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.
Going into this favorite coasters revamp for 2021, I knew the steel category was going to be the hardest of the three separated categories. I only had to rank six mountain and 69 wooden. For the steel list below, 295 coasters appear. I needed a few days to really dig into this one. Still, I feel like I could never come up with this same list twice, no matter how hard I try. I fought myself on so many coasters below. Which ones do I honestly enjoy more? Can I really rank something like a small boardwalk coaster higher than a full-sized thrill coaster from an amusement park? That’s what I was battling with here.
Speaking of small boardwalk coasters, I have a ton of them in my credits list and I did ultimately rank each and every one of them. I won’t really be talking about any of the Wild Mouse, Crazy Mouse, Flitzer, or Wacky Worm models in this blog, though. Most of them really didn’t distinguish themselves from the pack and are lumped together below. If a certain one did stand out for me, you might see it outside the pack, or at minimum, leading the pack of similar rides.
Now, let’s take a look at this very long list, which I’ve broken up into three sections – 1-100, 101-200, and 201-295:
Steel Roller Coasters 1-100
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.
- Steel Vengeance – Cedar Point (1)
- Fury 325 – Carowinds (2)
- Twisted Timbers – Kings Dominion (3)
- Skyrush – Hersheypark (13)
- Wicked Cyclone – Six Flags New England (4)
- Alpengeist – Busch Gardens WIlliamsburg (9)
- Iron Rattler – Six Flags Fiesta Texas (6)
- Millennium Force – Cedar Point (5)
- Superman the Ride – Six Flags New England (7)
- Nitro – Six Flags Great Adventure (8)
- Intimidator 305 – Kings Dominion (14)
- Storm Chaser – Kentucky Kingdom (10)
- Diamondback – Kings Island (11)
- Cheetah Hunt – Busch Gardens Tampa (16)
- Twisted Cyclone – Six Flags Over Georgia (19)
- Maverick – Cedar Point (15)
- Phantom’s Revenge – Kennywood (21)
- Great Bear – Hersheypark (24)
- Afterburn – Carowinds (18)
- Apollo’s Chariot – Busch Gardens Williamsburg (17)
- Top Thrill Dragster – Cedar Point (25)
- Intimidator – Carowinds (20)
- Kumba – Busch Gardens Tampa
- New Texas Giant – Six Flags Over Texas
- Candymonium – Hersheypark (12)
- Thunderbird – Holiday World
- Volcano The Blast Coaster – Kings Dominion
- Magnum XL-200 – Cedar Point (22)
- Raptor – Cedar Point (23)
- Gatekeeper – Cedar Point
- Dominator – Kings Dominion
- Banshee – Kings Island
- Lightning Run – Kentucky Kingdom
- Storm Runner – Hersheypark
- Talon – Dorney Park
- Fahrenheit – Hersheypark
- Goliath – Six Flags Over Georgia
- Griffon – Busch Gardens Williamsburg
- Sheikra – Busch Gardens Tampa
- Mr. Freeze Reverse Blast – Six Flags Over Texas
- Superman Krypton Coaster – Six Flags Fiesta Texas
- Rougarou – Cedar Point
- Valravn – Cedar Point
- Tennessee Tornado – Dollywood
- Batman The Dark Knight – Six Flags New England
- Flight of Fear – Kings Dominion
- Flight of Fear – Kings Island
- Joker’s Jinx – Six Flags America
- Poltergeist – Six Flags Fiesta Texas
- Titan – Six Flags Over Texas
- Verbolten – Busch Gardens Williamsburg
- Ride of Steel – Darien Lake
- Superman Ride of Steel – Six Flags America
- Batman the Ride – Six Flags Over Georgia
- Batman the Ride – Six Flags Great Adventure
- Goliath – Six Flags Fiesta Texas
- Batman the Ride – Six Flags Over Texas
- Sandy’s Blasting Bronco – Nickelodeon Universe, NJ (new)
- TMNT Shellraiser – Nickelodeon Universe, NJ (new)
- Hydra The Revenge – Dorney Park
- Wild Eagle – Dollywood
- Bizarro – Six Flags Great Adventure
- Loch Ness Monster – Busch Gardens Williamsburg
- Big Bad Wolf – Busch Gardens Williamsburg
- Kingda Ka – Six Flags Great Adventure
- Shock Wave – Six Flags Over Texas
- Mindbender – Six Flags Over Georgia
- Superman Ultimate Flight – Six Flags Over Georgia
- Superman Ultimate Flight – Six Flags Great Adventure
- Batwing – Six Flags America
- Firehawk – Kings Island
- Steel Force – Dorney Park
- Canyon Blaster – Adventuredome
- Green Lantern – Six Flags Great Adventure
- Georgia Scorcher – Six Flags Over Georgia
- Mantis – Cedar Point
- Great Nor’Easter – Morey’s Pier
- Fire Chaser Express – Dollywood
- Steel Hawg – Indiana Beach
- Daredevil Dive – Six Flags Over Georgia
- Bat – Kings Island
