The Nearly Abandoned History Of Desperado - Buffalo Bill's Resort & Casino | Expedition Theme Park

Join us on our second episode looking at Hyper-coasters with The Rough History of Desperado. Located in Primm, Nevada at the Buffalo Bill's Resort and Casino this unique roller-coaster does not sit in a theme park but at a Casino. Billed as pretty rough it was once the tallest roller-coaster in the world... kinda.
Special thank you to Theme Park Review and JakeOrl
Credits -
CoasterNick3157 - - • Desperado At Primm, Ne...
Looping Lee - - • Desperado Roller Coaster
Ted Newkirk - • Video
Crazy Stupid Drone -- • Epic Drone Footage in ...
Unmanned Services - • Las Vegas Aerial Views...
QBAN2010 - - • HOOVER DAM DRONE FOOTAGE
Majestic Flights - - • Lake Tahoe 4K ©
Theme Park Review - - • High Roller Roller Coa...
Theme Park Review - • Canyon Blaster Roller ...
HappyChest - • X-Scream ride at the S...
Eros - • Insanity - Stratospher...
Las Vegas Creative - • Drone Primm Nevada
Trader Doe - • Video
bsbleo03 - - • Bonnie and Clyde Death...
Geoff Sobering - • Primm Monorail - It Mo...
J Cortez Traveler - • PRIMM STATE LINE NEVAD...
4K Vlogs - • Buffalo Bills Primm NV 4K
KING DAD - • Primm NV Aerial Video
Ben Sider - • Video
My Two Minutue Videos Acroos The Globe - • Buffalo Bills SPECIAL ...
LetYrLiteSHine - • Buffalo Bills- Defunct...
theme Park Overload - • Turbo Drop (HD POV) Bu...
Theme Park Overload - • Adventure Canyon Log F...
adventrouslygayduo - • Adventure Canyon Log F...
JakeOrl - • Exploring Decaying Cas...
Drone Footage - • Exploring Decaying Cas...
Sean Flaharty - • Steel Phantom's Final ...
Theme Park Review - • Desperado Roller Coast...
s34nviudeos - • Desperado Rollercoaste...
Savage Coasters - • Desperado is Open! (ag...
Theme Park Review - • Fujiyama Roller Coaste...
Theme Park Review - • Manhattan Express Big ...

[@metropod]

Interestingly, this was represented in “Fallout: New Vegas” as a wooden coaster, attached to the “Bison Steve” hotel. And it somehow was mostly still standing 2 centuries after the Great War of 2077.

[@helmutkok7833]

Patrolling the Mojave Almost Makes You Wish For a Nuclear Winter

[@OctavioJackson]

As evidenced by the choice to use the ambient music from FONV...

[@scrambled5948]

I think an ultra immersive theme park land based on Fallout would be interesting.

[@atlantis.4173]

We won’t go quietly, the legion can count on that.

[@JustinCoasters]

There were rumors of Whiskey Pete’s adding a wooden coaster

[@DragonFangX]

Ugh, this episode hit my nostalgia hard, when the Vegas strip had all sorts of fun, amazing rides and shows to go on. While many of the shows still stand, its sad to see a good chunk of the rides now all gone. How I miss those days.

[@andreajoki9758]

Remember when it was all about amusement parks in Vegas? Luxor had the three ride/show thing, the MGM had its own theme park, and Circus Circus built the dome. It's kind of sad to see it is now all about a bland corporate feel with Aria, Mandarin, etc.

[@nicolebentley984]

I remember the racecar rollercoaster

[@heatherp4297]

@@andreajoki9758 The dome in Circus Circus was great. Their little coaster was sooooo fun.

[@matthewbrownridge4370]

​@@andreajoki9758too contemporary now it's shite

[@oblivieon1567]

The issue with attractions like this is the operators think they can build a ride and it'll stay relevant forever. Which we all know isn't the case. What they built in the 90's was pretty cool, the Log Flume is actually pretty good and Desperado is a solid ride. But they didn't keep the momentum going. So over time the train closed, the drop tower closed, they failed to properly maintain the rides and they never added anything compelling so it all got really stale. When the Sahara closed I thought Speed the ride would be a great fit but they haven't invested in the attractions in decades. It's really too bad because it could have become a pretty cool small amusement park and certainly got off to a pretty good start.

