Top 20 Roller Coasters in Virginia | US States Ranked
Vložit
- čas přidán 18. 05. 2024
- Virginia, from an amusement park perspective, is dominated by Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Kings Dominion. Between these two mega parks, you currently have 22 different roller coasters. In this video, I will rank the top 20 roller coasters in the state of Virginia!
Video Credits
Anaconda POV (The Coaster Scoop)- • Anaconda Kings Dominio...
Big Bad Wolf Off-Ride (Sean Flaharty)- • Big Bad Wolf - The Fin...
Big Bad Wolf POV (Coaster Jeff)- • Big Bad Wolf at Busch ...
Flight of Fear Off-Ride (Sean Flaharty)- • Outer Limits: Flight o...
Grizzly POV (East Coasters)- • Grizzly POV 4K Front R...
Hurler Off-Ride (Coaster Jeff)- • Hurler at Paramount's ...
Intimidator 305 Off-Ride (Intamin)- • Intimidator 305: Kings...
Racer 75 POV (Kings Dominion)- • Racer75 Roller Coaster...
Shockwave Off-Ride (psyclonesteve)- • Shockwave, Paramount's...
Volcano Off-Ride (Coaster Jeff)- • Volcano the Blast Coas...
Volcano POV (Kings Dominion)
Background Music
Upbeat Corporate Podcast by Infraction [No Copyright Music] / Marketing- • Upbeat Corporate Podca...
Virginia seriously has an amazing lineup spilt between their 2 major parks. All together, they have absolutely everything, from launches to intense to no intense to floater machines to ejector machines...
They really have a stacked lineup.
don’t forget SFA with Batwing.
I love Verboten the most because of how trippy the first part is. It's like a movie. Apollo's Chariot is enjoyable because of the journey through the woods, big fan. I'm not too big in I305, but I respect the low to the ground part because it's gives riders a NASCAR feel, like moving through the turns during a race like Dale Earnhardt. Zoombili has cool monkey noises 🐒
I305 is one that has grown on me.
Kings dominion 1-2 punch is just to good
Just wait until 2024 BGW RMC 🙏
@@BrandonRealLilB fingers crossed
It's elite.
@@BrandonRealLilB I'm hoping single rail on the raptor track
Grizzly was running so damn good during my 2019 rides. I’ll be back this year so I’ll see how the retrack is, but when I rode it in 2019, it was running very fast outside of the first turnaround and has some insane airtime. It was pretty shaky, but I have a high roughness tolerance so I thought it was amazing.
Glad you like it too!
I got a back row ride summer 22 and was shocked by how wild it was. Tons of fun!
I got a back row ride summer 22 and was shocked by how wild it was. Tons of fun!
Thank you for giving Pantheon the love it deserves in this video. I was shocked by that coaster.
It’s fitting that the top two are Intamin’s creations, but I also would have placed Volcano higher than Alpengeist.
You're welcome! It moved up a spot after my recent night rides.
Yesssss I always appreciate someone recognizing Anaconda as the not-terrible ride that it is!
It has some fun parts.
It just has some pretty awful pacing in the second third of the ride, everyone agrees with that 😊 the first third is good tho and the corkscrews
@@huntzzioidk what happened but it destroyed me when i went. in 2021. currently 106/106 on my credits below bubbles the coaster and pirates gold rush
I live in northern Virginia about 20 minutes south of DC. It’s one of the best places to live as an enthusiast. In terms of driving BGW is 2 hours, KD is 1.5, and SFA is 30 min. All of the Pennsylvania parks are a doable drive too. Then there’s the massive Amtrak hub in DC that’ll take you anywhere in the northeast relatively fast.
Great video as always!
Thanks!
I've been looking forward to hearing your ranking of the coasters in Virginia. It was awesome to see that you posted this. Thanks for making it.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Ugh Volcano was my FAVORITE ride of all time. I loved the theme and the launch takes you off guard the first time cause it seems like it's about to go up a chain.
I wish it were still there.
Amazing video!
Thanks!
I haven't been to BGW, but currently I305 is my favorite coaster in the state, as well as my favorite coaster period. That layout is extremely well rounded and so much fun. Curiously, Flight of Fear was one of the worst coasters ive ever ridden because the metal bars on the restraints kept smacking my ankles, but I may have gotten a bad ride.
