Chang @ Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom:
A True Diamond in the Rough
Chang is an exception in more ways than one. It’s a stand-up roller coaster at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom. That should be two big strikes against it. Stand-up coasters have a history of being uncomfortable and rough. Mantis at Cedar Point and Shockwave at Kings Dominion are two examples. And Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom widely considered at the bottom of the Six Flags barrel. Somehow, Chang not only bucked the odds, but it delivered the best ride I’ve ever experienced on a stand-up coaster.
Like Mantis, Chang is located in a sort of marshy area in Kentucky Kingdom. I saw several laughable, strange, and unique things at SFKK. I got a kick out of the run of the mill restraint buckle latches that had “FOR MARINE USE ONLY” etched into them. What the heck could that mean? Well, if the buckles were good enough for the Armed Forces, I figured they were good enough for me.
After the 15 story climb, you’re treated to a 144′ drop. A large vertical loop follows, then a dive loop, and next there’s a transitional turn. After the turn, the train roars up and into an inclined loop. Inclined loops are similar to vertical loops, just bent to one side. A brake run is followed by a two corkscrews. The first corkscrew flips riders over a support building. And the second corkscrew was the highlight of the ride for me. It begins low, hugging the ground. If you sit on the outside edges of the four across cars you feel like you can reach out and touch the ground. After dipping down to the ground you swoop back up and spiral over the queue line. Then the train careens back to the station.
The entire ride is smooth and fun, the way it was meant to be. I have no idea how Chang offers such a different ride than Mantis does when they are pretty similar, but I’m glad I didn’t swear
off stand-ups after that painful experience at Cedar Point. Chang definitely defies the odds and delivers a great ride. Finally, a stand-up coaster that makes the case for stand-up coasters. Chang is the jewel in the not so shiny crown that is Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom. Final Rating – 8.0 (Great)
Similar Roller Coasters:
Mantis at Cedar Point
Georgia Scorcher at Six Flags Over Georgia
Riddler’s Revenge at Six Flags Magic Mountain
This coaster is rated ‘TH’ for Thrilling. It’s a 3 out of 5 on my Thrill Scale because it includes several loops. If you fear going upside-down, then you may want to skip Chang.
What’s Your Take?
What do you think of Chang? What’s your favorite Stand-Up coaster? Leave a comment below.
September 26, 2007 at 16:27
No comments on Chang, but I AM loving that you are posting every day!
April 6, 2011 at 10:28
WHy the heck would they take a ride from us and knowing that this ride was ours before Six Flags was here in Louisville. When they left they took half our ride that was not the property of Six Flags it was the Fairgrounds and now the teens in ky have nothing in louisville to do in summer. This was a big income for Teens and adults here.
This park is closed now because of Six Flags.
April 7, 2011 at 11:52
karen h, Six Flags bought the Park, which inludes the land, the rides, and everything on or in the land, INCLUDING Chang. They weren't going to make any money just leaving it at Kentucky Kingdom, so they moved it to Great Adventure, which they know will attract more people. It's simply buisness, karen h.
June 6, 2008 at 12:09
Without Twisted Sisters (Twins) and still pretty poor upkeep, Kentucky Kingdom is even worse than before.. At 6' 4'', I'm a bit tall for Chang, and it hurts my thighs like heck. But back when I was shorter, I absolutely loved it. Great review.
November 15, 2009 at 08:54
cannot wait til it comes to six flags great america this coaster looks so awesome sorry for kentucky kingdom though….
May 28, 2010 at 07:10
Looks like a TON of fun! I feel bad for Kentucky Kingdom, just like Justin says. But, I live a mere 8 hours from Great America, so I hope to ride it soon!
June 20, 2010 at 18:04
Uh-oh, looks like GADV is going to get it.
June 21, 2010 at 02:22
wait, do you mean great adventure? why is the bold writting on?
June 24, 2010 at 23:52
Yes, they're getting rid of Great American Scream Machine (Thank God), and putting Chang in its place.
September 18, 2010 at 16:24
This is so exciting. I'm sad to see The Great American Scream Machine go, but this will be a good replacement. SFGA (Great Adventure) is in need of a stand-up roller coaster. I wonder when construction will start.
October 13, 2010 at 11:56
Does anyone know what the height requirement was for Chang? I assume it will be the same once it gets to Great Adventure.. 54? 48?
March 5, 2011 at 22:20
First off, I rode Chang at Kentucky Kingdom back in 04, and it was freaking wicked, secondly, when the belts say "For Marine Use Only" they don't mean the armed forces… *facepalm… marine use, meaning WATER USE, as in, what you'd put in a boat, hovercraft, etc…
March 6, 2011 at 05:43
Good call Matt. That makes more sense than the armed forces, but "water use only" is still pretty strange for a roller coaster restraint.
August 6, 2012 at 12:00
Hey Coaster Critic, I loved Chang when i rode it, and when i look through your reviews on stand-ups, i dont see you mention the Riddler. Im going to Six Flags Magic Mountian and can't wait to ride it as well as the other awsome looking coasters there. So I ask, have you ridden it? If you have is it better than Chang? Because a lot of people regard it as the best I believe.
August 6, 2012 at 21:42
Joey, Riddler's Revenge is on par with Chang (the Chang I rode at SFKK) and they are pretty similar. So I'd agree with the general consensus that RR's probably the best stand up coaster around now that Chang moved to Jersey and became Green Lantern. I haven't ridden it since it's moved there, but the reviews were luke warm.
April 28, 2011 at 13:02
I'm going to Great Adventure this weekend, so I can't wait to see how Chang looks in its new spot. It saddens me to see so many amusement parks shutting down or their attendance dropping year after year, but I've gotta admit…I'm not going to complain about getting a great new coaster in my area. Wish it was open for operation on Saturday!
June 11, 2012 at 07:56
I liked the Chang,but the Schorter(I think i spelled it right) at Six Flags,Georgia is absolutely my favorite stand up ride!!!!!