Vekoma

The park in Fiesta, Texas

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It may be the Six Flags park with the most exotic name, as Fiesta Texas basically invites you for a good time with the Mexican background of Texas in mind; but the truth sometimes can be rather simple: Six Flags Fiesta Texas is a theme park in Fiesta, Texas. You simply cannot miss the exit to the park.

History of Six Flags Fiesta Texas

Before Six Flags Fiesta Texas became a thing, it started as a theme park by the Gaylord Entertainment Company – which back at the time was big in business operating their Opryland USA theme park in Nashville, Tennessee – and the USAA Real Estate Company. The site of the park, a depleted limestone quarry, was available for development in 1988. Despite the great competition by the Houston based theme park Six Flags Astro World and the Arlington based Six Flags Over Texas, both companies saw enough potential to develop a theme park in the San Antonio area – which was also due to the stable growth in the industry. The park opened to the public in 1992. Four years later, Time Warner took over the management of Fiesta Texas and changed the name to Six Flags Fiesta Texas. With Premier Parks purchasing Six Flags in 1998, they also bought the park of USAA.

Tour of the park Six Flags Fiesta Texas

Without any doubt, this park is impressive. Even the drive towards the parking offers a beautiful view. I used my platinum membership for preferred parking, as this was my last visit to a Six Flags park this year; even though I would not have needed it. With a great view onto the amazing looking water park White Water Bay, we now enter the park.

Due to its location, nearly all park guests directly head to the inverted roller coaster Goliath or the Boomerang roller coaster. I, on the other hand, was on a mission. As I did not have the time to collect my membership bottle the day before at Six Flags Over Texas, I directly went on the search for the membership services office. After some time and with a refillable bottle in my hands, it was time for the rides.

Bugs’ White Water Rapids, Whistle Stop Train and the Gully Washer

As a German, I always enjoyed the Spassburg section of the park with its funny ride names like the Rollschuhcoaster. Sadly, most of the names changed over the years. I was looking forward for a ride on Bugs’ White Water Rapids, Six Flags Fiesta Texas’ log flume. Unfortunately, this O.D. Hopkins ride was still under refurbishment for the season.

Instead, we get on the Whistle Stop Train at the Pilger Bahnhof and enjoy a round trip through the front sections of the park towards our next stop: The Gully Washer. This Intamin rapid ride features a nice journey along the quarry wall. It is a lovely themed rafting without any big highlights. The waterfall near the end of the ride was not used on my day of visit, so you can remain dry on your ride.

Road Runner Express

Next stop is the Road Runner Express where we experience the park’s preference for high elevated stations, which are only accessible via a network of ramps, for the first time. The ride itself is a mine train roller coaster by Arrow Dynamics. It is the latest one of its kind featuring a fast paced ride above and along Six Flags Fiesta Texas’ quarry wall.

After the lift hill climb, the ride immediately starts with a small drop into a turn to the left. After being tilted more and more to the side, the train shoots down its first major drop into a highly banked curve. After a forceful valley, we now race towards a camelback and then pass an upwards helix into the second lift. On top of the quarry wall, we take another turn to the left. After a short straight, we now perform a U-turn before reaching the edge of the cliff. In a wild cliffhanger manoeuvre, we perform a Figure-eight style combination of helices before reaching the brakes in full speed.

The Road Runner Express is a very fine mine train roller coaster. The coaster is very fast and forceful, but still family friendly. Its location is simply awesome and its appearance from the outside is nearly perfect, although is doesn’t feature any decorations whatsoever. It is a shame, that no one has bought another version of this kind of mine train roller coaster after this installation.

Iron Rattler

Right next door you can find one of the most legendary roller coasters out there: The Iron Rattler. Before this roller coaster became the second RMC masterpiece, it used to be the longest and highest wooden roller coaster out there. With a daredevil first drop and a lot of exciting elements along the 5080 ft long track, this coaster was not for chickens or structural engineers with concerns on the ride’s static. In other words: The coaster was famous for its highly visible vibrations of its support structure and its modest ride comfort. Nowadays, the coaster provides a fun and exciting ride loosely following the path of the original layout.

