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Coaster Madness 2026 Bracket Reveal!
108 Plays15 days ago
This is Bryant's 9th year running a Coaster Madness tournament, and he decided to switch things up—a fully randomized bracket, with matchups determined live during the episode. We had to bring back Nathaniel (hawkvandelay), our official Coaster Madness historian to go over all of the matchups as they happen. Plus, Bryant talks Coaster Cruise, and Allison has a mini-announcement for the future of the podcast!
Voting starts later this month at https://www.instagram.com/coaster_365/ so make sure to go give Bryant a follow!
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Transcript
Introduction and Episode Setup
00:00:00
Speaker
You are listening to the Inverted Creative Podcast. I'm Allison. I'm Bryant. And I'm Jen.
00:00:17
Speaker
Welcome to Coaster Madness, baby. o We got packed house today. Oh my goodness. We do. Yeah, it's a little crowded in here. um but It makes for an interesting episode. It does.
00:00:31
Speaker
Well, we have our guest of honor today, ah Mr. Hawk Vandele, our Coaster Madness historian, back with us again. Everybody loved you last year. hi everybody. It's thrilled be back.
00:00:42
Speaker
Another exciting year of Coaster Madness. Best tournament
Meet the Coaster Madness Experts
00:00:47
Speaker
ever. We'll actually find out what the best coaster right now currently is. That's correct, my man. And still still one of the best calls I've ever made of like, hey, maybe Nathaniel would be good for a Coaster Madness like fourth chair or third. Yeah, fourth chair.
00:01:02
Speaker
Yep. And he ended up being like the best bracketologist of all time. That en includes the March Madness basketball bracketologist. Yeah, literally showing up with his spreadsheets. We asked him if he had his information today and he said, yeah, I have my file. Yeah.
00:01:18
Speaker
Yeah, my running file. I'm excited to see. But I don't know the bracket, so we're going to get some. We have some surprises coming. Great segue. Yeah. Also, real quick, we do have ah Mike here as well. He is our official recorder for today.
00:01:33
Speaker
Hello. We have the official historian of Coaster Manus the official scribe of Coaster Manus. Yeah, we call them scribe. Yeah. So we're going to get into it real quick because I know Nathaniel can't be with us the whole time necessarily. Yeah, huge changes this year.
Tournament Structure and Randomization
00:01:50
Speaker
It is the ninth year already that I've done Coast Urbanus, which is wild. Wow. um you know And every year I'm like, do I want to change it up a little bit? Do I want to change it up in a little bit? I very rarely do. I usually traditionally seed it. What I think of the number one seed is number two seeds and so on.
00:02:06
Speaker
I think it's time to get a little goofy. So you can't see, or obviously this is a podcast. um On my desktop, I have a wheel of 64 coasters that I've deemed worthy to make this tournament.
00:02:22
Speaker
And instead of seeding it traditionally, we're going to build this bracket together and do it completely random. So we could get VelociCoaster, last year's champion, two-time champion, by the way, face off against another two-time champion and still vengeance in the first round, if that's how it plays out.
00:02:41
Speaker
You never know. The wheel will provide. Yeah, kind of shout out Riley for the inspiration for using a wheel to determine things. I figured much as I think. Oh, yeah. yeah At the end of the day, the best coaster is still going to win if it you know goes through whoever they face.
00:02:57
Speaker
I don't know. this is going to make it spicy because like, it could there are some really cult following coasters that like, it's
00:03:08
Speaker
going to be spicy. It's like voyage winning. Doesn't deserve to be there. was in the championship. It does not deserve to be there. Jen is a certified voyage hater.
00:03:23
Speaker
Yeah, for sure. i think it is interesting. um I think it this leads to some some sweet potentials for Cinderella stories and some coasters that have been unable to get over the hump maybe can you know make a solid run. you know Yeah, I'm really like this gives potential for like something out of the blue to win. It's going to be a fun year.
00:03:49
Speaker
Yeah, potentially is like you could get a huge upset in the first round and then all of a sudden that coaster has an easy road to like the finals. Yeah.
Voting Process and Fairness
00:03:58
Speaker
I also did make the call to split the 64 coasters, 32 American, 32 not American.
00:04:08
Speaker
think usually I'd probably guess there's usually 40-ish American coasters. And i'm like, no, we're going to fair split down the middle. Try to remove some American bias because at the end of the day most of the voters will be American. but And I've always stressed, if you haven't been on it, try voting by what you think is better.
00:04:32
Speaker
Because i don't think anybody has been on, very, very, very few people have been on all 64 of these coasters. Especially with some of the additions that I decided to add. Mm-hmm.
00:04:44
Speaker
So I'm ready to go if you guys are ready to go. One more quick announcement thingy. I had somebody ask, SolarCoaster asked, where are the places I can vote?
00:04:56
Speaker
and want to put that out there so early in the episode. This tournament started on Twitter. It went to Instagram for the last two or three years. Allison might yell at me because I've already kind of made a decision. And if I change that with her graphics, she might not like it. I already have anxiety not having the matchups yet. so um If you've checked my Twitter in the like the last six months, you've seen have barely been on the site. um I don't know. i'm I've kind of fallen out of favor with it.
00:05:26
Speaker
As of now, I think this is going to be Instagram only, at coaster underscore 365. If I can maybe find a website to do it on too, maybe I'll throw the polls on there.
00:05:38
Speaker
We'll see. I mean, you can obviously still keep live track of the results if you keep going on my story. I also think I like the idea of a 12-hour window that we did last year, so we have to worry about overnight changes and stuff.
00:05:52
Speaker
yeah I'm sure Mike appreciates that overnight sampering. and Yeah. And that's the big, thing I mean, for other reasons, but the whole thankfully last year, wasn't that much of an issue if at all.
00:06:05
Speaker
There was vote buying going on in the past and the stress of like having to worry about that every single day. I just don't want it this year at all. We're just going with all
Matchup Predictions and Analysis
00:06:14
Speaker
vibes this year. All vibes. It's year nine.
00:06:17
Speaker
You know, there's a plaque outside of Zadra for it. Like, we've already kind of peaked probably, so. ah And you got to see it now. What's that? And you got to see it. That's true. This is the first Coaster of Banners post actually seeing the freaking plaque at Energylandia.
00:06:35
Speaker
I'll be saying hi to it again in a few months. Did I know that? Oh, by the way, we're going to Energylandia. I said, I'm going to Harry Styles, and Mike tried to convince me not to go to Harry Styles. and like Oh, no, I tried to convince you to fly in earlier to join us before Harry Styles.
00:06:56
Speaker
Oh, okay. All Well, I can't do that. Yeah, surprise. We're doing Poland as part of the honeymoon. Nice. and I'm not shocked. Oh, you kind of slightly hinted at that, maybe. I think so.
00:07:07
Speaker
Anyway, we can talk about that kind of stuff after this episode. Let's get those matchups going. Are we ready? I'm going to spin the wheel for the first time. Here we go. 64 coasters.
00:07:19
Speaker
How long does the wheel spin take? I was looking about seven, eight seconds. Nice. And we're kicking off with X2 Six Flags Magic Mountain.
00:07:31
Speaker
Now, which region is this we're starting with? ah I don't know. Whatever region you want to. Just make it a region. Alright, we'll start with orange. This is the orange region apparently. Okay.
00:07:43
Speaker
I was going to say if we went in order of the ah bracket template I have, I start with black. but Okay, we can go black. Alright, black region, X2. What would normally be the number one overall seed, that top line, is now X2.
00:07:58
Speaker
And it's facing off against...
00:08:03
Speaker
Honestly, we already got a really good matchup here. Tyga at Linamaki. Oh, wow. You got X2 and Tyga in the first round. Rest in peace, Mike from the Drunk Riders.
00:08:16
Speaker
That was literally my first thought. ah I kind of want to post about that already. ay What a way to open it up.
00:08:30
Speaker
So now I can live analyze this too because i didn't make the matchup, so I didn't really have any preset opinions. I'm definitely team Tyga on this one. I saw the light last year.
00:08:42
Speaker
I haven't seen Tyga. Like, I haven't been on Tyga, but I think I might be team Tyga. But I don't i don't know. I feel like the fanboys are going to go for X2. Yeah, we're already having an American bias potential here.
00:08:55
Speaker
Yeah, I think so. But I also think... X2 usually doesn't go that far, right? Not far. um Sweet 16 in 2013. Lost Zadra.
00:09:11
Speaker
um Last year it did lose to Voltron, though. so i feel like he's always up against something really good and new. Yeah. um I mean, this this one could go either way. We do know Tyga gets a a strong...
00:09:28
Speaker
ah I don't know. It's got some strong support out there. um this This is a really fun. This is matchup. little this This will probably be like matchup one, like first day.
00:09:41
Speaker
Like what a great tournament going. Right. Yeah. Two completely different rides. U.S. versus Europe. Into an arrow.
00:09:52
Speaker
That's what we're going for with this randomization. Exactly. I love it. And I'd say normally, like, Tyga would probably be like a four or five seed and next to maybe a six or a seven. So, yeah.
00:10:03
Speaker
but Yeah, they've never crossed paths with each other before. That's it. Yeah, we're going to get a lot of new matchups because the seating is going to be way off. Yeah. Yeah. which I like it. Personally, I think, if I don't know. I have X2, I think, 11 in my top 100. By the way, if you haven't watched my top 100 series, go back, watch the whole playlist. Coaster365 YouTube. Yeah.
00:10:25
Speaker
Everyone that's written Tyga says like top 10. I think I have it at 10. I think it's at 5 for me. in I'd probably put Tyga over X2 if I'm voting. it's It's very good.
00:10:41
Speaker
Yeah. Anyway, match with number 2.
00:10:48
Speaker
The wheel isn't that long. Are we continuing all the way through Black... Yeah, we're just going to go in order now. All the way through black. all right ye Next up we get Twisted Timbers, King's Dominion. ohho Twisted Timbers.
00:11:07
Speaker
And we can also discuss potential like Sweet 16 Elite 8 matchups for the region as well. And we got another American versus Europe. Schwere De Karnan versus Twisted Timbers.
00:11:23
Speaker
h This one as much as I love Twisted Timbers, I think Karnan is going to take this one. Really? Oh, I don't. I don't think so either. i think Timbers will win it. Timbers usually goes far.
00:11:38
Speaker
Timbers has had some good runs. I'm looking up... I feel like Karnan, out of all of the European coasters, though, that people like phrase and swear by, that one is usually, I think, because of the lore of the theming.
00:11:52
Speaker
it usually is like a really high praised one. Lost to Pantheon last year, which has no theming. Karnan lost to Pantheon, huh? Karnan losing to Pantheon just gave you everything that I would think. Okay. All right. Yeah, and Twisted Timbers is one of those really high championed ah RMCs. You know, like an RMC gets involved on social media with this tournament, which I think goes a long way sometimes. Yeah.
00:12:21
Speaker
But we're kind of like five, six years removed from like the days of everybody saying RMC is the best thing ever. So yeah I feel like RMC's the love has fallen off a little bit the last year or two.
00:12:37
Speaker
Mm hmm. Yeah, that's because Vekoma's taking over. Vekoma and Mok are coming and stealing everything. Before, it was like they came in and they were like the first ones giving us really quality rides that were reliable in a long time. and now sure And now we have Mok and Vekoma.
00:12:58
Speaker
But I still think, I feel like Karnan's sometimes forgotten about in the German-European landscape. I can see that. Yeah, I guess. How old is Karnan now? Like, he's over 10 years old now, right? 2015, 2016? Yeah, 2015. Yeah.
00:13:16
Speaker
wow m I'd probably put my money on Timbers. I would personally also put Timbers over Karnan.
00:13:28
Speaker
I think I have Timbers ranked higher. There we go. Oh, I was actually going to say i would be surprised if you had Karnan because you hate RMCs, so... But Timbers has those ah those hills and those are everything. Yeah, Timbers is yeah like one of my favorite RMCs.
00:13:44
Speaker
I think it's better than Steel Vengeance. I know I haven't said that in a little while. but i agree with that. it's Way better than Steel Vengeance. If you love Steve, then you should go ride Twisted Vengeance. It's better. But Karnan is just such a good total package.
00:14:00
Speaker
don't know. I'll be curious to see. Should be good. I've already spun the wheel for matchup three. And we have Time Traveler, Silver Dollar City. Okay. And the only thing that can make this matchup even better is if you get Time Traveler versus Ride to Happiness.
00:14:22
Speaker
This will be very interesting. Time Traveler versus Dino Condor. whoa I want to say this is the first time I've ever included Dinoconda on this list.
00:14:34
Speaker
Or on this on this tournament. I think so. i think it is. Anybody's ridden it. I was going to say, I don't even know what it is. Oh, looking at it, I do know what it is. Okay, okay.
00:14:47
Speaker
Supposedly of the 4D free spins or whatever they're called, you the X2 Edgenikas of the world, those that have ridden all three say it's the best.
00:14:59
Speaker
And everyone loses their mind on Ejanica and
00:15:05
Speaker
but That time traveler American bias. Yeah, I feel like this one's never going to win because of the time traveler American bias. yeah Also, I'm curious, Instagram only. See, the thing about Instagram is you're going to get well-polished enthusiasts versus Twitter. You could just not even be an enthusiast, see it online, and just, oh, going to click on a poll randomly.
00:15:25
Speaker
And then share. Right. Right.
00:15:30
Speaker
So maybe there might be some more Dinah Kahn of respect. i think Yeah, I think Dinah Kahn is going to win. This is a long time ago, but Time Traveler lost to X2 in the first round in 2019. Oh, OK.
00:15:44
Speaker
Breaking out the history books. little twenty Seven years ago. We need to, after Code Star Madness, we need to have like a YouTube-based video where Nathaniel just walks us through all his stats. I'm very intrigued. I want to know how to. He needs wear sunatai. that' kind few of it Sounds like a Patreon video right there.
00:16:07
Speaker
Yeah. Yeah. I really need to know how he pulls this information so quickly. Yeah. The first year I put it together took a long time, but now now it's easy. I just throw on that but like the one year's worth of stuff.
00:16:25
Speaker
Yeah. But yeah I legit have no idea how that vote's going to go. and see I do feel like though, and maybe it's just because I have a lot more exposure on Twitter, but I do feel like Twitter gives me a lot more exposure to international, especially in like Asia um enthusiasts. Like I see a lot of things like that I have to translate coming out of literally like Japan and and China. Right.
