Joris en de Draak Review, Efteling GCI Wooden Coaster | World's Best Racing Coaster

[@TheRealDiti]

The winner is indeed completely random! The funny thing is that people have always been speculating on whether there's a pattern, a computer decides it or even that it's decided by which operator releases their train first. It's basically a reoccuring conversation everytime you visit Efteling even though they've already confirmed nothing can influence the outcome except gravity. Another fun fact is that the dragon used to spit fire, I remember being absolutely terrified of it as a kid!

[@UwePieper]

It spitted water, as well. There were days when basically only one side wins. That might've actually been caused by the dragons water effect. Too bad it doesn't move anymore and most likely never will move again.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I wonder if it's weight related in many cases.

[@Soonjai]

@@CanobieCoaster Most of the time the winning train is already slightly ahead on the lift hill. While that is a good indicator to see early on which train has the higher chance of winning, if the weight difference is high enough, the train that is initially slightly behind can still catch up.

[@danparker3093]

My young family of four just got back from three days at Efteling, daughter 7, son 5, and this was the most fun we had in the entire park. I’ve been on bigger coasters, scarier coasters, faster coasters, but this has got to be up there as one of the FUNNEST I’ve ever done. The racing element just brings so much to it, seeing the other train come and go is amazing! Honestly I’d put it above Baron, Flying Dutchman, Symbolica.. ALL OF IT

[@CanobieCoaster]

Glad you liked it!

[@StamfordBridge]

For me, this is one of the most underrated coasters in Europe - maybe the most underrated. Better than Troy, better than Wodan. Genuinely wild ride with great airtime, and fantastic theming. And as you say each ride is a genuine race.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It caught me offguard how good it was.

[@wouterkabouter2462]

How is it better than either of those? It's not nearly as well paced and also doesn't deliver nearly as good forces as on both Troy and Wodan. The only redeeming thing about Joris is the dueling and the soundtrack

[@StamfordBridge]

@@wouterkabouter2462 For me it was far better paced. Troy has a nice out-of-control feeling, but zero airtime. Wodan is nice but mild in comparison. For me Joris blew the other two away, and I know a lot of enthusiasts who share that opinion.

[@Joshua___]

@@wouterkabouter2462 Have to agree I highly prefer Joris above Wodan as well. When Troy used to run better I couldn't really decide between those two but currently I'd always take Joris above Troy as well

[@wouterkabouter2462]

@@StamfordBridge Well we must know very different enthusiasts then, because I know none who like Joris over those two. Troy warmed up has amazing airtime and I'm not the biggest fan of Wodan, but still like it way better than Joris because of the setting and the speed

[@troltristan6606]

Finaly someone agrees on my best dualing coaster opinion. This coaster probebly brought me in to coasters. I can stil remember when it opend i was 9 years old and kept looping this.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@0z3r0]

I rode it once without duelling (one of the trains had an issue on the lifthill) and the ops gave us a 2nd ride wich had the duelling aspect. really appreciated that gesture

[@CanobieCoaster]

That's awesome they gave a second ride.

[@TheWolfXCIX]

I'm going to bed but will be watching this with my breakfast in 8h :)

[@CanobieCoaster]

Enjoy!

[@maxhagenauer24]

This is a cool GCI. It's like Lightning Racer but if it actually had good forces. The racing aspect is one thing but mixing that with airtime, laterals, and good pacing is what makes this so good. Definitely the best or second best at the park in front of or behind Baron.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I prefer it to Baron but both are fun.

[@Lucky_9705]

This is one of the few GCIs to not have a twisted drop. I prefer CCI and Gravity Group coasters because they provide more out and back layouts and more sustained airtime, but this is easily one of GCI’s best creations.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I like all 3 of these manufacturers.

[@Adam.The.Tourist]

Can't wait to go and ride this thing. Love how in depth your reviews are Mike. Whenever I actually want a review for a ride, I always search up yours lol

[@CanobieCoaster]

Thanks!

[@araftofwanderingotters206]

When you say Fenway Park it makes say I am a Red Sox fan as well!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Unfortunately they didn't have the best 2nd half.

