Revelations From My 2024 Coaster Travels

[@calvinpetty343]

My biggest shock this year was the beast at night. My very first and only ride on the thing was 30min it’s after park closing and holy crap it was magical. Absolutely flying through the woods having no idea where you’re going, then you hit that helix finale and you keep building more and more speed into on of the most crazy elements ever. I could not stop laughing and that does not happen to me often. Top 5 coaster for me for sure.

[@pipepicasso8112]

I was lucky enough to ride it back in the day with buzzbars and a lot less trim brakes. And it rained right before the night, and that cool damp air hits you in the tunnels. It’s still to this day my most memorable ride of any coaster.

[@bogusWasHere]

my biggest realization of this year was just learning that i liked coasters at all. im still working up my confidence to get on most of them, but being part of the community has been great. your videos especially have been something that got me into them, and they help me learn a lot.

[@DoswarePictures]

I’ve been watching videos about the industry for at least a decade, but didn’t bother riding a big coaster until my most recent visit to Michigan’s Adventure this year.

[@ItsSiebay]

My biggest revelations were that revitalizing an old, dead section of park can actually help a lot. The other is how great Kings Dominion is at night. Getting a zen ride on Racer 75 was definitely a highlight of my night.

[@AirtimeThrills]

Magic Mtn was on a good stretch of renovating sections of the park pre-covid and it helped a ton

[@twistedjake_]

My biggest realization was realizing that El Toro was actually the best woodie. Like I always knew it was good, I always just felt it would be overrated when I rode it, oh I was wrong in the best way.

[@chasebingaman]

Agreed but still like phoenix more since that you can ride forever without being in pain

[@AirtimeThrills]

And if you had ridden it 10 years ago it would have been that much better

[@TheBolligerMabillardLover]

​@@chasebingaman That was true about El Toro as well until the 1st time it derailed a few years ago. They are completely different rides. El Toro is a speed and airtime machine with some sharp turns and quick changes of direction. Phoenix is an out and back airtime machine with less height and speed and no huge turns or quick changes of direction. I love them both! However I would probably rank Phoenix ahead because El Toro has lost its glossy smoothness since the derailment a few years ago. Although I just got a pretty smooth ride on El Toro a few weeks ago. I did sit in a middle row near the back to avoid sitting on the wheels based on people's feedback, and I did notice it didn't seem quite as smooth or intense, plus less airtime, although that's probably because I wasn't sitting all the way in the back.

[@dreamy.reader52]

Your channel has the best intro!! I always start jamming to it whenever it comes on!! ❤🤘🎧🤩

[@AirtimeThrills]

Its definitely jammable

[@TheBolligerMabillardLover]

Plus great video editing with different clips for each letter of airtime thrills!

[@dreamy.reader52]

@@TheBolligerMabillardLover Fr!

[@dreamy.reader52]

@@TheBolligerMabillardLover Haha I also love B&M because my home park is Canadas wonderland and their three biggest roller coasters are all B&Ms!!

[@TheBolligerMabillardLover]

​@@dreamy.reader52 1 of the best B&M collections along with Great Adventure, Magic Mountain and Cedar Point.

[@GiuseppePeppercorn]

this is by far the best coaster channel, always glad to hear your opinions!!!

[@AirtimeThrills]

Thanks for the kind words

[@michael7054]

Great video! I really enjoyed watching this!

[@racheljackson4428]

Good to hear you enjoyed Australia and have some coaster credits. Austraila is difficult for tourists in terms of theme parks. Maloney's Coasters did a video explaining the issue.

