TOC2 Round 2: Vertical Drops & Vertical Lifts

[Chris]

Welcome to Round 2 of the Tournament of Champions! Today's match-up from the red bracket features vertical drops and vertical lifts! Both Florida coasters have made it through to this round, as did two new contenders from elsewhere in the United States!

Keep in mind that this is not a team battle; it's every man for himself! Busch Gardens Tampa Bay's SheiKra takes on Six Flags Magic Mountain's X2, Universal Studios Florida's Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit and HersheyPark's Fahrenheit!

Remember to vote for your FAVORITE coaster of the four, and the top three scoring rides will advance to Round 3!



*This poll closed on Friday, January 8, 2010.

[CreditCrazy]

Easily X2 for me. It's such a unique (and incredible) experience. The lift, the drop (best drop...ever) the constant flipping, the fire... It is rough, but definitely bearable in an inside seat on the first half of the train.

The rest just can't compare to the experience X2 gives. Imo, they all have one thing that makes them a good coaster, but the rest of the ride doesn't stand out. That's what seperates them from X2.

[Chris]

It is rough, but definitely bearable in an inside seat on the first half of the train.

Panda begs to differ.

[Rudkin]

Panda begs to differ.

Panda has used the panda thing too much already!

[greenlantern6119]

Voted here for Sheikra, still amazing, made even more so by the floorless cars. I was there on opening day for it and will always support it.

[Chris]

Voted here for Sheikra, still amazing, made even more so by the floorless cars. I was there on opening day for it and will always support it.

I voted for Rockit only because of the greater variety of elements it offers over SheiKra. I love SheiKra and it was a tough vote at first. I personally think there's no difference in ride experience (unless you count "hype" as part of the experience) with a the floorless or original trains. It feels exactly the same, and the visuauls aren't much different either. It's a great ride, but it was always a great ride. I would have rather seen Busch hold that cash to put towards a whole new coaster - something that would actually make a true impact on the market, but whatever. I'm just as happy with it being floorless as I was prior, so to that part, I'm indifferent.

[braves0066]

I voted for Rockit only because of the greater variety of elements it offers over SheiKra. I love SheiKra and it was a tough vote at first. I personally think there's no difference in ride experience (unless you count "hype" as part of the experience) with a the floorless or original trains. It feels exactly the same, and the visuauls aren't much different either. It's a great ride, but it was always a great ride. I would have rather seen Busch hold that cash to put towards a whole new coaster - something that would actually make a true impact on the market, but whatever. I'm just as happy with it being floorless as I was prior, so to that part, I'm indifferent.

I voted for SheiKra. It was a tough choice for between that and Rockit. I don't know I have ridden both rides a ton, nothing on Rockit makes my stomach get that funny feeling, But on Sheikra the loop gets me everytime. That's just me though.



Isn't there a rumor going around that Bucsh has something big planned in the next couple years

[Figment1986]

After evaluating the competition... I'm going for Sheikra. Rockit relies on technology to sell itself, and with personal experience it does get rough, and when the audio doesnt work you get distracted easily... (though the non inverting .oop is brilliant)

ShaiKra is amazing, and going floorless enhances the experience.

X2 looks cool, and even with POV amazing and seeing the car in person at IAAPA a few years ago, but it doesn't add up to SheiKra in my opinion...

Ferinheight looks cool, seems cool, but something about diving takes my opinion more...

[BRossano23]

Haven't been on Rockit yet, but out of the other three, I have to give it to X. X is my favorite coaster of all time. The drop is better than Sheikra's and Fahrenheit's. Plus the rest of the ride in so much more unique than the other coasters. Just amazing.

[Chris]

I don't think Rockit is getting a fair shake here. My hunch is that the lack of votes can be contributed to either:

1. Haven't ridden it yet

or

2. Annoyed with the poor capacity.

While I'll agree that the capacity issue is verging on unacceptable, vote for what the ride does when you're on it, not how annoyed you are waiting 3 hours to get to that point. I'm right there with you - trust me - it's dreadful. But Rockit IS a worthy coaster. Great fun and most importantly in this day and age, VERY unique.