I rode that damn big shot ride back in I think 96, and was not disappointed. When you're already starting from a point 1,100 ft up, outside and looking out across the desert, you don't have a point of reference with which to gauge your own inertia and it literally feels like you're falling out of the sky, which will scare the crap out of you unless you're used to jumping out of planes. Best five bucks I ever spent.
I was always worried about all the vibrations the coaster caused on the tower. I was up there and felt it. You would think that years of vibrations wouldn’t be good for the tower
I rode both rides in '99. I started with the High Roller, recognizing it as the tame one of the two. That, if it had been on the ground, would make a great training coaster for my very young son. I knew the only decent ride would be the front seat, so I waited. There were two times when you were tilted downward, where you might feel like you could shoot off the end of the track. Otherwise, it was meh. Big Shot, on the other hand was very cool. What made it even better was the sociopath (I say that in a loving way) operating it. The spiel was the usual "On the count of three," but he rarely went on three. Sometimes, he'd get there, laugh, then hit the button. And others, he would hit it when he said "on," and everything in between. No pattern, either. Much respect to him, over twenty years later, for making the ride even more memorable.
Big Shot was a heck of a view. I'm not one for heights or coasters, I usually don't do amusement rides 😂 But I got on Big Shot and it was well worth it. The nighttime view of Vegas was stellar.
This is such an interesting era for Vegas, they tried to advertise (at least here in California) as a newly renovated family friendly place. They kept building all these family style attractions as time went on and they just didn't hold, people just wanted sin city.
You're right, being from Los Angeles myself I remember those commercials and the old slogan: Las Vegas, LA's Backyard. Las Vegas simply replaced the Mob with commercialism.
I think that was a nation-wide advertising campaign. I live in the pacific northwest, and I remember those commercials. Maybe an international ad campaign
Honestly getting rid of the themed part of casinos just turned them into casinos that all looked the same. None of the new casinos impress me. I like the Aria and the Wynn, but that's it. As a casino anyway. I just hate walking a mile to get up to my room. I usually stay between the Luxor and Planet Hollywood when outdoor exploring. And I usually stay at Excalibur or the old Hooters hotel because of its convenience outside and access to food without needing a car or walking for ages.
"The riders wanted a better view" You're 900 ft in the air. What do you want, the ability to touch the moon? Either way I wouldn't ride anything 900 ft in the air
I went on the that roller coaster and the other red they pictured that suddenly shoots you up. There is a ride that is directly identical to it called the detonator here in Kansas City. I have ridden that ride countless times and never screamed once or was genuinely freaked out. (Side note that ride actually did give a great view of the KC downtown skyscrapers. But when I went on,the that same ride on top of the stratosphere I will never forget being genuinely freaked out. I also screamed like a little girl, even though I was 20 at the time. I don’t think up until that point I had screamed like a little girl, well ever since I was a little girl lol.
Don’t,.... I did it.... what’s funny you will see people on the way up bragging how they Gonna do this and that... by the time you get up there... people and I mean by the dozens change their mind . I got up there thinking there would be a line and I’d have time to talk myself out of it... I walked outside and I swear the guy said.... “oh great... no ones in line you can get on.... I almost peed I spent 65$ for all the rides and I did them all even retuning that evening( cause the band is good for 24 hrs), riding “extreme “at night. The one that makes you think you’re going off the side of the building.... You never have to wait in line for any of the rides ... people freak out when they realize how far up they are . I may have the wrong name for each ride but the craziest one is the one that dangles you over the building and swings you around. Not gonna lie. I closed my eyes and prayed for it to stop. If you fell trust me you’d be a grease spot on the ground.
I rode this coaster back when it was new. I remember standing inside near the top of the stratosphere surprised you could feel the tower sway as the roller coaster went around! I rode it at night, and thought it was pretty cool! I was kind of sad when I heard it was being removed.
They would’ve been better off making a Carousel or a rotating observation deck up there instead of a roller coaster. Also thank goodness they didn’t do that King Kong elevator thing it would’ve looked awful after 10 years.
They have an observation deck and there is a restaurant at the top that slowly rotates. Very cool experience. Yes, I rode the "High Roller" and it was also pretty cool.
I miss the High Roller. Wasn't a crazy coaster, but it was still cool to ride. My dad took me to ride it in like May 2005 and I'm glad I got to before it closed. I still remember all of the news stories about them trying to build the rollercoaster that drops off of the side. I was hoping that it'd happen. Thank you for the amazing videos that you've made about the rides and attractions here in Las Vegas, they are some of my favorite videos. Is there any chance for videos on the Adventuredome and the Luxor attractions? That would be amazing.
@@ExpeditionThemePark yay! Thank you so much! They just added a new flat ride called Nebula Z, so I'm hoping to head in there some day soon to check it out. I can't wait for those videos!
Stratosphere always reminds me of when i was younger and i built my own version of it out of knex. I remember building the roller coaster underneath the observation deck, similar sort of layout but being sort of like a flying roller coaster. Surprised no one has really suggested a flying coaster on a tower
My older brother worked up there so he would get me free rides on all 4 rides. I'd ride high roller every once in a while just cause. If it were lap bars then maybe it could've been a little more thrilling but eh.
2:41...Describing Stratosphere as being located in a “not-so-great” neighborhood is being KIND! Still, this place is STILL quite impressive...In 1996, it was a really mind-blowing place...While the roller coaster was tame, it was still a lot of fun the three times I got to ride on it...The CURRENT RIDES UP THERE?!! Now THOSE are PSYCHOTIC!
