A few weeks ago 2021 came to an end. A few of us were at Kings Dominion when that happened and in the days after, I was busy trying to play catch up with the trip reports and YouTube channel. Once that was done, it slipped my mind that I also needed to finish up the 2021 installment of the “All the New Credits” blog I will be posting annually. Oops!
In this year’s installment I have streamlined things by only including crew members who gained new credits. Last year everyone was featured regardless of whether or not they rode any new coasters. It made things longer and honestly, a little boring at the end. Speaking of which, I’ve been pondering the idea of trimming down the crew roster due to the fact that I have lost touch with a few members since leaving my job in 2020. That has no bearing on this list, however, so let’s just get into who earned the most credits, what new coasters they rode, and where they all came from.
1. Sam (+75 Credits)
- Carowinds (13): Afterburn, Carolina Cyclone, Carolina Goldrusher, Copperhead Strike, Flying Cobras, Fury 325, Hurler, Intimidator, Kiddy Hawk, Nighthawk, Ricochet, Vortex, Woodstock Express
- Dorney Park (1): Possessed
- Dutch Wonderland (3): Joust, Kingdom Coaster, Merlin’s Mayhem
- Family Kingdom Amusement Park (2): Swamp Fox, Twist ‘n’ Shout
- Fun Fore All (1): Fiesta Express
- Funplex: Mt. Laurel (1): Fun Coaster
- Funplex: Myrtle Beach (1): Fun in the Sun
- Gillian’s Wonderland Pier (1): Wacky Worm
- Hersheypark (1): Storm Runner
- Holiday World (4): Howler, Raven, Thunderbird, Voyage
- Kennywood (9): Exterminator, Jack Rabbit, Lil Phantom, Phantom’s Revenge, Racer (2), Sky Rocket, Steel Curtain, Thunderbolt
- Kings Dominion (10): Anaconda, Apple Zapple, Backlot Stunt Coaster, Dominator, Flight of Fear, Grizzly, Intimidator 305, Racer 75 (North), Twisted Timbers, Woodstock Express
- Kings Island (14): Adventure Express, Banshee, Backlot Stunt Coaster, Bat, Beast, Diamondback, Flight of Fear, Flying Ace Aerial Chase, Invertigo, Mystic Timbers, Orion, Racer (Blue), Racer (Red), Woodstock Express
- Knoebels (1): Impulse
- Morey’s Piers (5): Great White, Rollie’s Coaster, Runaway Tram, Sea Serpent, Wild Whizzer
- Pavilion Park (1): Myrtle Turtle
- Playland’s Castaway Cove (4): GaleForce, Pirates Gold Rush, Whirlwind, Wild Waves
- Scene75: Columbus (1): Nuclear Rush
- Six Flags America (1): Joker’s Jinx
- Six Flags Great Adventure (1): Jersey Devil Coaster
Wingman's 2021 Recap
For two years running now Sam has been the top earner for new credits among We Were Inverted’s crew. In 2020 she rode 59 new coasters and in 2021, she rode 75. She’s also the first one to ride new credits here in 2022, with four from Nickelodeon Universe at the Mall of America (NUMoA). I think this is something Sam wants to win each and every year!
Almost half of Sam’s credits came from three parks: Carowinds (13), Kings Dominion (10), and Kings Island (14). She managed to ride everything at those parks minus the kiddie coaster credits that are off-limits to adults without children. When you add in the various beach parks and places like Kennywood and Holiday World, it’s no surprise Sam topped the list again this year. She also got to experience a bunch of coasters many enthusiasts declare among their favorites.
