THE BIG (FR)STREAKING (PUSSY)CAT OF COASTERS!
My friend John O. Expresses His Sheer Terror Of Jaguar
Just look at those terrified faces in the grip of the big cat.....

I remember when I first heard about Knott's first putting in this coaster. It was back when the park was under what I thought was very poor management, and the management team that nearly took Knott's from being a part of California history to being history with huge investments in attractions that just really missed the mark.

At first I was thrilled, thinking, "Wow! Knott's is finally getting another full circuit coaster!" The artwork was impressive, and it looked halfway decent. And the advertising-they made this look like one truly "ferocious" ride! ROWWWRRR!

When I finally rode it it Halloween Haunt back in 1999, I was like, "Huh?"

In all fairness-I don't "hate" the ride. I ride it every time I am at Knott's (as long as there is little to no line). It is fun in a scenic railway kind of way, and it offers some cool views of Silver Bullet. But it has to be one of the least thrilling coasters I think I have ever ridden.

That being said: why on earth does Knott's "Thrill Factor" rating system give this ride a 4!?!

Knott's "rating system" is kinda odd to begin with. "1" is the tamest; "5" is the most intense and extreme. Xcelerator, GhostRider, Silver Bullet, Supreme Scream and Riptide, as well as Montezooma's Revenge and Boomerang are all a "5". Yet, the Log Ride is also a "5". For some strange reason, Calico Mine is a "3". Jaguar is not quite as thrilling as the Log Ride, so I guess I can see a 4 in that regards. But I just don't get the rating system.

When you enter the queue, it is glaringly obvious that all of the $20,000,000 USD (no, that's not a typo-check it out here) was spent on the elaborate temple. For heaven's sake, Xcelerator was $13,000,000, and Silver Bullet was $16,000,000. There is no other rational explanation of where the money went. I think they forgot that with that kind of cost, there needs to be a ride. (Who was running the park back then?!? They almost ran Knott's into the ground, with this and NeckJammer-sorry, WindJammer!-being their "major new coasters".) THIS is why I am so happy Cedar Fair bought the park, I think they saved it from certain doom.
One of the biggest "WTF?" things at Knott's
The utterly terrifying first drop

Ok, so you make your way through this huge catacomb like temple and get to the ride. The angle of the drops on this coaster do not even equate to 20 degrees, I don't think. All the elements of the ride, the going past other rides, over the midway, and through the middle of the loop on Montezoomas are cool, but if the ride had a little more "kick" it would be even better.

Ok, all of that said, it IS a perfect coaster for those who are nervous and perfect for families with little kids or coaster nervous adults to cut their teeth on. Little kids who are just growing into rabid coaster junkies can cut their teeth on this one. And it can be fun at night, as well. And if they did not take this coaster out for Silver Bullet, they are never going to take it out. It remains a part of Knott's well balanced line up.

However-to advertise this as a "major" coaster, especially a major thrill ride, is a little misleading. As my friend John O. and I told the people who we were waiting in line for Xcelerator with, who told us they had been on GhostRider and Silver Bullet but had not yet been on the "other big coaster, Jaguar", it's "a decent ride for families and to relax, but if you miss it while at Knott's don't kick yourself.

If you ride, make it fun. Scream bloody murder the whole time. But don't tell anyone I told you to.
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