I did mean layout, so I am glad you included that. It's not the worst Arrow coaster by a long shot, but the layout is basically 100% dead track with 2 inversions at the end. In LPS I considered it smooth. The ops on the night I went were enthusiasts and we discussed things for hours - they were so excited about the Big Dipper. There's other CRAZY things that happened that night but I won't even bother as no one will believe me, but I'll fondly remember it as one of the most fun nights and very early into my love of coasters.
I appreciate your opinion and respect it. I just happen to hate the coaster.. Note, I only rode it at LPS at night and DW during the day. I haven't ridden with the new Vekoma trains, and as long as it doesn't bang my head again (which it now won't), I'll be happy to re ride it once or twice.
I have absolutely no nostalgia when it comes to coasters. It's just the way I am.. EG. If I had my way, LPM would tear down the Scenic Railway whereas most enthusiasts appreciate it being a classic of a bygone era (and it's heritage trust now anyway so can't go anywhere). So I feel nothing towards Gold Coaster, other than it's a bad ride. That's how I judge coasters, purely on whether I enjoy them. If I had a choice, I would ride Buzzsaw over GC, and that's my current opinion.
I'm fully vaxxed, so I am hoping I can go OS soon, and if OS travel is allowed by next US/EU summer, I'll see if my opinion changes then when I hit up Magic Springs. Maybe I am remembering it too fondly, and maybe cause it was the most thrilling coaster we had at the time I rode it. It's possible., I mean Rivals wasn't even built yet. If OS travel is not allowed next year, then it will have to be 2023, but I'll be past 50, and I really want to do a large 20 year anniversary trip for my 50th. (my largest trip ever was in 2002 with 90 days total - trips since have been shorter, then I had back damage and have been taking it easy for a while now).
More unpopular opinion - Had Movie world invested in the superb SLC updated trains from Vekoma themselves, I'd place AA as a top 3 Aussie coaster. I love the layout, intensity and pacing. If you've ridden one of the SLC's with these trains I am sure you would agree. I can not believe they are closing it, and it was never unpopular anyway. Another one bites the dust.
The day I went it was up and reliable. What do you want me to say?
Also, why does it matter for people to keep telling me "and others here would agree".
Why on Earth would I care what others at a forum prefer? My opinion is my opinion. I'd bulldoze GC in a heartbeat. I despise it. Just accept it, or don't. I need a coaster to be thrilling. I won't be conforming cause of what others think. I've done enough coasters to know what I like.
My opinions are generally unpopular and I've always been accustomed to that. For example, my favourite B&M hyper is Apollo's Chariot, and only in the very back row. In the front I don't even rate it but I only care about the fun I personally had in the back row, on a dead day with over 30 rides including a triple cycle to close the day. It doesn't make top 100 for most people. But because of the pre drop, which B&M doesn't do any more, it makes the first main drop leave my tummy at the top and me completely out of my seat. Nitro, Intimidator, Diamondback don't have the same effect on the first drop. That is why I also love Raging Bull (back seat again only) more than all the others (2nd place for me). My favourite sensations are, in order 1) dropping and leaving guts at top, hopefully combined with airtime 2)Zero G/Barrel Rolls 3) Stalls 4) Dive loops. I can take or leave everything else. It's just me.
As far as the wild mouse, I have ridden them ALL in OZ, and again, I stand by my opinion that nothing came close to the mine ride. I am 6ft 4 and the head choppers were insane. It was so uniquely themed, it was like a terrain mouse, built into the slope of the artificial mountain. Mad Mouse at Melb show was fun. LPS Mouse is fun BUT the last time I rode that was the same night as big dipper, and from recent POVs it seems they trim it now. Location is fantastic though.
Blackpool Mouse would be tied with Mine Ride as number one for me, but that is now gone as well. Out of the current mice? Dark Knight, Scooby and LPS, of course. IMO. Now there's a ride I hope they keep forever, the wild mouse LPS.