Definitely check it out. Pantheon, whatever the drop coasters name is, and apollos chariot are incredible
@@chiefcretin5303 We only had 2 days in the DC area and both were spent on Hersheypark/KD😭😭😭 Pantheon looks awesome though.
I got my hiking boot stuck under the Flight of Fear lap bar once and we broke down on the brake run… had to sit all twisted up for 25 minutes. It dropped way down my rankings after that.
Flight of Fear's restraints are far from ideal.
Loved seeing all of the coasters in both parks! My all-time favorite was the Big Bad Wolf! I was so sad when they took it out!!
I prefer Verbolten to Big Bad Wolf.
@Canobie Coaster I haven't ridden it yet. From what I've heard, they are taking Mach Tower out of the park, now. So more changes coming!
These were my home parks when I was young, but I was more or less coaster-phobic until my college years and moved away later, so the only coasters in Virginia I've actually ridden were Big Bad Wolf, Loch Ness Monster and the infamous Drachen Fire. They certainly made an impression.
At least you've been on some of the more notable defunct ones.
They sold Drachenfire to a Japanese amusement park!! It stood vacant forever; bald eagles would build nests on the top of the hills!!
I totally love the top 3 in the state; can't argue with any of those being someone's favorite. BGWs 3 B&Ms are all ranked very close for me. If Grizzly's extreme roughness can be fixed, it would be my # 7.
16. Tempesto
15. Avalanche
14. InvadR (very weak for me in 2022. My 2018 rides would have it at # 8.)
13. Racer 75
12. Verbolten
11. Backlot Stunt Coaster
10. Flight of Fear
9. Anaconda
8. Dominator
7. Loch Ness Monster
6. Alpengeist
5. Griffon
4. Apollo's Chariot
3. Pantheon
2. Intimidator 305
1. Twisted Timbers
I think most people will have the same top 3, but the order depends on tastes.
Intimidator 305 and Apollo's Chariot are my two favorites in the state. I haven't ridden Pantheon yet though but I suspect that would become one of my favorites too!
Pantheon is excellent.
My home state! I’ve spent so much time at both KD and BGW. I haven’t been on all of these rides (I grew up in a military family and I’m in the military myself), most notably Hypersonic and Pantheon/Tumbili, but Virginia is home to a great collection of rides.
1. Intimidator 305
2. Twisted Timbers
3. Apollo’s Chariot
4. Volcano
5. Alpengeist
6. Verbolten
7. Dominator
8. Griffon
9. Grizzly
10. Big Bad Wolf
11. Flight of Fear
12. Loch Ness Monster
13. Racer 75
14. InvadR
15. Backlot Stunt Coaster
16. Tempesto
17. Avalanche
18. Anaconda
19. Apple Zapple
20. Woodstock Express
Pantheon is well worth going back for.
I have yet to ride Twisted Timbers and Pantheon, but I305 was a spectacular ride! It held the spot of my #1 for three days until I rode Fury 325
Two good reasons to go back.
I spent quite a bit of time in both parks over the past 2 years. Here is how I rank the coasters:
1. Twisted Timbers- #6 Overall
2. Pantheon- #10 Overall
3. I-305- #14 Overall
4. Alpengeist
5. Apollo's Chariot
6. Grizzly - I don't think it was horribly rough this year. I have it barely ahead of...
7. Griffon
8. Verbolten
9. Dominator
10. Tempesto
11. InvadR
12. Racer 75
13. Loch Ness Monster
14. Tumbili
15. Back Lot Stunt Coaster
16. Flight of Fear
17. Reptilian
18. Woodstock Express
19. Apple Zapple
20. Anaconda- Won't miss this garbage at all.
Maybe I’m one of the few with this opinion, but I will place Flight of Fear high on my list as it and its twin at Kings Island we’re the original LIM launches, shortly followed by Volcano. Basically none of the other magnetic launch coasters would exist without FOF as their predecessor, including Verbolten, Tempesto, and Pantheon. Volcano also had Intamin’s first LIM launch system.
When was the latest you rode Grizzly? Most of the rough reports came out in mid-summer, well after the time I had visited.
@@CanobieCoaster It was closed when I went later in the year so the last time I rode it was the beginning of April 2022.
I am an airtime fan moreso than intensity and speed, and my top 4 is exactly the same but I have Griffon instead of Apollo's Chariot and Grizzly is lower for me
Love these two parks.
