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Rollercoasters

Started by Noodle Lizard, October 21, 2021, 08:08:30 PM

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Noodle Lizard

I just this year got over a lifelong utter fear of rollercoasters, and now I'm a bit obsessed with them. I remember going to Alton Towers and Thorpe Park as a kid and having to wait on the sidelines while everyone else went on Nemesis and Oblivion and Stealth etc. I could handle some very small ones (The Flying Fish at TP) and was forced onto some pier-end wooden ones which I hated.

Last year, I managed to conquer Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Space Mountain at Disneyland, as well as The Mummy at Universal. Not exactly intense coasters, but a big step for me nevertheless. Then I really pushed the boat out by getting on The Incredicoaster, after much chickening out, which has a launch and my first loop!

I'm fortunate enough to live in an area with lots of coasters (my nearest park is Six Flags Magic Mountain, which has more coasters than any other park in the world), and I'm slowly working my way up through their ranks. I still haven't quite built up the nerve for X2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WTD0Hc9anw or Tatsu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gaxEXazvKk but I've done everything else. I've also visited Six Flags Fiesta Texas and done all the coasters in Las Vegas (which are all terrible, except for El Loco: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8ZDIF-Ni90)

My favourite type of coaster are RMCs. There aren't any in the UK yet, but they're a great company who innovated a way of converting wooden coasters into steel hybrids, allowing them to feel like a wooden coaster whilst doing things only steel coasters can (inversions, tight manoeuvres etc.) Their coasters are just insanely fun, and I'd like to ride them all someday. The two I've done so far are Twisted Colossus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIcQOV6azSI) and Iron Rattler (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQaLd5BGZ-I), as well as their single-rail prototype Wonder Woman which is absolutely mad (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMtUl-CMmOc).

I also didn't know what I was missing in Europe. There are some incredible-looking parks there like Efteling and Phantasialand, and Energylandia in Poland looks like it has one of the best line-ups imaginable. I'd also love to get back to Alton Towers and get on some of those, now that I'm a big boy.

Could go on forever. Any other coasterheads in here?

hamfist

Love'em !

I visited Efteling with the kids a couple of years ago, really something for everyone there and it has that unmistakably Dutch madness pervading throughout - brilliant stuff.

Europapark at Rust in Germany is really good too - there's a ride called MIR which is based on the old Russian space station and does roller coasting but with freely rotating cars.


touchingcloth

I'd love to go on one of those ones which had loads of loopdeloops of ever decreasing sizes in a row so that your blood rushes to your feet until you die.

Noodle Lizard

Quote from: hamfist on October 21, 2021, 08:45:07 PM
Love'em !

I visited Efteling with the kids a couple of years ago, really something for everyone there and it has that unmistakably Dutch madness pervading throughout - brilliant stuff.

Europapark at Rust in Germany is really good too - there's a ride called MIR which is based on the old Russian space station and does roller coasting but with freely rotating cars.

Both Efteling and Europapark (and Phantasialand) look great! I'm astonished I never heard of them before leaving Europe - they're as close to Disney-quality theming as you're likely to find, with a solid coaster lineup too. Did you manage to get on Baron 1898 or Symbolica at Efteling? The latter isn't a coaster, but its theming is stunning, and the Baron looks like a kind of average dive coaster but themed out the arse (with vocal contributions from Anneke van Giersbergen, who I love). I've seen videos of the weird walkthrough segments of Efteling as well (the dark forest with all these strange scenes and interactive elements going on) - just an amazingly imaginative park, from the looks of it.

Noodle Lizard

That MIR ride has great theming, but the ride itself looks like a simpler/less intense version of the other Mack spinning coasters, such as Ride to Happiness in the unappealingly named Plopsaland in Belgium, very high on my bucket list: https://youtu.be/ZkhGeyA87Oc

DrGreggles

Love a rollycoasty.

The aforementioned Six Flags and Europapark are terrific, but Busch Gardens is probably my favourite.
https://buschgardens.com/tampa/rides/

Replies From View

My eyesight has always been terrible with my glasses off, and I'm more scared about losing them than I am the rollercoaster itself.  When I was a teenager I went on a few things at Alton Towers but couldn't see a fucking thing so pointless.  May as well sit on a chair with a bloke tugging your legs to replicate centrifugal acceleration.  Cheaper too.

Noodle Lizard

Quote from: DrGreggles on October 22, 2021, 08:03:34 AM
Love a rollycoasty.

