News, Reviews & Series
The latest theme park news, trip reports and event reviews from Texas and beyond.
Rowdy Bear's Ski Lift Shootout Coaster POV | America's First Alpine Flyer with Target Shooting
Opened in 2019, Rowdy Bear's Ski Lift Shootout Coaster is one of Pigeon Forge's most unique ride experiences. Suspended below a track, riders are able to enhance their ride experience by aiming and shooting at various targets throughout the layout. Standing up to 60 feet tall with a track length of 1,300 feet, the Ski Lift Shootout Coaster is also America's first-ever alpine flyer. The attraction is one of many that can be enjoyed at Rowdy Bear Mountain in Pigeon Forge, TN.
Rowdy Bear's Avalanche Snow Coaster POV | World's First & America's Only Powered Alpine Coaster
Opened as the Power Coaster in 2021, the Avalanche Snow Coaster is the world's first and America's only powered alpine coaster (as of the release of this video). Riders board their own powered vehicle and trek along 2,200 feet of track. The unique attraction also allows for side-by-side seating with the main passenger able to control the speed of their vehicle throughout the ride experience. Avalanche Snow Coaster is one of multiple attractions found at Rowdy Bear Mountain in Pigeon Forge, TN.
Moonshine Mountain Coaster POV | Voted Best & Most Thrilling Mountain Coaster in Gatlinburg, TN
Originally opened as the Gatlinburg Mountain Coaster in 2014, the Moonshine Mountain Coaster is a high-thrill attraction that features 2,500 feet of track. The Moonshine Mountain Coaster has won a number of local awards, including Best Mountain Coaster of 2021 by Best of Pigeon Forge, Top Mountain Coaster by Visit My Smokies and Most Thrilling Mountain Coaster by the Stony Brook Cabins blog.
Ripley's Mountain Coaster POV | Amazing Views of the Smoky Mountains (Gatlinburg, TN)
First introduced in 2017 as the Rowdy Bear Coaster, the high-thrill Ripley's Mountain Coaster is located in Gatlinburg, TN. This attraction reaches speeds of up to 35 miles per hour while giving a great view of the surrounding landscape.
Ride Spotlight - Pirates of Speelunker Cave at Six Flags Over Texas (Multi-Angle Ride POV)
Pirates of Speelunker Cave opened at Six Flags Over Texas on May 14, 2022. Riders board the attraction and venture into Speelunker Cave. Soon enough, you are greeted by a band of pirates looking for lost treasure. Upon bracing a storm, a kraken, mermaids and more, the exploration takes riders deep into Speelunker territory.
Riding Fiesta Texas' New Dr. Diabolical's Cliffhanger Coaster | POV Footage & First Impression!
Fiesta Texas invited SFFT Source out to media day for their new, record-breaking Dr. Diabolical's Cliffhanger roller coaster! This B&M dive coaster features a height of 150 feet, 95-degree first drop, two inversions, top speed of 60 miles per hour, an extreme airtime hill and more. Join us for an exclusive on-ride view of Dr. Diabolical's Cliffhanger, along with ride impressions and information regarding the enhanced queue experience.
Texas Stingray POV, SeaWorld San Antonio | Texas' Tallest & Fastest Wooden Coaster
Texas Stingray, a wooden coaster, opened at SeaWorld San Antonio on February 22, 2020. The thrilling family attraction was designed by Dustin Sloane of Skyline Attractions and manufactured by Great Coasters International. Texas Stingray stands 96 feet tall and reaches a top speed of 55 miles per hour.
Steel Eel POV, SeaWorld San Antonio | The Park's Tallest Roller Coaster
Steel Eel is SeaWorld San Antonio's second oldest and tallest roller coaster. Officially opened on March 6, 1999, the attraction features a height of 150 feet and top speed of 65 miles per hour. Built by Morgan, Steel Eel includes a whopping 3,700 feet of track length.
Wave Breaker: The Rescue Coaster POV, SeaWorld San Antonio | Multi-Launch Family Coaster
Opened on June 16, 2017, Wave Breaker is a multi-launch Intamin roller coaster. The attraction reaches heights of 61 feet, a top speed of 44 miles per hour and features a track length of 2,600 feet.