2. Kaylee (+62 Credits)
- Busch Gardens Williamsburg (7): Alpengeist, Apollo’s Chariot, Griffon, InvadR, Loch Ness Monster, Tempesto, Verbolten
- Dorney Park (1): Woodstock Express
- Fun Fore All (1): Fiesta Express
- Fun Land of Fredericksburg (1): Twist ‘n’ Shout
- Hersheypark (2): Candymonium, Lightning Racer: Thunder
- Holiday World (4): Howler, Raven, Thunderbird, Voyage
- Jolly Roger Amusement Park (4): Barracuda, Sea Serpent, Wacky Worm, Wildcat
- Jolly Roger at the Pier (1): Looping Star
- Kennywood (9): Exterminator, Jack Rabbit, Lil Phantom, Phantom’s Revenge, Racer (2), Sky Rocket, Steel Curtain, Thunderbolt
- Kings Dominion (11): Anaconda, Apple Zapple, Backlot Stunt Coaster, Dominator, Flight of Fear, Grizzly, Intimidator 305, Racer 75: North, Racer 75: South, Twisted Timbers, Woodstock Express
- Kings Island (14): Adventure Express, Banshee, Backlot Stunt Coaster, Bat, Beast, Diamondback, Flight of Fear, Flying Ace Aerial Chase, Invertigo, Mystic Timbers, Orion, Racer (Blue), Racer (Red), Woodstock Express
- Knoebels (1): Kozmo’s Kurves
- Scene75: Columbus (1): Nuclear Rush
- Six Flags Darien Lake (2): Tantrum, Viper
- Six Flags Great Adventure (2): Batman the Ride, Lil’ Devil Coaster
- Trimper Rides (1): Spinning Coaster
Wingman's 2021 Recap
Sam and I met Kaylee in April 2020 and it didn’t take us long to get out to some parks together and have her become part of the site’s Flight Crew. Between all of those trips, the ones with her friends and family, and those she managed to do through being a Six Flags employee, she was able to earn herself 62 new credits in 2020.
Much like Sam and Greg, who is coming up next, it has been awesome to be able to experience a lot of Kaylee’s new credits with her. It’s also been quite fun getting her out to parks she’s never experienced before and I think that will surely continue here in 2022. She already has herself some plans to get out to Cedar Point and Great Escape.
3. Greg (+46 Credits)
- Adventure Park USA (1): Wild West Express
- Canada’s Wonderland (5): Dragon Frye, Flight Deck, Leviathan, Wilde Beast, Yukon Striker
- Carowinds (6): Carolina Goldrusher, Copperhead Strike, Fury 325, Intimidator, Nighthawk, Woodstock Express
- Dutch Wonderland (3): Joust, Kingdom Coaster, Merlin’s Mayhem
- Cedar Point (2): Raptor, Steel Vengeance, Valravn
- Fun Fore All (1): Fiesta Express
- Funplex: Mt. Laurel (1): Fun Coaster
- Gillian’s Wonderland Pier (1): Wacky Worm
- Howard County Fair (1): Dragon
- Kennywood (8): Exterminator, Jack Rabbit, Lil Phantom, Phantom’s Revenge, Racer, Sky Rocket, Steel Curtain, Thunderbolt
- Morey’s Piers (5): Great White, Rollie’s Coaster, Runaway Tram, Sea Serpent, Wild Whizzer
- Playland’s Castaway Cove (4): GaleForce, Pirates Gold Rush, Whirlwind, Wild Waves
- Six Flags Fiesta Texas (7): Goliath, Iron Rattler, Pandemonium, Poltergeist, Road Runner Express, Superman Krypton Coaster, Wonder Woman Golden Lasso Coaster
- Wisp Resort (1): Mountain Coaster
Wingman's 2021 Recap
Last year Greg was in Kaylee’s place. We met each other by chance, exchanged online info, decided to visit a couple of parks, got along really well, and I invited him to be one of the site’s crew members. Ever since then, Greg has been visiting a bunch of new places and riding coasters he admits he never thought he’d get to experience.