[@MM-yb2fy]

Yeah they could have really had a Knotts Berry Farm type amusement park which would have drawn people to the area since they have the space.

[@chesterogilvie1393]

Relevant? Look at X at Magic Mountain...

[@oblivieon1567]

@@chesterogilvie1393 What I mean is they never really added anything so it got stale.

[@AirtimeThrills]

Ive been riding this for almost 20 years and can confirm that even in 2001 it would bruise you up. I found the front is more pleasant but the back is insane. I last rode this in October 2019 so its still going even if its rarely open

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Yepppp

[@markmiller4503]

That's sad because the Magnum in cedar point is still a very pleasant ride.

[@hokyman]

The last time I went on this I believe was 1996. I don't remember it being uncomfortable... I just remember thinking it was really boring. No real elements to speak of. Just a drop here, a turn there. I had more fun yesterday riding the front of the Disneyland Monorail than I did riding that stupid coaster. ;)

[@CSDonohue11]

Nice! I haven’t ridden it in over 20 years , I always just drive right bye 👋

[@CSDonohue11]

Josh Green Yea , I do not remember it being a violent ride myself neither, it didn’t beat me up but it was a fun lil coaster way back then. There wasn’t anything else like it @TT. It was just an Hi Speed , Hi Drop coaster that was a lil over hyped but it still was fun and worth making a few trips out there the 1st yr alone and a couple more the next yr-2.

[@theangrycheesehead]

Funny enough, he is using music from Fallout: New Vegas, including its theme

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Glad you spotted it 😆

[@theangrycheesehead]

@@ExpeditionThemePark I'm a huge fallout fan, and New Vegas has the best music

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

It's.my fav fallout game!

[@theangrycheesehead]

Figures if you are gonna fill the video with radio new vegas, mojave music radio, and mysterious broadcast that it would be your favorite

[@sarahlyons1012]

@@theangrycheesehead SAME l love Fallout New Vegas CX

[@ryantorchia3202]

Riding this is like staring into a hair dryer for two minutes.

[@colt45peacemaker]

116 degree desert days.

[@williamnair1991]

A HOT hairdryer at that.

[@steveesteban5978]

I can confirm. Decided to ride it in the middle of the day while it was 108F outside. I didn’t think about the hot winds until I was already on it lol

[@cerissalopez7378]

the fucking accuracy 🤣

[@UlshaRS]

Unless you get the microburst of rain. Then it's like you took the hairdryer into the shower.

[@covercalls88]

I remember staying with the family at the Buffalo Bills a lot during the 1995 to 2005. I easily earned enough points so my kids were given a all day pass to ride Desperado, the log ride, and motion ride as much as they wanted. And it cost a dollar to see a first run movie. The casino and arcade were packed. Stateline started to fall off in early 3000 and really fell off cliff when Herbst took over, they didn't tale care of the hotels and started to relly jack up the priced which drove the families away. I think the last time I stayed there was Christmas 2017, what a mess. I will never stay there again.

[@SeanFlaharty]

I first rode Desperado in August of 1995. I loved it so much that I decided to pass on going to Vegas with friends so I could ride it all evening. Back when I used to rate coasters, I had the coaster above Magnum. The ride didn't age well at all and I doubt I would ever stop by to ride it again as my last ride on it a decade ago was enough to make me lose interest in it. Also, Whiskey Pete's was supposed to get a very large CCI coaster at one point. A racing one if I remember correctly. Sounds like it would have been incredible.

[@Montu-pc5gp]

I took some pictures of it. It barely oprates now.

[@TheAngiepangie424]

I rode it in the mid 90s too, and loved it. The drop took my breath away! It was nice to stop and ride it on the way in Vegas.

