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AC was the final coaster on our Golden Ticket Top 10 (minus the overseas coaster- GeForce) Coaster Tour of 2007. We were excited about the new and highly touted Griffon but headed straight to AC to get our pics that we needed and ride our final Top 10 ride. While the coaster definitely did not disappoint, it was lacking a little after already riding Agawam's Superman, Cedar Point's Millennium Force and the likes. It is virtually impossible to review this coaster without comparing it to its B and M brethern Nitro and Goliath at SFOG. The three rides are so similar that even a non-enthusiast would have no problems determining that they were created by the same designer. I feel that Nitro gives the more forceful ride, Goliath has a little more air, and AC is by far themed the best of the three. BGE simply does an amazing job in upkeep and working their rides into the gorgeous surroundings. AC is definitely not an exception.
I love B and M hypers as they are the equivalent of sitting in a comfortable recliner in your living room and riding a coaster. As a coaster enthusiast I respect these types of rides and will continue to rank them highly. However, sometimes its fun to get on a good old-fashioned woodie and take a beating from one side of the car to the next (I still don't like my head or neck bashed however....for that reason inverts and loopers are usually lower down on my rankings...see Maverick review).
Like most B and M's there is a great deal of floater air on this ride with the front being the best seat for visuals and the back being a little better for air. The final drop before the station is my favorite as it gives something to look forward to at the end of the ride.
And did I mention the beautiful landscaping? Riding AC is an absolute blast due to the comfort of the trains and the scenery. Just don't expect a great deal of intensity from the # 5 steel coaster in the world according to the Golden Tickets. I'll still ride it any day. It's a wonderful ride and gives BGE a trio of 9's and a definite stop on the road for any coaster enthusiast.
Despite it's lack of intensity, I will say in closing that this giant purple ride is among the best designed coasters in the world. It, along with Montu, are so silky smooth that they are almost boring. While it may sound insane to call a 200 foot ride or an invert with 7 inversions boring, we here at Coaster Reviews are in agreement on this fact. If Apollo's Chariot were not quiet so smooth and offered a little more intensity it might receive a perfect score from us. As it is, it will just have to be satisfied with a very high score and the title of Best Designed and Smoothest ride. Not a bad consolation prize.
Overall Score - 9 (Super-Smooth)
Ride Apollo's Chariot below.
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