just looks far too small to impress, in all honesty. There is no theming, there's no height... I'm struggling to see the appeal, perhaps it's one that you have to ride to enjoy, or just me overlooking the obvious? Ah well.

4. Butman la fuga - It looks... average. Not something which would I'd be particularly eager to ride (though, as with any coaster, I certainly wouldn't turn down the opportunity!) and the colour scheme is pretty much hideous, in my view. There's not much more to say really, it's a fairly run of the mill B&M Inverted coaster... which is hardly a bad thing, though I'd take Inferno over it.

3. Speed* - This isn't a coaster which I had expected to wish through in the second round of the competition as mentioned already. It's both fantastic and gloriously amateurish in unison, but it has a 'feel' too it which can't quite be understood unless you've actually ridden. Though, actually, it's rather good in terms of track and train regardless, as Astro mentioned, the air-time hill is sublime.

2. Dragon Kahn - I still remain to be fully convinced that this is more Kumba than Kraken, but I'm happy enough to go with the flow when the standard of coaster in this group is generally so weak. The non-existent theming hardly helps, and seems to be a recurring theme throughout this group, with the exception of the Disney coasters.

1. Silver Star - In the first group stage of this competition, I made a big deal of stating Silver Star's flaws but, upon reflection, this really is a coaster which I would like to ride. I maintain that it does have a significant number of flaws, but a B&M packed full with air-time really is guaranteed to be something special. It certainly wouldn't be in my 'top 10' with regards to this poll, but it outclasses the other coasters here.


Like I say, I view this as a phenomenally weak group compared to the first, so am slightly surprised to see others describing it as being 'strong'.
Last edited by Pennywise on Mon Jan 23, 2012 8:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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JoshC
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Sam wrote: The entire point of the poll is that if you've not been on a ride, you have to estimate based on photos and POVs where it would come in your rankings. So if you haven't been on it but it "looks mental" and "sounds mental", then you shouldn't be placing it this low because you haven't been on it.
The reason I wouldn't put it any higher is because I have no idea what the experience is actually like, from the pov I can see it looks mental, i've heard alot of people say it's mental, but having never been on it myself I dont actually know what it is really like.

I voted in this poll based on my opinion, I dont want to jump on the band wagon and vote for the same rides as everyone else, because that would defeat the object of the poll. I thought the whole idea of this was so people could vote for their favourite rides, and then have a result that was diverse and intersting, not so everyone could vote for the same rides and then the result being the same year in year out.

EDIT: I was going to put it last, but because of the rave reviews it gets from some members I moved it up to 8th.
Last edited by JoshC on Mon Jan 23, 2012 8:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Dylan
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Mr. AstroDan, did you really just rate Speed higher than Dragon Khan? Just checking...

1. Piraten
This ride gets phenomenal reviews, and Intamin airtime machines being my favourite coaster type (I think), this gets the top spot.

2. Silver Star*
As above, some wonderful airtime without the ejector. This ride is very sleek, graceful and far more intense (in certain spots) that people would have you believe.

3. Dragon Khan*
I love Dragon Khan, it's a lovely old school B&M looper, feels a bit rough and ready and I personally think it's looks lovely in it's Chinese setting.

4. Batman la fuga*
^ What Sam said basically. Intense. Great station building and theming and SO loud. Love it.

5. Stealth*
Short but sweet. One of the best coasters in the UK, but doesn't match the coaster above.

6. Speed*
The airtime hill is completely amazing, this is probably my favourite Eurofighter, even though it is completely unthemed and has a shed as a station.

7. Rock n Roller Coaster*
After riding Florida's a couple of months ago, it re-confirmed that I do love the ride. Nice fun ride and layout.

8. Big Thunder Mountain*
Looks stunning, and that tunnel under the lake deserves a point or two!

9. Desert Race*
As much as I loved this, there not really a great deal I can say that warrants a higher ranking.

10. Wild Mouse*
Sorry Wild Mouse, you are very old and very rickety and you broke one my ribs. Laters.
AstroDan

I know... I did vote Speed higher than DK! And if you asked me in 3 weeks, I could well swap them around. But my recent memories of Speed are just AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME. That hill, it's just... WOW!

:D
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Mattmash
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I too found this a very hard group to rank.  Where as last group I had a clear top 5 and bottom 5, making it easier, in this round I have a definite 1st place and a definite last place but everything in between I rank very closely.  After much deliberation.....

