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- [Presenter] Building a roller coaster
takes a ton of skill,
attention to detail and talented engineers.
A lot of work goes into making each one
from the kitty coasters to the extreme ones.
Unfortunately, like most engineering projects,
some just don't work out.
As awesome as roller coasters can be,
they can also be pretty terrible.
Offering rough and painful rides instead of entertainment.
Recently I decided to do a video
on the worst coasters in the world
after reading a Mitch Hawker roller coaster poll from 2013.
Well, I personally haven't been on every single coaster
on the list, I decided to conduct a few polls
with my fans who have ridden them.
So as voted on by the fans,
here are the 10 worst roller coasters in the world.
Just a quick disclaimer though,
I mean no disrespect to any coaster manufacturer
or ride engineer that's worked on these attractions.
This video mixes comedic hyperbole with honest opinions.
So without further ado, enjoy.
Number 10, Pirates Hideaway at New Jersey's Casino Pier
made by American manufacturer Wisdom Rides.
It's colorful ride building and detailed pirate ship trains
may seem appealing at first but don't be fooled.
This coaster will pillage and plunder your vertebrae
and leave you begging for less.
This ride is often referred to as the worst family coaster
in history by enthusiasts
and one ride on it makes it easy to see why.
Though it does have an interesting backstory.
After the removal of the park,
semi enclosed coaster Wizards Cavern,
American manufacturer Wisdom Rides
was hired to build a replacement.
This manufacturer is mostly known
for its Dragon Wagon and Miner Mike Coasters.
Nevertheless, Casino Pier officials hired the company
to build a custom design coaster to mimic Wizards Cavern.
The result was a painfully rough attempt
to redesign the original layout.
Starting off with a spiral lift,
the ride doesn't seem that bad at first
but then you get to the enclosed section.
Despite its vibrant appearance on the outside,
the inside of the ride building contains zero theming
and it's pretty much just an unappealing metal box
sitting on the pier.
And as if that weren't bad enough,
the dips in turn slam you into the sides of the vehicle
making the coaster needlessly aggressive
for something intended for families.
Every turn is a hard jerk and every dip is a rough slam.
It's pretty much the equivalent
of being locked inside a pirate ship's bathroom
in the middle of a hurricane.
By the time the ride is over,
sea sickness is pretty much guaranteed.
Number nine, Goudurix at France's Parc Astérix
made by Dutch manufacturer Vekoma.
This time we're heading to France
for a truly disastrous Vekoma coaster.
While the manufacturer has been wildly acclaimed
for its more recent projects, it's still has its fair share
of early day clunkers out there.
Perhaps the most prominent example is Goudurix,
a name based on the French phrase
meaning the taste of danger in English.
This is a custom variation of their MK-1200 model
which was the first one ever designed by the company.
Opening in 1989,
this was one of Parc Asterix opening day attractions.
This lakeside coaster has an initial visual appeal
drawing rider in with its many waterfront inversions.
It is also one of only two roller coasters on Earth
to feature a butterfly element.
The other one being on Blue Hawk at Six Flags over Georgia.
There's no doubt that unaware thrill seekers
took one look at this ride and bolted for the entrance
hoping for a fun experience.
Unfortunately, this coaster has garnered a reputation
over the years as an insanely rough ride.
The abundance of painful inversions
paired with the bumpy track
and hard over the shoulder restraints
have led many to label Goudurix
as the coaster equivalent of a cocktail shaker.
A 2012 poll by veteran enthusiast Mitch Hawker
even labeled it as the worst coaster on Earth.
Despite all of this,
the park has made numerous attempts to improve the ride
such as giving it new trains in a complete
retracking in 2013.
Nowadays, the ride is considered
to be slightly better than before,
but still painful enough to make the list.
Number eight, the Zyklon ZL42 model
made by Italian manufacturer Pinfari.
Well, known for their Wacky Worms and Zyklon.
Defunct manufacturer Pinfari was once a kingpin
of the amusement industry.
In the 1970s, they really made a name for themselves
bringing compact thrilling coasters
to small parks on a budget.
Their Zyklon model became especially popular
for its surprisingly thrilling drops,
but their coasters haven't exactly aged well.