[@araftofwanderingotters206]

Bad coaching no doubt

[@ballzz2thewall]

One correction: the real capacity on this ride has never been close to the theoretical capacity due to slow operations. Often trains have not been dispatched yet when the previous trains arrive at the station.

[@BoyRoy18]

yes, thats true. Baron 1898, Vogelrok and Python are always pumping out a lot of trains as fast as they can. If Joris en de Draak also did this, the waiting times would drop like a bom

[@CanobieCoaster]

Ok thanks! I must have gotten lucky with the ops when I've been where it wasn't stacking bad.

[@micoasters]

This looks so good. I like wooden coasters more than steel so this looks that much better

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's very good

[@Blauwedakpan]

This ride is so underrated imo. I find it for example better than lost gravity, Star Trek or Anubis the ride

[@CanobieCoaster]

I prefer Lost Gravity myself.

[@xd136]

It’s really fun when you’re with friends and you get to race them on the other train!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Yes

[@ThrillsofColdplay]

That outward banked turn looks cool

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's funky.

[@MathiHase]

Personally I prefer Joris en de draak to Troy and Wodan: Even though it isn‘t as high as the other two I prefer the location, the airtime and the racing aspect

[@CanobieCoaster]

Makes sense.

[@notyourcoaster]

i love how you do these revieuws man. btw do you have one of baron1898?

[@CanobieCoaster]

Yes, later today.

[@robertmcdannold3757]

Hi. Stop saying “queue line”. Queue means line. “In the queue” or “In the line” is sufficient. Efteling was one of my favorite stops of the European parks I visited. I agree that Joris is a great racer, and superior to the others of it’s kind, especially Hershey’s. You’ve presented an honest and accurate review here, and thanks.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Sorry I always call it queue line.

[@Spiderific]

Looks like a really fun coaster 🎢👍

[@CanobieCoaster]

It is.

[@OklahomaCoasterFan]

For a racing coaster, I will always sacrifice forces for better interactions with the other train. If it can do both, all the better. It looked to me like I would still prefer the interactions on Lightning Racer for the various ways the trains interact, but I wouldn't know without riding this one. That's crazy that such a high capacity ride can draw such a long wait.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Lightning Racer has better interaction, but this blends force and visuals perfectly.

[@maartenkruijff4293]

Was literally marathoning both of them today🤣🤣 to be honest with you, without the racing aspect they are not very spectacular especially with Troy an hours drive away! Today the wait time was 5-10 min btw🤣

[@upsidedown_]

How where the queues? Want to go in Thursday bcs I need new content :p

[@maartenkruijff4293]

@@upsidedown_ non existing! The whole park empty

[@maartenkruijff4293]

@@upsidedown_ en ga je nog morgen? Vandaag ietsje drukker met 10-30 min wachten in de gewone wachtrijen en single riders 5-10 min wachttijd. Morgen minder weer dus zal wel weer rustiger worden

[@upsidedown_]

@@maartenkruijff4293 ja zal normaal gaan morgen want wil nog es vloggen + zal idd rustig zijn met het weer, hoop wel dat jedd open is

[@CanobieCoaster]

I'm jealous of that wait.

[@tichohellings2056]

Damn I must be very unlucky. Each time I go to the Efteling (like twice a year) all coasters have 1 to 1,5 hours waiting time. Crazy that your longest was only 45-50 minutes.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Wow!

[@fab199105]

There actually is a mechanism behind which train will win, though Efteling will say how it is done and i'm ok with that. I also agree that the finale is kind of lackluster,. However that part was designed to focus on the racing aspect and the outward banked track was still pretty inovative at the time of construction and was seen as a feature back then. Though that part of the train has aged the worse in appeal. The track is currently being fitted with hybrid track pieces to reduce wear and tear, mostly at he bend after going over the station

[@CanobieCoaster]

Interesting! Didn't know that's how it was done.

[@matthewsouthwell9653]

Better than twisted colossus? I mean, I guess so as twisted colossus hardly duels anymore lol

[@bukemdukem1870]

I was looking to see if someone said something about twisted colossus. Because there's no way this is better than that, but yeah the dueling seems pretty rare nowadays for that ride.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Twisted Colossus has cool dueling bits (when it duels), but this is more of a race.

