There were so many plans to build a rollercoaster at Epcot, including but not limited to an East Coast version of the Matterhorn using the layout and vehicles of California’s Space Mountain, a Mount Fuji coaster that would have been a similar idea, a rainforest rollercoaster for the front of the park (which would have been completely re-imagined as Discoveryland) and while I’m not sure if Time Racers was actually supposed to be a rollercoaster or not, but that idea ultimately became Cosmic Rewind
Really unique list idea and great ranking of the coasters. I’d have placed Wood Coaster number 1 personally but I’ve heard great things about Guardians and Zippin Pippin so can’t go wrong there. A few coasters I thought of/found that could have been worth consideration for this list are these: - Storm Coaster at Dubai Hills Mall (Intamin Vertical LSM) - Supersonic Odyssey at Berjaya Times Square (Intamin Multi-Inversion) - Roaring Timbers at Sun World Hon Thom (GCI Woodie) - Namazu at Vulcania (Intamin Motorbike) - Montana Suiza at Parque de Attracciones Monte Igueldo in Spain (Oldest Operating Steel Coaster) - Wildcat at North Georgia State Fair (Schwarzkopf Wildcat) - Bandit Bomber at Yas Waterworld (Vekoma Splash Party)
@@OklahomaCoasterFan I liked it, and I’m glad I went out of the way to visit the park. But some of the extreme adulation I’ve seen for it in recent years is baffling to me.
@@StamfordBridge I understand where you're coming from. Even though I haven't ridden Zippin Pippin, what you said about it is exactly how I've felt with some other rides. I have more tempered expectations for ZP now. Boardwalk Bullet is elite for me too.
I've ridden 4 standalone coasters, so it's time to rank them up, as usual: 4. Gatlinburg Mountain Coaster (now Ripley's Mountain Coaster) - Don't ride this except for the credit, as it's short, expensive, and bumpy. Just go ride Rocky Top or Smoky Mountain. Even if you're in Gatlinburg, the others are worth the drive to Pigeon Forge. 3. Rocky Top Mountain Coaster - A fun and unique mountain coaster. 2. Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster - Night ride. 1. Expedition Everest - Yeti. Wow, what a great list, right? 3 alpine coasters and Expedition Everest. Truly my best list so far. Er, second best. My best was the Dynamic Duo one. Can't beat Wild Adventures!
@@AirtimeThrills True. I rode them again, and they've gotten so much better since they replaced the trains. So much more headbanging while they were smooth before. Glad they went with the old trains instead of the new ones with vest restraints!
Belmont Park’s Giant Dipper is kind of boring but it is ridiculously charming. They went out of their way to make it look classic and retro and it really feels like stepping on a time machine. Also, Boardwalk Bullet at Kemah is GREAT. Absolutely worth the trip from Houston!
Wood Coaster is such an amazing ride, it's still my #1 wooden coaster in the world. It uses the side of the mountain perfectly and the station fly throughs are a blast.
EPCOT was supposed to have a Mount Fuji inspired Matterhorn bobsled style coaster when they were building the Japan Pavilion. It fell through when Pavilion sponsor Kodak vetoed it. The reason, one of the proposed names was Fujicoaster. Which was too similar to their competitor Fujifilm.
In a European perspective, besides a lot of mountain coasters, there are two options that can maybe in the list. There is Montaña Suiza, the sidefriction coaster from 1928 in Parque de Atracciones Monte Igueldo (Spain) and Montanha Russa a Mack watercoaster (Poseidon-clone) in the Portugese waterpark Aquashow.
I grew up right near the Boardwalk Bullet, so I've ridden it enough times to say that I think it doesn't get the attention it deserves. It is surprisingly forceful and intense, and I hardly hear anybody mention it
You forgot the most meme-worthy coaster here in Pennsylvania: Fiesta Express at Fun Fore All in Cranberry. With such intensity as you navigate the switchbacks at a snail’s crawl, it will leave every thrill-seeker in a state of confusion, questioning why they chose to ride such a contraption in the first place (…well, aside it being a credit). Solid list, man.
I recently went on Boardwalk Bullet for the first time, and I think it's favorite wooden coaster yet. Great first drop, strong airtimes, headchoppers, and absolutely insane pacing and intensity. I'm amazed they managed to fit something so extreme into that spot, at a park run by a seafood company no less.
Gekion Live is super weird but pretty fun. Only downside (at least for me) is that the cars will keep spinning freely while you’re sitting on the break run, so if the people getting on or off in front of you are taking their sweet time, you just sit there getting dizzier and dizzier. Only coaster where I can say that the *break run* is the part of the coaster most likely to make me puke. Also, once upon the time there was a plan to build a Mount Fuji-themed coaster in the Japan pavilion at Epcot. The fact that this never came to be makes me extremely sad since it could have been epic.
Avalanche in the Wisconsin Dells was such a good coaster. Shook you to hell towards the end of it's run but honestly that enhanced the experience. Could easily ride it like 9 - 10 times too because the line was always short even on a busy day. Really is too bad it's gone now and not somewhere else.
The Screamer at Scandia will always have a place in my heart. That coaster was my favorite when I was like 8. Such a great sight to see that the coaster is still around.
Great video. One of the coasters that are gone but not forgotten would be the Dania Beach Hurricane which was at Boomers in Dania Beach, Florida. Not only is the hurricane gone but so is Boomers. And this was adjacent to where Six Flags Atlantis water park used to be.
