Storm Chaser Review, Kentucky Kingdom Hybrid Roller Coaster | Is this a Top Tier RMC?

[@flatrideenthused2264]

This is probably my favorite rocky mountain construction coaster

[@CanobieCoaster]

I think it's towards the middle, but it's still great.

[@CivilianSatellite]

Even if it was running a little slower during KttK, it speaks volumes about RMCs how they're still among the best, even when riding at their worst.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Absolutely, the same happens with Wicked Cyclone on a bad day. 75% of the ride feels just as good as ever.

[@Theme_parchive]

Rode it 6 times today. This ride absolutely blew me away. It rode better in the front for me today than in the back. I did three rides in the back and three in the front.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice! I have alway found the back a little stronger.

[@Harrys.Truman-fanpage]

I prefer steel vengeance but I had a WAY better experience on Stormchaser because it was a walk on when I went. Sadly I only got 2 rides as I was with family and was short on time but way more fun than waiting 2 1/2 hours for SV. I hope to be back in Kentucky to marathon this

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's nice this is easy to marathon.

[@OklahomaCoasterFan]

On my 2019 visit and at the end of Keys to the Kingdom 2020, it was hauling. When it rides like that, I like the final helix, especially with how the ending is more banked, creating for some quirky laterals. My first ever ride on this had me in shock and awe, and I had to gather myself. As far as first rides blowing me away, this is right up there with Iron Rattler & Hades 360. I think I'm finding out that I like it most when coasters do weird things that are still excellent in quality.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I had to leave before the end of the day to get to the Pittsburgh airport, but Storm Chaser usually doesn't take that long to warm up. I'm glad it did!

[@maxhagenauer24]

Thanks for reviewing one of my favorite coasters Iv ridden. I rode Storm Chaser a couple months ago in 2020 after Keys to the Kingdom. I will say I was kinda, ever so slightly disappointed but I rode it when everyone says it ran slow so I need re rides. But this ride was still very aggressive with strong sustained and pops of ejector airtime. And as it wasn't super warmed up and nearly empty trains for every ride I got on it, that still meant no lines so I marathoned this thing and I would honestly go to this park just to marathon Storm Chaser with no lines if that's all I could do there. No matter how slow this RMC was running or how aggressive it is, you can never go wrong with it. I hope Herschend takes good care of my baby.

[@CanobieCoaster]

If you watch off-ride footage from other years, you can see the ride didn't have the same speed into the brake run. Most of the ride was unaffected, but a few moments lost some power.

[@maxhagenauer24]

@@CanobieCoaster Yeah, I saw a couple of POVs of it after I rode and I was like, how on earth, it's running like 2 times faster lol

[@mcb187]

My dad likes coasters, but isn’t obsessed like I am. KK was an epic park, comparable to BGW and KD. I think storm Chaser was my favorite ride, if only due to my dad’s reaction on the first drop. He knew it was not like other woodies, but I may have neglected to tell him how insane RMCs can get. His conception of airtime is B&M floater from Apollo’s Chariot. All this is to say, my dad was NOT expecting to be on an airtime machine. I think his best reaction was the drop, which he wasn’t expecting to invert. In his words, “HOLY SHIT THIS THING GOES UPSIDE DOWN!?!?” And then, all that airtime was crazy! The best comparison I can make is Verbolten’s drop track. It is intense! Gotta say, that ride packs a punch!

[@CanobieCoaster]

I'm not a fan how the barrel roll drop is blocked by the lift when you're inside the park, but that's a good point how it can sneak up on guests unaware of its existence.

[@QLP1997]

The second hill feels like it’s trying to launch you to the moon haha

[@CanobieCoaster]

It really does!

[@funcflapjack]

After riding it last week, I can say they switched the wheels back to steel and it hauls again.

[@CanobieCoaster]

My rides last month were fantastic.

[@maxhagenauer24]

My favorite part of this ride is either the first camelback full of sustained ejector or the the exit out of the second off axis hill which gives a sharp pop of ejector airtime mixed with abrupt laterals mixed with crazy whip. Also thanks for putting Lighting Run over it. I love both coasters very much but Lightning run has the better pacing in my opinion and it was running a lot faster in 2020 with bigger lines. Are you doing an Lrun review?

