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 Review of Ride of Steel @ Darien Lake
3 Rating Posted by: biosciking on 11/26/2006 7:13:00 PM
I rode S:ROS at Six Flags America several years ago, and then I rode Six Flags Darien Lakes version, as well as the Six Flags New England S:ROS, this past summer. Although I know I am in the minority here, I rank this Superman as the very best, while New Englands would be number three on my list. (I will save other comments on that coaster for that review, and instead focus on the greatness of Darien Lakes Superman here.) First off, the coaster looks absolutely spectacular, from the huge sprawling area that it takes up, to the open, sleek trains, to that narrow Intamin hypercoaster track that we all know and love. The ascent up the hill is quick and noiseless, thanks to the wonderful cable lift. It is a very tall hill, though, so there is time to look around and either take in all the sights or freak out about how high you are getting. The first drop ranks (along with the other two coasters in my top 3) as one of the best first drops I have experienced. It is unbelievably tall, fast, steep, and forceful, with just amazing airtime from the instant the train crests the hill. Standard coasters would then use the momentum to carry the train up a second hill, but this is no standard coaster. I absolutely love that this ride instead rockets around a banked turn right at ground level. With all that speed built up from the first drop, the train truly careens through this at warp speed. Then comes the second hill, which is sheer airtime delight. After this comes the part of the ride that seems to draw the most negative comments. There are long straightaways connected by very large helices (the first one downward, the second one upward). I, however, think this is part of the brilliance of this coaster. You are so close to the ground at this point that you can really feel how insanely fast you are going. The spirals have some good headchopping effects, and all of it takes place right above water and some marsh-type vegetation, so the setting is just wonderful (and the reason this ride tops the Superman at SFA, as the two rides are identical except for the scenery). Plus lets not forget another gleeful negative-g hill in between the helices. Then, of course, comes the finale--the fast and furious triple jump back to the station, resulting in more time spent out of your seat than in it. There is simply nothing but positives to say about this ride. Ride in the front, middle, or back of the train, and you will come off satisfied just the same. Ride day or night, both are stellar (and somewhat eerie at night--look down while climbing the hill and youll see nothing but an inky black abyss below, into which the train is about to plummet). To me, Six Flags Darien Lakes Superman: Ride of Steel represents roller coaster perfection.
 
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