The Coaster Critic's Blog

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    • Kings Dominion & Carowinds 2010 Roller Coasters
    • Intimidator Coming to Carowinds in 2010
    • Top Thrill Dragster vs. Kingda Ka | Roller Coaster Showdown
    • Thirteen Announced as Alton Towers' 2010 Psychoaster
    • Intimidator 305 Opens: POV Video, Reviews, & a Poll
    • Intimidator 305 Coming to Kings Dominion in 2010
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The Coaster Critic's Blog is your source for opinionated roller coaster reviews, theme park reviews and a coaster enthusiast's take on all the latest theme park news. Read more...
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  • Kings Dominion Trip & My 200th Coaster

    Written by The Coaster Critic 14 Comments
    Last Updated: August 20, 2010
    Kings Dominion Trip & My 200th Coaster
    For my next and probably last trip of the season I’ll be headed back to my home state and former home park. Kings Dominion is where it all began for me. I had only ridden a few smaller roller coasters until I was coerced into riding Grizzly. Next thing I knew I was hooked. I’ve been to Kings Dominion dozens of times over the years, but my last visit was in 2004. So, I haven’t bee...
    • Four Years Strong: New Additions & Changes on the Way

      Written by The Coaster Critic 6 Comments
      Last Updated: June 8, 2010
      Four Years Strong: New Additions & Changes on the Way
      I’m officially back from my longest hiatus to date. The family’s doing great and I was able to write a few posts and work on some projects that I’d been meaning to get to. Thanks again to the guest bloggers that supplied some great posts from Europe, Australia, the West Coast, Midwest, & East Coast of the U.S. While I was out: Author Aric Davis, Ashley from Theme Park News Di...
      • The Coaster Critic Goes on Hiatus

        Written by The Coaster Critic 8 Comments
        Last Updated: May 13, 2010
        The Coaster Critic Goes on Hiatus
        I’ve decided to go on hiatus from The Coaster Critic’s Blog for a while. I’ve been busy at home with the arrival of our new daughter. And (as usual) I’ve got some things in the works that will be easier to piece together if I’m not trying to grind out my next post at the same time. Thankfully, I won’t be leaving you without anything new to read. It will be just ...
        • The Coaster Critic’s Blog 4.0 Now Live!

          Written by The Coaster Critic 19 Comments
          Last Updated: January 11, 2010
          The Coaster Critic’s Blog 4.0 Now Live!
          Welcome to The Coaster Critic’s Blog 4.0 As the blog enters it’s fourth year, I figured I’d give it a facelift. Welcome to The Coaster Critic’s Blog 4.0! I spend my winters (the theme park off-season) launching new projects like Theme Park Syndicate and on redesigns like this one. The changes to the site aren’t as big as the last redesign a year ago, but there are a ...
          • Santas on Manta & A Christmas Gift to My Readers

            Written by The Coaster Critic 12 Comments
            Last Updated: December 24, 2009
            Santas on Manta & A Christmas Gift to My Readers
            Santa’s New Sleigh Thirty-two Santas boarded SeaWorld Orlando’s new flying coaster, Manta last week. SeaWorld Orlando sent me a pic and a link to the video below. I got to give them credit. With the recent Google Street View feature and the company name change, they know how to stay in the news. A Gift to My Readers Also, since it’s Christmas, I thought I’d give my readers ...
            • Theme Park Travel Odyssey 2009 Edition

              Written by The Coaster Critic 16 Comments
              Last Updated: December 20, 2009
              Theme Park Travel Odyssey 2009 Edition
              2009 Theme Park Travel Odyssey Time to recap my 2009 theme park trips. This was a busy year with a number of interviews, media days, and fun theme park trips. I’m even going to include a lost trip that I don’t think I’ve referenced on the blog. From the warm tropic atmosphere of Orlando to the mean streets of Manhattan, my travels took me to 10 theme parks. But, it all started ba...
              • New Look & New Video Feature on the Way

                Written by The Coaster Critic 8 Comments
                Last Updated: December 2, 2009
                New Look & New Video Feature on the Way
                So I’ve had to leave the theme park world for a bit. I was busy working on my wife’s web site for the last few weeks. Now, that I’m finished with that I can get back to the blog and Theme Park Syndicate. So, expect to see more posts on a regular basis. I know that I have some coaster news to catch up on as well as my review queue with some coaster reviews that are on the way. I&...
                • General Site & Web Updates

                  Written by The Coaster Critic 42 Comments
                  Last Updated: October 23, 2009
                  General Site & Web Updates
                  It’s been a while since I’ve done a post about some general site and Web updates. On In the Loop Podcast for Intimidator Talk After Carowinds announced Intimidator for 2010, I was invited to join the In the Loop Podcast to discuss the new ride with the hosts and Danielle Swords, Public Relations Manager from Carowinds. I had fun doing it even though it was hard to know when to talk bec...
                  • Busch Gardens Trip: Farewell Big Bad Wolf & Roller Coaster Tour

                    Written by The Coaster Critic 6 Comments
                    Last Updated: September 3, 2009
                    Busch Gardens Trip: Farewell Big Bad Wolf & Roller Coaster Tour
                    Busch Gardens Trip: Farewell Big Bad Wolf & the Roller Coaster Tour For my final trip of the season I’ll be returning to one of my favorite theme parks on the planet: Busch Gardens Williamsburg. I’ll get to take Big Bad Wolf for one more spin in its last days. If you want to ride it before it closes, you have until Monday night (Labor Day) to say goodbye. I’m sad to see it go...
                    • Elvis, Madonna, & Roller Coasters?