Wildfire at Kolmården? Although they may have a kiddie coaster too im forgetting....Same with Dragon Mountain at Marineland. I thought Thunder Dolphin at Tokyo Dome was by itself too.
Wildlands adventure zoo in The Netherlands has a Vekoma boomerang as the only coaster. And maybe honourable mention: Wildfire at Kolmarden, the park has a small second coaster. But a zoo in Sweden with an RMC... Who thought of that?
I love Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind over at Epcot. My sister and I rode it 3 times during our trip last and it rocked. My favorite song on it so far is September.
I know it technically doesn’t count because of the kiddie coaster, but Dragon Mountain at Marineland is the only real coaster at the park and it’s a really cool weird coaster. Rode it several times and loved it.
There was another stand-alone coaster that I got to ride. Cannonball Run at Waterville USA. This is an FEC/water park in Gulf Shores, Alabama. The place is still open, but the coaster is not there anymore. I only rode it once back in 2009, back when I wasn’t as much of a coaster enthusiast as I am now. It was just a fun attraction to do while on vacation. I don’t remember much about Cannonball Run, but it was a fun coaster and it even went around the course twice. Anyways, very interesting list!
I was marathoning it with a full train in it's new location on New Years Eve. When the train is full, it's insane, and deserves to be much higher on this list. But it looks like he probably rode it with a mostly empty train, which won't ride as fast.
I recently moved from Ohio to Green Bay and went from having cedar point and kings island as my home parks. Obviously not as good, but the zippin pippin is such a blast!
Buffalo Bill’s reopened earlier this year in January. And, it’s possible that Desperado is going to reopen with a much needed refurbishment of giving the track a fresh new coat of paint as well as bringing back the margret colored train.
Your list included 2 (3) in MY region. Boardwalk Bullet & Iron Shark. Both of which I filmed the construction of and have great stories about them. The last one was Taz Texas Tornado. I have a piece of ledger board from Bullet during construction. This is truly a bucket list of stand alone. Epcot tried a few times ti add a coaster in. One was a either bob sled through Mount Fuji or a Matterhorn replica in the Swiss pavilion. Sponsorship was ALWAYS a problem for Showcase.
One you probably haven’t been on but could’ve hit this list is adrenaline peak at oaks amusement park. It’s a small park right in Portland Oregon and the coaster is a tiny jam packed eurofighter. The coaster that got me into coasters, so it’s pretty good.
For me the Gerstlauer Bobsled at my local Wildlife Park has to take tha cake for this category. It´s called "Heiße Fahrt" (Hot Ride) and is located and "Wild- und Freizeitpark Klotten" (Wildlife and Amusement Park Klotten) on top of the Moselle Valley in Germany, near-ish to the Nürburgring Racetrack. It´s a small, Family owned Park that focuses on their Wildlife, but they do have both a Gertlauer Bobled and an ABC Rides Flume / Watercoaster (I don´t count this as a Coaster because the "coaster" section is just a small pre-drop and the main drop itself), the later featuring one of the greatest views on any rides due to it´s rotating elevator lift. The coaster opened in 2004 with a custom layout that feautres a almost shocking amount of Airtime, and wer are talink a straight line of 4 Floater Bunny hilld in a row, a great ejector pop durig a S-Bend if you sit in the back right seat and a surprising sense of speed due to most of it being low to the ground. And even though the hills are small, the airtime you get from them is better than on many much, much larger coasters. It´s a absolute hidden gem.
For years after they purchased Wyandot Lake, the 1956 John C. Allen Sea Dragon (formerly The Jet) at the Columbus Zoo in Columbus, Ohio was always a fun little stand alone coaster. Nowhere near an extreme ride, it was still a great first coaster with a zippy layout and some cool laterals. A year or so ago, the Zoo added a Zamperla Spinner so it wouldn't qualify for this list, but this great video on standalone coasters made me think immediately of the Sea Dragon. Love all your videos. Thank you.
Wood Coaster should be #1 and Boardwalk Bullet should be #2 if we are talking quality. I get you love Zippin Pippin and you can't beat the price, but I don't think it beats those 2 in terms of quality. Also I can see the 2 Disney coasters having a case to be in front of it as well depending on your criteria. Really glad to see Scandia Screamer on the list. It should be higher on the list. Incredible back row ride for what this coaster is. Got to hear the owners for ZDT's talk about the maintenance behind Switchback. Really interesting how they manage this ride. They really do a great job.
@@AirtimeThrills Drive down to Houston when/if the Dodgers are on the Astros schedule and then you can ride Boardwalk Bullet and also get boo’d in real life instead of just on the internet!!!!
Desperado is technically Arrow's largest coaster by length and tied with another coaster that is no longer an Arrow for drop. Wood Coaster at Knight Valley is one of the two best GCI coasters ever built; the other being also in China (but not a stand alone coaster). I also consider Guardians of the Galaxy one of the three best coasters on this list even if I've not even ridden any of them. Those are my top three on this list.