Mako Back Row POV, SeaWorld Orlando | Riding One of Orlando's Fastest Roller Coasters
Join us for a back row ride on Mako, SeaWorld Orlando's B&M Hyper Coaster. Mako opened on June 10, 2016 and features a height of 200 feet with a top speed of 73 miles per hour. With 4,760 feet of track, Mako is one of Orlando's longest, tallest and fastest roller coasters.
Ice Breaker POV, SeaWorld Orlando | Orlando's Newest Multi-Launch Roller Coaster
Ice Breaker opened at SeaWorld Orlando on February 18, 2022. This Premier Rides launched steel coaster features a height of 93 feet and top speed of 52 miles per hour. The attraction also launches riders forward and backwards multiple times.
Mako Front Row POV, SeaWorld Orlando | Riding a 200' Tall Hyper Coaster
Join us for a front row ride on Mako, SeaWorld Orlando's B&M Hyper Coaster. Mako opened on June 10, 2016 and features a height of 200 feet with a top speed of 73 miles per hour. With 4,760 feet of track, Mako is one of Orlando's longest, tallest and fastest roller coasters.
Kraken POV, SeaWorld Orlando | Floorless Coaster with Seven Inversions
Kraken is SeaWorld Orlando's intense floorless steel coaster. First opened on June 1, 2000, this attraction features a height of 153 feet tall and a top speed of 65 miles per hour. Kraken also features 7 intense inversions, including two vertical loops, a dive loop and a spiraling camelback.
Cheetah Hunt POV, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay | Multi-Launching Steel Coaster
Cheetah Hunt, a steel Intamin launch coaster, opened on May 27, 2011. Located at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, this high thrill attraction features a 130-foot drop, speeds of up to 60 miles per hour, 1 inversion and 3 separate launches.
Montu POV, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay | First Coaster Ever to Feature an Immelmann Loop
Montu is a record-breaking inverted coaster that opened at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay on May 16, 1996. The attraction, built by B&M, was the first inverted coaster to feature 7 inversions and an Immelmann loop. Montu stands 150 feet high and reaches speeds of 60 miles per hour with a track length of 3,983 feet.
Cobra's Curse POV, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay | Spinning Coaster with Elevator Lift
This unique spinning coaster first opened at Busch Garden's Tampa Bay on June 17, 2016. Featuring an elevator lift, Cobra's Curse stands 70 feet tall and reaches speeds of 40 miles per hour. Throughout the circuit, riders experience forwards, backwards and spinning as the train shifts back and forth.
Iron Gwazi POV, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay | World's Steepest & Fastest Hybrid Roller Coaster
Opened on March 11, 2022 at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Iron Gwazi holds the record for the world's steepest and fastest hybrid roller coaster! Iron Gwazi reaches heights of 206 feet with a top speed of 76 miles per hour. Featuring 12 airtime points, the coaster also features a Barrel Roll Downdrop and Zero-G Stall, making it one of the most intense coasters in America.
Tigris POV, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay | High-Thrill, Multi-Launch Roller Coaster
Tigris, located at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, opened on April 19, 2019. This Premier Rides Sky Rocket II roller coaster features a top speed of 62 miles per hour and a height of 150 feet. On top of this, Tigris includes multiple forwards and backwards launches and a track length of 863 feet.
Sand Serpent POV, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay | Classic Wild Mouse Roller Coaster
This classic Wild Mouse roller coaster opened at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in 2004 after being relocated from Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Standing just under 46 feet tall, Sand Serpent reaches speeds of 28 miles per hour and features nearly 1,214 feet of track.
First-Ever Visit to Busch Gardens Tampa, Riding New Iron Gwazi & Other Record-Breaking Coasters!
Join along as we take our fist-ever visit to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Originally opened in 1959, Busch Gardens is home to thousands of animals, along with ten iconic roller coasters. This adventure has us riding several of the park's high-thrill attractions, including the all-new Iron Gwazi, SheiKra and more.