Spooky season is upon us and it’s going to be my very first trip to Scarefest. Well… I’m booked to go for 2 days the weekend before Halloween but need to fix the mystery noise coming from one of my passenger side wheels first. No car, no spooks.

For some reason, i haven’t got an Alton Towers season pass (although I’ve already had 3 days there so far this season) but there was a great deal where I could book 2 days for £44 and on top of that, I’ve booked a Travelodge about a 30 minute drive away from Alton Towers. I know I could’ve booked a closer hotel but not for £32.

Im still unsure about the scare mazes. Do I just book the Terror of the Towers maze or pay for all the mazes? I don’t want to be doing mazes all day and even then, I could do one and think it’s shite (or too scary. 😂). The reality is I’ll probably book a slot closer to the day as I am incredibly indecisive.

I won’t lie, I’m extremely excited about riding Wicker Man and Nemesis in the dark. This is the main reason I’m going to Scarefest. I mean, just a few weeks ago I was making peace with Oakwood being my last theme park trip of the season but all of you hyping up Halloween events has got me curious. In all fairness, this time last year i wanted to go to a big event but didn’t have the courage to go on the big rides and I had to break myself in gently with a trip to Drayton Manor.

It’s going to be a great weekend.

Let me know what scare events you are going to this year…

Luke

Over the last year I’ve tried a fair few types of coaster but there must be a reason 2/3 of my top 3 coasters are woodies. Okay, I’ve only been on 2 but they are both regarded as the best wooden coasters in the country (there’s not much competition to be fair) so I’m putting them head to head and I’ll give you my opinion on each one.

Wicker Man is a 2018 GCI family coaster based at Alton Towers with millennium flyer trains, world class theming and use of fire and effects.

Megafobia is a 1996 CCI based at Oakwood Theme Park and features tonnes of airtime, a wicked first drop and beautiful views of Pembrokeshire so which one is better?

This question is extremely hard because they are both beautiful in different ways. Wicker Man is the younger, sleeker and sexier one whilst Megafobia is the older, more experienced one. It’s definitely about taste.

TRAINS/CARS

Wicker Man’s Millennium flyer trains are flawlessly designed with comfortable seats but the restraint is very restrictive.  Megafobia’s trains are pretty much stock vehicles and they have a bright orange lap bar and seatbelt so it’s double the restraint with less airtime restriction. Overall the Wicker Man trains flow better throughout the layout and I actually like the restraint system.

Winner: Wicker Man

TRACK/LAYOUT

I won’t spoil either layout but each coaster has its pro’s and con’s. Megafobia relies on speed, steep drops and airtime to thrill riders. The coaster isn’t rough but definitely has a couple of jolts at the end which does whip you into your co-rider. Wicker Man is more about banked turns and smaller drops which helps gather speed. I love the smooth track design and it’s profiled perfectly. My only problem is the fact it’s a pretty short ride. Overall I would say Megafobia wins this section. My only improvement would be to make the banked turns steeper and to iron out the jolts.

Winner: Megafobia

QUEUE

Do I really need to go through this? Wicker Man has the best queue in the country. You see a different perspective at every corner, the music is outstanding, the “no food beyond this point” sign is legendary (despite having a shop a few yards before it), the show building is amazing and it’s a full experience in itself. Megafobia has restricted views and you can only see the top of the lift hill when you approach the station. The music is great and the bushes surrounding the queue are nice but it’s certainly lacking in comparison. The wasps really take the piss in the Megafobia queue too. I mean, in hot weather it’s ridiculous. They were hanging round a bin and guests were dodging them all day. Not good at all.

Winner: Wicker Man

STATION

Megafobia has a wooden shelter. It’s not impressive but the ride more than makes up for the negativities. Don’t forget Oakwood doesn’t have the attendance or funding compared to Alton Towers. Wicker Man has a gorgeous station with a genuine sinister vibe. The fire effect at the back of the station looks so good and the lighting adds to the overall experience.