[@CanobieCoaster]

I love the second hill.

[@GoesByJ]

3:22 this has changed, i went for my first time and in the past 2 days and they actually slam it so hard I got a bruise and had to get ice. They did it consistently like that every time. I started just stapling it down myself. They are so aggressive with it

[@CanobieCoaster]

That's different than what I've seen in the past.

[@CoasterRoaster]

6:55 You know it's a big deal when someone pulls the old "immaculate" out of the dictionary

[@CanobieCoaster]

Lol

[@RandallFPS]

We need some Stephen A Smith vocabulary in the coaster community.

[@AirtimeProductions]

This ride proves you don’t need the height to be one of the best coasters

[@CanobieCoaster]

Absolutely!

[@w_illj]

Just like maverick

[@kylebetz9684]

@@w_illj and Lightning run in the same park

[@skeletor325]

Yeah size doesn't matter 💀

[@MillenniumForceMan]

I’m so confused cuz I rode storm chaser at keys and me as well as the ppl who I rode with thought it was hauling, I mean that airtime in the beginning and the double down was even stronger than advertised, but everyone else says it was running rly slow at keys, also it’s nice to hear someone else that prefers the beginning airtime hills to the ending ones, the trick track double up was considerably weaker than I expected but even if it was strong I would still take the beginning cuz it’s one of the best on any coaster

[@CanobieCoaster]

I did hear the ride sped up later in the day, but from the off-ride footage I have in 2020, the ride didn't have the same speed going into the brake run. Most of the ride was unaffected, but a few moments were weakened.

[@MillenniumForceMan]

@@CanobieCoaster yeah most of my rides came during the final ERT so that’s why, I had one ride before noon towards the front and that ride was pretty disappointing, but I knew that just like the 2 other RMC’s I rode if I came back later and rode it in the back it would be way better and that’s exactly what happened

[@CanobieCoaster]

@@MillenniumForceMan That's fair. Except in the past Storm Chaser has never had to warm up. It usually ran at its peak from the start.

[@MillenniumForceMan]

@@CanobieCoaster interesting, I’ve never had an RMC do that for me

[@Oridemic]

Just rode it today. Looks like the wheels have been changed to steel again and it hauls through the second half of the ride. The first drop is more wicked than ever, too.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It ran wild in 2021 as well. Probably worthy of a 9.5 with how it has run minus 2020.

[@SpacePirateK]

When they first announced this would replace Twisted Twins I was heartbroken. Twins was my top choice marathon coaster as a teenager living in the area. But after riding it on a full train in the back row, this ride had me hooked. I still wonder what a dueling mobius Twisted Twins RMC would have been like but this was a solid addition to the park. Now with Herschend taking over operations I'm wondering what will come next. Will it be the coaster Ed Hart hinted at at Keys to the Kingdom or will it be something else now that we have new operators? Who knows, maybe we'll get the Eastern US version of Time Traveler. I mean a guy can dream can't he?

[@CanobieCoaster]

I suspect their next coaster will be a compact one- whether it be a Gerstlauer or an RMC Raptor.

[@SpacePirateK]

@@CanobieCoaster yeah all the local enthusiasts here in Louisville are anticipating the so called T4 joke to actually be an RMC Raptor. Granted I'm still a fan of seeing the park nuke T3 once and for all. I've hated that SLC since the first day it opened, not even exaggerating. It was my first inverted coaster and one of the worst rides of my life.

[@CanobieCoaster]

@@SpacePirateK It's comically bad at this point.

[@OutlawRunnerSDC]

Never been to KK, the last time I went to Louisville was to drive down to some relatives down in Tennessee. But I had a great view of the park from the traffic jammed interstate. This looks like a low to mid-tier RMC that could give some great airtime and would've easily made my top 5 had I gone to this park. Now we have to see what Herschend does with this park

[@CanobieCoaster]

I personally think it's towards the middle, but some have it ranked highly because of the power it has in its peak form.

