Pre-Season Top 5 for 2009 - #1 Manta

Manta is the 2nd B&M coaster in my pre-season Top Five and the ride I think will be #1 overall in 2009.

B&M Flyers tend to be successful and popular rides. They tend to be as much fun to watch as they are to ride.

From the looks of the artwork and the construction so far, it looks like there are going to be some very picturesque moments. To see the Manta-themed trains kiss the lagoon waters as it twists and turns along the track will be a site to see.

Plus, can you imagine the views from the trains as we fly so close to the water?

Also, I think that this is the best theming of a B&M Flying Coaster that we have seen so far.

So there they are... my pre-season Top Five.

Agree? Disagree?

Talk about it in the CoasterRadio.com forums.

Pre-Season Top 5 for 2009 - #2 Diamondback

My favorite roller coaster is Apollo's Chariot at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg.

I love that it's tall, fast, smooth and has a ton of great drops. Plus, the minimal restraints make it feel all the more like you're flying. The fact that Apollo's Chariot is always in the top 10 makes it seem like I'm not alone in ranking it high.

Diamondback, the 2009 roller coaster from Kings Island, seems to come from a similar mold.

The ride starts with a first drop of 215 feet and then continues with drops of 193, 131, 129, 110, and 106 feet. It's going to be fast too, with a top speed of 80 MPH.

I also like the unique seating configuration that seems to give everyone a good view of the show.

I've never been to Kings Island, but this ride makes me want to make the long road trip from Washington, DC.

Talk about it in the CoasterRadio.com forums.

Pre-Season Top 5 for 2009 - #3 Pilgrims Plunge

Anytime a park unveils an attraction that is the tallest in the world, it merits a close look (and a ride too!)

Holiday World's new attraction looks like it's going to be one of those rides that is all about the anxious moments before the drop.

The Pilgrims Plunge elevator system is what moves this ride into the top five for me.

I think it's going to be quite a thrill to be in an open air boat, slowly heading 135 feet in the air (vertically) before reaching the precipice of of the 131 foot, 45-degree drop.

I also like how Holiday World is building entrances to the ride from both the theme park and the water park. To me, this attraction is the best of both worlds.

I've never been a huge fan of shoot-the chutes rides, but this looks like one that can't be missed.

Talk about it in the CoasterRadio.com forums.

Pre-Season Top 5 for 2009 - #5 Prowler

I love a good out and back coaster... especially one that hugs the ground more than it climbs though the air.

Prowler, at Worlds of Fun in Kansas City, MO looks like it's going to be a winner.

The GCI designed coaster will have a length of 3,074 feet, a ride time of two-and-a-half minutes.

The only time it goes above the treeline is during the first 85 foot drop into a ravine. After that, the train rolls through high speed hills and sharply banked turns with a top speed of 51 MPH.

The fact that this ride looks to be built close to the trees will only increase the illusion of speed (and fun!)

Come back tomorrow to see what my #4 ranked ride for the pre-season!

Talk about it in the CoasterRadio.com forums.

Pre-Season Top 5 for 2009 - Honorable Mentions

In preparation for next week's Pre-Season Top Five Attractions list, I thought I'd give you some of the Honorable Mentions that didn't make the list.

It's not that I don't like these rides, it's just that I still need some convincing to put them in my top five.

Here we go....

Carolina Cobra - Carowinds
I like the fact that Carowinds is using a new and improved train design to make the ride smoother. Boomerangs are well known for giving a rough ride as the years go on, so it will be interesting to see if it works. Maybe it's not the most exciting new coaster in 2009, but at least it is a new ride for Carowinds.

Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit - Universal Studios Florida
I almost put this in my top five, but I feel this ride needs to prove itself to me. I really like the fact that you can choose your own soundtrack and that you can buy a video of yourself. (How many YouTube videos of this ride will we see this year?) I also dig that the ride vehicles will have color changing LEDs. But I think some of the other coasters out there look more exciting. I'm hoping the ride lives up to the hype and the interesting innovations.

Monster Mansion - Six Flags Over Georgia
I think this is going to be a cool ride, but it has very big shoes to fill. The original Monster Plantation was a time-tested classic. Can this new ride improve upon the original? If so, I'll gladly move it into my top five at the end of the season. I'm hoping for the best.

Flying Turns - Knoebels
The other day I was reminded that CoasterRadio.com was still podcasting during the first season this ride was constructed. WOW! The fact that this ride hasn't opened yet speaks to the complexity of the design and the desire of Knoebels to get it right. There's no sense in opening the ride if it's not going to run exactly how they want it. But I believe the extra wait is just adding to the anticipation.

Boardwalk: The SEA-quel - Hersheypark
I'm sure this addition to Hersheypark is going to be top-notch... but you know how I feel about waterparks within the confines of a theme park. I'm completely for a separate gate or enough separation between the water park and the theme park to ensure that I won't sit in puddles on the dry rides. Having said all that though, I really like the looks of Hershey's waterpark area. Very cool theming.

Stay tuned... next week I'll release my Top 5, starting with number five on Monday!

Talk about it in the CoasterRadio.com forums.

Top 5 for 2009?

On Monday through Friday of next week, I'm going to be unveiling what I think will be the top five rides for 2009.

Keep in mind, most of these rides haven't even been completed yet. But I'm curious to see if my Top Five from the beginning of the season matches my Top Five from the end of the season.

I've pretty much made up my mind, but I'm curious to hear what rides make up your Top Five.

Tell everyone in the CoasterRadio.com forums.