TTF Euro Coaster Poll 2011-12

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RyanY
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I really don't get why people are voting raptor last. B&M concept with an amazing amount of theming, what does it do wrong? I also don't see why people are voting Piraten so highly as there are several clones of it and it's basically themless. Anyway that's just my thoughts.
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John
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After much deliberation, this is what I've settled on:

1. Expedition Ge Force* - there's just no contest here, EGF is the best coaster in Europe by a huge margin.

2. Katun - maybe a slight B&KM invert fanboy vote here, but this looks spectacular.  I didn't realise just how enormous it was until watching an off-ride video, and doing so has seen it jump up a notch on my hype-ometer

3. Blue Fire* - Not quite as intense as I'd like, but this is so close to perfection in every other department who really cares.  Fun by the bucket load and that inversion.

4. Mamba* - I'm not normally that fussed by theming, but this is the exception for me - it looks absolutely phenomenal, and the landscaping adds so much to the ride experience too.  Doesn't quite pack enough of a punch for me to put it any higher.

5. Balder - my excitement for this has slightly cooled over the competition, but no doubt it's a spectacular coaster.

6. iSpeed - this could go one of two ways.  Layout wise it's almost certainly amazing, but I'm always wary of the Intamin over-shoulder lap bar + vest combo.  I'll be riding in the summer so next year I can judge more fairly

7. Troy - this seems slightly more towards the 'family' end of the scale than Balder.  Looks to be hugely re-rideable, which is fortunate given it's location.

8. Piraten - another amazing achievement in negative-g from Intamin, but given the presence of the mighty EGF in this group it's hard to get excited by the baby version.

9. Silver Star* - a hugely fun ride, but again pales in comparison to others in the group.

10. Raptor - maybe I'm being unfair, but this just doesn't excite me all that much.  I'll know for sure when I ride in the Summer (and I'm sure Swarm will give me at least a vague idea), but from the reviews I've heard it doesn't sound like my kind of coaster.

Had it been here, Ultimate would have got my 2nd place :P
Dormiens-Dave

Blaze wrote:
Dormiens-Dave wrote:
Blaze wrote: Piraten really does need more love. :(
Why?

I'm surprised its made it to the final, it looks to be nothing special.
Mitch Hawker clearly thinks otherwise. The mega-lites slipped in the last poll, but didn't one of them win the year before, or at least finish second?
Megalites look like great coasters, Piratan doesn't.

And my opinion hasn't in the past needed Mitch Hawkers approval

:D
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Nightfall
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1. Blue Fire #3
After a tough choice between this and iSpeed Blue Fire has once again made my top spot. It was a close call and until today I thought iSpeed was going to take it. If we were considering layout and pacing alone it probably would have done. But Blue Fire is more than just a coaster. It’s the story of Mack showing the competition how they believe a great coaster should be made. While they may not have created the perfect ride they’ve certainly made an amazing all-round attraction and a ride I’d happily take nearly anyone on.

2. iSpeed:
This is an absolutely stunning coaster for which the speed part of its name feels very relevant. The start of the coaster looks as good as it’s possible for a launched coaster to be.
I do have two issues; unfortunately for iSpeed they happen to be Blue Fire’s main selling points. Firstly although I have not heard anything wrong with the restraints on iSpeed my experiences with Rita suggest they’ll be a discomfort. There is also the lack of a real conclusion, a major drawback as there are moments which I’m told are equivalent to the concluding Barrel Roll on Blue Fire. But as they appear towards the middle these moments detract from all the elements that occur afterwards. But these are the only real criticism I have and everything else looks just about perfect.

3. Raptor:
You might have noticed my top two rides are both accelerators. Now I’m going to slow things down with Raptor. There’s a lot more to a great ride than big drops and lots of airtime. In 2002 a ride opened which attempted to re-write the way we think about roller coasters by moving the emphasis away from thrills. Now the minds behind Air seem to be trying once again with Raptor only this time the experience is focused on close encounters. While I can’t say how successful Raptor has been until I’ve tried it for myself I’m sure that if the experience comes anywhere close to that of Air’s I’m behind this ride all the way.

