Home > Connecticut > Lake Compounce > Boulder Dash

Boulder Dash
Website: Lake Compounce Homepage
Ride Type: Wooden Coaster
Ride Status: Running
Average Rating: 4.8873
TPC Overall Rank: #2 out of 2933 rides.
Reviews: 83
Last Review: 7/25/2015 7:15:00 PM
In User Top 10: 97 times.
User Tracker Count: 107 times.
 

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5 Rating
+6 Rating Rate Down Rate Up coaster05 on 9/5/2005 12:48:00 PM
Another member of my super six which means they are all so close it is hard to really have a best. APPEARANCE-10 This thing is absolutely amazing. The use of scenary, the lift up the mountain, the design over rocks. The station is very cool and the path up to it and away is all top notch. Maybe my favorite looking coaster. CAPACITY-8 I was really not liking the wide path lets all push together thing. Then since you choose front or back so early it causes some stalls to be almost empty. RIDE QUALITY-10 It is definately my favorite terrain coaster since the Beast seems so much slower these days. The only thing that kept this from jumping up to the top of my list was no air on the double down. That was just so weird it looked like there should be air but nope. FUN-10 Wow pretty much sums it up. The drop is really intense it has some great airtime hills and the scenary really delivers the hype. Just an all around super ride. RERIDE-10 The main reason I planned this trip and the main reason I would go back again. Worth every great compiment it has received. OVERALL-48 AVG-9.6 Definately a ten. For all those who think it is not worth heading to CT for you are wrong. It is a super ride in a very good, very clean park that has very good customer service. Remember the free pop helps offset the slightly high price. The water park also looks great though the massive crowd kept me from going. My number 4 favorite coaster in my 11th favorite park.

4 Rating
+5 Rating Rate Down Rate Up CoastrGlxy on 8/20/2005 11:43:00 AM - User's Top Ride #9
The hype for this ride was huge. Almost too huge, but after three rides on this baby and I was able to form an opinion. While Im not the biggest wooden coaster fan, I am a huge fan of terrain coasters and mountains for that matter, so I was itching to get up to CT and check this thing out. While overall it didnt dissapoint, it was rougher than I expected. Also, Im glad I rode it several times because I wasnt completely blown away on my first ride. It was relentless and thrilling, but as others have pointed you can get a different ride depending on where you sit and the time of the day. My ride in the last train, last seat was very rough. I was jolted so violently at one point that the lapbar came down another notch. A notch further than it shouldve been able to go. I also slammed my ribs pretty hard.

After knowing what to expect and that this ride is a monster, I boarded the train in the middle for my third ride. The climb up the lift is great as youre immersed into the foilage and exposed rock. The drop is a fast, swooping drop reminiscent of almost every B&M invert or floorless. I wouldve prefered a more intimidating straight drop, but it was still fun. From there on the ride is nothing but speed and airtime as you charge back up the mountain on a pretty long trip out to the turnaround by the lake. An excellent ride, relentless and it feels about as fast as woodie should be able to go even if it isnt the wooden coaster speed record holder. My favorite part by far is the turn around at the lake, its sick and along with some gs the speed just seems to increase that much more, almost like you hit some LIMs or something. Awesome!

I was at the park on a Wednesday and the wait was never longer than 15 minutes. Also, the ride operator had some personality and tried to get riders fired up. Both were plusses. So why not a 10? It just wasnt there for me. The rough rides and the fact that I had to deliberate between a 9 and a 10 are enough. A 10 should grab you and tell you "Im a 10!". There should be no question. It did however, climb my top ten defeating perennial favs like Hulk and Volcano and sits at #5 as my highest ranked woodie ever. Boulderdash was great and one that Im glad I traveled seven hours for. Get to The Lake and you wont regret it just know youre about to ride a beast (forgive the pun). Final Rating - 9.5 (Excellent-Approaching Superior)

5 Rating
+2 Rating Rate Down Rate Up skierman on 8/7/2005 9:25:00 PM
If I were to have ridden this only once I would have given it an 8. The reason is because it gets so much better as the day goes on. Make sure you ride it at night, its an amazing experience.

The ride itsself is amazing. Almost nothing is banked which provides some really intense laterals, and the airtime hills are amazing. It is all floater air so you dont get painfully ripped out of your seat. The speed of the ride just never lets up either. There are no trims, or anyhting. I think the best part of the ride is the turn when you go by the skyride, to go back to the station, it seems like you just keep accelerating. This is one of the few coasters that I think are actually better in the front seat. Absolutely Amazing.

5 Rating
0 Rating Rate Down Rate Up Canobie Coaster on 7/26/2005 5:51:00 PM - User's Top Ride #1
Year after year Boulder Dash receives acclaim from numerous websites, enthusiasts, and magazines as one of the best wooden coasters. The hype certainly is there. Even Lake Compounce knows it and displays the ride's impressive honors at the ride's entrance. But as with all world-renowned coasters, does it live up to the hype? Simply put, yes.

Let me start off by saying that this is easily one of the most picturesque coasters on the planet. The way that the ride carves the mountainside dodging trees and boulders is just breathtaking. The ride works the mountainside so well that it's first half is a mystery no matter how many times I ride, and it's an out-and-back coaster! That really says something about how well hidden the layout is from view.

