I recently received a copy of Theme Park Review’s Coaster Expedition 10 DVD and thoroughly enjoyed it. This DVD features many parks in the Mid-Western region of the United States, and the majority of the footage was taken during last years Theme Park Review Midwest trip. Some of the highlight parks include Cedar Point, Kings Island, Holiday World and Kennywood. With POV footage of Maverick, Renegade, The Voyage, and much, much more.   

Review contributed by Jake Garbelotti

Everyone knows that S:RoS is ranked as the number one coaster on our planet. But do you all know why? I’ll make it my job to let you know. The red and blue giant of a coaster is located fittingly in the back of SFNE in the DC Comics area of the park along the Connecticut River. Luckily the crowds were very low on my visit, so my experience in the queue line wasn’t …

 
Back in 1989, Dorney Park added the world’s tallest wooden roller coaster and the name “Hercules” had never been more appropriate. This gigantic woodie gave the park worldwide attention and set the tone for future thrill rides at Dorney Park. That same year, Cedar Point (Cedar Fair’s flagship park and Dorney’s sister park) added the world’s tallest and fastest steel roller coaster, Magnum XL-200. This “hypercoaster,” as industry experts and enthusiasts referred to it, was the first roller coaster in the world to stand over 200-feet tall. Magnum …

Review contributed by Jake Garbelotti
Steel Eel is the long lost Morgan Hyper Coaster that is rarely talked about among enthusiasts. Luckily for me, it can be found in my home town of San Antonio. Steel Eel is located in the back corner of Sea World Texas and while only 150 feet tall, it towers over the park’s midway and travels in and out of the park’s main area. After walking through the lush landscaping, riders find themselves at a beautiful open air station where they will board the coaster. Due …

As you walk into the queue house for this 80-year giant and walk up the curving ramp to the station you notice the television screens above your head. All of them playing a movie that informs you in great detail about the history of this seventy feet tall wooden coaster. You also pass newspaper clippings that have been framed on the wall heralding milestones of this great coaster.
As you enter the station you notice something uncharacteristic of most coasters, a curved station. You are than greeted by an attendant who …

Dollywood’s newest attraction, Mystery Mine, opened it’s doors late March of 2007. The coaster, North America’s first “euro-fighter” is the largest capital investment to date for the park. I recently spent two days in the park, in which I had the opportunity to ride Mystery Mine numerous times.
Spoilers Ahead======
The ride begins with a sharp dip out of the station, which gives a good dose of whiplash as your head hits the headrest at the bottom of the drop. You then veer towards the left, making a unique outward-banked turn, going …

On Friday, June 1st, SeaWorld San Antonio gave me the opportunity to tour their brand new Half Roller Coaster Half Spillwater Ride on behalf of Coasterdom. Known as Journey To Atlantis, the ride is manufactured by Mack of Germany. JTA is the first of it’s kind in the United States, and meets one of SeaWorld’s goal of providing unique attractions.
Before I met up with Fran and Ricardo from SeaWorld, I took a little time to view the area that the ride is located it. It stands on ground that was …

From the moment you sit in your seat, you know this ride will be different. Whether your facing backwards or forwards you have a feeling this will be unlike anything you have ever experienced. You pull out of the station and after a quick 90* turn you are heading up the lift.
As you crest the lift you are yanked over the top and the ride begins. A small trop and then a raised turn sends you spinning immediately. Drop, turn, up again and your head is spinning and you have …

It’s the red and yellow monstrosity that graces the Cedar Point skyline. It stands at 420 feet tall and races at 120 miles per hour. This behemoth of a roller coaster is Top Thrill Dragster. Top Thrill Dragster opened to the public in 2003, and shocked the world smashing both the speed and height records, and definitely lives up to that reputation.
As you enter the park you can see Top Thrill Dragster from virtually anywhere, if you hadn’t already seen it miles down the road. The sheer size of …

I didn’t get to take too many photos, and you’ll find out why in the April 11th Podcast.  What I did take, was photos of Chiller testing, with the new hump, and as you can see, the Batman track is still missing.  Also seen below, a random Batman The Ride photo that I took.