Me too.
Once someone waiting in line with me taught me how to squeeze my core on I305’s 1st drop and up to the camelback, it became my #1 overall. Before that, I blacked out every ride and missed half of it, but it was still in my top 5 for what I could enjoy. Twisted Timbers is also in my top 5 and is currently my favorite RMC. I haven’t been to Busch Gardens in 30 years, but I am going this summer, so I will see how it shakes up my list.
I greyout big time, but I still can see what's happening (albeit fuzzily).
4:35 good lord you see how many flips that train got as you were saying you only got one
I guess I'll have to try that seat!
The ride is extremely inconsistent
10:43 I Miss Volcano 😔
Same here.
The Volcano was my favorite. The King Cobra and Hyper Sonic rollercoasters were cool also
The loss of the two launch coasters stings.
I currently live in Virginia. While I have lived in one state that had a better overall coaster collection (California) I really love what this state has to offer. I especially think BGW is one of the country's overall best parks and that it and Islands of Adventure are the two most well balanced parks in the USA when you consider all factors. And KD is still a very nice park overall and has a very diverse coaster collection and a top two that can compete with any park.
Look at the same amount of land on the east coast and there are far more coaster than California has. Food for thought.
@@scottnelson9 interesting point. However, much like Virginia, California consolidates its coaster collections in relatively small areas. California has two main areas: the southern California corridor from San Diego to Los Angeles counties and then the Bay Area. If you live in either of those areas (or near them) then you have fantastic access to theme parks. However, if you live in central California, far northern California or anywhere that is far inland then your access is more limited. The same can be said for people living in Southwestern Virginia or many rural areas along the east coast. So while I understand the point you are making, the reality is that the exact same phenomenon exists on the east coast compared to California.
Pennsylvania is my favorite state for coasters between what they have and their neighbors have.
@@CanobieCoaster that's an understandable take. I personally like the coaster collection inside California a bit more but Pennsylvania has two real advantages. One is what you mentioned with the access to other states like Ohio, New Jersey, New York, Virginia and the New England states. California's collection is fantastic but once you leave the state you've got Adventure Dome, Castles and Coasters, Enchanted Forest and then a bit more of a drive to larger parks like Silverwood and Lagoon. I also used to live in Oregon so I know that the coaster access immediately outside California isn't the best.
The other advantage for Pennsylvania is that they spread out their parks more. If Pennsylvania did what California does you'd have about 6 parks all near Philadelphia and 6 near Pittsburgh and then a couple closer others scattered. But there really isn't a bad place to live in Pennsylvania if you want to be near coasters. California can't make the same claim. So it's certainly a matter of opinion which state has the best coasters but I do think Pennsylvania clearly has some real objective advantages over California when comparing practical matters.
I really hope I can get to Kings Dominion this year. I'm only like 5hrs away and the top 2 is very intriguing. I 305 is probably my biggest bucket list coaster at the moment due to proximity and reputation. And TT looks epic with all that ejector
Hope you can get there!
I305, Twisted Timbers, Alpengeist, Pantheon and Verbolten are my favorites in Virginia. I also enjoy Virginia Beach along with First Landing State Park.
Nice!
I live in West Virginia (state not region) and I’ve never been to either of these parks but it definitely looks like a good state for coasters
Sure is.
I grew up riding Lochness Monster and Big Bad Wolf. Those were the days. Sadly, I think I've only been to BGW once in the past 25 years. Today I live closer to KD and go there about once a month. Grizzly has always been my favorite there. My second favorite at KD, somewhat surprisingly, is Reptilian. Simple but fun. I like I305 but don't ride it much due to the wait times. I'm not a huge fan of Twisted Timbers (I liked Hurler a lot more). In fact, just this past weekend I rode it for the first time in about three years. It's a hassle to get on, what with the metal detectors and lockers, and though I'll admit the ride itself is fun, for some reason my fingers always hurt at the end of the ride.
I agree the lockers are annoying on Timbers, but at least you have your stuff for most of the wait.