4. Troy:
This is such a mental looking coaster. My only concern is that I have very little reference for what a modern twister feels like so I’m really not sure where it should be.

5. Expedition Ge Force &
6. Piraten:
I’m not entirely sure which of these two rides look better. I actually think Piraten has the better layout. It doesn’t meander about as much, gets straight to the action and wraps everything up before going stale. However the scale of Expedition Ge Force obviously adds a lot and some moments in the ride look superb. Eventually I gave it to Expedition Ge Force because the rides setting makes it feel more like a journey than a trip around an open field.

7. Balder: #1 Wood
Another airtime filled coaster. Having ridden this I know it’s a great modern incarnation of a classic wooden ride. But re-watching the POV’s I can’t help but feel it’s too much of the same:
Airtime hill, followed by airtime hill, followed by a turn then repeat a dozen or so times
I do remember the 70 degree twisted drop being a highlight along with the sound wall tunnels. But nothing else has stuck in my memory as being really special.

8. Katun:
Although I still have my doubts about how good Katun is there’s no denying the rides scale is impressive. Several elements do stand out and there is more than a hint of classic B&M.

9. Black Mamba: #10
I’ve had more trouble rating Mamba than any other ride I’ve been on. Everything about it screams excellents. But then I rode it and found the ride to be so much “Meh”. Simply put Black Mamba is Nemesis Inferno in a pit. That might be a slightly harsh statement but that’s how I felt after every ride. That’s not to say it’s bad, I actually think Nemesis Inferno is underrated by enthusiasts. But Mamba's quite a bland ride with excellent dressing. Essentially it’s the true sequel to Nemesis, and like most Sequels they’ve missed what made the original such an amazing experience. The outcome is still good but there’s very little I’d call great.

10. Silver Star: #12
Unlike Mamba I had no issues with Silver Star. It suffers from the same flaws but occasionally when it does do something more different I felt it made the ride much more interesting. Still I had to rate it below Mamba because It does lack the amazing theme. I also suspect that had I ridden Silver Star expecting more than just a fun ride (like I did with Mamba) I would have been even more disappointed.

It is a shame I had to put Silvia last. But unlike the other coasters in the final it lacks the unique selling points. Silver Star is just a very well executed solid experience that needed something extra to take on any of the above.


So that’s me done. I might still change my mind but I’m mostly happy with this order. Thanks for running this again AstroDan!
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Rob L
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Dormiens-Dave wrote:
Blaze wrote:
Dormiens-Dave wrote: Why?

I'm surprised its made it to the final, it looks to be nothing special.
Mitch Hawker clearly thinks otherwise. The mega-lites slipped in the last poll, but didn't one of them win the year before, or at least finish second?
Megalites look like great coasters, Piratan doesn't.
Just a quick point, all 4 Mega-Lite's in existence are clones of each other so I'm not sure how Piraten cannot look as good as the others? None are well themed, Kawasemi is over water quite a lot but that's about it.

I am going to vote tomorrow all being well. I think I've decided on my top 2 but after that I really don't know right now.

:)
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Joe Koopa
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My votes, it took me a long time to decide wether I was fully content with this, but I think I am now. Just to clarify, I have not ridden any coasters present in the final, so it's all judged on reviews and POVs.