- Sky Rocket – Kennywood
- Impulse – Knoebels
- Phobia Phear Coaster – Lake Compounce
- Tempesto – Busch Gardens Williamsburg
- Vortex – Kings Island
- Anaconda – Kings Dominion
- Blue Hawk – Six Flags Over Georgia
- Viper – Darien Lake
- Great American Scream Machine – Six Flags Great Adventure
- Laser – Dorney Park
- Batman Robin Chiller (Batman) – Six Flags Great Adventure
- Batman Robin Chiller (Robin) – Six Flags Great Adventure
- Wicked Twister – Cedar Point
- Possessed – Dorney Park
- Hypersonic XLC – Kings Dominion
- Thunderbolt – Luna Park
- Mind Eraser – Six Flags America
- Mind Eraser – Darien Lake
- T3 – Kentucky Kingdom
Of all the coasters I rode in 2020, I knew Skyrush (4) from Hersheypark was going to be making a case for moving into my Top 5 from it’s former spot of 13. I didn’t have a bad ride on it at all last year, and believe me, I had plenty of rides on Hersheypark’s original hyper coaster in 2020. I wrote an entire blog back in October called “Skyrush – From ‘Thigh Crush’ to My Crush,” on how much this coaster has grown on me. Funny thing is, with every ride, it just seemed to keep getting better. I think it was honestly getting Sam to ride it for her first time with me that things really cemented it. She ended up loving this insane Intamin and having a riding buddy made the craziness of riding it even better.
Falling just outside of the Top 5 at number six is Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s (BGW) Alpengeist. I’m sure many of you think this is probably way too high, but for me, it might not be high enough. This Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) invert has been a favorite of mine since its debut, almost 25 years ago. I’ve never had a bad ride on it – ever. Sure, the mid-course could be toned down, but that setting… that theme… that landscaping… It’s just a complete coaster for me. Add in all the memories I have of riding this with friends, family, and a few ex-girlfriends, and it’s a coaster I will always look upon fondly. And just like with Skyrush, seeing Sam take to the ride and call it her favorite overall coaster, made me realize all over again why I love it so much.
You’ll notice a few other coasters that managed to rise or fall a few spots in both directions. I knew this was bound to happen when doing this revamp. I chalk most of these movements up to me being a little more honest with myself on this crack at a favorite list. I know I talked myself into putting a few favorites below coasters that might feature superior elements back in 2020. I wasn’t honest that although that coaster might be faster, taller, or whatever, that I truly liked something else more.
There is one coaster that did make quite the plunge, however. Candymonium (25) was featured at 12 on the previous listing. This coaster was snuck into my former list shortly after We Were Inverted launched. That is why it doesn’t say “new” next to it as all the other 2020 coaster credits do. It was the only coaster from 2020 I included in my original favorite listings. That being said, I should have never placed this ride there until I had more rides to judge it on. I added it to the orignal list after just one ride on the King-Sized Season Pass Holder First Riders event.
My first ride was promising, although I felt like the trim brakes hit often and heavily throughout the ride that day. I held out hope that it was just the coaster and operations breaking in the ride. Now, over six months later, I can honestly say that Candymonium isn’t as good as I had hoped. The trims continue to hit and still can hit hard. The ride feels short, especially when the a good portion of the track length is a brake run, small turn around, and a second brake run going into the station. The helix around the Kiss Fountain is photogenic, but its very forceless. With all the rides I’ve now had on it, I feel it truly lacks compared to other B&M hypers that I’ve ridden. Coasters such as Nitro, Diamondback, and Intimidator are all superior to me. Also, Candymonium was shut down countless times during my visits, either for extended periods of time, or for the entire day. Wind seemed to be the main culprit responsible for the downtime. Oddly enough, Skyrush ran every single time, minus the holiday visits when it was closed for the season.