[@jardins43]

I might sound a little biased since Kentucky Kingdom is my home park… out of the 6 RMCs I’ve ridden (this, Goliath, Outlaw Run, Twisted Cyclone, Lightning Rod and Steel Vengeance), I’d rank it third. I would consider this a top tier RMC, but I’ll need to experience more RMCs. Nice review!

[@CanobieCoaster]

It ran a lot faster on my 2021 rides.

[@jardins43]

@@CanobieCoaster I’m at Kentucky Kingdom right now lol. I came before it got packed. It ran great this morning.

[@amberwheatley]

Kentucky Kingdom is my hometown park Storm Chaser is my favorite RMC, I like to ride in the back Storm Chaser is the only RMC that I've ridden

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's a great RMC!

[@Joypyf]

I have 8 other RMCs above this, but at least it’s better than IRat and Wicked Cyclone! When I rode it for the first time a few years ago, it was running with the perfect wheels, the airtime was great (almost painful), and was in my top 10 for a few years. It’s still amazing tho!!!!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Iron Rattler is one of my favorites because of that setting.

[@Southgate210]

From the ground this thing looked mild and slow BUT when you get on this wild ride, you'll see you misjudged big time! You get thrown around like you are a rag doll! The last small bunny hops really has you doing the hoping! So great and the next time I'll wear something with a zipper! I almost lost my Cell Phone!

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's very intense!

[@matthewappel5683]

Haven’t been to KK but look forward to going in a few years

[@CanobieCoaster]

There's a lot of airtime in this park.

[@omarocastl]

Hearing you talk about pacing reminded me of coastoons talking about sequencing, have the both of you collabed yet? 👀

[@CanobieCoaster]

I have not.

[@cedarflags]

I haven’t ridden this since it was closed when I went... but I’ve ridden Twisted Timbers on a 100° day and I could see it being a very similar experience. Twisted Timbers was far more aggressive than SteVe, but I prefer Steve overall

[@CanobieCoaster]

Were you there on July 2 by chance? That was the day I was there when the ride broke down after the first 1.5-2 hours.

[@Uncle_Nate]

That second hill feels like a Toro camelback!

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's excellent, but I think it's a notch below a camelback like that or the 4th hill on Superman the Ride.

[@iamRepublican2]

@@CanobieCoasterand Hyperion 1st camelback

[@zacg_]

I guess it depends on how big you consider the top tier to be. I have not ridden any of the RMCs outside the USA but many of those are purported to be in the top tier. If those (plus Lightning Rod and Steel Vengeance) do in fact constitute the "top tier" then it would be hard to imagine the top tier having enough space for Storm Chaser. Furthermore, I know a lot of people who would add Twisted Colossus, Wicked Cyclone or Iron Rattler to the top tier as well. So it really depends on how big the top tier really is. That said, I LOVE Storm Chaser and it's in my personal top 10.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I personally think it's towards the middle, but some have it ranked highly because of the power it has in its peak form.

[@SpacePirateK]

It's the little I-Box that could.

[@Paolo8772]

I get where you're coming from; Steel Vengeance and Lightening Rod are considered top Tier RMCs, and Storm Chaser isn't. I can't speak for Canobie Coaster, but he didn't think Storm Chaser is a top tier RMC. Roller Coaster David said he found it to be one of the more aggressive RMCs, but even he didn't put it above SV and LR. As for RMCs, I personally have only ridden SV and TW (Twisted Colossus) and I prefer SV. But just because I've not ridden SC doesn't mean I can't reasonably conclude that it's inferior to SV and TC, even if I ought to have an open mind. I do. I also know that a smaller ride doesn't make it inferior. But whilst it's possible I'd prefer Storm Chaser over Steel Vengeance: I find that possibility highly unlikely. Considering the fact that I've never ridden SC, am I wrong for assuming I'd still prefer SV over SC?

[@zacg_]

@@Paolo8772 hopefully you'll get a chance to ride Storm Chaser at some point. It's a really excellent coaster and it does incredible things with it's small stature. Where you'll rank it is up to you. The one thing I'll say in this regard is that I personally find it helps to avoid the urge to rank coasters you haven't ridden ahead of time or compare them to other coasters before you've ridden them. I hear so many people trash coasters like Joker or Twisted Cyclone because they came in expecting Wicked Cyclone. But all that does is rob you of the enjoyment of world class coasters. I think you'll like Storm Chaser (obviously.) It's a lot of fun.

