Is the So-Called ‘Roller Coaster Arms Race’ Going Too Far?

Three massive coasters are making their debuts this spring claiming to be called the biggest rides in the U.S. The Wall Street Journal even terms it the ”roller coaster arms race.” At Dorney Park in Pennsylvania, Inside Edition got the chance to experience the Iron Menace. It's Dorney Park's biggest ride in its 164-year history. Inside Edition producer Marissa Zayed gave the Iron Menace a try.

[@nova8585]

As long as it wasn't made by Boeing, it should probably be fine.

[@Mr_Mustache_og]

It would be like final destination.

[@hazeleyest9562]

🤣🤣🤣

[@user-hg8hn3zi3w]

😂😂

[@MrChaoticCrazed]

@@Mr_Mustache_og as much as i lovedthe final destination movies it was really really inaccurate with the roller coaster scene but it still scared me a ton 😭

[@AJVillanueva2030]

Dear Disney.

[@chris42690]

If it’s safe, up to code and is fun. Then there’s no reason for concern.

[@bloodycinephile]

I predict this comment will age badly

[@staringcorgi6475]

Roller coasters evolved from the sketchy loopers that’ll break bones in your neck back in coney island in the beginning of the 20th century

[@AJVillanueva2030]

Dear Disney.

[@JoeBuck207]

You can actually get brain damage at that speed.

[@Snickerdoodle06]

I don't think the report gave any reason for concern though. The reporter said the ride was fun

[@pancake_2_]

I'm sorry, But this is 2024, not 2003. The Coaster Wars was YEARS ago

[@shariyahbutler]

😂

[@Blast2224]

Thank you. It died with El Toro, in my opinion. 2006. Because by 2009? Hey son! You wanna ride "Mars Needs Moms: The Roller Coaster"? Here's a spinning one sponsored by Tony Hawk. How about an Evil Kineeeeevil wooden thing?

[@storminnorman6727]

Cedar point won with Steel Vengeance

[@lightningboat]

@@storminnorman6727 Maverick ended it

[@hypnofaith1027]

History repeats itself.

[@TheTscream]

Enthusiasts rise up and laugh, the mainstream media is covering roller coasters

[@ZMSaypol]

Seriously 😭😭😭

[@yippymishy]

My heart sank when she said Georgia Surfer stops in midair

[@brybryguy6314]

Seriously!! I'm sitting here like? Coaster arms race?? Ohhhh these people smh

[@abatall]

how r yall fans of this i'm so scared of it, but then again i love planes and cars and boeing is boeing

[@theheardtheorem]

The only thing funnier than this segment is when GP sends you the link because they know you’re into coasters

[@brazpack]

The “arms race” is nothing compared to what it was in the 90s/2000s

[@ogeboi4945]

I read the WSJ release and just laughed because it just ignored the existence of the 2000’s

[@Emily-cw7tj]

That's true

[@billquincey2898]

Yup

[@zach2592]

How so?? Roller coasters have never been this big & fast before

[@elementoftheride]

@@zach2592 They had more of an “arms race” in the 90s and 2000s than they do now. It’s not a smart financial move for parks to keep one upping each other nowadays. While yes, we still have some crazy fast and large rollercoasters, the first ones of the heights we see today opened in the early 2000s

[@Historybluff1986]

I think for the arms race they’re about 15 years too late. Maybe 20

[@LMBcoasters]

fr

[@jonny-b4954]

Seriously, haha. Just WSJ randomly popping in deciding they know what's going on. Haha Like a new employee coming in trying to show you how it's done hah

[@atticusrunestad4467]

I’m glad this is getting recognition, but as a coaster enthusiast i am cringing

[@FIr3BLZ]

Lol same I was cringing so hard

[@paddaaweh]

Being a 'coaster enthusiast' is cringe by definition, and therefore of course this report is too.

[@convexisanengineer3988]

@@paddaawehbro felt so sigma saying this

[@litterbocks47]

This ain’t even a coaster war😂 it’s just yearly additions🤦‍♂️

[@Maliboomer]

There's actually nothing ground breaking about any of these coasters. These records have been broken 2-3 decades ago.

[@Danplays3000]

Yo maliboomer

[@JuddsonPlayz]

Yoo I love your videos

[@MELANIEMUSTYKID98]

Omg hello

[@TrumpLester]

I gotta get back into RollerCoaster Tycoon.

[@ZMSaypol]

No limits 2 is where it’s at!

[@GamingFanactic911]

Yes you do. Just don't play any RCT game after 3.