Winner: Wicker Man

INTENSITY

Megafobia is incredibly intense from start to finish. It’s like a wooden Nemesis. It’s genuinely thrilling throughout and every airtime moment flows into the next. I’m still blown away by this coaster and really hope to ride it again next year. Wicker Man can be very intense but never mind numbingly intense. The best ride I’ve had on it was in the rain at the end of the day with all effects working. It was flying around the track but I think the smoothness takes away some of the intensity and there’s no ‘arse in your throat’ moment you get on Megafobia.

Winner: Megafobia

THEMING

Wicker Man’s theming still blows me away. The “Big Bob” structure is incredibly intimidating and the pre-show room/station is fully themed from floor to ceiling. This along with the music makes this a clear winner. I would talk about Megafobia’s theme but I doesn’t really have one. The Creepy Crawler Pinfari at Oakwood is actually better themed than the star attraction (it actually has a theme).

Winner: Wicker Man

OVERALL WINNER: Wicker Man

So there’s my honest opinion on both coasters. If it was based on just the coaster, Megafobia would definitely win but Wicker Man has more to offer. If ‘fobia got a GCI re-track and some kickass theming I would 100% put it as my number 1 so it sits at number 3, under Wickie and Nemesis. Wicker Man has an intense and fun layout with exceptional theming and a world class pre show. It fully deserves to be my favourite coaster.

 

This time 1 year ago I had 1 coaster credit from around 2000. I hadn’t been on a roller coaster since due to a stupid fear and general anxiety. Just over a year ago I started watching theme park vlogs and the rest is history. Here’s my personal top 10 (of the credits I have acquired since October 2018. I’m currently sitting on 21). Half of these are also family coasters. I rate some of them higher than thrill coasters and the way I rank a coaster isn’t about the airtime or intensity. It’s about how much fun I have. So here it is…

10. Troublesome Trucks (Drayton Manor)

This Gerstlauer family coaster really is fantastic. It’s one of the best themed family coasters in the UK and contains a pretty unique (and intense) first drop helix. The trains are the Troublesome Trucks (from Thomas the Tank Engine) and it’s definitely a fun little ride. It scrapes into the top 10, narrowly beating Treetops at Oakwood.

9. The Smiler (Alton Towers)

Im not the biggest fan of this ride due to the rattle and jolts but all in all, it’s a very impressive and fun experience. The reason I decided to put it into my top 10 was it’s saving grace. The 2 airtime hills are absolutely immense. I absolutely shat myself going through them and it really tied the ride together. It’s still a record beating beast at 14 inversions and fully deserves a place here.

8. Velociraptor (Paultons Park)

I can already see people shaking their heads at this decision and I’ll just explain why it’s placed 8th. It’s a bloody good coaster. It’s not the tallest or fastest coaster around but this family boomerang’s layout is so compact, it absolutely bolts through the banked turns and gives a nice pop of airtime when the train goes over the station. It’s easily the best family boomerang in the country with a gorgeous purple and green colour scheme, a compact yet spacious figure 8 layout which is genuinely intense and smooth. It’s fun for all the family.

7. Oblivion (Alton Towers)

Ah, the original B+M dive coaster. After 21 years it still packs a punch. This was one of the coasters I had mad anxiety about riding but ended up being one of the most fun. I admit, the lift hill anticipation and the dangle before the drop is diarrhoea inducing but the drop itself was incredibly thrilling and certainly packs a punch. It’s a spectacle to watch too. It is definitely a legendary coaster in the UK (though extremely short).

6. Th13teen (Alton Towers)

Yes, yes it’s not a massive thrill machine but it’s a high thrill family coaster with some bloody good elements. I genuinely feel the drop track is the weakest point of the ride. The first drop is pretty high and steep, the banked turns really throw you around and the reverse section in the dark really is disorientating (yet fun). I know the airtime hills are trimmed but that’s for safety as the train used to fly into the show building too fast. It’s still tonnes of fun and is an underrated classic.