[@timmionske941]

Love stopping on my way to Vegas to ride this coaster. It's really intense during the winter time, feeling that cold wind blowing in your face at 80MPH

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Yesss

[@mikekelly7862]

Blackpool Pleasure Beach guy throwing shade at Kennywood is hilarious

[@TheShiftersMusic]

I found his tone of voice quite hilarious myself.

[@BD97lol]

With legendary Arrow's dropping left and right, most recently being Vortex which honestly deserves its own video. It is only a matter of time before the arrow hypers start falling and I am rather certain this will sadly, be the first. Awesome video

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you!

[@villek3722]

Well there have been closed one arrow hyper named titan in some japanese park.

[@BD97lol]

@@villek3722 technically it wasn't a hyper though. It was only in the 150ft range

[@villek3722]

@@BD97lol well your right but i remember it as 180ft for some reason

[@BD97lol]

@@villek3722 it's less than 200 by a decent amount thats for sure 😂

[@kennethdgunderson6013]

I Rode It In Oct 98, Right After My Mom Died, I Needed This Ride, It Helped Me Thru My Depression, Thank You Buffalo Bills !!! 🎢

[@elisastrange8586]

I remember riding this as a kid with my Dad while we traveled from California to Las Vegas. I don't remember much else from that trip, but this ride was awesome. I remember going into the casino and boarding the train. Great video.

[@greggsandoval549]

So many good memories at the buffalos bills hotel and casino. I remember going into the magic shop and the arcade near the vr rollercoaster ride. They had some many good arcade games.

[@Krillinish2]

Forgot to add the 110°F thrill factor.

[@gyromatical]

Just a tip: if you apply audio normalization then all the audio levels will be the same volume (yet retain the same dynamics). Just mentioning because some of the clips are relatively quiet in comparison to your voiceover. Anyway, great vid. Subbed 👍

[@DanBieranowski]

My family used to take trips to Vegas from Southern California every year or two, and we would always stop in Primm and go on Desperado as many times as we could fit in before heading down the road to Vegas. It was a ton of fun and wasn't as bumpy as people seem to think. Great video as usual.

[@AmusementLabs]

"is it the tallest" Yes, but actually no.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Yes but no but.kinda

[@AmusementLabs]

@@ExpeditionThemePark yes, but no, but kinda, but maybe, but who cares.

[@R36613]

I remember the picture holder said it was over 90 mph

[@loserface516]

I was a big, big fan of Desperado when I was younger, so it’s sad to see the state that it (as well as Buffalo Bill’s as a resort) has become. :(

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Yeah 😔

[@ATalkingBadger]

As a life-long Las Vegas native, thank you for this video! I ride Desperado whenever I see concerts at the Star Of The Desert Arena in Buffalo Bill's. I've also ridden the Manhattan Express (NYNY Roller Coaster) many times. Desperado is sort of rough, the Manhattan Express feels like you're getting punched in the neck over and over, thanks to the odd shoulder restraints they have on it. If they switched to just lap bars, it'd be a much more enjoyable experience. The Manhattan Express also has a nice view of T-Mobile Arena (home of the Vegas Golden Knights) during the chain lift hill. The Adventuredome Indoor Amusement Park in Las Vegas has 2 very nice roller coasters. SPEED was an awesome launched shuttle looping roller coaster at the Sahara/NASCAR Cafe, but was removed when Sahara was purchased and became the SLS. It's now called The Sahara again, but the roller coaster remains in storage near the Luxor and airport. Hopefully they put that back in its original place. I look forward to your upcoming Las Vegas video(s)! I'll be heading to Six Flags Magic Mountain from Vegas on the 28th (leaving the 27th), so I'll definitely go ride Desperado.

[@falloutfan6649]

If you survived The Beast at King’s Island or Cedar Point’s Mean Streak before they renovated it to Steel Vengeance, you can survive Desperado

[@MsCnote1984]

The murder at the Prima Donna destroyed the entire area. Parents no longer feel comfortable bringing their children to those casinos and the only customers are truck drivers parking for the night at Whiskey Pete's.

[@franciscocolin2008]

what murder?