The only B&M hyper I rank lower than Candymonium is Six Flags Over Georgia’s (SFOG) Goliath, which some of you might also be questioning. I only had two rides on Goliath and both featured non-stop rattles throughout the ride. It didn’t kill the ride per se, but it was distracting and not something I experienced to that extent on the other B&M hypers. Still some people tell me it’s one of the best made by the company. I hope to be able to give it a second chance again soon. I’d love to get some amazing rides on it and move it up my list. Until then, however, I have to base it off the ones I did have.
Steel Roller Coasters 101-200
- Apocalypse – Six Flags America
- Firebird – Six Flags America
- Vortex – Carowinds
- Nighthawk – Carowinds
- Hydrus – Casino Pier
- Tantrum – Darien Lake
- Big Thunder Mountain – Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom
- Space Mountain (Alpha) – Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom
- Space Mountain (Omega) – Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom
- Back Lot Stunt Coaster – Kings Dominion
- Back Lot Stunt Coaster – Kings Island
- Gemini (Blue) – Cedar Point
- Gemini (Red) – Cedar Point
- Shredder – Nickelodeon Universe, NJ (new)
- Adventure Express – Kings Island
- Mystery Mine – Dollywood
- Disaster Transport – Cedar Point
- Exterminator – Kennywood
- Sidewinder -Hersheypark
- Dragonflier – Dollywood
- SooperDooperLooper – Hersheypark
- Road Runner Express – Six Flags Fiesta Texas
- Riddler Revenge – Six Flags New England
- Golden Nugget – Dinosaur Beach
- King Kobra – Kings Dominion
- King Kobra – Jolly Roger Amusement Park
- Lightning Loops (Upper) – Six Flags Great Adventure
- Lightning Loops (Lower) – Six Flags Great Adventure
- Python – Six Flags America
- Laff Trakk – Hersheypark
- Blazing Fury – Dollywood
- Black Diamond – Knoebels
- Skull Mountain – Six Flags Great Adventure
- Merlin’s Mayhem – Dutch Wonderland (new)
- Moto Coaster – Darien Lake
- Steeplechase – Luna Park
- Ragin’ Cajun – Six Flags America
- Iron Dragon – Cedar Point
- Invertigo – Kings Island
- Stinger – Dorney Park
- Two Face The Flip Side – Six Flags America
- Goliath – Six Flags New England
- Sea Serpent – Morey’s Pier
- Steamin’ Demon – Great Escape
- Harley Quinn Crazy Train – Six Flags Great Adventure
- Pandemonium – Six Flags Fiesta Texas
- Pandemonium – Six Flags New England
- Pandemonium – Six Flags Over Texas
- Nickelodeon Slime Streak – Nickelodeon Universe, NJ (new)
- Catwoman’s Whip – Six Flags New England
- Bobsleds – Seabreeze
- Cedar Point Mine Ride – Cedar Point
- Star Jet – Casino Pier
- Jumbo Jet – Morey’s Pier
- Carolina Goldrusher – Carowinds
- Runaway Mine Train – Six Flags Over Texas
- Canyon Blaster – Great Escape
- Dahlonega Mine Train – Six Flags Over Georgia
- Trailblazer – Hersheypark
- Runaway Mine Train – Six Flags Great Adventure
- Steel Dragon – Waldameer
- Whirlwind – Seabreeze
- Tig’rr Coaster – Indiana Beach
- Avalanche – Kings Dominion
- La Vibora – Six Flags Over Texas
- Sarajevo Bobsled – Six Flags Great Adventure
- Runaway Mountain – Six Flags Over Texas
- Dark Knight – Six Flags Great Adventure
- Mini-Mine Train – Six Flags Over Texas
- Woodstock Express – Cedar Point
- Wild West Express – Adventure Park USA
- City Jet – Gillian’s Wonderland Pier
- Runaway Train – Gillian’s Wonderland Pier
- Tidal Wave – Trimper Rides
- Zoomerang – Lake Compounce
- Boomerang Coaster to Coaster – Darien Lake
- Flashback – Great Escape
- Boomerang – Six Flags Fiesta Texas
- Flashback – Six Flags New England
- Flying Cobras – Carowinds
- Joker – Six Flags Great Adventure
- Batman the Ride – Six Flags Fiesta Texas
- Joker – Six Flags New England
- Demon Drop – Dorney Park
- Freefall – Six Flags Great Adventure
- Timmy’s Half-Pipe Havoc – Nickelodeon Universe, NJ (new)
- Corkscrew – Cedar Point
- Kamikaze – Dinosaur Beach
- Time Twister – Jolly Roger Amusement Park
- Big Apple Coaster – New York, NY Hotel & Casino
- Shockwave – Kings Dominion
- Viper – SIx Flags Great Adventure
- Soarin’ Eagle – Luna Park
- Super Flight – Rye Playland Park
- Python – Playland’s Castaway Cove
- Looping Star – Jolly Roger at the Pier
- Looping Coaster – Funtown Pier
- Carolina Cyclone – Carowinds
- Kiddie Hawk – Carowinds
- Flying Ace Aerial Chase – Kings Island
This is where you find the majority of the Arrow Mine Trains, Vekoma Boomerangs, bobsled coasters, and some of the more notable mid-sized and boardwalk coasters. And yes, I ranked these below the Vekoma SLC’s that wrapped up the last few spots of the Top 100 above. Don’t hate me. I somewhat enjoy SLC’s from time to time and find them a little more interesting than the rides you’ll find above.