00:16:51
Speaker
So I do wonder if that also is like your are your brackets meet like hitting those enthusiasts as well? And will that like because I Twitter, I do think you're right. Twitter has a very Twitter and Instagram are so completely different. But do feel like Twitter's reach is a lot further.
00:17:12
Speaker
I want to say I one or like it's been a long time since I've had any coasters from China in the tournament because they never did well ever. Yeah, there was it was a crushed. And this is the first year i'm like, you know, we're going to try bringing some back this year.
00:17:25
Speaker
Yeah, I'm interested different audience. I think obviously a lot less people voted back in the day like 2018 2019. So very interested to see how that will play out for sure.
00:17:40
Speaker
Matchup number four. There we go. a Former champion. Wait. Yeah. Former champion. We got Maverick. Cedar Point. Nice. you All these matchups so far have been American Coaster first and then... That's very true.
00:17:57
Speaker
And it's not like this wheel knows i think the designation. Oh, come on. Come on. Oh, baby. oh This is not a first round matchup. Oh, gosh.
00:18:08
Speaker
Maverick versus Airy Force One. wow Wow, that's going to a blunt bat. Exciting. It's so exciting. Cedar Point versus unspotted.
00:18:25
Speaker
Yeah, that's like an Elite Eight matchup right there. Yeah, that's going to be a really interesting. ah
00:18:34
Speaker
That is, going to look up Maverick. Did they ever play each other? No, they have not. Maverick Maverick took down. I mean, it has taken down iron Rattler recently.
00:18:52
Speaker
um It lost the iron Gwazi in 2014. It doesn't have a long, it doesn't have a lot of RMC wins under its belts.
00:19:03
Speaker
um yeah Man, but like, I just feel like Maverick is a coaster that It's like a gift that keeps on giving. i think people realize how good is how it gets. It kind of gets better year after year, even with new stuff coming out. This thing holds up to some of the best. So Air Force one.
00:19:27
Speaker
Made it to the elite eight last year. Lost Steel Vengeance. I feel like these are both elite eight like mainstays at least. Yeah, yeah this is going to be such a fun match.
00:19:42
Speaker
I want to say I have them back-to-back in my rankings, I think. okay Like 15, 14? Yeah. um Now, I say Maverick was a former champion.
Comparisons of Coasters by Region
00:19:54
Speaker
It won what I call the the COVID year when I...
00:19:58
Speaker
disqualified former winners because there was no new coasters being added. yeah
00:20:06
Speaker
I feel like Maverick will come out on top just because the Cedar Point vote is a thing. Hey, you got the Cedar Point fanboys. And I don't know if the Foxpot Atlanta fanboys are a thing.
00:20:17
Speaker
Yeah, but the R&C fanboys are. like yeah R&C people go like crazy. I did just look and I have Maverick and Area Force back-to-back in my ranking. Yeah, because they both like, this is going to be such a hard matchup because I feel like it is they're like perfectly on the same level in my opinion. like They both give you the same exact thing going in and coming out of it.
00:20:45
Speaker
Yeah, I personally am torn on where my vote even is. Yeah, I don't know where I'm going to vote for this either. Yeah. I have Maverick in the entire spot, so.
00:20:56
Speaker
Do you think the winner of this matchup is the favorite for this whole section of eight coasters? I'd say it probably is. As of right now.
00:21:07
Speaker
You might get Maverick Twisted Timbers after that or Aerie Twisted Timbers. And who knows what else we're going to get out of this region as well. The region, right. Speaking of. Keep an eye on that. You have eight you you haven' until 8.30, right, Nathaniel?
00:21:22
Speaker
Yeah, give her or give a little bit there. but Yeah, okay. All right, RMC I think I added back into the tournament. i don't know Actually, no. This ride may have made it every year. Twisted Colossus.
00:21:37
Speaker
Six Flags Magic Mountain. Speaking of RMC.
00:21:43
Speaker
Not one of my favorites, but I know a lot of people like it. And... ah Oh, gosh. Oh, my God. This, ah I fear for Twisted Colossus, it's facing against Velocicoaster.
00:21:59
Speaker
Oh! a lots of coaster There's your 116. Yeah. yeah Yeah, that's like the most 116 seating you can have. Yeah, that is... That poor guy.
00:22:14
Speaker
Defending champion looking for its third title. Shout out to Mike making Dino Nuggies for dinner tonight in honor of Velocicoaster. Yeah. Actually, it was in honor of our ah fallen fall Disney attraction this week.
00:22:30
Speaker
Oh, yeah. I'm still just going to say it's Velocicoaster. Bye, Dino. Yeah, tough luck for Twisted Colossus here. really tough not not just twisted colossus everyone else that i've already mentioned in this region yeah true i don't think there's any coaster that i've mentioned so far that could take down last coaster yeah joe until that i would have said maverick or taiga or even airy force one could have been one of the favorites in that side but yeah
00:23:04
Speaker
But Velocicoaster is in the second half of this region, so depending on the six that are coming, Velocicoaster maybe could be upset before then.
00:23:15
Speaker
So let's spin for matchup number six here. ah Before you say it, Maverick and Velocicoaster in the Elite Eight would be just nuts.
00:23:26
Speaker
Oh, what did you just spin, Bryant? Oh, man. Another former champion. Oh! Oh! One that I'm a little partial to.
00:23:38
Speaker
It's Zadra. Ooh. Man. versus so Zadra versus Velocicoaster potentially in the second round.
00:23:50
Speaker
um Go, go. Keep going more. Okay. um I mean, this potentially it for an upset. Zadra versus Skyrush.
00:24:01
Speaker
Ooh. Ooh.
00:24:06
Speaker
That's tough one. That's a tough one, but I don't think there's enough people that have enough Skyrush rides that they have it in that really elite spot. Right.
00:24:18
Speaker
But a lot of people love Skyrush and not as many people have been on Zodra probably that are voting. yeah Yeah. We have the RMC fanboys. They're just going to like... This is the kind of ride that Skyrush, like, loses to, though, even when it has good runs. Sure.
00:24:35
Speaker
Loses to your Iron Gwazis. It loses to Twisted Timbers and... Velascoaster, even Intimidator 305. So Skyward is still polarizing, you know?
00:24:47
Speaker
it goes through the... I remember, I think, like, the talk of it last year was, like, it had the new restraints. People got, like, a whole year riding with the new restraints. It was already polarizing. And now the new restraints, it's still polarizing. It's, like...
00:25:02
Speaker
ah Still haven't written the new restraints. Yeah, the only benefit it has in this matchup is is USA Bias. so I actually, like, forgot about the new restraints, and now I, like, I don't think Skyrash is going to win this. I think the new restraints are worse, and I think that that's not the – I think that's not, like, a super weird take, but I completely forgot about the noish new restraints. With the new restraints, absolutely, I'm choosing an RMC, any RMC.
00:25:31
Speaker
Right. And Zadra does have a lot of legacy in this tournament where it finds a way to get through at least two or three rounds almost always. Because I do also feel like even as an American, that's that's a coaster that's idolized in Europe. So it's like hyper Hyperia, Voltron, like there's a handful of those and Zadra is one of them.
00:25:53
Speaker
So...
00:25:56
Speaker
and and also just So no one thinks that I'm just making these matchups by myself and I'm trusting the wheel. then that i was We were so close to Zadra versus Hyperion in that first round. That was the next ride over.
00:26:14
Speaker
I'm kind of hoping just for the alliteration Hyperion versus Hyperia. That would be great. That would be so funny. So many people would vote wrong just by hitting them. Zadra Velascoaster, the second round. Good Lord.
00:26:28
Speaker
that true Potentially. I almost want to call this the the champions region because we got Zadra, we got Velascoaster, we got Maverick. There's still a couple more rounds. And still a couple more. Yeah. All right. Seventh matchup of this region.
00:26:43
Speaker
Oh, boy. Let's see. Uh-oh. Uh-oh, Allison. What? Which ride would I say, uh-oh, Allison, for? i don't know. There's multiple. You know which one.
00:26:55
Speaker
Which one do you have an unnatural like obsession over? Taryn? It is Taryn at Fantasia land, yes. Man, this bracket is rough! A ton of Intamin's in this region.
00:27:07
Speaker
And RMCs. What's it against? Taryn is facing. o Oh no. Wait, wait, wait. Oh.
00:27:20
Speaker
this This one will be interesting. Taryn versus Mako. who Team Taron, obviously. obviously please you've been I think Taron will win Orlando, though. I don't know.
00:27:34
Speaker
You got those Orlando fanboys. Yeah, but there's very few people that will will choose a B&M hyper over an Intamin. There's a rematch from 2022. Oh, here we First rematch. How do you get a lot of that one, Nathaniel? There's a Sweet 16 rematch. No, yeah, Sweet 16 rematch from 2022. Taron won. There you go.
00:27:57
Speaker
Yeah, I think that this one, I think like an Intamin against any B&M is probably just going to take it home.
00:28:06
Speaker
Yeah. um I can tell you Taron has – what B&M's has it beaten?
00:28:18
Speaker
Afterburn, Nitro, Mako, Shambhala, Montu. Yeah, so it's its like i can't – and the only B&Ms that I would consider that could potentially have any competition, you just named it beating. so Yeah, other than like Fury 325. Or Flying Dinosaur maybe.
00:28:39
Speaker
Yeah. Flying Dinosaur. Those are probably two of them.
00:28:46
Speaker
fur and It might be a close matchup with Fury. It might be close with Fury, but it won't it definitely won't be like a shutout the way that I think any other B&M would. I was just getting my own personal rankings. I have Taron at 33 and Mako at 45. I just wanted make sure I had Taron over Mako. You have Taron so low. Nope.
00:29:07
Speaker
Properly ranked. Nope. Alright, last matchup of the Black Region.
00:29:15
Speaker
So far so good. ooh We have another RMC.
00:29:21
Speaker
Wildcats Revenge. Both of the Hershey big boys in the same region.
00:29:30
Speaker
lot of RMCs. Good lord.
00:29:33
Speaker
And Wildcat is facing... Okay. Boulder Dash, Lake Compounce. Interesting.
00:29:45
Speaker
I think Wildcat's going to win that. Yeah, this one's not going to be close at all. This is going to be Wildcat. Yeah. Proper 215 matchup right here, I feel. Yeah. Yeah. sure Man, like a la was a lot of fans. but That's what i was going to say. Boulder Dash does also not quite a cult following, but they've got a it's got a pretty solid following.
00:30:13
Speaker
Yeah. Yeah. This won't be close. I don't think it'll be close. So not big enough. Won't be close. Yeah, it won't be close at all. And then so we've got probably Wildcat versus Taron. That'll be fun.
00:30:26
Speaker
oh yeah That'll be fun.
00:30:32
Speaker
So first region analysis, Mike. Can anyone beat Velocicoaster?
00:30:39
Speaker
you there's There's potential. Zadra has a shot. but yeah He's not the one to ask, though. He's a Velocihater. He's a hater. right eightder But I think Zadra has a shot. Taiga could maybe pull a sneaky win.
00:31:01
Speaker
It depends on what if you get a lot of European vote. Right. I feel like a lot more people rode Taiga this year, too. in the Yeah. In part because of us. But...
00:31:14
Speaker
move listen Well, I for one will be, i think I'm going to be championing Maverick out of this bracket. These other coasters, these other steel coasters in this bracket would not exist without Maverick. I mean, X2 would, but these other ones would not be a thing if not for Maverick.
00:31:33
Speaker
That's a very good point. i feel like there's been a little, a slight resurgence of Maverick love this year too. Wait till the heart line roll is back. ahead And then it's going to be a champion again. Oh, conspiracy theories. Yeah.
00:31:50
Speaker
We love that. All right. What is the next region color-wise? on the The orange region. It's the orange region. Or orange, as I would say back in the day. That's how I say it.
00:32:04
Speaker
Orange. Alright, kicking off. We got Phantom's Revenge at Kennywood. the Kind of a forgotten ride. people We forget how good it is.
00:32:21
Speaker
Ooh, I like this matchup. Phantom's Revenge versus Helix at Lisaburg. Ooh, nice. No idea how this one went.
00:32:34
Speaker
I know my vote. I vote Helix, but I just kind of loved Helix.
00:32:42
Speaker
I love Phantom's Revenge. so I don't think Helix has ever won in this tournament. Has it ever won? i don't think so. That's so bad. Yeah, lost to Mako, two losses to Mystic Timbers, and then lost to Pantherian.
00:33:01
Speaker
Ooh. What's the Mako? Interesting. that honestly Honestly, it's a very interesting matchup, though, because they're both coasters that highly depend on terrain.
00:33:16
Speaker
Really good point. That's a very good point. yeah that's interesting That are both built on like the side of the hill, pretty much. Yeah. so Oh boy, Mike, making those connections. That's what i that's how I like to sell the matchups.
00:33:27
Speaker
Right. I feel like Helix just doesn't have enough ridership to beat the cult following of Phantoms. I agree. It is a beloved ride. Phantom almost always does well, right? At least it always wins at least one matchup.
00:33:42
Speaker
Yeah, Phantom has had... Well, it also has a I think it has a really good cult following. Um, it's always gotten out of the first round at least, but then it's usually met with like a heavy hitter, lost a ride to happiness last year, loses to steel vengeance, Maverick voyage, those kinds of things. So, um,
00:34:12
Speaker
I'm going to give it to, I think Phantom will win just because Helix seems to be one of the weaker performing international rides outside of the U.S. I would say Phantom probably the likely winner there as well. Yeah, Mike made a really good point about the terrain, so that'll be a fun matchup.
00:34:31
Speaker
All right, next up. Okay, a coaster that probably a lot of people don't know anything about. Going back to China. Soaring with Dragon. I added it because it ranked very highly on CoasterBot's poll, which I think is very accurate.
00:34:47
Speaker
h It looks like Pantheon on steroids, personally.
00:34:53
Speaker
Do any of you guys know anything about Soaring with Dragon? I am looking it up right now. It is an Intamin. It's a crazy Intamin. That was one of the first ones where they did the swing launch on, I feel Oh, yeah. Yes. That's correct. Ooh, it looks like Rook Ride Rocket.
00:35:09
Speaker
Wait, really? Because it's got that non-inverting loop. It's got the non-inverting loop. Almost 200 foot tall non-inverting loop. Crazy. Yeah, 187. A see
00:35:23
Speaker
lot of people clearly like it. I mean, that does look like a lot of fun. 78 miles per hour, almost a hyper. don't know, 197 feet. What's that, Alpengeist?