I wanted to ride High Roller, but when I saw how to get into the coaster I chickened out. I'm 6' 5" and I could see over the edge while climbing into the outside seat. NO WAY!
Another great video! I certainly hope you're not done with Vegas attractions, the ending bit kinda felt like it but there's still so much more! Adventuredome, the former Luxor attractions, the Mirage Volcano and Siegfried and Roy animal habitat, the Treasure Island pirate show (Fun fact: The sinking effect was done by Disney Legend Bob Gurr), the Excalibur dragon, the Lion exhibit and Wizard of Oz attraction at the MGM Grand, the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay, the Forum Shops animatronic shows and Race to Atlantis attraction. Love the channel!
From what I hear, they removed the coaster because the required "emergency evacuation" platform would have been too expensive to build. You might have noticed that Disneyland had to build an evacuation platform on the Alice in Wonderland ride.
I don't get why they haven't attached a proper drop tower/free fall ride to the side of the tower tbh... Would be such an easy thing to do and would be an almost unbeatable world record holder, not to mention being ridiculously terrifying. At least three manufucaturuers out there with the tech to do it too.
They have a bungee jump style attraction, basically where the person jumps off near the top while attached to a couple guide wires, and then a third wire slows them down near the bottom.
It wouldn’t make any sense to build one on the side or the tower since there’s already one on top of the tower called the Big Shot thrill ride, it catapults 16 riders 160 feet at 45mph from the 921-foot high platform up the SkyPod's mast to a height of 1,081 feet and down again. If you rewatch the video you’ll see it, it’s red. 🤣👍🔥
After being forced on this ride by my older brother in 1999 I can confirm that it’s not that the ride was fast or scary, it was the height and wind that made you scared for your life 😩. Literally thought I was going to die that night 😅
I was in Vegas in '94 (13 yrs old) and loved MGM Grand Adventures! I also went to the Adventuredome at Circus Circus and remember seeing the Strat under construction. Fun memories and Great vid!
I remember riding the Big Shot ride at the Stratosphere but I don’t remember if I rode the High Roller roller coaster. That’s how unimpressive it must’ve been and was! Was fun seeing the old, 1990s news clips in this video that showcased the ride - brings back memories of that dynamic era in Vegas when things were really happening and changing.
I am absolutely terrified of heights, but I remember this being one of the funniest roller coasters BECAUSE it was so tame for me. I totally believe that the excitement does come from the fear just going up there! If you're scared you dont care how fast it is you're just happy to get back to the ground XD
At this point, I'd love to be able to travel to Las Vegas and ride The Big Apple Coaster, and my chiropractor agrees with me. I'm getting kind of sick of shouting "Wheeeeee!" while I vacuum. I've been on the Big Shot, but this coaster was gone by the time I made my first visit to Vegas. Even though it wasn't much of a thrill, I think I'd still have enjoyed it, as a novelty.
I rode The Big Apple in 2019 I think? It's great, one of the roughest rides I've ridden, but honestly there are some super cool views and it is also a relatively fun coaster. Also sorry about the reply 9 months late, blame the algorithm for popping this on my feed now
@@siohmy Padded seats would be a nice improvement too. I went to Vegas yearly between 2007 and 2014 and I always used to buy an all-day ride pass for this coaster (guess I’m a sucker for punishment). By the end of the day, my shoulders and my butt would be very sore.
No we like our sunny days lmao we don’t really like how people stereotype the whole city based off the small strip that residents don’t even care about
Thanks for the great video. I really miss going to theme parks and I've spent a ton of time binge watching and rewatching all of your videos during this pandemic. It's helped me get through my theme park withdrawal!
@@ExpeditionThemePark Oh how that made me laugh! Thanks for the love, keep up the great work, love your channel. And remember, this ride didn't exactly cost 5 dollars to ride either. Have a good one. :)
I rode this coaster in about 1998 with my two high school age sons. We thought it was thrilling to be up so high. We were not disappointed, the view was incredible and it’s something we still talk about today...bonding time. I was a Mom that loved amusement parks, still do. Although enjoy TH-cam videos of coaster more these days.
Still mad I never got this credit, when it was like, SO RARE, and I had the weird set of circumstances to make it happen and didn't (foreigner visiting during that time frame). I was DEFINITELY not into coasters like I am now, but I wouldn't have forgotten it!!!
I really enjoyed this video, I grew up visiting Las Vegas as a child often. I rode this rollercoaster several times. It was not that exciting after a couple of times even as a child. I would love to see an wild and outrageous coaster with height and speed here in Vegas.
I can't believe I'm excited about this of all things, but awww hell yeah, Expedition Theme Park has finally grown to Skillshare-sponsorship levels! Congrats! Haha That's pretty major for a channel about amusement parks. Good stuff.
@@ExpeditionThemePark you couldn't pay me to do any of the attractions on that tower and I am not jumping off the tower for skydiving...ever...yes I am a coward...certifiably so...I'd give the cowardly lion a run for his money...
i'd love to see a video on the New high roller over by the linq. it's obviously not a very exciting ride, it's just a giant observation wheel. but it'd be cool to see why this project was proposed and how long it took to come to fruition. Loved this video! woulda liked to ride this coaster tbh, but it was before my time lol. once the pandemic's over i'd like to ride the drop tower though.
