Top 15 BACKWARDS Coaster Moments in America

[@brianmacdonald7297]

I'll nominate Firechaser Express at Dollywood. Sure, it's a family coaster, but the backwards section is completely unexpected, and thematically appropriate.

[@kevinmorris6984]

Agreed. I was surprised of how fun and unexpected the backwards section was!

[@keithkeene7185]

Force less even for a family coaster. It does nothing

[@justiceleaguebattleformetr9239]

Mr. Freeze’s inverted top hat taken backwards is downright insane, especially the back row of the Reverse Blast iteration

[@therealredninja-]

I live in STL and can confirm!

[@justiceleaguebattleformetr9239]

@@therealredninja- yup. Same here

[@ericthomason8463]

Having ridden the version in Texas, I can agree. The forces you get on the inverted top hat are otherworldly.

[@justiceleaguebattleformetr9239]

@@ericthomason8463 I’ve done that one too, and it’s downright insane.

[@therealredninja-]

@@ericthomason8463 While I haven’t ridden that one, I assume it’s just as crazy!

[@TheSonicsean]

My favorite part of Mr Freeze that's backwards is the launch. Man those Premier LIM launches pack a punch. Also the fact that you consistently call it "Hagrid's Blah Blah Blah" is hilarious.

[@Dancin_In_The_Moonlight]

Kings Dominion also ran Rebel Yell backwards in the 90's. It was definitely pretty cool to ride backwards, I'd actually say I preferred it that way.

[@swouleman]

I loved when You paraphrased Hagrids MCMA to "Hagrids blah blah blah" 😂😂😂

[@zacg_]

I thought Pantheon would definitely be number one because I totally forgot about X2 as a "backward" coaster. I usually think of backward as meaning some kind of a reversal of direction on the same track for some portion but you're totally right that X2 counts. If you count the drop on X2 as a backward moment then I definitely agree with the order of your top two.

[@cryingch3rubs]

Hagrid is the best ride I have ever ridden and thank you for putting it on this list.

[@jrlaps521]

It’s in my top 5. It’s not a super intense coaster but it’s so fun. I liked it just a tiny bit more than Velocicoaster honestly

[@OriginalJoe]

The accidental backward coaster moment - the strata rollback

[@AirtimeThrills]

Ha, yeah, kinda like a mega version of pantheon

[@pipepicasso8112]

That should be it's own rare coaster credit.

[@xj-may]

Great video as always. I went to Magic Mountain for the first time last month and I can safely say I 100% agree with your #1. X2 is now my new overall #1 coaster even above Steel Vengeance, and that first drop is probably my favorite element on any ride. And for the record the backwards lift hill is the first time in my entire life, including when I was a kid, where I was genuinely scared on a coaster, but oh my god was it awesome Btw, for a future “every manufacturer” video, how about a video of your biggest bucket list coaster from every manufacturer

[@AirtimeThrills]

The bucket list coaster from every manufacturer is on my calendar, i just pushed it back a little since there was some overlap with my weirdest coaster from every manufacturer list

[@xj-may]

@@AirtimeThrills awesome, I’ll be looking forward to it whenever it comes out

[@me-myself-i787]

If you like X2, you'll love Ride to Happiness and Eejanaika.

[@OklahomaCoasterFan]

That was how I felt after my first rides on X2. That backwards lift hill always has me feeling scared, but in the best way possible. Best lift hill I've experience. Beautiful views, the anticipation of that insane first drop, and the madness that follows! There is nothing like X2 on this side of the planet.

[@katherinezimmerman6997]

@@me-myself-i787Can confirm that Eejanika is awesome!

[@TheNinjaDC]

Yeah, the loop on Nighthawk was my favorite coaster moment/element on my recent trip to Carowinds, and Fury was open. That loop was just so intense, I loved it!

[@pipepicasso8112]

I always exclusively rode The Racer backwards after the first time riding it that way. But, my first backwards experience is KI's Screamin' Demon the shuttle loop.