The aforementioned Six Flags and Europapark are terrific, but Busch Gardens is probably my favourite.
https://buschgardens.com/tampa/rides/

Busch Gardens Tampa has an RMC that's been finished and sitting there for the best part of two years that they still haven't opened. It looks astonishing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQX7DEPyoBA

Quote from: Replies From View on October 22, 2021, 08:07:12 AM
My eyesight has always been terrible with my glasses off, and I'm more scared about losing them than I am the rollercoaster itself.  When I was a teenager I went on a few things at Alton Towers but couldn't see a fucking thing so pointless.  May as well sit on a chair with a bloke tugging your legs to replicate centrifugal acceleration.  Cheaper too.

Get yerself some straps! Most parks will let you take them on.

oustropique

Love a rollercoaster, but the pandemic has disrupted me going to parks. I'd like to do a 'world coaster tour' at some stage in my life. God, I miss them.

Quote from: Replies From View on October 22, 2021, 08:07:12 AM
My eyesight has always been terrible with my glasses off, and I'm more scared about losing them than I am the rollercoaster itself.  When I was a teenager I went on a few things at Alton Towers but couldn't see a fucking thing so pointless.  May as well sit on a chair with a bloke tugging your legs to replicate centrifugal acceleration.  Cheaper too.

This really made me laugh.

Quote from: Noodle Lizard on October 22, 2021, 08:11:11 AM
Get yerself some straps! Most parks will let you take them on.

I have the same issue, which really affected my enjoyment of Alton Towers' VR conversion of Air the last time I went. Straps have never even occurred to me until now. I'm definitely going to get some the next time I get to go anywhere.

Noodle Lizard

Quote from: oustropique on October 22, 2021, 08:34:49 AM
Love a rollercoaster, but the pandemic has disrupted me going to parks. I'd like to do a 'world coaster tour' at some stage in my life. God, I miss them.

This really made me laugh.

I have the same issue, which really affected my enjoyment of Alton Towers' VR conversion of Air the last time I went. Straps have never even occurred to me until now. I'm definitely going to get some the next time I get to go anywhere.

In my (admittedly limited) experience, VR augmentations to coasters are dreadful and nobody likes them, so I wouldn't worry too much.

Air (now stupidly rebranded to Galactica) looks lovely. It's funny how the same manufacturer (B&M) can make the same type of coaster (Flyer) deliver two very different experiences. Tatsu is also by them, and it looks terrifying - especially if you have a fear of heights. I'll go on it soon, though, once I fill my nuts up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyXssFFFsj0

(pay particular attention to the pretzel loop at 2:20 - absolutely illegal)

Noodle Lizard

This is my bucket list by the way:

Steel Vengeance (RMC, Cedar Point) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTXTbzctl0c (widely considered to be the best coaster ever built)

Maverick (Intamin, Cedar Point) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUpQMWGVw4g

Velocicoaster (Intamin, Universal Orlando) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJe42WzToFE

Zadra (RMC, Energylandia) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ivhq4v8ttYo

Ride to Happiness (Mack, Plopsaland) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkhGeyA87Oc

F.L.Y. (Vekoma, Phantasialand) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paXOobHmXnk

El Toro (Intamin, Six Flags Great Adventure) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNLgc6_qm8k

Lightning Rod (RMC, Dollywood) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcfWZYzfGWQ

Do-Dodonpa (S&S, Fuji-Q Highland) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPerLFErPv8

But there are countless others.

oustropique

Quote from: Noodle Lizard on October 22, 2021, 08:41:32 AM
It's funny how the same manufacturer (B&M) can make the same type of coaster (Flyer) deliver two very different experiences. Tatsu is also by them, and it looks terrifying - especially if you have a fear of heights. I'll go on it soon, though, once I fill my nuts up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyXssFFFsj0

(pay particular attention to the pretzel loop at 2:20 - absolutely illegal)

That looks fantastic. Seaworld Florida's Manta has a pretzel loop, I think, but I don't think it's as big as that. It's been a while, though. Magic Mountain, at least, is on my bucket list.

+1 for Busch Gardens Tampa upthread. SheiKra is absolutely unreal. Glad to see Gwazi is getting a second wind, too. I very much want to return.

Replies From View

Quote from: oustropique on October 22, 2021, 08:34:49 AM
I have the same issue, which really affected my enjoyment of Alton Towers' VR conversion of Air the last time I went. Straps have never even occurred to me until now. I'm definitely going to get some the next time I get to go anywhere.

