G-Force Magazine - UK Theme Park News & Features
UK Theme Park Industry News & Features
“The Best New Attraction for 2011 is… Intimidator 305” In the light of the various modifications to Kings Dominion’s gigacoaster over the past year, Alex Harris explains why the revamped Intimidator 305 is the ride we should be most looking forward to in 2011… despite opening in 2010. Impressive statistics do not an impressive coaster make… but they certainly generate hype, … [Read more...]
Mumbo Jumbo, Flamingo Land (S&S, 2009) As Flamingo Land's transformation from fairground to fully fledged theme park continued, the park's management decided that 2009 was the time to introduce another major roller coaster. It has been said that Velocity and Kumali were replacements for Bullet and Magnum Force, respectively. Mumbo as it is affectionately known, was to herald the true … [Read more...]
Congo River Rapids, Alton Towers (Intamin, 1986) Some rides are designed to scare you witless, others are built to take you through a psychological nightmare. The Congo River Rapids at Alton Towers are designed to provide the ultimate family adventure. The ride opened in 1986 as the Grand Canyon Rapids on the site of a former car park. The ride was built in a now defunct area of the park … [Read more...]
Swan Lake, Lightwater Valley (Unknown, 1980s) In the past, our Spotlight articles have tended to cover bigger rides. I thought it was about time that we covered the other end of the market. The year is 1976, Britain is experiencing a tremendous heatwave. For 15 consecutive days from 23 June to 7 July, temperatures reached an incredible 90°F (32.2°C). It was the hottest summer for more than … [Read more...]
Revolution, Pleasure Beach, Blackpool (Arrow Dynamics, 1979) The building of Revolution in 1979 was important for so many reasons in the UK. Not only did it provide riders with their first opportunity to go upside down, it was the first 'big' steel ride to built and would trigger a new-era of roller coaster construction in this country. The ride was Geoffrey Thompson's second major project … [Read more...]
Eagle's Claw, Lightwater Valley (KMG, 2004) Tucked away at the top of the hill behind the Skyrider is one of Lightwater Valley's best rides. Eagle's Claw was a surprising addition for Lightwater, the Afterburner model is one of the finest rides in the KMG catalogue. Its location is a strange one. It's not on the way to anywhere and unless you study the park map, you may miss it. During the … [Read more...]
Before I start this article, I'd like to mention a little about my experiences with Pleasureland. My first visit to the park was probably in 1995 or 1996. Even at that time, the park was still a vast collection of fairground rides with some historic rides (including the famous Cyclone ride) dotted around the park. I then visited two or three times a year until the park closed for good in September … [Read More...]
