Note: I didn't include RMCs because those are basically new rides entirely, while the ones on this list are more close to the originals. They also deserve their own video.
Definetly an understandable reason, although I'd say Phantom is way too different with that logic, if Phantom qualifies, I'd say at least New Texas Giant or Iron Rattler would qualify too, both follow the original layout pretty faithfully, excluding the boring helixes and the inversion on Rattler.
Yeah if you include phantoms revenge and powder keg you probably need to include rmc refurbishments For all intents and purposes those two coasters only reused the stations and left hills
I was born after the change to Phantom's Revenge and I can say that the coaster's smoothness can't be overstated. Such a fun ride, and it's definitely worth the trip. That and the Jackrabbit. Amazing how well that one has held up for an over century old wooden ride.
I remember riding the original steel phantom, it was rough but I still loved it. I remember the staff making people remove their earrings before each ride due to the head banging being so bad that earrings could cause lacerations during the ride. The new Phantoms Revenge is definitely an amazing improvement, but I'm so happy they didn't modify the second drop. I've ridden coasters all over the world, and the second drop of phantoms revenge is still one of the best! If you are lucky, the Thunderbolt will pass over just as you go under its track.
Ninja was truly a double-edged sword, always short lines, always getting front seats, but you feel like you got jumped by actual ninjas when you disembark. Bonus points for immersion, I guess.
Powder Keg has an extremely unique ride experience, and it’s clear they take an immense amount of pride in the redesign when you look at the theming. I love it haha
So glad my home park got some love at number one! Phantom is a treasure of a coaster considering its history, and it still holds up to coasters 20 years older! It’s almost the father of RMCs, as someone who’s ridden a lot of RMCs and Phantom hundreds of times.
Same! As my home park, Steel Phantom was my first coaster and even though it was a head banging machine, I still had a special place in my heart for it…however I’m so glad it was transformed into Revenge!
@@Spidermonkey43 Its main issue is that the hard restraints make it difficult (if not impossible) for shorter people to avoid the head-banging and enjoy the good layout. If it got these vest restraints then the roughness would be tolerable for all, not just tall people like me.
@@RTRC_2012 I'm 5'6", and I do fine with Arrow's restraints. All I have to do is grab the restraints and lean my head forward, and I never get headbanging with any of their rides. I can't say the same for B&M, as that strategy doesn't always work with their rides. But that strategy also might not work for people much shorter than me with Arrows. I'm a huge fan of Viper, my # 3 in the park, but I would enjoy it even more with vest restraints. On one of my rides, I even blacked out on the double loops, which is the only time that's ever happened. That first half is so insanely intense! I love it!
Hey, I just started watching your videos, and I am very inspired. People these days usually don't think they will like TH-cam channels that they just come across, but I think that this channel is so good and content filled! Im glad that you included powder keg, my very first roller coaster! I hope you have a very good day!
I rode Ninja at Six Flags Over Georgia. It was my very first steel coaster, so I didn't have much of a basis of comparison, but I still remember calling it "The Headache Machine"! Glad it's better now, I should go back there and give it a ride!
That park has loads of great rides. Goliath, Twisted Cyclone, Batman, Superman, DareDevil Dive, and Blue Hawk are all great rides. Although I've heard bad things about that park's staff. Once, a ride op didn't secure someone from Coaster Studios's leg restraints properly on Superman. If I ever went there, I would probably stick with Goliath and Batman.
I remember riding Ghost Rider in the summer of 2019. It was so good I chose to ride it twice. It was an amazingly smooth experience, so learning about how rough it was just a couple years prior was quite surprising.
Great job, Peter. I wouldn’t have expected The Beast to be so high. While the retrack improved it, it was already great. Whereas most of the other picks on the list are major transformations.
Glad "The Beast" made the list. So many amazing memories riding that thing at night. Prior to the retrack that double helix literally was painful. Road it post retrack and it is back to being a comfortable ride.
I live 40 minutes from Kings Island and I have to tell you that I’ve always loved The Beast. The re-track they did makes the coaster even more enjoyable. It makes me happy that they want to keep it alive for years to come.
i'm not gonna lie, i hated my ride on The Beast lol. but I totally understand and appreciate all the fans of that coaster. This vid pretty much nailed it when he said that every coaster lover on earth knows about The Beast because of its unique position, its LONG track, and all the other legendary theming
Usually the redesigns aren’t as good as the original but I do agree with ghost rider new track because it looks smooth around those turns and hills. Anyway I really like your content keep on posting
Phantom's Revenge has stood the test of time. I never got to ride Steel Phantom, but absolutely love Phantom's Revenge. I also like the new purple color the track was painted.
@@thecustardguys Pegasus' only bad part is that poorly designed turn back into the station. Cyclops, on the other hand, that ride seems like it was intentionally designed to beat you up.