00:35:36
Speaker
Unless they had a height limit. I want wild theming on there too. That train is gorgeous. Yeah, the train is incredible. Well, it's opponent.
00:35:50
Speaker
I hope it's something not that good to make it like. Well, um. What is it? It's Mystic Timbers.
00:36:01
Speaker
Soaring with Dragon versus Mystic Timbers. Oh, I don't think Soaring with Dragon has any chance. Yeah. Yeah. That hurts me as a as a mystic lover.
00:36:13
Speaker
have to vote for that. You don't if you think you would enjoy your experience in starting with Dragon more. I think I'd still pick mystic. Objectively, I think mystic still is probably the better better coaster.
00:36:27
Speaker
Yeah, that's like telling me you're going to match something to Talon at Thorny Park and that I can't vote for Talon. So
00:36:35
Speaker
then we're probably thinking mystic versus Phantom in the second round. that Probably Mystic still. Yeah, Mystic for me too. Model people love Mystic.
00:36:47
Speaker
Alright, next matchup here we bleep and go. yeah Magnum XL 200. Oh man, let's see. Let's go. So far, very favorable region so far for Magnum.
00:37:01
Speaker
h ah i want to Here we go. Drumroll.
00:37:08
Speaker
Magnum versus you got to be kidding me. No way. So Allison and I had a audible before this podcast started. um I actually removed Superman the ride.
00:37:21
Speaker
Superman the ride not in the tournament this year. And she's like, what about Phoenix? Let's throw Phoenix in there. so We got Magnum versus Phoenix in this matchup.
00:37:33
Speaker
This is going to be so comically bad. Yes, let's go! Nathaniel's so excited Magnum's making it past the first round. Yep.
00:37:45
Speaker
Probably. it has a chance now. yeah What happens if Magnum makes it to 8? Has it ever made it to 8? Like they delete 8? No.
00:37:58
Speaker
Yeah. What if this is Magnum to the Elite Eight? I would like to reference Laurel's question for this episode who said, ah how will you feel when Magnum XL 200 finally wins it all this year? i mean, good off to a good start.
00:38:13
Speaker
Yeah. It'll probably be Phoenix. Yeah.
00:38:20
Speaker
Honestly, that's a better matchup because then it would have been Magnum versus Superman. so Yeah. Oh my goodness. That is fun. That's very fun. so but It's two very like polarizing coasters against each other.
00:38:35
Speaker
It's very true. Oh no. Oh no. oh So if Magnum wins, it'll face the winner of this next matchup. Oh god.
00:38:47
Speaker
Steel vengeance. yeah people Steel vengeance.
00:38:56
Speaker
I mean...
00:39:00
Speaker
well'll still vent Let's see who Steel Vengeance is playing.
00:39:05
Speaker
Here we Oh god, yeah. this Wait.
00:39:11
Speaker
Oh, poor Teexpress. Steel Vengeance versus Teexpress. Yeah, we know there's one in that one. Yeah, that one's pretty clear. Unfortunately, Steel Vengeance is going to make it far further than it deserves.
00:39:29
Speaker
so So a thing about T-Express. I actually thought about removing T-Express because it might win one matchup here and there, but yeah it might be one of the least ridden coasters of any, as far as the voters go.
00:39:41
Speaker
who But it's like, I can't not put T-Express because everyone's like, it's one of the best ridden coasters in the world. Yeah. It's one of the bucket lists. Yeah. But... So let's just, you know...
00:39:56
Speaker
elephant in the room. We're probably talking Steel Vengeance versus Magnum in the second round. Magnum is going to be... they That didn't happen. I made that at 116, I think, before, right? Yeah, it was at 116.
00:40:08
Speaker
Oh, that's funny. Magnum just straight running into a buzzsaw in round two. Yeah. But maybe... Everyone at Cedar Point, like, you know what? well This is Magnum's year.
00:40:21
Speaker
Yeah. I'm voting for Magnum. I kind of want to vote for Magnum, too. I'm not going to lie. Yeah, me too. Just to see Steel Vengeance go Especially since I got like my worst rides in Steel Vengeance ever this past year.
00:40:32
Speaker
Yeah, I want to see... i would love to see Steve go down. I would love to see Steve go down by Magnum. but Could you imagine the like the Steve fanboys freaking out because Magnum beat Steel Vengeance as the best coaster at Cedar Point?
00:40:50
Speaker
Oh my gosh, I would be living for it.
00:40:57
Speaker
That, I'm very much looking forward to that. Potential matchup. Anyway, up next. Oh, no. Holy crap. Oh, man.
00:41:09
Speaker
It's the voyage. Woo! At Holiday Worlds. Oh, man. I think... Wait, all the winners are gone. um Yeah. Not Fury. Fury 325. Fury was the original winner. That is true. yes I swear if you pull Fury next.
00:41:32
Speaker
There we go. We got Mr. Team Voyage over here. Yep. Let's go. I swear to God. I swear to away God. I swear to God. I'm taking a picture right now.
00:41:45
Speaker
It's Fury 325. That is unbelievable. hu We got Fury versus Voyage in the first round. Oh, this is amazing. Everything on this is going according to plan. That's unbelievable.
00:42:00
Speaker
I'm texting you right now, Allison, just to prove this is live. In 2023, the Elite Eight was Voyage versus Fury 325. The Voyage lost to Fury 325. What is this? 2023. Really?
00:42:18
Speaker
Yeah. Oh, I don't remember that. That's an upset, in my opinion. So, yeah. Over here at Team Voyage, we are excited about this rematch. No, no, no.
00:42:31
Speaker
I can't wait for it to go down. I can't wait for Jen to finally ride Voyage and see the light. Oh, I know. Or ride Fury when it's not 30 degrees out. I'm saying Fury good right now. so To be fair, you have like an a natural hatred for both of these rides, right?
00:42:52
Speaker
No, I don't have an a hatred for Fury. I i refuse to give Fury a good ranking or to love it because I know I didn't ride it. like Right now, I know my opinion is not as good as it should be, so I
Highlighting Significant Matchups
00:43:04
Speaker
refuse to really have an opinion on Fury. It's not my favorite. I'm not going out of my way for it.
00:43:09
Speaker
But I understand that I rode it in the worst riding conditions for that ride. Right. So i'm I know that I'm going to get on Voyage and I'm going to hate it. so
00:43:23
Speaker
Mike, what matchup is this for the Orange region? Is this fifth or sixth? This matchup number five. Okay. So it won't be Steel Vengeance versus the winner of this one.
00:43:35
Speaker
No. That'll be, okay. That would have been an insane set of four. nurse But oo and not what it could go against. Voyage and Fury in round one. My goodness. Jeez.
00:43:51
Speaker
Well, this next match up sure to be underwhelming. probably I say that we'll see. I know it's on the list. ah Oh, just change to the last second.
00:44:02
Speaker
Ghost Rider, Knott's Berry Farm. OK. Very good ride, but, you know, probably just below that top 20 elite.
00:44:17
Speaker
OK. Ghost Rider versus Let Coaster. Let's go let go. Not the sexiest of matchup probably, but. I feel like this is another pretty clear one. I really don't see Ghost Rider taking this.
00:44:33
Speaker
like I don't really see it even being a chance. maybe Maybe people will want to give Ghost Rider a send off before it can't ever compete.
00:44:44
Speaker
Oh, I'm thinking Gold Striker. My apologies. Yeah, it's Ghost Rider. Yeah, a Ghost Rider. lot like Ghost Rider. mean, some people say it's the best coaster in California. Yeah.
00:44:57
Speaker
Like Ghost Rider, I don't think has ever won a matchup. So it's fans are happy, I think.
00:45:10
Speaker
for this matchup. This would be like, I think, like if a 13 and a 12 faced off in the first round. Right after a yeah Voyage versus Fury. I was going to say, ah the winner of Voyage and Fury is probably licking their chops for the winner of this one.
00:45:25
Speaker
Yeah. I don't think they'll have a chance there. i think Ghost Rider is going to win, personally.
00:45:34
Speaker
I don't think enough people have been on that coaster. I know, but again, I'm going to come... I feel like with more Vekoma that we get more newer style Vekoma that are very good and people really enjoy. i think they're going to start to look at these matchups more and say, this is a new generation Vekoma coaster. And now I know what that looks like.
00:45:56
Speaker
Fair. That's an excellent point, ah honestly. Now that they've been on more. Yeah, because i there's so many times I look at matchups and I'm like, I've never been on either of these coasters, but if I have to choose between a BNM and an Intamin, I'm going to go with the Intamin.
00:46:10
Speaker
h And now, as we're having this exposure exposure to new Vekomas, if you've never ridden either, or if you're a wooden coaster against a new gen Intamin, that's now a very different story.
00:46:26
Speaker
I like the point.
00:46:30
Speaker
Anyway, I did spin. By the way getting Fury was a 1 in 39 chance in that moment. That's incredible. That's wild. All right. ah Is your cat with you, Allison?
00:46:43
Speaker
Which one? Nemesis or Nemi? No. Telling it through any part? We have Nemesis Reborn. Okay. Oh, Nemi. Last minute addition. It's too iconic, I think, not to add it on.
00:46:56
Speaker
i agree. And Nemesis is taking on Wildfire o at Colmarden, not Silver Dollar City.
00:47:09
Speaker
So very different rides, but two European icons in a way. Some say one of the best RMCs versus one of the best inverts.
00:47:21
Speaker
What do we think? i think Wildfire easily. I think Wildfire is going win it, but it's not my preference. Have you been on Welfare? No.
00:47:31
Speaker
But I know how I feel about RMCs. So you think you'd actually like Nemesis better than Welfare? I don't know. that Sorry.
00:47:44
Speaker
What was that? i know you Jen is paying attention to the podcast, clearly. yeah accidentally hit my phone sitting in front of me and i accidentally hit Instagram and it was just a reel.
00:47:56
Speaker
Nice.
00:47:59
Speaker
Yeah, I think Wildfire takes it.
00:48:02
Speaker
Nemesis was I added more for nostalgic purposes, but... It's very pretty. I'll give it that. Last matchup of the Orange region.
00:48:15
Speaker
In my opinion, one of the best coasts in the world. Conda. Wallaby, Belgium. It's in my top 10. It's in my top 10. It's in my top 10. It's in 10. Hmm.
00:48:30
Speaker
and Okay, here we go. So, I made the call, even though I know almost no one's been on them yet. But the same goes for T-Express and like rides in China and rides in Australia.
00:48:46
Speaker
I'm adding Kadir rides. Let's just see how the votes go. So, Kanda's taking on Iron Rattler.
00:48:57
Speaker
Oh, there goes my Iron Rattler.
00:49:02
Speaker
Some say the best Vekoma ever made.
00:49:07
Speaker
this is have written i think this this matchup is really giving an 8-9. I would agree with that. either way I mean, Kana's better than an 8 to me, but you know. yeah
00:49:21
Speaker
I'm very curious how people are going to vote for that. No idea, I know. yeah Yeah, this one's going really hard. huh So spoiler, there's there's another ride coming, I'm sure, that you... No. That one I'm very curious to see how the votes go.
00:49:36
Speaker
Yep, me too.
00:49:39
Speaker
I feel like this one I would go Vekoma. Okay. I mean, it's a hyper tilt coaster. okay It's no joke. but i'm writinging siren's curse Now, incredible I got a text from a certain person that I believe listens to the podcast.
00:49:57
Speaker
Keith. Keith. they Him and a group of people are currently at Kadia. huh um He said Siren's Curse has more forces than Iron Rattler.
00:50:09
Speaker
Wow, that's crazy because Siren's Curse has no forces. Yeah. So I'm very very curious. Taylor also said he slightly prefers Siren's Curse.
00:50:20
Speaker
Oh, okay. It's more airtime-based versus Iron Rattler's more inversion-based. Gotcha. And whippiness.
00:50:29
Speaker
So that may be valid points. It does look crazy. I've also heard people prefer Iron Rattler as the best coaster in that bar. okay So I think Kondo will win, but who knows?
00:50:46
Speaker
So real quick recap of this half of the bracket. I think we're trending towards potentially Steel Vengeance versus Velocicoaster in that final four. You mean, oh, in the four.
00:50:57
Speaker
Yeah. Yeah, I could see that. Yeah. you also Fury and Voyage also have a decent shot at making that Final Four as well.
00:51:08
Speaker
That's true. Very true.
00:51:12
Speaker
I think one of those one of those will be Elite Eight. Or no, I guess I'll... One of them would have to be Elite Eight. I don't know. Who did the last Custer beat in the Finals last year?
00:51:28
Speaker
voyage i think it was Voyage, yeah. voyage okay I know Voyage has also beaten Velocicoaster before. So that could be the Final Four matchup. I will say we'll will'll probably have a brand new coaster in the finals that's never been there.
00:51:47
Speaker
Yeah. Because all the winners are on one side. yeah And I know what's still on this list. I'm very excited. Yeah, I love it. I love that. We're going to what, teal now? or ah Purple. Purple.
00:52:04
Speaker
Oh my god. i I am not rigging this wheel. We got Falcon's Flight. Let's go. Back to back at teal.
00:52:16
Speaker
So intrigued how this is going to go. Who's Falcon's Flight playing?
00:52:23
Speaker
I swear to god, if it's like...
00:52:28
Speaker
Oh, that was almost a cough. Okay. So this is actually very intriguing. It's not the matchup. I will tell you at the end. We got Falcon's Flight versus Hakuge. Wow.
00:52:44
Speaker
Speaking of rides that probably not a lot of people have been on. That was my thought. That's a lot of low ridership. Mm-hmm. That's going to be a really interesting matchup, but I think the hype's going to take it for Falcon's Flight.
00:52:57
Speaker
I think so. Yeah. I think so, too. I'm not voting for Falcon's Flight. Hakuga usually does like a few... Usually goes couple rounds. I also always see it at like top four, I think, too.
00:53:11
Speaker
Because feel like I haven't seen many people say anything negative about that ride. Like, the people who have ridden it usually have pretty, like, have very good things to say about it. So my perspective is pretty good.
00:53:23
Speaker
Totally. but Like, my expectations, I guess. Yeah. Bryant, you're the only one here who has been on either of those coasters. And not Falcon's Flight. um Well, I have a Kuge at 12. I actually dropped it a little bit this year. I only got two rides on it That was my one...