[@AirtimeThrills]

Ill have to check it out. I definitely saw some of the challenges but nothing too serious

[@Hoppaman23]

Front row of Banshee is honestly the best way to ride it. Also, I’m pretty sure the green train is way more janky than the blue and purple ones. Either way, loving the love for Banshee! 😊

[@luka_drums]

As a relatively new coaster enthusiast, you are by far one of the best coaster enthusiast channels on KZbin! I wish I could've ridden Kingda Ka, but since they announced it's closing so late in the season, I couldn't get a ride on it. Love from St. Louis! ❤

[@AirtimeThrills]

Thanks for the kind words, and too bad about Ka. There are similar expeirences but nothing matches the speed and height except for TTD which unfortunately is also gone

[@crveech]

My biggest revelations this year are Hersheypark's coaster lineup is legit. Knoebels has one of the best wooden coasters in Phoenix, a great atmosphere, and low prices compared to other parks. Dorney Park is nice but missing a legit standout coaster. Also, not all brand new B&Ms are smooth after riding Iron Menace.

[@TheBolligerMabillardLover]

I agree with everything you said except Dorney Park. I think they have 3 legit standout coasters Steel Force, Talon and Hydra. I also like Possessed, although I think it ran better at Six Flags Worlds of Adventure/Geauga Lake. That's probably just an aging thing because it is now over 20 years old, and I rode it the first year it opened in Ohio and it was amazing and intense and smooth then.

[@jtbowman132]

My biggest shock was Big Bear Mountain. I was expecting a mild, long family coaster but I was out of my seat over half the ride and nearly greying out on the spaghetti bowl section. I came off the ride like “what the hell” lol. I pulled the lap bar down just enough for it to lock so I had ample space to go flying up. Easily one of my new favorites

[@CubinNCoasters]

For me, the biggest realization for me is most people line up for Ghostrider at Knott’s. The other lines were an hour while ghost ride was at least a 3 hour wait the whole day (even at the end of the day)

[@hazza5999]

Great video, looking forward ro more cricket content! Airtime googly. 😂

[@PepsiCupSeriesofficials]

I think my biggest revelation was probably kings dominion early morning even on crowded days twisted timbers in the morning is a walk on

[@thecoasterobsessed1]

Biggest realization: Cedar Fair has no love lost for legacy Six Flags rides. They just want to run their playbook, which does obviously work very well, but its tough to see all these rides going

[@AirtimeThrills]

Seems like their playbook pre covid, they were axing a lot of old rides

[@anobject9622]

@@AirtimeThrillsI think it will be a good thing long term, it's just tough to see all the nostalgic rides go. Cleaning the park up ride-wise and making it more quality over quantity is better for everyone.

[@TheBolligerMabillardLover]

If they add coasters in the next 5-10 years or more of a comparable quality to Banshee, Orion, Mystic Timbers, Diamondback, Intimidator, Twisted Timbers, Fury, Intimidator, Gold Striker, Yukon Striker, Leviathan and Behemoth, many of the current Six Flags parks will be significantly upgraded and have a much higher quality coaster lineup than at the present moment, even with the departure of some older popular and unique but very maintenance intensive coasters.

[@bigc1280]

I learned wicked Cyclone has more ejector air in front of it on the double down on hot days, then in the back. Seriously, on a hot day it pushes you over that like you are being pushed off a cliff!

[@nicsamazingpinballchannel7688]

Hersheypark is my favorite overall in the USA right now. So many smooth, thrilling, and easily walkable coasters… and who doesn’t like chocolate?

[@kaylawhipple7570]

"You go up to Kingda Ka's top hat" My heart: *sniff sniff* not anymore *sniff sniff*

[@monolitothelizard5894]

Great content as always!!!

[@dreamy.reader52]

Yess airtime thrills is back at it with another video! 🎉

[@nicsamazingpinballchannel7688]

Sugerloadedgirl is correct. El Toro may be the best woodie in America, but THUNDERHEAD at Dollywood is a close second and easily the best ride at the park now that Lightning Rod has been neutered. It’s just a fantastic trip start to finish with a roaring blast through the waiting queue just to tease onlookers. AWESOME.