The crack was flowing like fine wine at that architectural firm. " okay okay okay we're going to have a giant mechanical gorilla take people to the top of the tower and then back out that shouldn't be a problem"
Thanks for all the great videos on Vegas coasters and attractions! I never rode on the High roller coaster but did go on the Big Shot multiple time and it was fun and crazy how high up you are. The last time I was there I remember that just to use the elevator was $10 (looked it up and it $20 now) I hope sometime in the future you do a video on the Nile river ride that was in the Luxor casino (and there was a motion simulator ride too) Just let me know if you would like me to help and compile videos and research about it.
Yeah I rode the High Roller, Big Shot, and the newer one now that dangles you over the side. Glad to have tried High Roller since it’s history now. Would really like to see the old Nile River Ride @ Luxor
built in a bad neighborhood is an understatement, lol!! You should do a video about the Fear the Walking Dead attraction and Eli Roth's Goretorium. Neither of those lasted more than a year here in Vegas, lol
I was born in Vegas in 1998 but I didn't get to go to the Stratosphere until 2012. By then, the High Roller had been removed. Even if it wasn't anything special, I still wish I could've gone on it at least once.
@@ExpeditionThemePark im not scared of heights or go on scary roasters because my favorite books and music and of course my favorite bands ,astodon amd metallica dont make me happy and upbeat and both those bands music make to face my fears
Back in the day when this was built the union iron workers were so spun out on that biker glass which was supplied to them, they travelled from job to job state to state. Interesting times back then.
Yeah, it really was only the highest - put High Roller on the ground and it was nothing. It was the location it was, that made it that bit more terrifying.
@@oneandonlysound99 If they are using premier trains, I am sure it's much better now. Still won't fix the bad layout or janky transitions, but it will make it all less painful, lol.
I actually rode that thing. Saturn had flown me to Las Vegas and put us (my roommate at the time came with, though he had to pay his own way) up in a hotel for a couple of days. While checking out Vegas, we decided to check out the Stratosphere. I remember almost nothing about the Stratosphere itself, but I do remember the coaster. Yeah, it was a kiddie coaster, but that was quite a long way up. I confess I remember it being a lot closer to the edge the it seems it actually was. Neither of us were crazy enough to go on the other ride. At the end of our stay, I purchased my new 1997 Saturn SW2 (which I'm still driving, BTW), and we drove the 3,000+ miles back to Florida.
I'd say one of the big problems was that it's a good idea, but they did it too early. Like, if you were to revisit the concept of a coaster atop a huge building nowadays, I think you _could_ have it be legitimately terrifying using modern supports/tech to do things like floorless trains, outward banking and maybe some inversions that take advantage of the sheer height; something like slow rolls or even a dive loop over the side for maximum "DON'T LOOK DOWN".
The speed limitation was just a facet of the structural safety of the tower. Boring? Yes. Safe for the structure itself? Also yes. I remember feeling the observation deck as it would softly move to and fro, and then feeling that gentle movement become more intense when the coaster would run. Unsettling! Beautiful up there though.
It would be interesting to see a video about the Luxor hotel attractions and that hotels history. I always wondered why they were removed, those attractions were fun when I was a kid.
we rode this in the early 90's... I thought it was fun! And i wish had ridden it twice instead of spending the next 5$ on on Big Shot, where i almost pooped my pants !
I remember being little and staying in Vegas with family before going to Utah (cheaper to fly to Vegas and shuttle to Utah) and being told there were rides on top of Stratosphere. Never got a chance to see what was up there. ...I don’t feel so bad not seeing it now. I wasn’t missing much Thanks for the video!
When I told a VERY SENIOR Disney imagineer I was going to Vegas he told me VERY sternly to NOT ride this roller coaster as "it throws wheels". I'll NEVER forget those three words.
I asked a cabby "what should I do down here" (old vegas) He told me "you could pay to jump off the top of the Stratosphere." "I was like: hard pass, even if I wasn't wasted." Haha
Park commercial quote: “Can’t stop this.” Stratosphere: i’m about to end this whole mans career.. Year later..... “High roller” roller coaster has been completely removed.
The Vegas roller coaster on the roof of the New York New York Hotel is pretty thrilling: good view, decent speed, 2 inverted loops, big drop and several sharp turns. And that track DOES hang over the side of the building over the street below. Once was enough as my back and neck don’t enjoy the rough rides. Definitely worth a ride when in Vegas.
How many (stories 10 Foot) tall is the stratosphere tower? What is the earthquake rating on the Rictor scale? Can you make a video about how this was built in more detail and what went into the planning and design? I know the elevator is unique?
they could've actually added some airtime or a barrel roll to high roller. ooh, and maybe lap bars :o would have also been cool as a spinning coaster also, where is that desperado clip from?
I'm so glad I rode the roller when I was a child. Forever a memory I got from the pictures at Stratosphere. Esp Sahara across the street to ride, Speed. Best coater I riden visiting the strip. Always my first place to go before anything else
Are you going to do a video on the boat ride at Luxor from when the Casino opened? This was a very good video. The High Roller is why Goofy's Sky School terrifies me every time I ride it at DCA. I hope Disneyland reopens soon.
Rode the coaster, it was disappointing, the Big Shot however, nearly gave me a heart attack, it was night time and when we hit zero g at the top i felt like i had been dropped out of a plane and was falling to earth, effect helped by ride being so high up.