10.  Big Thunder Mountain* - Just not my thing

9.  Desert Race* - Feel harsh ranking it so low, good fun coaster and definite improvement on Rita.

8.  Rock n Roller Coaster* - Nice lighting and audio but nothing great coaster wise.  Still really enjoy riding it though.

7.  Speed* - Again, can't quite believe I'm ranking this so low, as I really rate it.  By far my favourite Eurofighter in terms of track and train.

6.  Dragon Kahn* - Good old skool B&M, might have helped it if I'd rode it more recently than 16 years ago :P

5.  Stealth* - Sure it's a one trick pony, but when it does that trick so well, it doesn't really bother me.

4.  Wild Mouse* - Completely insane....

3.  Silver Star* - It's all about front row, complete with floater airtime galore!

2.  Batman La Fuga - I love B&M inverts, especially intense ones, so this seems to be right up my alley.  Can't wait to ride it!

1.  Piraten - Certainly one of my most wanted coasters in Europe.  Looks to have some incredible ejector airtime for it's size and it's received rave reviews from those who have ridden it.
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SAM93

I would have to say this is possibly the strongest group yet, having ridden 5 of the coasters, pretty much 6 when classing Desert Race as Rita, it's going to be a really tough one to vote for! Some of my favorite coasters to rank here, I shall take some time to think on it and vote later on!
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Islander
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^Would be interested to know also how said person could vote Mir bottom...

:(
CF1

1) Stealth - Brilliant. Love the Ride, The Area, The Music, everything.
2) Wild Mouse - Just Awesome
3) Piraten - Really Good and intense Ride
4) Speed - Best Eurofighter
5) Batman - Short and Intense, but nothing special
6) Silver Star - good ride, not more
7) Desert Race - ****
8) Big Thunder Mountain - never riden
9) Rock N Roller Coaster - never Riden
10) Dragon Khan - biggest rubbish in Europe (from big companys)
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Mitch
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Difficult, difficult group. With five (IMO) coasters definitely worthy of the four places this gave me some thought and I actually re-watched a few POV's to help my judgement. I'll take out the trash, so to speak, first. (Not that any of the coasters ARE trash, but, you know what I mean. :P)

10. Rock 'n' Rollercoaster *
Nice family ride but there's no way it's going through against some of the titans in this group.

9. Big Thunder Mountain *
Again, I really like it as a family ride and it has a nostalgic feel to me personally, being one of the first major coasters I've ridden. Beautiful theming but again, against some of the coasters in this group it hasn't got a hope.

8. Stealth *
Too short and uninspiring. The launch is pretty cool but it doesn't do anything else. I don't dislike it as much as I used to but I still think it's a little bit dull to be honest.

7. Desert Race
If it's anything like Rita, I'll like it. Likewise, if it's anything like Rita it won't be as good as the other coasters above it.

6. Speed
Without meaning to be prejudice towards the ride (if that's even possible in the coaster world :P ), but I don't find Eurofighters particularly appealing, and this looks to be only just marginally better than most. You shall not pass.

Now I really had to think over the next few coasters but I'm pretty happy with my decision overall:

5. Silver Star
4. Dragon Khan*
3. Batman La Fuga
2. Wild Mouse*
1. Piraten

1. Piraten was easy to put into the top spot, an example of how size doesn't matter AND an example of a phenomenal 'clone'. It really whips around its layout and in my opinion has airtime moments that will give Expedition GeForce a run for its money. This is the coaster I will back to the end, as it looks to be the best coaster in the competition.

2. Wild Mouse completely blew me away when I rode it some 4 1/2 years ago. I don't think I've had quite so many near-death experiences in such a short amount of time, it really is a cracking little ride and I'd class it as the UK's hidden gem.

3. I'm a sucker for intense B&M Inverts and I've heard nothing but good things about the Batman clones, and this particular one even has a decent attempt at theming. Sure it's an off-the-shelf model, but then so is Piraten (couldn't resist bringing it up again :P) and it certainly looks like it packs a good punch.

Picking between Dragon Khan and Silver Star was tough. I think Khan is one of the most overrated coasters on the planet but I still had some great rides on it. Maybe the overall disappointment with the ride or the fact I'd ridden the superior Kumba only a few weeks before may have dropped its rating slightly. However it IS a really good ride with an amazingly intense second half.