Nowadays, Pinfari coasters are infamous
for how punishingly rough they can be
and the Zyklons are seen as outdated
in today's coaster market.
However, the pain of the standard Zyklon model
can't compare to the one with a vertical loop.
Introduced in the 1980s,
this model was also initially popular.
It not only had a small footprint
but also managed to pack in an appealing vertical loop
which really drew passengers to ride it.
However, this model has aged even worse.
Its track is consistently bumpy with no remorse
and it's over the shoulder restraints paved the way
for some unforgiving headbanging throughout the layout.
At least some of the standard Zyklons have lap bars,
but this one just surrounds you
in a compact round of steel torment.
If you want a good vintage looping coaster,
stick to the Schwarzkopf rides or is that Schwarzkopf?
I'm not sure.
I apologize if I mispronounce that.
Anyway, number seven, Tornado at Scotland's M&D's Theme Park
made by Italian manufacturer Pinfari.
Yet another Pinfari creation
was this large scale looping coaster in Scotland.
This one is much more intense
than the looping Zyklon and far, far worse.
Passengers strap in with thick over the shoulder restraints
and brace themselves for a truly terrible experience.
Consisting of two loops and several bank turns.
This coaster's layout wastes no time in treating its rider
like rocks in a blender.
The faster the ride goes,
the more it will smash your head against the restraints.
Interestingly enough, the ride used to be even worse
when it's layout featured a cork screw.
As I've discussed before,
this cork screw was perhaps
the most infamous inversion in history,
metaphorically shattering the heads
of anyone who experienced it.
Still though, even without the cork screw,
the ride is still considered to be a total train wreck.
When they named this ride tornado,
they certainly got it mixed up.
Based on how much it shakes,
they should have called it earthquake instead.
Unfortunately, this is the tallest
and fastest coaster in all of Scotland,
and they really deserve better than this.
On the bright side, the locals still managed to have fun
with this coaster despite its flaws.
Viewer Doctor Bag PhD says,
"I love our mad wee theme park and it's rickety coaster,
last rode in April this year,"
and it says, "bone-shakingly rough as ever, smiley face."
Viewer Squirtle Jack says, "It's a really good ride
if you just keep your head back
and stick to the middle few cartridges.
Your ears may get hurt, but it's worth it."
And finally, viewer God dad Zip says,
"I go on that ride a lot and I think it is a good ride
but when you come off, you get lots of bruises."
Plus Real Radio once held a public event
where rider were challenged to eat lunch on the coaster.
The results were exactly as messy
as you'd expect them to be.
It just goes to show that even when a coaster is a lemon,
some rider can still make lemonade out of it.
Number six, the Corkscrew model
made by American manufacturer Arrow Dynamics.
This coaster is certainly the most historically
significant one to make the list.
In 1975, Knott's Berry Farm introduced
the first ever Arrow Dynamics Corkscrew model.
It was named well Corkscrew
and it was the first coaster to have an inversion.
Since the experimental coasters of the early 1900s
it became a massive hit for the park
and paved the way for the many amazing coasters there today.
The Corkscrew itself has also become one
of the most iconic inversions in history.
Arrow would go on to install 14 of these coasters
around the world with 10 still in operation to this day.
Despite their historical importance though,
these coasters didn't age well at all.
There's a big difference between vintage and outdated.
With the layout consisting
of a single drop and two cork screws,
the right experience pales in comparison to today's coasters
and even some of Arrow's Custom Loopers
hold up better today than their cork screws.
Not to mention how the rides inversions
thrash your head around like a rag doll.
To sum up Arrow's Corkscrews,
they may be over quickly
but they're unsatisfying short layouts
and memorably rough ride experiences
sadly makes them worthy of their unsavory reputation.
Number five, Ninja Missouri's Six Flags St. Louis
made by American manufacturer Arrow Dynamics
and Dutch manufacturer Vekoma.
If you've ever wanted to be assaulted by an actual ninja,
chances are you'll enjoy this coaster.
This ride started out in 1985
as a project by Arrow Dynamics for Expo 86.
The World's Fair
held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
There it was known as Scream Machine,
not to be confused with the Great American Scream Machine.
However, during the riots construction,
Arrow fell into bankruptcy for the first time.
The project was then sold off Vekoma
who proceeded to complete it for the fair.