#10: iSpeed -
Looks competent, in fact the first half looks great. However, it really does seem to overwhelm itself with mediocrity post-MCBR, and the fact that the Intamin restraints used are prone to roughness makes it (to me) little more than competent. I may be wrong, and I can see why some are ranking it so highly, but it may purely just not be for me.
#9: Raptor -
I know saying this is getting repetitive now, but this really is the next Air. A great ride, and probably worthy of a place here, but not great enough to be ranked higher.
#8: Piraten and #7: Expedition GeForce -
Slightly strange that I'm ranking these coasters so low, when they're the closest thing to Goliath (my favourite coaster I've personally ridden) in the final, and it might just be my bitterness over the loss of said coaster. But, Piraten seems good, but overrated. I'm not sure what exactly it's missing (bar theming), but there's definitely something.
As for Expedition GeForce, the first drop does look absolutely sensational, yet I can't see how that's contemplation for what looks like a relatively standard  remainder of the ride.
I hope I'm wrong concerning both though, and would love the chance to be proved so!
#6: Blue Fire -
Appears to be as if the first half of iSpeed was expanded throughout a whole coaster, and with comfier restraints. Loses a few places for the slightly mediocre reviews some give it.
#5: Balder -
It looks absolutely insane, so much airtime to be had. However, it too loses some places. Only for being a bit too conventional, especially when compared to Troy.
#4: Silver Star -
It looks so graceful. The layout looks excellently paced, and from what I can tell from POVs, the trim-brakes that are so often ranted about appear to make a minimal difference. From what I can tell, the best coaster in Europa Park.
#3: Troy -
Looks absolutely amazing. I've ridden one another GCI (Joris En De Draak), and this is basically that ride x50. The best woodie in the competition.
#2: Black Mamba -
Okay, so I contradicted myself. I used Balder's conventionalism against it, yet am ranking possibly the two most conventional coasters in the final first and second. Err... Well, whilst conventional, the 'tried and test' B&M formula generally works exceedingly well. The layout looks great, but the ride only is up this high due to it's theming, which truly is one of a kind brilliant.
#1: Katun -
Theming looks great, layout looks better. I'm not sure how I can really justify this first place, but let's just say, I can! Wow, is all I can really say.

:)
Dormiens-Dave

Rob wrote:
Dormiens-Dave wrote:
Blaze wrote: Mitch Hawker clearly thinks otherwise. The mega-lites slipped in the last poll, but didn't one of them win the year before, or at least finish second?
Megalites look like great coasters, Piratan doesn't.
Just a quick point, all 4 Mega-Lite's in existence are clones of each other so I'm not sure how Piraten cannot look as good as the others? None are well themed, Kawasemi is over water quite a lot but that's about it.
But Megalites don't HAVE to be a clone, my point was that i'm sure the megalite concept is a great one, I just don't think Piratan is top 10 material. The key part of that sentance being "I"

:D
AstroDan

Joe - just to throw my thoughts into the mix - Expedition Ge Force beats Goliath to a pulp. Airtime is far stronger, and the first drop many times more exciting.

I appreciate that it may not be all that easy from a POV, but hey ho!

:)

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AstroDan

Don't forget - just over 24 hours until the voting closes!

With 37 votes, it's looking healthy - but it's still very close - especially within the top few spots!

So get your votes in before 19:00 tomorrow to be guaranteed your say!

:)
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Bote
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With regards to Mega-Lite, I was under the impression from Intamin's site that it is not customisable? I thought that it was simply a Mega Coaster that was designed to have a smaller footprint and price tag than the proper Mega Coasters? Basically a scaled down, off the shelf Mega Coaster that was listed as it's own model in order to differentiate itself. Either way, Intamin make no suggestion that any other layout can be used with it, and only have the one design listed.
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darkside
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With the exception of Silver Star, all of these could be deserved winners.
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Sam
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Silver Star might not be the best in Europe, but it's an absolutely exceptional and stunning coaster.
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Joe Koopa
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AstwoDan wrote: Joe - just to throw my thoughts into the mix - Expedition Ge Force beats Goliath to a pulp. Airtime is far stronger, and the first drop many times more exciting.

I appreciate that it may not be all that easy from a POV, but hey ho!

:)

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I have heard that, I just fail to see it personally. Ah well, it may just be my ignorance, I can't demean it enough to say it wouldn't be a deserving poll winner.
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Rob L
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After a long hard think I have come to my final decision. It has been hard as these are all very good coasters that I would love to ride.