[@mateoalvira3514]

Canobie Coaster would say: In the summer of 2010, Efteling opened Joris en de Draak on the site of Pegasus. This would be the third racing coaster GCI had built after Gwazi in 1999 and Lightning Racer in 2000. Joris is easily their best in this department. Gwazi had a layout reminiscent of the Roar coasters at Six Flags. The ride was liked in its early years, but the PTC trains and Florida climate led to a reputation as... A) a smooth ride. B) a rough ride.

[@CanobieCoaster]

B

[@mateoalvira3514]

If I ask you about the smoothness or the roughness on Joris en de Draak at Efteling, Canobie Coaster would say: Some GCIs have gotten a bit shaky and/or rough over the years, but Joris...

[@CanobieCoaster]

Is smooth.

[@sqoomsh]

“World’s best racing coaster” *sad colossus noises*

[@CanobieCoaster]

Twisted Colossus has great dueling (when it happens), but this is better for racing.

[@DIRTMART]

In my recent visit to efteling, I found that the water side win every single time, I don’t know why this is but they did recently put titan track on the coaster which might have something to do with it

[@CanobieCoaster]

Interesting! How did that section feel?

[@DIRTMART]

@@CanobieCoaster it was very smooth, but the track is very loud, you can basically hear it from max and moritz and I feel like the laterals are more prominent in the turn.

[@mitchellries256]

Maybe I over heard you say this but which side do you prefer more? Fire or Water?

[@CanobieCoaster]

The one with the extra airtime hump is ever so slightly better (I forget which it is off the top of my head).

[@mattstecker]

The dragon used to move it was animatronic

[@troltristan6606]

Dont forget it yoused to spit fire

[@mattstecker]

@@troltristan6606 yes that too it was an awesome animatronic

[@CanobieCoaster]

Thanks for letting me know!

[@mattstecker]

@@CanobieCoaster your welcome

[@upsidedown_]

I love this ride

[@CanobieCoaster]

Me too.

[@koalakyle19]

I wish American Eagle would duel again, because thats probably my favorite racing coaster. I also like the Racer at Kings Island

[@CanobieCoaster]

I wish it did too.

[@TGE.LeonYT]

The single rider lane on joris en de draak has a 5 - 10 minute wait line the last time i went

[@CanobieCoaster]

That's nice!

[@katashworth41]

I now need to get on this on 23rd April, if only to get out of the country to escape the sort of person who celebrates St George’s Day.

[@CanobieCoaster]

That would be a fitting date to ride this.

[@DaanBruins]

Wait times at Efteling can get much longer than 45-50 minutes. Wait times for Symbolica or Droomvlucht (Dreamflight) can sometimes get up to 2 hours. It's the go-to theme park in the Benelux. Just like Disney is in America.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I'm not surprised.

[@mateoalvira7826]

What do you think about the smoothness or the roughness on Joris en de Draak?

[@CanobieCoaster]

Smooth

[@UwePieper]

I have to say I really liked the outward banked turn on the fire side. The water side has no real outward banked turn. The banking is a straight piece of track and basically ends with an unbanked turn. But it's been a while. I don't really remember which side I liked better. Will be back at this awesome park in april and will do a video on it on my german themepark channel. I have to say I really like your in depth coaster reviews. I should start doing this, as well. By now I only look at full parks (and the quality of the videos is still somewhat mediocre)

[@CanobieCoaster]

Thanks!

[@mateoalvira7826]

Why did you consider this the world's best racing coaster for you, Canobie Coaster? Because what do you think about, Lightning Racer at Hersheypark and Stampida at Port Aventura?

[@CanobieCoaster]

This has good elements and dueling.

[@Holey2662]

Great rewiew!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Thanks!

[@OnTheMapWithZack]

So you like this better than Twisted Collosus?

[@CanobieCoaster]

Twisted Colossus is easily a better ride, but this does racing better.

[@magnumman5597]

My favorite gcis

[@CanobieCoaster]

This is a fun one.

[@ChillaxeMake]

heard of twisted colossus?

[@CanobieCoaster]

Yes, I don't count that as a racing ride, especially since it duels so infrequently. That is the better ride though.

