Ian Bronson
Not every coaster earns your scream. Some twist and fly like they’re built by thrill geniuses. Others? More like overpriced seat shakers with long lines. If you’re planning park stops or just want bragging rights without regrets, this list separates the legends from the letdowns. Here’s where the ride is worth it.
Steel Vengeance, Cedar Point
Built from a retired wooden coaster, Steel Vengeance transformed Cedar Point’s lineup with a steel track that eliminates the typical wooden rattle. The layout delivers sharp turns, airtime hills, and nonstop intensity within a compact space. Widely praised, the ride remains a major draw for visitors seeking extreme thrills.
Phantom’s Revenge, Kennywood
Phantom’s Revenge skips gimmicks and leans into clever design, using natural terrain for pacing that builds momentum mid-ride. Its 228-foot second drop—deeper than the first—dives through a ravine at 85 mph. Narrow clearances and high-speed turns deliver thrill without inversions, making it one of the most terrain-integrated coasters in the U.S.
Iron Gwazi, Busch Gardens Tampa
Iron Gwazi began as a full rebuild of an underwhelming ride and now delivers sharp transitions and fast pacing along a short track. Instead of repetitive hills, the design favors tight rolls and surprise elements. This approach attracts thrill seekers looking for intensity without slow climbs, proving reinvention can succeed.
Maverick, Cedar Point
No lift hill delays the action here—the coaster starts with a forceful launch into a beyond-vertical drop and continues with rapid twists. A surprise boost midway keeps momentum sharp without feeling rushed. Rather than aiming for towering stats, the experience focuses on unrelenting tension that leaves riders breathless from start to finish.
The Voyage, Holiday World
Few coasters test endurance like The Voyage. With a traditional wooden frame, the ride challenges through abrupt turns and near-constant motion. Sudden hills and low tunnels appear without warning. Unlike many that fade midway, The Voyage keeps its power to the very end, leaving riders overwhelmed by the nonstop intensity.
Top Thrill 2, Cedar Point
Top Thrill 2 builds anticipation in phases, beginning with a forward launch, reversing direction, and then climbing a vertical spike at full speed. Stripped of theming, the ride focuses purely on motion and force. Despite lasting only two minutes, the experience leaves a strong impression through intensity rather than duration.
Wildcat’s Revenge, Hersheypark
A 140-foot plunge launches this reimagined hybrid coaster, built by Rocky Mountain Construction over the original Wildcat. With four inversions and speeds up to 62 mph, it trades rough jolts for smooth power, offering nonstop motion across 3,500 feet of upgraded track. The signature underflip inversion alone makes it worth the wait in line.
El Toro, Six Flags Great Adventure
El Toro skips effects and gimmicks, relying on raw force and tight design. The first drop plunges straight down, followed by sharp airtime hills that keep momentum high. Instead of loops or spirals, it delivers powerful turns and sustained airtime that thrill-seekers crave.
Twisted Timbers, Kings Dominion
Barrel roll after the lift hill sets the tone for what follows. From there, Twisted Timbers flow with intent, shifting between sharp turns and airtime moments that vary in angle and height. Though the structure may seem familiar, the updated track creates a compact, confident ride that stays engaging without added spectacle.
Skyrush, Hersheypark
Launched into action without delay, Skyrush plunges into a steep valley that leads to forceful transitions and sudden airtime. Moreover, the winged seating places riders beyond the track’s edge, making every movement feel amplified. Some admire the relentless pacing, while others debate the restraints—but few walk away indifferent to the experience.