10. Troy - looks like a fantastic woodie! Not much more I can say other than I'd rather ride the rest of the coasters in the group. Something had to be last!

9. Balder - once again this looks brilliant, but the steel coasters have more appeal to me at this stage. I'd need to ride this to place it higher I think.

8. Raptor - a very well themed coaster that I would love to ride. Doesn't look quite as good track and train as the rest though. Still, a great new coaster for Gardaland.

7. Piraten - I love these Mega-Lite's but there is bigger and better in the final.

6. Black Mamba - don't get me wrong this looks top class and I am really looking forward to riding it in April. The theming is outstanding and the coaster seems to pack a punch, so you could say it's almost a perfect coaster, but there's just something about the five above it I prefer!

5. Expedition GeForce - this looks like an airtime machine and that can only be a good thing, I love airtime. Certainly one of the best coasters in Europe!

4. Blue Fire - looks very good and has very nice theming. May not be the most thrilling coaster but it does look pure fun and I love a fun coaster. I hope it doesn't disappoint when I ride!

3. iSpeed - this has grown on me so much. Looks very thrilling and is the closest thing we have in Europe to Maverick! Would love to ride.

2. Silver Star - I quite simply love B&M Mega Coasters and this looks brilliant. Unfortunate not to make my top spot.

1. Katun - I love the look of this so so much. These big B&M Inverts are awesome and this looks no different to the ones I have ridden. Right at the top of my want to ride coasters in Europe list!

Think I'm pretty happy with what I have gone for! Will be very interesting to see the results, I am expecting Blue Fire to win this year but it will probably be very close!

:)
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Dormiens-Dave

Bote wrote: With regards to Mega-Lite, I was under the impression from Intamin's site that it is not customisable? I thought that it was simply a Mega Coaster that was designed to have a smaller footprint and price tag than the proper Mega Coasters? Basically a scaled down, off the shelf Mega Coaster that was listed as it's own model in order to differentiate itself. Either way, Intamin make no suggestion that any other layout can be used with it, and only have the one design listed.
So if a park came along and asked for a custom Megalite style coaster Intamin are going to say no then?

:D
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Nora
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My top coaster is:
1. Katun
Only one word can describe this ride..... Jizztastic! :D It had better win!

And then the rest of my votes:

2. EGF
3. Black Mamba
4. Blue Fire
5. Silver Star
6. iSpeed
7. Raptor
8. Troy
9. Balder
10. Piraten
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Welcome to the Alton Towers Resort - Where the magic never ends! has ended.
AstroDan

VOTING OVER

Thanks for voting! With 44 in the final round, it was a closely run battle but we now have a definitive Top 10 order!

I will now set about collating the final rankings, which I will do over the coming days.

I expect the full poll results to be available on TTF on Sunday, 11th March from 7:00pm.

If there is any change to this time, I will post in this thread as soon as possible.

Thanks,

Dan :)
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Sam
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I really think Katun could win this year!

Massive thanks to Dan for running the poll again this year. :D
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Yep, also have a feeling about Katun, I think it might have scored fairly consistently compared to some of the others.  Of course, wouldn't be at all surprised by a Blufi/ Mamba win.
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Dormiens-Dave wrote:
Bote wrote: With regards to Mega-Lite, I was under the impression from Intamin's site that it is not customisable? I thought that it was simply a Mega Coaster that was designed to have a smaller footprint and price tag than the proper Mega Coasters? Basically a scaled down, off the shelf Mega Coaster that was listed as it's own model in order to differentiate itself. Either way, Intamin make no suggestion that any other layout can be used with it, and only have the one design listed.
So if a park came along and asked for a custom Megalite style coaster Intamin are going to say no then?

:D
Well this is Intamin we're talking about... ;)

They'd probably come up with a whole new model and add some incredibly temprimental, over the top, uneeded special aspect :P
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