Storm Chaser Review - Kentucky Kingdom

Storm Chaser

Kentucky Kingdom, Louisville, Kentucky

Small in height but big in thrills.

Storm Chaser is filled with airtime and inversions.

Score: ➊ ➋ ➌ ➍ ➎ ➏ ➐ ➇ ➈ ➉ 7.02/10
90th Percentile 

Height Requirement: 48" / 122cm
Top Speed: 52mph
Inversions: 3

Where to Sit on Storm Chaser: Back.

Excitement: 8.9/10 Storm Chaser is definitely one of those rides that gets better and better as you ride it. You notice the finer details, you find your favorite seat, and you just start laughing because it's that much fun. This being my personal sixth Rocky Mountain Coaster now (and also smallest in height), I've ridden a few I thought were overrated, and a few I thought deserved more attention. This definitely falls into the later category.  The drop is the most disorienting thing you'll ever experience while sitting in the back row. Going through the supports during the drop while looking up at the rest of the train ahead of you gives you an indescribable feeling. You're falling out of your seat, the riders in front of you are already back upright, and there's a field of beams on every side of you. It's brilliant.

Exaggerated overbanks.

Pacing: 8.4/10 Storm Chaser now runs a bit faster compared to when it opened, and it makes a world of difference. I've heard that it has actually utilized 3 different wheel types since it's debut, polyurethane, nylon, and steel. The ride has increased in speed each wheel change due to the lower coefficient of friction, and it really is a night and day difference. This ride has a real pace to it! Plus, it's got a couple straight airhills with no banking, which are always good to see.

Technicals: 9.0/10 SC is one of the smoothest rides ever, but it has some moments of uncomfort, the final turn into the breaks now results in a jarring impact to the right because of the flat turn, so after re-riding multiple times, you'll feel a bruise starting to form on your thigh. Different restraints could help this, as RMC trains can be uncomfortable for a taller, skinnier figure. If you are tall, you'll feel your shins pressing against the shin guards, and if you do re-ride multiple times, you'll feel it for the rest of the day. These extra measures on the restraint may make some riders feel more comfortable going upside down with only a lap bar, but they are a curse for taller people.

This angle is beautiful.

Theming: 2.0/10 Storm Chaser severely lacks theming. There are no real interactions with anything during the ride and nothing during the queue that stands out. The setting doesn't do much for the ride, there are no trees nearby, and the terrain is flat and doesn't effect the ride.

Uniqueness: 6.8/10 This ride might be lacking some character, but it boasts a layout with inversions, over-banks, and straight airtime hills. 15 years ago it would be considered one of the best in the world, but today there's nothing on this ride you've never seen before, especially since the addition of Twisted Timbers at Kings Dominion. But, you also rarely ride something with so many strong elements back-to-back. It's medium in length, built custom, and is one-of-a-kind. Storm Chaser is a must-ride when at the park and one of the top coasters worldwide.

From outside the park.

Score: ➊ ➋ ➌ ➍ ➎ ➏ ➐ ➇ ➈ ➉ 7.02/10

90th Percentile

Placement: 90th percentile among all coasters. (Ranked in the top 10% of coasters worldwide.) Not as good as Twisted Timbers, but just a bit better than Iron Rattler.