Great video! A couple of observations and a question: I've not yet been on a mountain coaster. However, I have been on a couple of bobsled types, such as La Vibora and Reptilian. Basically a rolling sled in a trough. Have also been on many, many non-full circuit shuttle coasters like Flash, Montys' Revenge, etc. It is generally accepted that all of these designs are, in fact rollercoasters. They roll and coast, both under the influence of gravity. If a mountain coaster is a coaster, and a bobsled coaster is a coaster, and a shuttle coaster is a coaster - Is an alpine slide a coaster? Alpine slides, for those who may not have encountered them, is typically a one-way trough ride (very much like Reptilian) down a mountain on a one-person rolling sled with a rider-operated brake. You can go as fast or slow as you like, very much like a mountain coaster, with the added exciting risk of being able to accidentally leave the trough track on sharp turns (which I have done a few times to great slapstick effect). While the lift from the bottom of the hill is generally accomplished by chairlift (these are often at ski areas), it is in other respects a combination of alpine coaster and bobsled coaster. I have been on a number of these at Big Bromley in Vermont, at Jackson, WY, and Big Bear Lake in CA. If all of these other coasters are, in fact, coasters, is an alpine slide not a rollercoaster too? While for me, the jury is still out on mountain coasters owing to the ability to self-brake at will on the way down, IF a mountain coaster is a rollercoaster, then I would argue that an alpine slide is also a rollercoaster. Any opinions welcome. alpineslidebigbear.com/ 🤩
For me, it's between Zippin Pippin & Boardwalk Bullet for the top pick in the U.S. I still need to ride Zippin Pippin to see what I think, but I would be surprised if I like it more than Boardwalk Bullet, given its interesting layout & variety of elements.
I love how - outside of China & Wisconsin - every single entry on this list is from 1 of 5 places: - Vegas - SoCal - Texas - WDW - Japan Dont think it means anything at all, just a coincidental observation 😂
I don't know that there were any you overlooked necessarily-- though there easily could be ones that I don't know of-- but I do feel like it was kind of lol to put Disney coasters on this list. I definitely understand the reasoning for the ones you included but obviously it's so hard to compare the resources Disney has for their attractions compared to somewhere like ZDT's or the city of Green Bay (though I do appreciate ZP taking the top spot).
I suspect Expedition Everest's solitary status is a very temporary situation--whatever they do next with the Dinoland USA area, it's likely to have some kind of coaster. The original plans for the area involved a larger family coaster themed to an paleontological dig, but there were budget cuts. When I rode Rock 'n' Roller Coaster at Disney's Hollywood Studios, it was actually standalone, but now Slinky Dog Dash in Toy Story Land is the park's second coaster.
nice to see Giant Dipper at Belmont Park get a little bit of love. it’s not an amazing coaster by any means, but I feel like it gets hated on way too much and a lot of enthusiasts overstate its roughness
I wouldn't consider the disney coasters stand alones. Yes they're the only ones in the park but the whole resort kinda goes together. You don't generally go there without visiting at least 2-3 parks.
Growing up in Detroit, we lived withing a couple of hours of Cedar Point. I currently live in northern Florida, so I'm now a couple of hours from DIsney & Universal. Due to geography, I've never really seen a standalone coaster because there was always a huge park nearby. I'd love to travel to some of these on the list.
Check out the Funspot Parks in Kissimmee and Orlando. They only have one adult and one family coaster a piece if you want that small park/boardwalk feel.
Chris, One of my friends was crazy enough to drive to buffalo bills and take pictures of desperado. When he asked when was desperado going to reopen they said that it would never reopen
Before watching, definitely predicting Switchback, Zippin Pippin, Boardwalk Bullet, possibly Desperado, and I think Kolmarden has a kids coaster but if I’m wrong, Wildfire
I personally wouldn't have put Guardians and Expedition in this list because they are part of one massive resort making it not a stand-alone coaster in my eyes.
personally I don't think the Disney coasters should count. they're only technically stand alone at the most literal level, and a lot of times guests start their day at one park and end their day at another park in the WDW mega complex.
I can't believe how much you're praising this ride! I've ridden it since it opened in the mid/late 90's as a teenager, but it definitely got rougher for a while. I haven't been on it in roughly a decade though (not since they renamed it). On a side note that arcade in our teens going to Vegas with our parents (as a fellow Californian visiting "So-Cal 2/So-Cal extension") growing up. My Dad rode it with me in his 50's and got wrecked when it was super rough, and he even rode Ghost Rider with me before they retracked it. I know it's heresy but I think RMC should at the very least do a topper track overhaul to smooth it out as well as using their wooden track cars (kinda need both things). It'd be smart for companies to work more in conjunction with them to create GREAT hybrid rides or fixes to their previously made rides. It's a win-win honestly...but I know when it comes to money always something.
@@AirtimeThrills Ya, my bad. I was referring to the Big Apple by good 'ol Togo (last time I rode it I believe was 2010 or 2011). I also got to ride Desperado in the 90's as a kid on the way to Vegas, I literally almost flew out because they let me ride it when they shouldn't have. I was 2" shy of the height requirement and I remember being able to slip out of the lap bar, and I did without trying and having to hold on for dear life on some of the air time parts. So I almost was responsible (well my parents, since I would've died) for shutting that ride down lol. On the topic of TOGO, like yourself I had the 'pleasure' of riding Wind Jammer during it's very short 2 1/2 years of operation (when it actually operated) and man oh man are Togo's...well let's call them "distinctive" haha. I honestly wouldn't have minded riding that crazy Astroworld ringed coaster, if nothing else for the uniqueness.
Might as well have made Shivering Timbers number 1, am I right? Jk, Michigan's Adventure, I still love you. Seriously though, as a Green Bay native, I'm always happy to see the Zippin Pippin getting some recognition, and Chris praises it more than anyone out there.