I’ve been on a few of these rides. And I can say from personal experience that the rides I have ridden on this list are absolutely outstanding. I love them. That just goes to show that a simple refurbishment can make a ride so much better. Btw your channel is amazing. I’ve been watching you since 2017.
Theme Park Crazy, you are my absolute idol. You helped me get over my fear of roller coasters and I hope to be a roller coaster TH-camr someday just like you!
Seeing Hades 360 in here makes my back hurt just from the memories of it. The layout is absolutely amazing, but every time I ride I worry my back and neck are seriously injured from the shaking.
Boardwalk Bullet went from being insanely rough to being my #1 Wooden Coaster after it’s re-tracking a couple of years ago. The airtime in the front row is some of the best I’ve ever felt and it’s never been known as an airtime coaster.
Ninja at Six Flags Over Georgia was literally the worst coaster I had ever ridden due to head-banging. I had gotten new ear piercings right before my first trip and was convinced my studs would be ripped from my ear. Glad to hear they addressed that because it. was. ROUGH.
I went to Six Flags Over Georgia last Summer. I was amazed how comfortable Blue Hawk was and it allowed you to enjoy the inversions and near head-chopping moment.
I wasn't expecting Powder Keg to be on this list, but I'm glad it was! SDC is really close to where I live and I love learning more about the park's history and I had no idea that it was changed so drastically! I'll have to try to look for the change in the track the next time I'm there! :)
I ride Python all the time, it is so smooth and the restraints feel like a shoulder massage because they give a little room and gently press back. I was allowed to stay seated three times once since no one was waiting, and in the third round I almost fell asleep. It is like being rocked to sleep. I love python :)
Worth mentioning: Flight of Fear. It opened with bulky over-the-shoulder restraints and the head-banging would give the worst SLCs a run for their money. The rides are still cramped and shaky but its still a night and day difference.
As Kennywood is my home park, I got the privilege, or not privilege of riding the Phantom with the inversions. So glad it was changed and I absolutely must ride Phantoms Revenge every time I’m at the park. It’s my fave!!
I rode phantom the first week it was open and it was said to be going 95 mph through the vertical loop… It definitely hurt very very bad. I loved the inversions but they were so compact and close to each other that that’s what did it in.
Does anyone remember when they told you that you should take out any ear piercings? I remember as a teenager that we were told to take out our earrings. It was terrible for me as I had 5 earrings in each ear at the time. Lol! After riding it, I understood. Your head would slam against the harness so hard I’m sure any stud earrings would stab your neck. Lol! I always left that ride with a major headache.
Im going to add a personal honorable mention here: Predator at Six Flag Darien Lake. Wow. I never knew a bad coaster could go good after just 2 years. when i rode predator in 2021, it was a very rough coaster, so much when i was working as a ride attendant on the ride for the ride, i basically volunteered to but my body on the line to open it. however, i found a good seat that made the ride bearable. in 2022, the ride was still not great, but the steel tracking on the big spiral made the ride a lot more enjoyable. and as of 2023 with the steel track on the turn back after the 1st drop and airtime hill, the coaster has become one of my all time favorites! its still rough in same places, mainly the 1st turn is super rough, but bearable because of the lack of high speeds, but it got rougher near the near the end of the year, probably due to weathering of the track. Can't wait to see what they get up to next year! (Also, in 2021-22, the coaster was listed 6th on my list of coasters at darien lake, but now takes the top spot, just barely surpassing ROS due to ROS getting to rough for a steel coaster. Start your flame wars in the reply's below, I'll go pop some popcorn with extra butter and salt)
The last time I rode the Beast, the final helix was so rough on me that I thought I was going to get a chipped tooth. Thank goodness they retracked it, so hopefully it wouldn't be as rough as before. Love your videos!
Can vouch for python, just been on today and it's buttery smooth, was in complete shock when I got off. Knowing the old vekomas I thought it would be a beating, wonderfully smooth throughout though!
As someone who goes to the Efteling at least once every 2 weeks, I can agree that the track is insanely smooth, the only con is that it's hard to get into them because the restraints don't go up very high, so you kinda have to stoop to get in
I rode The Big Apple Coaster nearly blind (I couldn't wear my glasses and I am legally blind) It was... something back in 2016, I can feel the headache just thinking about it. But with the new restraints I might have to head back
I have rode powder keg. I didnt know much about the previous incarnation of it, but that ride is an absolute blast! Has to be my favorite there. Thanks for a great video as always!
