2010 Best Theme Park Attraction nominee: Cedar Point's Raptor

December 15, 2009, 3:44 PM · The 16th seed in the Best Roller Coaster bracket of the 2010 Best Theme Park Attraction tournament, Cedar Point's Raptor, opened on May 7, 1994. This Bolliger & Mabillard Inverted Coaster features a top speed of 57 miles per hour, a 119-foot drop... and six inversions, including a vertical loop, zero-G-roll, cobra roll and two corkscrews.

Photo submitted by TPI reader Tom Faraci

Other top B&M Inverteds include Busch Gardens Tampa's Montu, Busch Gardens Williamsburg's Alpengeist, Knott's Berry Farm's Silver Bullet, Six Flags' Batman The Ride and Dueling Dragons at Universal's Islands of Adventure (soon to become the Dragon Challenge in the park's Wizarding World of Harry Potter).

Let's hop aboard for the ride...

As you can see, the view from the front is... intense. But some fans (okay, like me) knock inverted coasters for obstructed views on all other rows of the train. (I called my trip on Alpengeist last summer "like riding in a blender." Not that that's necessarily a bad thing.) Will enough fans of the B&M Inverted turn out to help Raptor to what would be a huge first-round upset? We'll find out when voting begins in March.

Please use the comments to share your thoughts about Cedar Point's Raptor.

Replies (17)

Nick Markham

December 15, 2009 at 3:59 PM · I am sorry, but I really don't think Raptor should be in this. Raptor is indeed a great invert, but most actually favor Montu as the best inverted coaster in America, NOT Raptor.

I won't argue, but Raptor really doesn't deserve to be the B&M invert representative.

Derek Potter

December 15, 2009 at 4:16 PM · Not a bad representative of the inverted category. I may have chosen Montu over Raptor, but in all honesty there isn't that much difference there. I will say that after 15 years (hard to believe this ride is 15 years old), it still flies as smooth as silk. The transitions and pacing are flawless.

Agreed about the front seat Robert. You haven't really experienced an inverted coaster until you've ridden in the front seat. I never ride anywhere else on an inverted coaster. Then again, I rarely ride anywhere but the front seat on any coaster.

24.229.210.137

December 15, 2009 at 4:33 PM · Raptor is horrible ride. This has got to be the worse inverted coasters I have ever been on. Turns are way too tight, wipping you around like a dog with a chew toy. No way should this ride be mentioned in the same breathe as Dueling Dragons and other great inverted coasters. One great coaster you are missing on the list is the Great Bear at Hersheypark. One of the most smoothest and most exciting inverted coasters on the east coast.

98.149.76.250

December 15, 2009 at 5:11 PM · Raptor is one of my least favorite inverts, down there with Silver Bullet as a rather mediocre experience. Bumpy, with poor transitioning and featuring none of the excellent pacing that Batman: The Ride was gifted with.

steve lee

December 15, 2009 at 6:29 PM · Dang. Nothing to add here - everyone else has beaten me to it. Raptor is my least favorite B&M invert, but at least it's better than an SLC.

James Rao

December 15, 2009 at 7:02 PM · Most B&M inverts are about the same, which is to say, they are all pretty good rides. Raptor is as good a representative as the next one on the list (75+ votes and a 9 rating make it a pretty popular ride, if you ask me!). It is a little light on the decorations (Dragon Challenge/Dueling Dragons, Montu, and Alpengeist do a much better job in that regard), but as far as ride experience goes, I have no qualms with the choice.

And I agree, front seat or no seat on these types of coasters. Although, in a pinch, I will hit the very back row and just close my eyes.

SC Todbear

December 15, 2009 at 7:50 PM · I much rather ride Afterburn any day. The transitions and the interaction with the lay of the land are much better.

65.12.173.131

December 15, 2009 at 8:08 PM · Robert, why did you select raptor over Montu or alpengiest if m and a got more votes than r?

Erin B

December 15, 2009 at 8:10 PM · I can't speak for other inverts, as Raptor is the only one I've been on, but I do enjoy Raptor. It used to be one of my favorite coasters until my motion sickness got worse. If you want a truly intense ride on this coaster, go for the back. Sure, you don't have much of a view but the forces are pretty intense.
While I definitely don't think Raptor is a top coaster, I have some strong feelings toward this coaster. I still remember the day I first rode Raptor & I'll always have a special place in my heart for it.

Robert Niles

December 15, 2009 at 8:24 PM · The decisions are based on average reader ratings, for attractions that have received a minimum number of votes. It's not based on total votes cast.

Corbin Barker

December 15, 2009 at 9:16 PM · I would also take Afterburn Carowinds over Raptor any day.

Anthony Murphy

December 15, 2009 at 11:55 PM · I personally would take Batman over Raptor, but its all good. I personally like this kind of roller coaster except I have noticed that it is not very friendly to us with the roundness near the gut region. New Year's resolution, here I come!

173.169.40.141

December 16, 2009 at 6:27 AM · As far as Inverted coasters go, I have to say I like Raptor. I also do like Montu, Great Bear and Dueling Dragons. The problem with Dueling Dragons is that the coaster are only that much better because they duel, other wise they are second rate compared to Raptor. Great Bear is just too short of a ride, nuff said. I really like Montu and Raptor, but Montu had its moment to shine over at "Amusement Today's Tournament Of Champions" so I say give Raptor a shot at a title and see how it does.

Mark Kausch

December 16, 2009 at 11:31 AM · I would like to chime in here, but the only time I've ever visited CP, it was closed. It happened to be the first weekend of the season (was I surprised! Parks have seasons?) and it hadn't opened yet.

Will Chilcote

December 16, 2009 at 12:27 PM · Not a fan of Raptor either. I much prefer Riddler's Revenge at Magic Mountain or Dragon's Challenge (hate the name by the way they should have kept Dueling Dragons) at Islands of Adventure. Also, can't believe anyone likes Batman. It makes me sick.

Joshua Counsil

December 16, 2009 at 1:30 PM · Gotta agree with most of the above. Raptor gave me a headache on two separate occasions. Montu is, hands-down, my favorite inverted coaster. Smooth, themed well, intense dips and spins, and you get a lot of bang for your buck - it's a long ride, and possibly the best coaster in Florida.

98.250.20.137

December 18, 2009 at 10:06 PM · I gotta say that out of all the inverts out there, Raptor has to be my favorite. it is the tight turns and twists that I love about it. Also Raptor constantly gets my stomach nearly every time. It belongs on the list!

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2010 Best Theme Park Attraction nominee: Cedar Point's Raptor

Replies (17)

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