[@Frank451Martin]

@@franciscocolin2008 Sorry I'm late, in the late 90s, some scumbag raped and murdered a little girl named Sherrice which gave Primm an extremely bad rep. Around the early 2000s when I was little, I clearly remembered my parents were freaking out of not wanting to stay in the casino or the hotel to do that incident.

[@richard_gonzalez]

I stood at buffalo Bill's over the summer this year. And man I can tell you it truly is a shell of its former self. I remember going there as a kid and playing in the arcade and riding the log ride. I was having as much fun as a kid could have while being in a casino. Sad to see what it has become. The casino next to it (the primm) is the same as well. It used to be a cool place to stop by and walk around in before going to vegas, but most of the shops are closed and it was scary to see how few people there were there. I'm hoping they can manage to bounce back from all this, but honestly how things were last time I went, it would take a miracle for that to happen.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

I think some.tough times are ahead

[@richard_gonzalez]

@@ExpeditionThemePark I'm afraid you're right

[@dapper-Dan]

We loved that arcade as kids! And if I remember correctly there was a simulator ride as well similar to Star tours.

[@richard_gonzalez]

@@dapper-Dan I remember the simulator ride as well! I never went on it, but I do remember that being there. And I remember there being a drop ride as well. Man this brings back memories haha

[@rissamarie1280]

I remember riding this in HS. I grew up in Vegas. My highschool boyfriend's family and I drove out just to ride the coaster, something different to do, he lost his phone on the ride. It was an OG droid, and had just come out a few days prior... Wow. Such a long time ago. Pretty cool to see the history of this! Didn't realize it was such a big deal. 😊

[@kurtyking6424]

I was lucky enough to ride this in 2011. I’ll never forget seeing it by chance as we were driving to a mall I was amazed. That said it’s pretty intense ride and even rougher

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Yeah it's one of those gems to see!

[@vietnamflashbacks]

I used to drive by this coaster regularly and never realized it was so tall. From the highway, it looks much shorter than Magic Mountain & Six Flags Over Texas.

[@axysdnyd]

I absolutely love Primm Nevada, honestly it's a must stop place. It's so sad to see the decline of this amazing place, but I'll always love it. I'd love to see the log flume back in action again and I'd love to ride it. Hopefully things will get back to normal soon.

[@kylestrange4494]

I went on this ride when I was 7 years old and barley was tall enough to ride. The coaster was only 4 years old then but it was a fun coaster and probably still is

[@prismstudios001]

Kyle Strange Barley can ride? What about wheat or oats? Sorry.....Just hit “bitch mode “ there.....

[@radar12564]

I love the use of the Fallout: New Vegas music.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

One.of my fav games !

[@doomedamerica]

Buffalo Bills will always be the best of the 3, cant believe it's been closed for this long. I hope it opens back up!

[@fizzys26]

This whole resort is just sad to walk around.

[@Jordantmori]

I literally just passed this rollercoaster two days ago. Really good timing on this video haha

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Next time.take a ride!

[@tshan6520]

I came all the way from New York City to get on that coaster back in the 90’s... It was worth the trip. Great coaster at the time. Probably still is.

[@rosemaryross2100]

I remember this place, when we passed it on our road trips as a kid I remember knowing we were almost to Vegas. It was a spectacular site

[@deejayohdumb]

As a teenager I rode in the front seat of this coaster. Right when it started to crest the ride stopped. We sat there for a few minutes when the staff walked all the way to the top, let us out, and escorted us down the stairwell. Little scary. Can’t remember if we ended up riding it after it opened. But I remember that it broke while I was on it.

[@KyaneTiger]

I want to mention how much I love your channel. I would also like to add for you to do Speed-The Ride in Las Vegas. No one talks about the only launch coaster at the time and now in Las Vegas.

[@RaiderNation84]

Seconded!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Will add it to my list! Thank you so much

[@nicolebentley984]

I went on buffalo Bill's roller coaster once when I was 14! Biggest drop of my life still today in 2019. I went on it when I was 25 and it was ruff

[@Paolo8772]

I'm so glad to see you've listed all the stats of the biggest coasters of that time. If In had my way the drop would make the title of mega/hyper/giga/strata, NOT the height.