Silver Star was difficult to judge for me. I've generally heard mixed reviews about the ride, people on this site seem to praise it whereas I've heard other people say it's the weakest B&M out there. I HAVE however ridden a similar ride (Apollo's Chariot) which was very good. I like the design, comfort and exposure of the B&M Hyper coasters and Silver Star looks to be no exception. However in the end, I put it just outside the qualifying places. The poll fundamentally is about pitching one ride against another and so when I watched Silver Star's POV just after watching (here we go again) Piraten's, the ride looked weak.  It really crawled over the hills and it looks like the trims catch the train pretty hard. I'm not saying the ride looks bad, but out of Piraten, Wild Mouse, Batman and Khan, it didn't quite make it in my mind.
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darkside
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With the exception of Speed, they're all great coasters in their own little way.
SAM93

Well, I have just ranked mine, and it was a tough choice as predicted!!

1. Silver Star* - My current 2nd favorite coaster ever, the floater airtime is amazing and that added height just tops it off!

2. Piraten - One that's right at the top of my hit-list, Intamin Ejector at it's finest it would seem, however relatively short with less height means My Darling Sylvia just pips it!

3. Stealth* - Possibly my 2nd favorite coaster in the UK, the speed is just amazing, and as a speed and height lover this just has to rank highly!

4. Dragon Kahn - What can I say, a long layout, plenty of inversions and it's an old style B&M, what more can you want!

5. Batman La Fuga - From what I can gather, it's old style intense B&M at some of it's finest.

6. Wild Mouse* - Totally insane ride, everything about it is just mad, a nice mix of air time and near misses!

7. Rock 'N' Roller* - A smooth Vekoma is always bound to rank well, and this one is combined with an amazing launch and a shed full of lazers, it's an all round great experience!

8. Speed No Limits - It gets rave reviews, but it looks slightly average and the area just looks a little too bland sadly.

9. Big Thunder* - I loved the ride and it looks amazing, one of the most beautiful coasters I have ever layed eyes on, but in this group it sadly can't compete to it's best! :(

10. Desert Race** -  Well, as much as people say it's better.... Rita, need I say more?!
AstroDan

Darkside, I would love to know what you dislike about Speed. It's a brilliant coaster, with the best airtime hill in the UK.

You should post your rankings :D

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Nightfall
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Dan, are you trying to tempt darkside to the, err... dark side.

That didn't really work did it  #-o

But I agree if you find time to post your rankings we'd love to read what you think  :D

Here are mine let’s keep this short and sweet:

1) Piraten:
Small and mighty

2) Stealth: # 11
Pure acceleration

3) Batman La Fuga:
Classic B&M Intensity

4) Silver Star: #12
Grand but not quite as mighty

5) Big Thunder Mountain: # 16
Perfect for the younger family

6) Wild Mouse: # wood 3
A proper wild mouse

7) Dragon Khan:
Nothing but loops

8) Speed – No Limits:
Looks fun but lacking... something (beside theme)

9) Desert Race:
Better than Rita

10) Rock n Roller Coaster: # 36
A rave in a shed but lacking substance, never appealed to me
Last edited by Nightfall on Tue Jan 24, 2012 7:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Will04
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1. Big Thunder Mountain - Well, I can get away with this, I'm a Disney fan-boy  :lol:  It has the best theming in Europe, and a very fun last drop. An all round top class coaster: it's not about the thrills, but it's about the experience, and BTM provides one heck of a fun experience.

2. Dragon Khan - Really enjoyed this when I went to Port Aventura. An excellent ride that shows Colossus how looping coasters should really be done. It could benefit from better landscaping, though.

3. Piraten - This looks immense. Just immense.

4. Silver Star- It's a B&M hyper. 'Nuff said.

5.Batman La Fuga - Nothing like a good ol' B&M inverted coaster.

6. Wild Mouse- The best Wild Mouse ever.

7. Rock n Roller Coaster- For a Vekoma, excellent. When the light show (and audio) is working, a very good ride. When it's not, it's crap.

8. Stealth - Poor theming, too short a layout considering what other launched coasters had been built at that time, but with a powerful launch (especially at the front)

9. Speed - Better than Saw, that's for certain, but doesn't quite cope in a group like this.

10. Desert Race- Looks average.
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