[@RB01.10]

I remember playing that on my computer many years ago when I was in my roller coaster phase. Loved it

[@Ms.Kelani]

Thrillville is so much better. 😭

[@GamingFanactic911]

@@Ms.Kelani Thrillville is very fun, but RCT beats it easy for me. XD

[@patrickstrahm05]

Like how they talk about this now when the "coaster wars" between Six Flags and Cedar Fair peaked in the 90's

[@plighting_engineerd]

exactly

[@fytghggyungf7601]

Hun, it’s not “Dorney park, Pennsylvania” it’s Dorney park in Allentown, Pennsylvania. And iron menace is not the “biggest ride in the parks 100 year history”, that would be steel force which has been there since ‘98.

[@crow_scripts]

just wait till they hear about falcons flight lmao

[@ogeboi4945]

real

[@fadbob_]

fr

[@cccEngineer]

Hopefully they don't cover it because slave labor

[@Blast2224]

That ride is an abortion.

[@SiriasisOFFICIAL]

​@@Blast2224 Natural selection

[@coastersandbrews]

The coaster wars ended years ago. Smh GP reporters

[@edt-ze3ke]

Definitely GP reporters, they think the coaster wars is still relevant even though it ended 20 years ago

[@BuffaloRails]

Top Thrill Two being Cedar Points main attraction? Lets see how Zamperla does before you deem it that. Good luck beating Steel Vengeance.

[@ZMSaypol]

Real. Guaranteed most thoosies will still run to SteVe at rope drop 💀

[@ChasingThrills]

“The best coaster at CP” Or……maybe the third or fourth

[@memelord9737]

It’ll definetally be the “top” ride in 2024, as in longest wait times.

[@maxkull2899]

@@ChasingThrills TT2 is gonna be such a massive improvement from TTD, and it'll be a more thrilling experience for sure. It's a perfect addition to Cedar Point and gives a long-needed refurb to Top Thrill. But I'm pretty certain that it'll still be fourth for me. SV, Millennium Force, and Maverick cannot be beat when it comes to their intensity, layouts, elements, and overall experience.

[@zansusar75]

fr 💀

[@brybryguy6314]

As a huge enthusiasts. I could say a few things...but..........just gonna let this slide

[@coasternerd1338]

this video is so GP

[@twistedmetal313]

The news is sooo GP 🤦‍♂️

[@loganreacts1794]

Local news in general is cringe. Fabricated personalities

[@edt-ze3ke]

Yes it is cuz it's a news report done by GP reporters. They've gone too far!

[@1ronEntertainment]

Coaster wars passed like 20 yrs ago. I’m an enthusiast and laughing my head off lol

[@CRMTB17]

Ain’t no way they did Steve dirty like that😡😡😡

[@IMWBMEGJCC]

Maverick too

[@larsmaerki946]

covering a war that ended 20 years ago

[@metroidomega80]

You haven't lived until you tried the Euthanasia Coaster!

[@mr.mutiny]

Rode it twice it’s a Great ride! That third loop makes you a little lightheaded tho.

[@conormonaghan9178]

@@mr.mutiny You do realise the ride doesn't exist

[@TheUnholyToast1]

​@@conormonaghan9178did you not realize bro was joking? 😂

[@Jkhh12112]

I went on the intimidator 305 years ago and that was my last extreme coaster. It wasn’t because it was scary it was because my friend next to me passed out and her body flopping around the whole coaster scarred me. Hahahahaha

[@49ers_red_and_gold2]

LOL!

[@coolstuffchannel6084]

Don’t worry, there is nothing more extreme than i305

[@ogeboi4945]

I mean it does have a rep for being one of the most intense coasters in the world, the infamous blackout turn must’ve gotten to your friend there

[@staringcorgi6475]

I305 is one of the most intense rides in the continent

[@mewinthedark8513]

the griffin in bush gardens has been there done that lol

[@NLaBruiser]

Bigger thrills is the idea, AS LONG AS they don't pull a Schlitterbahn and ignore warnings / rider safety. Bigger, faster, more intense = great, as long as everyone gets off safely at the end.