Lines for this usually are on the short side, rarely exceeding 20 minutes for any seat. I find the back and front about equal in terms of ride, but the front is better simply because of the incredible view offered as the ride flies through the woods.

Boulder Dash begins with a tranquil climb up the mountain and is followed by a slow turn. The ride then flies down the first drop, gaining an incredible amount of speed. Following that are two rather large hills. Unfortunately none of those three hills delivered air-time like I had hoped for, but after that the ride flat out delivers, launching me skyward every single hill that follows. The first half had many changes in direction and was really out-of-control, delivering nice floater air along with decent laterals thanks to the immense speed, but the ride just becomes even better during the second half.

While the first half is good, the second half is incredible. Once flying around the lateral-filled turnaround, Boulder Dash just seems to kick it into high gear, flying so gracefully over the many bunny hills during the return leg, each providing very good air. It really is true coaster bliss for an enthusiast. The second half just is incredible and heck I think the ride even accelerates during the return leg. I especially loved that double up hill since that was a new element compared to my previous rides.

Boulder Dash really is a world-class coaster, combining a great setting, a relentless pace, copious air, and laterals all in one package. But how does it stack up to other coasters? Well it’s excellent, but there are a few minor gripes that keep it firmly at number three on my list of best woodies. One, the ride only has one major drop and I really wish it had at least one more. Two, I just really would have liked air during the first three hills. Despite this, Boulder Dash still is a great wooden coaster and definitely one of the best because of the incredible setting, air, and intensity it provides ride after ride.

5 Rating
+7 Rating Rate Down Rate Up BobFunland on 7/25/2005 4:16:00 PM
Its good, very good. That can sum it up, but you dont honestly expect me to stop there, do you? First off, Boulder Dash (along with an hour of nighttime ERT) is the main reason I went to The Lake. I really had no intentions of going there this summer, but when I saw there Boooulder Dash event or whatever it was called was switched to the summertime, I decided this may be my only opprotunity to attend such an event.The ride is incredible, and is good from the front, the middle and the back. Somehow, I only managed seven rides, but thats because I only rode once during regular operating hours and left the ERT about 35 mins early. The setting is amazing, and the sensation of flying through the woods at such excessive speeds is breathtaking. The lift is fairly short, but the dip and then the plunge is spectacular. Down you go screaming well above the posted top speed of 60mph, down the mountain and through the woods.Next comes the REAL fun part. The hills provide some unbelievable airtime, with little pops here and there along with some major bursts which probably send the force-testing devices off the charts. The coaster does not let up, and travels the hills with unimaginable pacing, equaling if not beating that of some of the worlds best beasts. When turning around, there are some tremendous lateral forces as well.
Without someone sitting in the right seat, your body may be propelled enough to hit the other side. The comeback is hill after hill that comprise an airtime gala, enough to spit on the shoes of some hypercoasters.Boulder Dash just seems to get quicker, and at night, the speeds are astonishing. Of my seven rides, four were among the middle seats, one was in the front row during the daylight, and two more were on the back bench -- and none of them were bad! The fron had some awesome views and sensations, while every seat had stunning air. The scenery was awesome too, from the rock formations that made for some crafty footers, to the dense foliage, the rugged terrain and, of course, THE lake.One of the best things about the ride was the way the park ran it. They were very efficient in the station and rarely was the line more than 15-20 mins on a hot July day. During the ERT, they were kind to us enthusiasts and offered to place our lapbars for us. "oh no" I thought, "they will probably pin us to prevent something like the SRM incident". Fortunately, the opposite was true, and they gave use quite a bit of breathing room and that made for an even more catapulting ride.Overall, The Mountain Coaster will settle highly into my top 10, and among my top 3 woodies. The only reason I placed it higher than Phoenix is because Im a sucker for terrain and night rides. In fact, I am waiting to ride Thunderhead at night to give it a fair chance, because BD may dethrone it and become my #1 ride overall, but well just have to wait until November to see for sure

5 Rating
+1 Rating Rate Down Rate Up thinkdif on 7/21/2005 1:36:00 PM - User's Top Ride #1
Wow. This one-of-a-kind coaster is by far the best wooden coaster I have ever been on. It starts off fast and doesnt let up until the ride is over. The unique setting is amazing. The wildlife that surrounds you will take your breath away. This is a MUST RIDE if you are visiting Lake Compounce. You will want to ride it again and again.

5 Rating
0 Rating Rate Down Rate Up LoraMora on 7/4/2005 10:08:00 AM - User's Top Ride #1
Really a great ride. Best wooden coasten Ive ever ridden. A little rough in the back... I enjoy it the most in the front but overall its a great ride where ever you sit.

5 Rating
+2 Rating Rate Down Rate Up bouldrdash on 6/30/2005 1:27:00 AM - User's Top Ride #1
This coaster is by far in my top three of my most favorite coasters that i have ridden on. For only going 65mph, sometimes it felt like this coaster went closer to 90. The first drop of course is the thrill of the whole ride by just going down the side of a mountain and that is just the first drop. After many more drops one of them almost feels like u hit the branch of a tree which makes the ride more exciting. Anyone who hasnt gone on it and is a huge fan of coasters needs to check this ride out.

