u/Aggravating-Power706

I used to be deathly afraid of rollercoasters. Nothing to do with safety, just didn't really make my body feel good -- especially that first drop! I'd visit amusement parks with my friends and/or family and would just sit out. Any coaster I had tried over the years had reinforced that fear. 2025 was really my band-aid rip off year; something really clicked in my head and I wanted to give it a country try.

It worked!

Since then, I've ridden 35 coasters! Super proud of myself. I've been to Cedar Point, Holiday World, Kentucky Kingdom and Kings Island. Will be revisiting Sandusky 6/9/26 and then taking a trip to Silver Dollar City! (Recommendations welcome - sights set on Dolly and KD).

Anyways, I've developed my top 10 as a new enthusiast and wanted to get a post out there to solidify my part as a member of the coaster enthusiast community!

10. Lightning Run - Kentucky Kingdom - Chance Rides Hyper GX-T 2014

Pretty tame in comparison to the other 9 but MAN, it's got a fun bit of airtime (especially those last hills into the brake run). More parks need this kind of coaster! Runs smooth as well. Restraints can be restrictive.

9. Millennium Force - Cedar Point - Intamin Giga 2000

It's pretty safe to say that after riding this ride one feels as though they can do anything. The sense of speed is immense and flying through tunnels at 80+mph is a wild experience. Other than that? I don't have much. The layout felt a little repetitive.

8. Orion - Kings Island - B&M Giga 2020

Dude! What a coaster. A little short for sure compared to MF but the drop, airtime hill and wave turn before the brake run make this sooo much fun.

7. Mystic Timbers - Kings Island - GCI Woodie 2017

This coaster seriously tries to dismember you -- in the best way. The transitions are snappy and moments of ejector airtime are frequent. Needed to be longer but having The Beast as a neighbor kind of overshines. Would probably enjoy the shed much more if I was 10 years younger.

6. Top Thrill 2 - Cedar Point - Zamperla Strata 2025

I don't really know what to say about this coaster. My body had never and likely will never experience a sensation like going straight up and straight down at 100mph+. The reason it's not higher on this list is because coasters like it deserve a class of their own -- it's nearly impossible to rank next to others simply because there's nothing like it.

5. Diamondback - Kings Island - B&M Hyper 2009

Holy floater airtime! Back left wing seat. I have never had so much fun. Seriously no notes.

4. Storm (Wind) Chaser - Kentucky Kingdom - RMC Hybrid 2016

Holy ejector airtime! This one holds a special place in my heart because it's at my home park but duuuuude. That first airtime hill after the first drop has some of the best ejector airtime I've ever experienced. The double up before the brakes is no different. You HAVE to try this ride. Easy to marathon.

3. Maverick - Cedar Point - Intamin Blitz 2007

Speaking of ejector airtime! This ride ROCKS. The drop in the back row after coming off of those LSMs (hello??) is hands down my favorite drop I've experienced. Those snappy, low to the ground transitions are my driving factor to get on Panthera at KD. Plus, that mid coaster launch is nuuuuts!

2. The Voyage - Holiday World - Gravity Group Woodie 2006

Absolute MONSTER of a coaster. I truly can't get enough of it. The drop (back row), the first hills, the whippy transitions through the woods, the triple down, the AIRTIME on the back half, the sense of speed. You come off of this ride feeling as though you have been done a service by surviving. I credit this coaster to getting me over my fear.

1. Steel Vengeance - Cedar Point - RMC Hybrid 2018

Maybe it was the hype, maybe it's because I only got one ride on it. But, out of the 35 coasters I've had the privilege of trying, this one takes the cake. Perhaps it truly is overrated (I'll get back to you June 9th), but there's something so fulfilling about getting on a ride that everyone reveres. It made me truly feel like I was part of the coaster community, finally getting to experience what so many have ranked as their number one -- and I get it! The RELENTLESS ejector airtime, smooth zero G rolls, length (!), pacing, and within-structure moments make this coaster impossible to beat for me. I would looove to get a chance to ride Gwazi and compare/contrast, but until that moment this one is it.

If you made it this far, thank you! It seems like all of my social media feeds are just videos upon videos of POVs, park reviews and more. I'm excited to be a part of the community and get my first post out there. I hope to see some of you out in the wild! Cheers.

Pick apart my rankings! Give me suggestions!