Vapor Trail was the first roller coaster added to Sesame Place. This coaster opened
in 1998 and it is a family coaster with a lot of similarities to their Roller Skater model.
However, this coaster has a custom layout and an interesting location that makes it stand out.
So in this video, I will review Vapor Trail. Sesame Place is a small amusement park in
Langhorne, Pennsyvlania that opened in 1980. The park’s early attractions were shows, water slides,
and active attractions. But in 1998, the park decided to install their first roller coaster
in Vapor Trail. While it’s not nearly as wild as Oscar’ Wacky Taxi, it’s good for what it is.
The ride is located immediately to the right of the park’s main entrance on a hillside.
Normally a location like this would result in a terrain coaster,
but Vapor Trail bizarrely fails to use this location at all. Instead, the coaster’s layout
looks as if it was designed to work on flat ground. As a result, the supports are comically
tall and the ride looks like its on stilts. The ride has 2 trains with 10 rows in each.
The park will run two trains on busier days, which is surprising considering how short this coaster
is, but it’s appreciated. Because of the ride’s proximity to the main entrance, this attraction
gets its longest wait immediately after opening and the wait time decreases as the day goes on.
While this coaster isn’t overly thrilling, I would recommend the back car if you want a
little extra oomph. But this coaster is extremely smooth in all rows for guests of all ages. Unlike
some junior coasters that can feel really cramped, the cars have plenty of room for
adults and the lap bar is no trouble at all. This coaster is lightly themed to Super Grover.
The trains look like sleek rockets and the ride has a few audio announcements when
you’re dispatched, ascending the lift hill, and returning to the station. The latter
two announcements always cause me to chuckle. As you crest the 43 foot or 13 meter tall lift,
Super Grove tells riders to “Wave to your mommies and daddies.”
While you’re returning to the station, Super Grove says “Watch out, coming home, hey mama.”
Beyond those audio announcements and trains, this coaster doesn’t really have any theming.
Vapor Trail begins with a very shallow drop. It feels more like a ramp than a traditional drop,
but it allows the coaster to reach its top speed of 27 mph or 43 kph. Vapor
Trail then becomes helix the ride. The first is surprisingly forceful for a coaster of this size.
This upwards 630 degree helix on occasion has gotten me to see some grey. It’s up there with
the helix on Back Lot Stunt Coaster as one of the most underrated helixes out there.
That is followed by back-to-back downward 360 degree helixes. The first twists to the
left and the second twists to the right. But neither helix offers any forces or laterals.
After the third and final helix you wrap around onto the brake run, ending the ride.
So what would I rate Vapor Trail? I would give this coaster a 5 out of 10. This is a decent
family coaster. It will understandably appeal mostly to kids- just look at this park’s audience.
But it’s an enjoyable ride for adults too. The ride is very smooth and that first helix
is no joke. The ride is short though and it’s a shame it never capitalizes
on its location on the hillside. So those are my thoughts on Vapor Trail,
the only steel roller coaster at Sesame Place. Have you ridden this coaster?
What are your thoughts on this attraction? I would love to hear what you think down in the comments.
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