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In this first installment of my new series, Clever Coasters, I showcase why Mindbender at Six Flags Over Georgia is my favorite classic steel coaster and one of the most brilliantly designed rides of the late 70s. Sadly, the 2021 renovation did not do the ride any favors. Gerstlauer should upgrade all classic Schwarzkopf coasters from now on just sayin…
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TIME STAMPS
Intro – 0:00
History and Development – 1:07
Mindbender Opens – 3:02
The Ride Experience – 5:29
Why the Design is Crazy Smart – 7:08
Mindbender Today (Small rant) – 11:49
Conclusion – 19:14
VIDEO SOURCES USED
Coaster Studios – https://youtu.be/khqvflAEwlU
Coaster Studios – https://youtu.be/_ciJprNcagk
Six Flags Over Georgia – https://www.sixflags.com/overgeorgia/attractions/the-riddler-mindbender
Six Flags Over Georgia – https://youtu.be/bThhf5Xgp-M
Six Flags Over Texas – https://youtu.be/Bmb_JOXBu2I
In The Loop – https://youtu.be/p7P1ZjB9GoQ
FT Depot – https://youtu.be/bfC6SKiLq8c
FT Depot – https://youtu.be/6OO5mpSZ8IY
DW News – https://youtu.be/D85UQf_AGGY
themeparkdokus – https://youtu.be/kELdEoz8o7U
Arlington HistoryBuff – https://youtu.be/13n_RUnqEsc
Loopyguy – https://youtu.be/MpDiZ2-DTYo
Loopyguy – https://youtu.be/yFdpzQ5i910
Gigidag77 – https://youtu.be/XOy7RTiKvrY
The Parlor – VHS Taped Treasures – https://youtu.be/Bn_ZyJo_zPg
davidjellis – https://youtu.be/0tvbbRiT0VM
ewjxn – https://youtu.be/mH6KccqDLzQ
Wayne The Xplorer – https://youtu.be/2E5Ml8q6uzM
Ride Entertainment – https://youtu.be/qDzRHI03FAA
CoolioJoe100 – https://youtu.be/XzuiS_GQCLo
28 Comments
The Mindbender had the BEST foliage in the park imo! It was so intense when I was young in the late 90's. Also LOVE the RCT music in the background lmao. Love this vid <3
Mindbender was my first intense looping coaster back in the early 90's we'll always have a special place in my heart! ♥🙌 I kind of wish they would go back to the old trains I really like those better.
This is one of the roller coasters on my bucket list. I remember seeing it in a book a long time ago. Since then i have wanted to ride it
Amazing video! I rode mind bender for the first time in 1995 as an 8 year old and it became the number one coaster would ride every time I went to Six Flags. I remember when it was the dark brown as well LOL. I'm glad SFOG maintained the ride and didn't replace it.
Loved this in-depth look at mindbender. This was my 2nd ever looping coaster and I rode it back in 2004. Being 9-10 at the time and having never visited the park before, I had no idea there was a 2nd loop 😂 you can imagine my shock and surprise of seeing the 2nd loop after “surviving” the first one as I was still afraid of the idea of going upside down 😂
From 2002-2004, SFOG was my home park when I was stationed at nearby Fort McPherson (now the home of Tyler Perry’s production studios). Mindbender was one of my favorites. I remember the great surprise of the second loop because it was hidden by the trees and terrain features. Thanks for this burst of nostalgia. I hope they do fix the issues you addressed so every rider can count on the intense fun I remember.
My first ride on MB was in 1995. Like you, finally decided it was time to leave bugs bunny world and the dahlonega mine train and start riding larger coasters. Ninja (Blue Hawk)was my first looper and I remember waiting in line with my friend laughing about how funny it would be for a looping coaster to not have shoulder restraints. 😧 was my face entering the station. Almost backed out, but glad I didn't.
As far as it which is more intense, SW or MB, I'm going with MB just because after the the double loop and that one crazy air time hill there isn't much to it. But I remember when SW was somewhat new and it was the scariest thing I had ever seen. I'm also a bit biased because when i was in high school mind bender was one of many rides I got to operate working at SFOG in the early 2000s. During that time I got several rides on a TRIMLESS mind bender and it is literally insane lol. Core memory lol. Thanks for this vid.
I grew up with Mindbender and it's an absolute classic, thanks for putting this together. I am bonkers for B&M 4-seat inverts, but this one still has a place near the top of my list. As you said, this one is not only thrilling but it uses the terrain beautifully and creatively. The vertical loops got all the hype, but the horizontal loop was to me the secret star of the ride.