5. Flight of the Pterosaur (Paultons Park)

I really love this ride. Yet again, it’s not the biggest or fastest but it makes up for it in so many ways. It’s a Vekoma family suspended coaster and really makes you feel exposed as you take twists and turns around the track with a perfectly designed and comfortable lap bar. It also feels much faster on ride than off, the theming has incredible rock work and animatronic dinosaurs underneath your feet as you fly and a very intense helix at the end. It’s also extremely smooth. I highly recommend you all try this one out.

4. Galactica (Alton Towers)

I have no idea why people don’t like this coaster. The only problem I had was I literally JUST fit into the restraints. I’m a big lad and really had to squeeze my gut in. Other than that, I didn’t find the restraints uncomfortable, I absolutely love the sensation of flying and it’s just a beautiful ride. The first drop into the portal was a mega highlight and I will be sad if I’m too fat for it next time.

3. Megafobia (Oakwood theme park)

This CCI wooden coaster is an absolute monster. I found it relatively smooth (with exception of a couple of corners), the part where you are pretty much standing up during the first drop, the airtime is absolutely insane and it feels out of control throughout. It’s a John Wardley classic and actually feels like a wooden Nemesis. The only area it lacks is the theming. Well… it’s not themed. It just has a sinister logo and soundtrack. It is a beast though.

2. Nemesis (Alton Towers)

Still arguably the best roller coaster in the UK after 25 years and it’s still going strong. I had my first ride on it this year and it was just incredible. The speed and force is something I’ve never experienced before and it certainly has the X factor. It’s stunning off ride and deserves to be one of the most iconic rides in the UK. My personal highlight of the ride is the zero G roll over the station. That takes me by surprise every time and it really does live up to the hype.

1. Wicker Man

”But it’s a family ride”. It is but it’s a very thrilling family ride. This is my number 1 because of the complete package. For the coaster alone, I would’ve pushed it down to 3rd but this ride has the perfect queue, theming, soundtrack, pre show, baggage system and the ride itself feels very fast due to the compact layout. It’s not big on airtime but the banked twists and turns are so seamless and neat that it’s just a joy to ride. I’ll also say, if you ride it in the rain at the end of the day with all effects on, it’s a better ride than Megafobia. I love everything about this coaster and is easily the most fun experience I’ve had at a theme park.

So there it is. My top 10. What’s yours?

Luke.

Ah, Wales. The country I grew up in. Even though I was born and raised in South East Wales, it was lush taking a week long trip to West Wales with my family.

I know Oakwood gets stick for being a long way from most places in the UK but it really is worth the trek. It took 4 hours of travelling to get from Gloucestershire to Tenby (where we stayed) and it absolutely pissed down the entire journey. Okay, we didn’t go exclusively for Oakwood but for me, that was the day I was most looking forward to. Throughout most of the week we took trips around Tenby but we also got to explore 2 parks. These were Folly Farm and Oakwood. I won’t say too much about Folly Farm as this blog is mainly my thoughts on Megafobia and Oakwood but I have to say, if you are in the area I would highly recommend it. There’s animals, a petting area and the vintage fun fair is absolutely incredible. Rides are an extra charge but at £15 entry and 50p-£1 a ride, I don’t think that’s bad at all. The Waltzer is extra spicy too. Got some wicked spins on it.

Now Oakwood is a park I’ve only been to once before and that was for a Mcfly concert when I was in my teens. Back then I was scared shitless of big rides so didn’t get on anything. It was also pretty run down back then. This time was a different story. The park itself is beautiful and has comfortably made it to my second favourite park in the UK. They have some kick ass rides such as Spooky 3D, ‘Treetops’ which is an amazing family coaster based in the woods (it’s got Th13teen vibes), Witch Hunt (scare maze) and the Creepy Crawler roller coaster but the main attraction for me was Megafobia. I was expecting a huge bumpy mess of a coaster but it exceeded all expectations. The seats and restraints were surprisingly comfortable. They use a bright orange lap bar and seat belt. I personally had a massive brain fart whilst boarding for the first time and momentarily forgot how to fasten a seatbelt. It wasn’t one of my finest moments.

