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What The Ratings Mean

The standard coaster rating system (as evidenced by its proliferation on worldofcoasters.com) is the "Griswold System" which rates rides on a scale of +5 to -3. I'll elaborate on what I mean by these two ratings, and everything in between.


-3: Absolutely without any redeeming quality whatsoever. Painful, uninteresting, consistently negative experience from start to finish. Worth actively avoiding.

-2: Features a wide range of negative aspects which cannot be denied. Saved from rock bottom by perhaps one or two non-revolting qualities.

-1: If given a chance, would probably decline another ride. Nothing particularly to recommend it, marred by one or more considerable flaws, but perhaps worth trying if there's nothing better to do.

0: Neutral, overall. Will neither enhance nor detract from your ride-going day. White bread, iceberg lettuce, decaffienated coffee.

+1: Sports one or two fun aspects, but not executed consistently or well enough to earn more than a slight nod.

+2: Usually reserved for rides which neither thrill nor amaze, but do just what you expected them to do without undue strain or stress on your person. Either that or high-potential rides marred by unpleasantry or brevity.

+3: Eminently re-rideable. A small ride that does almost everything right, or a big ride which fails to thrill but succeeds in entertaining. The best mouses earn this rating. Solid mid-sized woodies earn this rating. A B&M failure would earn this rating, no doubt.

+4: A solid, brilliant, scream-inducing thrill-ride without any significant flaws, or perhaps a smaller ride which is so perfect that to give it a lower rating would be a travesty.

+5: Transcends reality with its supreme perfection and artistry.