Two coasters you might be scratching your head at being ranked this low are Gemini (108/109) from Cedar Point and Mystery Mine (116) from Dollywood. In all honesty, Gemini really never did much for me. I always found the coaster to be one of the ugliest I’ve seen and I don’t experience too many memorable moments while riding this old Arrow hybrid racer. As for Mystery Mine, if I could judge on theming alone, it would be way higher. Since the ride always beats me up hardcore and leaves me with headaches, I can’t rank it higher. It sucks because it is a ride I want to like so much, but just get off feeling lousy each and every time.
Above you will also find a few coasters that are borderline dark rides such as Golden Nugget (124) from Dinosaur Beach and it’s relocated version at Knoebels, Black Diamond (132). I used to ride Golden Nugget dozens of times every summer when my grandparents took my brother and I to Wildwood, N.J. I have some very strong memories of the coaster and that’s why I also have a soft spot for it’s Black Diamond refurbishment. Dark rides have always fascinated me too, so that’s why you see other rides like Blazing Fury (131) higher than some other more “thrilling” coasters. I honestly wish there were more of these types of rides out there.
Steel Roller Coasters 201-295
- RC-48 – Morey’s Pier
- Zyklon – Morey’s Pier
- Rollie’s Coaster – Morey’s Pier
- Wildcat – Cedar Point
- Wildcat (Initial)– Jolly Roger Amusement Park
- Wildcat (Rebuild)– Jolly Roger Amusement Park
- Wildcat – Adventure Park USA
- Wildcat – Steel Pier
- Zyclone – Morey’s Pier
- Flitzer – Jolly Roger at the Pier
- Flitzer – Morey’s Pier
- Flitzer – Playland’s Castaway Cove
- Racing – Jolly Roger Amusement Park
- Jet Star – Morey’s Pier
- Firecracker – Jolly Roger Amusement park
- Joker Funhouse Coaster – Six Flags Over Georgia
- Avalanche – Jolly Roger Amusement Park
- Mighty Mouse – Funtown Pier
- Mighty Mouse – Playland’s Castaway Cove
- Wilderness Run – Cedar Point
- Bubbles the Coaster – Storybook Land (new)
- Python Pit – Go-Karts Plus (new)
- Kozmo’s Kurves – Knoebels
- Grover’s Alpine Express – Busch Gardens Williamsburg
- Air Grover – Busch Gardens Tampa
- Apple Zapple – Kings Dominion
- Wild Lightnin’ – Lake Winnepesaukah
- Doo Wopper – Morey’s Pier
- Wild Mouse – Casino Pier
- Wild Mouse – Dorney Park
- Gotham City Gauntlet Escape from Arkham Asylum – Six Flags New England
- Tickler – Luna Park
- Wild Mouse – Hersheypark
- Wild Mouse – Jolly Roger Amusement Park
- Wild Mouse – Trimper Rides
- Ricochet – Carowinds
- Sand Serpent – Busch Gardens Tampa
- Wild Maus – Busch Gardens Williamsburg
- Crazy Mouse – Steel Pier
- Crazy Mouse – Dinosaur Beach
- Crazy Mouse – Fantasy Island
- Crazy Mouse – Rye Playland Park
- Wilderness Run – Carowinds
- Ravine Flyer 3 – Waldameer
- Hoot n Holler – Darien Lake
- Circus Coaster – Luna Park
- Streamliner Coaster – Six Flags Fiesta Texas
- Wile E. Coyote’s Grand Canyon Blaster – Six Flags Over Texas
- Joust – Dutch Wonderland
- Roller Skater – Kentucky Kingdom
- Cocoa Cruiser – Hersheypark
- Great Chase – Six Flags America
- Whistle Punk Chaser – Dollywood
- Frankie’s Mine Train – Great Escape
- Lil’ Phantom – Kennywood
- Little Dipper – Quassy
- Tumbleweed – Adventure Park USA
- Great Chase – Six Flags New England
- Sea Serpent – Jolly Roger Amusement Park
