Driving through the deserts of Nevada on I-15 from Vegas towards California, there really is not much scenery visible to break up the monotony. An occasional hotel/casino pops up, but otherwise it’s just a flat, straight road. But then, you begin to see it in the distance – is that what I think it is? You shake your head in almost disbelief, as if what you are seeing is nothing but a mirage. Then you drive closer, and discover that what your eyes saw is indeed real. Like an oasis for thrill seekers, there stands the mighty Desperado at Buffalo Bill’s in Primm! And yes, that IS a roller coaster rising right out of the roof of the hotel/casino!! Words really cannot accurately describe that, as it is something you have to see to believe! I live in the East, in Pennsylvania, where parks close in late October and stay dormant until May. This was February, and I was going to get on a towering hypercoaster in the middle of the Nevada desert! Now that, my friends, was a happy day!
Pulling off of I-15 and then into the Buffalo Bill’s area, you see Desperado up close and it is mind boggling. The coaster pops out of the casino roof and heads to the sky, before the first drop disappears behind the hotel. Then, you see at some point the coaster winds its way around the entire hotel/casino complex, passing around the parking lot and over the entrance! As it turns out, some portions of the layout are even hidden from plain view, which made the first ride all the better. Just because of the setting alone, with desert hills, rocks, and mountains as a backdrop, this coaster is one of the most picturesque rides I have ever seen! The colors are even very nice and vibrant, with slick yellow rails on desert tan colored supports. This is one of very few coasters that actually left me speechless by simply looking at it from the parking lot. It is just that cool! Desperado’s entire experience is truly surreal, as this is unlike any coaster you will ever ride. Heading inside, I purchased the unlimited rides pass (after doing some gambling first!) and then headed straight up the ramp to Desperado’s station – its CARPETED station! Like I said, simply unlike any other coaster! I headed to the back seat and strapped in.
The train departed the station, and started the climb up through the casino’s roof, which to me is such an awesome effect! Outside now, the train does that typical slow clickety-clack up the 209 foot Arrow lift hill. Cresting the top, the train then plummets down the marvelous first drop, giving a powerful jolt of airtime as you plunge 225 feet down into a tunnel! That is one of the best first drops around, in my opinion. Unfortunately, being a 1994 coaster from Arrow, the ride has aged a bit, and it shows in the following transition into the upward-twisting second hill. There is a noticeable jolt as the train heads back up, now pushing past 80 mph. This isn’t as bad towards the front of the train, and it is one of only two real rough spots on the ride. The second drop down is really neat, but then you hit rough spot number two as the train twists and coils back around itself. Thankfully though, after that this coaster gets its act together and then lets loose on a pulse-pounding, all out airtime assault! The next 4 hills are airtime machines, and you will find yourself laughing wildly, and the coaster will just take your breath away as you then hit the mid-course brakes. At this point, I had totally forgotten about the couple bone-shaking, albeit quick, transitions from just earlier, and that was something for a coaster to just be so outright unrelenting and fun, as to cover up its own weak moments. After the brakes, you continue into the thoroughly enjoyable second portion, which is relatively tamer and lets you recover while enjoying the latter elements. There’s a curved slight drop out of the brakes, a bunny hop, and then the hidden finishing double helix inside the mountain! That ending scored big points with me, and it was
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