[@AirtimeThrills]

Thunderhead was so good after the 1st half was retracked

[@TheSonicsean]

I don't remember if you did this, but in addition to coasters that went up/down, maybe a video (or part of that video) with the best and worst new credits for the year would be cool. I'm gonna assume DC Rivals is on that list.

[@edwardrhoads7283]

Some advice for international layovers: We try to make either going there or returning the layover 24 hours. That way we get a day to explore that place as well gives us a 2nd vacation for almost free and that means that one of the two directions we really don't have to worry about running around like crazy.

[@AirtimeThrills]

Good plan if you can spare the time

[@alfonsosalinas3026]

Have you been to SeaWorld in San Antonio? Texas Stingray is really underrated. That thing hauls lol

[@TheBolligerMabillardLover]

Agree! Much better than boardwalk bullet. Best coaster at that sea world park in my opinion!

[@EliteRailVideos]

Airtime Thrills uploaded! Yay

[@genevawilliams1207]

Free parking isn’t a revelation it’s a miracle!

[@keithstransitexperiences9749]

1:40 I went to Australia during their winter to see the Southern Lights and I drove there.

[@psychichorse]

Here are some of mine! - Carowinds is "Kings Island-lite" and their 2025 and 2026 planned additions will address my biggest nitpicks with the park. Next up, upgrading some of their other not-so-good/bad capacity coasters! - Hersheypark's operations aren't as bad as people say (except on Candymonium lol), but maybe I'm just scarred by how slow Knott's and Magic Mountain are. - Six Flags Great Adventure is in a sorry state and I wish I had visited it in its heyday 10-15 years ago. I hope Six Flags puts in proper investment and redevelopment with the imminent removal of 5 more rides this year.

[@AirtimeThrills]

Great Adventure hopefully will be saved by Flash next year. Aside from that, seems like a sad year to go

[@seriomarkj]

I learned how much i enjoy disneyworld...its been maybe 20 years since i went to magic kingdom as a kid, went with the whole family, rode 4 rides, it was crazy busy, but had a Blast! Itll be a while before i go back, but now i cant wait

[@SlimFury]

I had a revolution at Carowinds. They begin clearing locker areas at closing time sharp. I got stuck at the park until 11:15 my first night because my belongings were taken by security to lost and found.

[@enthusiastJD]

Thats so weird what? impatient staff

[@AirtimeThrills]

Thats brutal. I never knew they'd do that

[@opraiderman904]

Great concept for a video!

[@AirtimeThrills]

Thanks, I did this for a short trip I did up to Minnesota and back in 2022, thought it would work well to look back at the year

[@Sugerloadedgirl789]

I definitely had some revelations this year too. SFMM: The patrons can be VERY rude. I had a bit of a panic attack trying to figure out the Six Flags app and flash pass and some girl in her 20's told me to STFU. Talk about a rude awakening. KBF: HOW did this become my favorite park in the west? Easy. THEMING. It WORKS. It made me appreciate it so much! CGA: The people who work there are some of the nicest people I've EVER seen SFDK: The merch here is honestly ELITE Lagoon: Cannibal having a single rider line really saved me that day. Dollywood: EXCUSE ME THUNDERHEAD!? Better than Lightning Rod, FULL STOP. KI: I always seem to show up when weather is only SLIGHTLY annoying. Also the operators on Mystic Timbers are so nice to talk to! THAT and one of the ending IS actually inspired by Monster House. Go figure. CP: You CAN, in fact, get back to back rides on Steel Vengeance! Happened to me TWICE! Also I got SUPER tired at park close, my LEGS wanted to collapse! XD Knoebels: Phoenix made me understand... Hersheypark: I wasn't expecting Skyrush to be so short. It's fine for what it is but it isn't as elite as most would say. KD: YES, whatever i305 is these days STILL has the START YOUR ENGINES thing before the lift. Thank goodness. Also their lazy river is EXTREMELY shallow. BGW: Theming once again is elite. Also don't get me started with Pantheon. XD Carowinds: Mom found her favorite ride from the old days (she also found it at Cedar Point) and I realized Fury 325 is actually BETTER than SteVe for me. May be because Fury is smooth as butter and SteVe can toss you a bit if you're not prepared. Can bruise your sides. From the Eclipse trip SDC: The patrons mellowed down! Also cinnamon bread is here too! YUMMY! (I had a scare that I couldn't have gluten when I went to Dollywood later so I couldn't have any then) SFStL: The park is NOT bad! The 3 wooden coasters are honestly a lot of fun for different reasons! But don't touch ninja. XD