[@CSDonohue11]

That place was a lot of fun @ 1x. It was packed when it opened in 94 and it stayed packed for almost 2years but it started dying off pretty rapidly, a few years ago there was no one out there when I stopped, I stopped just to see and it the resort itself needs new carpet but idk if they’ve done anything since, it was starting to look old a few years ago but I’d bet they’ve updated the easiest things like carpet and even some machines to keep it from looking old, some of the exterior needed New coat of paint as well. It did have long climb that purposely climbed very slow and then a steep drop that continued flying around the rest of the ride.

[@Aldernary]

Desperado is one of the first coasters I remember riding - thank you for doing it justice!

[@Tangent360]

It's been a few years since I've ridden it but I really don't remember it being all that rough. The coaster at the NYNY though, now *that's* a rough ride. I call that one "The Mugger" because the last time I rode it I felt like I'd just gotten a good beating.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Haha nice nickname

[@WhatsTheT]

well I can confirm with you that as of Sept 2019, Desperado is BEYOND ROUGH. My first and last time riding it. Glad I got the chance to experience it but seriously, you could really injure your back on that coaster.

[@aceofcheems7685]

I lost my wallet on that ride Its probably still on the roof of nyny

[@shelbydog0911]

I’ve gone here the last few years for the Mint 400. The place is in rough shape but I was lucky enough to actually catch a ride on the log ride one year. It seemed like you used to be able to shoot targets during the ride as there are some targets around like a shooting gallery game but we weren’t able to do that when it was running. After that I never saw it run again. That was probably 2018 or 2019.

[@montezoomasrevengefanboy6477]

Despite the rough ride experience, I still love it anyway, and will be sad when it’s gone, but I still don’t understand why I love it so much

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

I enjoy a good rough coaster too

[@andrewolson790]

This one was a real fun one to watch. I am a local from vegas and I would always come here with my friends when i was younger.

[@christophersampson1982]

My Stepfather was the Chief Engineer of Buffalo Bills when they started and after finishing the roller coaster and my older brother was one of the guys who put it together. My three brothers and I would go there at least twice a month and ride the coaster and log ride inside for free then hit the arcade for a couple hours after the rides. At the time it was the only thing off the strip to really do in Las Vegas, sans bowling or mini golf.

[@alanm4072]

I was quite lucky getting on this coaster in September 2018 when I went out to California. Honestly was a fantastic ride although a bit rough. Being on an Arrow hypercoaster, I didn't expect to get as much airtime as I did as it was quite insane.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Glad you got on!

[@dapper-Dan]

My dad and I rode this in 95 or 96.......we stayed at a Buffalo Bills on vacation after they built the new golf courses up the road. To this day he has never been on another coaster lol.....this beast scarred him for life. I do remember loving that place though. The log flume was great as well! Sad to see the state of it all now.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Yeah really is a shame

[@lukepevensie]

i never got the chance to ride the log flume. bummer. but desperado was great however the g forces hurt my lower back for a while

[@feaserfilm1]

Great video! Glad someone finally documented this one!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you!

[@bulbafettgo]

This is a piece of my childhood that never gets talked about. Its been so sad to see everything at primm go downhill.

[@SuperEnthused]

Ok so when we going to Vegas to ride this thing? 😂

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Asap

[@SuperEnthused]

@@ExpeditionThemePark MY FAVORITE HUMAN!

[@edvaira6891]

It’s barely rideable right now...it was an Ok ride at the beginning but IT HASNT BEEN MAINTAINED WELL...

[@lunahetfield]

edvaira6891 so.... its not safe to ride to this day?

[@SeeShaunVlog]

Can we come? I wanna do the ones in circus circus too... caroline said I wasnt allowed when we went

[@21daytona502]

When it first opened it was fast and very rough. A little history, the train that ran through Buffalo Bills was how people got from Whisky Pets to Buffalo Bills before the monorail was built, you can see the old bridge at 6:35 and some of the track layout on Google Maps.