So the ride itself is an absolute beast from the first drop and hardly loses momentum. Okay, it slows for one of the turnaround sections but it gives you a moment of suspense before another drop. I have to say, it’s packed with airtime and after rain It feels out of control. I did manage a few rides on it and it speeds up A LOT at the end of the day. I won’t spoil the layout but it’s essentially airtime all the way round and that first drop is spectacular. The only negative I can find is the jolt that occurs during the last slightly banked turn. It’s not painful but does bash you into your co-rider.

As rankings go, it is currently my number 3 with only Nemesis and Wicker Man in front. I’m well aware that Megafobia is a superior coaster to Wicker Man but I rate it on levels of fun, not airtime or inversions. In all fairness, my top 3 are incredibly close to each other and may even swap around from time to time. If Megafobia had Wicker Man’s theming it would easily be my number 1 coaster but in terms of immersion and fun, it just misses out. It’s essentially the Nemesis of woodies and offers so much but apart from a thrilling experience it lacks immersion. I’m still buzzing from this coaster and I highly recommend you get to west Wales and check it out.

 

Luke

I want to talk about the Smiler at Alton Towers. This ride was a bucket list coaster for a long time. I mean, a year ago I wouldn’t have even considered it but I did it and wanted to share my honest opinion.

I took my first ride on it a few weeks ago and i have to admit, it was probably my least favourite SW coaster. I know people love it and I’ve heard nothing but praise this season but I really thought it had a rattle and that jolt near the end was unforgivable. For a coaster this popular I expected something better. I understand seating is a big factor in wether you get a shit ride or not but It shows the lack of consistency with it. It’s not the worst coaster I’ve ever taken a ride on but it could’ve been so much more. It’s literally inversion after inversion and believe me, that second lift hill break was needed.

Okay, that’s the negative stuff, now for the positives. Despite it not being glass smooth and totally reliant on inversions there’s some great moments. The first was leaving the station. That drop and heartline roll was such a great way to kick it off. The next is the airtime moments. I had a couple of great pops and it really was a nice break from the “loopy loops”.

Another fantastic moment was the video package that plays just before the second (vertical) lift hill. That video was fucked yo but not offensive and really got me pumped for the second half.

The second half itself was a blur (except for that damn jolt). The inversions happen so fast and it kind of feels rushed towards the end but is definitely fun.

Overall it’s a good coaster with lots of bragging rights and elements but I did find it a bit janky.

If you are a theme park enthusiast based in the UK, you may have been blocked by Theme Park Review. For those that don’t know TPR, they are the most popular theme park website/YouTube/Twitter in the world (for some reason).

Its commonly known that they are a bit power hungry and block anyone that disagrees with them. It has been a running joke in the community for a ping time but over the last few months they have been blocking UK enthusiasts for NO REASON. This is stupid because they are isolating a potential fan base and creating more haters than fans. Despite all of this, they retain the millions of views, fans and YouTube subs. It’s unfortunate that a big website like that can act very unprofessional but there it is.

I hope Robb Alvey can be less of an idiot in the future and just embrace other people’s opinions but I think he enjoys being a man child.

 

Paying for parking can be a huge nut ache but it is sometimes a necessity. You have parks like Blackpool Pleasure beach who charge around £18 for a parking space, Paultons Park who have free parking and the Merlin parks, who charge £5-£10 for a day.

I don’t mind paying around £5-£7 for a day but BPB’s £18 really takes the piss. I know they are a family owned park but the charge is absolutely ridiculous. I can see if the money goes into the amusement park but the high price exploits guests. It’s bad enough that they charge close to £200 for a season pass.

Merlin Parks have the price nailed. Thorpe Park is £7 booked in advance and Alton Towers is £6. I find these quite reasonable. It’s not too extortionate, especially if you have a few guests tagging along.

Theres a number of theme parks that have free parking. I love this. It shows that the park isn’t about the money, it’s about keeping guests happy and to be honest, happy guests spend more money.

If any theme parks read this (they probably won’t), please keep parking costs down. When you include food, drinks, ride photos and merchandise it can be extremely costly. Keep your guests happy. I understand it pays for the upkeep and more rides but don’t get too cocky .