[@Mystiquemina]

I Loved the Backward Racer, it was so much fun. I miss it. Screamin Demon was fun, my favorite part was the Backward drop.

[@christianortiz-v1l]

By far the best backwards moment I've experienced was the backwards launch of Full Throttle at SFMM, it was so intense!

[@Rhythmmical]

My only ride on Wicked Twister was in the back car, and that twisted spike at full speed was jarring. It felt like my whole body twisted around itself, but in a fun way.

[@ericbraxton8224]

Virginia boy here….came in for Expedition Everest, and especially Pantheon, and was not disappointed. One of my favorite roller coaster moments of all time is riding the former Rebel Yell at Kings Dominion backwards

[@jerseymiike]

Top Thrill Dragster rollback is the best backwards moment on a coaster. I was lucky enough to experience this 3x

[@zacdavid184]

I was there on a REALLY windy night in 2005 and watched a train roll back probably 6 or 7 times. It was a truly ridiculous amount and I don't fully understand why they didn't take it back into the station, maybe it wasn't possible at that point. People in the queue were shouting (joking) at the riders to point their arms together forward in a "V" for aerodynamics. It got over eventually and the ride closed for 20 mins or whatever, then it was basically fine. SURE WISH I HAD BEEN ON THAT TRAIN. I did catch one rollback, though, on a different occasion, and another on Ka.

[@jerseymiike]

@@zacdavid184 Yea 2 out the 3 times were back to back when I got front row seat... which was amazing bc you think it's gonna make it. The Ka rollback would be sweet

[@corkscrewfoley]

I'm glad you mentioned Wicked Twister. Even the entry into that backwards spike was pretty tight, and it was always a punch in the gut before that glorious back car goodness kicks in.

[@rodolfomiranda2676]

When I first rode Expedition Everest I was around 10 years old and I thought there was a vertical loop in the backwards section from how intence it was

[@DanCrowleyNYC]

Going backwards is always my favorite part of any coaster, so thank you for this! There is something about the tummy-tickle you get that I never get tired of.

[@AirtimeThrills]

I dont always get that going backwards but definitely get that feeling on boomerangs

[@DanCrowleyNYC]

@@AirtimeThrills yes 100% on the vertical loop backwards on a boomerang, and the backwards helix of Expedition Everest if I'm closer to the front of the train.

[@Didyus]

5:04 Hagrid’s Blah Blah Blah 😂

[@ayanadixon4763]

When I was young, my family would go to KI every summer. For awhile I was too scared to ride the bigger coasters, but I did love backwards Racer because I was being forced back in my seat instead of forward. It made me feel safer and more secure.

[@CarnyJared]

Still my favorite backwards moment is the vertical stall on an Intamin impulse. So unique

[@rct2nerd]

Sandy’s Blastin’ Bronco has the best backwards launch I have ever experienced and you really need to ride it.

[@AirtimeThrills]

I agree. Maybe one time I go itll actually be freaking open

[@Doctor_dispatch]

​@@AirtimeThrills Chris can you plz rank your favorite western/country themed coasters?

[@andrewpritchard1526]

My first thought was the first drop on Time Traveler when taken backwards, but maybe that's more of a sideways element.

[@AirtimeThrills]

That ones tough, i tried to avoid spinning coasters, and TT's drop in the back is sideways, some other rows is backwards

[@PancakeJar_Lover]

"Hagrid's Blah Blah Blah" is a top tier name.

[@daltondunn7361]

Hi Airtime Thrills, I wanted to tell you about one of my most favorite backwards moments. I’ve heard you say several times that Thunderation at Silver Dollar City is your favorite mine train. When I was a kid in the early 2000s, they used to run every other train car on Thunderation backwards. It was really fun to ride backwards and face my family in the front facing car going through the ride. And the night rides were amazing! But by far my favorite moment was riding backwards in the last car, going down the final drop off the lift hill, in the dark!