We start our journey with an excellent view onto the mine train roller coaster Road Runner Express. After a turn we reach the ride’s lift hill. Immediately after reaching the maximum height of 179 ft, we drop down 171 ft following a twisted path of pure madness featuring a maximum angle of 81°. Following the path along the quarry wall, we now enter an airtime filled camelback before reaching the second highest point of the ride. With great momentum we now go over hill and dale before we plunge down the cliff once more. Following a valley, we climb and twist ourselves upwards, which culminates in the first and only inversion of the ride. After being screwed up by the Iron Rattler, we race along a series of harmonically optimised hills, before dropping down the wall a last time. With no contact to our seats, we hit the next valley hard before a curve through a tunnel leads us into the brake run of the ride.

If the Iron Rattler would be slightly longer, it would be my favourite ride. It is not as forceful as other roller coasters by RMC, but it is a very repeatable ride experience featuring amazing elements and a beautiful Zero-G roll. The first drop is insane and everything else is great – it just could be slightly longer.

Goliath

The next roller coaster in our list on the other hand is a very solid ride and doesn’t need to be longer. We now move back to the entrance of the park for a ride on Goliath, Six Flags Fiesta Texas’ inverted coaster. Before coming to Texas, this B&M roller coaster was located for some years in the Japanese theme park Thrill Valley before being relocated to Six Flags New Orleans. Due to its elaborated design, the coaster survived Hurricane Katrina back in 2005. After a refurbishment, the ride was installed at its current location in 2008.

Goliath is the third installation of a B&M inverted roller coaster with the Batman layout in Texas. Surprisingly, there aren’t any other suspended roller coasters in Texas, which really shows the passion of the Texans to this specific layout. Especially, the people of San Antonio must be huge fans, since two of the three installations can be ridden over here. Goliath is still something special as it is the only one featuring the mirrored layout and one of the longest and strangest ramps you can find within the park. Apart of that, the Goliath features a highly forceful ride through both of loops and the corkscrews.

Boomerang Coast to Coaster

A similar forceful ride can be found at Six Flags Fiesta Texas’ Boomerang roller coaster simply called Boomerang or Boomerang Coast to Coaster if you really want to be precise. It is a very pleasant and smooth ride – although I would recommend to only ride it after the morning rush. Along with Walibi Belgium’s Cobra, this Boomerang is one of the best ones out there and should not be skipped.

Superman Krypton Coaster

Following the paths towards the other side of the park, we now enter the queue for Superman Krypton Coaster – Six Flags Fiesta Texas’ signature roller coaster. It once featured the highest inversion of all roller coasters; a record which was being hold for a very long time till it was broken by the same company in 2013. As one of the first floorless coasters by B&M, Superman Krypton Coaster features a wild and exciting ride experience.

After a short turn, the train quickly climbs up the lifthill. Once arrived at the top of the quarry wall, we enjoy the view onto the shopping centre The Shops at La Cantera before dropping down an increasingly steep curve. Pressed into our seats, we now race through the first valley before entering the ride’s large loop. After another valley along the quarry wall, we decide to have a closer look on top of it. In a helix, we now race along the surface before plunging down to the ground level once again. In a giant Zero-G roll we turn ourselves upside down the second time, followed by an equally giant Cobra Roll element. A curve to the left leads us upwards and a short curve to the right directs us directly into the block brake section of the ride. Without any noteworthy reduction of the speed we enter the next drop which leads us into the first of the two corkscrews. After a short curve we hit the second one. Another curve and a short hill then lead us into the final brake of the ride.

Superman Krypton Coaster is a great and forceful ride. It features an interesting and unique layout with a great selection of inverting elements. In my mind, I always have to compare it with Parque Warner’s Superman – la attración de Acero (ride of steel) in San Martin de la Vega nearby Madrid, Spain as they are very similar rides with Superman Krypton Coaster being slightly weaker due to its lack of airtime. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed my ride on the Krypton Coaster.

