[B][FONT=System][SIZE=4][COLOR=blue]I wonder what roller coaster has a special place in people's hearts. For me, it's Dragon Mountain, because it's the first big roller coaster that I ever been on.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/B]

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DRAGON MOUNTAIN

Racer at Kennywood, my first roller coaster. Heck, all of Kennywood has a special place in my heart. I'd often drive two hours there instead of the hour drive to Geauga Lake or the 1.5 hour drive to Cedar Point when I lived in Ohio because I loved it so much.

Big Dipper at Geauga Lake was my favorite roller coaster for a long time, I could ride that thing over and over...and I often did...from an early age. I've probably ridden it 500-some times.

Steel Phantom was my first "big" roller coaster, so I loved that ride. Somehow, they managed to make it better, even though I was extremely pessimistic that Phantom's Revenge would stink.

Phoenix at Knoebel's was the first coaster that changed my mind in terms of great coasters are only good because of size and speed. Small ride with a wicked punch, now I'll give any new-to-me ride a chance regardless of whether it "looks cool" or not.

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Bryan Wood Thrillnetwork Database Admin and review writer extraordinare

Couple of "first rides." I think we'll see quite a bit of that in this thread. That's OK, though.

First coaster: Thunder Express at Dollywood. Not there anymore, and I miss it. :(

First real-deal coaster: Mindbender at SFoG. I have my dad to thank for gettin' me on it, and sparking my interest in coasters, and rides in general.

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Mamba cause it was my first coaster i didnt know about air time so i thought we derailed i was freaking out

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beast at kings island and wicked twister at cedar point.i can ride both like 100 times a day.

[quote=Hammy2003]Mindbender at SFoG[/quote]

Me too :heart:

[IMG]http://jophish17.smugmug.com/photos/21570847-M.jpg[/IMG]

It was my first coaster and still my favorite looper. It will always hold a special place in my heart and I can't imagine life without it lol.

My next ride on it (probably on SP day since I doubt I will go later today) will be my 700th since I started keeping track about 5 years ago, yay me!

Mine is Cobra at ratanga Junction.
Its a vekoma slc and was my first coaster ever!

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I think everyone's first roller coaster has a special place in some ones heart.

For me, my first ever roller caoster was a bobsled coaster ([url=http://www.rcdb.com/ig899.htm]Bob[/url] at Efteling, Netherlands). After that, a wooden coaster ([url=http://www.rcdb.com/ig898.htm]Pegasus[/url]), and my first looping coaster was [url=http://www.rcdb.com/ig897.htm]Python[/url]. Once I conquered Python, I knew I would ride everything. The special place in my heart goes to Python I think.

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[QUOTE=BobFunland]My next ride on it (probably on SP day since I doubt I will go later today) will be my 700th since I started keeping track about 5 years ago, yay me![/QUOTE]
Dude, that's awesome! I really should start keeping count of that kind of stuff. If you stop and think about it, 700 is a crazy number of times to ride anything! That's insane. And to think that Mindbender is still a popular ride, and keeps a line fairly consistently throughout the season! Totally cool!

Congrats on your 700th!

I was tryin' to think of some non-first ride special instances. Hm-m.

My experience on Flashback at SFMM was painful, but totally cool, because I never got to ride it while it was at SFoG. I don't know why, but photos of the then-called Z-Force and Viper interest me so much. It must be that it takes me back to childhood, enjoying parks and rides before analyzing so much, and knowing more about them now.

I think as enthusaists, if we try to appreciate the ride as a first-time guest or the GP, we would have tons more fun at parks. First year or two of my enthusiasm were relatively miserable, because I lost my genuine appreciation for amusement in general.

OK, sermon over. Can I get an "Amen!" ?

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^Amen.


Kumba in the front is a ride that I'll never forget. On the way up that lift, I was thinking, "This it it, if I hate it, I'll never ride another coaster, but if I love it, I'll never stop riding coasters ever." Of course I loved it, and I've been on 85 more coasters since then.

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3 rides are special to me...

Scorpion, my first looping coaster and the first coast I went on and thought "sweet lets do that again".

Alpengeist. the coaster that got me addicted to coasters. I started the day off too scared to ride, but by the end of the day after riding all the other coasters got on in the fourth row, and since then I've been totally addicted to riding coasters.

Kumba, the best coaster I've ever been on.

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"For each path you walk down, there are several others you have to bypass. Maybe walking those paths would have made you happy, maybe they wouldn't have. You'll never know. Choose your path, walk it, and make the best of it."

