Nic
Strata Poster
I'm gonna kinda jumble all the days into one, and just go round the park in an anti-clockwise direction.
We arrived quite late on the saturday (as we were both suffering from FAR too many free whiskey and cokes the night before!) and headed straight for Guest Services: The Ride.
We'd pre-booked our tickets online before we left through attractiontix.com. We got 4 days for £48, as opposed to one day on the gate for €44. After much pleading that it was valid for 4 days and not one, the woman disappearing off to find a supervisor and lots of faffing around, we emerged 15 mins later with 2 4 day tickets. We then had to faff by the turnstiles while they disappeared with our tickets (that wouldn't scan) and then came back and scribbled on them with biro before waving us in through the gate. Hurrah!
First impressions, and the park looks amazing. Absolutely beautiful. Every last detail is themed, even down to the paving slabs.
The presence of Universal is good, even if I'm now sick of the sight of Woody ****ing Woodpecker.
First up, then, is Baco. Our first go (which was actually on sun), and I was on the outside. ****ING HELL! Eugh! is about all I can say. We swapped for a 2nd go later in the day, and the inside seat is definately much better. The extra bit of speed doesn't make a huge difference I don't think, although it is nice to have an inversion. I think, really, if you like Rita, you'll love this. Trouble is, I've never liked Rita...
Wandered through into Polynesia, then decided to have a go on Sea Odyssey. This is essentially queue: the ride. It was a good 20-30 mins before we got in the actual ride itself... and it was walk on! Its alright, but could've done with being 3D graphics as well though, I think.
Carried on round and found a coaster! Tami Tami - and it was walk on. Its alright for what it is, but you only get one lap which is a bit annoying. It really wouldn't hurt them to give you another one.
Caried on round and the bubble show was just starting. Went in as I'd heard it was great. Its dificult to tell when bits have gone to plan, and when they haven't. Its quite clever, and I can think of worse ways to kill half an hour.
Then it was over to the B&M sex that is Khan. I mean, just look at it!!!
I'd already got the credit as I vividly remember going on it twice when I visited PA about 10 years ago, but still couldn't wait to get back on. I love it! Only slight thing is, I don't know what's going on with the zero g, there's a sharp kink going into it, but apart from that, its everything a B&M should be. It looks great, sounds amazing, runs well, and generally is a great coaster. I don't know what was going on with the MCBR though. It was on one train operation the whole time. Some runs they trimmed it, some they didn't.
Next up is El Diablo - Tren de la mina. AKA Lift Hill: The Ride.
The most brilliant thing about this was when we went on it once at the same time as this old couple, so didn't seem to know what they were letting themselves in for. Apart from that, nicely themed, but fairly unremarkable.
Then it was round to the horsies! If you're a little person and your feet don't touch the ground, as this was designed for, then fine. If your feet do reach the floor, then its essentially just Porn: The Ride. We went on it about 6 times.
Next up - Hurakan Condor! Sara doesn't do drop towers, so bag lady'd whilst I abused the single rider queue.
This was disappointing. For some reason, it doesn't feel as forceful as detty, despite being like twice the height. Its still a bloody good ride, don't get me wrong, just not as utterly amazing as I'd hoped.
Templo del Fuego was closed all weekend. As were the log flume and the shoot the chute. These, however, were the only evidence of it being the opening weekend (the park opened on the friday 27th)
There was some comedy to be had in the gift shops before heading out through Mexico and into the Far West.
I will start by saying I <3 Vultrix! Geni0us!
Then it was on to Tomahawk. ****ing hell! We both nearly went flying out the car on the first corner! Its great. FAR from juast a kiddie coaster.
Next was a quick go on the carousel (I rode a buffalo!!!) before heading for Stampida. Again, I vividly remember going on both sides 10 years ago, so had already got the credit.
Its insane! I love it! Blue is clearly better then red, but red has the shorter queues.
A while was spent faffing around on the sideshows and shops, then went for a look at the stunt show.
If you like sexy ladies in tight leather, then this is the show for you. I loved it
I sadly didn't get a photo of her, I was too busy drooling. Sadly, they don't sell her in the gift shop either, I'd have happily taken her home!
So yeah, we also went on the train ride. All through Polynesia, they've got random stuff to look at it.
On the rest of the route, you just get a random view of the rides.
As a train ride, its not bad.
Overall, its a great park, and we had a great time. The weather could've been much better (it was like Thorpe Park weather!), but it didn't spoil our trip. Staff were friendly, reliability was good, merch is great, the park was spotless, and the themeing is fantastic. What more could you want in a park... especially on opening weekend?! Take note, Merlin!
