There was a time when I was petrified of loop roller coasters. You couldn’t pay enough money to ride one of those. That fear was born out of watching one particular coaster fail to make it through its loop. This coaster was called Lightning Loops at Great Adventure, in Jackson. It since been retired and I believe Nitro occupies that real estate. But I was about 10 years old curiously watching the ride run over and over while eating some amusement park confection. It was then; I witnessed the ride not having enough force to make it through its loop.

Thankfully no one was seriously injured, but I could see the fear in the eyes of the riders as they were gingerly escorted off the ride after it came to a stop. That really did me in. No loop coasters for me. Non-loop coasters, however not a  problem.

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Fast forward almost 25 years later. I attended the same amusement park, Great Adventure the same day their new loop coaster “Batman and Robin the Chiller” debuted. Not long after our arrival, a friend convinced me to get in line. Unwillingly, I did and rode the ride. Can I just say, when I exited the turnstile, my heart was pumping not from fear but from exhilaration. I remember screaming out loud, “I can’t believe I waited so long”!

Needless to say, I was hooked.  I try to ride any loop coaster I come across.

Here is a list of some of my favorites from Hershey Park, Great Adventure, Busch Gardens, Universal Studios, and Disney World.

Check out videos from each coaster below:

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