What makes a decent coaster?

Before we go any further, I just want to say it’s my personal opinion and I know people have different views so please don’t bitch at me. Please don’t trigger at this.

What makes a good coaster?

Is it airtime? Inversions? Intensity? Speed? My honest answer is No. I’ve enjoyed slow coasters with no airtime and no inversions so I’m ruling that out. Maybe it’s theming? Nah, you can still have a shit coaster with decent props so what do I think makes or breaks a coaster? I honestly believe it has to have a decent layout and it has to be smooth. That’s why I hate the Smiler. It has tonnes of inversions, airtime (even with OTSR) and has great theming but I find it unbearable (i only took one ride but a good coaster needs to give consistently good rides). It was rough, the last few inversions were hell and I really didn’t enjoy it. Not only that, the layout is inversion after inversion and gets boring very quickly.

I like rides that take you on a journey. I’ve been on family coasters I’ve enjoyed a hell of a lot more. For example, Flight of the Pterosaur at Paultons Park isn’t huge, fast, it has 0 inversions and there’s no airtime but it’s a majestically smooth family ride with fantastic theming and fantastic lap bars. It sits proudly in my top 10 above the Smiler and Oblivion. I’m not sure how others rate their top 10 lists but mine is purely on how much fun I had whilst riding the coaster. I seriously rate family coasters quite high because they are no frills with decent thrills. Don’t get me wrong, Wacky Worm coasters won’t reach my top 10 but there’s a lot of family coasters out there that can compete with thrill coasters.

Look at Wicker Man. I know people don’t like it because they compare it to other woodies but it has so much that other coasters don’t have. It has world class theming, it’s smooth, it whips you around, the layout takes you on a journey through the Wicker Man structure and it has bonus airtime. It’s still regarded as a family coaster but it has everything I love and more.

What makes a great coaster for you? I’d love to know your opinion.