00:53:40
Speaker
big ish not issue but like what's the word i'm looking for downer bummer yeah bummer about japan is that like the park was closed like three or four hours because of rain and by rain it was like drizzling so we only get two rides on it it's i wish i got more i feel like a lot of it was like holy crap this is amazing and a large part of that was i'm actually riding a kuga game in japan like this is amazing If it was in the US, would I like it as much as Steel Vengeance? Aranguazi?
00:54:11
Speaker
Probably not. But it's still really good. Falcon's Flight, though, is so unique. Does it have... Is it objectively the better coaster, or does it just have the best moment? That's the question.
00:54:25
Speaker
Yeah, that's why I don't think... i don't I don't know. I don't think I can vote for a Falcon's Flight, because it's like, congratulations, you won 600 feet, but like... Right. mean for big deal right only 200 feet taller than the next closest one big deal i didn't know what to think of falcon's flight until i watched taylor and sarah's reverse pov video yeah for like not like the reverse people like view off the back of the train and seeing those launches and just watching everything disappear i'm like yeah oh okay
00:54:59
Speaker
Like, even their on-rides. See, I can't fully trust Taylor's on-rides ever because he grazed out on kiddie coasters. So I knew he was going to be like, ah, blah, blah, blah. Regardless. So... the The reverse, the video of them on the ride, like, actually seeing how hard the wind was blowing and stuff like that. Like, like even after the camelback. Yeah, like, really showed... It really helped show just how much speed that ride carries. Mm-hmm.
00:55:29
Speaker
Because it looks slow because of how drawn out those elements are. That was my big fear. I always thought it was going to be, okay, boring, holy bleep, boring.
00:55:41
Speaker
And apparently that's maybe not the case. There's no way it's boring. No, but... There's way. I still don't really trust it because like look at Pantheon, like Pantheon, the same exact thing you're saying, like everything looks slow because the the elements are too drawn out. But look at Pantheon. They drew out those elements to make up for the faster speed that Velocicoaster, like based off of Velocicoaster. And those elements are boring.
00:56:05
Speaker
ah i think Pantheon was, wasn't that in production before Velocicoaster? Yeah. It was. Oh, okay. Well, okay. They learned from it a little bit, I guess. But that's the story. I see what you're saying.
00:56:21
Speaker
Yeah. Even though that might be the first time anyone's ever going to compare Falcon's Flight and Pantheon together. but ah I mean, same manufacturer, so they're going to be doing... That's true. Very true.
00:56:32
Speaker
They're going to be learning. like Yeah, learning from past experiences, but... I don't know. like And then for me with a bigger train, like even if you're going that fast when you're on a bigger train and you're strapped to the train, and you're not going to feel like you're going that much faster in my opinion.
00:56:48
Speaker
Fair. Yeah. I see what you mean. like If I get in my Miata and I do 60 and I get in my RAV4 and I do 60, my RAV4 feels like I'm doing five miles an hour while the Miata feels like I'm doing 150. That's very true. I like that.
00:57:03
Speaker
It's good comparison. Yeah. But yeah, Falcon and Hakuge, we'll see. We'll see. That's a good good coaster to kick off this half. Yeah. Anyway, um next up we got Fly, Fantasia Land.
00:57:20
Speaker
So enjoyable, my goodness. Jan, how would you rank that? Wow, that was a little... Wow, what of of what a B. Yeah, that was... Gee. I didn't know you had that in you, Allison. You're usually not that person.
00:57:35
Speaker
I mean, i used to start the episodes roasting gin. At least I waited an hour this time. Yeah, that's true. You did waste the wait a little while. that is fair. Yeah, but I wouldn't know. Thanks.
00:57:47
Speaker
And Fly is taking on Hyperia at Thorpe Park. Oh, nice. Okay. That'll be interesting. That'll be very interesting.
00:57:59
Speaker
Yeah. Hyperia. don't even know how I rank those. Hyperion lost to Hagrid's in its first year last year. Did it really? Yeah, it lost to Hagrid's. I think a lot more people have been on Hyperion now, though. Yeah, a lot more people have, so it's kind of like a get-right match.
00:58:17
Speaker
But Fly, since it's been competing, has never lost in the first round. So I love this matchup a lot. That's a good one, yeah. It could go either way. i have Fly above Hyperion.
00:58:30
Speaker
While you have Hyperion low. Um, yeah. I also wasn't walking her on i last year before. So the people who did ride it wasn't wasn't there stuff going on? Didn't they have issues with valleying? It was running too slow or something.
00:58:45
Speaker
mean, I know there's complaints about it like being rough or the trains being rattly. Right. and That was why that's why I have it. Okay. Yeah. There were complaints and then they they fixed something and then I felt like... it Wasn't it closed for a little while?
00:59:03
Speaker
Yeah. they like it It did Valley once or twice last year. Yeah, so I feel like... I don't remember what the issue was. I feel like I remember it opening and there being some issues and then taking it down to fix it and then it getting better. Kind of the same way like ah with Voltron.
00:59:22
Speaker
I think there was initially some kind of issue with the lift motor potentially, and there were periods where they were removing panels off of the cars.
00:59:35
Speaker
So I don't know if it was something catching on the chain or what it was. Right. I don't think we ever found out. Yeah. I just remember like after them doing whatever to it, people said less bad things about it. So I think that might help it too. And also not being paired with Hagrid's because you're of course always going to have the theming on Hagrid's is going to put it over so many coasters. It doesn't deserve to be over just for that alone.
01:00:03
Speaker
Which I should point out right now. I made some controversial cuts and Hagrid's is one of them. nice I decided not to put Hagrid's in this year. yeah No family coasters in this tournament. Yeah, and I also cut Guardians as well.
01:00:19
Speaker
Oh, see, don't know. I support. I do agree with Hagrid's. I like Guardians, but, you know. Yeah, it's a good ride. feel it. Yeah, I i don't know. it's just it's I think it's hard to compare those two versus like the super extreme thrill coasters. that yeah you know Are we voting based on pure fun, or are we voting? you know I don't know.
01:00:39
Speaker
Yeah. Yeah. it's only for It's only a year. I'll probably bring them back next year. um i fit i I generally don't know who would win that one. I want to say Hyperia, but I don't know.
01:00:52
Speaker
I have no idea. That'll be a really good one. Very good one. Speaking of Mach, Hyperia's Mach, right? Yeah, I think so. Speaking of Mach that opened in 2024, Voltron. Joey? Nice.
01:01:05
Speaker
nice where's joey He's not here. He's at Epcot.
01:01:14
Speaker
And Voltron, which I mean, being on this half, that's that's a favorite right there. yeah I mean, if you've watched Brian's videos recently. Yeah, I mean, I guess I can say now, now that my top 100 is revealed, it is my number one coaster.
01:01:32
Speaker
Voltron versus Tutatis. Battle of York. I mean, I think Voltron's going to win that. but It's going to be Voltron, yeah. What's crazy is I feel both of them had the same amount of hype when they opened.
01:01:46
Speaker
As like, this is be the best coaster in Europe. Yeah. don't know two Tatis ever hit that. Voltron just had such a good year last year. Beat X2. This is with ride operators.
01:01:57
Speaker
Yeah. Despite the ride operators, yeah. Especially that stupid Dutch one. Um... I feel like Voltron had its issues and then they kind of got it together a little bit and then the the perception was changed a lot. um Whereas...
01:02:21
Speaker
I feel like the hype for Two Tadis was already there. Like like for Mach, I feel like that, at least for us as Americans, I feel like the Mach hype wasn't as there and the Intamin hype was there. So for me, I got to Two Tadis and I was like crying. I was so excited to ride this ride and it was underwhelming to me compared to Maverick and VelociCoaster. And it still was fantastic. I really enjoyed it. But it for me, it was...
01:02:49
Speaker
Velocicoaster just maybe a notch down. Whereas... Pantheon and notch up. That was not what I thought. What's that? To me, it was Pantheon just slightly notch up.
01:03:00
Speaker
Yeah, which would make sense. i feel like it's I feel like it's the perfect mix between those two coasters. um But for me, that kind of just like... it's Like I rode it a couple of times and i don't really have a desire to go back and ride it anymore. Like it was good, but it's like, that's fine. Where Voltron as...
01:03:19
Speaker
As we all know, i my home park last year was pretty much Europa Park, and I rode that like 600 million times. Right.
01:03:30
Speaker
I just feel like this, I don't know. i don't think this would be close. I don't think it would close. Now, looking ahead, Falcon's Flight versus Voltron, oh boy.
01:03:41
Speaker
Wow. That's going to be... So curious how that one goes.
01:03:47
Speaker
That'll be interesting.
01:03:50
Speaker
This whole tournament's to be interesting. I know. liking this idea. I might bring it back next year. This is really fun. Speaking of controversial rides, to me, it had a very good 2025. Maybe it's best year ever.
01:04:04
Speaker
Millennium Force. okay It's a good year for this to be in the bracket. Voltron versus Millennium. I think that that would be the matchup.
01:04:16
Speaker
Ooh. Oh.
01:04:20
Speaker
I think the love for this one grew this year because of another ride that was added to this park. I think some people respected Leviathan at Canada's Wonderland a lot more. Battle of the Gigas.
01:04:33
Speaker
Wow. Battle of probably what people say is the two, quote, worst gigas. Yeah, but I feel like everyone that I've heard that talks poorly about Millennium Force this year, that perception really did change.
01:04:48
Speaker
Yeah. Millennium is running off ye this year. I think it's going to be more of quite of a question of how many people showed up to Cedar Point this year and gave it another try.
01:04:59
Speaker
As far as both of these coasters being the worst giga, I bet they're both relieved that Tormenta is about to exist. Yeah. You know.
01:05:10
Speaker
ah It was awesome. That's very valid plan, actually. Sometimes you know. Yeah, sometimes you don't even have to ride it. just know.
01:05:20
Speaker
I feel like ah this is a tough road for Leviathan. I that Even though they're actually pretty close on my rankings. but I just think it's a really bad year.
01:05:33
Speaker
like Any other year, I feel like if these were teamed up together, it'd be a little different. But this year, when the new lift till is fresh and people are just newly changing that perception, I think it's going to be like.
01:05:47
Speaker
huh
01:05:49
Speaker
Yeah, but that was matchup for Mike. That was matchup number four. Yes. So we could get Voltron versus Millennium.
01:06:01
Speaker
See that one goes.
01:06:05
Speaker
All right, 24 coasters left. 12 matchups to go.
01:06:11
Speaker
And we're going back to Europa Park. I did decide to add Woden. Oh, interesting. My money's on Woden. I don't care what it's up against. Okay.
01:06:23
Speaker
Talon at Dorney Park. Oh, man. I would try to Woden's a 16 seed in this tournament if I was seeding it properly. Yeah. Oh, come on. Keep going. That would be a great matchup. Oh, Yes.
01:06:36
Speaker
Woden versus DC Rivals. Nice. Woden.
01:06:44
Speaker
That's ah that's going to I've never even written DC Rivals, but for some reason I just have a soft spot for this thing. like yeah I just I just love it. I don't know why. I i just want to see that one Australian coaster make it.
01:06:59
Speaker
yeah Yeah, you have to. if okay I feel like if Nathaniel says he's drawn to love it, that means that I'll probably hate it. So it further supports Woden.
01:07:12
Speaker
yes
01:07:15
Speaker
Oh, I love how Woden, the only mock that's that's not a mock at Europa. I'm sorry. The only non-mock at Europa Park is going up against a mock. Yeah, there are two non-mocks. There's two non-mocks. Oh, yeah. emmo That's true. Silver Star didn't make the tournament. That's for sure.
01:07:30
Speaker
but Yeah, that's for sure. talking about two of the worst kickass. Well, I it's hyper, but. Ooh, I don't know how this one will go. i don't know. think Woden's going to take this one.
01:07:44
Speaker
I think, we like, realistically, I think if anything in the States went up against Woden, we would have, like, real, like, this would be completely different. But I think that.
01:07:55
Speaker
That's why i like this matchup, yeah. Australia, it's so far and so little people. So little people have ridden it that even the people who know about it don't really, like, you can't ask me if it's good or bad. I don't i don't know.
01:08:08
Speaker
I don't know enough people who have ridden it to give me those opinions. It's like one of those matchups where there's just not really any kind of comparison between them. None. yeah No. do we Is Woden probably the consensus best for the poster in Europe?
01:08:25
Speaker
I mean, wild Wildfire is technically wooden, but yeah not RMC anyway. i yeah I'd probably go Balder. Yeah, I would put Balder over wooden.
01:08:39
Speaker
Okay. Fair. I think if I'm missing anything huge. There's not a lot of wooden coasters in Europe. so Lisa Burg just doesn't get enough love. so Doesn't, no. Really, the big ones are Balder, Wodan, Wodan. Wodan's better than Colossus, it just is.
01:08:56
Speaker
Wicker Man, rival sa which was kind of disappointing. I know. Do you include the backwards car? I don't know. Yeah. I can i include it.
01:09:07
Speaker
All right. Matchup number six. That'll be an interesting. We still got some huge coasters on this list. Oh, I'm waiting for the a big one. Speaking about this speaking enough a ride we just talked about, Pantheon. Nice.
01:09:20
Speaker
Busch Gardens Williamsburg.
01:09:25
Speaker
Taken on. Ooh. I think this is the first. No, Iron Rattler, technically. was going to say, we do have a few new for 2025 coaches on this list.
01:09:37
Speaker
Siren's Curse. Pantheon versus Siren's Curse.
01:09:44
Speaker
Interesting. Very interesting. All right. Welcome to the bracket, Siren's Curse. I'd probably put my money on it.
01:09:55
Speaker
Yeah, I'm going to be Sirens. iens curs
01:10:00
Speaker
Pantheon gets roasted so much for the lack of theming and Sirens actually. was going say, even Sirens has more theming than Pantheon does. Oh, it literally does. think it has a good bit of theming. Yeah, it does. It only has a lap bar, though, people.
01:10:15
Speaker
Oh my gosh. There we go. Oh, you didn't like sirens, right? I remember. like nothing so I remember all your drunken rants about sirens, Chris. Oh, yeah.
01:10:28
Speaker
Other than that one backwards pop of airtime, like Pantheon does nothing. So like sure, you have a lap bar. That's cool. It has a stall. You're like upside down way longer. There's like so much hang time on that thing.
01:10:42
Speaker
It's not doing. I have Pantheon. It only is a 10 minute wait most days. Siren's Curse, you're going to wait like at least two hours. you got i mean, it's a better ride. Times into account for this coaster ranking. Then.