The first 1000 people to use the link will get a free trial of Skillshare Premium Membership: skl.sh/expeditionthemepark01211
How did you comment 1 day ago
Huh
hey i wondered if you could do the next video on the attractions at either the Luxor or Adventuredome in Las Vegas?
So sorry to ask again but, will Mako get an expedition or Manta, cause I hope Seaworld gets some love. ❤️👍🏽Btw hope you are doing fine.
Magoic
The odds of me trusting a Vegas casino to fling me around a 1,000 foot tower are.... Really low.
Ha
It was fun
Try now you can jump off the Strat. You dont need a roller coaster. Just a few tag lines and a harness.
"Theme parks wont kill you till you have a dime left in your pocket"
Watch the video of it. 30 MPH over gentle bunny hills, with a deck right below it. Pretty lame. Big Shot was awesome, though.
I rode that damn big shot ride back in I think 96, and was not disappointed. When you're already starting from a point 1,100 ft up, outside and looking out across the desert, you don't have a point of reference with which to gauge your own inertia and it literally feels like you're falling out of the sky, which will scare the crap out of you unless you're used to jumping out of planes. Best five bucks I ever spent.
I rode it too & agree💯
An elevator ride inside a gorilla...
whatever they were on when they came up with that idea, I want it
Yessss
2 please!✌
Haha
Tons of coke
They were probably smoking broken windows
I was always worried about all the vibrations the coaster caused on the tower. I was up there and felt it. You would think that years of vibrations wouldn’t be good for the tower
“Meh”
-capitalist engineers.
But it wasn’t going that fast right?
If a rollercoaster 900 feet off the ground derails even in the slightest...I want more than a refund 😂
Hahaha right
I’d like some new clothes
Like PTSD counselling?
Clean underwear, perhaps?
Preferably the ability to fly
I rode both rides in '99. I started with the High Roller, recognizing it as the tame one of the two. That, if it had been on the ground, would make a great training coaster for my very young son. I knew the only decent ride would be the front seat, so I waited. There were two times when you were tilted downward, where you might feel like you could shoot off the end of the track. Otherwise, it was meh. Big Shot, on the other hand was very cool. What made it even better was the sociopath (I say that in a loving way) operating it. The spiel was the usual "On the count of three," but he rarely went on three. Sometimes, he'd get there, laugh, then hit the button. And others, he would hit it when he said "on," and everything in between. No pattern, either. Much respect to him, over twenty years later, for making the ride even more memorable.
I would’ve loved that job!!!
Big Shot was a heck of a view.
I'm not one for heights or coasters, I usually don't do amusement rides 😂
But I got on Big Shot and it was well worth it. The nighttime view of Vegas was stellar.
This is such an interesting era for Vegas, they tried to advertise (at least here in California) as a newly renovated family friendly place. They kept building all these family style attractions as time went on and they just didn't hold, people just wanted sin city.
Yeah!
Yep, like our mgm grand theme park. I loved it 😞
You're right, being from Los Angeles myself I remember those commercials and the old slogan: Las Vegas, LA's Backyard. Las Vegas simply replaced the Mob with commercialism.
I think that was a nation-wide advertising campaign. I live in the pacific northwest, and I remember those commercials. Maybe an international ad campaign
Honestly getting rid of the themed part of casinos just turned them into casinos that all looked the same. None of the new casinos impress me. I like the Aria and the Wynn, but that's it. As a casino anyway. I just hate walking a mile to get up to my room. I usually stay between the Luxor and Planet Hollywood when outdoor exploring. And I usually stay at Excalibur or the old Hooters hotel because of its convenience outside and access to food without needing a car or walking for ages.
"The riders wanted a better view"
You're 900 ft in the air. What do you want, the ability to touch the moon?
Either way I wouldn't ride anything 900 ft in the air
I went on it and can agree the view was worse than what you saw from inside the stratosphere. Barely any view at all.
Glad I skipped it to take a nap in the hotel room.
I went on the that roller coaster and the other red they pictured that suddenly shoots you up. There is a ride that is directly identical to it called the detonator here in Kansas City. I have ridden that ride countless times and never screamed once or was genuinely freaked out. (Side note that ride actually did give a great view of the KC downtown skyscrapers. But when I went on,the that same ride on top of the stratosphere I will never forget being genuinely freaked out. I also screamed like a little girl, even though I was 20 at the time. I don’t think up until that point I had screamed like a little girl, well ever since I was a little girl lol.
AMEN!!
Don’t,.... I did it.... what’s funny you will see people on the way up bragging how they Gonna do this and that... by the time you get up there... people and I mean by the dozens change their mind . I got up there thinking there would be a line and I’d have time to talk myself out of it... I walked outside and I swear the guy said.... “oh great... no ones in line you can get on....
I almost peed
I spent 65$ for all the rides and I did them all even retuning that evening( cause the band is good for 24 hrs), riding “extreme “at night. The one that makes you think you’re going off the side of the building....
You never have to wait in line for any of the rides ... people freak out when they realize how far up they are . I may have the wrong name for each ride but the craziest one is the one that dangles you over the building and swings you around. Not gonna lie. I closed my eyes and prayed for it to stop.
If you fell trust me you’d be a grease spot on the ground.
The fear I felt just watching this was intense, I could never be paid to go up there
It's really not scary at all I promise
We’ll create an even better coaster at the top of our Ryugyong Hotel
Do it!
And dear leader will design, engineer, build, test, and ride this coaster.