All the coasters at Disney were what convinced me to go back to Chicago and try the rides at SFGAm, so they were probably most important in my love for rides.

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TV/Event Guide Editor

Scooby Doo's Gasping Ghoster Coaster at PCW - my first coaster
Viper at SFDL - my first looping coaster

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ThrillNetwork Moderator
The user formerly known as WildeFyre
UOIT Mechanical Engineering Student

Rockin Roller Coaster- First looper
California Screamin- The ride where I found my love for coasters

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GO MAGIC

I have several rides that are special to me.
First of all is my first coaster which was Shockwave at SFOT. I always remember I was so small, that my dad had to put his arm across my shoulders to keep me in the seat, and one time he forgot and I was so traumatized I thought I would never ride it again. But then it also became the first ride I ever put my hands up on.
Texas Giant was my first woodie the year it opened and I was seven. I rode it at night, eyes shut, and LOVED it. Thus began my real heartthrob for wood coasters.
The entire park SFMM is very special to me. It was my first coaster trip and I was in 5th grade. Revolution and Viper stand out very strongly for me there. I'm not sure why but I just LOVE them both to death.
Last but not least of course is Zingo. It was the first coaster I ever worked on and it waa a big honor too because I was a first season employee, and you have to at least be on you second season before you even get considered for work on Zingo. Totally cool. Plus I have ridden it over 300 times in about three years which by far makes it my most ridden coaster.

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I like the Zingo a lot.

[quote=Hammy2003]OK, sermon over. Can I get an "Amen!" ?[/quote]
Amen! I've met a lot of enthusiasts who will say the same thing about how it was much more fun riding before becoming an enthusiast.

[quote]Dude, that's awesome! I really should start keeping count of that kind of stuff. If you stop and think about it, 700 is a crazy number of times to ride anything! That's insane. And to think that Mindbender is still a popular ride, and keeps a line fairly consistently throughout the season! Totally cool!
Congrats on your 700th![/quote]
Thanks, 700 may sound like a lot but its nowhere near some of the crazy people out there like [URL="http://rcdb.com/document178.htm"]the guy who rode Boulder Dash 5000 times[/URL] :eek:

A lot of those rides came in ert sessions and on days when the park is deserted, trust me, I don't like waiting in line! Thats probably why I havent been able to ride too much this year, I [I]might [/I]have 100 laps, probably not :(

It you really do want to keep track, go to coastercounter.com. I used to keep track with an excel sheet but that site is just as good!

That's awesome that you got to ride Flashback, every time I've been out there it has been closed :( I wanted to ride the artist formerly known as Z-force too since I was a mere 4 years old when it closed and never got that chance. I probably won't ever get to ride it...

Kumba and Montu way back in the day definately sparked my desire to start to travel outside of metro Atlanta for coasters, so I guess they get a special spot too.

"That's awesome that you got to ride Flashback, every time I've been out there it has been closed :( I wanted to ride the artist formerly known as Z-force too since I was a mere 4 years old when it closed and never got that chance. I probably won't ever get to ride it..."

I hate to say this but you aren't missing much. The reason that there is only one of these is it is a lousy ride. Great concept (Airplane Dive) but the execution isn't there - or perhaps it is, since I never rode it without getting a headache.

My 1st coaster was a port-a-coaster at a carnival in Nancy, France. Probably a Schwartzkoff design. I remember (being 11) that it was rickitty, which added to the thrill. After all, someone had just put it together.....HAD THEY DONE IT RIGHT????

The coaster my wife and I truly love is Colossus @ SFMM. But I feel for my wife. She loves it as it is, having never ridden it before the
braking configuration was changed. She has no idea how it has been ruined.....Ignorance is truly bliss.:sadface:

My first coaster ever was the Lil' Razor at the Mall of America. But that doesn't really hold a place in my heart (it's really boring- i didn't think that when I was 4 yrs. old though- lol) except for the fact that it's what made me love coasters. My first real coaster was the Arkansas Twister at Magic Springs & Crystal Falls (I rode it the first year it reopened). My first looping coaster was Shockwave at SFoT. It's still my favorite looper. My favorite coaster period and the one that holds the biggest chunk of my heart is the Texas Giant at SFoT. That is one awesome coaster. I personally think that it has yet to be beaten, but Voyage probably will. Texas Giant will always hold a special place in my heart.

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"If you focus on your giants, you stumble. If you focus on God, your giants tumble."

Not exactly a coaster, but whatever.. Splash Mountain @ WDW. If I had to pick a coaster I'd probably pick Rock 'n Roller Coaster @ WDW, my first looper.

