Eagle vs Viper - Which Ride Do You Prefer ?

[CoasterRiderSC]

I wanted to set this up as a poll but didn't know how. I hear much discussion about which ride is better, and in some cases people say one of them should come down.

Please state which ride you like better and give some reasons

Eagle
1) Much bigger first drop
2) Faster speed
3) Classic racing coaster - makes it exciting when both trains are running
4) Intensity of Helixes
5) Better capacity
6) Longer track length

[stergmi]

1) they're both great for different reasons
2) neither should be taken down
3) Eagle because it was my first big coaster

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[Guy_With_A_Stick]

Viper. It is a LOT more consistent, more intense, better theming, and has some of the best airtime of any ride in the park. The double down. <3

[RollingCoasting]

Eagle for height and speed, Viper for airtime

[Wisco Woody]

Viper is a typical wooden twister/cyclone done very well, but it can be inconsistent on some days in terms of speed, sometimes only 47-48 mph, and in terms of roughness killing airtime in the back. American Eagle is even more inconsistent more often, but dropping to 64 mph top speed isn't as noticeable.

Now I prefer Viper for its excellent standing airtime and wild fun in both the front and back seat, but the front car on AE red side is a top 15 wood coaster experience for me due to airtime and speed, and if you like violence and pain like me then the back seat of AE blue is "better" than Mean Streak for roughness and pain.

[SFGAM_Hog]

Viper:
1) Always a fun coaster to do at the end of the day
2) Thrilling(both are though)
3) Airtime is amazing
Why I didn't choose Eagle
1) Airtime hills on it don't excite me
2) Opens later at 11:00=usually don't get reruns on it

[RollingCoasting]

You reminded me; another advantage of AE is there's (usually) never line!

Wish both coasters would run backwards again, It was a really thrilling experience

[momlovescoasters]

Great idea for a topic! I love wooden coasters so this is a hard choice. I don't want either to leave but if I had to pick a favorite it would be Viper. The first drop isn't as good but I love all of the smaller airtime hills.

I forced my husband on AE for the first time in YEARS in August. He was smiling and having fun during the first hill......then the fun ended and I got the death stare the rest of the time. Ha ha, kinda made it even more fun for me! Seriously though, when the ride ended he said he will never go on it again. Made me sad but I understand. I'm not even sure if it is the roughness or the appearance that freaks him out. Probably a combination. We rode Viper 3 times and he loved it.

[maxwellt]

Like em both, but here's the spiel

Eagle
1. in my opinion better drop than viper
2. Much longer
3. Racing and higher capacity

Viper
1. Better airtime
2. More smooth
3. Opened more than eagle

In the end I prefer viper. My #4 at the park

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[Mean Streaker]

AE

1) it's a GAm classic
2) it's the worlds tallest, fastest, and longest racing coaster
3) it has amazing airtime
4) it's big
5) it's beautiful
6) even waiting in line is fun

[Viper 88]

Viper a very fun smile inducing ride. AE is almost too rough.

[batmanfan80]

Viper easy. The rides are either great or a bit violent and underwhelming. Eagle goes from incredibly great to unrideably violent every time in the same sections.

[FParker185]

When did American Eagle get airtime? Re-profiled since last week or something?

[RollingCoasting]

I agree to an extent. After the drop there is potential to be airtime, but it's not there.

I do experience some floater airtime towards the end of the ride, but I'm not sure where this ejector is coming from

[maxwellt]

There's a little airtime, but not much. Cam and I had a discussion one night about eagle. The shape of the hills don't provide the airtime, like, they aren't the right curve or bend. There were some mathematical terms thrown in there too, but if eagle got rwtracked, they could make the airtime hills the right shape so there is airtime

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[Guy_With_A_Stick]

I said that the current hills on Eagle are like tangent circles(two circles are next to eachother, the top of one circle is the top of the hill, and the bottom of the other circle is the valley of the hill). You can especially notice this coming into the first hill- instead of continually curving up(like a parabola), it's a straight section until it hits the top of the hill. If they did make them parabolic, that first hill could offer some serious ejector.

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[Wisco Woody]

To get the good airtime, the only option is Red side, front car. Even then the first hill is so long it just provides floating zero g, but the second hill gives a pop of stronger floater air. The airtime hills on return, 1 more than blue, do provide actual floater air, but only in the front car and not as sustained as on Viper.

[Coaster Justin]

Viper for 5 Reasons:
5. Shorter Length Queue Line
4. More Consistant Airtime (Especially the final hill)
3. Smoother Turns
2. Great Ride from beginning to end
1. I like my Legs and knees

[CoasterCale]

I would say Viper is already better. There's more consistent airtime. Overall is smoother and I don't even necessarily need a non-wheel seat to enjoy it.

[CoasterRiderSC]

I wanted to set this up as a poll but didn't know how. I hear much discussion about which ride is better, and in some cases people say one of them should come down.

Please state which ride you like better and give some reasons

Eagle
1) Much bigger first drop
2) Faster speed
3) Classic racing coaster - makes it exciting when both trains are running
4) Intensity of Helixes
5) Better capacity
6) Longer track length

Well gang, after riding both rides several times on 10/1/16 (Eagle - 4 , Viper - 7) in the front and back, I have changed my mind!!! Eagle is taller and faster, but I actually think Viper is BETTER for these reasons:

1) Less brutal on the body
2) More airtime on the hills after first drop
3) Head chopper elements (you can't underestimate these!)
4) Overall more fun to ride (smile inducing as someone called it).

I guess in my 45 yo mind, I'm still remembering how Eagle USED TO BE when I was a kid! Those "rumple strips" never used to be on the first drop and it was way smoother when it was young!

So Viper gets my vote NOW!

[HuskieJohn]

Viper is my favorite wood roller coaster. Granted I have not been on many others but its easily my #1.

[Wisco Woody]

^ If Goliath doesn't rank higher for you due to its "steel feel", I suggest you go up to Mt. Olympus to ride Hades 360. It has a lot of great airtime and laterals, especially in the back seat, and it now has a giant corkscrew yet retains the look and feel of a classic Woodie. Viper does have a lot of great combined airtime, but I wish it was more consistent with its top speed and as a result more consistent strength of its airtime.

[CoasterDave316]

When did American Eagle get airtime? Re-profiled since last week or something?

The red side has almost always had airtime. You get decent airtime on the first 2 hills out, and depending on trims you sometimes get ejector air in the back row coming out of the helix.

I've never liked the Blue side much, always has been the roughest, slowest and worst side in my opinion.

I have been disappointed with how Viper is running this year, it usually is the smoother of the two. This year it has been pretty rough especially at bottom of the first turn. Needs some track work this off-season for sure in a few spots.

[RollingCoasting]

I agree with Dave, airtime seems to be more apparent on the red side. Though in my opinion, it's nothing to write home about.

I will say that riding American Eagle in the rain will make you appreciate it more (As long as you don't mind rain darting towards your face)

[CoasterRiderSC]

^ My 4 rides on 10/1 on Eagle were ALL in the rain! The last one was a bit painful as the raindrops were pelting me in the face. But it made for a memorable ride.