What’s the best roller coaster in the United States?
and why? That is, if you’re partial to wood as opposed to steel, etc…
- Rick
Well, I know this one isn’t the best, but my favorite is the Mamba at Worlds of Fun in Kansas City. Although the hanging roller coaster Batman at assorted Six Flags are pretty cool too. I prefer steel to wood because of the smoother ride and higher G’s. And I WILL go to Sandusky, Ohio to visit the roller coaster heaven that is Ceder Point before I get to old.
dead0man
Definitely Alpengeist, at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia.
I really like the Mantis at Cedar Point (in the very front seats, of course :D). It’s steel, and you stand up over a bike seat-like thing - standing just makes you feel that much more out of control. I don’t really like wooden ones, probably because I almost always end up with a nasty headache after them.
I prefer steel coasters - wooden ones seem a little too rickity for me.
That said, I have never been to the hallowed park of Sandusky, so I am stuck choosing from among the dozen or so here.
Hmmm. Gotta be Dueling Dragons at Islands of Adventure - particularly the straightaway where you see the other coaster aiming right for you, then both do a sudden upturn, leaving you about 1 foot from the other coaster. Still great after all this time.
Second is Kumba at Busch Gardens - still one of my favorites.
Montu at Busch Gardens is the only coaster I have ever thrown up on after riding. Still pretty cool.
Anything at Cedar Point gets my vote.
My favorite two are
1)Raptor , at Cedar Point.
2)Beast , at Kings Island, Cincinatti.
Raptor is the kind that you “hang” down from.
Beast is the old favortie…and incredibly long, wooden rollercoaster.
Definitely Raptor. Very fast, not too rough, lots of rapid-fire stunts…what more could you want?
Another vote for The Beast at King’s Island. As far as woodies go, they don’t come much bigger or faster. (you perverts) Best time to ride it? As soon as it starts sprinkling. I never so much thought I was gonna die as when I rode the Beast in a gentle mist. The oil rose up on the tracks and that coaster flew!
Nothing better than a night ride in a light rain on the Thunderbolt in Kennywood. Nothing. It’s a classic that still kick’s ass.
Also…at night the Beast has no lights…unfortunately every time I tried to ride it at night the line was so long that we could go ride the Vortex 3x in the same amount of time.
I’d have to say the Millenium Force at Cedar Point for straight-up intensity. However, to riding the Raptor in the front car with your shoes off is pretty damn sweet.
I went to Six Flags CA recently, and it just rocked.
My favourites were Goliath, Batman, Riddler’s Revenge, and the absolute number one: Superman the Escape. What can I say, I love acceleration. 
Goliath was a good second, though. MAN what a rush!
I love big rickety wooden roller coasters.
The American Eagle (Six Flags Great America - that’s the Illinois one) is about the best I’ve been on, but I also like The Grizzly at King’s Dominion Virginia, going through the woods where you’re pretty sure several branches are going to take your head off.
I like steel roller coasters too (escpecially the Loch Ness Monster at Busch Gardens Virginia), but the Batman ride (at least the one at Six Flags Great America) was so loopy I never knew where I was. I couldn’t even get scared because by the time I figured out what was going on the ride was ending.
At Six Flags in NJ I would have to recommend Nitro and Medusa.
Steel (speed): Millenium @ Cedar Point
Steel (stunts): Raptor @ Cedar Point
Wooden: Timberwolf @ Worlds of Fun (KC)
Titan, Six Flags Over Texas.
Batman: The Ride, Six Flags Great Adventure
Volcano, Shockwave and Anaconda, Kings Dominion
Great Bear, Hersheypark
I want to try the Roller Soaker, new at Hersheypark this year.
We’ll be visiting my dad in Dallas next month, and will go to Six Flags Over Texas. I’m looking forward to riding The Titan again, and trying some new ones as well.
Sheri
Hee hee… I can go to Cedar Point anytime I want… however, I am deathly afraid of roller coasters, so the best part about CP is the Dippin’ Dots ice cream and the lame Thunder Canyon ride where all you do is get wet. 
I think it depends on what you like.
I personally like the drops and speed, and could care less about loops. So I like the Magnum and Milinium at CP, and Apollo’s Chariot at BG Virginia.
For loops, Dueling Dragons (Islands of Adventure) and Hulk (IoA). Are both great. Although, I am still partial to the good old Loch Ness as BG Virginia.
You can’t ignore the wooden coasters tho. The Grizzly at Kings Dominion has got to be one of the best. Goes back in a set of woods for the most part. It’s old, weather beaten, rickety, and to make things even more fun I talked to someone who worked there and they mentioned they had a problem with one of the coasters in the off-season; seems some of the wheels fell off. If that doesn’t add to the adrenaline rush I don’t know what would.
Shockwave? I thought that was a kiddie ride. And you forgot to mention the Outer Limits. All indoor and you’re fired down the track by electo-magnets. 0-50 in some ridiculous time. Mmm, whiplash.