Hercules
Posts: 4037
Registered: 10/13/2004
Rank: Platinum Critic
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 10/25/2005 10:48:23 PM
What is the best first drop that you have ever experienced on a wooden coaster?
For me, I would have to go with J2 and Hercules. I can't wait for El Toro though along with a few of the others that I should have in store for next season.
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"I could never design another ride like Hercules." - Curtis Summers
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coaster05
Posts: 6207
Registered: 2/29/2004
Rank: Platinum Critic
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10/25/2005 10:56:11 PM
Timbers and Hades
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adriahna
Posts: 4692
Registered: 6/4/2003
Rank: Site Moderator
Skooter Junkie
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10/26/2005 12:10:17 AM
Cyclone. Nothing comes close to its intensity.
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Canobie Coaster
Posts: 2694
Registered: 7/26/2005
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10/26/2005 5:21:08 AM
For me it would have to be the Comet at Hersheypark. I haven't been on many wooden coasters (12), but the ones I have been on have been very good. You are ejected out of your seat on the first drop on the Comet if you ride in the back! I love Herb Schmeck coasters!
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hrrytraver
Posts: 1270
Registered: 7/16/2005
Rank: Platinum Critic
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10/26/2005 10:13:34 AM
the first drop on the cyclone is my #1 first drop on any coaster. in the back seat the air on that drop is completely terrifying. gets me every time.
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BobFunland
Posts: 7962
Registered: 8/9/2001
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10/26/2005 1:48:33 PM
Here are the five best that I would choose from:
Rampage because of a little action at the top that picks up speed and massive ejections in the back row. Nice headchoppers as you can see.
Silver Comet because of good air in the back, and for some reason, up front it seems really steep.
Thunderhead because of its really steep and twisted design, plus, going up the lift and in the front seat looking down the drop, it looks like you are about to fly into the tree only to pull out at the last moment.
Boulder Dash because of the awesome setting and the 'haut vitesse' (sorry.. was just on the LaRonde site so High School french comes back to mind) it gains. Also really fun at night!
And the Georgia Cyclone, which, interestingly enough, I don't have a photo of online (and am too lazy to go find one) but it has some really awesome ejector in the back... some say its better than Astroland's 
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Mike Adams kicks ass
Message updated 10/26/2005 1:51:42 PM by BobFunland
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mrceagle
Posts: 13804
Registered: 6/9/2001
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10/26/2005 4:56:40 PM
Cyclone
Bolderdash
Cannonball - borderline steep and exitign but laking hieght.
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Timberman
Posts: 845
Registered: 9/21/2004
Rank: Gold Critic
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10/26/2005 6:30:05 PM
The Coney Island Cyclone's first drop is miles ahead of anything I've ridden. I tried to link to joyrides.com, but it didn't work. The POV shot of the Cyclone's first drop may be the finest bit of roller coaster photography I've seen.
Son of Beast has a fun and under-rated first (actually second) drop (at least until you get to the bottom and the ratcheting lap bar cuts your legs in half).
Message updated 10/26/2005 6:33:25 PM by Timberman
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adriahna
Posts: 4692
Registered: 6/4/2003
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Skooter Junkie
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10/27/2005 8:48:20 AM
I love that site, Timberman - I remember seeing those pics some time ago, and thinking the same thing - fine photography, to say the least. Great pics of the Thunderbolt, as well - those should go into an archive.
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PeterD
Posts: 86
Registered: 7/22/2005
Rank: Senior Critic
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10/27/2005 7:17:50 PM
Almost every wooden coaster has a great first drop. Unless it is poorly maintained/trimmed to death, there are very few woodies that don't deserve to be here. When an entire ride is based around airtime and speed (unlike some steel coasters that rely on inversions for fame), which is generated from the first drop, it better be great or else it won't be around for too long.
With that said, only one woodie pops to mind when the words "Best wooden coaster first drop" are said, and that would be the CI Cyclone.
On the other hand, the only first drop that would probably fail to even be considered on this list would probably go by the name of this thread's creator - 1st drop are not meant for trims. Irony?  
Message updated 10/27/2005 7:25:10 PM by PeterD
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Hercules
Posts: 4037
Registered: 10/13/2004
Rank: Platinum Critic
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10/28/2005 8:24:09 AM
Well then I guess Mean Streak would not be considered either then  The only reason I said Hercules is because I was thinking of the pre-trim era.
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PeterD
Posts: 86
Registered: 7/22/2005
Rank: Senior Critic
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10/28/2005 6:03:36 PM
The list of trimmed to death wooden coasters is longer than most of us want to admit. I just happened to take note of Hercules in particuar since I have a very small wooden coaster bank to judge from - Hercules being one of the few.
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thinkdif
Posts: 112
Registered: 7/21/2005
Rank: Bronze Critic
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10/30/2005 1:30:24 PM
Silver Comet, it isn't a huge drop. But its very steep and really packs a punch.