It’s crazy how 4 of these are in Texas. Along with the 3 big parks(SFOT, SFFT & SWSA), Wonderland and soon COTALAND, Texas has some great places to have fun. Now if someone would invest a park in the 4th largest U.S. city…
What is up my friend. That was a great video of places I’ve been and not. Buffalo Bills, had the pleasure of the old trains years ago. There is one spot also that has or maybe had a stand alone coaster on the boardwalk end at ocean City Maryland. ❤🎉❤🎉😊
While I appreciate the Zippin Pippin story and significance, there is no way it could top Wood Coaster in any way. That thing looks like the greatest wooden coaster ever created
I live in the Netherlands. So the videos aren't about rollercoasters I've seen/done since most of it is about America. Still, I really enjoy the videos and enjoy watching them. Hopefully one day I will get the chance to visit themeparks in America
Seems like you will have to do a list like this for parks that have only two coasters before long. With Arieforce One giving Funspot Atlanta 2 coasters and two coasters each at the Kissimmee and Orlando locations. Not to mention places like Family Kingdom in Myrtle Beach, Adventure Dome in Vegas and other small regional parks.
@@AirtimeThrills It's legit in my top 25. Out of over 300. Basically look at Jordan's (Cupcakes and Coasters) review of the Blackpool wooden Wild Mouse and that's my review of the Deep Creek alpine coaster (assuming full speed). On top of the strong layout, there is no computer enforced speed limit like the Pigeon Forge alpine coasters have. I rank it above well above coasters like Millenium Force and Candymonium (which grant it I think are overrated but it's still quite a statement that I'd rank an alpine coaster above those).
Out of the best Standalone Coasters, I will go with the Santa Monica West Coaster at Pacific Park! This is a gool family coaster that some of the kids would enjoy! Even though it's located at Pacific Park in Los Angles, it's still a good coaster!
I'm a simple man, I see Chris uploads a new video and I click
me
This comment was so common in 2017-18. I have not seen this comment in years tho.
Same
@@CNSPORTZEDITZ I still see this comment a ton
@@ItsSiebay interesting
Chris is a standalone RUclipsr. No one else in his league.
I hope it isn't because of personal hygiene
@@AirtimeThrills Fortunately, there is no odor on RUclips.
There were so many plans to build a rollercoaster at Epcot, including but not limited to an East Coast version of the Matterhorn using the layout and vehicles of California’s Space Mountain, a Mount Fuji coaster that would have been a similar idea, a rainforest rollercoaster for the front of the park (which would have been completely re-imagined as Discoveryland) and while I’m not sure if Time Racers was actually supposed to be a rollercoaster or not, but that idea ultimately became Cosmic Rewind
Loved the Star Trek video.
Wood Coaster definitely looks the best imo, one of my top bucket list coasters
Same. Some day I will get on that thing, I hope. As for the rest, Boardwalk Bullet would be my pick - an amazing coaster.
@@StamfordBridge yeah Boardwalk Bullet looks underrated
You sound like an RCT peep
yeah but its wooden-
Really unique list idea and great ranking of the coasters. I’d have placed Wood Coaster number 1 personally but I’ve heard great things about Guardians and Zippin Pippin so can’t go wrong there.
A few coasters I thought of/found that could have been worth consideration for this list are these:
- Storm Coaster at Dubai Hills Mall (Intamin Vertical LSM)
- Supersonic Odyssey at Berjaya Times Square (Intamin Multi-Inversion)
- Roaring Timbers at Sun World Hon Thom (GCI Woodie)
- Namazu at Vulcania (Intamin Motorbike)
- Montana Suiza at Parque de Attracciones Monte Igueldo in Spain (Oldest Operating Steel Coaster)
- Wildcat at North Georgia State Fair (Schwarzkopf Wildcat)
- Bandit Bomber at Yas Waterworld (Vekoma Splash Party)
Boardwalk Bullet for me is 100 times better than Zippin Pippin. A 10 vs. a 6.
Thanks for the other options, researching this one was tough to fine the good one-offs overseas
@@StamfordBridge I haven't ridden Zippin Pippin yet, but that's about what I was thinking from looking at it. I still think I'll like it a lot.
@@OklahomaCoasterFan I liked it, and I’m glad I went out of the way to visit the park. But some of the extreme adulation I’ve seen for it in recent years is baffling to me.
@@StamfordBridge I understand where you're coming from. Even though I haven't ridden Zippin Pippin, what you said about it is exactly how I've felt with some other rides. I have more tempered expectations for ZP now. Boardwalk Bullet is elite for me too.
I've ridden 4 standalone coasters, so it's time to rank them up, as usual:
4. Gatlinburg Mountain Coaster (now Ripley's Mountain Coaster) - Don't ride this except for the credit, as it's short, expensive, and bumpy. Just go ride Rocky Top or Smoky Mountain. Even if you're in Gatlinburg, the others are worth the drive to Pigeon Forge.
3. Rocky Top Mountain Coaster - A fun and unique mountain coaster.
2. Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster - Night ride.
1. Expedition Everest - Yeti.
Wow, what a great list, right? 3 alpine coasters and Expedition Everest. Truly my best list so far. Er, second best. My best was the Dynamic Duo one. Can't beat Wild Adventures!
Ahh the dynamic duo. Doesnt get much better than that
@@AirtimeThrills True. I rode them again, and they've gotten so much better since they replaced the trains. So much more headbanging while they were smooth before. Glad they went with the old trains instead of the new ones with vest restraints!
Belmont Park’s Giant Dipper is kind of boring but it is ridiculously charming. They went out of their way to make it look classic and retro and it really feels like stepping on a time machine.
Also, Boardwalk Bullet at Kemah is GREAT. Absolutely worth the trip from Houston!