[@Sectrix2pp]

No i went on it and it was light work

[@drliam0668]

The Coaster Wars has been happening for decades, it supposedly ended in 2006 after King da Ka at Six Flags Great Adventures dethrone Cedar Points Top Thrill Dragster (Now Top Thrill 2). It was the First Coaster to reach 400 ft, in 2000, Cedar Point broke the record with Millennium Force, the first coaster to exceed 300 ft (I work on it). The the ride that basically started this race, Magnum XL-200 at Cedar Point back in 1989, breaking the 200 ft barrier. Even now if you think about it, Cedar Point still reigns Supreme to an extent, I may be a bias but think about it. Cedar Fair and Six Flags fought for Decades. Six Flags got the Height Record, but in terms of thrills, Cedar Fair won. Whats going on now is nothing compared to the crazy things of the 70s to 2000s. Apologies about the rant, I love roller coasters as its my passion.

[@coasternerd1338]

"in cedar point, ohio" didnt know cedar point was its own town now

[@edt-ze3ke]

I think it’s Six Flags Cedar Point Ohio actually 🤣

[@viperdmk1483]

I live 20 minutes from Dorney fun fact. Lemme just say I’m SUUUUPER excited for Iron Menace. When I saw the announcement on social media I first thought “Oh God” but at the same time I thought “OH YES” because like Marissa I’m also a coaster person when it comes to theme parks. For those wondering the drop angle? *95 degrees. Yeah, it’s steep.* There’s a coaster similar to it that I went on called Dr Diabolical’s Cliffhanger in SF Fiesta Texas. It’s basically the same thing like Iron Menace. Dangles you before the drop and it just sends you down so fast.

[@19EJC]

Same ride basically as the Griffon in Busch Gardens Williamsburg VA...I believe the Griffon is longer and higher though...I may be wrong but I believe so

[@viperdmk1483]

@@19EJC yeah it’s longer. In fact I think ride time’s exactly like Shiekra’s Length. Not to mention it has more seating than iron menace(a whopping 30 passengers on it while Iron Menace has 21)

[@Djdnfrjn]

As a coaster enthusiast I love the news they over exaggerate everything and the coaster wars stoped in 2010 and she said the iron menace is the biggest in Dorsey park history but then right next to it is a coaster taller faster and longer

[@SimKev89]

I remember the coaster wars in the early 2000's. I'm from Orlando so I've rode my fair share of coasters here in Florida. Been to Cedar Point too. But the most badass coaster I road was Son Of Beast at Paramount's Kings Island. that ride was a monster when it was open

[@detroitjc]

This is so GP!

[@CoasterManiac2000]

Fr

[@Sinerwray]

We not using full words now? 😂

[@BortlechorgleCI]

@@Sinerwraynow? Abbreviations have existed for ages!

[@centerline8075]

I’m so glad when I rushed to the comments I came across coaster enthusiasts.

[@zatchg1212]

As someone who loves amusement parks, I’m 1000% ok with a roller coaster arms race

[@UltraCollagenBooster]

Nothing beats the Clock Ride at Chuck E Cheese...

[@thawabalh]

When I tell you after I rode the Hulk ride at Universal Studios Florida I felt like I was about to faint right after 😅

[@PennyMsElite]

Why?

[@theduckk]

That ride is so mild in comparison to the roller coasters they’re building today

[@mh23hm]

That's because it's old and bangs your head against the headrest... it's no longer an enjoyable coaster. They need to tear it down and build a new coaster.

[@Patexer]

Lite work lol

[@WCfanboy]

@@mh23hmit’s not that old. Also maybe you should like… lean forward? Something that runs hundreds of times a day 365 days a year isn’t going to be gloss smooth.

[@tentenchu8140]

Arms race now is nothing compared to what it was 20-30 years ago. Iron Menace is actually quite a small ride.

[@jimidodd-o8017]

To be fair, Steel Force is definitely “bigger” compared to Iron Menace at 205ft and much longer but Iron Menace looks so fun!

[@victorgus9261]

Inside edition is about 20 years late lmao

[@vidhoard]

They'll still get the full experience because they get to see the drop? What is this

[@CRMTB17]

Also, how is a very average dive coaster and a shuttle coaster supposed to be better than tt2?

[@trevorjensen2706]

And it being part of the, "coaster race." It's definitely not designed to beat any records.

[@Jonathonsup]

Cedar point has always been the best place for the biggest, tallest, fastest etc.

[@LevinsConvoy]

Finally, my years of playing Roller Coaster Tycoon 2 has led to this moment.

[@Mr.Yeast2]

This isn't really an arms race, Iron menace is a standard issue dive coaster, and Georgia surfer isn't really that extreme, it's really just top thrill 2 in America right now, besides, Cedar fair owns Dorney park and Six Flags is set to merge with cedar fair

[@leafsfanforever2896]

For anyone who doesn’t know Top Thrill 2, it is the successor to Top Thrill Dragster, which closed down for good in 2021 after a woman was struck by a piece of debris and permanently brain-injured, leading to a lawsuit

[@williamelewis464]

This is dumbest segment of "reporting" I've ever seen

[@guppygb6078]

What would you prefer to see?