BTW, Thanks to Sara, who I stole most of these photos from!
We arrived quite late on the saturday (as we were both suffering from FAR too many free whiskey and cokes the night before!) and headed straight for Guest Services: The Ride.
We'd pre-booked our tickets online before we left through attractiontix.com. We got 4 days for £48, as opposed to one day on the gate for €44. After much pleading that it was valid for 4 days and not one, the woman disappearing off to find a supervisor and lots of faffing around, we emerged 15 mins later with 2 4 day tickets. We then had to faff by the turnstiles while they disappeared with our tickets (that wouldn't scan) and then came back and scribbled on them with biro before waving us in through the gate. Hurrah!
First impressions, and the park looks amazing. Absolutely beautiful. Every last detail is themed, even down to the paving slabs.
The presence of Universal is good, even if I'm now sick of the sight of Woody ****ing Woodpecker.
First up, then, is Baco. Our first go (which was actually on sun), and I was on the outside. ****ING HELL! Eugh! is about all I can say. We swapped for a 2nd go later in the day, and the inside seat is definately much better. The extra bit of speed doesn't make a huge difference I don't think, although it is nice to have an inversion. I think, really, if you like Rita, you'll love this. Trouble is, I've never liked Rita...
Wandered through into Polynesia, then decided to have a go on Sea Odyssey. This is essentially queue: the ride. It was a good 20-30 mins before we got in the actual ride itself... and it was walk on! Its alright, but could've done with being 3D graphics as well though, I think.
Carried on round and found a coaster! Tami Tami - and it was walk on. Its alright for what it is, but you only get one lap which is a bit annoying. It really wouldn't hurt them to give you another one.
Caried on round and the bubble show was just starting. Went in as I'd heard it was great. Its dificult to tell when bits have gone to plan, and when they haven't. Its quite clever, and I can think of worse ways to kill half an hour.
Then it was over to the B&M sex that is Khan. I mean, just look at it!!!
I'd already got the credit as I vividly remember going on it twice when I visited PA about 10 years ago, but still couldn't wait to get back on. I love it! Only slight thing is, I don't know what's going on with the zero g, there's a sharp kink going into it, but apart from that, its everything a B&M should be. It looks great, sounds amazing, runs well, and generally is a great coaster. I don't know what was going on with the MCBR though. It was on one train operation the whole time. Some runs they trimmed it, some they didn't.
Next up is El Diablo - Tren de la mina. AKA Lift Hill: The Ride.
The most brilliant thing about this was when we went on it once at the same time as this old couple, so didn't seem to know what they were letting themselves in for. Apart from that, nicely themed, but fairly unremarkable.
Then it was round to the horsies! If you're a little person and your feet don't touch the ground, as this was designed for, then fine. If your feet do reach the floor, then its essentially just Porn: The Ride. We went on it about 6 times.
Next up - Hurakan Condor! Sara doesn't do drop towers, so bag lady'd whilst I abused the single rider queue.
This was disappointing. For some reason, it doesn't feel as forceful as detty, despite being like twice the height. Its still a bloody good ride, don't get me wrong, just not as utterly amazing as I'd hoped.
Templo del Fuego was closed all weekend. As were the log flume and the shoot the chute. These, however, were the only evidence of it being the opening weekend (the park opened on the friday 27th)
There was some comedy to be had in the gift shops before heading out through Mexico and into the Far West.
I will start by saying I <3 Vultrix! Geni0us!
Then it was on to Tomahawk. ****ing hell! We both nearly went flying out the car on the first corner! Its great. FAR from juast a kiddie coaster.
Next was a quick go on the carousel (I rode a buffalo!!!) before heading for Stampida. Again, I vividly remember going on both sides 10 years ago, so had already got the credit.
Its insane! I love it! Blue is clearly better then red, but red has the shorter queues.
A while was spent faffing around on the sideshows and shops, then went for a look at the stunt show.
If you like sexy ladies in tight leather, then this is the show for you. I loved it
I sadly didn't get a photo of her, I was too busy drooling. Sadly, they don't sell her in the gift shop either, I'd have happily taken her home!So yeah, we also went on the train ride. All through Polynesia, they've got random stuff to look at it.
On the rest of the route, you just get a random view of the rides.
As a train ride, its not bad.
Overall, its a great park, and we had a great time. The weather could've been much better (it was like Thorpe Park weather!), but it didn't spoil our trip. Staff were friendly, reliability was good, merch is great, the park was spotless, and the themeing is fantastic. What more could you want in a park... especially on opening weekend?! Take note, Merlin!
BTW, Thanks to Sara, who I stole most of these photos from!
