Welcome back to a special edition of RCPro: Blogged! Today one of our staff members, Tom, has provided us with a great review of Prowler as well as a few pictures. Tom is our regional representative for the Plains States and Midwest area, in case you didn't know that. But enough with the small talk, and on to the Prowler Review!

"World’s of Fun in Kansas City, Missouri recently opened their newest coaster Prowler, a Great Coasters International wooden coaster. It is the parks first GCI and seventh coaster. This terrain coaster features a 102 lift with an 84 foot drop and top speeds of 52 miles an hour. The stats are nothing to rage about, and looking at it, you would think, well it looks like a fun ride, might be fun to ride. Well to say it in a simple statement. GCI has done it again and World’s of Fun has an instant classic on their hands.

I made my first official trip to World’s of Fun and the first thing I did was head straight for Prowler. The ride is located towards the back of the park in the Africa section and it is a bit of a walk to the ride. After waiting in line for a matter of 15 minutes, single train operation, I was getting situated in the front row, and then we got the thumbs up and we were off. The lift is surprisingly fast and you are at the top before you know it. Looking over the drop is always a thrill, but with this being a turning drop, all you can see is the track banking to the left, and the next thing you know you are on the trip of a lifetime.

There is literally no break during the entire ride. The pacing is remarkable and it keeps the speed going all the way until the break run. There are some nice strong pops of airtime, with a good amount of floater air on the return trip after the turnaround. The lateral forces on the turns are great. You get thrown around a bit, but not in a bad way. Heading into the turn around you get a very nice pop of air, and are hit with some strong lateral forces which causes a “wow” moment. I have only had three real “WOW” moments while on any roller coaster. This warranted number three.

One of the great aspects of this ride is the fact that the only part that is visible from the path is the lift hill and drop, and from the exit you can see a small portion more. Other than that, the ride is a complete mystery. It really surprises as you are racing through the trees, through tight turns, and small air pops. It is as if you are on the back of a large cat chasing its prey in the jungle. Right after my ride I was thinking if the ride was missing anything. I can honestly say Prowler exceeded my expectations 100% and that it definitely gets my vote for best new coaster of 2009. It shot to my number one wooden coaster and is now one of my favorite coasters. It is an experience every true enthusiast must witness. It is not the biggest or fastest coaster, but it supplies everything an enthusiast would ever want from a wooden coaster, and more."

Thank you Tom for a great review of what sounds and looks like a very fun wooden coaster! I know I am really hoping I can get out to Kansas some time soon to ride this. That does it for this RCPro: Blogged, check back soon for another post, and as always thanks for reading!