Cable Car

A visit to the original SeaWorld

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SeaWorld San Diego

Shipwreck Rapids

Not far from the entrance is the Shipwreck Rapids, a very nicely designed rapids ride from the manufacturer Intamin. While I was lucky not to get too wet on most of the rides on my trip to California, the Shipwreck Rapids really got me down.

Orca Encounter

For a few years now, the focus of the big orca shows at SeaWorld has shifted more towards edutainment. The main aim of the show is to splash the guests in the soak zone with as much water as possible by an orca. Apart from that, the Orca Encounter presentation is a very rewarding experience as long as you keep your expectations low.

Bayside Skyride, Sky Tower

Since 1967, SeaWorld San Diego has been home to a Von Roll cable car, which took visitors to the SeaWorld Atlantis restaurant on the other side of Mission Bay until 1988. Nowadays, there is no stop and you only enter the station on the other side briefly, only to turn round again straight away. Like the large Sky Tower observation tower, however, the ride is not included in the admission price.

Manta

The Manta roller coaster is also located in the front part of the park and is therefore also very well embedded in the gardens of the theme park. The ride on the Mack Rides Mega Coaster begins after a quick right-hand bend with a short show in the launch tunnel, which is, however, very dark. With a little momentum, we are then sent on our journey. After a steep right-hand bend, we first race over a water basin, whereupon we take an equally steep turning curve. A left-hand bend is followed by a series of smaller hills, which are repeatedly interrupted by short bends. However, as we are slowly running out of breath, we approach the second launch section, where we are slowed down briefly. After the launch, we immediately rush into a left-hand bend and then over another hill. A dip is followed by a turn into a fairly intense helix. This is followed by a fairly wide right-hand bend, which takes us into the final bend of the ride, whereupon our ride soon comes to an end.

Manta is a very nice family roller coaster. Here and there, the coaster lacks a little dynamism, which is particularly noticeable at the point before the second launch. I don’t understand why it was necessary to slow down here and not accelerate straight away. Nevertheless, a great ride.

Dolphin Adventures

As expected, the Dolphin Adventures presentation at SeaWorld San Diego was very entertaining. With the best view of the theme park’s rollercoaster skyline, the dolphins performed numerous tricks, always focussing on the edutainment character of the show.

Electric Eel

There is a Premier Rides Sky Rocket II in almost every park in the SeaWorld group, including here at SeaWorld San Diego. The name Electric Eel is reminiscent of the great Steel Eel roller coaster from SeaWorld San Antonio. As is so often the case nowadays, comfort collars are also used on this roller coaster, which are designed to simulate the use of shoulder restraints in order to offer passengers a greater sense of safety. As the Premier Rides Sky Rocket II fortunately does not offer any real curves, the ride comfort is in no way restricted by the use of the harnesses – only the entry is a little more annoying than usual.

The first launch on Electric Eel largely resembles the initial acceleration of a modern boat swing. After changing direction, the ride is admittedly much more powerful and we almost reach the apex of the non-inverted loop, where we can briefly enjoy the view of the neighbouring Journey to Atlantis roller coaster and the amusement park’s car park. With plenty of momentum, we are now accelerated a third time, whereupon we reach the top level of the ride after a 180° turn without any difficulty. After a very short breather, we enter the ride’s inversion, which is clearly visible from afar, where we experience a very pronounced hangtime. Shortly afterwards, we dive into the non-inverted loop once again. Another encounter with the apex of the element then heralds the finale of the ride, whereupon we come to a precise stop after another run through the station and our wild ride comes to an end.

Journey to Atlantis

This is the third time I have been on a Journey to Atlantis roller coaster and once again I am surprised by a completely different layout. As in Orlando, the ride here is a water coaster from Mack Rides, but instead of a dark ride section, the ride begins immediately with the first lift hill. Once at the top, we approach the ride’s big shot ride in a wide right-hand bend with a small dip, which we tackle straight away. Slightly soaked, we bob along a little through the canal, getting closer and closer to a building. This contains the large vertical lift of the rollercoaster, which transports two boats upwards at a time. After a short stop with the best view of the amusement park’s car park, we immediately descend a large steep curve and then immediately ascend again. After passing through another braking area, we descend steeply once again, initially heading slightly to the right before taking a left-hand bend that takes us directly into the next pool of water. Completely soaked, we then return to the station and our entertaining ride slowly but surely comes to an end.

Emperor

The Emperor is the largest roller coaster at SeaWorld San Diego and dominates the sky-blue skyline of the theme park from afar. The 46 metre high dive coaster starts in the classic way with a turning curve at a lofty height before reaching the ride’s vertical drop, where we are held in position for several seconds in a holding brake with the best view of the abyss in front of us and the brand new Arctic Rescue roller coaster. After a successful drop, we are immediately drawn into an oversized Immelmann, where we change direction. After a turning curve – reminiscent of a cutback – we are pulled into a wonderful roll, which immediately turns into a steep curve and releases us into an oversized corkscrew. After another right-hand bend, we reach the final brake of the ride and our great ride draws to a close.