[@AirtimeThrills]

That sounds awesome, wish that was still a thing

[@JustACooldude74503]

I know this isn’t just a moment but rather a whole different experience, but the reserves seating on DC Rivals Hypercoaster is just nuts. The first drop facing backwards and the non-inverting loop is pure insanity makes it my favourite coaster experience. On the topic of Mack Rides, I’ve always wanted to see a Prime Ride Tme/By The Numbers style video of their major coasters since Blue Fire at Europa Park in 2009. The coasters on their would be their hypers, Xtreme spinners, their major projects since 2009. Thorpes new hyper might add a nice twist as well. Keep doing what your doing, your videos are great.

[@mitchellries256]

My favorite backwards moment on a roller coaster is the first launch on Mr. Freeze at Six Flags Over Texas back when it had the reverse blast at the beginning. It will be exciting to try that ride launching forwards for the first time one year and see how that compares. Some of my other favorites include the second launch on Full Throttle at Six Flags Magic Mountain, the backwards launch on the Intamin Impulse Coasters, the complete darkness of Expedition Everest when going backwards, and the backwards launch on those Premier Rides Sky Rocket 2 models.

[@micahmagnet]

Video idea: Top 10 (or more) night ride coaster experiences

[@AirtimeThrills]

This has been suggested for a long time but unfortunately because of my travel schedule and visiting parks in the summer i hardly ever stay til dark. So im missing out

[@AirtimeProductions]

Wow seeing an Intamin Impulse (especially Wicked Twister) get some love is awesome!

[@bobbrewer5608]

Hagrid’s TLDR Hagrid’s blah blah blah. Awesome.

[@joelmoore886]

Great list! I loved American Eagle at Six Flags Great America when it ran backwards!

[@paul93221]

there also was a time when the batman was fully backwards.

[@jzckvsn]

I’ve seen a lot of Australian parks give the option to ride coasters backwards like steel taipan and dc rivals. Maybe some parks will want to do that as upcharge options

[@AirtimeThrills]

Im sure thatll become a common thing in the not so distant future

[@Spike-sk7ql]

I wish! I would love to ride Vengeance backwards.

[@jzckvsn]

@@Spike-sk7ql that sounds awesome!

[@markvolpe2305]

I loved Wicked Twister, my favorite seat was the second last row right hand side because as you're going up the back spike, the car in front of you moves out of the way and you're just staring at the ground.

[@SaveFarris1]

"Hagrid's Blah Blah Blah..." This is the type of quality content I am here for!

[@micycles1200]

Me, sitting backstage at Revenge of the Mummy on my break, thinking that we won't be on here. Lo and behold, I was wrong. Too bad we're only number 15, but at least we're on the list.

[@AirtimeThrills]

Hey ya made it that's most of the battle

[@micycles1200]

@@AirtimeThrills It's funny because if this video had come out last year, I would have been backstage, on my break at X2 watching this, not realizing it would count and then coming in at number 1

[@katherinezimmerman6997]

Great video! I haven’t ridden X2, but I’ve ridden its clone (Eejanika) at Fuji-Q and can confirm that the first drop is bonkers. Separately, if you think the back portions of the Flying Dutchmen are intense, wait until you get to Japan someday and ride The Flying Dinosaur at Universal. It’s a B&M flyer and has some of the most insane forces I’ve ever felt.

[@-Tim-]

By far one of the best backwards moment we have here in Europe is Fury’s top hat (Bobbejaanland). You get so much ejector airtime, while being violently thrown to the left, it’s amazing.

[@Cyberpunkninja92]

An experience I had on full throttle was that I did not know about the backwards launch during my first time on the ride, this caused me to be pretty surprised when It went back.

[@AirtimeThrills]

Yeah ive heard that a lot. I had fun tricking sophie with that also

[@rikp]

My favorite backward moment on the Knott's Boomerang was the last inversion going back into the station. In the middle of the train (the only time I preferred the middle of a train) it would be at the perfect speed to do an upside-down flip on what felt like all three axes while floating. At least that's what I got from it. There was a time when it was running really well and I would ride it repeatedly for that moment.

