Robert Niles
Editor
Robert Niles

The 2014 Theme Park Insider Tournament: Leviathan vs. Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars

March 18, 2014, 9:55 AM · We're one vote away from setting the final match-up in the Best Roller Coaster bracket of the 2014 Theme Park Insider Tournament, which is honoring the best theme park attractions outside the United States. Today, we're voting on two very different ride experiences, with Leviathan from Canada's Wonderland taking on Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars from Hong Kong Disneyland.

It's battle between two of the best new coasters of 2012, illustrating again that newer is very often better with roller coasters, where years of track wear can render once-popular coasters unrideable. But which of these two smooth new coasters most makes you want to ride?

In round one, Leviathan defeated its Canada's Wonderland sibling Behemoth, while Big Grizzly Mountain took out fellow themed coaster Formula Rossa from Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. Follow those links for ride descriptions and analysis, and enjoy the on-ride videos below:

Leviathan

Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars

Time to vote!


We'll be back in a bit with the second semifinal vote in the Best Dark Ride bracket, pitting Journey to the Center of the Earth against Sindbad's Storybook Voyage.

Replies (8)

anonymous
74.202.118.163
March 18, 2014 at 10:36 AM · I can't believe this one is even close. It's that parking lot thing again. Leviathan must be a pretty awesome ride for so many people to rate it so closely to what looks like one of the best themed roller coasters EVER! One day maybe I'll get to judge them firsthand...
Bigwig30
Writer
James Rao
March 18, 2014 at 10:49 AM · Heard from the top of the lift hill on Leviathan: "Oh, look, a parking lot."

Ugh.

brynmelyndavid
David Brown
March 18, 2014 at 10:49 AM · And there in a word is why theming wins out over pure adrenaline for me every time...

robert
Editor
Robert Niles
March 18, 2014 at 10:58 AM · I have to admit to being a little stunned by the idea that we could be headed toward an all-Hong Kong Disneyland overall tournament final.
twoneal08
Terry O'Neal
March 18, 2014 at 12:00 PM · 1) I'm not surprised that Disney could be in the Final. If it says Disney, it wins, based on reputation alone.

2) I'm a little stunned that the most important part of a roller coaster for a lot people is the view from the top of the first lift hill.

Bigwig30
Writer
James Rao
March 18, 2014 at 12:28 PM · ^For Leviathan, the parking lot is the ONLY view. I am sure it is a fantastic coaster, but would it have killed park planners to pick a better location?
anonymous
75.89.233.104
March 18, 2014 at 2:33 PM · Robert.... which one of these Roller Coasters cost more to build? I am curious because it seems that BGMRMCars is winning and I am wondering if maybe it should be something for other theme park executives to pay attention to since the costs of a roller coaster like Leviathan with no theme or family friendliness is so high.... but I'm not sure the cost of a coater like the Grizzly Mountain with the elaborate theming.
eltoro1951
Writer
Bobbie Butterfield
March 19, 2014 at 11:12 AM · What it cost to build BGMRMC is a good question and I can't find the answer on Wikipedia or Roller Coaster Database. Wikipedia's coaster articles usually include the cost - according to them, it cost $28,000,000 to build Leviathan and I have no reason to doubt it, as RCDA says the same thing - but not in this case. I'm beginning to wonder whether the cost increases in proportion to the size, as I just learned that it cost $25,000,00 to build I-305 but only $10,000,000 to build Outlaw Run (these are two of my favorites).

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