Agree about giant dipper. It was underwhelming
@@AirtimeThrills Don't talk spit about my first thrill coaster credit!
@@RyanDaRizzleyour first thrill coaster is pathetic my first one actually had a loop
@@Thelightning1outmine had the drop face first 😩
Wood Coaster is such an amazing ride, it's still my #1 wooden coaster in the world. It uses the side of the mountain perfectly and the station fly throughs are a blast.
Zippin pippin’s last airtime hill is so extreme, you can see it off the ride 😅
0:49 4 days is crazy
That was a great video idea! I was concerned that you might forget about Zippin Pippin, and then it appeared at number one! Great work as always!
I actually started to wonder if they had a super tiny kid’s coaster I’d forgotten or something and that’s why I wasn’t seeing it
EPCOT was supposed to have a Mount Fuji inspired Matterhorn bobsled style coaster when they were building the Japan Pavilion. It fell through when Pavilion sponsor Kodak vetoed it.
The reason, one of the proposed names was Fujicoaster. Which was too similar to their competitor Fujifilm.
It would be like if AT&T rejected to sponsor anything at EPCOT because Horizons rhymes with Verizon.
That’s really dumb. They could have just insisted on a name change.
Doesn’t epcot have test track?
In a European perspective, besides a lot of mountain coasters, there are two options that can maybe in the list. There is Montaña Suiza, the sidefriction coaster from 1928 in Parque de Atracciones Monte Igueldo (Spain) and Montanha Russa a Mack watercoaster (Poseidon-clone) in the Portugese waterpark Aquashow.
You could also add to the list Namazu at Vulcania, France. It's a very nice family coaster !
Try supersonic odyssey
I grew up right near the Boardwalk Bullet, so I've ridden it enough times to say that I think it doesn't get the attention it deserves. It is surprisingly forceful and intense, and I hardly hear anybody mention it
You forgot the most meme-worthy coaster here in Pennsylvania: Fiesta Express at Fun Fore All in Cranberry. With such intensity as you navigate the switchbacks at a snail’s crawl, it will leave every thrill-seeker in a state of confusion, questioning why they chose to ride such a contraption in the first place (…well, aside it being a credit).
Solid list, man.
This was an interesting list. Never really thought about stand-alone coasters before!
Nice list! I’d agree Zippin Pippin and Expedition Everest have to be the best!!!
I recently went on Boardwalk Bullet for the first time, and I think it's favorite wooden coaster yet. Great first drop, strong airtimes, headchoppers, and absolutely insane pacing and intensity. I'm amazed they managed to fit something so extreme into that spot, at a park run by a seafood company no less.
It’s so cool how zippin pippin is so close to Lambeu field, I recently drove through Green Bay and you can see both on either side of the highway
Yeah when i was leaving bay beach i got some shots of lambeau in the distance
I just rode Roaring Timbers at Sunworld last week. Definitely deserves to be on this list.
I went to epcot last Thursday! Definitely a good park! Cosmic rewind and test track were great!
Gekion Live is super weird but pretty fun. Only downside (at least for me) is that the cars will keep spinning freely while you’re sitting on the break run, so if the people getting on or off in front of you are taking their sweet time, you just sit there getting dizzier and dizzier. Only coaster where I can say that the *break run* is the part of the coaster most likely to make me puke.
Also, once upon the time there was a plan to build a Mount Fuji-themed coaster in the Japan pavilion at Epcot. The fact that this never came to be makes me extremely sad since it could have been epic.
Avalanche in the Wisconsin Dells was such a good coaster. Shook you to hell towards the end of it's run but honestly that enhanced the experience. Could easily ride it like 9 - 10 times too because the line was always short even on a busy day. Really is too bad it's gone now and not somewhere else.
The Screamer at Scandia will always have a place in my heart. That coaster was my favorite when I was like 8. Such a great sight to see that the coaster is still around.
Great video. One of the coasters that are gone but not forgotten would be the Dania Beach Hurricane which was at Boomers in Dania Beach, Florida. Not only is the hurricane gone but so is Boomers. And this was adjacent to where Six Flags Atlantis water park used to be.
Wildfire at Kolmården? Although they may have a kiddie coaster too im forgetting....Same with Dragon Mountain at Marineland.
I thought Thunder Dolphin at Tokyo Dome was by itself too.
Kolmarden has a bunch of kiddie coasters too yes.
Nope, Tokyo Dome has a Gerstlauer family launch coaster called Panic Coaster - Back Daaan.
I considered all of those but found they werent in fact alone
Wildlands adventure zoo in The Netherlands has a Vekoma boomerang as the only coaster. And maybe honourable mention: Wildfire at Kolmarden, the park has a small second coaster. But a zoo in Sweden with an RMC... Who thought of that?
I wanted to put wildfire on here so bad
Didnt realize at first it had another coaster
I love Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind over at Epcot. My sister and I rode it 3 times during our trip last and it rocked. My favorite song on it so far is September.
I know it technically doesn’t count because of the kiddie coaster, but Dragon Mountain at Marineland is the only real coaster at the park and it’s a really cool weird coaster. Rode it several times and loved it.
I suggested he do a two coaster park list because that's what it would take to get the new Arieforce One on a list like this...
There was another stand-alone coaster that I got to ride. Cannonball Run at Waterville USA. This is an FEC/water park in Gulf Shores, Alabama. The place is still open, but the coaster is not there anymore. I only rode it once back in 2009, back when I wasn’t as much of a coaster enthusiast as I am now. It was just a fun attraction to do while on vacation. I don’t remember much about Cannonball Run, but it was a fun coaster and it even went around the course twice.