I am so glad Greg was able to get out to a majority of the parks we visited in 2021. I know he was bummed that he wasn’t available to visit Kings Island and Holiday World, but I know we’ll get back out there one day. I’d love to visit those parks with him when he experiences those coasters. And hey, I still need to get up to Canada’s Wonderland, which he visited last year. Maybe I can get up there sometime in 2022 while he’s up there visiting his girlfriend? Would be awesome!
4. Patrick (+25 Credits)
- Carowinds (1): Copperhead Strike
- Family Kingdom Amusement Park (2): Swamp Fox, Twist ‘n’ Shout
- Fantasy Island (1): Hang Ten
- Fun Fore All (1): Fiesta Express
- Funplex: Mt. Laurel (1): Fun Coaster
- Funplex: Myrtle Beach (1): Fun in the Sun
- Kennywood (1): Steel Curtain
- Howard County Fair (1): Dragon
- iPlay America (1): Freedom Rider
- Jenkinson’s Boardwalk (1): Tidal Wave
- Keansburg Amusement Park (0): * all coasters were closed
- Kings Island (1): Orion
- Morey’s Piers (2): Runaway Tram, Wild Whizzer
- Pavilion Park (1): Myrtle Turtle
- Playland’s Castaway Cove (4): GaleForce, Pirates Gold Rush, Whirlwind, Wild Waves
- Scene75: Columbus (1): Nuclear Rush
- Sesame Place: Philadelphia (2): Oscar’s Wacky Taxi, Vapor Trail
- Six Flags Great Adventure (2): Jersey Devil Coaster, Lil’ Devil Coaster
- Steel Pier (1): Loco Motion
My 2021 Recap
Over the last two years, most of the credits I’ve earned have came ever so slowly – often one per visit. In 2020 I earned 10 new credits, with Nickelodeon Universe at American Dream being my only stop where I managed to earn more than one. In 2021 most of the parks I visited still resulted in just one new credit, even at the larger parks such as Carowinds, Kings Island, and Kennywood. At those parks I was picking up credits built since my last visits such as Copperhead Strike, Orion, and Steel Curtain.
I think it is also safe to say, in my case, 2021 was the year of SBF Visa Group coasters. I managed to ride 10 SBF’s, which came very close to being 12. Xolo Loca was closed when I stopped by Casino Pier and I didn’t pay attention to the hours at Scene75: Dayton when we were in Ohio. We ended up missing out on riding Tsunami due to my error. At least I was able to make Orion number 400 that same weekend, though.
5. Renee (+11 Credits)
- Funplex: Mt. Laurel (1): Fun Coaster
- Gillian’s Wonderland Pier (1): Wacky Worm
- Morey’s Piers (5): Great White, Rollie’s Coaster, Runaway Tram, Sea Serpent, Wild Whizzer
- Playland’s Castaway Cove (4): GaleForce, Pirates Gold Rush, Whirlwind, Wild Waves
Wingman's 2021 Recap
Although I visited Hersheypark a few times with Renee in 2021, it’s a park she’s been to numerous times. All of her new credits came from a trip we did back in June with Sam and Greg to the beaches of the Jersey Shore. Well, three of the stops were on the shore. We also stopped at Funplex: Mt. Laurel on the way through New Jersey on the way to the beaches. Between those four stops, Renee managed 11 new credits and said how much fun the day was in her recent 2021 Flight Crew Reflections Interview.
Since Renee enjoyed the trip through Jersey so much, in 2022 I’m hoping to get her to a few other beach parks like Casino Pier in Seaside Heights. I think she’ll enjoy that and I need to return for Xolo Loca anyhow. Why not?
6. Chris D. (+6 Credits)
- Adventure Park USA (3): Tumbleweed, Wild West Express, Wildcat
- Dutch Wonderland (3): Joust, Kingdom Coaster, Merlin’s Mayhem
Wingman's 2021 Recap
In 2021 Chris D. picked up six new credits between Dutch Wonderland and Adventure Park USA (APUSA). He visited both parks in the same day before making his way back home to Virginia. He expected that Kingdom Coaster to be the highlight of the day, but said Merlin’s Mayhem surprised him.