Batman – The Ride

Since we could not yet spend the visit with the DC villains, as the Giant Discovery Joker was not yet delivered and the Super-Villains Swing was not yet reassembled, we focused on the Dark Knight instead. Batman – The Ride was the first ever S&S Free Spin roller coaster and an initial success for Six Flags. With many of these rides being build basically everywhere, I was very interested to have a look at the prototype, especially since my ride on The Joker a day earlier at Six Flags Over Texas was absolutely nuts. After waiting a quite long time due to a breakdown of the ride I finally came to the conclusion, that this ride simply cannot be judged properly. The ride’s comfort is always good, but the experience varies by every ride. My ride on Batman – The ride was just okay. It could have been better, but it also could be much worse. Overall, this marble track roller coaster is quite interesting due to the used technology, which cannot be found on later installations.

The Poltergeist of Rockville

Batman – The ride is in the Rockville section of the park, which just looks awesome. The 50’s are back and brought some great rides with it – although none of them are from this time period. I really love the look of Six Flags Fiesta Texas’ teacup ride Hustler and the S&S combo tower Scream. Unluckily, the free fall tower was just operating one of the towers, which lead to a long waiting time. I also like the look of the spaghetti bowl roller coaster Poltergeist, which I could not test due to a breakdown around noon. The layout of this launch roller coaster simply looks nice and features some very exciting elements.

Fiesta Bay Boardwalk and Pirates of the Deep Sea

The last area of the park is the Fiesta Bay Boardwalk, home to a great selection of classic American flat rides. Next to the modern Tilt-a-Whirl Spinsanity, the Twister Waverunner, a Fireball and a Ferris Wheel you can find with Pirates of the Deep Sea a newly redesigned Sally dark time. The makeover of the old Scooby Doo Ghostblasters ride is just excellent. The ride fits into the theme of the area, although it doesn’t feel like a cheap tourist trap you properly find on a real seaside pier. Well done, Six Flags!

Pandemonium

At the end of the pier you can find the spinning roller coaster Pandemonium. I was quite confused by the queue of the ride, since it looks way longer than it is. People are always queuing from the start of the pier and therefore you can or would expect a very long waiting time. Especially since the ride by the German manufacturer Gerstlauer only features 4-seater cars. At the end, I did not wait as long as I thought it would be, which is quite positive. The ride itself gave me the spin of my lifetime, although I was the only one in the car.

Interestingly, when exiting the ride, you find yourself below the pier on the same level as the Gokart-track of Six Flags Fiesta Texas.

Wonder Woman Golden Lasso Coaster

The last attraction on our list is the Golden Lasso Coaster featuring Wonder Woman. As the actual name (Wonder Woman Golden Lasso Coaster) is quite long, I reduce it to either the Golden Lasso Coaster or Wonder Woman throughout my review.

The Golden Lasso Coaster was the first installation of an RMC raptor track roller coaster, which reintroduces a very old idea back into the roller coaster market: The monorail roller coaster. Due to its track design you are free to add very tight and compact elements to your layout. Of course, this doesn’t come without downsides, as the seating arrangement within the cars is not optimal for a great throughput. The focus on the heartline gives you an excellent and very thrilling ride, but the trains itself let you wait in line for quite some time.

After boarding the vehicle, the ride starts with a very fast climb to the top of the lift hill. Once we reached the top, the train descents a small drop and moves through a curve. We now hit a small hill after which the vertical drop of the ride awaits us. As the top of the hill is very tight, we are immediately thrown out of our seats and experience an amazing airtime filled drop shortly after. Faster than we could possibly imagine, we already hit the next valley and make our way towards the top of the Dive Loop. A second later we twist ourselves sideways in a large camelback. Another second later, we initiate a curvy incline leading into the second airtime filled drop. This is followed by a Cutback element and a classic Corkscrew. After another curve we already slam into the brakes and the 50s long journey of endless insanity comes to an end.

Wonder Woman features the best roller coaster of any DC superheroes up to date. This ride is absolutely awesome and the best RMC roller coaster I’ve ridden so far. You simply cannot describe the insanity of the Golden Lasso Coaster – you have to experience it. It is just awesome.

Pictures Six Flags Fiesta Texas

Conclusion Six Flags Fiesta Texas

Six Flags Fiesta Texas is a very nice theme park with a great selection of roller coasters, flat rides and shows. As the park’s offer was somewhat reduced, I can only conditionally recommend a visit at Easter. I really would like to come back to test all the rides I missed during my visit and have a look at the water park White Water Bay and the night-time spectacle Celebrate!. Till then I’m looking forward to my next visit in the San Antonio area.