Anyways, very interesting list!
The scandia screamer was the first coaster I ever rode. I'm glad praire playland was able to save that coaster.❤️
I was marathoning it with a full train in it's new location on New Years Eve. When the train is full, it's insane, and deserves to be much higher on this list. But it looks like he probably rode it with a mostly empty train, which won't ride as fast.
I lived in Green Bay when Zippin opened and was able to ride almost daily. You’re right, it’s an outstanding woody!
Hey, last year Dubai Hills Mall opened Storm Coaster, a very cool in intamin vertical launch that I think would get in the top 5
Yeah for sure, overlooked that one
I recently moved from Ohio to Green Bay and went from having cedar point and kings island as my home parks.
Obviously not as good, but the zippin pippin is such a blast!
We rode Rocky Top near Dollywood at night. Fun for the whole family!
I have the Zippin Pippin cred, I couldn't believe it was $1.00. Hum, I guess that would be my cheapest coaster cred.
Honey, new airtime thrills just dropped.
I was 100% certain that Wildfire at Kolmåden in Sweden would be #1, but now i found out, that this Zoo has more that only one coaster. I am surprised.
Yeah, I was under the impression they only had 1 also… Color me surprised.
Buffalo Bill’s reopened earlier this year in January. And, it’s possible that Desperado is going to reopen with a much needed refurbishment of giving the track a fresh new coat of paint as well as bringing back the margret colored train.
They should team up with Bethesda and offer Vault tec merch!!!
Your list included 2 (3) in MY region. Boardwalk Bullet & Iron Shark. Both of which I filmed the construction of and have great stories about them. The last one was Taz Texas Tornado. I have a piece of ledger board from Bullet during construction. This is truly a bucket list of stand alone. Epcot tried a few times ti add a coaster in. One was a either bob sled through Mount Fuji or a Matterhorn replica in the Swiss pavilion. Sponsorship was ALWAYS a problem for Showcase.
One you probably haven’t been on but could’ve hit this list is adrenaline peak at oaks amusement park. It’s a small park right in Portland Oregon and the coaster is a tiny jam packed eurofighter. The coaster that got me into coasters, so it’s pretty good.
There’s also an E&F Miller family coaster at Oaks Amusement Park, so Adrenaline Peak wouldn’t count for this list. Still looks like a fun ride though.
@@MrCollerRoaster oh yeah forgot about that thanks for pointing that out. Been a while since I’ve been
I actually have been on it but yeah didnt qualify because of the kids coaster
I had Godsmack’s I Stand Alone in my head the whole time lol
I love Giant Dipper, but last time I was on it (in 2016) my mom and I damn near broke our necks in the back row.
I agree - quite rough as of about 2016 or so.
For me the Gerstlauer Bobsled at my local Wildlife Park has to take tha cake for this category. It´s called "Heiße Fahrt" (Hot Ride) and is located and "Wild- und Freizeitpark Klotten" (Wildlife and Amusement Park Klotten) on top of the Moselle Valley in Germany, near-ish to the Nürburgring Racetrack. It´s a small, Family owned Park that focuses on their Wildlife, but they do have both a Gertlauer Bobled and an ABC Rides Flume / Watercoaster (I don´t count this as a Coaster because the "coaster" section is just a small pre-drop and the main drop itself), the later featuring one of the greatest views on any rides due to it´s rotating elevator lift.
The coaster opened in 2004 with a custom layout that feautres a almost shocking amount of Airtime, and wer are talink a straight line of 4 Floater Bunny hilld in a row, a great ejector pop durig a S-Bend if you sit in the back right seat and a surprising sense of speed due to most of it being low to the ground. And even though the hills are small, the airtime you get from them is better than on many much, much larger coasters. It´s a absolute hidden gem.
For years after they purchased Wyandot Lake, the 1956 John C. Allen Sea Dragon (formerly The Jet) at the Columbus Zoo in Columbus, Ohio was always a fun little stand alone coaster. Nowhere near an extreme ride, it was still a great first coaster with a zippy layout and some cool laterals. A year or so ago, the Zoo added a Zamperla Spinner so it wouldn't qualify for this list, but this great video on standalone coasters made me think immediately of the Sea Dragon.
Love all your videos. Thank you.
Wood Coaster should be #1 and Boardwalk Bullet should be #2 if we are talking quality. I get you love Zippin Pippin and you can't beat the price, but I don't think it beats those 2 in terms of quality. Also I can see the 2 Disney coasters having a case to be in front of it as well depending on your criteria. Really glad to see Scandia Screamer on the list. It should be higher on the list. Incredible back row ride for what this coaster is. Got to hear the owners for ZDT's talk about the maintenance behind Switchback. Really interesting how they manage this ride. They really do a great job.
I need to reride boardwalk bullet. I really didnt love it the first time
@@AirtimeThrills Drive down to Houston when/if the Dodgers are on the Astros schedule and then you can ride Boardwalk Bullet and also get boo’d in real life instead of just on the internet!!!!
Desperado is technically Arrow's largest coaster by length and tied with another coaster that is no longer an Arrow for drop. Wood Coaster at Knight Valley is one of the two best GCI coasters ever built; the other being also in China (but not a stand alone coaster). I also consider Guardians of the Galaxy one of the three best coasters on this list even if I've not even ridden any of them. Those are my top three on this list.
