Quick Facts (thanks to RCDB for the statistics)
Height: 84.7 ft
Speed: 55.9 mph
Duration: 1:15
Inversions: 3 (1 sidewinder, 1 reverse sidewinder, and 1 corkscrew)
Manufacturer: Vekoma
Year Built: 2000
Former Names: Superman: The Ride, and Xpress
Other information: Layout is almost identical to the Rock N' Roller Coaster clones. Features an LSM magnetic-powered launch
Height: 84.7 ft
Speed: 55.9 mph
Duration: 1:15
Inversions: 3 (1 sidewinder, 1 reverse sidewinder, and 1 corkscrew)
Manufacturer: Vekoma
Year Built: 2000
Former Names: Superman: The Ride, and Xpress
Other information: Layout is almost identical to the Rock N' Roller Coaster clones. Features an LSM magnetic-powered launch
Before Ride Thoughts
I wasn't quite sure what to think of Xpress before riding. I definitely didn't get what I was expecting in both good and bad ways. I personally thought the ride would be much rougher than it is and was unaware about the change in theme from Xpress to Xpress: Platform 13. It might not sound like much of a difference, but this change made the ride a LOT better. First of all, Xpress's entrance is kind of weird. It's located in the middle of the park's gift shop and food building. Once we got in line, I noticed some sparse train station theming in the first room, and just thought it was left over from the Superman theme that this coaster once had. The theming got slightly more elaborate in the second room with a themed video that was optional to watch. I like the optional videos much better than the "forced" videos like on the Dark Knight Coaster clones at Six Flags Parks. The video talked about a haunted train platform that was numbered 13 (of course). The video showed some guy exploring the platform after convincing the cameraman to come with him. However, once he stepped onto the platform, a train rushed by and he disappeared. I still thought the theming was about average and that it was left over from Superman and tied to a new theme with the video, but I was soon proven wrong. After walking through a narrow hallway, there was a ride operator in a conductor's suit. His job was to creep the people in line out as much as possible before entering. Once he let us through, I thought the station would be right around the corner, but it wasn't. We twisted through a hallway that felt exactly like the tunnel you use to walk to the subway. Once you turn a corner, a really beat up train rushes by on a huge screen to the right of you. As we turned another corner, everything got curiously quiet until we reached a "railroad crossing" as we crossed, super bright subway train lights lit up on either side of the crossing and a blaring train horn blew. This always startled me every time I walked through the queue. Next is a classic fun house obstical. The room with the really messed up floor with a passageway painted straight ahead of you while the real door is halfway up the room and to the right. You then enter a metal hallway with caution hot signs everywhere, and it was actually very hot in this section. I later figured out that the signs and heat weren't just theming for the queue line, but they served another purpose. As you wind around the last few bends of the metal tunnel, Platform 13 finally becomes visible. This is the spot where you get to wait for your row of choice and all, but this station was very unique. Unlike the small metal air gates that most coasters have, Xpress features huge doors with windows that are almost impossible to see out of. Every time a train leaves, a train horn Blares and lights flash everywhere. To make it even more impressive, the whole platform shook every time the train launched. When the doors finally open, the station is dead except for the three ride operators, making it very creepy. As I boarded, I found that the restraints were nowhere near as bad as I expected them to be.
The Ride
The restraints really add something to the theme as they feel loose and don't seem to secure you in properly. As you round the first bend and stop for the launch, lights start flashing everywhere and there are tons of charging noises. After another blare of the train horn, Express launches. The physical launch itself is better than even Kingda Ka's, as you speed into the rollover. The entire experience of Xpress is out of this world from the entrance to the end of the rollover. Then, it lets up. Xpress starts going through a bunch of very mild turns that are fun, but not thrilling at all. Then as the train goes through the corkscrew, riders are faced with some pretty bad roughness, but fortunately no head banging. As Xpress comes to a stop, I prepared to get out, but then it got awesome again. As you return to the building and go into the darkness once again, a subway train horn blares, and a wrecked subway is sitting right next to you. The lights flash and the side of the subway train starts to collapse towards the coaster, only stopping when a huge flame jet goes off. This is why the caution hot signs were everywhere as the queue line bordered the flame jet. I was very surprised and pleased when we returned back to the station.
Overall Thoughts
Overall, Xpress is a great ride. Where as parts of the actual coaster aren't that great, the theming is so unique and abundant that it actually makes up for it. The launch and first two inversions are an unforgettable experience. The ride is surprisingly smooth except for the corkscrew. Although this ride doesn't quite make my top 10, It is still a very unique, awesome ride. It is currently the best themed coaster I have been on by far.
My Rankings
The physical ride of Xpress would probably get around a 4 for me, but with the theming, I'd bump it up to a 5 or maybe even a 6, so I'm going to go with a 5.5/10, which is about average.
Xpress is going to get a 4/5 (Intense) on my intensity scale. The only intense part is the launch and first two inversions.
The theming is where Xpress is strongest. I would give Xpress a 4 or a 4.5/5 on the theming scale. All they need to do is put theming during the actual ride. I wish they would just build a building around the whole thing as that would allow for easier theming. Although there is no ride theming, the queue, station, and launch theming is so spectacular and immersive that you can't ignore it.
Mitch Hawker Coaster Poll Rankings: current rank is 262nd
Highest poll ranking was 107th
Have You ridden Xpress: Platform 13? Have You Ridden it when it was Xpress or Superman? If so, I am interested to hear your thoughts. Feel free to comment below.
Xpress is going to get a 4/5 (Intense) on my intensity scale. The only intense part is the launch and first two inversions.
The theming is where Xpress is strongest. I would give Xpress a 4 or a 4.5/5 on the theming scale. All they need to do is put theming during the actual ride. I wish they would just build a building around the whole thing as that would allow for easier theming. Although there is no ride theming, the queue, station, and launch theming is so spectacular and immersive that you can't ignore it.
Mitch Hawker Coaster Poll Rankings: current rank is 262nd
Highest poll ranking was 107th
Have You ridden Xpress: Platform 13? Have You Ridden it when it was Xpress or Superman? If so, I am interested to hear your thoughts. Feel free to comment below.