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» Top 3 Thursdays

  • Top 3 Roughest Steel Coasters | Top 3 Thursdays

    Written by The Coaster Critic 21 Comments
    Last Updated: December 10, 2009
    Top 3 Roughest Steel Coasters | Top 3 Thursdays
    If you’ve read my blog for a while you’ve noticed how often I point out the rougher wooden coasters. Rides like the Cyclone at Six Flags New England and Wildcat at Hershey Park are abusive and terribly uncomfortable. This week, we’ll look at some of the roughest steel roller coasters around. This is a tough Top 3 to pull together. There are rides that have some pretty rough mom...
    • Top 3 Smoothest Wooden Roller Coasters

      Written by The Coaster Critic 11 Comments
      Last Updated: November 6, 2009
      Top 3 Smoothest Wooden Roller Coasters
      Top 3 Thursdays is back by popular demand! Everyone knows that wooden roller coasters have a reputation of throwing riders around like rag dolls. But what about those few exceptions. Wooden roller coasters that are buttery smooth? Believe it or not they DO exist. In this late edition of T3T, I’m going to countdown the Top 3 Smoothest Wooden Roller Coasters that I’ve ridden. #3 Raging...
      • Top 3 Theme Park Souvenirs

        Written by The Coaster Critic 14 Comments
        Last Updated: July 3, 2009
        Top 3 Theme Park Souvenirs
        No trip to a theme park is complete without that trip to the souvenir shop on the way out. You’ve got to pick something up that will remind of your great day at the park. How about a t-shirt reminding you that you survived The Beast or a stuffed animal to take the place of the one that you couldn’t win. Here are my Top 3 Theme Park Souvenirs in no particular order: Should've Used...
        • Top 3 Urban Roller Coasters

          Written by The Coaster Critic 10 Comments
          Last Updated: June 11, 2009
          Top 3 Urban Roller Coasters
          If you ask me every major city should have its own roller coaster. Right there in the middle of downtown. It could be managed and maintained by the parks and recreation department of the local government. Imagine a unique, thrilling roller coaster in Chicago’s Grant Park, New York’s Central Park, or Atlanta’s Centennial Park. Until I’m elected mayor of a city or I get Obama...
          • Top 3 New International Coasters for 2009

            Written by The Coaster Critic 2 Comments
            Last Updated: May 7, 2009
            Top 3 New International Coasters for 2009
            There are some really cool roller coasters opening around the World this year. I’ve already written about the new speed champ Ring°Racer and Great Britain’s horrifically steep Saw – The Ride so this week I’m counting down three more International Coasters opening in 2009. El Toro at Freizeitpark Plohn – Germany This El Toro, not to be confused with Great Adventure...
            • Top 3 New Water Rides for 2009

              Written by The Coaster Critic 1 Comment
              Last Updated: April 30, 2009
              Top 3 New Water Rides for 2009
              As the weather gets warmer, people will be looking for ways to cool off. At an amusement park, there’s no better way to stay cool than a thrilling, drenching water ride. This week’s Top 3 will list the top new water rides opening in 2009. The list is no particular order.  Buccaneer Battle at Six Flags Great America – An Action-Packed Water Battle Six Flags Great America (near Ch...
              • Top 3 Greenest Roller Coasters

                Written by The Coaster Critic 2 Comments
                Last Updated: April 23, 2009
                Top 3 Greenest Roller Coasters
                In honor of Earth Day, this week’s edition of Top 3 Thursdays will list the greenest roller coasters on Earth. Well, at least greenest coasters I could find. 3 – The Heege Freizeittechnik Butterfly at Various Parks – Europe Butterfly is the model name of a very small family shuttle roller coaster. It looks like it could fit in your backyard! They are “self-service” ...
                • Top 3 Official Theme Park Blogs

                  Written by The Coaster Critic 4 Comments
                  Last Updated: April 16, 2009
                  Top 3 Official Theme Park Blogs
                  It’s time to kick off the third season of Top 3 Thursdays.  This week I’ll countdown the Top 3 Official Theme Park Blogs. Since the increase in popularity of blogs, a number of theme parks have started utilizing them as a way to communicate to their hard core fans and potential visitors. Today, companies have to realize that they’re already a part of Web 2.0, it’s just...
                  • Top 3 Old School Looping Roller Coasters

                    Written by The Coaster Critic 3 Comments
                    Last Updated: August 21, 2008
                    Top 3 Old School Looping Roller Coasters
                    Top 3 Old School Looping Roller CoastersMost enthusiasts top 10 lists are littered with modern thrill machines boasting the latest technological advances. Many don’t even have a single roller coaster from the last millennium. There’s nothing wrong with that, it’s just important to recognize that there are some gems out there that don’t hold any current world records. This ...
                    • Top 3 Batman Themed Roller Coasters

                      Written by The Coaster Critic 2 Comments
                      Last Updated: July 31, 2008
                      Top 3 Batman Themed Roller Coasters
                      The Best Batman-Themed Roller CoastersWith the Dark Knight movie on pace to set a new box office record (look out Titanic), I figured counting down the top Batman-themed roller coasters would be appropriate. This year’s new Dark Knight coaster isn’t getting the best reviews, but this week’s Top 3 has the most popular Batman coasters around. 3 – Batman & Robin: The Chil...
                      • Top 3 Top 3 Thursdays Lists

