Hydrus at Casino Pier is one of the better roller coasters on the Jersey Shore.
This Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter features is super compact, but it certainly packs in
the thrills with a beyond-vertical drop and 3 inversions with just a lap bar.
Find out why it’s a solid ride in this review! Casino Pier was devasted by Superstorm Sandy in
late 2012. This caused the park’s pier to partially collapse into the Atlantic Ocean,
which resulted in the loss of the park’s biggest roller coaster at the time in Star Jet.
While Casino Pier reopened in 2013 with limited ride offerings, it no longer had a large coaster.
But that would all change with an expansion in 2017 that would be anchored by Hydrus.
A Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter was the perfect addition given its dynamic ride and minimal footprint.
Hydrus would be a variant on a pre-existing layout. Gestlauer had built 5 different
320+ EuroFighter models, including Untamed at Canobie Lake Park. The number designated the
ride length in meters and the plus signified the inclusion of a helix at the end of the coaster.
But the addition of the helix, which extends outwards from the layout,
increase’s the width by roughly 75%. Casino Pier wanted something smaller, so they were
the first park to get the 320 layout which have an ultra compact 75 foot by 200 foot or 23 meter
by 61 meter footprint. This is the same model that Oaks Park would add as Adrenaline Peak in 2018.
Hydrus was originally planned to be placed on the pier in the same location of the
ill-fated Star Jet, but the coaster was instead built over land on a section of
the beach that the park acquired from the city in exchange for their classic carousel. This
would protect the ride against future storms. Sporting a bright green paint scheme, Hydrus looks
great. That vertical lift has a real presence both within the park and on the adjacent boardwalk.
I also love this coaster’s logo, which is a 3D statue of the famous Greek beast extending
outwards. The Hydrus name also references the constellation, which lightly ties back
to the park’s former Jet Star and Star Jet coasters having star in the name.
Hydrus, like most of the rides at Casino Pier, usually has a manageable wait.
It typically runs two trains, each seating up to 8 riders like the other Euro-Fighters.
And dispatches are usually quick due to the simple restraints. I don’t have a preference
whether I am in the front or back since the ride experience and forces feel comparable to me.
One major upgrade from the 320+ models was that the over-the-shoulder restraints were replaced
by much more freeing lap bars. They are pressed down pretty hard in the station, but the airtime
and hangtime feels extra powerful when you’re upper body is free. Plus, you don’t have to
worry about headbanging which is an issue on the Euro-Fighters with over-the-shoulder restraints.
Once dispatched, you turn out of the station and ascend the 72 foot
or 22 meter tall vertical lift. Once at the top, you get an amazing view of the ocean. While this
ride wasn’t built over the water, it’s darn close to the Atlantic Ocean so the view is gorgeous.
But don’t get too lost in the serenity since you have that 97 degree beyond-vertical plunge.
Like most Euro-Fighters, this drop delivers very strong ejector airtime.
And it feels even more potent here with the lap bars. It’s easily the highlight of the ride.
After a very forceful valley, you roll through a vertical loop. The train loses quite a bit of
speed at the apex, so you get some hangtime, which is always a thrill with lap bars.
Next is a cutback. I dread this inversion on the versions with over-the-shoulder restraints
since the sudden change of direction can bash your head. Thankfully, that’s not an
issue on this one so I can appreciate the disorienting inversion for what it is.
The train does awkwardly lurch forwards on the subsequent turnaround, but that’s the only part of
the ride that isn’t smooth and fully comfortable. You then glide through a super slow barrel roll
chalk full of hangtime. This is my favorite inversion on the ride. This
inversion fluidly transitions into a downward turn. You then jump into the final brake run,
giving a little pop of airtime. I know this is a more abrupt ending than the 320+ models,
but I think that transition into the brake run is more enjoyable than the ok helix finale.
So what would I rate Hydrus? I would give this coaster a 7 out of 10.
The beyond-vertical drop is fantastic and 2 of the 3 inversions have sweet hangtime.
The ride is super comfortable thanks to the lap bar only restraints. And while Hydrus is short
at only 1050 feet or 320 meters long, it offers a satisfying ride experience. This is a perfect
fit for a boardwalk park like Casino Pier. So those are my thoughts on Hydrus at Casino
Pier. What are your thoughts on this Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter? Is this your favorite ride at Casino
Pier? Let me know your thoughts down in the comments. If you enjoyed this review, I’d
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lot more roller coaster and amusement park videos here at Canobie Coaster. Thanks for watching!