Top 5 Rides Opening in 2013

Yo Nerds,
To begin, if you haven't already done so, make sure you watch our video listing our top 5 new rides for 2013.  

Here's the thing.  We all like rides.  That's why we're here.  This year, however, while there are some looking to be excellent coasters coming out and a few well put together dark rides, there isn't really any OMG MUST GO RIDE THAT RIGHT NOW attractions coming out this year.  Especially after 2012 brought us Transformers in USH, Manta at SeaWorld San Diego, and the mega Cars Land in California Adventure, 2013 kinda pales in comparison.

None the less, there are still several excellent attractions opening soon around the country.  Here is our top 5.

5. Iron Rattler at Six Flags Fiesta Texas
Six Flags loves their "firsts," and while this is not the first ever steel coaster being supported by a wooden structure, it is the first to do a barrel roll.  Iron Rattler is a renovated and enhanced new version of The Rattler coaster, which opened in Fiesta Texas in 1992.  Aside from the new track, they added the inversion and made changes to many of the existing drops and maneuvers.  Should make for a good time.

4. Full Throttle at Six Flags Magic Mountain
Another thing Six Flags loves is record holders, and they are claiming another record with Full Throttle.  At opening this will be the tallest, fastest looping coaster in the US.  Yes, there are taller and faster coasters (Kingda Ka is currently #1 in both) but with its launch into a 160 foot loop, Full Throttle stakes the claim that no other coaster will go fast AND high AND upside-down.  Aside from that, the ride also features a backwards launch, into a forward launch over the top of the super tall loop.  It's going to be hella short, but hopefully sweet.

3. Transformers at Universal Orlando
Last year, Transformers in Hollywood was one of the marquee attractions of the year and it did not disappoint.  This 3D robot fighting adventure to save the all spark continues to pack in the crowds in the lower lot of the park.  It's huge California success led to the ride being cloned for the third time (the first is in Universal Singapore) in Orlando.  While the ride itself will stand as a long term draw for the park and will have fans for many years to come, we can't get over the fact it feels like an appetizer for the HIGHLY anticipated Harry Potter's London area currently under construction on the other side of the park.  It will be the #1 draw in the park for a little over a year, which is just fine.

2. Gatekeeper at Cedar Point
Not only does this look to be an exciting and fun ride, but Gatekeeper as also dramatically changed the entrance of Cedar Point.  This B&M Wing Coaster dramatically soars over a redesigned park entrance, including near misses through keyholes in towers that now flank the turnstiles.  It also features a 170 foot first drop which is just awesome.  It's going to be a good time

1. Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin at Sea World Orlando
Three words: TRACKLESS PENGUIN RIDE!  Need we say any more?  When Sea World began tearing out the old Penguin Encounter in Orlando, we were intrigued.  When they announced they would be creating a penguin ride, we were excited.  When we finally found out this would be a trackless penguin ride featuring dark ride portions and a trip through the actual penguin habitat without glass blocking all the penguin sights and sounds (and smells), how could we not be nerding out on its awesomeness?

So there you go nerds.  Our top new rides for the year.  What do you think?  Would you have placed them in the same order?  Did we miss anything?

Let us know your thoughts.

Later Nerds,
Mike