[@ThePirateprincess23]

I love the backwards half of Revenge of the Mummy at Universal Studios Hollywood. It is my favorite ride there. I have been on the Florida version 2 times and while the theming is great at both parks, the Florida version pales in comparison to the Hollywood version in my opinion.

[@DavidBehlman]

First time I've heard this opinion! I've only been on Hollywood's. I'm gonna find a comparison...

[@clairefunnell8481]

Such fun and crazy looking rides. So neat.

[@iceblade019]

The Giant Inverted Boomerang at Jinjiang park in Shanghai was my first coaster and got me into coasters, such a crazy experience.

[@ravensrulzaviation]

Loved Wicked Twister as well, it was so much fun and the twist in the front or back is great. 70 mph..

[@LordOfTheRides29]

I recently went on a family trip to Europe and got to go to Magicland in Rome, Disneyland Paris, American dream mall/nickelodeon universe and Parc Asterix. Asterix now holds my #1 coaster Toutatis. The hangtime off the get-go, crazy laterals on the outerbanked airtime hills, insane ejector from the launch, crazy floater on both stalls, ejector on the drop off the top hat, hangtime and laterals on the zero g stall, crazy ejector to positives on the airtime hill and a final pop of ejector on the roll over the queue. Intamin outdid themselves IMO

[@ItsAllGood_]

When I saw the title I immediately thought of Pantheon...that backwards airtime is legendary. Never been on X2 but that drop looks intense.

[@ravensrulzaviation]

Rode the Superman also at MM, but for some reason, it never felt like it got to that height, but it was fun and the sound of wheels on the track is really cool….

[@mdf3530]

5:01 “Hagrid’s Motorbikke TLDR Adventure” and I’m dead 😂😂😂

[@zacdavid184]

My favorite backward moment(s) are gone: the in-line twists on Batman and Robin: the Chiller were crazy in both directions, but taking them backwards-- especially when you were coming from extra far up the spike-- almost defies description. And then of course there was an amazing inside backwards top hat immediately afterwards on the Batman side, but smaller than Mr. Freeze IIRC.

[@ytcomment4242]

I'm guessing not many other people here have credits from Idora Park in Youngstown, OH, since it largely burned down in the 1984 season. That year they had taken my first coaster (Jack Rabbit) and turned the trains backwards to make Back Wabbit, which was just mind blowing as a kid. I never got to experience a Dragster rollback, but I bet those were magnificent, especially because it also meant you had another ride coming up.

[@dillyancarle9928]

The #8 for the inverted boomerangs, I see you had the Six Flags New England on there. Unfortunately Goliath is no longer there anymore but it was crazy!

[@Echoleon]

I think this is the case for almost all flying coasters, but taking the bottom of the 2 loops on USJ's Flying Dinosaur on your back is absolutely insane and the forces squish you like a pancake.

[@katherinezimmerman6997]

Yup, 100% this. Bonus points if you ride it in the rain since it low-key feels like you’re being pummeled with tiny rocks. 😂

[@Cje_-yj8ov]

My first thought was the pantheon ejector hill, but then I saw number 1 and was like 🤦🏼‍♂️ DUH

[@collegeluvr]

Hands down, Pantheon’s backwards airtime is one of my favorite moments on any coaster.

[@alphawinnergx9127]

Mystic at Walibi Rhône Alpes has a nice small backwards section. It features the twisted in line rollback, a wave turn, and the train then stalls on the bottom of the dive loop

[@poornarrator3674]

Idea: Top 15 coaster re-themes

[@history_leisure]

5:48 I've ridden Stunt Fall in Madrid, but none in the US-and would have to agree. Now only if Amtrak served Cour d'Alane.

