Size doesn’t matter (to coaster fans)

Cedar Point’s Maverick may not be the biggest, but it’s one of the park’s best

4.25 (out of 5)

For this month’s “Rode It! Loved It!” review (which is exclusively for paid subscribers), we go to America’s Roller Coast, Cedar Point, where an Intamin launch coaster stands tall among the park’s legendary behemoths. If you are not a paid subscriber, take advantage of the end-of-the-season About Theme Parks special offer. Until Labor Day, get 25% off an annual paid subscription. That’s $45, or less than the cost of admission to most parks, for a whole year of About Theme Parks. That comes out to $3.75 per month, less than the price of a churro or a box of popcorn. Get bonus content, and support quality journalism (ahem, that’s me) by subscribing now.

Standing in the shadows of Cedar Point’s impressive thrill machine arsenal, Maverick is relatively puny. With an initial 100-foot drop, the diminutive ride almost seems to be flirting with “family coaster” status, compared to the 300- and 400-foot profiles of the park’s Millennium Force and mighty Top Thrill Dragster (soon to be Top Thrill 2), respectively. But stats and looks can be deceiving.

Like a caffeinated bucking bronco, the surprisingly potent Maverick never lets up. Unlike a bronco, buckaroos aboard the coaster will find it incredibly smooth. The sleek and zippy ride positively screams; and its screaming riders invariably sport ten-gallon grins.

Cedar Fair Entertainment Company