Ive ridden the beast, phantoms revenge, and great nor easter and I must say they are better than ever, the beast even shot up from my top 30 all the way up to my top 10, all because of its retracking
I rode the Beast for the first time in Fall 2021, right before the retrack. My first coaster in 20 years, and it left me more shook than a car crash. I've literally been rear ended at 55 mph, and left less sore. By luck, I was able to get a ride on the new retracked when it first opened up on Mother's day. It was glass smooth on a non-wheel seat, even on the helix. Even on a wheel seat it only has about as rough as a newer GCI. Well, besides Mystic Timbers which is still smoother than most steel coasters through some sort of witchcraft.
I really hate, that such things have to be added at all, just because some guest feel more secure, even thought the trains shouldn't need them at all. This things just do nothing like the comfort collar, its just time consuming
The video has now made me realize how grateful we are to have fan willing to save rides for improvements and development. If only some people opened their eyes to trying the new experience.
That drop into the tunnel on Hades 360 IS absolutely epic. (I was lucky enough to ride in the very front on my first ride!) I don't remember it being especially rough - though I can definitely understand why some people were uncomfortable - but it's *definitely* smoother than Cyclops! I thought my teeth were going to break on that coaster
And the worst thing about comfort collars is, that they really do nothing at all, they are just there. Even a seatbelt isn't needed for this trains. Allready heared some say, they would go on a Sky Rocket coaster when it had these, but in the these are still just stupid and time consuming.
For Python, i had personal experience ... this was a real WTF moment. The original was ... "like a organ sorting maschine" like my friend said. The retracking was like it was levitating on the rails. Its a difference between night and day. Its like magnet levitation. (as always: do not use for shout-out, thanks ^-^ )
Python did get insanely smooth. Rode it for the first time in 2004, with the old Vekoma trains. The Kumba trains weren't actually that bad the first few years but they did get pretty bad after a while. Now, with the retrack and new Vekoma trains it is the smoothest it's ever been, almost like riding a B&M. Only thing that tells it age is the old school layout.
Is it weird that I never had an issue with The Great Nor'Easter before the retracting and new trains? I grew up marathoning it every Irish Weekend, going for sometimes more than ten times in a row, thanks to having the all rides wristbands. Lol. Good times!
Not weird at all. Coaster enthusiasts on youtube tend to all have the same opinions, subscribing to group-think. Someone with influence trashes on a certain ride, and that exaggerated opinion spreads like a virus on youtube. Vekoma SLCs without any modifications are still good rides. People who don't watch coaster youtube videos tend to love the Vekoma SLCs, while youtube enthusiasts trash on them. The modifications like we see on Great Nor-Easter make them better, but I still enjoy the original versions of them. Those bulky restraints aren't actually bad.
Nah, for the longest time I had the infamous Mind Eraser as my channel banner. I think it has its days but overall people who have said just demolish all SLCs throw me left as they’re good rides with proper TLC.
Great video. I’m hoping that you can make a sequel to this video with all of the notable coasters getting makeovers this year such as TTD, Boulder Dash, Grizzly and a lot more.
As kennywood as my hometown park, I can vouch for it. I rode it as the steel phantom back in the early 00s when I was in middle school. A bit rough and the first drop slammed me straight to the left. The revamp is enjoyable but I do miss the loops and etc. It’s very smooth and a lot of air time.
I actually really enjoyed Big Apple Coaster (or whatever it's called nowadays) when I rode it in Oct 2022. Not bad at all I don't think. I always assumed the comfort collars were solely for blackouts. If you blackout you wouldn't keel over and bust your face. I absolutely DESPISE them mainly do to the loading and unloading process. It's sooooo cumbersome to get into them. 18:16 That's actually a really impressively smooth pull out for an Arrow drop. Especially for one at a bank and 200'.
My personal experience is at Vallejo Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, they had a large wooden roller coaster I don't remember the original name. They change it to a hybrid coaster, this made wooden coaster with all steel tracking. Renamed it the Joker, soon thereafter I took a ride on this updated coaster. Super smooth now with the hybrid steel track, a very enjoyable coaster. I think this is a great idea to preserve the structure, and add new up-to-date steel track. Soon thereafter this kind of hybrid conversion became popular in other theme parks. Enjoyed your video very much, I've been riding roller coasters for over 50 years now, a little harder to get in and out of the seat, but I still love the experience thank you.
Hey, just wanted to say I really enjoy your videos. They are very down-to-earth and rational, and as we know sometimes people in this community are………interesting. I think your a great TH-camr and my mums a fan too. Also, do you think you could make a video showcasing some of Australia’s best roller coasters? Keep up the good work:)
I am SOOOO Happy that they Refreshed The Beast. I love that coaster and have been afraid that they would RMC it and it would lose it's "old woodie" charm. That said, a brand new hybrid marketed as a reborn Son of Beast Would be nice.