[@SpacePirateK]

@@Paolo8772 I wouldn't call it inferior myself. It's hard to compare them honestly, SC is proof that you can pack a solid punch into a small package but SV's sheer size and LR's insane launch (pre refurb) brought completely different dynamics into the equation. It feels like it'd be similar to comparing a family car to a performance racer. It's two completely different worlds with different end goals for the designs.

[@matthewsouthwell9653]

Jw, which RMC has the most powerful positive Gs?

[@coasters4life388]

Why did you comment ‘U’ and then edit it?

[@CanobieCoaster]

I usually greyout on the pullout from the main drop on Lightning Rod, but in general the RMCs don't really focus on positive Gs.

[@zacg_]

I haven't ridden it but it Zadra looks like it has some intense positive Gs in a couple of spots.

[@BluesCoasters]

How many degrees do you think iron Gwazis overbank will be (the one before the wave turn over the station)

[@CanobieCoaster]

I'm not sure.

[@eduardooneal]

Front row on Storm chaser is life changing

[@CanobieCoaster]

I prefer the back.

[@wrestlingandamusementparkl7789]

I love storm chaser. Last year in 2021 it was running very fast.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I agree.

[@wrestlingandamusementparkl7789]

@@CanobieCoaster that surprised me

[@aaronrinker5725]

Finally got to ride this. As much as I loved it I think I agree with lightning run being just barely better cuz of the consistent pacing and that insane finale

[@CanobieCoaster]

I love Lightning Run's finale more than anything on this coaster.

[@CoasterKey]

My theory to why so many people like this is that the rude runs faster than intended, leading to unusually strong forces and a better ride even for a small RMC.

[@CanobieCoaster]

That's possible, but those who have ridden it have found it running faster/slower at various points. It's like Wicked Cyclone.

[@WapoStudios]

FYI - Storm Chaser was running faster than it ever has in 2021. They experimented with different wheels in 2020 but changed back in 2021.

[@CanobieCoaster]

2020 Storm Chaser was slower than how I experienced it in 2021 and past years.

[@HangtimeThrills]

I love this coaster, but i’ve always wondered what would’ve happened if they RMC’d Thunder Run instead.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I imagine it would have looked a lot like Twisted Timbers.

[@imbnz2424]

Imagine two RMC's with a barrel roll drop in one park

[@kylebetz9684]

NO. THUNDER RUN IS AMAZING

[@alantrotter2077]

I really enjoy Storm Chaser. I rode it in 2018 and 2020 and it is in my Top 10 overall. Lightning Run sits just outside my Top 25, so I prefer Storm Chaser by a fair amount although I really enjoy Lightning Run. They give KK a great 1-2 punch. As far as the RMC's, I have been on 12, and I have Steel Vengeance, Lightning Rod, Outlaw Run, and Twisted Colossus ahead of Storm Chaser, and I would put Iron Rattler on Storm Chaser's level. I think the rides were slightly better in 2018 than 2020. The opposite was true with Lightning Run. The rides in 2020 were better than 2018.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I think Lightning Run ran comparably to me in past years. The biggest factor for me was that I got a lot of rides on Lightning Run. In my first visit to Kentucky Kingdom this year, Storm Chaser broke down for the second half of the day so it was the perfect excuse to marathon Lightning Run for a change.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Also, I couldn't find the post where you mentioned you were going to Dollywood in April, but Lightning Rod is already testing. Thrilling Moments Photography has some footage!

[@alantrotter2077]

@@CanobieCoaster Thanks I did see that it was testing.

