Gatekeeper Test runs

^B&M's coasters are very simple when you think about it. B&M does not need something like a launch to make their coasters amazing, they rely on their layouts to make it great. I personally love Intamin and B&M but my favorite is B&M, Intamin in close second. Both companies really know what they are doing.

My number one coaster co. would be Intamin, that is if I could fit on them!
I got on everything last year. I have until Aug. to get down to 220lbs.
I'm at 240 lbs. right now. I hope I have enough time. All I know is that I'll fit on everything else, including Gatekeeper.

Picklesthedrummer said:
^B&M's coasters are very simple when you think about it. B&M does not need something like a launch to make their coasters amazing, they rely on their layouts to make it great. I personally love Intamin and B&M but my favorite is B&M, Intamin in close second. Both companies really know what they are doing.

Couldn't agree more.

My top coasters both at Cedar Point and at other parks are mostly Intamin since I love how extreme they make some of their rides. But I do enjoy B&Ms since they still provide good rides that can be forceful and smooth, plus they're reliable. I've mentioned it before, but Intamin's wooden beast El Toro at SFGA is the most amazing ride. Don't get me wrong, though, B&M does have some awesome rides out there too. One of my favorites is the Incredible Hulk at Universal.

I enjoy both companies, but after I ride an Intamin, I'm like "WOW! That was awesome! So intense!" for every coaster. While after I ride a B&M I usually have 1 of 2 responses. Either "That was fun. Had some good positive Gs and was smooth. Let's go on it again." or "That was painful." Overall, Intamin coasters as a whole are more exciting IMO and I never have bad experiences with them, while even though B&M has some great coasters, at the same time some of them are more tame and even can be painful to ride.

I am really glad that the park decided to go with B&M for its latest coaster. Even after GK, I still think the park could use several more B&M's. They are visually appealing, have good capacities, are reliable, and usually give good rides by being intense but not always crazy intense like Intamins.

And it is the added uniqueness in Intamin rides that the top coasters in the world are Intamin's. Just look at Bizzaro, MF, Expedition G-force. Yes, B&M makes some of the best coasters in the world, but as good as Intamin? no... Now reliability and beauty? B&M hands down.

Overall B&M has more more coasters in the top 25 according to Golden Ticket. They have 13 coasts while Intamin has 6 coasters. An interesting thought when Intamin takes the top two spots.

^I'm surprised by that. But I guess if reliability is considered into that, it makes sense. Really, I just can't get enough Intamins. B&M's are nice, but the thrills on Intamins are uncomparable.

They are best of two worlds since their designs go into different approaches. Intamin is focused more on intensity while B&M is masters at creating my favorite thing ever, airtime.

The way I see it, I think Intamin coasters are more innovative and unique (and usually more intense/thrilling) whereas B&M are the ones that "play it safe" and stick to traditional methods (for the most part.)

I do, however like both about the same, but Intamin a tiny bit more. Just because I'd personally rather sacrifice "minimal downtime" for a more unique and intense ride experience.

^^See, I like the airtime on Intamins better. I prefer the crazy, throw-you-out-of-your-seat airtime found on many Intamins (Maverick, El Toro, Skyrush...). I do think, though, that a park should have a good variety of both Intamins and B&M's. I really do like B&M. If I had to pick a favorite, I would have to go with Intamin just since I like those crazy coasters best.

I only really like B&M hypers. I'm all about airtime. Inversions just don't appeal to me as much as a good airtime filled coaster.

Since we are talking about comparisons here, I would have to say Intamin wins in my book just because I was wowed over Millennium Force, Top Thrill Dragster, and Maverick! Those rides just leave you with the feeling of wow what just happened and I want to do it again! B&M is cool and I love the experiences that I get from them, but Intamin wins hands down!

Intamin experiments with ride design
B&M experiments with train design

Comparing the two really feels like comparing Marvel and DC to me.

Marvel.

And Intamin overall based on my past experiences.

Avengers Assemble! =)

Screw Arrow Dynamics. Nobody likes Gemini Magnum CCMR etc.

I've been a loooong time reader of this site. 13+ years. I haven't posted since the MF construction days and literally had to make a new account because I don't recall my sign in. Anyway, I usually just read and stay out of the debates but I felt I should chime in here.

I'm a huge Cedar Point fan from Chicago. I love this park and visit 4-5 times a year. With that said, I am extremely disappointed in the decision to build Gatekeeper and I hope I end up eating my words. Living here in Chicago I have had the displeasure of riding X Flight @ Great America roughly 10 times. The ride blows! Seriously! It's SLOW, very slow, It's terribly boring, it's short and it's pretty sad when a 20yr old Batman Coaster is far more entertaining than their new pride and joy.

Now before everyone goes nuts, I realize that GK is much larger, taller, faster, bla bla bla.. The fact remains that they are very similar rides made by the same company. X Flight has a keyhole, which honestly looks cooler from the ground than it does on the ride. As I guarantee will be the case on GK.

Anyway my point is this, the awesome look of this ride and trains aside. If GK is even remotely similar to X Flight many many people are going to be very disappointed. I'd highly suggest not getting your hopes up too much. X Flight is very boring.... I hope I'm dead wrong and I eat my words once this thing starts operating... Just putting in a non bias REAL comment. I shall now return to another 13 year hiatus. :)

Gatekeeper has a huge one-up on X-Flight, though: its location. I agree that X-Flight is a bit of a snoozer and it's hard to comment on the Gatekeeper experience right now, but this great location along the shore and across the entrance plaza should make for a pleasant ride.

As I'm on an internet forum, though, I have to complain about something, right? I don't get the theming they've chosen - I understand the idea of integrating the front gate into the ride, but it just never seemed to make much sense to me. It's a ... bird? What's in a name, anyway, right??

I hate when people diss Magnum and Gemini. The Magnum is still my favorite coaster, and I still
Ride tha Gemini a lot.

^ I was being sarcastic since everybody only cares about Intamin and B&M. I love Magnum and Gemini.