Great video! A couple of observations and a question:
I've not yet been on a mountain coaster. However, I have been on a couple of bobsled types, such as La Vibora and Reptilian. Basically a rolling sled in a trough. Have also been on many, many non-full circuit shuttle coasters like Flash, Montys' Revenge, etc. It is generally accepted that all of these designs are, in fact rollercoasters. They roll and coast, both under the influence of gravity.
If a mountain coaster is a coaster, and a bobsled coaster is a coaster, and a shuttle coaster is a coaster - Is an alpine slide a coaster?
Alpine slides, for those who may not have encountered them, is typically a one-way trough ride (very much like Reptilian) down a mountain on a one-person rolling sled with a rider-operated brake. You can go as fast or slow as you like, very much like a mountain coaster, with the added exciting risk of being able to accidentally leave the trough track on sharp turns (which I have done a few times to great slapstick effect). While the lift from the bottom of the hill is generally accomplished by chairlift (these are often at ski areas), it is in other respects a combination of alpine coaster and bobsled coaster.
I have been on a number of these at Big Bromley in Vermont, at Jackson, WY, and Big Bear Lake in CA. If all of these other coasters are, in fact, coasters, is an alpine slide not a rollercoaster too?
While for me, the jury is still out on mountain coasters owing to the ability to self-brake at will on the way down, IF a mountain coaster is a rollercoaster, then I would argue that an alpine slide is also a rollercoaster.
Any opinions welcome.
alpineslidebigbear.com/ 🤩
You can definitely make a convincing argument
For me, it's between Zippin Pippin & Boardwalk Bullet for the top pick in the U.S. I still need to ride Zippin Pippin to see what I think, but I would be surprised if I like it more than Boardwalk Bullet, given its interesting layout & variety of elements.
God damn Wood Coaster looks good
I love how - outside of China & Wisconsin - every single entry on this list is from 1 of 5 places:
- Vegas
- SoCal
- Texas
- WDW
- Japan
Dont think it means anything at all, just a coincidental observation 😂
Could you do a ranking of the top 10 or 20 best coaster trains?
maybe the worst trains as well
I don't know that there were any you overlooked necessarily-- though there easily could be ones that I don't know of-- but I do feel like it was kind of lol to put Disney coasters on this list. I definitely understand the reasoning for the ones you included but obviously it's so hard to compare the resources Disney has for their attractions compared to somewhere like ZDT's or the city of Green Bay (though I do appreciate ZP taking the top spot).
Yeah like i said there are different reasons for a coaster to stand alone, obviously some like disney do it by choice lol
I suspect Expedition Everest's solitary status is a very temporary situation--whatever they do next with the Dinoland USA area, it's likely to have some kind of coaster. The original plans for the area involved a larger family coaster themed to an paleontological dig, but there were budget cuts.
When I rode Rock 'n' Roller Coaster at Disney's Hollywood Studios, it was actually standalone, but now Slinky Dog Dash in Toy Story Land is the park's second coaster.
I love how with The Big Apple coaster all you really had to saw was “it’s a Togo”
Such a great coaster content concept!!!
Standalone coasters are pretty cool.
always makes my day
Boardwalk Bullet is the best coaster you mentioned here, Zippin Pippin is a close second.
I was surprised to hear that zippin pippin was Elvis presley’s favorite coaster
I don't count Disney World coasters because they are part of Disney World, but good list.
Been on 5 of these (since we're lumping in all the mountain coasters as one), but not either of the Disney coasters. Thanks, Texas!
Yeah i noticed texas is freaking loaded with standalone coasters
nice to see Giant Dipper at Belmont Park get a little bit of love. it’s not an amazing coaster by any means, but I feel like it gets hated on way too much and a lot of enthusiasts overstate its roughness
Had the kiddy coaster at Kolmarden not been present, Wildfire would most likely top this list
I wouldn't consider the disney coasters stand alones. Yes they're the only ones in the park but the whole resort kinda goes together. You don't generally go there without visiting at least 2-3 parks.
True, theyre definitely different from the others
Growing up in Detroit, we lived withing a couple of hours of Cedar Point. I currently live in northern Florida, so I'm now a couple of hours from DIsney & Universal. Due to geography, I've never really seen a standalone coaster because there was always a huge park nearby. I'd love to travel to some of these on the list.
Check out the Funspot Parks in Kissimmee and Orlando. They only have one adult and one family coaster a piece if you want that small park/boardwalk feel.
Chris, One of my friends was crazy enough to drive to buffalo bills and take pictures of desperado. When he asked when was desperado going to reopen they said that it would never reopen
😪😓
So much mixed info on this one. I wont believe any rumors anymore on this thing
number 15 was THE EVER. truly the GOAT of all time
also seeing Sonic on this channel is surreal lol
Wood coaster seems like #1 to me
Pacific Park is the only park I’ve ridden every coaster at.
Before watching, definitely predicting Switchback, Zippin Pippin, Boardwalk Bullet, possibly Desperado, and I think Kolmarden has a kids coaster but if I’m wrong, Wildfire
They do
I personally wouldn't have put Guardians and Expedition in this list because they are part of one massive resort making it not a stand-alone coaster in my eyes.
South pier in Blackpool has a stand alone spinning mouse
personally I don't think the Disney coasters should count. they're only technically stand alone at the most literal level, and a lot of times guests start their day at one park and end their day at another park in the WDW mega complex.
I agree with the list, however wood coaster is by far the best of all imo, I also think boardwalk bullet should be higher aswell
Right with you. I've never missed one.
Anything thats related to Airtime Thrills I love.
I knew the ejector death hill would come out on top!
