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 Review of Viper @ Darien Lake
1 Rating Posted by: PhantomNik on 4/21/2008 6:02:00 PM
Viper is one of the better old Arrow looping coasters out there, along with being a park staple for 25 years since its introduction as the first roller coaster to grace Darien Lakes landscape. You can see why a coaster like this was a sound choice back in the early 80s to really make a splash and fully transition the park to an amusement park. It is still an impressive structure in the parks skyline, even though relegated now to the shadows of the newer superstar (Ride of Steel). At the time it was built, Viper boasted a world record for the most inversions on a roller coaster. I wager that alone spiked the attendance at this smaller western NY park back in the day and helped get them some necessary recognition. Lines arent really much of an issue on this anymore, as there are many other thrills spread out across the park now. Viper has those typical (and often loathesome) tight trains with the rather uncomfortable OTSRs, but thats to be expected, so I can deal with that. Once the train departs the station on the now-faded lime green track, the ride on this appropriately named serpent begins.

The train slowly climbs the lift hill, and drops slightly before turning to hit the actual first drop. And although the drop is good in the back with a little punch of air, overall I was kind of underwhelmed by the lone real drop on Viper. It wasnt very big, and seemed to waste the rather sizable lift. One of their swooping drops here would have been a lot better. After the drop, the inversion assault on the senses begins. Theres a great vertical loop that is smooth and forceful, followed by a pretty good batwing double inversion. The train is slithering along at a nice speed at this point, but then it hits the brakes. These mid-course brakes really slow the train down to a practical halt. A slow little drop leads into a double corkscrew, which is probably the coasters weakest point. The corkscrew inversions are just ok - they are taken at an awfully slow speed and are rather bumpy. I will give this snake some credit for ending strong though, as it is capped off with a pretty good helix that cuts through a tunnel while swooping mere feet above some mini-golfers heads! That was certainly a bright spot. Viper is a good steel looper overall, and it blends the typicals youd come to expect - both good and bad - with an intriguing layout and nice complement of speed and forces. Best of all, this Viper strikes riders without leaving much of the typical Arrow venom (roughness). In fact, if anything, its surprisingly smooth considering its age. Its a pretty big hit still today, and heres hoping that it continues to thrill future generations as well. Its funny that by todays precise standards of the Intamins and B&Ms of the coaster world, this can be termed by many as an "old school" looping steel coaster. Who would ever have thought that back when Viper first made its home here those decades earlier? Viper is plenty of fun, which is nice to see on these older steel coasters. They have a niche, one that I can certainly respect, and Viper is one of the better versions of these inversion-happy coasters that used to dominate the skylines. If you know what to expect, Im pretty sure you will be pleased with a ride on Viper......I know I was.
 
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