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Six Flags Fiesta Texas / Texas Round-Up Day 3

An O.D. Hopkins Wonderland

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Wonderland Amusement Park

I would never have dreamed that the Wonderland Amusement Park would become my first amusement park in the USA. Few amusement park enthusiasts are familiar with it, but it is still of great importance to the industry. The former water ride specialist O.D. Hopkins was able to present his first ride here and with the Texas Tornado there is also a roller coaster from the same company in the park, which for many years even belonged to the best roller coasters in the United States. Accordingly, the park is actually a must-do, but unfortunately the city of Amarillo is off the beaten track.

Full of anticipation for the opening of the theme park in the evening I left the Palo Duro Canyon State Park in the late afternoon only to stand in front of closed gates. Fortunately, I wasn’t the only one there and more and more people are joining me. In fact, I was only a little lost in the opening hours, which is why I had to wait here for half an hour.

Even before the cash desks are occupied, the staff already start their work at the gate by serving all those who have obtained their tickets in advance. You can also buy tickets from them. I waited a little (as I didn’t want to wait close in a closed off area till the gates would open) and bought my ticket from a charming, albeit toothless old lady.

The park itself consists basically only of a Midway, where the rides are arranged to the right and left. At both ends of the way the park spreads out a little and forms with the corner around the chain plane Fiesta Swing almost an enclave. Basically, the Wonderland Amsuement Park is a classic Luna Park.

Accordingly, the entrance fee to the amusement park is quite low. The rides can be paid by the use of tickets or you can buy a wristband for unlimited rides. But here in the park there are two different variants, namely the WOW Pass and the Coca-Cola Ultimate WOW Pass, which includes mini golf, the free fall tower Drop of Fear, the roller coaster Texas Tornado and one ride on the dark ride Fantastic Journey.

As I would notice later, this wristband system is an absolute nonsense. Although I have noticed in the research for the report that I could have played minigolf for free, the surcharge is hardly worth it if you can already see from the outside that one of the main attractions would not be in operations on the day of visit.

Rainbow

Therefore, I was in search of a better mood. Practically, there’s a ride that creates a great smile without any effort: a HUSS Rainbow. I always liked this ride, when it was still in my home park. At every visit to the Heide Park, I rode it at least twenty times. After an incident at the Swedish amusement park of Liseberg, most of the rides disappeared in Europe. The Rainbow of the German Showman Klinkerfuß and the one at Serengeti Park have been preserved for some time, but since four years none of these can be found in Germany. Fortunately, the Rainbow of Serengeti Park can now be found in the Polish amusmement park Legendia.

Here in Wonderland Amusement Park the ride has been running since 1999. Unfortunately it looks a little bit run down. The ride is still a lot of fun. Due to the unnecessary seat dividers and the use of belts, the charming sliding from one side to the other one within the two-seater is no more.  Only the generous gondola decoration made in Germany reminds us of the former ease of the ride.

Scrambler

Things look much better with the all American classics, which were really in good shape, e.g. the Eli Bridge Scrambler named Scrambler. Compared to the English version of this true RCT classic, the ride in the American original is even more rustic. Who needs modern hydraulic bars when the ride itself is purely mechanical and all movements are controlled by only one motor? You can also just have a door, which you secure with a pin. Sure, the handling takes significantly longer, but who cares? It’s still the original design, like the ones in your grandparents time. Overall, the Scrambler is a great ride!

Cyclone

Our next stop on our park tour is the wild mouse Cyclone. But don’t panic, Cyclone is not a wild mouse of the 90s. The company Mack Rides was at the time of construction still completely new in roller coaster manufacturing and the Maurer AG knew nothing about their BHS takeover. Instead, this steel mouse comes from Miler Manufacturing. It was built in 1960 and since 1968 you can ride the ride here in Wonderland Amusement Park.