That's not a very high bar to aim for.
Shut up Kim Jong
Amazing use of this account
“the scariest ride in the world” *gets th13teen flashbacks*
Sign that waiver
* Has flashbacks to 12 year old me waiting an hour for this thing in the early 2000’s and the feeling of utter betrayal when I got off the ride *
Haha sounds right !
I went around 2006 i think. Pretty much walk ons the 2 days I went that year
I guess it was 2005. It was maybe a year before it closed or year of
I’d still find it jarring
"This was luckily scrapped" shows raffiki tossing simba off pride rock. 😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣.
😀
lol
I must say. I love your content and I also love the fact that you have practically replied to everyone that has commented. Signs of a great TH-camr!
Thank you so much! I try and reply to as many as I can
I rode this coaster back when it was new. I remember standing inside near the top of the stratosphere surprised you could feel the tower sway as the roller coaster went around! I rode it at night, and thought it was pretty cool! I was kind of sad when I heard it was being removed.
Yeah it was unique for sure !
Or look down to the street and watch the shadow move back and forth.
@@RobertSmith-tq6mf did it really sway that much?
Yes you could feel it move
They would’ve been better off making a Carousel or a rotating observation deck up there instead of a roller coaster.
Also thank goodness they didn’t do that King Kong elevator thing it would’ve looked awful after 10 years.
Haha right but can’t help want to see it
Isn't there an observation tower in China that has that?
They have an observation deck and there is a restaurant at the top that slowly rotates. Very cool experience. Yes, I rode the "High Roller" and it was also pretty cool.
I miss the High Roller. Wasn't a crazy coaster, but it was still cool to ride. My dad took me to ride it in like May 2005 and I'm glad I got to before it closed. I still remember all of the news stories about them trying to build the rollercoaster that drops off of the side. I was hoping that it'd happen. Thank you for the amazing videos that you've made about the rides and attractions here in Las Vegas, they are some of my favorite videos. Is there any chance for videos on the Adventuredome and the Luxor attractions? That would be amazing.
I have plans for both! Thank you so much for watching
@@ExpeditionThemePark yay! Thank you so much! They just added a new flat ride called Nebula Z, so I'm hoping to head in there some day soon to check it out. I can't wait for those videos!
King Kong was a cute idea but would have been a real eye sore.
Yep
Stratosphere always reminds me of when i was younger and i built my own version of it out of knex. I remember building the roller coaster underneath the observation deck, similar sort of layout but being sort of like a flying roller coaster. Surprised no one has really suggested a flying coaster on a tower
Still got it?
@@ExpeditionThemeParkI still have all the knex in my parents loft nothing built though
The "swing" thing that's up there now is absolutely terrifying
Yes! I just rode back in august I just wanted to leave after it lol
I agree almost shit my pants when I rode it.
i was 16 when i rode it and it was fun af hahahah not that bad at all
Which one? X scream? Insanity?
I rode this a few years ago and I’ve never felt soo scared in my life!
One of the best content creators with one of the most interesting roller coasters, I’m in!
Hope you enjoy !!
My older brother worked up there so he would get me free rides on all 4 rides. I'd ride high roller every once in a while just cause. If it were lap bars then maybe it could've been a little more thrilling but eh.
Yeah exactly
It leans in the whole time too so you don’t even see much of the view
2:41...Describing Stratosphere as being located in a “not-so-great” neighborhood is being KIND! Still, this place is STILL quite impressive...In 1996, it was a really mind-blowing place...While the roller coaster was tame, it was still a lot of fun the three times I got to ride on it...The CURRENT RIDES UP THERE?!! Now THOSE are PSYCHOTIC!
They are quiteeee scary ha
the scariest part of the coaster was climbing in it.
I wanted to ride High Roller, but when I saw how to get into the coaster I chickened out. I'm 6' 5" and I could see over the edge while climbing into the outside seat. NO WAY!
Another great video! I certainly hope you're not done with Vegas attractions, the ending bit kinda felt like it but there's still so much more! Adventuredome, the former Luxor attractions, the Mirage Volcano and Siegfried and Roy animal habitat, the Treasure Island pirate show (Fun fact: The sinking effect was done by Disney Legend Bob Gurr), the Excalibur dragon, the Lion exhibit and Wizard of Oz attraction at the MGM Grand, the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay, the Forum Shops animatronic shows and Race to Atlantis attraction. Love the channel!
Not done !
Wait, Excalibur had a DRAGON?! That's so cool!
From what I hear, they removed the coaster because the required "emergency evacuation" platform would have been too expensive to build. You might have noticed that Disneyland had to build an evacuation platform on the Alice in Wonderland ride.
Could be!
I don't get why they haven't attached a proper drop tower/free fall ride to the side of the tower tbh...
Would be such an easy thing to do and would be an almost unbeatable world record holder, not to mention being ridiculously terrifying.
At least three manufucaturuers out there with the tech to do it too.
Would be good!
They have a bungee jump style attraction, basically where the person jumps off near the top while attached to a couple guide wires, and then a third wire slows them down near the bottom.
It wouldn’t make any sense to build one on the side or the tower since there’s already one on top of the tower called the Big Shot thrill ride, it catapults 16 riders 160 feet at 45mph from the 921-foot high platform up the SkyPod's mast to a height of 1,081 feet and down again. If you rewatch the video you’ll see it, it’s red. 🤣👍🔥
@@EriJ100 It’s called SkyJump and you reach speeds up to 40 mph and as far as I know there’s only been one death so far. 👍🔥😜
There’s a sky jump there now. It’s like a vertical zip line with a controlled descent. Not exactly a free fall, but I want to try it.
