Every once in awhile, a truly great coaster comes along. Not just a coaster that makes you go "Wow" or "Awesome!", but a coaster that lives on through generations. The Magnum XL-200 is one such rollercoaster. Built in 1989 by Arrow Dynamics, the Magnum has made its way into the hearts of coaster enthusiasts throughout the world. From its 200ft. drop to the "pretzel" turnaround to the final camel backs into the station, Magnum continues to be rated as a top steel rollercoaster year after year after year. But what is it the makes the Magnum so great?...

As I approached the station, I couldn't help but watch the trains make their way up the gigantic lift hill; it seemed to take the trains forever to get up there. The station itself is fairly conventional. You pick which row you want and get in its respective line. I waited for the front and was glad I did - it gave a view like no other seat could. The line wasn't too much longer anyway.

Finally, my train pulled up, the lap bar came down, and I cruised out of the station. Up the lift hill we go. As a bit of trivia, the chainlift for the Magnum is one of the heaviest ever. It weighs 7 tons!

The top of the hill seems to never come. Off to the right, we can see the "Hotel Breakers", the park's own hotel. To the left, the waterpark and "Skycoaster" grace our view. Finally.... after about a full minute, we reach the top. The front of the train takes a moment to hang over the edge before we start to drop.

We drop. Zoom! Right down and right back up again into this monster's second hill. Curving to the left, we race downward through a tunnel at a speed of 70 miles per hour. There's no stopping this train as we're hurled through the pretzel turnaround. Left... no... right... make up your mind already!!

After the turnaround, we cruise along the beach, still tearing up the track. The numerous bunny hops provide incredible airtime. The view is great, the airtime is great, everything is great! Just cruisin' down the track as we race forward.

Finally, we take a turn to the right, right around the second drop. As we race back over still more bunny hops, we catch a glimpse of another train being hurtteled down the massive first drop. Up--down--up--down through a tunnel and then up again as we shoot into the light.

Finally, we hit some brakes before a few gentle curves into the station.

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Yes, the Magnum XL-200 is a great rollercoaster. Magnum isn't going anywhere any time soon. It will be around for generations to come. As the years pass, we can only hope to see more coasters as innovative and excellent as the Magnum XL-200.