[@AirtimeThrills]

Back to back rides on Steel Vengeance seems like a pipe dream honestly

[@Sugerloadedgirl789]

@@AirtimeThrills It helps when they allow me the backrow WITHOUT ANYONE ELSE. I have a little issue with people riding alongside me. They get a little TOO touchy feely. HOWEVER, if, by the time you return to the station and only one person is in line for the row you're in, they'll let you stay on and they can take the spot next to ya! The one time I'm ok with others. XD

[@BigDCoasterFam]

Can’t wait to see where you rank Prairie Screamer

[@MattMcIrvin]

Things I learned: 1. Tokyo Disney is not only better than Walt Disney World, it's probably cheaper to visit than Walt Disney World even if you figure in airfare to Japan. 2. Excalibur at Funtown Splashtown is a better CCI than Boulder Dash. It shouldn't be but it is. 3. Also, Funtown now has the best spooky dark ride in New England. 4. Don't go to the barbecue joint there though, it's not good.

[@AirtimeThrills]

Definitely need to get to those small New England parks

[@MattMcIrvin]

@@AirtimeThrills Funtown Splashtown is a weird little place--about the same size as Canobie Lake Park except that the dry park is smaller and the water park is bigger. And it's haphazardly laid out--the dry park and water park have separate admission but are still weirdly jumbled together, and the main part of the dry park is centered around a winding path that turns into an elevated walkway, then a picturesque little bridge through the woods, then just dead-ends in Excalibur. I've heard that can be a crowd flow issue, but it wasn't really a problem on the light weekend when I visited. But while the dry park is smaller than Canobie, it also has some way more impressive big rides than Canobie. Which is peculiar in itself but probably has to do with fewer zoning/neighborhood constraints. There's a colossal drop tower with quasi-Chinese theming, and Excalibur, and the Haunted Hotel shooting dark ride. And go-karts that are included with general admission, which is really unusual for this kind of place. And the Astrosphere, an indoor Scrambler with a weird music and light show program that connoisseurs of these things say is one of the best around. That was the one ride I had to wait a long time for, since the capacity is really low and they do a lot of safety checks.

[@Wesley-76]

Biggest revelations: Pennsylvania can be blazing HOT despite how north it is Cedar Point is BIG Kentucky Kingdom has a weird layout Holiday World always feels like you're walking up hills And...Beech Bend is in Bowling Green, which we drove right through, and even stopped off the exit where it was. Guess they don't advertise 😂

[@MarsJenkar]

Having lived in the Midwest most of my life, I've known for some time that it can get pretty danged hot there. It's the effects of a continental climate--temperatures (and the weather in general) can swing more wildly than in places that are regulated by a nearby ocean. Yes, the Great Lakes can temper the weather a bit due to their size, but not to the same extent as the ocean.

[@Wesley-76]

@MarsJenkar Interesting!

[@devintron1]

Noah’s Ark really is a treat!

[@StadiumofLOLMAPS]

My biggest relevation was that I kinda hate travelling for parks. I hate having to spend a full day in the park, cramming in as much as possible. its too exhausting, and really expensive. Instead, I just moved to Orlando, and live within 20 minutes of 7 world class parks, where I can pop in to one every day for a few hours. It doesnt get any better than this!

