Jack Rabbit and Thunderbolt at Kennywood are usually considered the 2 best Wooden Coasters at Kennywood. I personally prefer Racer over the 2, but I wanted to give my full comparison of the rides.
For this, I am going to look at some important things in Wooden Coasters: Smoothness, Laterals, Airtime, and Restraints. I'm also going to be looking at Appearance for this, since these are both beautiful rides. Now, let's get to the comparison.
Part 1: Smoothness
Some people may disagree with this point. I give it to Jack Rabbit. Jack Rabbit does have one major rough spot, but that is it. The rest of the ride is smooth for a wooden coaster. Thunderbolt is rougher than most of Jack Rabbit, but it never is too rough. Jack Rabbit gets this point, though.
Part 2: Laterals
As I pointed out in Jack Rabbit vs. Racer, Jack Rabbit doesn't really have strong laterals. Thunderbolt, on the other hand, focuses mostly on strong laterals. The laterals are so strong that you have to ride with a buddy to prevent yourself from flying out. Ever since Opening Year, there seems to have only been a few people who rode Thunderbolt without a buddy. Thunderbolt easily gets this point.
Part 3: Airtime
Some people may go into Thunderbolt expecting Airtime. Those people will be disappointed. The drop provides no airtime and the hills at the turns provide only the weakest floater in the park. On the other hand, Jack Rabbit has several moments of airtime. You get some airtime on every drop if you ride in the back. On the second drop of the double dip, though, you get some of the wildest ejector airtime many people have ever experienced. I am honestly guessing that this might be the strongest airtime on any wooden coaster. Jack Rabbit gets this point.
Part 4: Restraints
This is a bit of a hard choice. I have no idea which of these I would pick for restraints. Because of that, I am going to just look at what is the fastest and most convenient of the 2, and that is the Jack Rabbit Grab Bar with a Loose Seatbelt. Jack Rabbit gets this point.
Part 5: Appearance
I wanted to put in some more redeeming factors about Thunderbolt. One of the redeeming factors of this coaster that I rarely highlight is how beautiful it is. From Kennyville, you get some amazing views of this ride. The Chaser Lights are beautiful, and the Century Flyer is a classic train design on any coaster it's on. Jack Rabbit is also beautiful, but not to the extent of Thunderbolt.
Final Scores:
The final scores give Jack Rabbit 3 points and Thunderbolt 2 points. I prefer Jack Rabbit for the airtime and nostalgia, but I also love Thunderbolt. I know that I tend to bash on Thunderbolt when I talk about it, but I've probably ridden it more than Jack Rabbit, Racer, and Steel Curtain combined! Jack Rabbit is great, but I also will never hesitate to ride Thunderbolt if someone with me wants to ride.
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