As soon as we have taken a seat in the car, the journey starts immediately. With outstretched legs we quickly climb the lift of the ride. After reaching the top, we immediately take the first corner, whereupon a few longer straights and wide curves are added for us to get used to. In a series of tight hairpin curves, we are pressed four times into the side wall of the car.

With momentum we enter a tight bend, which also drops slightly in the middle. After that we hit the big drop of the course in a double-down. With a lot of drive we then go to the second level of the roller coaster. After a very funny turn we are taking another straight in a sloped position. This is followed by the double ascent and descent, known from many Wild Mice, which is also visually impressive due to its location just slightly above the park’s log flume. In the front area of the course we now cross the station in another sloped straight. Two more ascents and descents await us. Thereby, we get dangerously close to the just route above us, which is a brilliant moment as we are also experiencing some airtime. Our excursion to the third level of the mouse is only of short duration. After a short left turn we immediately turn ourselves into a helix that also heralds the end of the ride. In a longer straight, the brakes are reducing the speed of the car till we reach the exit position of the ride.

The Wild Mouse coaster Cyclone is a true representative of an unfortunately much too rare roller coaster species. The American steel mouse comes astonishingly close to its wooden siblings and simply inspires with its many slopes and strange curve manoeuvres. Strangely, that there aren’t any helices being build in modern Wild Mice apart of the Bobsled Coasters by Gerstlauer…

Big Splash Log Flume

Right next to the steel mouse is the Big Splash Log Flume, which is a true budget version of the very popular Arrow logflume rides. A drop, a few curves and a very small footprint were the cornerstones for the most exciting career in the entertainment industry. O.D. Hopkins, who had previously only manufactured and marketed chairlifts, soaked the world.

The ride on the Big Splash Log Flume is relatively dry. Nevertheless, it is definitely a highlight not to be missed.

Fantastic Journey

If you are a fan of dark rides, don’t miss out a ride on the Fantastic Journey. The self-construction by the park founder Paul Roads is characterised by a multitude of great design elements and ideas, some of which have been adopted by friendly park operators from their ghost trains. The heart and soul of the park owner is truly noticeable. The numerous black light scenes, the strobo-aluminium foil room with Alien or the colliding bus at the end of the ride are just a few examples of the adventures waiting within the ride. Sadly, you can only ride the ride once with the more expensive wristband…

Mouse Trap

The big Pinfari roller coaster Mouse Trap has also been in Wonderland Amusement Park for some time and makes a very good overall impression. The ride on the big Zyclone with a front length of 64m thrills its guests by a multiplicity of slopes and helices, whereby the very high and quite slow middle part of the ride, as well as the very high end of the ride, are a little atypical. However, the ride in the tripartite trains is a lot of fun.

Tilt-a-Whirl

Right next door you can drive a true American classic, a Tilt-a-Whirl. The US version of the waltzer is characterised by its rotating seating shells and distinctive valleys, which get the wagons going and put a big smile on the cheeks of the passengers.

Rattlesnake River Raft Ride

Opposite the Mouse Trap roller coaster is the access to the Rattlesnake River Raft Ride, an O.D. Hopkins rafting ride. As with the logflume, this is the manufacturer’s prototype. To my own surprise the trip started as soon as I took a seat in the round boat as there are no belts and other safety features. The trip through the canal offers some rapids and splashing elements. But you don’t have to worry about the ride through the waterfall, here in the Wonderland Park there is only a garden sprinkler. Overall, the ride is quite interesting and worth a visit.

Pipeline Plunge and Thunder Jet Racers

Equally interesting is the American version of the dinghy slide. The Water Coaster (funnily enough a trademark of WhiteWater) Pipeline Plunge offers a very refreshing (and very wet) ride through numerous curves and turns. In addition to that, you’ll also be racing down over a few jumps. Be sure to try it out! If you are also a fan of water trips from O.D. Hopkins, there is no way around this ride.

One ride that I would have liked to try out is the almost inconspicuous looking Thunder Jet Racers (also from O.D. Hopkins). This dinghy slide offers a race on two tracks located side by side over a straight line on the ground. The dinghy are accelerated by a strong stream of water. Unluckily, this ride is for younger park guests only.