[@roxynano]

I have a crazy story to tell you about Storm Chaser and you probably won’t believe me which no one else in the world besides my mom and I would believe in as it actually happened. So back in early 2015, I noticed that the new flying swings ride that was coming in that upcoming season is named Skychaser. The reason why I thought this was interesting is that this isn’t the first time Kentucky Kingdom used the “Chaser” name as for a former indoor coaster they used to have, it was named Starchaser. So it could be a possibility that Kentucky Kingdom is using the chaser name just like Disney uses the “Mountain” name. Because of this I was left thinking what potential new attractions could use the chaser name and what will fit well with it? Not every word can go with chaser easily. After watching Twister, a 90s action film about Storm Chasers, a light bulb as struck and I have a name for my imaginary coaster at Kentucky Kingdom. So when thinking on coasters, I thought a Maurer Skyloop is a likely possibility since Ed Hart has installed one at Magic Springs and they take so little space too.(Kentucky Kingdom doesn’t exactly have a lot of room to work with.) Plus there is nothing like it in the area so enthusiasts will travel to the Kingdom! I even thought of a location for Storm Chaser which I was thinking the land where Top Eliminator Dragsters used to be which at that time was a very long straight patch of land, perfect for a Maurer Skyloop named Storm Chaser! Keep in mind all of these ideas I had I told my mom which she thought they would be interesting fits for Kentucky Kingdom. Flash forward to someday in 2015 which my mom sent me a text saying YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE THIS! Then she sent a link. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJe3XmWGqbmkfLc I initially thought, hey my name was used on a coaster! Ooo it looks to be an RMC, which probably wouldn’t be coming to a park in my area. Still looks phenomenal though! (Then Kentucky Kingdom’s name popped up at the end) HOLY SHIT KENTUCKY KINGDOM IS GETTING AN RMC!!!!!! Keep in mind from my perspective, this came TOTALLY off guard as no offense, I thought my home park of Kentucky Kingdom was too broke to get an RMC. Plus RMC has only worked with chain parks so Kentucky Kingdom would of been the first independent park they worked with, so because of those factors I never expected an RMC to happen at Kentucky Kingdom. The other thing is Twisted Twins is a dueling coaster so seeing a no dueling coaster, I expected while watching the video it wasn’t at Kentucky Kingdom as the only option to RMC is Twisted Twins, a dueling coaster. So since it isn’t a dueling coaster, then it isn’t Twisted Twins and this isn’t Kentucky Kingdom. NOPE! Also Ed Hart promised on video that he would reopen Twisted Twins and I believed it 100% and it would be a similar refurbishment to what happened to Thunder Run in 2014. It was at this moment that I felt Kentucky Kingdom was truly in the big leagues and made me proud to have it as a home park. I didn’t give a shit on what the critics were saying MY HOME PARK WAS GETTING AN RMC!!! And some how I got the naming down on the bullseye!!! Everything else I was extremely far off! Still even if you don’t believe me, I know what happened. Honestly this event made this ride closer in my heart. It’s my favorite RMC not only for this story but it reminds me of Maverick in a lot of ways which Maverick is my favorite coaster. To have a coaster like Maverick at my home park just brings me joy!

[@CanobieCoaster]

I remember the Storm Chaser announcement coming out of left field as well. There weren't too many hints, so it was a pleasant surprise. That's funny how you always envisioned the Storm Chaser name for the park and the RMC they got is better than an X-Car coaster.

[@roxynano]

@@CanobieCoaster What is funny is that it went from the most hated RMC to one of the highest praised RMC coasters. I’ll say it is my favorite RMC that I’ve ridden, but I’ve only ridden two RMC coasters. (Storm Chaser and Lightning Rod) Not saying Lightning Rod is bad at all, but I preferred the airtime moments in Storm Chaser more personally and I might have a bit of a bias since I got the name on the bullseye.

[@CanobieCoaster]

@@roxynano I wonder if the animation played a role in this ride's initial perception, but the ride silenced everyone once people actually rode it.

[@roxynano]

@@CanobieCoaster It could be a possibility.

[@proggersroku]

I was at Kentucky Kingdom for the first time yesterday and there was no line whatsoever for storm chaser, I rode it 3 times

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@Violet._.impulses]

In 2020 is running slow because of maintenance but I can promise you a 2021 it is completely crazy it is flying through everything

[@CanobieCoaster]

It ran much better this year.