                      Written by The Coaster Critic 4 Comments
                      Last Updated: August 16, 2009
                      Elvis, Madonna, & Roller Coasters?
                      Happy National Roller Coaster Day Every year on August 16th, Elvis Presley is remembered, Madonna is mentioned for becoming another year older, and I celebrate my birthday. A few years ago I found out that this day is also National Roller Coaster Day. Now, I can blame fate when my friends and family ask me why I have such a strange hobby. On August 16th, 1898 the first patent for a roller coaster ...
                      • The Coaster Critic Meets The Cyclone – NYC Trip

                        Written by The Coaster Critic 2 Comments
                        Last Updated: August 6, 2009
                        The Coaster Critic Meets The Cyclone – NYC Trip
                        This year for my birthday trip, I’m headed to New York City to ride the legendary Coney Island Cyclone. While I’m in the area I’m also checking out Rye Playland. In true Coaster Critic fashion I’m going to cram it all into one day. Hopefully my subway, train, and city bus research pays off. This trip is really more about the experience than the number of new coasters. Fo...
                        • The Coaster Critic Returns to Space

                          Written by The Coaster Critic No Comments
                          Last Updated: July 17, 2009
                          The Coaster Critic Returns to Space
                          I finally got around to refreshing my other site, Coaster Portal. It’s a new take on the old school link directory that includes web site profiles, user ratings and reviews, general theme park web site news, all in a space themed package. I really want the site to be more Web 2.0 and interactive than link sites of the past. There are several places for people to submit sites, submit news ...
                          • FOX Charlotte News Interview

                            Written by The Coaster Critic 11 Comments
                            Last Updated: June 24, 2009
                            FOX Charlotte News Interview
                            I’m going to be interviewed on FOX Charlotte News tomorrow. I’ll be talking about the best roller coasters within driving distance of Charlotte. It’s going to be taped at Carowinds so there may be some great background shots of Carolina Cobra, Flight Deck (formerly Top Gun), or Nighthawk (formerly BORG Assimilator). If you live in the area, check it out. It will be airing on the ...
                            • 10 Days of New Posts

                              Written by The Coaster Critic No Comments
                              Last Updated: June 5, 2009
                              10 Days of New Posts
                              So you may have noticed that I’ve been posting less frequently lately. I wouldn’t call it writers block, just computer issues (laptop died) and the general demands of a busy life when you’re married with child. Well, to get back on track, I’m starting another blogstreak. This time it’ll be ten days in a row of new, exclusive, and original content. Starting tomorrow, ...
                              • Welcome to the New Coaster Critic’s Blog

                                Written by The Coaster Critic 4 Comments
                                Last Updated: December 31, 2008
                                Welcome to the New Coaster Critic’s Blog
                                Happy New Year! Welcome to The Coaster Critic’s Blog v3.0 It’s been a pretty large undertaking, but today I’m unveiling the new site. Importing the posts from Blogger to WordPress was easy, but many of my posts still need to be reformatted. The site will be in beta for a few weeks as I update, reformat, and link check the over 400 posts. The latest version has a ton of new c...
                                • Now on Facebook

                                  Written by The Coaster Critic 1 Comment
                                  Last Updated: December 15, 2008
                                  Now on Facebook
                                  Now on Facebook | Become a Fan!I now have a “Coaster Critic” Facebook page. I tried this well over a year ago, but I couldn’t figure out how to make a page versus a profile. For some reason Facebook just didn’t believe that “The Coaster Critic” was my real name. So finally, I took the time to figure it out and set up a page. It wasn’t hard, just not very h...
                                  • Coaster Critic’s Blog to be Redesigned for ‘09

                                    Written by The Coaster Critic No Comments
                                    Last Updated: November 19, 2008
                                    Coaster Critic’s Blog to be Redesigned for ‘09
                                    Coming Soon: CCB Version 3.0While the current design is only 9 months old, I’m going to completely overhaul the blog over the next month. The redesign will include a migration from Blogger to Wordpress. Blogger’s been good to me, but I need some of the advantages of a full-fledged web site while still having the ability to do blog posts. I hope to launch the new site on New Year’...
                                    • Announcing Coaster Portal

                                      Written by The Coaster Critic 1 Comment
                                      Last Updated: October 16, 2008
                                      Announcing Coaster Portal
                                      Coaster Portal – Your Guide to the Theme Park WebiverseSo my announcement was delayed about a week, but today I unveil Coaster Portal. It has been a long-standing side project I’ve had on the back burner for years. The blog had taken up the majority of my time, until finally, I pushed myself to complete the site. I wanted to create a different type of theme park web site. One that link...
                                      • 400th Post & a Big Announcement

                                        Written by The Coaster Critic 6 Comments
                                        Last Updated: October 7, 2008
                                        400th Post & a Big Announcement
                                        Milestone & A New Site Coming Real Soon Two and a half years ago I began this blog as an outlet for my love of roller coasters and writing. This post is my 400th post and it’s been a fun ride especially when my readers drop in and post comments. Some agree, some disagree, and others just share their experiences. Either way, The Coaster Critic’s Blog is at its best when the communit...
                                        • Happy Roller Coaster Day

                                          Written by The Coaster Critic 2 Comments
                                          Last Updated: August 16, 2008
                                          Happy Roller Coaster Day
                                          August 16th is National Roller Coaster DayOn this day 110 years ago, the first roller coaster patent was submitted. I hope you celebrated the day at a theme park riding your favorite roller coaster. I’m still recuperating from my tiring, but fun trip to California. I’ll be spending the day relaxing with family and celebrating my birthday. I found out a few years ago that I was born on ...
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