Nighthawk — Attraction in South Carolina

Nighthawk is probably my least favorite roller coaster in the country. The line in the sun moves slowly. The seating is uncomfortable, and the coaster's somewhat rough ride doesn't do it any favors. And once the ride is over you have to stare up at the sun until the slow ride operators decide to let you off.

Nighthawk definitely has its fans. I'm more spoiled by more modern flying coasters such as Manta and Superman, and even those rides aren't my favorites in the parks they're in. I prefer to sit down over lay down on a coaster. A crappier version of a ride concept that I'm already iffy on is just not fun to me.

If you like flying coasters, intense rides, and even rides that can be rough, you will likely adore Nighthawk. That's why I'm giving it 3 stars instead of one, because I recognize that this ride isn't worthless and can be enjoyed by the right people. And even for me personally, I like the ride being around because it's just so beautiful. The yellow track and blue supports pop amazingly, and the trees and water around the ride make it undoubtedly the prettiest coaster in the park, and I don't mind it sticking around. It's a one of a kind ride, and ultimately a historic one as one of the first flying coasters. If this ride gets more maintenance to make it smoother, new trains to make it more comfortable, and an awning over the brake run to block out the sun, I think I could learn to...

This was not the coaster for me. I did not, personally have a good time. I enjoy rollercoasters but this one was not enjoyable or fun. You are strapped in sitting down then are layed down flat on your back and are facing the sky, which in the middle of late summer is not enjoyable with the sun blazing in your face. After you're shot around and flipped around and it just truly wasn't my type of ride. My friend didn't enjoy herself either.

It was a really uncomfortable harsh ride to ride on and hurt a bit as it threw us around. The coaster is pretty.

We rode the intimidator and copperhead strike too and those were way more enjoyable for us. She loved intimidator better and the copperhead strike was more my style. It's super fun like the velocacoaster at Universal in Orlando FL!

So take this review with it in mind that it's just not my idea of fun. I think I just prefer a more traditional coaster style? But you may love it. Worth at least tying to find out. But that was my first time on it and that'll be...

Nighthawk is a fun ride, but unfortunately its showing its age. It along with Batwing at Six Flags America are the last 2 Vekoma Flying Dutchmans in the country. Before B&M built their legendary flying coasters Nighthawk was the prototype for this kind of coaster.

Lying on your back and speeding along in a flying position provides two interesting perspectives to a coaster experience. The large loop provides some great positive G's and the two corkscrews are a little janky but they're still fun. The coaster is short and most of your experience consists of loading and unloading due to the unique restraints used for the coaster which consists of a combo of a lap bar and harness.

Ride this coaster for being an innovative prototype for its time and paving the way for the B&M & later model of the Vekoma flying coasters. It can be a little janky and rough but it still provides a fun experience. Nighthawk is getting renovated for 2024 so it should provide a better, smoother ride experience...