[@Violet._.impulses]

@@CanobieCoaster yeah this year whenever it went over a hill you could hear it grinding

[@JoshB333]

I’ve always thought this was a ground up RMC 👀

[@CanobieCoaster]

It was a conversion.

[@Paolo8772]

I don't know much about Storm Chaser but by the stats it's the weakest I-box track RMC. However, the enthusiasts say it's one of the better I-Box RMCs which only goes to show that stats aren't everything.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Absolutely! This shows RMC can do a lot even with a small ride.

[@coasters4life388]

your channel is the best

[@CanobieCoaster]

Thank you!

[@kylebetz9684]

Review lightning run!

[@CanobieCoaster]

I have some other reviews lined up, but I will get to that one.

[@mateoalvira3514]

Why did you say the first generation RMC trains? What are the differences between the first generation RMC trains and the second generation RMC trains?

[@CanobieCoaster]

The restraints are profiled slightly different and the axles were adjusted. To most riders, they feel the same.

[@sleepdeep305]

So the only RMC that actually deserved to be named “twisted -“ was named something completely different. Figures.

[@CanobieCoaster]

A few are worthy of that name.

[@jtwoolley]

cool.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Yes

[@CoasterRoaster]

If only they would work on the landscaping lol. It looks a bit... suspect

[@CanobieCoaster]

I suspect that will be one of the first things Herschend does.

[@hewasnumberone4476]

I was just thinking the same lol, a few trees will go a long way

[@zacg_]

Honestly, that whole area is ugly. It's at the edge of the park with ugly fences and a wall across the street. Even the metal structure of Storm Chaser looks kind of trashy. I LOVE Storm Chaser but that area definetely needs to be spruced up for appearances. Hopefully, Herschend will work their magic and make it a great looking park, even though it won't likely ever be as nice looking as Dollywood or SDC.

[@HugeRMCFanBoY-bx3od]

Why Does Everyone Hate RMC Restraints? Only T Bars Clamshells And Buzz Bars Are Better For Me

[@CanobieCoaster]

I don't mind them, but I know taller people hate their shin guards.

[@Gabes1321]

I think this ride is amazing but certainly not a top tier RMC

[@CanobieCoaster]

I personally think it's towards the middle, but some have it ranked highly because of the power it has in its peak form.

[@antonytsai6611]

I know it probably feels different in ride but the pov’s make storm chaser look slow

[@CanobieCoaster]

There are times when that ride can run slower.

[@m244we]

It’s actually a corked roll 👁 👄 👁

[@CanobieCoaster]

Ah ok, thanks!

[@m244we]

@@CanobieCoaster lol sorry if that was rude I just have never found a use for that face and I wanted to use it 👁 👄 👁

[@kingmike2976]

I was very disappointed when I rode this for the first time in July

[@CanobieCoaster]

What underwhelmed you?

[@kingmike2976]

@@CanobieCoaster the airtime wasn’t very sustained and the pacing wasn’t that good

[@CanobieCoaster]

@@kingmike2976 Even with it running slower than usual in 2020, I thought the two camelbacks had sustained airtime. The rest of the ride is all about quick pops, which is similar to a lot of other mid-sized RMCs.

[@jtwoolley]

why didn't you give it 10? It's an RMC.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's not as good as the other RMCs.

[@twøwrldsapart]

ITS NOT LOUIE VILLE

[@CanobieCoaster]

Sorry if I mispronounced it.

[@twøwrldsapart]

@@CanobieCoaster lol np it’s just a lot of people do lol

[@SilasBogel-yr9pn]

no one’s ever on it. skip lightning run, this one is better and the line is way shorter

[@CanobieCoaster]

I like both, but this is easier to marathon.

[@cliquet3scliquet3s96]

What do you think about this ride in terms of pacing? And in terms of smoothness? What's your favorite part of Storm Chaser?

[@CanobieCoaster]

Smooth and well-paced. 2nd hill is my favorite part.

[@cliquet3scliquet3s96]

What do you think? Would you like to ride Storm Chaser at Kentucky Kingdom again? And why?

[@CanobieCoaster]

Yes, awesome airtime.

[@APE-b8x]

your channel is the Best

[@CanobieCoaster]

Thank you!