[@colepavlishin5299]

Damn I love Ron Toomer... long live the Arrow’s

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

🧡

[@blazinbad4204]

I drove through Primm a week ago and decided to stop just to see if it was open, even though I knew it probably wouldn’t be since its hardly ever running anymore. When I drove up to the parking lot, they had every driveway blocked off and the whole place was closed. I went on Yelp and checked and they labeled it as a closed down business. The pandemic was the final nail for Desperado and Buffalo Bill’s.

[@CivilianSatellite]

I got to ride Desperado for the first time in September. I was expecting a vicious and brutal ride based on the reviews I read, but I didn't think my ride was half-bad. It was janky and awkward, but at no point was it painful and I thought it was pretty fun. I would have gone for a second go if it wasn't so expensive. On the subject of hyper coasters, I'd be interested in a video on Moonsault Scramble (not a hyper, I know) as the first roller coaster to reach 200+ feet.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

It's on my list to do ! 😊

[@jeebs621]

I remember passing through primm when I was younger, I still wished we stopped at the casino to ride this coaster.

[@desiderium3243]

Lol I was thinking of the bison Steve hotel in Fallout New Vegas

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Me toooo

[@jordanp.davidson5977]

Well the Bison Steve Hotel and Casino was inspired by Buffalo Bills so I’m not surprised that you two was thinking about it.

[@p.taylor981]

Why do you think he put fallout music in the background

[@alxking1901]

I rode both the roller coaster and log ride late last September with my best friend. Holy crap was that coaster intense. I white knuckled that safety handle the WHOLE time!!

[@TheNewbieRailRoader]

Getting New Vegas Vibes By The Music Used Its Nice to hear it

[@jamesdench9224]

Very much enjoying the Fallout music throughout, big props to the stunning detail as well, thoroughly enjoying going through your back catalog of videos :D

[@superawesomebros3084]

My family always passes this hotel/coaster every time we drive up to Vegas

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Take a ride!

[@susiesweet8003]

Kennywood is over 120 years old & a National Historic Landmark. It's a beautiful, clean park with a mix of old rides & new. 🥰 We have 3, very cool wooden coasts besides 2 metal ones. 🎢 I'm 70 & until 3 years ago...I went every year with my family, then my kids & then with my grankids. The park never closed during the depression or either WWs & It's the only amusement park in southwestern PA to survive. I was fortunate to grow up in the same town.

[@LowgaenSchmidt]

I don't care that it's rough. I've never been on it and I really hope they open it back up again at some point so people can get one last ride on it.

[@alisontrammell9824]

I got to ride this one back in the 90’s when it first opened and was staying the night before heading to Denver. The rumor was the tunnel for the first drop was because either the engineer team miscalculated the drop run, the state or owners didn’t want the highest point to exceed the peak of the hotel and was dug to meet that height restriction. I thought at the time it was a splash pool element that got revised due to the water restriction use of the era. I always stopped to ride the coaster though thru the years and was upset that terribles closed access down to the coaster while they ran the properties

[@GMalt21]

Places in Nevada that try to draw crowds with Vegas pizazz are so wild

[@JasonBoydston]

I was lucky enough to ride this in August 1994, they gave you a free ride and buffet with your room. When I was in line for the buffet I got several more ride tickets from the senior citizens that didn't want to ride it but had the free tickets from their room. It was awesome!

[@rjkral]

Rode it in 96. Rough as guts!!!

[@troykawahara4496]

I rode this only one time and that was at night. It was definitely a wild ride. This was probably over a decade ago and I think it was the first time I had been on a coaster taller than 200’, so it does have some place in my memories. It’s kind of sad to see Primm now, but I also never really understood the concept of it given that Las Vegas isn’t that far away and most people would have already been driving for hours at that point. I’m not sure this place will be open much longer - so it’s really a matter of when and how soon it will permanently close. Californians who want to gamble can often go to the many Indian reservation resorts to do so, without the huge drive. No drive means less business in Primm, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they closed any day now.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Yeah it's days are numbered

[@troykawahara4496]

Expedition Theme Park For sure. One last tip, if you or anyone else decides to go in Winter, it will be very cold, especially if you ride at night.