After my most recent visit to the state in 2013, my favorite roller coaster in Virginia is Griffon (BGW) followed by Alpengeist (BGW), Intimidator 305 (KD), Volcano: The Blast Coaster (KD) (R.I.P.), Dominator (KD), Flight of Fear (KD), Backlot Stunt Coaster (KD), The Big Bad Wolf (BGW) (R.I.P.), Loch Ness Monster (BGW), Apollo's Chariot (BGW), Grizzly (KD), Racer 75 (KD), Verbolten (BGW), Ricochet (KD), Reptilian (KD), Anaconda (KD), Shockwave (KD) (R.I.P.) and Hurler (KD) (R.I.P.).
Definitely worth going back for the 2 new ones.
4:30 as the footage shows the one guy get 6 flips... You have to ride front of car side facing the queue. That's where it's at.
there’s two queue sides, is it the one closest to reptilian?
@@RideOfPablo yes
Is that the only good spot?
@@CanobieCoaster From my experiences (it's my home park) Yes. It's the best spot.
See Loch Ness Monster at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, do you like all rows on that coaster?
I'll ride it anywhere, but I like the back best.
Do you think with the recent news of the Gravity Group working on Grizzly it'll change your opinion on it? Even if ever so slightly.
I didn't find Grizzly rough, so my opinion probably won't change.
Of both operating and defunct coasters in Virginia, Canobie Coaster would say:
Up next would have been Shockwave at Kings Dominion. This was a TOGO stand up. How you felt about this ride was contingent upon the restraints. They were awkward, but...
A) I did find them painful.
B) I didn't find them painful.
B
Reptilian, the Mack Bobsled coaster at Kings Dominion, did you like your first ride as Avalanche?
It was ok.
Will you do colabs with other youtubers? (ect. AirtimeThrills or Eltororyan)
I'd be willing to.
@@CanobieCoaster favorite song from the 80s?
After going on Montu I’ve realized how much 3.8g actually is for an inverted coaster, because whenever I play planet coaster I’ll happily go to 5G but when I went on Montu it was very intense and that batwing was relentless
I have been on it before but I’ve forgot how intense it is/ underestimated it because of how long ago I rode it
I think the G force measurement is from the middle of the train. It's higher on the ends.
Having been to both parks my top 10 is:
1. Intimidator 305- KD
2. Apollos Chariot- BG
3. Pantheon- BG
4. Twisted Timbers- KD
5. Griffon- BG
6. Tempesto- BG
7. Lochness Monster- BG
8. Dominator- KD
9. Alpangeist- BG
10. Verbolten- BG
Nice!
Hello from Germany 👋
Hello there!
My favorite in Virginia is Alpengeist, closely followed by Twisted Timbers, Pantheon, and I305.
I really want to rank I305 higher, but the effort I have to put into riding defensively in order to avoid passing out reduces my enjoyment. I guess I just have a low tolerance for sustained positive Gs.
Flight of Fear, however, is currently my least favorite roller coaster period. The launch is great and I love how the operators play with the riders before launching, but the ride itself is so rough that I wound up with bruises all over my legs the first time. I decided to give it another shot on my second trip and I was able to brace my legs with my arms to stop the legbanging, but that position caused me to hurt my neck. I don't think I will be riding that one anymore.
I get not having Intimidator 305 higher based on that.
One of the best states for coasters in my opinion
Absolutely
Virginia is my home state, so i know most of these rides like the back of my hand
1. Twisted timbers
2. Pantheon
3. I305
4. Apollo
5. Griffon
6. Alpengeist
7. Verbolten
8. Dominator
9. Loch Ness Monster
10. Tempesto
11. Grizzly
12. Flight of fear
13. Tumbili
14. Darkoaster
15. Anaconda
16. Invadr
17. Backlot
18. Reptilian
19. Racer 75
20. Apple zapple
Only one i havent ridden is the states tallest fastest and longest spinning coaster
Nice list!
I miss night rides on big bad wolf 🥲🥲.. r.i.p.
Busch Gardens has a ton of great night rides.
Ride Quality divided by Length of Queue. i305 is the champion there. Never have encountered a line except for the front row. Grizzly was my #1 in 2022 for pain challenge, edging out Mine Blower. Comically rough by late summer. Sit in the back, 10/10! Anaconda is gonna take the Virginia roughness crown in 2023 after Grizzly's track work. Still has a lovely gift shop though.
It really is great how you can lap I305 most days.
These are my 2 home parks dachen fire was .. interesting. These days... BGW is "weeeee" but KD is "ok hold my beer"
Pantheon was a much needed addition.