Fiesta Swing and Drop of Fear

Behind the Thunder Jet Racers there is a small park area offering the Chance Yo-Yo Fiesta Swing, a small baloon ride and one of the entrances to the free fall tower Drop of Fear. The former travelling free fall tower offers a total height of 200 ft and therefore a fantastic view at the region. None of the four lanes were in operation that day and it didn’t look like it would change in the near future. As the Drop of Fear is one of the few rides covered by the more expensive wristband this was very disappointing. I also wanted to try this rare Moser Rides free fall tower for a long time…Nevertheless, there is still hope as the ultramodern lighting system on the tower is quite new. Funnily enough, you can use the tower to display greetings and birthday wishes for a small fee.

Pirate, Himalaya and the Texas Intimidator

Friends of good rides are well served in the rear corner of the amusement park. The HUSS Pirate, the Reverchon Himalaya or the Moser Flipping Action Arm Texas Intimidator are all worth a try. The Texas Intimidator offers a beautiful and thrilling rollover ride on a minimalistic footprint and therefore should not be missed.

Hornet

The Hornet roller coaster also has a very small footprint. This Vekoma MK-700 roller coaster can look back on a proud past as it was the first of its kind. In 1988 it saw the light of day on Boblo Island near Detroit, where it was covered by a hall. After the closure of the amusement park, the ride moved to the amusement park Six Flags Astro World near Houston, where the ride was named Mayan Mindbender. After this amusement park had to be closed as well, the ride found its new home in the Wonderland Amusement Park, where it was not enclosed again.

That move actually suits the ride quite well, as the layout resembles that of a Zierer Flitzer, which you can normally find outdoors. The differences in the layout are actually rather small; the Vekoma variant has a more pronounced urge to go up- and downhill, which is especially apparent in the middle part of the ride (where the Flitzer just speeds through the curves). Thus, after climbing the lift hill, we are directly drawn into a Bavarian curve that tapers off and that at some point merges into the big drop of the layout. With a lot of momentum we pass the station before we make our way through the rear part of the ride. Shortly afterwards we change direction and race towards the ground again. Here we quickly change direction for another time, whereupon the brakes are coming closer and closer.

The Hornet roller coaster is a great family coaster, but it is a bit weaker in comparison to the much older Flitzer. Unfortunately, the Vekoma ride is a little inert due to its long train and the up- and downhill leading curves. Friends of light lateral Hangtime will definitely have their fun, as the actual target group (young kids) already does.

Spin-o-Saurus

Probably this will be also the case with the small SBF Visa roller coaster, which is currently being built behind the roller coaster Hornet. The Compact Spinning Coaster Spin-o-Saurus was purchased from a park in Florida. Unfortunately I couldn’t test this ride for you – like the HUSS Airboat, which was lying around in parts right next to it.

Shoot the Chute

As a fan of the O.D. Hopkins water rides – who would have guessed it – a ride on the Shoot the Chute had to be done. The splashing boats are just one of my favourite rides and therefore I looked forward to apply the push method learned in Japan once again.

Since I was the only passenger the ride could start immediately after free choice of place. With a total height of only 40ft the ride belongs to the rather smaller representatives of its kind. But that does not mean that it is not just as wet. Also the generated wave is just as stunning. Simply, a great ride!

Since the ride ran in two-boat operation, the second boat had to be sent off first before I could get off the ride. After saying goodbye to the operator, I made myself  on the way to the bridge to take a picture of the plunging down boat and head into security shortly after. So far so good, but Wonderland is just mean and puts a zigzag barrier in your way. In short: I was drenched.

I wonder why no other amusement park came up with the idea. The way the bridge was built, almost every former passenger will get drenched a second time. Soaking wet, without any photo and absolutely happy I spend my time at Wonderland Amusement Park until closure. Since my hotel for the evening was based in Wichita Falls, I had to change in my car. A hotel in Amarillo would have been a good choice. Thanks, Hopkins 😀 .

Texas Tornado

The biggest highlight in the park is the double looping roller coaster Texas Tornado, which can absolutely inspire with its differently constructed inversions. As so often in this theme park this roller coaster comes from O.D. Hopkins. This makes it one of only seven roller coasters ever built by the manufacturer. Of course the prototype is the one in Wonderland Amusement Park. But the train comes from PTC, which normally only build trains for wooden roller coasters – so what should go wrong?