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ruffryder
Posts: 69
Registered: 4/17/2002
Rank: Senior Critic
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11/3/2005 12:17:46 AM
J2 @ Clementon Park in Clementon, NJ
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Paul
Posts: 2195
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11/3/2005 9:40:12 AM
Cyclone at Six Flags New England, before they altered it.
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mrceagle
Posts: 13804
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11/3/2005 3:04:45 PM
Quote:
Paul said:
Cyclone at Six Flags New England, before they altered it. |
True that origanal drope was amazing.
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Miracles can be made with a rock!
"Get a good idea and stay with it. dog it and work at it untile it's done, and don right." Walt Disney
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RCGenius
Posts: 1180
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11/5/2005 6:56:38 AM
The best wooden drop I've ever experienced was Hercules b/c it was the largest wooden coaster drop I've ever experienced. Pheonix's an honorable mention though b/c it may not be the biggest drop around, but the airtime you get on that first drop's unbelievable.
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AmsmtPk
Posts: 117
Registered: 9/12/2005
Rank: Bronze Critic
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11/13/2005 1:50:10 PM
The Dipper at San Diego was my favorite until I rode the N.M. Rattler. The Dipper has a wonderful view of the pacific ocean and curves to the right and up next to the lift hill. It is visually beautiful with it's white structure and pink and turquoise trim. The N.M. Rattler also curves to the right but directly into a covered shed. I cant see the ocean from the lift hill, but I can see my house from there. (Thats the best part) The Dipper slows as it curves back on its self as it tops the second hill. The Rattler, on the other hand, lets you know you are going for a ride. It never lets up. So the N.M. Rattler is my new favorite first drop.
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AmsmtPk
Posts: 117
Registered: 9/12/2005
Rank: Bronze Critic
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11/13/2005 1:53:59 PM
The Ghostrider is a great first drop with a covered shed at the top of the hill but the curve does not come until the bottom of the drop. I will have to rate it one of my top three favorites.
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coasterwom
Posts: 1446
Registered: 3/23/2001
Rank: Platinum Critic
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4/27/2006 12:20:47 AM
I love the first drop on the Beast It is into an underground tunnel and it takes you by surprise everytime.
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Animan1
Posts: 5394
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4/27/2006 9:56:22 AM
The American Eagle @ SFGAm, followed closely by Viper at the same park, and Big Dipper and Roller Coaster at Blackpool Pleasure Beach (nothing like a first drop with no restraints! ). I like what PeterD said in this thread, there aren't a lot of wooden coasters out there that don't have good drops. There are certainly some out there that are better than others though, and the 4 I listed at the top are my favorites.
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taylorb251
Posts: 1181
Registered: 3/8/2004
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4/27/2006 1:40:06 PM
My top two are
Timbers
Beast
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no cars go
Posts: 501
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Rank: Gold Critic
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4/27/2006 4:32:30 PM
Out of the small, small amount of wooden coasters I have been on, Kennywood's Thunderbolt is my favorite. Right out of the station.
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R.I.P. Williams Grove
We will never forget you.
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CoastrGlxy
Posts: 358
Registered: 5/23/2005
Rank: Silver Critic
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5/2/2006 12:06:04 PM
I agree with D3ath Cab. Thunderbolt's drop out of the station is great. None of the other opening drops have been all that memorable. I should get some larger woodies on my resume this year.
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larrygator
Posts: 4654
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5/2/2006 1:03:22 PM
another vote for the Coney Island Cyclone (although I'm eagerly anticipating El Toro).
Hades and Shivering Timbers are very good also.
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Message updated 5/3/2006 10:57:40 PM by larrygator
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ibluv
Posts: 2354
Registered: 7/15/2004
Rank: Platinum Critic
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5/2/2006 7:52:42 PM
The "old" Riverside Cyclone had the best drop ever, even better than Boulder Dash's, which I hate to admit. There was so much ejector air I felt like the lapbar would explode from the pressure of my knees and I'd go flying out. I wish I hadn't been so scared and enjoyed it more while I had the chance...
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Hercules
Posts: 4037
Registered: 10/13/2004
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5/2/2006 11:31:36 PM
Boulder Dash's first drop isn't that great in my opinion. I think it is barely average.
I'm also anticipating El Toro's just because the former steepest wooden drop was awesome.
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BobFunland
Posts: 7962
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5/2/2006 11:32:32 PM
^ I just really dig the run-off and dive into the trees. It's all about location with BD 
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Message updated 5/2/2006 11:32:42 PM by BobFunland
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Hercules
Posts: 4037
Registered: 10/13/2004
Rank: Platinum Critic
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5/2/2006 11:39:57 PM
Eh, even that didn't impress me that much
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larrygator
Posts: 4654
Registered: 11/7/2002
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5/2/2006 11:40:53 PM
I also think the BD first drop is not great. Actually it is the weakest part of the coaster in my opinion. I prefer straight drops unless it is a twister.
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