Straps can surely break.  Not worth the risk

hamfist

Quote from: Noodle Lizard on October 22, 2021, 03:09:54 AM
Both Efteling and Europapark (and Phantasialand) look great! I'm astonished I never heard of them before leaving Europe - they're as close to Disney-quality theming as you're likely to find, with a solid coaster lineup too. Did you manage to get on Baron 1898 or Symbolica at Efteling? The latter isn't a coaster, but its theming is stunning, and the Baron looks like a kind of average dive coaster but themed out the arse (with vocal contributions from Anneke van Giersbergen, who I love). I've seen videos of the weird walkthrough segments of Efteling as well (the dark forest with all these strange scenes and interactive elements going on) - just an amazingly imaginative park, from the looks of it.

Yes - we went on both of those, Symbolica is great because it's not just more franchise fodder like some parks, it's very much an Efteling personality, like all the rides there really. The Baron was good too, and a source if amusement as they have this policy called « baby switch » where one parent can queue for a thrill ride while the other does something childy with the baby, then the second parent can jump the queue entirely when thr first is done and takes over the kids. Neat.

The Flying Dutchman ride is cool too, a combo rollercoaster and splash ride.

The whole thing is so crazy-Dutch you almost expect a bit of boot polish to appear, and if you look carefully you'll find it. But it's present only on older rides which are still there (my sis in law went as a kid) that they have kept I guess as they're such a part of the park's lore. Cannibals and bones through noses type stuff.

One ride - Monsieur Cannibale - plays this song over and over again:

https://open.spotify.com/track/1KCq83wq5AL1ThWuqMNkUw?si=Iv-Em0a0RMCrTYOHovr9pA

It never EVER leaves you.

Noodle Lizard

Quote from: oustropique on October 22, 2021, 08:53:04 AM
That looks fantastic. Seaworld Florida's Manta has a pretzel loop, I think, but I don't think it's as big as that. It's been a while, though. Magic Mountain, at least, is on my bucket list.

+1 for Busch Gardens Tampa upthread. SheiKra is absolutely unreal. Glad to see Gwazi is getting a second wind, too. I very much want to return.


Yeah, Manta is pretty similar - although I think its pretzel loop comes right at the start rather than the end (and isn't quite as big or mental).

I'd love to go on SheiKra! I've never been on a dive coaster. I was in Thorpe Park around the time Oblivion had just opened and I couldn't imagine anything scarier. It frankly looks a bit tame now.
And yes, RMC made their name taking old wooden coasters that had become a bit rough or boring and turning them into all-round "really good things". No roughness at all on them either, which is astonishing given how much they throw you around. You can't really tell from any of the POVs I sent, but based on the ones I've been on, you are literally out of your seat for 50% of the ride. They're great.

hamfist

oh and if you get a chance, there's a summer music festival called Lowlands near Lelystad in Holland every summer which is chill AF but is also next to a theme park and you can get combo tickets. Get coffee delivered to your tent, go ride coasters all morning then hit the festival from the afternoon, great fun.

Noodle Lizard

Quote from: Replies From View on October 22, 2021, 08:54:03 AM
Straps can surely break.  Not worth the risk

It'd have to be a pretty mad barrage of G-forces to break a strap, I think. I see plenty of people with glasses/sunglasses on rides, they're always fine.

Noodle Lizard

Quote from: hamfist on October 22, 2021, 08:56:56 AM
oh and if you get a chance, there's a summer music festival called Lowlands near Lelystad in Holland every summer which is chill AF but is also next to a theme park and you can get combo tickets. Get coffee delivered to your tent, go ride coasters all morning then hit the festival from the afternoon, great fun.

Oh, is it next to Walibi Holland? They've got a couple I'd love to try. Sadly, I doubt I'll make it back to Europe in the near future.

oustropique

Quote from: Replies From View on October 22, 2021, 08:54:03 AM
Straps can surely break.  Not worth the risk

This is true, and I would have anxiety, at least the first few times, on any inverted ride. Not sure.

Quote from: Noodle Lizard on October 22, 2021, 08:56:00 AM

Yeah, Manta is pretty similar - although I think its pretzel loop comes right at the start rather than the end (and isn't quite as big or mental).

I'd love to go on SheiKra! I've never been on a dive coaster. I was in Thorpe Park around the time Oblivion had just opened and I couldn't imagine anything scarier. It frankly looks a bit tame now.
And yes, RMC made their name taking old wooden coasters that had become a bit rough or boring and turning them into all-round "really good things". No roughness at all on them either, which is astonishing given how much they throw you around. You can't really tell from any of the POVs I sent, but based on the ones I've been on, you are literally out of your seat for 50% of the ride. They're great.