1. Pantheon
2. Twisted Timbers
3. Griffon
4. I-305
5. Alpengeist.
If Volcano was still around that would be #2.
Nice!
When and Why was The Rebel Yell's name changed?
A few years ago since they considered the old name outdated.
See Loch Ness Monster at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, why did you talk about that ride's two flaws in the countdown videos and lists that included it if you usually don't talk about coaster's flaws, issues or problems on the lists?
I needed to justify the placement.
So what would you rate Pantheon at Busch Gardens Williamsburg?
See my review for it.
bro really had it out for Kings Dominion at the beginning lmao 😂
There was a long streak of them.
I'm very hopeful but doubtful that RMC will build something similar to intimidator 305 in the next 15 years
I doubt it will have the same kind of positive Gs.
Pantheon over twisted timbers is interesting.. lol
I think they switched back after rerides in 2023. Love both.
Imagine if BGW gets a ground up RMC as rumors speculate. That’d make Virginia have two parks with a tied 1-2 punch, in my opinion.
That would be Incredible.
So what would you rate Anaconda at Kings Dominion and why?
I haven't reviewed that one yet.
Did you ever come off something in Virginia with a headache?
None have given me a big issue.
Anyone remember apple zapple being ricochet
I sure do.
Pantheon is a great fun ride but I305 is king of coasters
Both are amazing.
Anaconda should be #1 😂. As for Tumbili, it's actually my favorite one due to the theming. I also had airtime on it. And Shockwave? Ugh...
I'll have to give Tumbili another chance if if has a short wait.
Did you ever come off something in Virginia disappointed? What do you think?
My rerides on Apollo after I rode more coasters.
Did you ever leave something in Virginia breathless?
Yes Intimidator.
Why does Cedar Fair have a bad relationship with RMC?
I think they blame RMC when they should instead be blaming the idiots that keep pulling their phones out on the rides.
@@OklahomaCoasterFan That’s not their issue. CF has a bad habit of asking for record breaking coasters without considering the maintenance issues involved, then blaming coaster manufacturers for their dissatisfaction. They’ve done it with Intamin and RMC.
I believe they are dissatisfied with the maintenance issues that have popped up.
Busch gardens is amazing
Sure is.
damn no Hypersonic ?
I saw it, but it closed before I could ride it.
6:54 It has 4 inversions...
Yes. I noted the experience starts with a launch and 3 forceful inversions. The 4th inversion (corkscrew) is at the end.
Definitely pantheon as #1
It's up there for me.
I couldn't stand Shockwave. Those bike seats were pretty unforgiving to men especially on the comedown after airtime 😣
I'm lucky they didn't bother me.
Volcano is heavily overrated ngl I do miss it though because KD would have a better lineup with it
It was a great ride.
I305 is the best coaster ever
One of the best.
Alpengeist should’ve gotten 3rd
I can't put it ahead of the 3 in front of it.
I’ve never ridden any of these but you wrong 😂 tumbili is the best free spin cause theming messy is better then flight or fear and so uh big bad wolf shockwave SUCKS AZ and hurler is the worst although never ridden any of these
Tumbili has good theming. Just wish the ride had more flips.
@@CanobieCoaster every ride is diff
the
Rebel Yell is way better than Anaconda
It used to be, but the airtime was much weaker in recent trips.
Intimidator's punchy transitions for a 6'1" dude with some minor neck problems? Never ridden it but may be heading there this summer. Had whiplash many times and a broken collarbone from sports. Yay? Or nay...go home old man? ;)
The ride has soft straps, but your neck will contact them on the side-to-side transitions.
@@CanobieCoaster Thanks, dude! I'm sure it'd be worth the credit! Rode the backward seat on Mindbender in Edmonton and the old Psyclone at SFMM...both were brutal
First
Nice!
I hate Tempesto with a passion for one reason and one reason only. It is ugly and its color scheme is totally out of character with the park. It is the ugliest of eyesores.
I enjoy the ride, but it does look a bit busy.
I like it as a coaster well enough the garish colors however are something that would never have been permitted under the ownership of AB@@CanobieCoaster
steel vengeance is overrated
I think it delivers all the airtime as advertised.
@@CanobieCoaster nah
@@CanobieCoaster I think it does not deliver all the airtime as advertised. Also because it is so overrated, its number 53 for me.
:)
So what would you rate Pantheon at Busch Gardens Williamsburg?
See my review.