To update with some new rides:1. Thunderhead - Dollywood - I'm a sucker for my first GCI love. I remember this one blowing me away when I first rode it back in 2008; the swift layout, aggressive transitions, station fly-through were all foreign versus the Dinn Corp./CCI/PTC I had ridden to that point. And the roller coaster has held up over the years, giving a slightly rougher, but same aggressive ride experience. Beyond the ride, it's setting (along with the rest of Dollywood) in the heart of the Smokies has always made it one of the most gorgeous roller coaster settings out there.
2. Mystic Timbers - Kings Island - I have been eating crow throughout 2017 on this remarkably good GCI. I will admit; I was jaded by a middle-of-the-road experience on Prowler and doubts over the hype train Kings Island was rolling for this opening (not to mention, being right next door to one of the most prolific wooden coasters in existence). But hey! It turned out to be a really good ride! Day or night, front or back, Mystic Timbers offers an airtime-filled layout that (gratefully) focused on a more out-and-back design versus the side-to-side twister layout of Prowler. Airtime moments are frequent and full, and there's even some trick track peppered in. And let's be honest: did you actually expect the Shed to be good?
3. Apocalypse the Ride - Six Flags Magic Mountain - This is the most underrated GCI in my estimation. A layout that harkens in many ways to Thunderhead, Apocalypse features great twister elements and aggressive pace-change. The under-structure moments, tunnels, and station fly-through gives some great close call moments as well. I have really enjoyed getting to ride this not-so-talked about number.
4. American Thunder - Six Flags St. Louis - Similar to Apocalypse, American Thunder does not get nearly enough praise that it deserves. I really enjoyed this compact layout for packing in both large sweeping turns and smaller bunny hills.
5. Lightning Racer - Hersheypark - Undoubtedly my favorite dueler to date - how can you not enjoy the layout on this one? Very fun, large layout with cool train fly-bys.
6. Prowler - Worlds of Fun - I think I hyped myself up too much for this one, and was left wanting more. Riding Mystic Timbers has helped me better frame it's older, smaller brother. The airtime moments and transitions are good... but are just not as much as Mystic Timbers.
This is the general line I would draw between the good and the Meh of GCI. Seriously, they make a lot of good design, and even their lackluster coasters are still fun to ride.
7. Roar - Six Flags America - I was pleasantly surprised by the front row ride on this one. I can see the slow/meandering pace criticism it gets. But riding in the front, you do get bouts of airtime throughout it's larger, drawn out layout. The Roars are what put GCI more on the map, but they are nowhere near as aggressive as their subsequent design.
8. Wildcat - Hersheypark - the coaster that sparked it all, but still is a slower, meandering design versus the rest. Glad they updated it with the Millennium Flyer trains though.
1. Thunderhead - Dollywood - I'm a sucker for my first GCI love. I remember this one blowing me away when I first rode it back in 2008; the swift layout, aggressive transitions, station fly-through were all foreign versus the Dinn Corp./CCI/PTC I had ridden to that point. And the roller coaster has held up over the years, giving a slightly rougher, but same aggressive ride experience. Beyond the ride, it's setting (along with the rest of Dollywood) in the heart of the Smokies has always made it one of the most gorgeous roller coaster settings out there.
2. Mystic Timbers - Kings Island - I have been eating crow throughout 2017 on this remarkably good GCI. I will admit; I was jaded by a middle-of-the-road experience on Prowler and doubts over the hype train Kings Island was rolling for this opening (not to mention, being right next door to one of the most prolific wooden coasters in existence). But hey! It turned out to be a really good ride! Day or night, front or back, Mystic Timbers offers an airtime-filled layout that (gratefully) focused on a more out-and-back design versus the side-to-side twister layout of Prowler. Airtime moments are frequent and full, and there's even some trick track peppered in. And let's be honest: did you actually expect the Shed to be good?
3. Apocalypse the Ride - Six Flags Magic Mountain - This is the most underrated GCI in my estimation. A layout that harkens in many ways to Thunderhead, Apocalypse features great twister elements and aggressive pace-change. The under-structure moments, tunnels, and station fly-through gives some great close call moments as well. I have really enjoyed getting to ride this not-so-talked about number.
4. American Thunder - Six Flags St. Louis - Similar to Apocalypse, American Thunder does not get nearly enough praise that it deserves. I really enjoyed this compact layout for packing in both large sweeping turns and smaller bunny hills.
5. Lightning Racer - Hersheypark - Undoubtedly my favorite dueler to date - how can you not enjoy the layout on this one? Very fun, large layout with cool train fly-bys.
6. Prowler - Worlds of Fun - I think I hyped myself up too much for this one, and was left wanting more. Riding Mystic Timbers has helped me better frame it's older, smaller brother. The airtime moments and transitions are good... but are just not as much as Mystic Timbers.
7. White Lightning - Fun Spot Orlando - A roller coaster that I was very excited to ride given it's tight footprint and picturesque wrapping around the park... it was a pretty rough ride. Granted, I think this is partly the fault of riding it without a fully-loaded train, and the coaster having short trains at that; but the trains had a good deal of shuffle that knocked it down a peg or two during my ride.
This is the general line I would draw between the good and the Meh of GCI. Seriously, they make a lot of good design, and even their lackluster coasters are still fun to ride.
8. Roar - Six Flags America - I was pleasantly surprised by the front row ride on this one. I can see the slow/meandering pace criticism it gets. But riding in the front, you do get bouts of airtime throughout it's larger, drawn out layout. The Roars are what put GCI more on the map, but they are nowhere near as aggressive as their subsequent design.
9. InvadR - Busch Gardens Williamsburg - From a kiddie/family coaster perspective, this hits a great stride with a fast-paced layout that doesn't put you too far outside your comfort zone. When compared to other coasters, it is surely tame; but gives a good ride, for what it is, regardless.
10. Wildcat - Hersheypark - the coaster that sparked it all, but still is a slower, meandering design versus the rest. Glad they updated it with the Millennium Flyer trains though.