I went on Oblivion for the first time after I went on SheiKra and was thoroughly underwhelmed. SheiKra has two of those vertical drops, but the first one is truly insane, the way it hangs you up there over the edge for a bit. Ah, I miss it so much.

Quote from: hamfist on October 22, 2021, 08:56:56 AM
oh and if you get a chance, there's a summer music festival called Lowlands near Lelystad in Holland every summer which is chill AF but is also next to a theme park and you can get combo tickets. Get coffee delivered to your tent, go ride coasters all morning then hit the festival from the afternoon, great fun.

*adds to bucket list*

I've heard of Lowlands but didn't know that.

hamfist

indeed ! first went years ago pre kids, and a lovely dutch lady was telling us about a coaster which does that sort of railgun launch thing like christine (?) at Alton Towers

« itsch great ! IT SCHOOTS !! IT SCHOOOOOTS !! »

I'm more scared of the queues. And the price.

Noodle Lizard

Quote from: hamfist on October 22, 2021, 09:04:45 AM
indeed ! first went years ago pre kids, and a lovely dutch lady was telling us about a coaster which does that sort of railgun launch thing like christine (?) at Alton Towers

« itsch great ! IT SCHOOTS !! IT SCHOOOOOTS !! »

Rita at Alton Towers! One of the strangest themes for a ride - the premise seems to be that you have to escape someone called Rita post-haste? A Mike Leigh rollercoaster.

They have the Wicker Man wooden coaster there now too, which looks wonderful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5vSjdmyq2g

(this is my favourite launch coaster I've been on, by the way - feels like you're hanging upside down in that loop for ages: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaHCyahkiAY)

hamfist

Rita ! of course - knew it was a lady name, guess Mr King's novel sidetracked me into another car themed lady !

It's interesting (to me) how many coaster manufacturers are Swiss, given that there are very few coasters at all actually in Switzerland. Think there's like one at Conny Land (where all the dolphins died) and that's about it.

But they have this which is also really cool:

https://youtu.be/Ywqha40NA2A

Hamfist fans will be thrilled to learn that my usual location in Switzerland is above the opposite shore of the lake Walensee you see in the first few seconds of the vid.

Noodle Lizard

Quote from: hamfist on October 22, 2021, 09:12:26 AM
Rita ! of course - knew it was a lady name, guess Mr King's novel sidetracked me into another car themed lady !

It's interesting (to me) how many coaster manufacturers are Swiss, given that there are very few coasters at all actually in Switzerland. Think there's like one at Conny Land (where all the dolphins died) and that's about it.

But they have this which is also really cool:

https://youtu.be/Ywqha40NA2A

Hamfist fans will be thrilled to learn that my usual location in Switzerland is above the opposite shore of the lake Walensee you see in the first few seconds of the vid.

Oh that looks fun! We have a few of those in the states, I'd love to try one next time I happen to be in a mountainous wilderness!

Yeah, between Intamin and B&M, the Germanic regions really do have the majority of the market covered (although a lot of their manufacturing is done in the US), although at the moment it seems like RMC are the most sought-after. Vekoma (from Holland, previously a European branch of the defunct American company Arrow, who made basically everything up until the 90s) are getting a good reputation too.

EDIT: Forgot Gerstlauer and Mack Rides - both of them are doing well selling more compact models that do a lot. I'd love to go on Takabisha (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JL4u89wTnzM) and, of course, The Smiler (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRvWERvwyIM) ... let's not mention the accident.

Noodle Lizard

LOVE coasters now, lads. I've bored everyone else in my life, your turn next.

Bigfella

Went to California in '92, enjoyed all the rides at Disneyland and Magic Mountain.  On the loops it seemed like there was no sensation of being upside down, just suddenly going faster and downwards for a bit then back on the level.

Cuellar

Never been on one never going to be on one

imitationleather

Being into rollercoasters seems too cool a hobby for us CaB-types to be interested in.

Or are rollercoasters actually really uncool?

I dunno.

Johnny Foreigner

Them things would give me acute diarrhœa.
Dark rides were the worst I could handle, and I only went on them for the music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ofOTXbo5Y4

Noodle Lizard

Quote from: imitationleather on October 22, 2021, 09:22:20 PM
Being into rollercoasters seems too cool a hobby for us CaB-types to be interested in.

Or are rollercoasters actually really uncool?

I dunno.

There's a surprisingly large community of coaster enthusiasts (or "thoosies" as they call themselves) and it's just as full of nerds and malcontents as you'd expect. I'm surprised there aren't more here. This is one of the more popular YouTubers - I'm not sure there's much to worry about regarding it all being "too cool": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1-AOR2mwMo