Great video, Jamin! I have always loved this coaster. It has given both good and bad rides but the fact that it still operates is incredible! I had no idea B&M had something to do with the newer trains. I believe that is only the second coaster they worked on the trains but not the ride itself. Well, third if you count their very first project prior to Iron Wolf when they created the trains for Rolling Thunder at Six Flags Great America.
Rode the rethemed version on opening day. Only also rode Batman that day cause it was pretty hot out.
This is a beautiful tribute to another classic Schwarzkopf coaster! I love too how you referenced the SOUND that Schwarzkopf vertical loops make as the trains slam through them. My first coaster and the one that made me into a Coaster Enthusiast was the “Laser Loop” at Kennywood Park back in the 1980’s. That coaster was intense and pulled some serious G’s! I’ve been a Schwarzkopf fan for many many years. I now live not far away from Magic Mountain’s “Revolution” and Knotts Berry Farms “Montezoomas Revenge”. Long live Schwarzkopf loopers!!!
I feel a large reason as to why they did not go with Gerstlauer/ Ride Entertainment has to do with their relationship. After the New Texas Giant Acciden, SIx Flags instead of taking accountability for their own negligence shifted the blame onto Gerstlauer as they are the ones that designed the trains for that ride. As far as I’m aware Six Flags and Gerstlauer have not worked together since that accident.
This was my first upside down coaster! Used to run through the line ques with my dad with 15 min until park close riding it as many times as they'd let us. Its the best.
I grew up in the 80's and 90's and, although I didn't live all that close to Atlanta, I lived close enough to make it to the park once every 2 or 3 years. The Mindbender was my favorite roller coaster growing up and still is to this very day in my 40's. From start to finish, it's the epitome of a "fun" roller coaster, imo.
I love the Roller Coaster Tycoon game music in the background.
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When I went on it it almost broke down 😂
Well researched enough to be insightful and made with SO much love! Based on this video, I'd love to see this become a series.
Great video! A true love letter. I was pretty heartbroken to hear this coaster received new and smaller trains. I’ve been wanting to ride this since I was a kid, it seemed to be the coaster enthusiast favorite steel coaster throughout the 80s. It’s good to know though that the new trains don’t harm the experience as much as the brake system, which doesn’t seem to be consistent. Hopefully I get out there on a slower day down the road, I’ll be riding this several times for sure! Still quite excited after all these years.
Six flags can’t work with Gerslauer because of a previous lawsuit. You probably won’t ever see a new coaster from them in a six flags park.
My all-time, favorite ride in the park! Lots of great memories.
18:08 Six Flags has said they will never work with Gerstlauer again after the New Texas Giant incident. It's kinda goofy if you ask me, since I'm pretty sure that accident was entirely operator error, but that is the reason why they didn't do that.
When I saw “Mindbender” and “Schwarzkopf” ….. I was surprised when you weren’t talking about the only triple loooing indoor steel coaster … granted, yes, there was ONE ACCIDENT EVER on it. Although…. Due to maintenance needing parts that are stuck in the supply chain fiasco, Mindbender at Galaxyland in West Edmonton Mall is now … SBNO.
I got to experience this one for the 1st time July 2022……it was enjoyable but I was less than impressed with the ride crew. No enthusiasm, no ride facts, no general instructions just no talking at all and very loose car checks. This seemed to be a general attitude amongst most of the ride crews throughout the park which made the overall experience just ok….my home park is Cedar Point so when I go and visit parks I have not yet been to I get super excited and this one was just "Eh". Will give it 2nd chance when in Georgia again hopefully it was an off day.
The one at fantasyland in west Edmonton mall is a better mind bender even with the fatalities
make more of these videos
I have to say I am a very brave roller coaster fan myself and I have always been very obsessed with this historic 1978 Schwarzkopf looper! The last time I went to Georgia was when my mom and I went to visit family down there! That was when I got to visit Six Flags over Georgia and rode the Mindbender 2 times on the front seat! The first time I took the 1st ride was with my mom! Then I went on the Mindbender by myself! I had so much fun! That was back in the summer of 2019! I’ve always described Mindbender as the most historic 1978 Anton Schwarzkopf looper and for this ride to get modernized by Six Flags I think I might go to Georgia again next summer if I have the time to do it! Then I might take a ride on the new and improved version of Mindbender!
I do have a question! Have you ever been to Kings Island in Cincinnati and have you ever been on Orion? There’s a new 2020 Bolliger and Mabillard Giga Roller Coaster that replaced the old Firehawk roller coaster!
Incredible video and congrats on 500 subs! That nasty pothole that has developed at the bottom of the "horizontal loop" only seems to be getting worse. I just find it bizarre with how new the refurb is. That and the ride has been still been coming to a complete stop on the midcourse brakes. Oh well, just glad to at least have some version of the ride still standing I suppose.