Yo I love the vids I think you bring a great perspective that I don't really hear too much it's refreshing to hear a new pov and I think it was very tasteful to not include RMC's
I know this is a year old video, but I thought I’d say you helped me break a very long artistic block. I’ve been watching your videos for a long time and randomly felt like trying to draw a basic roller coaster loop while listening, got so frustrated with the perspective I ended up doing a pencil drawing of 11:48 and it’s the best sketch I’ve done in years 🎢
If you’ve ever been to Lagoon and ridden the White Coaster then you would know that that ride really needs to be redone. (Also I think it’s funny that Vekoma has made a ride called Python and a ride called Viper)
Didn't think #1 would be nearly that high, but happy it is. Still love that one more than most of my credits, but it's also my home park, so maybe I'm biased a bit.
I haven’t really been watching coaster video’s, because I miss riding (winter blues). I had to watch this one though! I knew the phantom was gonna be number one! That’s my home town park and the phantom was the first major ride I’d ever gotten on! I was 9yrs old and scared to death! 98’ was the best year for me, I got on it 3 more times that day lol. Anyways, this coaster started it all for me. Now I’m giga coaster hunting, so to speak. I’ve ridden 3 of the 7 and I intend to put two more on my list this summer! Another great video! Thanks and blessings to all!
Note: I didn't include RMCs because those are basically new rides entirely, while the ones on this list are more close to the originals. They also deserve their own video.
ye I get that!
i see you did a good spongebob reference to clams, in which mr krabs points out that the giant clam has the same lipstick
Definetly an understandable reason, although I'd say Phantom is way too different with that logic, if Phantom qualifies, I'd say at least New Texas Giant or Iron Rattler would qualify too, both follow the original layout pretty faithfully, excluding the boring helixes and the inversion on Rattler.
Yeah if you include phantoms revenge and powder keg you probably need to include rmc refurbishments
For all intents and purposes those two coasters only reused the stations and left hills
The legend at holiday world Got a major retrack In 2016
I was born after the change to Phantom's Revenge and I can say that the coaster's smoothness can't be overstated. Such a fun ride, and it's definitely worth the trip. That and the Jackrabbit. Amazing how well that one has held up for an over century old wooden ride.
I remember riding the original steel phantom, it was rough but I still loved it. I remember the staff making people remove their earrings before each ride due to the head banging being so bad that earrings could cause lacerations during the ride. The new Phantoms Revenge is definitely an amazing improvement, but I'm so happy they didn't modify the second drop. I've ridden coasters all over the world, and the second drop of phantoms revenge is still one of the best! If you are lucky, the Thunderbolt will pass over just as you go under its track.
Ninja was truly a double-edged sword, always short lines, always getting front seats, but you feel like you got jumped by actual ninjas when you disembark. Bonus points for immersion, I guess.
Very nice.
Powder Keg has an extremely unique ride experience, and it’s clear they take an immense amount of pride in the redesign when you look at the theming. I love it haha
I actually prefer Powder Keg to Outlaw Run.
sad i cant ride the original powder keg! i love both roller coasters and log flumes!
My favorite sdc ride😮
So glad my home park got some love at number one! Phantom is a treasure of a coaster considering its history, and it still holds up to coasters 20 years older! It’s almost the father of RMCs, as someone who’s ridden a lot of RMCs and Phantom hundreds of times.
That was my first big coaster!
@@coastersaga Same
I love the phantom! Looks wayyy better in purple too.
@@moorbish Prefer the green. Feels more nostalgic
Same! As my home park, Steel Phantom was my first coaster and even though it was a head banging machine, I still had a special place in my heart for it…however I’m so glad it was transformed into Revenge!
Blue Hawk’s story gives me hope for Magic Mountain’s Viper.
I love that ride and want it to stick around as long as it can.
Yeah Viper has reallly gone downhill over the years. I hope they just redo the whole ride cuz for me all the loops are just too much
@@Spidermonkey43 Its main issue is that the hard restraints make it difficult (if not impossible) for shorter people to avoid the head-banging and enjoy the good layout. If it got these vest restraints then the roughness would be tolerable for all, not just tall people like me.
@@RTRC_2012 I'm 5'6", and I do fine with Arrow's restraints. All I have to do is grab the restraints and lean my head forward, and I never get headbanging with any of their rides. I can't say the same for B&M, as that strategy doesn't always work with their rides. But that strategy also might not work for people much shorter than me with Arrows. I'm a huge fan of Viper, my # 3 in the park, but I would enjoy it even more with vest restraints. On one of my rides, I even blacked out on the double loops, which is the only time that's ever happened. That first half is so insanely intense! I love it!
I love Viper and hope dearly that it gets those vekoma mk1212 trains, if only so everyone can enjoy the ride like I do.
@@OklahomaCoasterFan Which other two do you prefer?