[@history_leisure]

I also got to Ride Mystic in France as was left quite disappointed by it. Probably a mix of over hyping it in my head and Stunt Fall's reverse drop being that good. I thought it was too cold for Atlantica but since Atlantis at Over Texas wasn't on here-I doubt its worth noting. Ramses at PAZ is kind of garbage but the first few drops aren't half bad and Abismo really only just catches the chain where I think the smaller models get a lot more bang for their buck in that department

[@history_leisure]

Also Generator at Walibi Rhone-Alps only has a lapbar so that really brings it up

[@zacharygambler9306]

I think the backwards spike on icebreaker is worthy - overall solid list

[@Nonfiction79]

That backwards spike on Ice Breaker in the third to last row is pretty wild.

[@danvilledan9443]

When are you going to do an international trip? There is so much you're missing out on!

[@AirtimeThrills]

Got one planned for Scandinavia this summer

[@danvilledan9443]

@@AirtimeThrills Oh nice, have fun! Don't know much about the parks there so I look forward to hear your thoughts about them

[@mr.z_yt]

What are the best spinning coasters

[@SkyrushFanboy]

I rode the front row of Invertigo, and when the trained whipped me over the vertical loop backwards, it forced by body to lean forwards, and it's very forceful, 5 G's I believe, Probably the single most intense element at kings island imo, and very underrated

[@AirtimeThrills]

Invertigo is insanely intense and i got front last year too

[@dj_stuber]

I like how when laying down/on top of the track you are going backwards, but when it flips to flying or bottom of the track you are going forwards. Yet, the train is still moving in the same direction. Things that make you go hmmm.

[@ejectorairtime73]

Pantheon ought to be the #1

[@Caglecardscollectibles21]

My favorite backward moment is still Greezed Lightnin’ from Astroworld…we used to put a coin on our forehead and see how long it would last after the launch!

[@jimthar17]

Was wondering if Everest was going to be on there. The backwards part is awesome and my favorite part of that ride.

[@johnfoltz8183]

6:32: there’s always pain for some to experience ejector airtime on Skyrush as well

[@AirtimeThrills]

Thats different level of pain and the lapbar prevents 99% of the airtime

[@devdevthrills]

Expedition Everest?! That thing has no force and is like riding a kiddie train backwards through that section. Also, Mr Freeze would be #2 for me behind X2. Super disorienting and a ton of fun.

[@ScottyMania313]

Oh man, I miss Wicked Twister. I'm from Detroit so EDM is really huge, like huge huge, we even have a little EDM festival called Movement. The Station Music was from a group called The Crystal Method - the song called Winner. It was an epic experience jamming out to it before the launch.

[@Zak-iw7ee]

Hey can you do all gci by the numbers? And keep the good working of posting videos almost everyday! And I really agree with x2 being number one. But I don’t get the gut feeling on the boomerangs

[@AirtimeThrills]

GCI by the numbers is out there if you want to search for it

[@Zak-iw7ee]

I’m dumb didn’t see it 🫢

[@RTRC_2012]

It didn’t occur to me that X2 would count for this list, I was picturing mostly just launches.

[@andrewjames5373]

My first coaster ever was Kings Island Racer backwards in 1987, dad told me we were getting on the bumper cars and the coaster was just a train that took us to the ride. Never forgave him.

[@Ink_For_Life]

Better than ever(THANKS FOR THE SHOUTOUT)this is such a good video 👍👍👍

[@Ink_For_Life]

Btw artime thrills do you have a donation thing or something bc I wanna donate some money

[@AirtimeThrills]

​@@Ink_For_Life i dont have any patreon or anything like that, all i ask is for clicks

[@jacquelinegladu1903]

When you said keep your bananas at home. I kinda thought it was funny because today is International Banana split day.

[@THATSSOMID.]