                        Written by The Coaster Critic No Comments
                        Last Updated: July 24, 2008
                        Top 3 Top 3 Thursdays Lists
                        The Best of Top 3 ThursdaysFor this week’s Top 3 Thursday I’m doing a ‘Best of’ post. I’m recapping my favorite Top 3’s and their number 1’s. Top 3 Most Annoying Things at an Amusement ParkI ranted about the most annoying things I find at my favorite places to be. Number 1 was line cutters.Line CuttersThere’s nothing worse than waiting in a long line...
                        • Top 3 Australian Roller Coasters

                          Written by The Coaster Critic 3 Comments
                          Last Updated: July 3, 2008
                          Top 3 Australian Roller Coasters
                          Counting Down The Best Roller Coasters From Down UnderFor the triumphant return of Top 3 Thursdays, I figured I would countdown the top three roller coasters in Australia. As I’ve never ridden a coaster outside of the U.S., I invited an Aussie, Ash from ThemeParkNewsDirect, to provide this week’s Top 3. I did some metric system conversions for my U.S. readers. 3 – Tower Of Te...
                          • Top 3 Disney Roller Coasters

                            Written by The Coaster Critic 7 Comments
                            Last Updated: August 16, 2007
                            Top 3 Disney Roller Coasters
                            Top 3 Disney Roller Coasters Disney’s not known for its roller coasters. Disney theme parks are more centered around the atmosphere, theming, and the whole “Disney experience.” They’re packed with flat rides, kiddie rides, family attractions, shows, but they’re not so well-known for their roller coasters. At least not among hardcore enthusiasts. This is why I write v...
                            • Top 3 Family Roller Coasters

                              Written by The Coaster Critic 1 Comment
                              Last Updated: August 9, 2007
                              Top 3 Family Roller Coasters
                              Top 3 Family Roller CoastersThis week’s Top 3 is fun for all ages. Not all roller coasters push the limits of human g-force tolerance like Kingda Ka. Family roller coasters are crowd-pleasers that are usually pretty tame. Italian Job Stunt Coaster at Kings IslandSeveral former Paramount parks (Kings Island, Kings Dominion and Canada’s Wonderland) are home to launch coasters with Mini ...
                              • Top 3 Roller Coasters in the UK

                                Written by The Coaster Critic 4 Comments
                                Last Updated: August 2, 2007
                                Top 3 Roller Coasters in the UK
                                Due to my vast international coaster experience, I’m more than qualified to countdown the Top 3 Roller Coasters in the UK. Just kidding. I’ve been out of the U.S., but not to any theme parks. This week’s countdown is based on Mitch Hawker’s Poll, CoasterForce.com, general buzz on the ‘Net, and my keen sense of quality roller coasters. 3 - Speed: No Limits at Oakwood ...
                                • Top 3 Most Annoying Things at Amusement Parks

                                  Written by The Coaster Critic 4 Comments
                                  Last Updated: July 19, 2007
                                  Top 3 Most Annoying Things at Amusement Parks
                                  Top 3 Most Annoying Things at Amusement ParksThis week’s topic is pretty self-explanatory. I love visiting theme parks, but here are the least enjoyable things about my visits. 3 – Coaster MisinformationI can’t count the number of times that I’ve been in line and overheard the most insane, unrealistic, and impossible things about the coaster I’m in line for. They ar...
                                  • Top 3 Beach Amusement Parks

                                    Written by The Coaster Critic 1 Comment
                                    Last Updated: July 12, 2007
                                    Top 3 Beach Amusement Parks
                                    Top 3 Beach Amusement ParksCan’t decide whether to take your next trip to the beach or to an amusement park? Why not do both. This Thursday I’m counting down my Top 3 Beach Amusement Parks. Pacific Park – Santa Monica Pier, CaliforniaThis world famous beach amusement park has been featured in a number of movies including Cellular and the most recent season of 24. Its lone roller...
                                    • Top 3 Small Amusement Parks

                                      Written by The Coaster Critic No Comments
                                      Last Updated: June 14, 2007
                                      Top 3 Small Amusement Parks
                                      Everyone’s been to a Six Flags, Paramount, or Disney theme park. But what about the smaller amusement parks. This Thursday I’m counting down my top 3 small amusement parks. My three amusement parks are off the beaten path, have only three major roller coasters, and have a rich history. Lake Compounce – Bristol, CTLake Compounce is home to Boulder Dash, an amazing wooden coaster ...
                                      • Top 3 Extreme Airtime Roller Coasters

                                        Written by The Coaster Critic 11 Comments
                                        Last Updated: May 10, 2007
                                        Top 3 Extreme Airtime Roller Coasters
                                        Ever get lifted out of your seat on a roller coaster? This is a result of the negative g-forces that are experienced on roller coasters. It’s a large part of the perceived danger that makes roller coasters fun and thrilling. This Thursday I’m listing my Top 3 Airtime Roller Coasters. Cyclops at Mt. OlympusWisconsin Dells, WIYou have to be 18 or older to ride in the back seat of the Cy...
                                        • Top 3 International Roller Coasters for 2007

                                          Written by The Coaster Critic No Comments
                                          Last Updated: May 2, 2007
                                          Top 3 International Roller Coasters for 2007
                                          Top 3 International Coasters Debuting in 2007America debuts amazing new roller coasters every year, but it’s not really accurate to say the U.S. is on the cutting edge in coaster design anymore. This Thursday I’m going to countdown the three biggest roller coasters to debut oversees in 2007. Troy at ToverlandSevenum, NetherlandsGreat Coasters International is designing a wooden coaste...
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