What did they do with the cuts of track. It would be so cool to get my hands on one
Not sure sadly
After being forced on this ride by my older brother in 1999 I can confirm that it’s not that the ride was fast or scary, it was the height and wind that made you scared for your life 😩. Literally thought I was going to die that night 😅
Hahah yesss
😂
Born and raised in Las Vegas ! 38 and i remember this head knocking , fearing ride !
Don't know how you've not got more subs. You make something I'm not that bothered about interesting. Definitely a good skill.
Thank you
I was in Vegas in '94 (13 yrs old) and loved MGM Grand Adventures! I also went to the Adventuredome at Circus Circus and remember seeing the Strat under construction. Fun memories and Great vid!
Thank you! I made a Video on Mgm Grand. While back you might like
I remember riding the Big Shot ride at the Stratosphere but I don’t remember if I rode the High Roller roller coaster. That’s how unimpressive it must’ve been and was! Was fun seeing the old, 1990s news clips in this video that showcased the ride - brings back memories of that dynamic era in Vegas when things were really happening and changing.
It sucked. I rode in 99 and remember thinking it was a kiddie coaster
Same. Did any of you do the taxi coaster in New York New York? I'm not sure that is still there, but you went through the building.
"I want to go on something more thrilling than High Roller"
Aha yeppp
Then go on.. hmm... Maybe ride an SBF spinner? Those are "terrifying" lol
RCT reference 👌🏻
"High Roller is too intense for me"
Big shot was scary as fuck. You just picked the wrong one.
My palms are sweating just watching the rides
Mom's spaghetti
he’s nervous, but on the surface he looks calm and ready to drop bombs
I am absolutely terrified of heights, but I remember this being one of the funniest roller coasters BECAUSE it was so tame for me. I totally believe that the excitement does come from the fear just going up there! If you're scared you dont care how fast it is you're just happy to get back to the ground XD
At this point, I'd love to be able to travel to Las Vegas and ride The Big Apple Coaster, and my chiropractor agrees with me. I'm getting kind of sick of shouting "Wheeeeee!" while I vacuum.
I've been on the Big Shot, but this coaster was gone by the time I made my first visit to Vegas. Even though it wasn't much of a thrill, I think I'd still have enjoyed it, as a novelty.
It has new trains so might be better now!
I rode The Big Apple in 2019 I think? It's great, one of the roughest rides I've ridden, but honestly there are some super cool views and it is also a relatively fun coaster.
Also sorry about the reply 9 months late, blame the algorithm for popping this on my feed now
Glad you’ve done a vid on this. Lots of channels have, but your work is so good and in-depth!
Thank you!
Pretty good timing, considering the Big Apple coaster down the road re-opened with new trains yesterday!
Right! Hope to give it a try
Please tell me the shoulder restraints no longer dislocate your shoulders?! Ok, they didn’t, but you sure felt battered and bruised after riding it.
@@siohmy Padded seats would be a nice improvement too. I went to Vegas yearly between 2007 and 2014 and I always used to buy an all-day ride pass for this coaster (guess I’m a sucker for punishment). By the end of the day, my shoulders and my butt would be very sore.
Amazing video and content as always! Do a video highlighting Adventure Dome at Circus Circus to round out your Vegas expedition!
Thank you and more to come!
Vegas is one of those places that should never have sunlight and just stay dark.
Haha
No we like our sunny days lmao we don’t really like how people stereotype the whole city based off the small strip that residents don’t even care about
Technically it never goes dark, everything in Vegas is open 24/7, even grocery stores, it's awesome and convenient if you work a swing/mid shift.
Facts
@@twoelevnn it's a shit hole outside the resorts
Thanks for the great video. I really miss going to theme parks and I've spent a ton of time binge watching and rewatching all of your videos during this pandemic. It's helped me get through my theme park withdrawal!
Thank you so much for watching. Stay safe!
Rode this while hungover, was still disappointed. :(
Hahah the worst way
@@ExpeditionThemePark Oh how that made me laugh! Thanks for the love, keep up the great work, love your channel. And remember, this ride didn't exactly cost 5 dollars to ride either. Have a good one. :)
I rode this coaster in about 1998 with my two high school age sons. We thought it was thrilling to be up so high. We were not disappointed, the view was incredible and it’s something we still talk about today...bonding time. I was a Mom that loved amusement parks, still do. Although enjoy TH-cam videos of coaster more these days.
Do you still all go together ?
Still mad I never got this credit, when it was like, SO RARE, and I had the weird set of circumstances to make it happen and didn't (foreigner visiting during that time frame). I was DEFINITELY not into coasters like I am now, but I wouldn't have forgotten it!!!
Now you are though!
I'm a simple man, I see you re-use the Lance Burton Desparado clip yet again, I crack up.
I really enjoyed this video, I grew up visiting Las Vegas as a child often. I rode this rollercoaster several times. It was not that exciting after a couple of times even as a child. I would love to see an wild and outrageous coaster with height and speed here in Vegas.
Thank you so much!
Should totally make an Expedition Extinct shirt. Great vid as always!!
Thank you for watching!
Breathtaking views of the slums of Las Vegas.