Great White at Morey's Piers- First major coaster.

Batman: The Ride at GADV- First looper.

Hulk at IOA- Coaster that got me into coasters (well, even more into coasters, borderline enthusiast).

Nitro at GADV- This coaster MADE me an enthusiast.

MF at CP- The coaster I worshipped, but had never ridden (that changed in 2003).

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Top 5 coasters: El Toro, S:RoS at SFNE, The Voyage, Millennium Force, Cornball Express

My very first coaster, Shockwave at PKD. I remember that drop perfectly : My head got stuck between the restraints and then I started screaming like a little girl on the loop.

I think the coaster that got me hooked was Volcano, which is the 2nd coaster I went on.

the airtime Nitro (hence the name) will always be with me too.

I would have to say the Hurricane at Circus World/ Boardwalk & Baseball...a great woody that I have no Idea what they did with it when they closed the park down

My favorite would be any weight launch Schwarzkopf. The design is so simple, yet effective. The ride is so smooth and not having head restraints makes the ride that much more exciting.

Wood--Racer at PKI
Steel Looping--King Cobra at PKI
Steel Hyper--Magnum XL200 at CP

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"Ok, fat ***, we've just traveled 2,460 miles just for a little Roy Wally entertainment. The moose says you're closed. I say you're open!"

There's a few I can think of.
Space Mountain: My first "real" roller coaster. It scared me really badly when I was on it, but when I came off I loved it, naturally.
Montezooma's Revenge: My very first looping coaster. Again, same idea. Really scared while I was on the ride, but thought it was great when I got off.
Viper (SFMM): This coaster has a special place in my heart because it was the first coaster my girlfriend and I rode together.
X and Deja Vu (SFMM): I got to attend the preview media days for these two coasters, so they're pretty special to me as well.

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Aaron Cedoras: Thrillnetwork Story Editor
"Dead men tell no tales..."

Kumba. My first "world class" coaster, and is the sole reason for me being obsessed with parks and coasters.

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HANNAH MONTANA!!!!!!!!!
TAKING THE WORLD BY STORM!!!!!
"I'm living proof....THAT GIRLS CAN ROCK!!!!!!"

I find it funny that 200 coasters after Space Mountain at WDW, I still find it at as impressive as it was when I first rode over 10 years ago. Inside and out it is a masterpiece. I'd still like to know just how close those headchoppers were in the structure. I've got the queue music on my computer, puts me to a restful sleep many a night.

The Beast Summer 98 - The coaster was running full strength and I got my full taste of a night ride. Rides during the day earlier already had proven it my favorite wood, but the stark falling of blackness upon the trees and the slight chill in the air ehannced the ride in ways I could not and still can't comprehend. Exhileration crossed paths with emotion and I was lost to the infamy and true power that had given this ride its reputation. I left the park that night in wonderment what else is out there that can be everything, like this ride was for me.

Raven 2003 - ^ read above

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Thank you for riding Reaper! Drop Ride to Doom, and remember to desecrate a sanctuary today.

I found out tonight that Texas Cyclone has a special place in my heart after I cried like a baby after getting off of the last "public" train ever.

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Houston Thrills Central | Freude Am Leben
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Marvel McFey is dead.

Raptor is probably the only coaster that really holds a special place in my heart. I've not ridden a single coaster anywhere near the amount that I've ridden Raptor. I got my 703rd ride on it over the summer, and I hope to hit 1,000 someday. I rode it 50 times in a day once. It never gets old. No matter where I sit, I still love it. I don't know what it is, but it thrills me just as much as the first time I rode it.

Gold Rusher at Six Flags Magic Mountain also holds a special place in my heart. It was the first coaster I marathoned, and I just love it. I think it's the best mine train, and it's a terrain coaster. Plus, there's never a line!

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Voyage is the best roller coaster ever.
Raptor ride count - 1,146.

Willards Whizzer at what is now PGA- my first "big" coaster, and while it used to scare the snot out of me as a kid, I have great memories of riding it with my family. Still sad to see it gone, but really was grateful to get a ride on SFGrAm's version of the coaster a couple of years back.

The old Jet Star at SCBB (also now gone) was special as it was my first "date" with the girl I married. Our friends ditched us at the ride leaving us without to many options but to ride it together. Over 13 years of riding together now.

And the Giant Dipper at SCBB is a great love. I spent 3 years in college near it and rode it constantly. Still love that tunnel for those that are a bit "afraid of the dark". umm, yeah. :P

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Life with God is one thrill ride you'll never want to get off of.
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