Arctic Rescue

It’s really something different to know the project manager of a rollercoaster in person. Accordingly, I was on a mission at Arctic Rescue to take the best possible pictures for him. A mission on which I unfortunately failed miserably. It doesn’t really make sense to me why they put their latest and greatest roller coaster in an area that is almost 100% protected from view (you can actually only see the roller coaster from Emperor or the Sky Tower) and don’t even set up a stage or something similar so that others can also take part in the hustle and bustle of the roller coaster. That simply makes no sense! Luckily, as a single rider, it was my turn quickly and I was immediately able to take a seat in the last row of the rollercoaster.

After a left-hand bend, we reach the ride’s first exit, whereupon we speed over the first turn at full speed. This is followed by an extremely successful sequence of rapidly alternating right and left turns before we reach the second launch and increase our consistently high speed once again. After a long left-hand bend close to the ground, we climb the second large hill of the rollercoaster – which includes three short changes of direction. Once back on the ground, we whizz through numerous tightly timed bends on the way to launch area no. 3. Once again at speed, we are then drawn over a long turning curve to the park boundaries, where we then endure two extremely daring manoeuvres. The path then takes us over a series of smaller hills, whereupon we find ourselves on the final brake of the ride.

Arctic Rescue is a bloody good rollercoaster and is reminiscent of the absolutely fantastic Juvelen rollercoaster from Djurs Sommerland in Denmark or Yukon Quad from the French theme park Le Pal, only without the slow hills towards the end of the ride. The extremely dynamic ride and the constantly high speed define the ride like no other; there is virtually not a single quiet second from start to finish.

To wind down a little at the end of the ride, it is worth visiting the neighbouring Wild Arctic area. This is home to several large enclosures for beluga whales and walruses and is very well themed and absolutely worth seeing.

Pictures SeaWorld San Diego

Conclusion SeaWorld San Diego

SeaWorld San Diego is probably the best located SeaWorld theme park. The location on Mission Bay is impressive, as is the portfolio of the animal and theme park. Together with a visit to nearby Belmont Park, it is well worth a visit.

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California Adventure Day 14 / SeaWorld San Diego

A short visit to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

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Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is a pretty cool amusement park. Located directly on the Pacific Ocean, the park exudes a lot of charm, which is mainly due to its 99-year-old wooden rollercoaster, which takes up almost the entire park. The individual rides are located to the right and left of the boardwalk.

Undertow

The Zamperla Disk’o Shockwave and the Maurer Spinning Coaster Untertow are located on the roof of a larger arcade. As always, it’s worth getting on the SC2000 backwards, which means you actually experience the first drop backwards before the spinning function is released after a climb and a short curve. Thanks to the subsequent hairpin bend, you’ll be well set in rotation so that you can usually experience the Immelmann Turn with a view of the sky or the ground. The subsequent track consists mainly of smaller bends and a fun straight with lots of swerves before you hurtle down a helix for the grand finale. All in all, a really great rollercoaster, especially if the waiting time is kept to a minimum.

Double Shot, Pirate Ship, Sky Glider und Typhoon

A ramp and stairs take you down to the boardwalk. Here you will find access to the Sky Glider chairlift – which was unfortunately not in operation on the day I visited – and three larger rides. In addition to the Typhoon looping ride, you can also take a ride on the classic Pirate Ship boat swing, before the more daring can take a ride on the S&S Double Shot, which is a great way to shoot yourself in the shoulder restraints.

Giant Dipper

Passing the fantastic façade of the Haunted Castle ghost train, we now move on to the park’s 99-year-old wooden rollercoaster, for which I had to adapt the tour over and over again, as the park unfortunately only rarely opens its rides in September; the Giant Dipper.

The ride on the Giant Dipper begins immediately with the entrance to a slightly longer tunnel, after which the ride’s lift is reached. After the first descent, which is around 20 metres high, we head straight into a large turning curve, which, however, offers a fairly steep entry and exit. Immediately afterwards, we race over a large hill and straight away over a double up. With the best view of the Beach Boardwalk, we now ride over a straight just above the braking section before gaining momentum again in an increasingly steep bend. Parallel to the track we have already experienced, we now race over a series of the finest airtime hills before changing direction again. At a constantly high speed, we race through the beams again and over a number of excellent airtime hills before coming to a halt in the braking section.

Even though I had already heard beforehand that the Giant Dipper is a really first-class wooden roller coaster, I didn’t expect it to mercilessly steal the show from my favourite 100-year-old wooden roller coaster to date – the Big Dipper from the English amusement park Blackpool Pleasure Beach. This ride is simply a class of its own and my favourite wooden roller coaster in the United States to date.