Haha
I can't believe I'm excited about this of all things, but awww hell yeah, Expedition Theme Park has finally grown to Skillshare-sponsorship levels! Congrats! Haha
That's pretty major for a channel about amusement parks. Good stuff.
Thank you!!
High Roller is one of the scariest family rides on top of the stratosphere!
Exactly!
An acrophhobic wacky worm lol
I rode the Big Shot decades ago. Feels like you are being shot into outer space. Definitely gets the heart pumping!
Yes, that scared the crap out of me too. So high and dropping free fall!
I rode it back in the day, just to ride it. it was rough. I could have walked around the tower faster.
True ha
@@ExpeditionThemePark you couldn't pay me to do any of the attractions on that tower and I am not jumping off the tower for skydiving...ever...yes I am a coward...certifiably so...I'd give the cowardly lion a run for his money...
Great video . Had no idea of the original kong concept ride . Vegas has such a tragic history with rides and theme park attractions
Thank you !
I remember seeing this place on Insane Coaster Wars on Travel Channel it’s a great concept but it was executed poorly and not marketed well enough
It’s unique ha
Good video bro 👍 I live here in Las Vegas and I think we desperately need some better rides and attractions! 🥺
Thank you!
i'd love to see a video on the New high roller over by the linq. it's obviously not a very exciting ride, it's just a giant observation wheel. but it'd be cool to see why this project was proposed and how long it took to come to fruition.
Loved this video! woulda liked to ride this coaster tbh, but it was before my time lol. once the pandemic's over i'd like to ride the drop tower though.
It does have a interesting story
The crack was flowing like fine wine at that architectural firm.
" okay okay okay we're going to have a giant mechanical gorilla take people to the top of the tower and then back out that shouldn't be a problem"
Thanks for all the great videos on Vegas coasters and attractions!
I never rode on the High roller coaster but did go on the Big Shot multiple time and it was fun and crazy how high up you are. The last time I was there I remember that just to use the elevator was $10 (looked it up and it $20 now)
I hope sometime in the future you do a video on the Nile river ride that was in the Luxor casino (and there was a motion simulator ride too)
Just let me know if you would like me to help and compile videos and research about it.
I’m working on a video for Luxor !
@@ExpeditionThemePark Awesome! Can't wait!
Yeah I rode the High Roller, Big Shot, and the newer one now that dangles you over the side. Glad to have tried High Roller since it’s history now. Would really like to see the old Nile River Ride @ Luxor
Always my favorite channel with my favorite kind of content. Another great video full of interesting theme/amusement park history and tidbits.
Thank you!
built in a bad neighborhood is an understatement, lol!! You should do a video about the Fear the Walking Dead attraction and Eli Roth's Goretorium. Neither of those lasted more than a year here in Vegas, lol
Will take a look into it!
I was born in Vegas in 1998 but I didn't get to go to the Stratosphere until 2012. By then, the High Roller had been removed. Even if it wasn't anything special, I still wish I could've gone on it at least once.
I’m afraid of heights. I mean the view from up there looks really cool, but I don’t like it when I’m up really high.
Might not be for you then!
@@ExpeditionThemePark im not scared of heights or go on scary roasters because my favorite books and music and of course my favorite bands ,astodon amd metallica dont make me happy and upbeat and both those bands music make to face my fears
The view is alright. It’s stupid windy on the observation deck so it kind of takes away from everything.
I got to ride this when I was a kid. Intense rollercoasters weren't my jam at the time, so I enjoyed it.
I so want that King Kong attraction to exist!!
Right?!
@@ExpeditionThemePark Not gonna lie, *I* do as well! :D I'm in kind of a 'Kong' mode myself ever since the "Godzilla vs Kong" trailer dropped.
Back in the day when this was built the union iron workers were so spun out on that biker glass which was supplied to them, they travelled from job to job state to state. Interesting times back then.
Intamin: we have the tallest coaster in the world
S&MC: that's cute
well it wasn't really THE TALLEST, it was THE HIGHEST
Yeah, it really was only the highest - put High Roller on the ground and it was nothing. It was the location it was, that made it that bit more terrifying.
The in depth amusement mini documentarys that we've needed all these years. Love your channel!! Love- a six flags ride sup lol.
Just feel like I should mention this, Manhattan express just got new trains and then derailed
Yeah it’s reopened now though
it is however, now open with the brand new trains, pretty much Premiere sky rocket II trains and people are saying it's heavily improved.
@@oneandonlysound99 If they are using premier trains, I am sure it's much better now. Still won't fix the bad layout or janky transitions, but it will make it all less painful, lol.
@@elofkjellson3906 the former trains were also by Premier Rides.
I actually rode that thing. Saturn had flown me to Las Vegas and put us (my roommate at the time came with, though he had to pay his own way) up in a hotel for a couple of days. While checking out Vegas, we decided to check out the Stratosphere. I remember almost nothing about the Stratosphere itself, but I do remember the coaster. Yeah, it was a kiddie coaster, but that was quite a long way up. I confess I remember it being a lot closer to the edge the it seems it actually was. Neither of us were crazy enough to go on the other ride.
At the end of our stay, I purchased my new 1997 Saturn SW2 (which I'm still driving, BTW), and we drove the 3,000+ miles back to Florida.