[@Alastair_Adana]

I see nothing wrong with making roller coasters more exhilarating. There will always be the kiddy coasters for people like Lisa Guerrero if she doesn’t want to ride them.

[@ericblair871]

beat me to it

[@LuxRoyale]

Why? Because it's not about death/murder/politics?

[@pallascat1743]

It's 'Inside Edition' not some broadsheet.

[@anthonykatsiuk1139]

Love it when GP add a random "the" to the front of a coaster name 0:44

[@CatharsisInEden]

The guy screaming in the beginning is SO ME 😂😂

[@coolguy13333]

LMAOOOOOOOOOOOO “iron menace is competing to be the tallest in the world” LMAOOOOO

[@FazeSquidwrd715]

Not really in the country. Don't forget everything internationally, namely, Voltron at Europa Park and Hyperia at Thorpe Park. But ESPECIALLY remember to cite Falcon's Flight in Six Flags Qiddya, because it's the single most ambitious roller coaster probably ever built. When you want to discuss it going too far, mention one beating like 5 roller coaster world records simultaneously.

[@IMWBMEGJCC]

Hello thoosies, you’ll enjoy reading the comments.

[@ncdjkdnvno1edm]

" This is def not a your grandpas roller costers" Wow i felt dat

[@js862]

Where's my fellow enthusiasts at? 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@thisdeath]

the fact that this got reccomended to me after watching qxir video about a kid dying in a slide.. is crazy.. hope the kids will be safe in this one

[@The5672]

“The largest coaster in dorney parks 164 year history” steel force and possesed: 🧍‍♂️

[@Derkaramma]

I used to NEVER go on roller coasters but now I can’t get enough! The sweaty palms, heart racing feeling is always amazing! The iron menace looks similar to the emperor at seaworld and that thing is amazing. The way it dangles you over the edge to make you watch the drop happen I love it

[@NateHeadleyOfficial]

Bro, this is ain't no Roller Coaster Arms Race, it's literally just the opening of two completely average coasters and one cool coaster that has been changed a little bit.

[@dcallan812]

As long as they stay on the track.

[@PennyMsElite]

😂

[@KnightrideThrillz]

They will NEVER fly off the track thankfully

[@staringcorgi6475]

@@KnightrideThrillzthat’s illegal actually unless it’s a weird effect but even than there’s another set of track to make it still

[@KnightrideThrillz]

@@staringcorgi6475 how is it illegal to make sure the trains never fly off the track?

[@staringcorgi6475]

@@KnightrideThrillz i meant that it’s illegal to design a roller coaster that flys off the track since that will kill or leave people with life changing injuries

[@melaniegrace7707]

Why on earth shouldn’t they make coasters as enjoyable as possible? Sounds like a win to me as long as they make sure it’s safe.

[@Mr.Misanthrope]

Not a single soul on this planet gained a thing from this video other than regret from watching it.

[@centerline8075]

This is so true 😭😭

[@edt-ze3ke]

Inside Editition really put "the" on every coaster included in this so called news report 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@TheRManProds]

THAT'S A TALL COASTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@R0zieP0zey]

They look pretty cool, especially the iron menace. As long as they're safe and won't break or injure someone they'll get quite a lot of attention.

[@C3T1C]

Other parks in this arms race include: Kings island, holiday world, six flags great escape, six flags great adventure, seaworld orlando

[@CoasterManiac2000]

I mean it’s not an arms race anymore, that happened years ago

[@theweeklycapture5616]

These don’t even compare to the Fiery Fist O’Pain. 😂

[@AFloridaSon]

I say they can not be crazy enough. Go wild. Of course, I'm old and I rarely ride them these days. 😅

[@ratbones620]

I think we might be a few years too late when talking about the coaster wars lol

[@Trancefreak12]

The whole "tallest and fastest" arms race ended decades ago. I guess in some way the arms race is still going too far though, because every day there's a new record that's just "tallest/fastest [insert 100 qualifiers] coaster."

[@Arz2003]

[Final Destination has enter the chatroom]

[@simonstevenson6686]

It’s Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. Not Cedar Point, Ohio.