In the test phase, where the original Hopkins trains were still used, things actually went wrong. First the train didn’t manage the Double-Up element after the first looping, whereupon the exit of it was moved some feet in the height. After this change, the train didn’t made it through the second looping, whereupon the second loop was massively reduced in size. The actual appearance of the two consecutive loops, however, was to be retained, which is why both loops now look the way they do today: they are pretty wacky.

Before we go on the ride, a short hint for all those who want to venture the ride at some point: Fat people will not fit in the coaster. Even I had the pleasure to fix my safety belt with an extension, even though I never had any problems with the usual used belt lengths on any other roller coaster. Also you only gain a few inches with the belt extension. During the second ride I managed to close the buckle without the extension. I gave up the first try after I have already changed the seat (they all are very tight).

In addition there is another rather big problem, as the first ride on every roller coaster in the park has to be done fully occupied. Since not everyone in the park has the more expensive wristband, you can sometimes wait a very long time for your ride. All attempts of animation didn’t help, which is why the visit only pays off on a day when there is a lot more going on in the park.

If, however, a journey is made, it starts immediately with a left turn out of the station. The chain lift brings you up to a height of 80ft, whereupon we dive down to the ground. With full speed we pass a long straight, in which a small bend was built in. Shortly afterwards we see the world go upside down for the first time and expose ourselves to very high G-forces at the same moment. With full force it pulls us into the looping, over the apex and into the elevated exit of it – what a great fun. In a Double-Up element you gain a little height, but unfortunately no airtime is offered. In a steep turn we pass under the Shoot the Chutes and once again experience very high G’s. After a hill the second looping follows and with it another acquaintance with the strong forces of the ride. Shortly afterwards we dive into a tunnel. Here we drive with full speed over another bend, before we head back to daylight and cross the park’s rafting ride Rattlesnake River Raft Ride in a longer straight. Shortly afterwards the ride ends at the station.

The Texas Tornado is a bomb of a roller coaster that you should definitely have experienced. The coaster offers a great ride and nearly endless pressure. Beyond that, the ride just looks stunning in its white-red-blue colouring. Basically, it’s no wonder that the roller coaster was one of the best of its kind in 1985 and still has some fans today. The double looping was on everyone’s lips back then and Hopkins planned a flawless ride that still stands out today.

Pictures Wonderland Amusement Park

Conclusion Wonderland Amusement Park

Wonderland Amusement Park is a good family-owned regional theme park with the charm of an old Luna Park. Although not much has been added over the years, the park offers a variety of really good amusement rides. The close friendship with the water ride specialist O.D. Hopkins led to a very large collection of water rides, all of which can convince. Also Wonderland Amusement Parks offers a lot of prototypes, which makes the park even more special. For me the park has been on my bucket list for a long time and I am happy to have visited it.

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Texas Round-Up Day 1 / Wonderland Amusement Park

Spooky Thorpe Park Hell Dream

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The changes of the past five years

What has Merlin made of the Island like no other in the last five years? The last two rows of the Swarm roller coaster are going forward again, the Disco roller coaster X has been redesigned into The Walking Dead – The Ride, parts of Amity Cove have fallen victim to the birds of Angry Birds, the Logger’s Leap log flume is rotting away, as is the Slammer Sky Swat – which is now officially awaiting its demolition – and Saw: Alive is at least operated from time to time (the same goes for the relatively new Maze I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!). In addition, there are a lot of closing days during the season and also the distinctive soundtrack of the island was exchanged.

There are many reasons for many things, but there are some things I don’t understand completely. Officially, Merlin have now taken a much more family-oriented course, which means they’ve moved away from the thrill-ride fetishists and the associated grubby image (# Hard Gaan) – strangely enough, they’ve been selling tickets to students ever since, thus attracting the preferred former clientele in much larger crowds. Can be done, but by now I’m too old for this shit. Just like I can’t approve of employees at the entrance of an attraction encouraging you to buy Fast Passes, even though the corresponding queue is almost non-existent.