I'd say one of the big problems was that it's a good idea, but they did it too early. Like, if you were to revisit the concept of a coaster atop a huge building nowadays, I think you _could_ have it be legitimately terrifying using modern supports/tech to do things like floorless trains, outward banking and maybe some inversions that take advantage of the sheer height; something like slow rolls or even a dive loop over the side for maximum "DON'T LOOK DOWN".
I would love to see what they would come up with now
YET ANOTHER AMAZING VIDEO.
KEEP THEM COMING.
Thank you!
Hey, Expedition Theme Park! Could you please do the History of Lightning Rod at Dollywood?
In the future yes!
@@ExpeditionThemePark or vampire at chessington?
That is one impressive wooden coaster..
It looks like a perfect ride for me, honestly! Slow, gentle, and no forces lol.
Ha awww rides for everyone !
The speed limitation was just a facet of the structural safety of the tower. Boring? Yes. Safe for the structure itself? Also yes. I remember feeling the observation deck as it would softly move to and fro, and then feeling that gentle movement become more intense when the coaster would run. Unsettling!
Beautiful up there though.
It would be interesting to see a video about the Luxor hotel attractions and that hotels history. I always wondered why they were removed, those attractions were fun when I was a kid.
I'm working on it!
Yeah I was sad the boat ride was gone by the time I got there. I think it was in general just the shift away from family type entertainment.
@@tulinfirenze1990 The Nile River, cocktail waitresses in Egyptian black wigs w/bangs & shirtless valets dressed as pharaohs. The opening was grand.
we rode this in the early 90's... I thought it was fun! And i wish had ridden it twice instead of spending the next 5$ on on Big Shot, where i almost pooped my pants !
Haha paying to poop
I remember being little and staying in Vegas with family before going to Utah (cheaper to fly to Vegas and shuttle to Utah) and being told there were rides on top of Stratosphere. Never got a chance to see what was up there.
...I don’t feel so bad not seeing it now. I wasn’t missing much Thanks for the video!
When I told a VERY SENIOR Disney imagineer I was going to Vegas he told me VERY sternly to NOT ride this roller coaster as "it throws wheels". I'll NEVER forget those three words.
Disney warning people about someone else's ride. Now that's hilarious. 🤣
I rode this in 1999. I wasn't an enthusiast at the time, I just stumbled upon it on a road trip. Big Shot and Desperado too!
nice!
Yoooooo I jumped off the side of the stratosphere!!
Nice! I want to do it!
I asked a cabby "what should I do down here" (old vegas) He told me "you could pay to jump off the top of the Stratosphere." "I was like: hard pass, even if I wasn't wasted." Haha
@@ExpeditionThemePark 10/10 recommend. I have the video up I think on my channel. I think I was 14 at the time. Maybe 15
Park commercial quote: “Can’t stop this.”
Stratosphere: i’m about to end this whole mans career..
Year later.....
“High roller” roller coaster has been completely removed.
“Your enjoyment of the coaster came down to one thing; how scared of heights you were...and how much you enjoyed the view.” Yep, just one things.
I said either 😂
You used the video from the Kong: Skull Island premiere in Vietnam that caught on fire right? Because that was insane!
Yep! Haha such a cool clip
If the highest rollercoaster was 420ft, that would of been nice
Yeah!
I guess you’ll be high in more ways than one 😂😂😂
Highest, no, but the tallest was for two years from 2003 to 2005.
The Vegas roller coaster on the roof of the New York New York Hotel is pretty thrilling: good view, decent speed, 2 inverted loops, big drop and several sharp turns. And that track DOES hang over the side of the building over the street below. Once was enough as my back and neck don’t enjoy the rough rides. Definitely worth a ride when in Vegas.
How many (stories 10 Foot) tall is the stratosphere tower? What is the earthquake rating on the Rictor scale? Can you make a video about how this was built in more detail and what went into the planning and design? I know the elevator is unique?
they could've actually added some airtime or a barrel roll to high roller. ooh, and maybe lap bars :o
would have also been cool as a spinning coaster
also, where is that desperado clip from?
Or anything ha! I have a video on desperado with it
I'm so glad I rode the roller when I was a child. Forever a memory I got from the pictures at Stratosphere. Esp Sahara across the street to ride, Speed. Best coater I riden visiting the strip. Always my first place to go before anything else
8:20 The wheels came off and they could have died and were given a refund of $5 lol
Yeppp
I caught that too. Lol.
@@ExpeditionThemePark Lol 😂
Are you going to do a video on the boat ride at Luxor from when the Casino opened? This was a very good video. The High Roller is why Goofy's Sky School terrifies me every time I ride it at DCA. I hope Disneyland reopens soon.
Yes!
Who clicks dislike for videos like this? Weird.
Not me!
@14:04 How'd they do that? Split screen? Chromakey?
I'm scared of heights and I would never ride the rides up there. The ones that are there now looks cool though
Yeah not great in that case ha
is the ferris wheel the one that was previously at stateline or possibly primm nevada and seated around 8 riders in each car?
I was on it when the whole thing fell off we all died.
I stayed there with some buds when I was in college in 2007. We found a little bottle of crack in the denny's parking lot across the street.
Sounds right
It is in a scary neighborhood.
Did u smoke it ?
Rode the coaster, it was disappointing, the Big Shot however, nearly gave me a heart attack, it was night time and when we hit zero g at the top i felt like i had been dropped out of a plane and was falling to earth, effect helped by ride being so high up.
Love the Big Shot!
Theres a part of that rollercoaster on this dudes house down my street he even got the carts he collect a bunch of vegas stuff