But Chris… You forgot the backwards launch on Top Thrill Dragster! 😉😂

[@XscreamThrills]

I was totally with this list except for the boomerang mention 🙃

[@huddyr1112]

Great video topic🎉 going backwards at high speed is probably what gets my stomach going the most so I love invertigo at King's Island the backwards portion but i agre, X2 would be my number 1 and then top it off with Pantheon at number 3

[@itsKegger]

Ice Breaker at SeaWorld has some nice backwards moments too since it has the speed hills

[@chriselledge168]

Wow! Some Frontier City love.

[@Joeflinn80]

Did you forget about Fire Chaser Express at Dollywood. That's has a fun backwards launch on it. It has pretty intense for a family coaster.

[@AirtimeThrills]

I didnt forget it, just didnt think it was top 15 worthy

[@sterospa]

Love the list. What about manta, and the clones bg has with Tigris and tempesto and their sister coasters?

[@koreyhu2]

Does anyone remember swarm at thorpe park with its backwards facing seat? That wing over drop was insane

[@Spike-sk7ql]

Now that the racer is retracted, I kind of wish KI still had backwards racer.

[@joshyater3220]

We're would you rank racer on the list though just wondering ( love your content)

[@jamie-dempsey]

I would've put ice breaker on this. Honorable mention to firechaser and cobras curse.

[@ravensrulzaviation]

I lucked out, and got to ride both sides of Batman and Mr.Freeze at 6 flags great adventure. It was intense. Seriously intense.

[@elitelord5350]

HM for me is the third launch on Icebreaker at SeaWorld Orlando with the hill you get ejected from and the beyond vertical spike

[@alantrotter2077]

Sandy's Blasting Bronco will make your list once you ride it. I like Full Throttle's backward section a bit more than you even though it's brief. I would put it top 10. Rollbacks should be considered I guess. I have rollbacks on Lightning Rod and Maverick of all coasters. Both were quite interesting!

[@ItsSiebay]

Unless you count Batwing as going backwards, then I’ve never ridden a single coaster that does. I’ve managed to miss out on every boomerang at every park I’ve ever been to. Edit: Never mind, I see it.

[@Wandering_Outlaw]

I got my first ride on X2 Yesterday when I visited Magic Mountain for the first time. I have never experienced anything like it and I'm not sure how to place it in my top 25 it's just such an intense experience and I got off the Coaster giggling and saying wow a bunch. I'm pretty sure it's gonna be in my top 5.

[@ejectorairtime73]

third comment yay i actually had the backwards coasters video internationally planned, and i guess its a good time to start on it :)

[@ravensrulzaviation]

Are you referring to the name Racer at Kings Island, or at Kings Dominion? The Original name at KD was Rebel Yell and it kinda tided in with the Hurler from Waynes World, also, did you know, the movie Roller Coaster the Movie with Timothy Bottoms from 1975-77 time frame, need to look that up, but it featured Rebel Yell and Revolution at Magic Mountain at the time. If you havent seen that movie, you and Sophie would love it. Its a suspense thriller.

[@281sTravel]

Kings Island

[@DougGlendower]

The Vekoma Boomerang ended my rollercoaster times.

[@tdcamp03]

5:16 Hagrids blah blah blah is elite

[@jacobszilagyi284]

Random idea but what about doing a park battle but this time with defunct parks so sfno, Geauga lake, sf astroworld, hard rock park, etc. It maybe hard cause most of these defunct parks you never went to before or even experienced the rides they had like sfno cause of the jester being a unique vekoma hurricane model and such.

[@Rhythmmical]

Hagrid's Blah Blah Blah

[@theryguy93]

Quote of the year: "Leave your bananas at home"

[@SlipMaker]

Hagrid’s TL;DR

[@dylanalgate8130]

I miss wicked twister, it was definitely one of the most under rated coasters

[@iquitokay]

Have you ever ridden those Seesaw rides, like Gr8 Sk8 at Cedar Fair parks or XScream at the Stratosphere?

[@AirtimeThrills]

I actually havent

[@craigsmallegan5993]

"Hagrid's Blah Blah Blah" actual name confirmed. 😂