[@miwer1000]

You don't see the dragon the in queue line. And it's not a statue, it's an animatronic (a broken one that won't get fixed anymore sadly) The reason the middle cars are for shorter people is becouse of different size restrains not becouse of less force Ow and in al your Efteling videos you are talking about seating request and grouping. Never had anything like that at Efteling, you just walk up to any of the gates you want when entering the station (wich is full of people) not just enough for 1 or 2 trains

[@CanobieCoaster]

I've had the assigned seating in 2019 and 2021. The queue routed me past the dragon animatronic last year unless it was modified for covid.

[@miwer1000]

@@CanobieCoaster probebly modified. I never had an assigned seat anywhere in the park (or in any other Dutch park)

[@ageoflove1980]

Well, part of the "finale" are of course the foto thats gets taken by the camera's at the end but more importantly the revealing of the winner. It gets announced back in the station of course but also during the end of the ride itself by a sign that flips over at the winning side. I think thats the thought behind the finale, a mad dash towards the finish line. Not ment as an excuse for the less exciting part of the track, just to offer my 2 cents on the reasoning behind it.

[@CanobieCoaster]

That's entirely possible, but I could still appreciate that with an extra airtime hill.

[@HD4amian]

The dragon is to Efteling what the yeti is to Disney.. I hope they'll fix it someday but they have already said they won't.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Hopefully!

[@mikus6088]

Is it better than twisted colossus?

[@CanobieCoaster]

As a ride, no. But as a racer, yes.

[@wolfieeeee256]

It's no Wodan Timburcoaster but they are fun! :)

[@CanobieCoaster]

Yes

[@RoLu635]

3:30 look closely i see slayer

[@CanobieCoaster]

Who?

[@RoLu635]

@@CanobieCoaster u know what slay is but I see the word.

[@freekje0298]

oh my god, i live like 25 minutes away from this park and when i went on it when it first opened (i was like 10 years old on a schooltrip and not a singular person told me to take them off) i lost my glasses and they had to stop the ride for like 30 minutes to check if it was on the track. it was a good 30°C and kids that bullied me all the time were still on the coaster.. whoops i guess

[@freekje0298]

the employees working there were the absolute biggest sweethearts though 👍

[@CanobieCoaster]

Oh no!

[@HellHoundTSO]

3:57 LOL

[@CanobieCoaster]

Boston fans are hostile.

[@Joypyf]

Here I was thinking you’d say West Coast Racers or American Eagle were better racing coasters 😅

[@CanobieCoaster]

I think West Coast Racers is the better ride, but this one executes the racing element better.

[@chargedonpc9989]

How does this compare to West Coast Racers.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I think that one is a better ride, but the racing element is superior on this one.

[@chargedonpc9989]

@@CanobieCoaster that makes sense

[@bluetomato2184]

‘World’s best racing coaster' As much as I like that idea, I feel like Dauling Dragon at Happy Valley walks away with that title…

[@CanobieCoaster]

I'll have to try it.

[@urbex_coasters]

Judging by POVs I'd say the best racing coaster in the world is probably in China. Gravity Group's Dauling Dragons and Intamin's Dueling Dragons come to mind. That said, that statement is made with the assumption they race like the Theme Park Review POVs show. An assumption you simply cannot make because parks will operate their rides at peak potential for the media but not necessarily on a regular basis.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Those two look amazing, but I've heard they don't always race.

[@mateoalvira3514]

Imagine saying it is probably the best coaster and/or it is easily the best coaster, what are the differences between "probably" and "easily"? What do you think?

[@CanobieCoaster]

It can mean the same thing.

[@Somebritishguyontheinternet]

"youris an de drark" it's "horis en de draak"

[@CanobieCoaster]

Sorry!

[@Somebritishguyontheinternet]

@@CanobieCoaster it's fine, I didn't expect a response after 6 months. And plus I probably have a pronunciation advantage considering I'm Dutch

[@Paolo8772]

It must suck being an 80+ year old man sitting in the back seat on a losing train coming into the station being booed after he just rode the layout on a Millennium Flyer train in row 12. Poor 80+ year old man! He's guaranteed to never ride a roller coaster ever again.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Lol

[@cliquet3scliquet3s96]

Which style of seats do the Millennium Flyer trains have on Joris en de Draak?

[@CanobieCoaster]

I would have mentioned that in the review.