Hey, I just started watching your videos, and I am very inspired. People these days usually don't think they will like TH-cam channels that they just come across, but I think that this channel is so good and content filled! Im glad that you included powder keg, my very first roller coaster! I hope you have a very good day!
Welcome aboard! And thank you so much for the kind words!
@@ThemeParkCrazy ye np! I would do anything to cheer up someone!
I rode Ninja at Six Flags Over Georgia.
It was my very first steel coaster, so I didn't have much of a basis of comparison,
but I still remember calling it "The Headache Machine"!
Glad it's better now, I should go back there and give it a ride!
We used to call it The Head Banger 😂
It is a great ride now! It's my # 4 in the park, trailing only Twisted Cyclone, Goliath, & Scream Machine.
That park has loads of great rides.
Goliath, Twisted Cyclone, Batman, Superman, DareDevil Dive, and Blue Hawk are all great rides.
Although I've heard bad things about that park's staff.
Once, a ride op didn't secure someone from Coaster Studios's leg restraints properly on Superman.
If I ever went there, I would probably stick with Goliath and Batman.
I remember riding Ghost Rider in the summer of 2019. It was so good I chose to ride it twice. It was an amazingly smooth experience, so learning about how rough it was just a couple years prior was quite surprising.
Thanks for the love Peter 🥃
Great video. And thanks for saying about ice breaker because that subtle change makes the air time 10x better
Ghostrider is nuts how good it is!!
Ghostrider was tremendously improved. Riding it before the referb, I would ask myself “is this what an astronaut feels during liftoff!!!”
Very good for you.
Great job, Peter. I wouldn’t have expected The Beast to be so high. While the retrack improved it, it was already great. Whereas most of the other picks on the list are major transformations.
They say you can teach an old dog new tricks but giving an older coaster new life is simply awesome.
Glad "The Beast" made the list. So many amazing memories riding that thing at night. Prior to the retrack that double helix literally was painful. Road it post retrack and it is back to being a comfortable ride.
Awesome video. Ninja back in the day was so rough. I haven't been back since but I hear that it is so much better.
It still feels rough without the pain… is how I remember it. ( only rode it once because it as down or something ) . Definitely a better experience.
I live 40 minutes from Kings Island and I have to tell you that I’ve always loved The Beast. The re-track they did makes the coaster even more enjoyable. It makes me happy that they want to keep it alive for years to come.
i'm not gonna lie, i hated my ride on The Beast lol. but I totally understand and appreciate all the fans of that coaster. This vid pretty much nailed it when he said that every coaster lover on earth knows about The Beast because of its unique position, its LONG track, and all the other legendary theming
I loved seeing Nor Easter on the list. That was the 1st invert I ever rode when it was first built. That is the coaster that broke my fear of coasters
Usually the redesigns aren’t as good as the original but I do agree with ghost rider new track because it looks smooth around those turns and hills. Anyway I really like your content keep on posting
Thanks for watching! GhostRider is definitely in my Top 20, or perhaps my Top 10.
@@ThemeParkCrazy No problem, I do agree with you Theme Park Crazy.
Powder keg was my first Rollercoaster I ever went on, it's super fun
Phantom's Revenge has stood the test of time. I never got to ride Steel Phantom, but absolutely love Phantom's Revenge. I also like the new purple color the track was painted.
Boardwalk Bullet at Kemah received an amazing re-tracking that really improved the ride.
I rode Hades 360 last July and I can confirm that it is REALLY rough. Great airtime out of the station in the back seat.
Hades 360 is great, but man does it jackhammer you.
Hades slaps. Pegasus is the coaster that really brings the pain at that park.
@@thecustardguys Pegasus' only bad part is that poorly designed turn back into the station. Cyclops, on the other hand, that ride seems like it was intentionally designed to beat you up.
I’ve been on a few of these rides. And I can say from personal experience that the rides I have ridden on this list are absolutely outstanding. I love them. That just goes to show that a simple refurbishment can make a ride so much better. Btw your channel is amazing. I’ve been watching you since 2017.
It's good to hear that the beast is taken care of better unlike his son was.
Theme Park Crazy, you are my absolute idol. You helped me get over my fear of roller coasters and I hope to be a roller coaster TH-camr someday just like you!
Thanks for watching and I'm glad I could help! 🙂
Good lord, Arrow cars and a Vekoma track? No wonder Python was considered garbage.
thanks for putting out great well rounded content
Seeing Hades 360 in here makes my back hurt just from the memories of it. The layout is absolutely amazing, but every time I ride I worry my back and neck are seriously injured from the shaking.
Boardwalk Bullet went from being insanely rough to being my #1 Wooden Coaster after it’s re-tracking a couple of years ago. The airtime in the front row is some of the best I’ve ever felt and it’s never been known as an airtime coaster.
the retracking of Ghostrider made it so smooth... and the best at knotts!