01:10:57
Speaker
What is it a better ride? It's better. More people want to ride it. no Maybe it means it has better capacity. It definitely has better capacity. I just argued the own argument. Like I'm arguing Nathaniel.
01:11:10
Speaker
I did not process it. Your delivery is still just like rage baiting me. Well, that's good. I don't even care what I'm arguing about as long as I'm rage baiting Nathaniel.
01:11:23
Speaker
This is what the Patreon is going to be for. Yes. Yeah, no, we'll have Nathaniel for a Patreon episode. That is for sure. Oh, yeah. We're going to do a... It's already on the list. for Oh, it's already on the list. Yeah. We're going to let someone put in front of me and Nathaniel.
01:11:42
Speaker
What did we say? is it going to be top tens or i don't know. We're going to be putting something in front and then there's going to be judges and we're just going to roast each other and attack each other. iss gonna be i mean, i literally just have Jen and Nathaniel screaming match. so Yeah, nice. I'll be there for that one.
01:11:59
Speaker
Yeah. Bring it on. It's going to be really entertaining. Definitely not safe for work. And that's what the unhinged tier is for. Yes. ah Personally, I got Pantheon at 55, Siren's Curse at 30, so there's my opinion there.
01:12:17
Speaker
Next up, matchup number six in this region, purple region? Seven. Yeah, seven. Seven. Six or seven? but We got Gotham City Escape.
01:12:31
Speaker
Nice. Which, have any of us ridden that? No. But some people say it's one of the best Intimans ever. I think I know at least one. I think Marcus has it as number one now.
01:12:46
Speaker
Really? If I remember right. Over a lot. oh no Maybe it was just like his favorite one from that trip. Okay. Maybe that's, ah I don't know. I know he ranked it very high. Yeah.
01:12:56
Speaker
i mean, people said it competes with Velocicoaster supposedly. So yeah, that's all I've heard about it too. It's very close. We have Intamin versus Intamin. Intamin. Completely different style of Entenmann.
01:13:08
Speaker
Gotham City versus Pantherian. oo The former I-305. Oh boy. This could go either way. I would probably vote for Gotham.
01:13:21
Speaker
I would too. I know what I like. ah huh Correct. and i think I would like that better than I-305. Pantherian. Lack of ridership versus beloved...
01:13:36
Speaker
Intimate. To be fair, more people rode I-305. Nobody got to ride Pantherian. I rode Pantherian. Did you really? You got on it? with yeah The day it opened.
01:13:48
Speaker
ah just by chance Just by luck. yeah With the Honda Civic Panther trains? Yeah, I know. It's the same ride. I'm pretty sure it's Chevy Lumina. pretty sure it's ah it's a chevy lumina Whatever, car guy.
01:14:07
Speaker
I don't know. This one's really hard for me because I know what I like, but there's nothing else like I threw a five. So, like, you can't...
01:14:18
Speaker
This will very much be... do i think Are you voting based on nostalgia and what you've written, or you actually going for the best coaster? Oh, there's a rematch from last year.
01:14:30
Speaker
is it really? Yeah. I-305 won. i think like I think that the whole thing, though, is that...
01:14:40
Speaker
i don't know. i feel like I'm I-305 because even if you're going to go with which one is technically better, we have three other coasters...
01:14:52
Speaker
arguably four other coasters that are very, very, very similar to Gotham Escape. Right. And yeah, they're fantastic, but there's nothing like I 305. I have never blacked out the way like I've never made it to almost the end of a roller coaster begging myself not to pass out.
01:15:10
Speaker
Yeah, same like. you know I don't know It's such a unique experience. It's an incredible ride. It's never going to happen again. It seems like the industry is pumping out things like Gotham city, you know? Yeah. They're becoming more and more common, which I love them. They're great. But like when you put it up to something like I threw a five, they literally never done anything else like that because they had to completely reprofile part of it. Like, yeah,
01:15:42
Speaker
That thing's insane.
Influence of Ride Downtime and Predictions
01:15:43
Speaker
are you convincing me to switch my vote? I might. I am convincing you to switch my vote. I do wonder if all the downtime of last year is going to change the perception of it.
01:15:53
Speaker
Yeah. Because last year's tournament was before all of the downtime. It was Project 3 of 5. Yeah. Maybe new Thuzis, but people that have been in the game long. They know.
01:16:06
Speaker
They do know. Also, I feel like if that was the case, then Iron Gwazi outside of the first year would have been bottom down in the first round. See ya, BGT. like
01:16:18
Speaker
All right, last matchup of this region. Third straight Intamin. she Hyperion, Energylandia. Nice. Which, yeah, it's good.
01:16:29
Speaker
Now that i I can finally say that. Hyperion is taking on... A fourth straight Intamin. ah El Toro. Ooh. Intamin the region. Hyperion and El Toro. Hmm. Even though I don't agree with it, I think El Toro's going to slam this one.
01:16:53
Speaker
I don't know. I would bet on El Toro, but I also feel like El Toro's been getting some hate last few years. Yeah. How did El Toro do last year, Nathaniel? ah Sweet 16. It took down Thunderhead and Hagrid's and then lost a steel vengeance.
01:17:13
Speaker
It took down Hagrid's like it's going against Hyperion, right? Hyperion. Yeah. yeah what hyper it It beat Hyperion in
01:17:25
Speaker
I mean 2024, sorry. 2014, wow. thousand fourteen even Before it he's even built, wow. Yeah, sorry. Okay. Yeah. um So it is a rematch. Hyperion.
01:17:40
Speaker
Hyperion. Am I pronouncing that wrong? It's Hyperion. However you want to say it. um
01:17:49
Speaker
Sorry, these are all alphabetical. i have to like scroll. you're Hyperion. Hyperion. Last year, second round exit, lost to Zadra.
01:18:00
Speaker
Oh, so it actually faced Zadra before? in It did, yeah. At least last year. and then um But it beat DC Rivals. Which, yeah. I feel like El Toro didn't really get challenged too much in the first two matchups. And then Steel Vengeance was... so i hear Also that Hyperion-El Toro round one of the 2020 tournament.
01:18:22
Speaker
And Hyperion won that one. So they are, this is Wait, really? Yeah, that's what I have here. So. I put Hyperion, El Toro in the first round, no way. Hmm.
01:18:36
Speaker
I wouldn't be surprised 2021. Yeah. was it that Wasn't that the year that it like. Yeah.
01:18:44
Speaker
Okay. Yeah, I don't know. After.
01:18:48
Speaker
I think Altura has enough of a cult following to get it over Hyperion, but I don't think it's a shoe-in. her All right, real quick, that region. We've got Falcon's Flight, right?
01:19:03
Speaker
um Voltron, those are the two big ones probably. Yeah, I think those are kind of the two heavy favorites. I'd say overall that's probably the weakest of the three so far.
01:19:19
Speaker
Yeah, I'd say. Oh, can i correct my statement? It was first round, but El Toro won. I said Hyperion won, but El Toro. So El Toro is two and O against Hyperion.
01:19:34
Speaker
There we go Third time to charm, I guess. Yeah. Hard to beat a team three times, as they say. also true. Yeah. All right, Teal Region, let's wrap it up.
01:19:46
Speaker
This one will be pretty stacked. I know we're running low on time with Nathaniel. Oh, it's okay. I'm going through. Every time I think that first, it's almost like it's a true number one seed so far. Welcome to the tournament.
01:20:00
Speaker
Stardust Racers. Ooh! Yes! Now, before anyone says anything, yes, I am including it as one attraction. I'm not going to split up yellow and green, because to me, they're not that different.
01:20:11
Speaker
but I have them as one in my rankings. Yeah. o start So, it was almost Falcons versus ah Stardust.
01:20:22
Speaker
Oh, my God. That's why I was going nuts. It was like right on the notch. Really good. i would' have been Insane. I think Stardust would have taken it personally. Who knows? I don't know. Yeah.
01:20:34
Speaker
I'm glad that that's not first round. And Stardust is this is probably a lamb to the slaughter here. um Shambhala.
01:20:45
Speaker
one of poor Yeah. hang yeah Yeah. And Shambhala, like, I think usually does well. this Usually wins a matchup. I think just B&Ms are falling out of favor in the tournament now.
01:20:59
Speaker
They are. I just feel B&Ms in popularity as a whole.
01:21:07
Speaker
See, Stardust is the game changer for potential
01:21:14
Speaker
new champion, potentially. yeah There's no way Shambhal is pulling this one off. No, this will be 95 to five, probably. Yeah, yeah. That's a 116 right there. True 116 in the right spot. Yep.
01:21:28
Speaker
And honestly, this is, I think, a good eight seed. It's been an eight seed before. Outlaw run. Yeah. Silverado City. lot of history being eight seed. And Outlaw is taking, holy sh...
01:21:42
Speaker
but they there
01:21:47
Speaker
Ride to Happiness. o I say that. I mean, sorry, Outlaw Run. Yeah. It's not even a competition. If Sarah's listening to this, that second round matchup.
01:22:01
Speaker
I was going to say we could get Start Us versus Ride to Happiness. Start Us versus Ride to Happiness. Oh my god. Yikes. Ride to Happiness, I mean. Insane.
01:22:12
Speaker
In the final four last year. ah Yeah, Outlaw Run. Yikes. There's just no way. We're just ignoring Shambhala and Outlaw Run right now. We're just talking about this.
01:22:28
Speaker
Wow.
01:22:31
Speaker
i Unfortunately, Ride to Happiness might be screwed here. I don't know. i don't like my i wouldn't be voting Stardust. Okay. Especially not that you combine them. No, I would not be voting Starbucks. I have agree. I have beef.
01:22:48
Speaker
Starbucks racers. Starbucks racers. Nay. No Starbucks. Ooh. Yeah. Battle of the Mots right there. that would be three and four respectively in my rankings.
01:23:02
Speaker
With Ride to Happiness over Stardust to be fair. Wow.
01:23:08
Speaker
All right, Matt. Rough one. This is a good region already. Already. Okay, this one. So because so many people are starting to go to the Middle East, I had to include Flying Aces, which some people say is easily the best roller coaster in the Middle East, maybe prior to Kadia.
01:23:27
Speaker
I have had Flying Aces in the tournament a couple times. I don't think it's ever won.
01:23:33
Speaker
But some people say it's better Skyrush, which that's the comp. so It's one of my bucket list rides. Oh, yeah.
01:23:43
Speaker
Flying Aces versus Untamed, Walby Holland. h oh Interesting mashup.
01:23:58
Speaker
I don't know what I'd say would be the better coaster. I don't think Flying Aces has a shot here though. Because a lot of people like Untamed. Yeah. I think that Untamed's taking it, yeah. I do, yeah. yeah Probably pretty easily. I don't think so.
01:24:14
Speaker
I don't know. I don't think it's fair. I think and like realistically, it's a very good matchup. Yeah. It feels like a good 7-8 kind of matchup. You mean 8-9?
01:24:25
Speaker
Whatever. You mean 6-7? You mean 6-7? I was about to say 6-7.
01:24:34
Speaker
Probably Untamed, though. probably and I think Untamed will take it. yeah Now we got... Is this... that you do New to the tournament.
01:24:47
Speaker
Welcome Alpenfury, Thanos Wonderland. Nice. So good. Highly, highly regarded this year. I love this one. Mm-hmm. This tournament this year is stacked. Stacked. Stacked. Yeah. yeah And we have Alpenfury versus Iron Rattler, the other one.
01:25:06
Speaker
Six Flags vs. Texas. We'll have to make note to this
Potential Cinderella Stories and Upsets
01:25:09
Speaker
on the bracket. Yeah. Yeah. I think a great opening match for Alpenfury here. like I think Alpenfury takes it. Yeah, I think it can it can pull it off, build some confidence for a run later into the bracket, especially given what it could go up against.
01:25:27
Speaker
you know Flying aces are untamed, I think. Yeah, good draw. Might hit a wall later, but for now. Yeah. yeah of Get a couple wins under its belt, but.
01:25:41
Speaker
Yeah, I think that's a that's an interesting one. Yeah, Iron Rattler. It's OK. It's okay is kind of a last like a lot of people still like it, but think it's days in the tournament are numbered.
01:25:54
Speaker
hu I really enjoy it mostly because of the trains. Fair makes a big difference. And I'm sorry we didn't get the Iron Rattler versus Iron Rattler. I know.
01:26:05
Speaker
We got Hyperion and Hyperia in the same region at least. but There we go. it's chance They aren't going to go up against each other. ah This coaster is an icon, but I also think how many more years is this going to make tournament?
01:26:18
Speaker
Montu. Montu.
01:26:24
Speaker
I still think the best. st Well, no. Black Mamba. I took Black Mamba out. I feel like not as many people have ridden it. Why would you leave Montu in and take Black Mamba out? Because Americans, you know.
01:26:38
Speaker
Montu versus Orion. Rematch. I feel like, I was going to say, I feel like i've this has happened multiple times already. That does feel like a matchup that's happened. Yeah, 2023. Montu beat Orion.
01:26:50
Speaker
montu beat o'ion oh my I think O'Brien, though, was really suffering still from its big controversy.
01:27:02
Speaker
I mean, Montu should beat O'Brien. don't know. I feel like this one's so in the middle. I have no idea where this one's going to go. My ranking is Montu at 60, O'Brien 59. That's crazy.
01:27:18
Speaker
that's crazy There's been a few matchups like that where they're just like back to back in our rankings. They did. Actually, I said air Force and Maverick. actually have Air Force at 21 and Maverick at 15. So they're not back to back.
01:27:31
Speaker
yeah well Mine were. um I think. I don't know who wins that. Probably Montu. I could see Montu getting it. Yeah.
01:27:43
Speaker
i ah The other thing I'm onto, though, that, like, Busch Gardens Tampa really is under some heat the last year. i thought you and and i think that really is hurting the perception of the park as a whole.
01:27:58
Speaker
yeah ah Yeah, we'll get there, Nathaniel. Don't worry. We got we got six left. ah The Smiler, Alton Towers. Yeah, that's kind of surprise entry. Yeah, like it. Was that in other years? Or at least the last couple? I've included it maybe twice.
01:28:16
Speaker
You know what? We need to give UK a little more love than just Hyperia. So let's get Nemesis and The Smiler in there. I'm excited to use some of my photos from last year's trip on this. there Yeah, another reason. so certainly And, oh, I am sorry, The Smiler. i am very, very sorry.