5 Rating
+6 Rating Rate Down Rate Up benleibo on 6/19/2005 9:37:00 AM - User's Top Ride #6
Heading to Lake Compounce for my first time, I had absolutely huge expectations for Boulder Dash. After all, it had been rated the best wooden coaster in the world by Amusement Today. Ive been more of a steel coaster guy, and most of my top ten coasters are behemoths built by Intamin or B&M. So, I decided that I must go up to Lake Compounce and ride Boulder Dash. Well, the ride did not disappoint. It is phenomenal! As much a work of art as a thrill ride, Boulder Dash is a relentless ride that keeps up from start to finish. It actually gets faster as the ride goes on, something that very few coasters achieve. Boulder Dash has everything one would want in a wooden coaster. The lift hill is exciting as it ascends into the woods. The first drop isnt sensational, but its good enough to get the ride going. In the back of the train there is significant floater air on the first drop. After that, every hill is perfectly constructed to produce air and sustain speed. About halfway through the trip out, there is one hill that is significantly bigger than the previous few. On this hill there is great airtime and at the bottom the train ducks underneath a rock formation. The track is unbelievably integrated into the woods. A minimal number of trees were removed, and the footers are drilled into rocks and tree stumps. The natural surroundings make the coaster unique and give a heightened sense of speed and a feeling that the train is out of control. The return trip is just as good as the trip out, as the train flies along the shore of the lake. The setting is just perfect, situated in the woods between a mountain and a lake. Another thing I loved about Boulder Dash is that it is very smooth, but still rough enough to let you know its there. When I was at Lake Compounce, I only got to take two rides on Boulder Dash because it was my first time at the park and I wanted to experience as many different rides as possible. However, my ride in the last car was significantly better than in the front, so ride in the back. The lines were never long throughout the day. The ride ops were friendly and in the afternoon there were two trains running. Everything about Boulder Dash is perfect. It is a fantastic coaster, and the uniqueness and interesting setting make it one of the best Ive ever ridden. Boulder Dash is now my favorite wooden coaster, and Im sure that with more rides it would climb even higher on my list.

5 Rating
+5 Rating Rate Down Rate Up Hercules on 6/17/2005 11:22:00 AM - User's Top Ride #5
Boulder Dash is God. It took a whole lot of thought and deliberation to come up with that, but that is what I came up with. I truly thought that it was going to be very hard to dethrone Phoenix from the ranks of the top wooden coaster. It was hard for me to do, but after much thinking and comparison, I just had to give the title to Boulder Dash. Boulder Dash had been an anticipated coaster of mine for a while now, and it did not disappoint. It was the first thing that I went to when I went to The Lake (that is what the locals and ride ops call Lake Compounce, just simply "The Lake". Speaking of "The Lake", anytime that I heard one of the ride ops say "Thank you for riding ______ and we hope you enjoy your day at The Lake.", I couldnt help but say in my head "The Lake" like a neighbor of the park from across the street at ESPN, Dan Patrick. He is known for his infamous strikeout call on Sports Center - "uhThe Whiff" - so I couldnt help but say "uhThe Lake". Sorry for the side note, so back to the ride. Boulder Dash was everything that I thought it was going to be times about 20. The entire experience was memorable. From the sign, to the walk to the station, to the fabulous ride and scenery. The ride was overload for most of the senses. I do have to say though, the first ride was not all that great for me. I rode near the back in a somewhat empty train (it was a weekday in early June and there was nobody in the park at opening) and the experience was slightly lackluster. I came off wondering if I were a freak of some sort because I didnt find the ride overly enjoyable like I had heard it was. So of course, I just had to keep riding. Let me tell you, I didnt have a ride like that throughout the rest of the day. Now, this is where all of the deliberation about ranking and rating came in. The ride is just so inconsistent. The first ride was not that great, but it got better throughout the day. Then, sometimes it would be like being on a tame Hercules but just feeling like going 95 mph. Then, sometimes it would feel as smooth as glass like Lightning Racer but just feeling like going 95 mph. Then sometimes it would be like an airtime machine like Phoenix but just feeling like going 95 mph. Then, sometimes you would get all of those feelings in one ride but just feeling like going 95 mph. Those were the best rides. Now, obviously, it doesnt go 95 mph, but whizzing though the trees and hugging the mountains terrain and flying through boulders just made it seem like it. At any rate, even if those things werent there, it still goes pretty freakin fast. But that is what sets this coaster apart from a lot of the rest. It is in such a magical setting and built in such a unique way that it just adds to the experience. Even if the setting werent there it would still be an amazing ride, but with the woods and natural setting, it makes it a ride sent down from a dream. Like I said before, all of the factors make this such a great experience. Even the ride ops are a lot of fun. This is the kind of ride that should be made a point to make time for. It should almost be a life goal to get on this thing. If you are ever anywhere near the New England area make sure you get out to "unThe Lake" and get on "uhThe Mountain Coaster".

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