I might be one of the few enthusiasts who don’t count their creds…I did try downloading an app and working it out and got to around 150 but as someone who has been riding coasters for over 30 years it would be near impossible to get an accurate number and, I’d rather enjoy myself rather than going on roller coaster’s for the sake of a credit (SLC’s I’m looking at you here!)
But, what are my current top 5 roller coasters at the end of 2024?
Zadra is situated at Energylandia in Poland around 1 hour from Krakow.
I discovered Energylandia by accident during a Christmas market trip and have since returned to get more rides on this awesome RMC coaster.
From start to finish Zadra is relentless, it’s fast, it’s run, has an incredible first drop and some great near misses.
I’m pretty sure at this point it’s only going to get knocked off it’s number one spot by another RMC!
Voltron opened in 2024 and can be found at Europa Park in Germany.
I rode this 4 times in October 2024 and it shot in at number 2 on my list.
This multi-launch coaster has so many fun elements, punchy launches and smooth inversions and there is not a dull moment in the 3 minute ride.
I love a good launch coaster and this is certainly that…especially that 3rd launch after the turntable!
This 2002 B&M hyper coaster is also situated at Germany’s Europa Park and is an absolute airtime machine!
I also rode this for the first time in October 2024 and it nearly beat Voltron.
Whilst this coaster follows a fairly standard out-and-back layout with no theming along the actual ride which passes over the car park it’s pacing more than makes up for it and I had a smile on my face from start to finish.
It’s also incredibly smooth for a coaster that is over 20 years old!
Another coaster than opened in 2024 is the (new) UK’s tallest and fastest roller coaster.
Built by Mack rides this coaster at Thorpe Park in Surrey (sadly) replaced the Loggers Leap Log Flume but is certainly a worthy replacement.
Hyperia might be a short ride but there’s not a dull moment with some fantastic elements and the best hang-time I’ve experienced on a coaster. It’s certainly better later in the day when it’s warmed up but regardless of the time of day it’s a great coaster.
Another one for Thorpe Park in Surrey and this time it’s ‘Stealth’ which got the title back of being the world’s fastest accelerating coaster this year (although probably a bit debatable!).
Stealth essentially launches you out the station at 81mph, over a massive top hat and then down and into a brake run.
For what it lacks in length the launch makes up for in punch and the feeling of the hydraulic launch flinging you out the station is unrivalled in my opinion when it comes to launches.
It wouldn’t be fair to conclude this blog without mentioning some coasters that missed the list (or got bumped off this year!).
Blackpool Pleasure Beach is my favourite park in the UK because of it’s diversity of rides and Icon is it’s newest coaster and whilst it’s not the longest it’s a lot of fun, has some great launches and weaves in and out of BPB’s other rides in a way only Pleasure Beach do.
This coaster was my number 2 at one point but really wasn’t riding well in the summer of 2024 and consequently has been bumped down in favour of the other rides you see above…don’t get me wrong though, it’s still a great coaster!
I might be the only enthusiast not to have The Ride of Happiness in their top list but after 4 rides on this Mack extreme spinning coaster situated in Belgium the jury is still out for me. Sure, it’s fun with some good launches and elements but I think I need an entire day just riding on it alone to decide what I think…at the moment I’d probably say I even prefer Heide and Anubis at Plopsa over it…I might have to do a separate blog on why I think it’s over-hyped!
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