01:28:34
Speaker
because maybe the best coaster to have never won this thing. Iron Gwazi. Yeah. Yeah. Let's go. Iron Gwazi. Here's the Smiler. Oof. There's your 1.16 for this.
01:28:48
Speaker
but When people fill out their brackets, which is always one of the funnest parts about the end of February is when people start filling out their own brackets. Like, since Iron Gwazi existed, people have been saying, oh, it can win this thing. Yeah.
01:29:03
Speaker
And it's I don't even think it's it's never even been to a finals. so No, but this is as good a chance of any because no Velasco, no vengeance. But we can get Gwazi Stardust or Gwazi Ride to Happiness, which may – has Gwazi Ride to Happiness ever happened?
01:29:23
Speaker
Gwazi has not taken on um Ride to Happiness. Okay. What I feel is so sad too is I feel like when a coaster first opens, I feel like most of the time in that first like year, two years, that's the prime. like That is when that coaster is fantastic. And then from there, kind of like – fades down and it's such a shame this is apparently just become a bgt hate podcast but its it's a shame that no one really wants to go to bgt anymore because every time i get on iron guazi now i'm like this is probably the only coaster that i've ever been on in my life that is getting crazier with age like it's to the point where it's like almost
01:30:07
Speaker
not rideable because it's so fast and so intense, except if you're a you complaining about, here we go. I'm not saying it a bad way. I'm saying it in a way that it should win. Like I, I love what an, i ah an RMC being that intense is fantastic. And it, oh, it's just,
01:30:31
Speaker
I don't, I, it's really sad because I just feel like the state of BGT, we're not getting people ride it now. Yeah, so my one thought on Iron Gwasi, I don't agree with any of these complaints that Jenna's made about it, but my complaint with it- It's not a complaint. it's a ah I literally was praising Too fast. There's no such thing.
01:30:51
Speaker
But the um this is its last year. I think it can even win this tournament. If they start pushing paid force lockers for this thing, it's over.
01:31:06
Speaker
It's over. Very fair. I mean, they already they're already forcing that right now. Yeah. And that's what i'm kind of saying too. It's like, no fault i think that if it was the coaster alone, like put that coaster at Universal or at Cedar Point or like at somewhere that has their stuff together.
01:31:28
Speaker
And that coaster, I think, would have rose in popularity because it has gotten quicker and more intense. And it's just like,
01:31:38
Speaker
It's hard for me to even wrap my head around what is happening on that coaster. it And it does it in a way that's not like
01:31:48
Speaker
too much. Like I can't rewrite Stardust Racers, but I can still rewrite Iron Gwazi, but it does have the same level of intensity in my opinion. I don't know. It's such a shame. I feel like this is just going to lose it because of the park in itself, not because of the coaster. And that makes me so upset.
01:32:05
Speaker
Well, Gwazi's going to be... Who's it playing? The Smiler? Yeah. Yeah, okay. So Gwazi's good there, at least. um We have four left. And I have just spun... Well, it's in my top ten.
01:32:19
Speaker
Igenica. Hasn't been named yet. We get it. You've been to Japan. I'm just saying it's in my top ten. And speaking of my top ten, and speaking of Japan...
01:32:34
Speaker
Oh, gosh. We got Flying Dinosaur. Ooh. Battle of Japan, baby. Yeah, I love that. Here's the thing. I have Flying Dinosaur for Ijanaika.
01:32:47
Speaker
I don't think it has a shot be of beating Ijanaika, though. Sure. I think the hype for Ijanaika is too high. like That and the flyers we have are not very good, so that perception is good. Tatsu is very good. but Yeah.
01:33:02
Speaker
i I mean, I have not done these, but my opinion of like X2 versus any be any flyer, um I think that 4D feeling feels way more like you're flying than the B&M train.
01:33:24
Speaker
I can see that. Yeah, but Flying Dinosaur, I mean, it's six and eight, respectively. it's i put Flying Dinosaur slightly over because
01:33:35
Speaker
i my point was Edge and Aika is not that much crazier the next two, whereas Flying Dinosaur just blows any flying coaster that I've ever been on. Even Tatsu, which I love Tatsu, but Flying Dinosaur iss so much better than it.
01:33:47
Speaker
Yeah.
01:33:50
Speaker
all right, final matchup. I guess this is just spinning to see who goes on the top line. ah
01:33:58
Speaker
I don't think I included it last year. I forgot. But I know i I removed it one year. I think it was the year it was closed. Lightning. You know, this is a very interesting matchup. because they Oh, this is a little while. Yeah. Lightning Rod.
01:34:11
Speaker
Lightning Rod. Versus, let's spin. Spin a circle. There's only one option. Speaking of rides that were close for year, technically the first time it's ever been in the tournament, yeahp Top Thrill 2. Woo, baby! know Lightning Rod 2 versus Top Thrill 2. Lightning Rod 2 versus Top Thrill 2. I love that. What a way to finish this thing.
01:34:36
Speaker
Yeah. Ugh. um've never really favored Lightning Rod, so an easy win for me. i think this one's an easy win as well. i'll thrill to So excited it's here.
01:34:48
Speaker
oh yeah yeah don't think there's been a top thrill in the tournament since 2020? Maybe, yeah, probably, right? wow That's true. it would have been 2021. Yeah, it closed in August of 2021. Yeah, it closed in August of 2021. Did I throw it in 2021?
01:35:07
Speaker
Did it make it? I'm assuming it did. i would assume. like I feel like that's the coaster. You cannot have it in there. Very exciting that Top Thrill 2 is here, though. And in ah in a great bracket for it, I think, also.
01:35:24
Speaker
Yeah, this this is ah probably the most balanced bracket, maybe. i do have to say,
Tournament Outlook and Future Plans
01:35:30
Speaker
I know, Nathaniel, you've got to go. Despite this being random, I still think overall, nothing too crazy.
01:35:38
Speaker
Like, I still think every region has their no doubt contenders. We're still going to get a very competitive elite eight in final form. every Every region has at least two or three rides that can make a run.
01:35:53
Speaker
Yep, for sure. I think that's where we're kind of headed as i Like the first handful of years of the tournament, it was you'd look across, you'd saw the favorites. We knew one where one seeds were kind of going.
01:36:07
Speaker
This is, I love that we have all the former champions in one half. That's crazy. um It's going to lead to some fresh some fresh stuff. It might lead to some some obvious blowouts down the line, but...
01:36:26
Speaker
um I think in general, when we start talking Elite 8, things are going to look or rather fresh. And I really don't think there's maybe, what, 32 matchups? Maybe six of them are going to be ugly? Mm-hmm. There's not too many, like, holy crap, mismatches.
01:36:48
Speaker
Which, that's great. But then again, you know, these are 64 of the best coasts in the world, so you're not really going to get a... Yeah. Too much of a blowout. Yeah. That's why I was really excited for the randomization. I'm like, because there are no bad coasters on this list. No, absolutely. Yeah. This is definitely the most stacked this bracket has ever been. and it's almost exciting looking ahead to like, I know we're getting pumped for the 2026 tournament, but when we start thinking 27, 28, like we still have coasters on here that we've all kind of said like, oh, like maybe just,
01:37:25
Speaker
you know, there's Montu in here and, um some other stuff like nemesis reborn it'd be very fun i always think to do like either like a vintage bracket or a a defunct bracket just yeah i've i've toyed with that and i think the summer passes like i always thought like a summer tournament and then summer passes and then all of a sudden it's it's the winter again yeah and then we're like oh crap march madness much well i much yeah um Brian, before I have to head out, when can people expect to be able to fill out brackets? And when's when does when's the first matchup and the timing of these matchups?
01:38:05
Speaker
Yeah, I know ah I was talking with Allison about, I know usually I start at March 1st and it goes until the first week of April. I'm toying because yeah when's this podcast being released, Allison? The 9th.
01:38:18
Speaker
The 9th, okay. So I'm toying with maybe actually starting this in late February. And finishing, well, we do want to do our April Fool's Day. ah but I'm thinking that the championship is probably going to be April 2nd.
01:38:33
Speaker
Yeah, okay. But then maybe starting a little earlier in February. So, I mean, the bracket will probably be posted whenever Allison's done making it. which Yeah, that's the bigger part. The bracket itself won't take me long. It's the matchups that take me a while. If this is coming out the 9th, I would expect a bracket by this weekend.
01:38:51
Speaker
Yeah, I'll have the bracket done probably tomorrow on my lunch, to be fair. Okay. Oh, yeah. Yeah, we're talking about Allison. She's going to have the bracket done 10 minutes after we're done recording. No, I have to go watch the pit after we're done recording. Maybe we'll Valentine's Day ah posting for – I'll say February
Episode Conclusion and Reflections
01:39:09
Speaker
14th we'll post the bracket. That way everybody – we love Coaster Madness. Yeah, we love Coaster Madness. You can put you're the coaster you love coming out as the champion.
01:39:18
Speaker
that would be sweet. I get a good, you know, 10, 10 ish days to fill out brackets. fill it out yeah And then I'll do my usual, like the really pretty graphic that we use. And then I'll do a print printer friendly one with a less pictures on it.
01:39:32
Speaker
Very nice. As I do. Nathaniel, thank you again. You are the man. You are welcome here every single year. That is for sure. Guys, thanks for having me. just You know how much I look forward to this. It is, you know, for the – we're all northern base, like either Ohio or – Except Jen who's currently – Oh, Jen, yeah.
01:39:55
Speaker
But, you know, this is this is something everybody looks forward to. It gets them through the offseason. And, ah you know, it's just I can pontificate forever about how valuable I find this for the community. So great job as always, guys. Allison, thank you for organizing the meetup tonight and your work with the graphics. It's more and more impressive every year. Bryant, you're the man. I appreciate it.
01:40:23
Speaker
You're the man. You shut up. Yeah. You're already trying to make me cry. Jen, great to see you again. have i only contribute complaining.
01:40:35
Speaker
You bring the controversy. Yeah. i thought you were going to say, Jen, yeah, you were here too. Yeah. I just bring the complaining. It's fine. I bring the drama. You bring the roasting. Yeah.
01:40:47
Speaker
yeah It might go to see you again. I'm glad. they yeah Guys have a wonderful night. Enjoy the rest of the recording. And, uh, I'll see you guys around the parks in a short while. I'm sure of it.
01:40:59
Speaker
Sounds good, Nathaniel. All Thank you again. No problemo. Thank you guys.
01:41:09
Speaker
Well, now that we got Nathaniel out of here.
01:41:13
Speaker
Now what? We got to talk about things that aren't Coast of Madness? No, we still have questions to get to. Okay. He's really in for some rage baiting. Save it for the Patreon.
01:41:27
Speaker
which you still need to record videos for. We'll get there. And I guess Mike's still hanging on here. Yeah. Yep, you didn't get rid of me yet.
01:41:39
Speaker
I tried. by the way, we excited for the Super Bowl? Wait, it just happened. Oh, it just happened, didn't it? Yeah, it just happened. So I could be on cloud nine or crying myself to sleep tonight.
01:41:53
Speaker
Well, yeah, last night. Last night, true. yeah to To quote Jen, go Birds. Don't say that. o and de I will drive my booty to Ohio right now and knock you out. Bring it. Violence is allowed, but i at least censored myself.
01:42:11
Speaker
yeah I'm going to say Patriots 27.
01:42:19
Speaker
Get that jersey off the screen. Seahawks 27.
01:42:24
Speaker
Drake may MVP. You can all laugh at me if that didn't even come close to happening. but All I know. could edit this out. Good point.
01:42:36
Speaker
And then just re-upload it. All I know is Seahawks, if you have the ball on the one-yard line, run the ball.
01:42:49
Speaker
I hope that happens and they like fumble it for a 99-yarder. That would be amazing. Anyway, we're talking about a game that has already happened. so
01:43:00
Speaker
Unfortunately, we can't see the future. And the winner of Coaster Madness is... No. All right, well, we'll just jump into questions. and um Yeah.
01:43:12
Speaker
So we got Hive Madness, which is a new contributor. It says, Prediction, a ride that's never won the tournament wins this year. Oh, could. It could. I am very curious to see how Falcons fight and start us do.
01:43:26
Speaker
Yes. And the fact that those could potentially be final four. Yep.
01:43:35
Speaker
Those are definitely the favorites to get to the championship for sure. Unless, I mean, ride the happiness. You're that's facing off against stardust in the second round. That'll be wild. ah Falcons flight would be taken on. What's their contender?
01:43:50
Speaker
Voltron. Yeah, there is crazy. Never know. One of the the best parts with how the bracket worked out is you're more than likely going to have a former champion versus one of the non-champions because all the champions are in one side. Yep. So you're not going to have two former winners in the final this year.
01:44:16
Speaker
That worked out wonderfully. Yeah, that worked out perfectly. The wheel provides. Unless you're Riley. Yeah.
01:44:29
Speaker
Then the wheel is pain. I forgot. Did he not go to Fantasialand? He didn't, right? Or did he? Yeah, I think that's what er think that's what it was. Yeah. Okay.
01:44:42
Speaker
Yeah, because he ended up at like Frights at Land Plone or whatever. That's right. Oh, God. Speaking of Riley, I'll promote his GeoGuessr series. When's the last time I was on?
01:44:55
Speaker
On the podcast? Yeah. ah Not, like, crazy long ago, right? So maybe I already played a Colin? was the Epic Universe, I think, it was the last one you were on.
01:45:10
Speaker
Oh, right. Okay. So maybe I already played Colin. But if you haven't watched that video, I did win my first matchup.
01:45:18
Speaker
On to the next round, and you'll ah you'll enjoy who my next opponent is, that's for sure.
01:45:25
Speaker
Might be a very popular ah YouTuber that also ah has a similar channel name to Collywood Studios.
01:45:40
Speaker
Yeah, I am excited to watch that whenever it drops. Oh, yeah, I mean...
01:45:47
Speaker
It's going to be great. Yeah, I don't know the outcome. I have not pestered Bryant. i now don't know if we've played yet You never know.
01:45:56
Speaker
Anyway, um let's see. Ethan said, what do you think will have the biggest upset upset and Cinderella story of this tournament?
01:46:08
Speaker
well that would depend on the bracket, right? Which, let's refer to that again. Yeah, I feel like this is a really hard question because the the lineups are so weird.
01:46:20
Speaker
I want to say...