It’s funny how Ghost Rider went from the worst coaster I’ve ever ridden to my absolute favorite after the retrack
I’m impressed with the difference between ice breaker with the collars and without them. It’s very different and it’s cool.
I think it's funny how they're called "comfort collars" when they're so uncomfortable for most people.
Ninja at Six Flags Over Georgia was literally the worst coaster I had ever ridden due to head-banging. I had gotten new ear piercings right before my first trip and was convinced my studs would be ripped from my ear. Glad to hear they addressed that because it. was. ROUGH.
13:17 Kumbak also made replacement SLC trains that use lap bars with shoulder straps (used on 2 SLC coasters so far; T3 and the defunct Arkham Asylum)
I went to Six Flags Over Georgia last Summer. I was amazed how comfortable Blue Hawk was and it allowed you to enjoy the inversions and near head-chopping moment.
Love the coaster content as always! Great vid idea!
Us too!
Glad you enjoy it! And thank you so much for watching!
@@ThemeParkCrazy I’ve been watching for years, and I’m still hooked! Some of the best on social media!
I wasn't expecting Powder Keg to be on this list, but I'm glad it was! SDC is really close to where I live and I love learning more about the park's history and I had no idea that it was changed so drastically! I'll have to try to look for the change in the track the next time I'm there! :)
I ride Python all the time, it is so smooth and the restraints feel like a shoulder massage because they give a little room and gently press back. I was allowed to stay seated three times once since no one was waiting, and in the third round I almost fell asleep. It is like being rocked to sleep. I love python :)
I had the fortune (or misfortune) of riding the Big Apple Coaster. It still remains the only Togo roller coaster I've ever ridden.
You're lucky. I rode that awful Togo that opened at Knott's, Wimdjammer. They were both awful.
TBH, I didn’t mind the comfort collars on Ice Breaker. I’m glad they got rid of them though, they made this already amazing coaster even better.
Same
Thanks for the hours of enjoyment over the years 👍
Worth mentioning: Flight of Fear. It opened with bulky over-the-shoulder restraints and the head-banging would give the worst SLCs a run for their money. The rides are still cramped and shaky but its still a night and day difference.
The lap bars were installed after the 2000 season, improving the experience.
Phantoms Revenge became a true hyper coaster with the refresh honestly. It was brilliant.
As Kennywood is my home park, I got the privilege, or not privilege of riding the Phantom with the inversions. So glad it was changed and I absolutely must ride Phantoms Revenge every time I’m at the park. It’s my fave!!
I rode phantom the first week it was open and it was said to be going 95 mph through the vertical loop… It definitely hurt very very bad. I loved the inversions but they were so compact and close to each other that that’s what did it in.
@@collegeluvr agree they were definitely not properly spaced.
@@collegeluvr that’s not physically possible
Does anyone remember when they told you that you should take out any ear piercings? I remember as a teenager that we were told to take out our earrings. It was terrible for me as I had 5 earrings in each ear at the time. Lol! After riding it, I understood. Your head would slam against the harness so hard I’m sure any stud earrings would stab your neck. Lol! I always left that ride with a major headache.
Im going to add a personal honorable mention here: Predator at Six Flag Darien Lake.
Wow. I never knew a bad coaster could go good after just 2 years. when i rode predator in 2021, it was a very rough coaster, so much when i was working as a ride attendant on the ride for the ride, i basically volunteered to but my body on the line to open it. however, i found a good seat that made the ride bearable. in 2022, the ride was still not great, but the steel tracking on the big spiral made the ride a lot more enjoyable. and as of 2023 with the steel track on the turn back after the 1st drop and airtime hill, the coaster has become one of my all time favorites! its still rough in same places, mainly the 1st turn is super rough, but bearable because of the lack of high speeds, but it got rougher near the near the end of the year, probably due to weathering of the track. Can't wait to see what they get up to next year!
(Also, in 2021-22, the coaster was listed 6th on my list of coasters at darien lake, but now takes the top spot, just barely surpassing ROS due to ROS getting to rough for a steel coaster. Start your flame wars in the reply's below, I'll go pop some popcorn with extra butter and salt)
Very cool.
The last time I rode the Beast, the final helix was so rough on me that I thought I was going to get a chipped tooth. Thank goodness they retracked it, so hopefully it wouldn't be as rough as before. Love your videos!
Love Great Nor Easter it is smoother than most B&M coaster at least what I think such a fantastic ride
Can vouch for python, just been on today and it's buttery smooth, was in complete shock when I got off. Knowing the old vekomas I thought it would be a beating, wonderfully smooth throughout though!
