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Based on my one ride on the Texas Giant, I find it hard to believe that it was the winner of the Golden Ticket award for Best Wooden Coaster in 1999. Thumbs down to any woodie that is 1) as rough as the Texas Giant, 2) features a trim brake on the first drop, 3) devoid of any major airtime, and 4) causes major discomfort to the people I'm riding with. Fortunately, Texas Giant has been knocked off the top spot, and seems like it is on its way out of the Top 10.
Having said all of that, the ride does have some redeeming qualities, most notably, the superb ending, which consists of series of bunny hops and turns all delivered with a totally out of control feeling. The ride is also quite long. The layout seems to consist of two large circles, the first which contains the rides large drops and most of the its roughness, and the second with contains some small drops and is totally dire. The ride also features a brake block that brings the train to an almost complete stop, and it is quite squeaky in parts.
The Texas Giant is in a nice setting with an abundance of trees, and it also crosses over a river once or twice, but there is that much wood you struggle to notice this. The ride has been reprofiled, and perhaps before this it was a lot better than it is now, otherwise this is one overrated woodie. The generous rating comes from the great ending to an otherwise dull ride. I only rode in the front, perhaps it is better in the back.
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