[@FonzysRevenge]

It's crazy how much Primm has changed and desperado I never found that bad it was rough but as a teen I thought it was cool at the time, but I don't know what's worse Desperado or Manhattan Express at new york New York honestly. One thing tho both a bit overpriced for what they are just to ride.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Manhatten haha

[@laineholly3874]

after doing the LA to Vegas drive a few times we decided to stop at Buffalo Bills to ride the coaster back in 2011 or so and it did not disappoint. It was fast, rough and had a good drop, I've done NY NY and Circus Circus as well and this beats those hands down...so sad to see all these places falling by the wayside. When Morongo builds a giant coaster maybe I'll try it but till then I'll gamble inVegas and stick to coasters at 6 Flags

[@mo4er915]

I remember this death trap haha I about fell out of it when I was a kid

[@eticketdream]

I was on a high school trip to Yosemite when our van past the coaster I begged the driver to stop and let us ride. He did! Our van of like 15 kids were able to ride this in 1995 sophomore year at North coast high school. When we got to Yosemite the other kids were so jealous we got to stop. After our trip the school put together pictures and memories to display. Our picture of us on the coaster was there! Good memories.

[@FunkDitch]

Desperado is Probably one of the roughest Riding coasters I’ve ever ridden on!

[@mickeymet6973]

I've been on Desparado. It was many years ago, and it absolutely 100% cured me of ever riding another new rollercoaster! That sucker was enough! I find it sad that the resort has fallen on hard times, I used to live half my life on the road, and this was an area that provided cheap rooms and cheap entertainment and food for those nights I was there. Perhaps it'll come back and stay without one of the famous 'Vegas Implosions' of the property.

[@ARMIV4]

In all my travels between Nevada and California as a kid, I think I've only ever been here once. Should make my out there soon.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Do it!

[@TheBroz]

Possibly my favourite of your videos, I've rewatched it a bunch of times.

[@pattyjay9999]

I remember this roller coaster back when I was in my 20s I would go to the state line ride it a few times and go back home since I didn’t have enough money to gamble😜

[@georgeh.7238]

Great video! I rode the "Desperado" when it first opened in 1994. Very rough ride. Your video brings back a lot of memories. Thank you.

[@exiledrabbit]

How could anyone suggest Pepsi Max Big One is faster than Steel Phantom? It's not an opinion that phantom was faster, it had a longer drop that the train already crested with momentum so it's impossible for it not to be faster. I understand there is debate on which is taller or bigger, but when that guy said they think Big One is faster that's just completely ridiculous.

[@tombuck]

We drove by last week surprised that the whole place is closed (although there were definitely people staying inside...).

[@chorokee]

Definitely feels like a Coaster Parody

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Funilly nearly had Taylor on this one

[@fpsjoeyahoocom]

I still have a photo of my cousin and I riding Desperado and the log fume back in 1999. The last time I rode the coaster was in 2005 when we stayed there for a high school trip. My friends and I rode it continuously because there was nobody else riding. It's crazy to see how rundown it's become. My wife and I drove through Primm on the way to Vegas two days ago and it was depressing seeing the Buffalo Bill's parking lot completely empty and doors boarded up.

[@Megatron0182]

I remember going on this we would go ever year for the 4th of July but once my grandparents stoped going cause of owners Terribles so we stoped going.they both passed away and when I go to vegas I stop at prim vally and I have a beer and a hot dog for them

[@oso8658]

:'( sad comment

[@dangusprime]

i used to go here all the time, with my family, in the early 2000's / late 90's. i never got to see the place entirely operational, as the train ride that used to weave through the casino was running at one point (i think on one of my very first visits it may have still been running but it shut down soon after), but besides that i got to see every other attraction open. i rode the log ride and the motion simulator a couple hundred times. Finally my buddy helped me work up enough courage to go on the Desperado, that ride was really fun, but you could tell it wasn't Six Flags level, it had this really intense vibration to it, it was rough for sure! Still rode the Desperado 20x though hahaha. This place used to be poppin man, there were TONS of people all hours of the night, tons of resteraunts, you might even go to Whiskey Pete's for a couple minutes to see Bonnie and Clyde's Car lmao xD.