As someone who goes to the Efteling at least once every 2 weeks, I can agree that the track is insanely smooth, the only con is that it's hard to get into them because the restraints don't go up very high, so you kinda have to stoop to get in
Too smooth? A rollercoaster is too smooth? That isn't even a thing.
I think a video analyzing RMC’s recreations would be interesting. Great Video!
I rode The Big Apple Coaster nearly blind (I couldn't wear my glasses and I am legally blind)
It was... something back in 2016, I can feel the headache just thinking about it. But with the new restraints I might have to head back
I have rode powder keg. I didnt know much about the previous incarnation of it, but that ride is an absolute blast! Has to be my favorite there. Thanks for a great video as always!
Ive ridden the beast, phantoms revenge, and great nor easter and I must say they are better than ever, the beast even shot up from my top 30 all the way up to my top 10, all because of its retracking
oh my gosh, i'm so glad Beast got a retrack. I cant wait to ride the revamped monster!
I rode the Beast for the first time in Fall 2021, right before the retrack. My first coaster in 20 years, and it left me more shook than a car crash. I've literally been rear ended at 55 mph, and left less sore.
By luck, I was able to get a ride on the new retracked when it first opened up on Mother's day. It was glass smooth on a non-wheel seat, even on the helix. Even on a wheel seat it only has about as rough as a newer GCI. Well, besides Mystic Timbers which is still smoother than most steel coasters through some sort of witchcraft.
Thank you for the video shout out! Your videos are always great!
Any time! Thanks for the permission and the great video of the new restraints!
Since you didn’t list any RMC’s in this video, your next video could be on the best RMC glow-ups that replaced wooden coasters
As an operator on Icebreaker the new seatbelts do increase operation times, but it’s very worth it for a far better experience
I really hate, that such things have to be added at all, just because some guest feel more secure, even thought the trains shouldn't need them at all. This things just do nothing like the comfort collar, its just time consuming
This video makes me really excited for The Wildcat's reopening at Hershey
The video has now made me realize how grateful we are to have fan willing to save rides for improvements and development. If only some people opened their eyes to trying the new experience.
That drop into the tunnel on Hades 360 IS absolutely epic. (I was lucky enough to ride in the very front on my first ride!) I don't remember it being especially rough - though I can definitely understand why some people were uncomfortable - but it's *definitely* smoother than Cyclops! I thought my teeth were going to break on that coaster
I must ride it.
I loved IceBreaker with the comfort collars, I can’t imagine how much better it is without them
And the worst thing about comfort collars is, that they really do nothing at all, they are just there. Even a seatbelt isn't needed for this trains. Allready heared some say, they would go on a Sky Rocket coaster when it had these, but in the these are still just stupid and time consuming.
Much much better!!! 😎🎢💯
I rode the Steel Phantom once as a kid and Phantom's Revenge dozens of times as a teen and adult.
Yeah, it definitely got better 😅
Brilliant video ! You inspire me to truly go theme park crazy 😎🤘
For Python, i had personal experience ... this was a real WTF moment.
The original was ... "like a organ sorting maschine" like my friend said.
The retracking was like it was levitating on the rails. Its a difference between night and day. Its like magnet levitation.
(as always: do not use for shout-out, thanks ^-^ )
Python did get insanely smooth. Rode it for the first time in 2004, with the old Vekoma trains. The Kumba trains weren't actually that bad the first few years but they did get pretty bad after a while. Now, with the retrack and new Vekoma trains it is the smoothest it's ever been, almost like riding a B&M. Only thing that tells it age is the old school layout.
Love this video! Keep up the great content!
Ice Breaker is already my number 1 at SeaWorld Orlando, I can’t imagine how nuts it is now.
Same here after riding I think it's now better than Mako but I can't wait for Pipeline
Is it weird that I never had an issue with The Great Nor'Easter before the retracting and new trains? I grew up marathoning it every Irish Weekend, going for sometimes more than ten times in a row, thanks to having the all rides wristbands. Lol. Good times!
Not weird at all. Coaster enthusiasts on youtube tend to all have the same opinions, subscribing to group-think. Someone with influence trashes on a certain ride, and that exaggerated opinion spreads like a virus on youtube. Vekoma SLCs without any modifications are still good rides. People who don't watch coaster youtube videos tend to love the Vekoma SLCs, while youtube enthusiasts trash on them. The modifications like we see on Great Nor-Easter make them better, but I still enjoy the original versions of them. Those bulky restraints aren't actually bad.
Nah, for the longest time I had the infamous Mind Eraser as my channel banner. I think it has its days but overall people who have said just demolish all SLCs throw me left as they’re good rides with proper TLC.
Great video. I’m hoping that you can make a sequel to this video with all of the notable coasters getting makeovers this year such as TTD, Boulder Dash, Grizzly and a lot more.