01:46:25
Speaker
It would probably be on the non-champion side, right? Yeah, I definitely think it would be on that side of the bracket. If, like, Falcon's Flight just doesn't get votes because people haven't ridden
01:46:39
Speaker
But then there's Voltron. But then let's say Millennium beats Voltron. Maybe you get a a Millennium run somehow. I think the second half of that purple region will be interesting to watch.
01:46:52
Speaker
Yeah, there's a lot. all i mean got I think El Toro and Gotham City, the winner of that matchup, might get to the Elite Eight. That would be a second round matchup.
01:47:06
Speaker
I don't know. don't lot of wild cards in this bracket. Yeah.
01:47:14
Speaker
I don't know. I feel like the biggest like surprise for me is Millie. I feel like Millie's going to.
01:47:24
Speaker
It could go on run. Millie making a run. It could absolutely. like millen If Millennium can get to Falcon's flight, that'll be very intriguing.
01:47:35
Speaker
I don't see Millennium eatingating beating Voltron. Yeah. I don't see it beating Voltron, but I see it getting a lot further than I would have expected. So it just needs to win the first round and then it'll get further than you expect? Yeah, pretty much. Because then it's done from there.
01:47:56
Speaker
oh Oh, I forgot. i I thought that that was one of the ones where we started talking about the second round. um I'm not looking at the bracket. I texted it to you, by the way. Yeah, that's how I was referring to it. I just posted the link for you, Jen.
01:48:11
Speaker
that because no I mean, I just sent a screenshot of the completed bracket to her. I'm literally, i yeah, I do have a screenshot of the bracket and i should look at it. I have a random Dutchman texting me about where he's going to eat, um which is fine. I'm like, give me like 20 minutes, but
01:48:33
Speaker
sorry. i'm I'm back. I'm back. um I was thinking that was one that we were talking about the second. I don't know. i don't know.
01:48:48
Speaker
There's some interesting potential. There are definitely a lot of matchups this year where I'm like, I truly don't know where this is going to go. Yeah, 100%.
01:49:01
Speaker
Hell yeah, we like drama. Let's go. What if Mako destroys Taron? It might. I'd be so sad. but it just might.
01:49:12
Speaker
Yeah, I might not support you anymore, Brian. Sorry. hi like tar i have Taron over Mako in my ranking. I think I've said that every single year when something doesn't go my way. It's my fault.
01:49:24
Speaker
It's Brian's fault. You ran in the tournament. You're the reason that I'm mad. I'm literally just, I put things in a wheel. I like that. I actually technically I'm not running this tournament. I'm just going to post the matchups that the wheel made.
01:49:38
Speaker
I mean, you're still running the tournament. You're posting good things in a timely manner.
01:49:44
Speaker
Bless you. I muted myself. Why did you have to acknowledge it? Next time I'll just sneeze then. Okay. ah Anyway.
01:49:59
Speaker
Oh, wom wom wom wom. Yeah, it's wom wom wom wom. What's the most accurate bracket prediction seen so far in terms of win percentage? I don't know how much we actually like track track of that.
01:50:12
Speaker
feel like that would be a Nathaniel question. Yeah, definitely a Nathaniel question. Nathaniel, come back. um But like everyone that's filled out a bracket ever. Yeah, I don't know.
01:50:24
Speaker
I've never seen a perfect bracket as far as I know. I think pretty impossible think one year I was like two off.
01:50:34
Speaker
well Well, you can believe that, I guess. I mean, usually in the Discord, we usually have like a whole spreadsheet going of people make all their predictions and we see who's most correct.
01:50:49
Speaker
I don't remember. Yeah, there's way of knowing. I know I've won it before. but knowing the trends helped obviously but and then like we usually say like a lot of people do two brackets for one that they think will be the case and then one of their preference right yeah
01:51:12
Speaker
yeah so undecided yeah I don't know if there's even a good way to track that but I don't think, yeah, that would be that would probably be on me and I definitely did not. So I also don't have the question list up, so I'm just, I'm relying on you, Allison. You're good. There's only two more.
01:51:31
Speaker
um I'll save Chris's for a last because I like his question. I like his question too. Fury325fan said, having run a relatively high profile coaster tournament in these past two years, I'll be curious to see the seating.
01:51:44
Speaker
Well, there is none. Well, About the seating. There is none. It was random. I meant to like to say that one before it we started to preface the whole we're not doing seating this year. but Yeah, I think it's really fun that we're going to like to try something new. Like, because if this if it's not as fun and it I think this is going to be great. Like I think going to be more fun. Really good. Like after doing it, I think this is really fun and we're going to get some competition that I feel like we never would have gotten before. Exactly. Yeah. um But like know if it doesn't work out, then we go back to seating.
01:52:20
Speaker
I say we as if I'm doing much other than. Oh, I think we're doing this going forward. yeah Because that's the thing about if you always see them kind of the same way, you're going to get a lot of rematches from the last eight years. And even doing it this way, we're getting rematches somehow. So yeah, we would have gotten more the other way.
01:52:42
Speaker
All right. You're getting toasters that have never faced each other facing off in the first round. There's some wild matchups, too. What was the one? mean, Fury Voyage in the first round hilarious.
01:52:56
Speaker
Yeah, that's what I was thinking of. yeah
01:53:00
Speaker
Oh, geez. Well, Chris Leonard asked, what was the hardest omission and favorite newcomer for this year's contest? Of course, Chris has the best question. now which I know um as i was as I've been going through and like trying to find photos for this year, i'm real I was realizing some of the ones that are not on the list. And I was like, just a chain of texts to Bryant. Like, this one's not on there. This one's not on there. What?
01:53:26
Speaker
Yeah, as mentioned, nice hair, Jen. ah as The way her ponytail was like going crazy. Yeah, i know. nods look ya it um Well, as mentioned earlier, Hagrid's and Guardians, I can't.
01:53:41
Speaker
you Akron's and Guardians are the big omissions. Just like, yeah, no more. No family coasters this year, even though to me, they're borderline family personally.
01:53:52
Speaker
um Which ones did I text you about? Wicked Cyclone not being on there. i've mean There's been multiple years I haven't included it. I just know it's like very ah nostalgic for you.
01:54:04
Speaker
It is, but then it also always gets its butt kicked in the first round usually every year. so you I it's sad. Let's see. Ones that I noticed that were missing this year, Expedition G-Force.
01:54:16
Speaker
Yeah. I feel like that's falling out of favor. yeah Almost no one talks about it anymore. Hagrid's and Guardians. I'm not upset about Guardians being cut. One, I haven't been on it. Two, I can never have a good picture of it. Unbelievable.
01:54:31
Speaker
No excuse. Zero excuse. I'm not like financially shaming you because of where you've been. so it's like It's not a matter of Epcot's expensive because you've missed 700 coasters over here. so I'm sorry.
01:54:44
Speaker
You don't get that excuse. The value of like European parks. Going to one of the best parks in the world? Yeah, it's a great value.
01:54:53
Speaker
Yeah, Epcot is so worth it. But also Guardians is so worth it. I feel like it's the only family coaster that I truly think like is in my top 10 and will probably stay in my top 10. I get it.
01:55:05
Speaker
It has the best Helix to ever exist. Spoilers. That's, I mean, sorry. If you haven't heard me say it before.
01:55:16
Speaker
The best Helix to ever exist. we might be We might be getting there this year. Well, I got a story to tell about Guardians. I think Mike's falling asleep, by the way. I know. Is Mike asleep? With the camera and the reflection of my screen.
01:55:35
Speaker
I look like you were passed out. ah i If I fall asleep, you'll hear it. yeah Yeah, that's true. And then I can just mute you. um Thunderhead was another one cut this year.
01:55:48
Speaker
Yeah, i mean, it's in like my top 25, 30, wherever it is now. but Such a good Woody. it's amazing, but it it never does well. we you had definitely I say we. I didn't really make any decisions.
01:56:01
Speaker
You had to cut a lot of U.S. ones this year. Correct. Yeah, to make it an even 32-32. And then, yeah, the even Yeah. yeah Thunderhead, though.
01:56:11
Speaker
i You know it would have been an interesting matchup? Thunderhead next to Woden. Yeah, i was just thinking that. Ooh, yeah, true. Because they're so similar. Thunderhead's better, but anyway.
01:56:23
Speaker
Woden's grown on me, but I have also ridden Woden a whole lot more than Thunderhead. That's true, which is funny, but also makes sense. um What are y'all's favorite newcomers for this year?
01:56:35
Speaker
I mean, the obvious answer is Stardust. Yeah, Stardust and Falcon's Plight. But yeah, I'm intrigued how ah both how Falcon's Flight goes and also how Alpenfury goes. Oh, yeah. Because Alpenfury, like everyone knew Stardust would be amazing. Everyone knew Falcon's Flight would get the reviews it's getting.
01:56:53
Speaker
Alpenfury kind of surprised a lot of people.
01:56:58
Speaker
I think traditionally, if I were seeding it properly, Alpenfury would probably gotten like a five or six seed, which is way higher than I would have guessed yeah going in. Yeah, I think for the, like, the most i exciteded the most excited I am because
01:57:17
Speaker
of like, almost like a shock value is Alpenfury, but mine's Top Thrill 2. yeah. Because we have a whole, yeah like, i feel like we don't think of it as a newcomer because at this point it's been open for... i mean, open, not open, I don't know. But... um I consider it new for 2025 personally. It's gotta be new to 2025 because even if you experienced it in that short amount of time that it was open in 2024, they made changes to it. So it's not the same experience. Right.
01:57:50
Speaker
True. well And it wasn't in the brackets. So yeah, I think I'm most excited about Top Thrill 2.
01:58:03
Speaker
and If anyone argues, oh, why didn't you include Top Thrill 2 and then included Falcon's Flight and Iron Rattler this year? I don't care. This is an all bets are off year. but Also, like not including it last year made sense because like it would have been in last year had it not closed for the season after less than a month. like Right, very true.
01:58:26
Speaker
It was very unique circumstances. like every Almost like it didn't open. Exactly. yeah Every single coaster gets added to the brackets if you're adding them the year that it opens.
01:58:36
Speaker
That was such a weird circumstance. That's like in 2020, if Iron Gwazi opened when it was like supposed to open and they closed it immediately for COVID. Exactly. Right.
01:58:48
Speaker
No, actually, it would be in the 2020 bracket. like yeah i'm I'm confirming my decision was correct. Yeah, no, that's absolutely. So this top 12 is a newcomer for this year, which does make me a little sad because I think siren Siren's Curse is not going to get a lot of love this year because – two Two great coasters out of street park.
01:59:11
Speaker
Although some people say Siren's Curse is better than Top Girl. It's close for me. I really like it. really like it.
01:59:21
Speaker
and think I like Siren's Curse a little more because of the... um i don't i don't know. i think it I need more rides on both of them, but I really like the length of it. um I feel like it's not just the one gimmicky thing and then you're done. Like, you the one gimmicky thing, but then they really gave us an entire coaster.
01:59:44
Speaker
Where, like, the strat is still really, like, the one gimmicky thing. Wow, we have two gimmicky things now. but Yeah, but at the same time, i do really like the spike on Top Thrill 2.
01:59:57
Speaker
Yeah, I'm not denying. Like, the spike is fantastic. That coaster as a whole is fantastic. But it is just, like, a gimmicky. it was Originally, it was, oh, look, $400. 400 foot top hat. And now it's, look, 400 foot spike. Like, it's just the one gimmicky thing and it's done. Whereas, Siren's Curse, I do like that it's the gimmicky thing that they promised us with the tilt.
02:00:26
Speaker
But then that's only like a fourth of the experience. Oh, yeah. No, I don't think anyone expected how good the rest of the layout was going to be. Yeah. like And i I still think Top Thrill 2 ultimately is the like is higher up for me as well.
02:00:41
Speaker
But i do have to give it to Siren's Curse. like We have a full package with that.
02:00:48
Speaker
Then I guess similar to Iron Rattler. They're not in the same – no, they're not in the same region.
02:00:54
Speaker
But no, yeah, I agree overall. Good job, Chris, which I will semi mention him with my trip recap as well. Yeah, I guess it's now time to get into the start of episode stuff that we always do. Two hours in.
02:01:12
Speaker
Yeah, we're just doing it reverse this time. Yeah, it's a it's an important week. We're a little backwards, which means ah your trip recap is up next. Is it me?
02:01:23
Speaker
Because I'm not on the podcast as much. Well, mean, unless Jen has anything to report from Florida. You went to Florida? Holy crap. Are you being for real right now?
02:01:36
Speaker
I'm sitting in Florida. yeah who Okay. yeah yes Because you've never recapped a trip to Florida before. If anything, i don't know if anything significant has happened or if you're just... I don't know if anything significant has happened here either. You've been taking photos.
02:01:51
Speaker
Yeah, I tested a new camera. I tested a new camera. There we go. And I've seen some photos and they're really good. Yeah, I don't remember what else I did. Anyone who's a photography nerd, my new camera has 1.2 aperture lens, which like, for anyone who knows what that means, it's like, i have night vision without flash on that thing. It's insane. um Does it have any creds?
02:02:20
Speaker
It does have creds. It's written Guardians of the Galaxy, I think, and Rock and Roller Coaster. um And like smaller things. I think that's the only like cred creds.
02:02:34
Speaker
But it does indeed have some creds. um I just, i don't know if I've done anything like really new here. um
02:02:46
Speaker
went to see Flo Rida. In Flo Rida? Yeah. Flo Rida in Flo Rida. That's a throwback. My God. Yeah.
02:02:57
Speaker
he's ah He performs at SeaWorld for Seven Seas Festival, and he's so he's so good in that festival. It's so much fun. I feel like he does that like every year, too. He does. he like He loves it, and he comes back every year, and he puts on such a good show. I go almost every year. I love it.
02:03:14
Speaker
um Like Simple Plan always plays at Epcot every year. Yeah. Also, who used to play at Epcot every year, just random... fact that they haven't since covid but the hooters if anyone knows the hooters dm me we're gonna be best friends forever because they're my favorite band i think to ever exist um and they only got re they're from philadelphia look It's really niche. They're from outside of Philadelphia and they kind of got big in the outside of Philadelphia area. Like our radio plays them a lot, but then they like took off in Germany and in Europe. So they tour in Germany and Europe. And then the only places that they stopped for years in the United States was Ocean City, New Jersey and Epcot Food and Wine Festival.