Rock-O-Plane

Passing the Afterburner Fireball, the path now leads us to a gem of American engineering: the Eyerly Rock-O-Plane from 1954. This ride is very reminiscent of a classic American Ferris wheel; however, thanks to the locking brake, you can hold your gondolas in position here, which also makes looping rides possible, or you can use the brake and shift your body a little to rock the gondola further and further, whereupon it is also possible to perform several successive somersaults. Great fun, which unfortunately cannot be experienced like this in Europe.

Logger’s Revenge

The second major attraction on the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is the large Arrow log flume Logger’s Revenge, which acts as a kind of backdrop for the rear area of the park and plays a key role in shaping it. There are several rides below the elevated track, including the Moby Dick and the Round-Up Cyclone. The entrance to the Sea Serpent children’s roller coaster is also located directly below the log flume ride.

Sea Serpent

The small Sea Serpent roller coaster is a real thrill ride, mainly due to its sloping location and the ride being adapted to the terrain. Typical of American children’s roller coasters, the track mainly consists of tight bends and pretty crazy hills.

Cave Train, Ghost Blasters und WipeOut

Interestingly, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is home to many dark rides, two of which are located one level below the boardwalk. In addition to the classic Cave Train, the interactive dark ride Ghost Blasters can also be found here. Access to the indoor Break Dance WipeOut is also located on this level.

Pictures Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Conclusion Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk was a pretty cool start to my rollercoaster tour through California and Nevada this year. The park has a similar vibe to Blackpool Pleasure Beach and a pretty cool atmosphere, which made me really like the park. While I unfortunately only used a few tickets on this visit, I would love to come back for a day at the beach with a wristband for the theme park.

 

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California Adventure Day 1 and 2 / Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Slagharen, daar kun je veel beleven

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Attractiepark Slagharen

One of the amusement parks which I have wanted to visit again for quite some time is the Attractiepark Slagharen. During my first visit in 2009, and still under the patronage of the Bemboom family, I was completely thrilled by the park’s 70s and 80s rides, which had long been decommissioned elsewhere. The cable car that leads across Mainstreet with all kinds of food stalls and connects the two parts of the park remains in your memory just as positively as the good old Looping Star roller coaster, the dark ride Ocean of Darkness or the flying swing Apollo, where simply everything was allowed.

Jules Verne Adventureland

In 2012, after almost 50 years of family ownership, the park was sold to the Spanish group Parques Reunidos and an untypically rapid change in the park took place. The iconic Ocean of Darkness dark ride was the first to be demolished to make room for the queue for the children’s driving school The Passepartout Explorer. The surrounding area has been redesigned to form the Jules Verne Adventureland theme area with a number of Italian-made children’s rides, the still magnificent Schwarzkopf Enterprise and the Twist ‘n’ Splash Expedition Nautilus. The dream boat of the Weber company was therefore moved and is now, as is the Flying Carpet from the same company, no longer in the park.

Apollo

Since this year, the Apollo has only half of its gondolas, which makes the touch-down a bit smoother, but consequently reduces the fun of flying to almost nothing. The long seat chains, the mutual pushing off, the turning in before the ride, all this is now no longer tolerated and accepted, there have even been occasional warnings. The once most ingenious chain carousel of all times is now only a shadow of its former self.

Octopus

The Octopus is another classic. The Monster II from Schwarzkopf is a very special ride, where you can spin like crazy inside the gondola without any great weight shift. This happens as soon as the gondola brakes are released and can be held for the entire duration of the ride with very little practice. And the ride does not have to hide behind the ride on the younger successor model, which is still widely represented at local fairs today.

Aqua Mexicana

Since this year it is no longer possible to take the monorail to the other side of the park, after all the main station near the swimming pool has been abandoned, so you can either take the monorail on foot or the standard route by the cable car. The number of rides on this side of the park has not been reduced as drastically, but the small swimming pool with iceberg theme has been modernised and supplemented with a handful of slides of a newer design. As Aqua Mexicana, the pool now stands out with its significantly increased surface area and slide tower, although I wonder why of all things the portfolio of the actual amusement park had to be reduced even further by taking over the dinghy slides.

Pictures Attractiepark Slagharen

Closing Words

As great as Attractiepark Slagharen continues to be, the quality of the park has been massively reduced in recent years under Parques Reunidos. Obviously something new has to be created from time to time, but not at the cost of a massive reduction of the existing portfolio, which was secretly the key to the success of the theme park. Nowhere else was the choice of rides as large or the number of roller coasters as negligible for a successful visiting day as here.

For decades, all the laws of the economy have been contradicted and it has been shown that with good rides alone, despite the perceived standstill, you can attract more visitors than most other parks of this size will ever have. Of course a lot of the success of the amusement park was due to the free tickets that were thrown in masses in supermarkets near the border and the focus on the holiday park as the main source of income, but all this has not changed much since the takeover. Besides, the ADAC discount is still highly recommended.

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Attractiepark Slagharen