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| Six Flags Great Adventures: Rolling Thunder |
| Rolling Thunder. This amazing dual track woodie opened on a sunny spring morning way back in 1979. Erected by Bill Cobb LLC, the ride starts out with a hard left turn leading into the relatively short 96 foot chain lift. The ultimate "Beat 'em Up" coaster, Viper, can be seen on the right, and to the left, the rear end of the parking lot. The ride features 10 drops, providing its riders ample "air-time." Rolling Thunder's first drop is, like on all other coasters of its type, the best. At a 45 degree angle, the train carries its passengers 85 feet towards the earth, reaching speeds of up to 50 miles per hour. This is a Dual Track Coaster, where by track A is designed for riders to experience air-time, and track B is designed for riders to experience high amounts of speed and lateral g's. This review is based on the Left Track. |
| Rating: 7 out of 10 |
| Atop of the lift hill, the ride becomes appearant: you're gonna be in for a rough ride. Built out of Douglass Fir, wooden rollercoasters are not only hard on the body, but sometimes it feels as if the train that you are on is on its last leg, or wheel in this case This ride features a few nice elements. Like well placed "head-choppers," good scenery, no trim brakes, and a constant speed, usually around 30-40mph. After the first camel-hump, the ride enters the second best part (which is also the worst part.) The train careens into a very sharp, and hardly banked right turn. |
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| The coaster goes into a nice head chopper/camel hump combination. The train then heads into another un-banked right turn, signifying the half-way point of the ride. You may now re-attach your lower body to your upper body. As your chariot heads back to the station, with Scream Machine in the horizon, you are treated to a series of semi-smooth camel humps. |
| And then, the kicker: A Left TURN!!! The block brakes then slows your carriage down. Static barking instructions on how to leave the train when it comes to a hault buzzes out of the speakers as your train pulls into the station platform. Exit Stage Right, collect your stuffed animals, and other personal effects, and snap the kinks out of your back; the ride is over. |
| IMPRESSIONS: This ride lost a few points because of a few critical items. Firstly, if you are a big (tall) guy, like myself, you are going to need to bring some lubrication to squeeze into the seats and cross your legs. Secondly, No trim brakes (which is good,) however, no banked turns (which is horribly bad.) Entering a flat turn at 30mph aint good on the body at all!! Thirdly, the transitions from camel hump to camel hump leaves more to desire. Fourthly, the left and right sides of the train do not get equal treatment in terms of turns, and scenery. Considering its age, this is one great woodie. And nine times out of ten, there isn't more then a 10 minute wait to feel the wind kick around. This ride is alot of fun, but only sums up to "Better Then Average" in my book. Rolling Thinder provides plenty of air time. I give it an air time rating of 7 out of 10. The best experience is, of course, the very back row. There are only a few Roller Coasters that would have a bad back row experience. (*Ahem, Viper, Batman: The Ride?) Imagine, if you will, bench seating replacing the traditional seat with padded divider. Hmmm. Can we say "Cyclone Killer?" |
| All Photo's are original pieces of art taken by Picky Parka. Imitate, but do not copy |
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| Air Time: 7/10 Track Design/Layout: 7/10 Thrill: 6/10 Comfort: 4/10 Queue Length: 9/10 Overall: 7/10 |
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