02:04:07
Speaker
so it's like literally your life. Literally. I love them. I'm from Philly. I go to Germany and Florida. That's about it. Yeah, pretty much. Pretty much. um But yeah, so they are an incredible band. They're like from the 70s and 80s. I guess the 80s. But I love them. I actually have a video when I was 2 a.m. dancing in the hard rock at Universal because they were playing a Hooters song. They were playing their music video and I was losing it. I was like videotaping it for my mom and dancing like a maniac and everyone looks was watching me like I was crazy. No one knew the song and I was losing it.
02:04:45
Speaker
So, um yeah, I don't know. Nothing too interesting. I have a club level stay coming up at Animal Kingdom. And a club level stay coming up.
02:04:57
Speaker
Theme park view at Epic. That's going to be pretty epic. It's going to pretty epic. So um other than that, though, I don't know. Same things that I always do here.
02:05:09
Speaker
Very nice. That was a really long recap. Sorry. No, you're good. I also went to Florida. Wow. Shocking. So, I mean, obviously the main trip I did was the third annual coaster cruise of the Coaster Studios. um The best one yet, by far, the most people we've had. We had almost 100 people, which is crazy. um I did not tear my Achilles this time, which was probably the best biggest yeah win of the trip.
02:05:39
Speaker
Did Taylor suggest dodgeball this year? so Yes. so Well, I mean, we were going to play again. i was not going play. Maybe. if You know me. Once it got closer, I'm like, ooh, should we?
02:05:51
Speaker
But they actually rescheduled it to one of like the later nights of the cruise this time. And I think we had like an already scheduled thing that we were going to do. Gotcha. I honestly forgot that that was just last year that that happened.
02:06:05
Speaker
It was literally so... It seems like it's been so much longer. Yeah. February 3rd was when I tore it. So just about the year anniversary. Yeah. No, I walked off the... Well, I mean, to be fair, not to toot my own horn, I did walk off the ship last year with it.
02:06:23
Speaker
So I can't even say I walked on my own two feet this year because I did last year. I just didn't know it was torn until I got home. You did like whole freaking hike or something on it? Yeah, I went zip-lighting the day after. And then, we yeah, we walked on Mayan ruins the two days after. Yeah.
02:06:37
Speaker
No big deal. Jeez. But no, it was fantastic. We had such a good time. It flew by this year. Like I felt like there was so many things i like, wait, I didn't do that this time. We didn't eat there this time. What happened?
02:06:50
Speaker
We did, let's see, St. Thomas, Puerto Rico, and a private island in the Bahamas. Everything was great. The people fantastic. I got to host trivia again, which I believe that video will be up on Kocha Studios in a couple weeks or by the end of the month, I guess.
02:07:09
Speaker
Great time. Family Feud too, right? I also got to host Family Feud. That was a first time thing that we did. If you follow me on Instagram and you notice that I asked a bunch of questions on like January and December, it was for Family Feud on the cruise.
02:07:26
Speaker
We had a great, I think, I mean, for the first time doing it, there was, you know, some glitches and growing pains with it, but I think 95% of it went really smooth and everyone had a good time. So,
02:07:37
Speaker
That one was not recorded because Taylor and Sarah participated in. um But i think we're running both of them back next year on the Norwegian Aqua, January 17th to the 24th, 2027.
02:07:50
Speaker
Also out of Miami, CoasterCruise.com. Quick plug. Check out the video that they posted of our recap this week. It was great. I highly suggest it.
02:08:01
Speaker
like Legitimately great group, welcoming fans. if you If you're a Coaster fan or not, you'll have a great time. Doesn't matter. So before that, though, we had some meetups in Florida. We went to Epic Universe again.
02:08:16
Speaker
ah Fourth time going for me. Had a great day. But notably, I do have to tell us one story. We went to Epcot the next day. I don't know if I've mentioned on the podcast. Like, have we have I mentioned Barbara before? Our friend Barbara?
02:08:31
Speaker
Probably. I think she's commented. yeah I've also mentioned her, I think. the the The greatest ever. She's from Czechia. um She first went to Florida last year.
02:08:44
Speaker
Her and her husband somehow got five of the six songs on Guardians. Five rides in a row. And I think they rode a six time didn't get the last one, which was September.
02:08:55
Speaker
Now, I famously have had five of the six for a while now. I need one way or another. So for like a year, we've been planning like this bet. Like, okay, we gotta to as long as we're together, we got to keep riding it until someone gets completion.
02:09:09
Speaker
We rode that morning. I think we got Disco Inferno. So none of us got it. But we knew we were going ride one more time.
02:09:20
Speaker
Low key, I was hoping she got September before me. Because it is my favorite song on the ride.
02:09:29
Speaker
So we hit the launch and we hear that. dead And and and inna and it we we had like almost a full train takeover. We had like 20 people. You would think like we just won a championship in sports. like the The hype was just unbelievable. Because everyone, i don't take offense, everyone was rooting for Barbara.
02:09:47
Speaker
She was from Czechia after all. ah So when September hit, the best route of Guardians ever. When we got off the train, I'm like, all right, Barbara, we're like bring it in. And we just had like a whole huge like jumping up and down. Like, hey, hey, hey. Like, party. It was phenomenal.
02:10:06
Speaker
Phenomenal. So shout out, Barbara. That story needed to be told. It was great. but Yeah, that's pretty much it on my end. Other than that, I've just been miserable here in New England in the five-degree weather and the foot and a half of snow we got a couple weeks ago. It's been great.
02:10:23
Speaker
Yeah, I speak for all of us. It ain't much better here. no It's not much better here. I was in my winter jacket. I'm actually going out to get food after this in 40-degree weather.
02:10:35
Speaker
Yeah, florida Florida hasn't even been on We haven't seen 40 degrees in like a month. Yeah, but I'm in Florida. I know. i'm just saying. I don't think it's been above freezing in a month.
02:10:47
Speaker
we've had We've had a couple of days above freezing. We had the other day I woke up and it was 24 degrees. Yeah, that was great. My parents were there too. And they're like, holy crap, 24 in Florida is nuts. It's insane.
02:11:02
Speaker
It's literally every morning has been below like 6 for like 10 days. Yeah. I stepped outside yesterday in like a sweatshirt. I was like, holy crap, it is beautiful out. like I'm like, is this over 40 right now? It feels so good. I looked at my phone. It's at 27. I'm like, wow. It's been so cold at 27. It feels like a nice spring day right now.
02:11:25
Speaker
I've just been like giving up on wearing my coat and I just go in like long sleeves and a hoodie everywhere right now. And I'm like, this is fine. ah yeah wearing my running tights and it was like 10 degrees out.
02:11:36
Speaker
I'm like, okay, whatever. I spend every waking moment in my coat. I love my coat. It's my best friend. I.
02:11:48
Speaker
Well, we were, we've made it to the second half of winter. We're, we're getting, the days are getting longer. Yeah. March is in, what, three weeks? We got this. Crazy.
02:12:00
Speaker
Well, guess we'll end this with my little announcement. and that it's I guess it's kind of more me about the podcast. Are Yeah. cool I'm going to interview India. Yeah, that's crazy. Well...
02:12:20
Speaker
So since kind of this has started, i think going weekly for the podcast has been a goal and it just has not been sustainable just yet, I think. However, I kind of had an idea recently and then Ethan mentioned something similar right around the same time I was thinking of it and I'm like, hmm.
02:12:38
Speaker
this might be uh something worthwhile so before inverted creative podcast was a thing i had had an idea for a podcast i even made a twitter for it the twitter might still exist for it but it never went anywhere um i was planning to do a podcast called coaster enthusiast conversations which is just getting enthusiasts um anywhere from you know like the tailors and the garrys of the world with 1500 creds whatever they have to you know someone just starting out maybe they're really into the hobby but they've only been able to get to one or two parks and they have like 20 creds um just talking to different enthusiasts just like one-on-one conversations about their experience in the hobby what they like what they want to get to doing some silly games and i'm thinking that i'm going to start doing that to fill in the weekly episodes um so we can use that to kind of buffer if we have like a guest coming up and we can't really fit like the you know every other week format or whatever
02:13:32
Speaker
um I have a lot of friends that I could definitely interview. i have so We all have significant others that we could talk to if y'all are down to do your own one-on-one conversations with people and have these coaster-enthusiast conversations and just get to know people in our community.
02:13:49
Speaker
I like it. Yeah, i think that's a great idea, I think, especially for you, Allison. like you have a lot of connections and, and not just like everyone, like in so many different areas too of a hobby.
02:14:01
Speaker
And like, there's still some creativity to it, but it's more just talking to people one-on-one, no stress. Ultimately the goal for all of this is to connect with people.
02:14:12
Speaker
So connect with people, learn about them. So many people do so many amazing things. It can all really be tied back to creativity. Yeah.
02:14:24
Speaker
And just, like you know, learning from like the the newbies in the community, the new Thusies out there, just getting their foot in. What inspires like what inspires them? Who do they look up to?
02:14:37
Speaker
Things like that could be a lot of fun to talk about. I do have ideas for like silly games. Like, try to like, have you have you all heard of the card game poetry for Neanderthals? shockingly no oh it's so fun um but it and it deals with like you're given a keyword and you can only speak in one syllable words to try to get the other person to guess it and then it's so fun um and then it's there's a giant inflatable stick it's called the no stick and if someone uses two syllables you whack them in the head with the stick um But doing something like that, but with coasters, like trying to describe a coaster using one syllable words. Oh my gosh, that would be incredible.
02:15:16
Speaker
Can we, can we trowel run that right now? Sure. Okay. So who wants to start? Cause that sounds awesome. I, I've been like trying to think of like how to even do some.
02:15:28
Speaker
So like when I, I would think of one and then I have to describe it with one word. With one syllable words. One syllable words. Okay. Yes. Okay.
02:15:40
Speaker
ah like that one Like one of the examples on like the box was something like the word marshmallow and it was like small white cube held ah held on top of flame.
02:15:52
Speaker
Oh, so you can string it together a sentence. It doesn't have to be one word at a time. Okay. It's just all one. That's like the poetry part. Okay. I was like, why is it called something poetry? Okay. Yeah. Poetry for Neonathals. Highly recommend.
02:16:07
Speaker
A tall shark ride. Mako. There you go. Okay. Yeah. Something like that. Okay. I like that. Something like that. Yeah. All right. That's fine. I like that. Or like, I don't, I can't even like think of one to. All right.
02:16:24
Speaker
Big, tall, fast ride on far side of world. Falcon's flight. Yes. Oh, okay. i was going to go with like.
02:16:37
Speaker
I don't know.
02:16:40
Speaker
Yeah, just, you know, silly little games like that. Yeah. um But yeah, so if anybody is even still listening to this yeah two and a half hours in, whatever we are at, um yeah, if you'd be interested in being part of that, hit us up.
02:16:58
Speaker
so I'm going to try to start getting people on the schedule. And I also like that's something that we could easily like do it just when you have a couple hours of time, just have a chat with someone and record it and then we can save that to post- when we need to, if we're lacking in episodes.
02:17:16
Speaker
Yeah. What's good about this idea is like, it doesn't matter how big your like follower count is, or if you have social media or like it just, if you like this hobby, you're invited. Yeah.
02:17:30
Speaker
um You know, like Mike, who's currently yawning and tired of us right now. I definitely, I would love to talk to with you at one point for this.
02:17:39
Speaker
I'm sure like there's some people who have been guests on the podcast. I'd love to sit down with them again. Yeah. Like Ethan, who was on for Q lines episode.
02:17:49
Speaker
I know he'll be down to her chat for a while. Yeah. I like this. We'll get Megan on. Yeah. Yes. We'll get Megan, which like we need to have her considering you are really the second Thuzy in the family.
02:18:06
Speaker
She started it. It's her fault. yeah so i mean she has 330 some credits of her own so i'm like i know plenty of people who i consider to be like coaster enthusiasts adjacent who like with the right training could probably be an enthusiast that right training but like people who are like slightly more aware of coaster enthusiasm being a thing and they still enjoy them and they know a little bit of things right
02:18:39
Speaker
like it. So look for that in the future. Hopefully soon.
02:18:45
Speaker
I don't know when yet. We'll see. but And Patreon whenever I record my videos. Yeah, whenever Jen records her videos, we'll get the Patreon intro video done and then actually launch said Patreon.
02:18:57
Speaker
Yeah. Yeah, this is why I need a new laptop right now. It's because there's a lot of stuff coming. Yeah. Yeah, yeah. If anybody wants to fund Allison's new MacBook.
02:19:11
Speaker
If anyone wants to fund Jen's only MacBook because it's actually a damn long-term work computer.
02:19:19
Speaker
It's fine. Doing great.
02:19:23
Speaker
right. All right. I think that brings us to the end of the episode. you guys just waiting for me? was just about to be like, is there anything else? I don't think we have anything else. Nope. I'm good. Mike, you got anything else?
02:19:35
Speaker
um I think I'm good. don't think I got anything else.
02:19:41
Speaker
Yep. That brings us to the end of the episode. Yes, it does. um yes go follow what was at coaster underscore 365 for Instagram. on Instagram, yes. Yes. stupid um i will also Carl still has the coaster 365 one.
02:19:58
Speaker
Not Carl! I will definitely ah link that in the description just to make sure. and We'll be posting about that on the inverted creative page. yes, we will post brackets soon. We'll start voting not too long after that.
02:20:15
Speaker
Get your votes in. Get everybody else to follow and vote. And yeah. Yeah. So Carl has six followers. I guarantee they're all people that think it's me.
02:20:26
Speaker
Anyway. ah Dang it, Carl. Carl, just give us the handle. well Maybe it's my dad because his name is Carl. so That would be hilarious.
02:20:39
Speaker
Just to spite you. I love that it's not anyone's photo. It literally just says, Brian, one of the six followers is you.
02:20:49
Speaker
it's not. okay What? You know what? Because I probably wanted to message him like, hey, ah you use this account? Can I have it? didn't realize I still followed him. What is this? You?
02:21:03
Speaker
whats That's funny. ah That's funny. Oops. All right. On that note. that note, now we've come to the end of the episode.
02:21:13
Speaker
Hashtag give Bryant the handle. yeah but Hashtag keep thinking inverted. Hashtag Allison's book because why not? an Hashtag coaster madness 2026. Woo.
02:21:26
Speaker
And also totally random. I know last episode when we said we were going to have a guest on for this episode. this was not the intended episode for that. Oh yeah. No, we got sidetracked. The intended rest is still coming. He works some stupid ride.
02:21:41
Speaker
Yeah. But anyway, we will see everyone next time. Bye. Bye. he