This blog is the first part of a four-part mini-series where I re-ranked all of my coaster credits after 2020. I wasn’t happy with my original rankings when the site launched, which you can read about in the “Preview – 2021 Favorite Coasters Listings,” blog.
Of the four updated listings I worked on revamping, this one was by far the easiest. In 2019 I rode my first-ever mountain coaster on a trip to Pigeon Forge, Tenn. with Mindy and her family. I’d go on to ride another one that same trip and then three more before the end of the year.
Not too long after We Were Inverted launched, on July 13, 2020, I published a lengthy piece called, “Mountain Coaster Mania.” In it, I talked about my experiences with each and every one of the five mountain coasters I had ridden. Sadly, however, my ride at Camelback Mountain Adventures (CMA), was lackluster due to other riders stopping constantly in front of me. It ruined the experience and I didn’t want to hold that against the ride or the resort. I hoped to give it another visit one day, and in 2020, I did. That same summer I was also able to experience my sixth mountain coaster at Wisp Resort in Maryland, on a trip with Sam.
So now that I was able to get in a good ride at CMA and added a sixth coaster to this category, let’s see how they rank up here in 2021:
Mountain Coasters 1-6
Numbers found at the end of each listed coaster below represent where the coaster ranked in the original 2020 list. If there is no number present, that coaster failed to meet the Top 5, 25, or 50 ranking used for the category. All new credits that were not ranked are also noted.
- Sky High Mountain Coaster – Holiday Valley Resort (1)
- Nor’Easter Mountain Coaster – Greek Peak Mountain Resort (2)
- Rocky Top Mountain Coaster – Rocky Top Mountain Coaster (3)
- Alpine Coaster – Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster (4)
- Mountain Coaster – Camelback Mountain Adventures (5)
- Mountain Coaster – Wisp Resort (new)
No Moves for Mountain Coasters
As you can see, none of the mountain coasters moved from their original spots. The only change was the addition of the coaster at Wisp. With such a limited selection of coasters, this is the only listing you’ll see without any significant changes. Some of the ones yet to come see massive jumps and for various reasons.
When it comes to the new coaster from Wisp, the reason it comes in behind all the others is because it feels short to me after leaving the lift hill. Track length-wise, it is actually longer than two other coasters I rank above it. Maybe some of that length is in the lift itself? I’m not really sure. Also, I just found the setting coming down the hill to be the least interesting of all my credits.
Thankfully I was able to re-ride CMA’s mountain coaster in 2020 when I visited the resort with Sam, Greg, and Renee. The three of them were getting their first mountain coaster credit. That was also the case for Elaina, Jason, and our friends, Brian and Austin, in 2019. They all got a much better ride than I did that day. Thankfully in 2020, I did too. It was a much better experience and it felt like it hauled! Still, it was not enough for me to put it over the coasters found in the top four spots.
More Mountain Coasters in My Future?
This category is one I hope to see grow moving forward. As a massive fan of the wooded settings and interactions with streams, the Sky High Mountain Coaster and Nor’Eastern Mountain Coaster took the top two spots for me. Looking to the north-east there are nine different mountain coasters. I want to ride them all. I wanted to squeeze some in during a 2019 trip when I was up by Great Escape. None fit in with my plans though.
When I visited Pigeon Forge, Tenn. also in 2019, I didn’t realize just how many other mountain coasters were close by. I kick myself in the butt for not doing that research beforehand. I still need to experience the coasters at: Goats on the Roof of the Smokies, Gatlinburg Mountain Coaster, Anakeesta, Rowdy Bear Mountain Adventure Park, and Ober Gatlinburg. I also want to get some night rides on both Rocky Top Mountain Coaster and the Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster. Their light packages at night look phenomenal from what I’ve seen on video. Are they enough to push them to the top of my list? I won’t know until I ride.
Hopefully by this time next year I’ll have a few more mountain coaster credits on my list. I was a little late to the game on riding one, but they’ve been fun stops to include into some of my bigger amusement park outings. Have you ridden any of the mountain coasters listed above? What did you think about them? Are there any on my list of hopefuls that you suggest? Let me know. I’d love to hear which ones I should definitely ride in 2021 if I have the chance.