[@WhatAG23]

My revelation was that Great Adventure had the worst anniversary any park has ever had or ever will have and this merger is going to be a nightmare for parks with any Intamins.

[@plighting_engineerd]

My biggest revelations: - Phoenix is absolutely amazing, despite the negative comments from thoosies - wonder woman @ magic mountain runs INFINITELY better than Jersey Devil. ww is a top 20 ride while JD is barely in my top 50% - You're completely wrong about skyrush, top 10 ride for sure XD

[@ryane5281]

2:48 Dreamworld isn't a Village Roadshow park so while the pass is a great deal, don't try to use it at Dreamworld. You can use it at Movie World, Sea World, Wet n Wild and one or two other non-theme park places.

[@AirtimeThrills]

Right, I hope people didnt think I meant you could use it at Dreamworld

[@LSM_rocket50]

Since palace entertainment is for sale and kennywood might leave it. Do you think Hersey buying kennywood would be cool?

[@AirtimeThrills]

It would be weird for Hershey to start their own chain. I think Herschend would be interested

[@LSM_rocket50]

@ ok, thanks.

[@LSM_rocket50]

@ I never thought about Herschend. I might like Herschend buying Kennywood more than Hersey.

[@MattMcIrvin]

@@AirtimeThrills Hershey Entertainment has tried it before! They owned Lake Compounce for a while, then Dutch Wonderland later. But I don't think it's ever really worked out for them and I kind of doubt they want another bite at the apple.

[@katashworth41]

As a someone with no sweet tooth the cinnamon bread looks like it’s tasty for people who like that sort of thing. The girls look so happy with it.

[@spentron1]

7:06 I noticed the Millennium Flyer trains don't shift the punishment to the wheel seats and front row Wildcat got me once. And yeah LR is really rough now. 11:30 Those little Zamperlas seem all a little different and I've taken a non-credit ride on Great Chase. Lil Devil seemed the most awkward though, overbanked?

[@AirtimeThrills]

Great Chase at SFA was by far the worst

[@TXairportlover]

So the biggest realization also going to Australia to get some coaster credits is law enforcement will pull you over for a alcohol check at random times I literally got pulled over while driving to SeaWorld it’s super weird.

[@AirtimeThrills]

Hmm interesting. Luckily never had that issue

[@rideexpedition]

1:35 and that's why us Brits prefer the Aussies... No offence to the Americans of course, but there's less we can make fun of in Australia 😅

[@Brandon-qd2lb]

How many times did lightning rod break down??

[@coasterkraken9544]

My biggest realization was that I should’ve got to Dollywood sooner because I should’ve rode Lightning Rod with a launch instead of a lift hill 😭

[@AirtimeThrills]

Yeah thats a huge buzzkill

[@DoswarePictures]

Here’s what I learned from my park experiences in 2024: I need to exercise more so that I can actually ride more rides. For now, it’s just gonna be woodies with PTC trains.

[@MWCoasters]

Ranking every arrow mine train please

[@pipepicasso8112]

My revelation is North America having a few, if any at all, backward or spinning last row coasters. I don’t know of any off hand.

[@Fury325Fan]

RIP Kingda Ka

[@reedspace8267]

Hellcat, Steel Curtain, Formula Rossa, Top Thrill 2...just how many lawn ornaments are there in 2024?

[@carysage]

Don't forget Flash VV😂

[@AirtimeThrills]

Superman EFK now

[@Coyotek4]

Better PA family park: Dutch Wonderland or Knoebels?

[@AirtimeThrills]

Dutch Wonderland if this is just about families

[@thefergyfilms]

The observation on small kids coasters still being too jerky is interesting, I think we've all subconsciously realized that but what a terrible design!

[@2218gostrider]

Aside from your great doc did great adventure have the worst 50th anniversary of all time

[@AirtimeThrills]

Yes indeed. Thatll.be featured in next Monday's video

[@diamondback-my3gm]

Trump

[@TheBolligerMabillardLover]

Rapist!