[@RaiderNation84]

My first epic coaster I ever went on. Went on "Manhattan Express" the day it opened too. Can't wait for that video! Love your work

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you so much!

[@Golf2Quick0]

I got to ride this in 1999. My dad and I stopped at the casino as a rest point since I was moving to LV from San Diego. It was in October, at night, and it was cold. I thin there were only maybe 6 of us on it. I'm glad to have had the chance to ride it seeing the future of it is in question.

[@ThatCoasterEnthusiast]

One of the best extinct yet, stuffed full of info and surprised me by how good it was

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you so much!!

[@axelxbc]

Truly saddens me to hear that this property has went down hill the past decade... Used to go there every summer as a kid, since I used to live an hour or so away. This place will be missed and will never be the same. Growing up, my grandpa actually knew the employees so well he would get me a all-day wristband. Would ride all of the rides here countlessly. This really does bring a tear to my eye! Might have to take a trip out there to try this coaster one last time while it's still around.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

It is a shame

[@mikekromer2669]

I remember riding this one brand new, at the time I loved it and wanted to ride again and again, but the price ouch lol. The transitions where poorly designed and only got worse with age lol. I miss it

[@randomhero6365]

Spent a day here once. We camp at Dumont Sand Dunes not far an it was a super windy few days. So we headed into prim to hangout gamble an ride the rides. Was a fun day and seeing this brings me back to it.

[@wowzerz497]

Me watching : You take a sip from your trusty Vault 13 canteen

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Yesssss

[@ariusraygn]

I have to thank you for making this video. This entire location was always a mainstay in my mind after long trips to and from california on my way to Colorado. I've always been enamored with the idealization of a large Barn-like building next to a steel snake-like titan ever since I saw this place when I was 11 years old. Now that I'm older and less afraid of coasters it might be time to take another trip out there just for the opportunity to ride one of my childhood curiousities

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

It's worth a ride for sure!

[@jeremysmiech8338]

I rode it in 2001....It was pretty wicked in terms of being rough on the body

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Yeah !

[@FearCollectve]

I rode a few times in highschool and glad I did. I remember it being fun. The log ride inside the hotel was cool too.

[@JimiStone]

I'm starting to get the feeling my ride on this in late summer of '18 was pretty rare...

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

It is

[@Mathrss]

Same bro I rode this thing for the first and last time in late 2018. It was literally only me & my sister on the ride. I recently passed Buffalo bills again last week and Buffalo bills is now closed empty Parking lot and driveways are blocked off. Depressing tbh

[@Joypyf]

Love all the history packed into this video and the update on its current state!!

[@mandapleazee]

That stunt guy clip was hilarious 😂😂 I miss this. We used to have the unlimited wristbands as kids while the parents gambled. I rode this in 50 degree weather lol

[@robj7481]

Ron Toomer was a legendary coaster designer, but it was Arrow’s poor manufacturing that made their rides a bumpy nightmare and made Arrow a poor prospect to compete and succeed in the emerging hypercoaster market. I’m betting that Desperado gets disassembled and installed at a different park... or dismantled altogether.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

He is a legend

[@joeygassmann5595]

I rode this once, maybe twice in 2003 when I stayed at the hotel for a weekend. I barely remember the experience, I think I remember more about the log ride where you shoot at targets even more, but I do know that I really want to ride it again before it goes the way of the dodo. I'd go out there and ride it all weekend before New Year (as you stated in the video, scheduled operation Dec. 27-29) but unfortunately I have obligations that I can't get away from. Thank you for this excellent video, info about this controversial coaster is hard to come by besides the occasional "that ride sucks, I rode it once when I was hung over coming home from Vegas" story. Kudos, and thank you for putting out these amazing videos, I enjoy every one of them.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you so much for watching

[@lukeminosky2485]

5:52 that aged well 😂

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

😆

[@shadvan9494]

I used to ride this coaster all the time back in the 90s. Used to drive the 30 minutes from Vegas just for a few rides on the desperado. It was a great coaster back then.