Sunday, May 29, 2005
Paul Ruben, 68, is a lifelong roller coaster enthusiast and historian from Penfield, N.Y., who's ridden nearly 700 coasters. Since 1989, he's been the North American editor for the amusement park trade publication Park World. His advice: "Enjoy the feeling of being out of control." With theme park season upon us, we asked Ruben for his picks for the top new coasters awaiting summer visitors -- and what makes them special. -- Samantha Sordyl
J2WHERE: Clementon Amusement Park and Splash World, Clementon, N.J.
BRAGGING RIGHTS: Holding the record for the steepest drop in a wood coaster in North America, J2 sends its riders squealing down a 105-foot drop at 56 mph.
THE EXPERT'S OPINION: "It's like controlled mayhem. When careening around a curve, it's taking the curves too fast. The pacing is exquisite. One element comes after another, without a moment to regain your composure. . . . This is a very aggressive coaster. I usually ride with my hands in the air; I'm embarrassed to say that I actually grabbed for the bar."
INFO: 856-783-0263, http://www.clementonpark.com/ .
Kingda KaWHERE: Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, N.J.
BRAGGING RIGHTS: It's the tallest, fastest roller coaster in the world -- reaching 458 feet (45 stories) and hitting 128 mph in just under four seconds.
THE EXPERT'S OPINION: Though Ruben hasn't ridden this monster yet, he expects "a rocket sled launch that will press my back against my seat. My momentum will carry me to the top of this 458 foot tower; we will slowly roll over the top; head straight down; and do a 360-degree corkscrew as we drop."
INFO: 732-928-1821, http://www.sixflags.com/greatadventure .
SheiKraWHERE: Busch Gardens, Tampa, Fla.
BRAGGING RIGHTS: The SheiKra is the world's tallest dive coaster, which is a coaster with a 90 degree drop. It's 200 feet tall with a 70 mph plunge.
THE EXPERT'S OPINION: "It's the best diving coaster yet. It has two major drops. The second drop [about 80 degrees] leads you into a mist-filled tunnel under the lake. As it exits the tunnel, you splash down through the lake, sending up twin rooster tails of water."
INFO: 888-800-5447, http://www.buschgardens.com/ .
The Italian JobWHERE: Paramount's Kings Island, Kings Island, Ohio
BRAGGING RIGHTS: The Italian Job, modeled after a chase scene in the movie "The Italian Job," reaches 53.3 feet and hits 40 mph flying in and out of enclosed surroundings. Sitting in mini Mini Coopers, riders pound down stairs into a subway scene, swerve to avoid head-on collisions and crash through a mock billboard.
THE EXPERT'S OPINION: "You're launched to full speed [40 mph] within about four seconds. You're spiraling through bank turns as you circle upward in the simulated parking garage . . . so the G-forces are hitting you through the seat of your pants. It's non-stop fun."
INFO: 800-288-0808, http://www.pki.com./
PowderKegWHERE: Silver Dollar City, Branson, Mo.
BRAGGING RIGHTS: The PowderKeg send s its riders from 0 to 53 mph in 2.8 seconds using compressed-air technology -- not the usual mechanical or hydraulic systems. It's 110 feet high, and riders whip around banked turns and soar among tree tops.
THE EXPERT'S OPINION: "One of the smoothest steel coasters I've ever been on. . . . After you leave the loading platform, you roll out onto a track. You stop. And then the track moves sideways, about 20 feet up an incline. . . . It's one you can ride over and over again."
INFO : 800-831-4386, http://www.silverdollarcity.com/ .