The Comet

The Comet is Waldameer Park’s oldest roller coaster. Built in 1951, it’s a classic junior double out-​n-​back woodie. Unlike a kiddie coaster which can only accomodate children, a junior coaster is primarily for kids, but can also comfortably accomodate adults. An out-​n-​back coaster goes out to one point and returns: a double out-​n-​back does this twice.
So what’s riding The Comet like? Hey, you think just ‘cos it’s a junior coaster makes it lame and boring? No way!
Look, I’ve been on some absolute monster coasters in my time! And the more thrills one of them bad boys can pack in, the better. But I also loves me a good old junior coaster too. So what if the highest drop is only forty feet? Who cares if the top speed is maybe 35mph? That doesn’t mean the ride can’t be fun.
The Comet begins by ascending the lift hill through a little wooded area. These trees are old growth and they provide some wonderful shade for the trip up. We take the first drop then back up to our first «out» point before making a U-​turn. Then we take our second drop and do some mini airtime hills before reaching our origination point. Then we take another turn and another series of short hills, one more turn, and another series of bunny hops until we’re back at the station.
So The Comet isn’t the biggest and baddest. It doesn’t need to be. So The Comet can’t compete with The Mean Streak or The American Eagle. It doesn’t need to compete. It’s just a great, classic little coaster that simply asks you to sit back, relax, and have some fun!