At 3:14, for about 4minutes people riding "Ninja" were all Metal fans due all the head banging motions "Ninja" forced them to do.😂
As kennywood as my hometown park, I can vouch for it. I rode it as the steel phantom back in the early 00s when I was in middle school. A bit rough and the first drop slammed me straight to the left. The revamp is enjoyable but I do miss the loops and etc. It’s very smooth and a lot of air time.
Great video as always! 😃
This video gets me even more excited for when nemesis opens again after it’s near 100% re-track! 🥰
Blue Hawk looked very cool as Kamikaze in Wildwood
your videos always fill my coater info dreams
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Between the rides on this list and Maverick, softer vest restraints seem to be the best call all-around lol
I actually really enjoyed Big Apple Coaster (or whatever it's called nowadays) when I rode it in Oct 2022. Not bad at all I don't think. I always assumed the comfort collars were solely for blackouts. If you blackout you wouldn't keel over and bust your face. I absolutely DESPISE them mainly do to the loading and unloading process. It's sooooo cumbersome to get into them. 18:16 That's actually a really impressively smooth pull out for an Arrow drop. Especially for one at a bank and 200'.
My personal experience is at Vallejo Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, they had a large wooden roller coaster I don't remember the original name. They change it to a hybrid coaster, this made wooden coaster with all steel tracking. Renamed it the Joker, soon thereafter I took a ride on this updated coaster. Super smooth now with the hybrid steel track, a very enjoyable coaster. I think this is a great idea to preserve the structure, and add new up-to-date steel track. Soon thereafter this kind of hybrid conversion became popular in other theme parks. Enjoyed your video very much, I've been riding roller coasters for over 50 years now, a little harder to get in and out of the seat, but I still love the experience thank you.
It was called roar before it got RMC’ed
Love these too 10s. Love it
Hey, just wanted to say I really enjoy your videos. They are very down-to-earth and rational, and as we know sometimes people in this community are………interesting. I think your a great TH-camr and my mums a fan too. Also, do you think you could make a video showcasing some of Australia’s best roller coasters? Keep up the good work:)
Thank you both for watching! I'd love to cover Australian coasters more in the future!
@@ThemeParkCrazy Yeah no Problem!
I am SOOOO Happy that they Refreshed The Beast. I love that coaster and have been afraid that they would RMC it and it would lose it's "old woodie" charm.
That said, a brand new hybrid marketed as a reborn Son of Beast Would be nice.
...patiently waiting for a good "rags-to-riches" story to come about with American Eagle at SFGA in Illinois. ❤
Yo I love the vids I think you bring a great perspective that I don't really hear too much it's refreshing to hear a new pov and I think it was very tasteful to not include RMC's
1:23 LOL the kid in the front is literally saying "OW! My back!" 😂😂😂
I know this is a year old video, but I thought I’d say you helped me break a very long artistic block. I’ve been watching your videos for a long time and randomly felt like trying to draw a basic roller coaster loop while listening, got so frustrated with the perspective I ended up doing a pencil drawing of 11:48 and it’s the best sketch I’ve done in years 🎢
Also, Tonnerre 2 Zeus probably could have been included, looks incredible now.
I didn't do the original, but my god it's an experience now.
I wish GA Scream Machine got the Blue Hawk and Python treatment instead of being torn down and replaced.
Nice video and I remember rode Big Apple Coaster in 2012. It was thrilling ride, but the restraints is ok to me. But it’s worth it.
BuzzSaw Falls eh? So now I know where Chris Sawyer got his idea for the water coaster in Rollercoaster Tycoon!
6:14 that is stuff nightmares are made of holy crap!
Great video as always
If you’ve ever been to Lagoon and ridden the White Coaster then you would know that that ride really needs to be redone. (Also I think it’s funny that Vekoma has made a ride called Python and a ride called Viper)
Didn't think #1 would be nearly that high, but happy it is. Still love that one more than most of my credits, but it's also my home park, so maybe I'm biased a bit.
Man if Viper at magic mountain got a rerack by chance rides it could probably be the best roller coaster in California. Lover your videos
I haven’t really been watching coaster video’s, because I miss riding (winter blues). I had to watch this one though! I knew the phantom was gonna be number one! That’s my home town park and the phantom was the first major ride I’d ever gotten on! I was 9yrs old and scared to death! 98’ was the best year for me, I got on it 3 more times that day lol. Anyways, this coaster started it all for me. Now I’m giga coaster hunting, so to speak. I’ve ridden 3 of the 7 and I intend to put two more on my list this summer!
Another great video! Thanks and blessings to all!
Phantom’s Revenge is my favorite steel coaster. The airtime is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced on any other coaster.