After the fair ended,
it was eventually moved to Six Flag St. Louis
for the 1989 season.
There it gained an unwanted reputation
as one of the most painful creations
in roller coaster history.
Playing pinball with its rider's heads
on those horrendously hard restraints.
The ride is so bad that even Logan Joiner
of Koaster Kids fame refused to ride it
during his visit saying, "A lot of people want credits
at all costs, but if I know it's gonna give me a headache
for the rest of the day, I won't ride it.
I don't care about credits that much."
And as if that weren't bad enough,
park officials made the baffling decision
to introduce VR to the coaster in 2016.
Needless to say, the experience was about as well received
as an Adam Sandler Netflix movie.
The headsets wouldn't stay on
and it was extremely hard to enjoy
the interactive ride experience
when your head was being smashed side to side.
Considering its poor reception from riders,
it's a wonder why they keep this coaster around,
but maybe they'll fix it up in the future.
Number four, Green Lantern: First Flight
at California's Six Flags Magic Mountain
made by Swiss manufacturer Intamin.
Now I know what you're thinking,
Intamin made rides like Maverick and Millennium Force.
How could they possibly have made a bad one?
Well, according to the viewers, they did.
and it's at the one and only Six flags Magic Mountain.
First opening in 2011,
this coaster was meant to promote the disastrous
and long forgotten "Green Lantern" movie
starring Ryan Reynolds.
I'm sure Deadpool would find this ride's failure very funny.
This model known as a Zac Spin
seats riders on both sides of the track
and seats that rotate a full 360 degrees
forwards and backwards.
The rotation is completely random,
meaning that each ride will be different from the last.
While there are vastly superior Zac Spins in Europe,
Green Lanterns specifically is said to have many flaws
that riders consider to kill the ride experience.
First of all, the rotations are harsh and erratic,
tossing riders into the restraints and chairs
with each flip.
Even worse, the bottom of the rides drops
will slam rider downwards.
If you're in a sit down position,
your pelvis will fall flattened into your badly padded seat.
If you're upside down or face down,
your shoulders will fall into the restraints.
And if you're lying down, your back and head
will smash into the back of your seat with full force.
There are so many different ways to experience pain
that it's no wonder why this coaster is so widely reviled.
Say what you want about how frequent
the S&S Free Spins are in the Six Flags chain,
but at least those don't have a reputation
for pain like Green Lantern does.
Six Flags hasn't purchased a new intimate coaster
since this one.
Moreover, as of right now, it's currently closed
for unknown reasons and it's unknown when it will reopen.
Maybe by then the ride will be more tolerable.
Number three, the Volare model
made by Italian manufacturers Zamperla.
Ever wonder what it's like to be a lab rat in an earthquake?
Zamperla has you covered.
The Volare is named after the Italian phrase
meaning to fly, and what a wreck this turned out to be.
First opening at Colorado's Elitch Gardens in 2002,
this coaster was likely designed
as a cost-effective alternative
to other flying coasters on the market.
The goal of a flying coaster is to seat riders face down
offering them a simulated flying experience.
As a selling point,
the Volare boast an unobstructed view for its riders
with only one row per ride vehicle.
However, as unobstructed as the view is from the front,
the discomfort of the ride experience completely takes away
from said view.
Riders start off in the station
where they are awkwardly seated in claustrophobic plastic
and metal cages.
After a spiral lift, they then traverse the course.
As they do so, the unmistakable rattle of the vehicles
on the track makes the ride feel disturbingly unstable.
All while the rider's heads are being smashed side to side
on the inconveniently placed padding,
this ride has received the widely negative reception
from enthusiasts and it's hard to recommend
even for the biggest gluttons for punishment.
Shockingly enough, the ride was designed
by famous coaster designer, Werner Stengel
the designer of rides like Maverick at Cedar Point.
As such, the Volare is proof that nobody is perfect
and even the most accomplished individuals
are capable of a few mistakes.
There's no way around it.
This ride sucks.
Number two, the Big Apple Coaster
at Nevada's, New York, New York Hotel
made by Japanese manufacturer Togo.
Las Vegas is known for its many high class
entertainment venues and tourist attractions.