- Little Leaper – Lakemont Park
- Funtown Family Coaster – Funtown Pier
- Woodstock Express – Dorney Park
- Great Pumpkin Coaster – Kings Dominion
- Great Pumpkin Coaster – Kings Island
- Sea Serpent – Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park
- Kiddie Coaster – Lake Compounce
- Sea Serpent – Playland’s Castaway Cove
- Toboggan – Trimper Rides
- Toboggan – Lakemont Park
- Spinning Parrot – Island at Pigeon Forge
- Twist-n-Shout – Funland of Fredericksburg
- Spinning Coaster – Trimper Rides
- Pirate’s Hideaway – Casino Pier
- Great Alonzo’s Cannonball Coaster – Six Flags America
- Max’s Doggy Dog Coaster – Fantasy Island
- Miller’s Gold Mine – Jolly Roger Amusement Park
- Wacky Worm – Trimper Rides
- Wacky Worm – Jolly Roger Amusement Park
- Wacky Worm – Gillian’s Wonderland Pier
- Wacky Worm – Baja Amusements
- Wacky Worm – Lake Winnepesaukah
- Miner Mike – Gillian’s Wonderland Pier
- Howler – Holiday World
- Family Flyer – Rye Playland Park
- Hot Tamales – Casino Pier
- Road Runner Railway – Six Flags Great Adventure
- Dragon Wagon – Funtown Pier
- Dragon Wagon – Casino Pier
- Dragon Flight – Fantasy Island
- Dragon Coaster – Dorney Park
- Dragon Wagon – Indiana Beach
- Fiesta Express – Gillian’s Wonderland Pier
- Miner Mike – Adventuredome
- Roller Coaster – Huck Finn’s Playland
- Roller Soaker – Hersheypark
Looking through coaster numbers 201-295, I’m sure you’re asking how Bubbles the Coaster (221) from Storybook Land and Python Pit (222) aren’t tied for the Number 1 spot on the steel coaster list. Neither are tall, fast, forceful, or feature any amazing elements, but the crew and myself have seemingly adopted both coasters as guilty pleasures. While I can’t warrant putting them all the way up this list, this is why you do see them ranked quite a bit higher than some coasters of similar makes or size.
The rest of this portion of the steel list is home to a lot of Wild Mouse coasters, boardwalk, and kiddie coasters. To be honest, I have very little memories of some of these rides. I might remember waiting in line, where the ride was on a pier at the beach, or a bit of its decor, but not much on the ride experiences themselves. For these coasters I ended up ranking model types against one another. From there, I’d rank the ones I had memories of the highest, then move onto things like which ones had the best setting. For example, I’d place a kiddie coaster higher if it was say, on a pier, as opposed to sitting in a parking lot. It’s the best I could do for some of these, in all honesty.
Then there is Roller Soaker. I have always loved Hersheypark and have been visiting since the early-80’s. Roller Soaker is the only coaster the park has removed during my lifetime. As much as I hate to see any coaster demolished, Roller Soaker was one I don’t miss. It was a glorified water ride that had long wait times, slow operations, and did pretty much nothing. Glad I got the credit, but of all the steel coasters I’ve rode, it’s my least favorite.
Well, you made it to the end of this blog. Kudos, although the big listing is yet to come. Now that I have published my favorite Mountain Coasters, Wooden Coasters, and now Steel Coasters, it’s time to throw them all together into one big list. Wish me luck because this one was hard enough! Ugh… Time to get to work!
