Skyrocket is one of Kennywood's Best coasters, but also one of their most overlooked coasters. I have barely heard anyone talk about it, and I wanted to talk about one of the best rides at my home park.
Part 1: Appearance
Skyrocket looks pretty good. My only issue with its appearance is the worn down paint on the track. However, this is something to expect on a coaster, so it is really no big deal. I would give skyrocket a 9.5/10 in appearance.
Part 2: Trains
These trains are comfortable. Many people have issues with the size of the trains from Premier Rides, claiming that they are very small. I've never had those issues as of now. These trains are a good size for me.
When it comes to the restraints, I both like and dislike these trains. I'm a hands-up rider, and that can cause the restraint to come down. There is a way to use your shins to prevent the lap bar from coming down more, since there are shin-guards, but it still does come down some.
Since these trains are mostly comfortable, though, I would give the trains a 10/10.
Part 3: Forces
Skyrocket pulls some very fun forces. In most seats, it can be boring. If you want strong airtime, though, ride in the back. The airtime is non-existent in most rows. If you ride in the back, though, it is a completely different story.
Riding in the back is the only way to get airtime on the ride, but it is strong. You get sustained ejector off the Top Hat and Mid-Course. You also get a couple fun pops of floater in those last few bunny hills.
As of now, this is the only launch I've ever experienced, but I can say that this launch has fun positives, and it can be hard to put your hands up on the launch. Riding the launch with my hands up feels dangerous, but it is completely safe.
There are some laterals on the ride, but not much there. You experience some laterals in those zig-zag elements towards the end of the ride.
There is fun hangtime on the Zero-G Roll and the Corkscrew. You and just hanging for a few seconds, it seems. Both inversions feel basically the same. I always feel like I'm about to smack my hands on a support when going through these elements with my hands up.
In general, I'd give forces a 10/10, since they are so diverse.
Part 4: Smoothness
There really isn't much to say about the smoothness. This is a perfectly smooth ride. Smoothness gets a 10/10.
Part 5: Operations
This ride has some of the best operations in the park. On some of their other coasters, you are always stacking. Skyrocket, however, has only 6 rows. They are very quick in operations, too, so you only have to wait until the other train reaches the final brakes until you can be dispatched.
Skyrocket's operators never seem to staple, as of 2020. I always got stapled back in 2019, but I was never stapled in the station in 2020. I have only gotten stapled at the end of the ride, after going up into the brakes. Operations get a 10/10.
Final: In total, this would get a 9.9/10. This ride is fun, but only an 8.5/10. for me. It's fun, but I don't know how my system made it rank higher than Phantom's Revenge and Steel Curtain.
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