Derren Brown’s Ghost Train

But there are also rays of hope. Derren Brown’s Ghost Train is such a one. The reinvention of the classic ghost train is, in terms of storytelling, a huge hit. It’s just a shame that all visitors of the park are aware of this, so long waiting times are often a common issue. But that shouldn’t stop you from queuing here, after all the mixture of ride, Maze and VR experience is unique and about as scary as a Japanese horror movie in a 360° cinema.

The reinvention of the Ghost Train

After you have stood your legs in the queue, Derren Brown personally welcomes you in a short pre-show. It is thematically about the reinvention of the ghost train and why we love to get spooked. This all sounds promising and so we leave the showroom expectantly and climb a short staircase. Here we are held back for a short time, but it doesn’t take long until we enter the hall with the ghost train. Hanging from the ceiling, an old Victorian carriage appears, but its interior resembles that of the London Underground. Now, the VR-glasses have to be put on and when both trains are ready, the trip in the ghost train can start.

The tube ride

Actually, there are three trains, but only two of them have passengers at this stage. Thus we leave the station and ride a little bit with the tube. A man with a dog gets on and tells us a story that the scientists of the BGR in Hannover may not be able to agree with. Fracking is evil and something went bloody wrong. It doesn’t take long and a contaminated person tries to gain access to our compartment. It gets creepy and thanks to the VR-glasses we can’t help but always look directly in the direction of the action. In the meantime it is getting dark and a staff member has to stroke the passengers’ knees once through the rows. There is an accident and we have to leave the train as soon as possible.

By means of merlinary drills we are sent through a short and very nicely designed maze. This is less creepy, but somehow we have to get to the second platform of this dead-end station, where another subway is already waiting for us. But this time we are not the only passengers and each of the others has VR glasses on. The train starts to move, but this time the true story is revealed to the visitors; it’s not the fracking per se that contaminated the people, no demons did. Individually, they now get rid of passenger after passenger, before we turn to our fate in a magnificently staged transfer track scene and fall into the abyss. 3,2,1, we are back again.

Conclusion Derren Brown’s Ghost Train

So that was the reinvention of the classic ghost train and boy, that was good. The VR staging works, after all the graphics are high-resolution and don’t need real-time rendering. You just feel like you’re in a movie and not in a computer game of the early 90s. As already mentioned in the beginning, the ride on Derren Brown’s Ghost Train is not really scary and more of a suspense horror. However, this is what makes it good, which is why the ride, like any other proper ghost train, is very entertaining.

The Walking Dead – The Ride

Right next to Derren Brown’s Ghost Train is the entrance to the roller coaster The Walking Dead – The Ride, formerly known as X and X:\ No Way Out. Designed around the series The Walking Dead, the ride now shows a clear thematic reference. Zombies are simply better to convey than a computer virus or a discotheque. Basically, the same naked queue inside the building awaits you, but instead of fabulous light effects and a great music you only find desolate brown walls. The ride itself is partly nicely arranged and for fans of the series it’s definitely a great deal. At least I couldn’t do anything with it. On the equally long way back you only find naked brown walls once more, which is why you’re just glad to be back in the open air again.

Well, that was hardly worth it. You can implement well-known licenses, but then you have to exploit their potential. In fact, I wish nothing else than the lively computer virus-infested reverse roller coaster back. At least it was consistently weird and yet absolutely fun. The conversion to X was quite cool and quite optimal for the younger audience, but now as Walking Dead – The Ride it’s not even worth a ride in between. That’s a pity and for me a symbol for the developments of the last years.

Pictures Thorpe Park

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Conclusion Thorpe Park

Thorpe Park, you used to be cooler. But actually, that’s true for the entire Merlin Group. Something’s gone terribly wrong with you. Why do you want to get rid of the Tussauds image so badly lately? The island used to be coherent, now there’s only an IMAscore mash left, which isn’t good for some attractions. In addition, on both days of my visit many attractions were not running at all or only with problems. Well, breakdowns have always been the order of the day at Thorpe Park, but at least one can try to keep this kind of thing within the limits. Actually, the only thing missing now is the failure of a bigger roller coaster for a period of 2 years (Colossos at Heide Park) and the typical image of the Merlin Group would be perfect here, too.

 

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