Hopefully in 2022 I can finally spend some time with Chris up this way. He’s been wanting to visit Hersheypark for a few years, but with his limited time and all the Covid restrictions, things just weren’t conducive to making that happen. Hopefully when things line up for him and his family, I, along with some of the other crew members, can all meet up for a day or two of fun times.
7. Mindy (+5 Credits)
- Universal Islands of Adventure (2): Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, Velocicoaster
- Fun Land of Fredericksburg (1): Twist ‘n’ Shout
- Kings Dominion (2): Dominator, Intimidator 305
Wingman's 2021 Recap
Mindy might have only picked up five new credits in 2021, but wow, did she ever pick up some good ones! Taking two separate trips to Florida, she visited her favorite park, Universal Islands of Adventure (IoA) twice. On the first trip she managed to pick up Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. Then, a few months later, she was able to experience Velocicoaster, shortly after its grand opening. I am so jealous.
On top of visiting Florida, Mindy and I finally visited Kings Dominion together for the first time. It’s so crazy to think that with all the parks she and I have visited together across the United States, one just 2.5 hours away somehow eluded us this whole time. Well, unless you ask her that is. For years she swore we went to Kings Dominion, confusing it and Busch Gardens Williamsburg (BGW). Hopefully it doesn’t take us long to revisit Kings Dominion, however. Twisted Timbers closed during our 2021 visit and I want her to experience it after we had a bunch of fun on Kentucky Kingdom’s Storm Chaser in 2018.
8. (tied) Mailyn (+3 Credits)
- Universal Islands of Adventure (2): Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, Velocicoaster
- Fun Land of Fredericksburg (1): Twist ‘n’ Shout
Wingman's 2021 Recap
Mailyn was able to grab herself three new coaster credits last year. Two of those credits, Hagrid’s and Velocicoaster, came while visiting IoA with her mom, Mindy. Mailyn ended up liking Hagrid’s ride experience and theming so much, she asked told me it was now her favorite steel coaster. I can’t wait to check out that theming myself one day.
I’m hoping to get Mindy and Mailyn out to a few parks again in 2022. I also need to sit down with Mailyn and figure out her exact coaster count because she’s got quite a few for someone her age. Hopefully from there I can figure out some places where she can earn herself some more.
8. (tied) Carrie (+3 Credits)
- Adventure Park USA (3): Tumbleweed, Wild West Express, Wildcat
Wingman's 2021 Recap
Carrie spent a lot of time in 2021 at her home park of BGW just waiting to add Pantheon to her credit list. Since the park ultimately decided to hold off its opening until 2022, it meant that all of Carrie’s new for 2021 credits came from a quick stop at APUSA with her father, Chris D. While all three credits were on the smaller scale, I’m sure Carrie liked knowing she was to coaster from BGW’s past in Wildcat, which once stood at her home park from 1976-83 and was called Die Wildkatze.
If Chris is able to make a trip north this year, I hope Carrie is able to come along. It’s always fun hanging out with the two of them and lately, her sister, Hannah, as well. I know they’d all have a great time visiting places like Hersheypark and maybe even a few other places such as Knoebels or Dorney Park, if they have the time to make that happen.
10. Kayla (+1)
- Hersheypark (1): Candymonium
Wingman's 2021 Recap
Only a few weeks before the end of the year, I was finally able to get out to a park with Kayla for the first time since I opened this site. That park was Hersheypark and although it is one of the parks we’ve visited together in the past, it was Kayla’s first time visiting since Candymonium’s debut. We managed to ride it a few times and Kayla loved the airtime.
I hope to get Kayla out to a few more parks in 2022, if possible. Maybe one of the beach parks like Morey’s Piers would be perfect for her. I know her and Renee enjoy regular beach trips in the summer and with how much Renee loved Wildwood, I think it would be perfect.
