Joyland Books

In today's AJ:


http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/5211405.article

Well, the number one piece of "rollercoaster architecture" - New York, New York in Vegas - is also possibly the world's worst coaster. I was in Vegas for a meeting and slipped quietly away to give it a go and it was the roughest roller coaster experience imaginable. I was not able to think about whether I was enjoying the ride because my mind was totally preoccupied on minimising damage to my brain caused by severe head-banging. My colleague had severe whiplash and was asked to sign a waiver saying he would not sue. It was a little bit worrying that they had a pile of forms right by the exit! I had delayed whiplash 24 hours later.

(Number 4 in the list - X-Scream, at the top of the Stratosphere Tower - made up for it, though, as it was great fun!)

Interesting (ahem...) choices. 2 of these five rides aren't roller coasters. The coaster at NYNY is nice to look at but quite a painful ride experience. Anaconda at KD was doing the "vanishing in the water" trick nearly ten years before the construction of the Dive Coaster in Japan (the later being an OK ride, BTW). Thunder Dolphin has a nice first drop and speed bump but is otherwise quite lame and as far as architecture is concerned, the underground (albeit brutal) "Geo Panic" that is next door in Korakuen is more surprising. Oh well, at least they say a few words about DL.

Sadly Geo-Panic is no more...it was removed last year. I agree with the opinions of the Coaster at NYNY...pile of rubbish, albeit I do like the inverted dive loop element, probably the best bit of the coaster.
I actually liked Thunder Dolphin, albeit I only managed to ride it once when we were there this year.

David.

Yes, it was the Dreamland mention which made me post the link.

Who knows, next up we may have a Hadid coaster....