I can't believe how much you're praising this ride! I've ridden it since it opened in the mid/late 90's as a teenager, but it definitely got rougher for a while. I haven't been on it in roughly a decade though (not since they renamed it). On a side note that arcade in our teens going to Vegas with our parents (as a fellow Californian visiting "So-Cal 2/So-Cal extension") growing up. My Dad rode it with me in his 50's and got wrecked when it was super rough, and he even rode Ghost Rider with me before they retracked it. I know it's heresy but I think RMC should at the very least do a topper track overhaul to smooth it out as well as using their wooden track cars (kinda need both things). It'd be smart for companies to work more in conjunction with them to create GREAT hybrid rides or fixes to their previously made rides. It's a win-win honestly...but I know when it comes to money always something.
Which coaster are you talking about here? Big apple?
@@AirtimeThrills Ya, my bad. I was referring to the Big Apple by good 'ol Togo (last time I rode it I believe was 2010 or 2011). I also got to ride Desperado in the 90's as a kid on the way to Vegas, I literally almost flew out because they let me ride it when they shouldn't have. I was 2" shy of the height requirement and I remember being able to slip out of the lap bar, and I did without trying and having to hold on for dear life on some of the air time parts. So I almost was responsible (well my parents, since I would've died) for shutting that ride down lol.
On the topic of TOGO, like yourself I had the 'pleasure' of riding Wind Jammer during it's very short 2 1/2 years of operation (when it actually operated) and man oh man are Togo's...well let's call them "distinctive" haha. I honestly wouldn't have minded riding that crazy Astroworld ringed coaster, if nothing else for the uniqueness.
Might as well have made Shivering Timbers number 1, am I right? Jk, Michigan's Adventure, I still love you. Seriously though, as a Green Bay native, I'm always happy to see the Zippin Pippin getting some recognition, and Chris praises it more than anyone out there.
Hahaha Shivering Timbers...that would have been a good gag pick
I love how the only 2 of these I've had the fortune of riding are the bottom 2 lmao
I’ve only ridden the bottom one. Okay I’ve been to Vegas a few times but didn’t do much.
It’s crazy how 4 of these are in Texas. Along with the 3 big parks(SFOT, SFFT & SWSA), Wonderland and soon COTALAND, Texas has some great places to have fun.
Now if someone would invest a park in the 4th largest U.S. city…
Great review. I wanna do that #13 coaster in the back of a flea market. Coasters and baseball cards in the same visit, I'm bouty bouty
"A race track in Germany" You should look up that place 😉
If fun spot Atlanta gets rid of hurricane, you might have to remake this video.
random meme
Crystal Beach Cyclone: I was the most intense coaster ever!
I305: *H e l l o .*
wheres the wacky worm at gillians wonderland? the ejector moment on that ride is insane
Damn i forgot
What is up my friend. That was a great video of places I’ve been and not. Buffalo Bills, had the pleasure of the old trains years ago. There is one spot also that has or maybe had a stand alone coaster on the boardwalk end at ocean City Maryland. ❤🎉❤🎉😊
While I appreciate the Zippin Pippin story and significance, there is no way it could top Wood Coaster in any way. That thing looks like the greatest wooden coaster ever created
Yeah but will it ride as good as it looks...how rough is it..how are the forces...i couldnt say
I got to ride Avalanche and it was really good with airtime and pacing but it was very rough
I live in the Netherlands. So the videos aren't about rollercoasters I've seen/done since most of it is about America. Still, I really enjoy the videos and enjoy watching them.
Hopefully one day I will get the chance to visit themeparks in America
Seems like you will have to do a list like this for parks that have only two coasters before long. With Arieforce One giving Funspot Atlanta 2 coasters and two coasters each at the Kissimmee and Orlando locations. Not to mention places like Family Kingdom in Myrtle Beach, Adventure Dome in Vegas and other small regional parks.
The alpine coaster in Deep Creek, MD deserves a special shoutout. That one is leagues above the rest, in my view.
Good to know. So far the ones ive been on have been pretty similar
@@AirtimeThrills It's legit in my top 25. Out of over 300. Basically look at Jordan's (Cupcakes and Coasters) review of the Blackpool wooden Wild Mouse and that's my review of the Deep Creek alpine coaster (assuming full speed). On top of the strong layout, there is no computer enforced speed limit like the Pigeon Forge alpine coasters have. I rank it above well above coasters like Millenium Force and Candymonium (which grant it I think are overrated but it's still quite a statement that I'd rank an alpine coaster above those).
Not sure I'd personally count the Disney coasters given the parks themselves aren't really standalone. Not sure what I'd put there instead, though.
If it weren't for Whirlwind, Wild Waves and Pirate's Gold Rush, I would've said GaleForce.
I was almost gonna say wildfire at kolmarden but they have a couple junior coasters as well
It’s a shame thunder dolphin is not on this list, I guess cuz that park also has Panic Coaster
Yeah if it wasn't for Panic coaster it would be on here
Out of the best Standalone Coasters, I will go with the Santa Monica West Coaster at Pacific Park! This is a gool family coaster that some of the kids would enjoy! Even though it's located at Pacific Park in Los Angles, it's still a good coaster!
“Leviathan? I haven’t heard that name in years…”
*flashes back to one of my hundreds massacres caused a nine year old me on Del Perro Pier*
What lol
I love woodies. All these coasters look so interesting and fun. Oops, I missed this video. Sorry.
Sea dragon at the Columbus Zoo is a really good one that should be on the list