The Circus Circus and Stratosphere amusement parks
in particular are especially appealing for thrill seekers.
However, one Vegas coaster in particular
has the phrase stay away written all over it
and that coaster is the one
at the New York, New York Hotel and Casino.
Sitting on top of a shopping plaza,
this coaster is surrounded by colorful New York City theming
and the undeniable appeal of the Vegas strip.
However, those are pretty much the only nice things
enthusiasts have to say about this coaster.
Back in 1997,
this ride then known as Manhattan Express
open with the hotel.
It was designed by Togo International,
a Japanese manufacturer with a rough reputation in America.
While their Japanese coasters are widely considered
to be enjoyable, their infamous American installations
include the defunct shockwave at Kings Dominion,
the Big Apple is the only Togo roller coaster
still operating in America
and one ride on it makes it easy to see why.
Not only does it have insanely rough transitions,
but the overdose of headbanging is impossible to ignore.
It's just a painful migraine inducing ride overall.
Even worse, the ride is a relatively long coaster
with a total track length of almost 5,000 feet,
so that gives passengers even more time
to endure the torture.
And not only is this coaster infamously bad,
but it comes with the price.
In order to ride this coaster,
it will cost you $15 up front
with an additional $8 if you wanna reride it.
Oh, and there's also virtual reality on it for some reason.
In all honesty, you're better off saving your money
for the Stratosphere.
Before we get to the number one spot,
here are a few quick honorable mentions.
First is the Vekoma Boomerang.
This coaster just missed qualifying for the video.
And to be fair, I've ridden some pretty decent ones.
Nevertheless, they're still insanely common
and they're really nothing to write home about.
As a credit seeker myself,
I can't even count how many of them I've ridden
and I've pretty much grown numb to these coasters.
Next up is Viper at Six Flags Magic Mountain.
Despite how well this did in the poll,
I was genuinely surprised
at how many people are fans of this ride.
Plenty of viewers have come out in defense of this coaster
saying it's really not as bad as it seems
and just needs a bit of touching up.
Plus, it's the only Arrow Mega Looper left in operation
after the closure
of New Jersey's Great American Scream Machine in 2010.
So for this list, I decided to give Viper a break.
Finally, is Thriller at Turkey's Happy Land.
This one just missed the list too.
Likely because not many of the voters have been to Turkey.
Nevertheless, as Pinfari RC50,
I have heard nothing but bad things about this coaster.
It may not invert, but it's still unimaginably rough.
I mean, it's made by Pinfari.
What do you expect?
Finally, with over 300 votes, the "winner"
is the Vekoma SLC.
Again, Vekoma is doing very well these days
with their innovative roller coasters,
but the infamy of the SLC is simply too big to ignore.
These coasters are widely referred
to as hanging bangs in the enthusiast community.
A nickname that honestly goes hand in hand
with these coasters.
This common coaster model dates all the way back to 1994
when the original prototype named El Condor
was installed at Walibi Holland.
It's low price tag and numerous inversions made,
especially appealing to smaller parks
wanting an extreme level thrill coaster.
After all, it's much less expensive to buy a ride
with a preexisting layout than a completely custom one.
As a result, over 40 of these rides
have been installed around the world.
These coasters are notorious
for giving astonishingly rough rides.
And despite their relatively small footprints,
they still manage to pack plenty
of cranium smacking elements into their layouts.
Perhaps the most criticized aspect of this coaster
is the restraint system.
Although, some SLCs have been updated
with less restrictive vest restraints,
most of them still have the old awkward
and bulky restraints.
You feel like you're being smashed to pieces
like a rockstar's guitar.
The elements are so brutal
that you're likely to come off with your ears throbbing.
Me personally, I'd have to say that Mind Eraser
at Maryland Six Flags America takes the cake
when it comes to giving an unreasonably
horrific ride experience.
This thing sucked,
and many of my viewers consider it to be
the worst SLC out there.
Now if I were to make a suggestion,
I'd say it should be moved
to Motion Gate Dubai's Lionsgate section.
There, it should be renamed and rethemed
to "Norm of the North".
Now that would be a fitting retheme.
Thanks for watching everyone.
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or you can check out my website at themeparkcrazy.com.
This is Theme Park Crazy, and I'll see you all next time.
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