[@MostChillMatt]

The roller coaster wars ended like almsot 20 years ago

[@Skiskilled13]

I wouldn't be surprised if the surfboard one that stops mid air doesn't stop and it keeps going, thats pretty dangerous, and before any of you say "what about Disney lands rollercoaster" its actually got this guard thing infront atleast it will stop a bit of the ride.

[@conormonaghan9178]

That's the stupidest comment ever why would they spend millions of dollars on a ride that will go off the tracks there is lots of more space up the you don't know anything about rollercoasters evidently out of all coaster accidents 0 happened from a train keep going off the track on a boomerang coaster

[@Skiskilled13]

@@conormonaghan9178 I was just saying, it could possibly malfunction, take a chill pill.

[@conormonaghan9178]

@@Skiskilled13 Possibly malfunction 💀 you're never worried about getting into a car crash 1.43 million people die a year from that and 4-5 people die a year from rollercaoster accidents and out of those 0 ever came from a train going to high up on a shuttle coaster it never happened and probably never will

[@conormonaghan9178]

@@Skiskilled13 Yeh you don't know better then any of theese skilled engineers it is pretty much physically impossible for it to go off the rails there's dozens of upstop wheels under the track to prevent it from happening and if it was to "malfunction" the emergency stop would not allow it to depart

[@Skiskilled13]

@@conormonaghan9178 Oh well i was just saying😕

[@parkmeyer4737]

Must be a slow news day.

[@valfssantiago]

Why not "Roller Coasters Arms Raise" ???

[@ThatBearHasMoxie]

The question should be, "Which ride will make you barf the fastest?"

[@CR0WYT]

My hands started sweating from watching these rides.

[@omkardhange2310]

Final destination 1,2,3,4 all in one place 😂

[@John-jj7jq]

My fear getting stuck. Even worse stuck upside down

[@hanbury22]

I’m nostalgic for rollercoasters but I can’t risk my life going on the Georgia Surfer 😅

[@conormonaghan9178]

How would you be risking your life 💀

[@mellowyellowmom7631]

If I don’t arrive in heaven when I die, I’ll probably end up on a roller coaster….hell for me.

[@shaunbruce810]

I just pray there's no accidents on any of these roller coasters this year

[@johnwiggle2868]

I went to Dorney Park with my mom to meet the Peanuts!

[@axelcordova8262]

The first ride is literally just Wicked Twister with a fresh coat of paint.

[@JayRdgz94]

Dorney Park definitely has the most fun looking one

[@ecat3673]

cedar point already did their own iron menace in 2016, it’s called valraven.

[@treytison1444]

"Roller coaster arms race" (Talks about a B&M dive coaster)

[@danielchrist8651]

Watching it drop and feeling it drop is two entirely different experiences.

[@KennyBrownJr]

They wiggin out over dive coasters and saying top thrill will be better than Steel vengeance?🤔 Bruh lol

[@50shadesofinsanity]

This ain't a scene, it's a God damned coaster arm's race.

[@thepuncakian2024]

The only thing that somewhat resembles a coaster war is between the Busch Gardens parks and the Universal parks, which this video completely ignores of course.

[@ginnyisley3329]

Sorry I personally love coasters like the ones there showing so long as they're made while they're fine and if they're not your thing just don't go on them also so not to ruin it for everyone else people need to follow the safety rules. Sorry but that's just my opinion if you don't like it then don't comment.

[@nickigentry9651]

maybe cedar point should break the inversion record next, maybe add 20 inversions.

[@LxrdCreature]

The iron menace is literally the valraven from cedar point lol

[@bradyjones6391]

Ain’t no way they called Georgia surfer a record breaking coaster

[@its-luke1077]

The iron menace is an exact copy of Yukon stiker at Canada’s wonderland.

[@fxlding-5284]

These Rides Aren’t Scary ppl just Wimps 😂

[@BuffaloRails]

True Dat

[@echt114]

None of these new coasters does anything really impressive compared to what already exists. They're almost all very short rides. Build a 25,000 ft long one and I'll be impressed. Build one that's essentially Taron + Fury 325 + Helix in one ride and I'll be impressed.

[@Bobtasavior5956]

Coaster enthusiasts dying after watching this

[@CourtJustCourt]

"Biggest and badest roller coaster accidents in history" will be the title for the next video.

[@conormonaghan9178]

It won't? They're safe?

[@ilovespandex74]

Full experience sitting on the bench isnt the same as being on the ride

[@AirplanesAndAirtime]

The GP-ness in this makes me wanna jump out my window It’s like every sentence is just a little… off