LB

For many of you youngsters, the time will come when you have kids of your own. Obviously it doesn’t apply to everyone or maybe you already have kids and stumbled across my blog.

Theme park trips with younger kids is a completely different experience than going with friends or partner. Here’s a list of positive and negative points to parenting at theme parks.

1. Excuse to ride smaller coasters.

Sometimes getting a cred isn’t easy, especially when there’s coasters aimed at children. Needless to say, it’s easier getting the Octonauts credit when you have children with you.

2. They slow you down.

UK parks have bad opening hours and it’s well known throughout the community but imagine having a short amount of time and having to stop for drink/nappy changing/toilet breaks every 90 minutes. Also pushing a buggy can slow things down.

3. Seeing them enjoy themselves.

Its self explanatory but seeing your child enjoy themselves at a theme park is the most rewarding thing. Every parent loves seeing their kids enjoy themselves and where better than on a ride?

4. Long queues? Not a chance.

My best advice is to go on a quiet day if you have small children. Queue times can be long and it’s incredibly difficult trying to entertain a 2 year old in a 60 minute queue at Peppa Pig World.

5. You’re creating memories.

They may piss you off for much of the day but it’s nice having them share the happy times and more importantly, you are bonding as a family.

I’m sure there’s more but I’m too lazy to think of more.

Cheers for reading. ❤️

Before we go any further, I just want to say it’s my personal opinion and I know people have different views so please don’t bitch at me. Please don’t trigger at this.

What makes a good coaster?

Is it airtime? Inversions? Intensity? Speed? My honest answer is No. I’ve enjoyed slow coasters with no airtime and no inversions so I’m ruling that out. Maybe it’s theming? Nah, you can still have a shit coaster with decent props so what do I think makes or breaks a coaster? I honestly believe it has to have a decent layout and it has to be smooth. That’s why I hate the Smiler. It has tonnes of inversions, airtime (even with OTSR) and has great theming but I find it unbearable (i only took one ride but a good coaster needs to give consistently good rides). It was rough, the last few inversions were hell and I really didn’t enjoy it. Not only that, the layout is inversion after inversion and gets boring very quickly.

I like rides that take you on a journey. I’ve been on family coasters I’ve enjoyed a hell of a lot more. For example, Flight of the Pterosaur at Paultons Park isn’t huge, fast, it has 0 inversions and there’s no airtime but it’s a majestically smooth family ride with fantastic theming and fantastic lap bars. It sits proudly in my top 10 above the Smiler and Oblivion. I’m not sure how others rate their top 10 lists but mine is purely on how much fun I had whilst riding the coaster. I seriously rate family coasters quite high because they are no frills with decent thrills. Don’t get me wrong, Wacky Worm coasters won’t reach my top 10 but there’s a lot of family coasters out there that can compete with thrill coasters.

Look at Wicker Man. I know people don’t like it because they compare it to other woodies but it has so much that other coasters don’t have. It has world class theming, it’s smooth, it whips you around, the layout takes you on a journey through the Wicker Man structure and it has bonus airtime. It’s still regarded as a family coaster but it has everything I love and more.

What makes a great coaster for you? I’d love to know your opinion.

We all know Butlins isn’t known for rollercoasters but the core of my enthusiasm started here… Twice.

I used to take family holidays at the Minehead resort as a child back in the 90s and it’s always been one of my happy places. I love the cheese, the fun fair, the smell, the entertainment and the whole atmosphere is so positive. It’s similar to the love people have for Disney parks.

So how does this relate to Theme Park enthusiasm? Well it started in the mid 90’s and there was a powered Dragon rollercoaster and even though it was small, I was always intimidated by it. I was a pretty cautious child and seeing it whip around the track made me super anxious. Every year or two this ride would be there and I wished I had the balls to ride it. Fast forward to 1998 and my sister persuaded me to take a ride. It was horrible. It used to jolt you into the side of your seat and was incredibly uncomfortable. This (of course) cemented my childhood dislike of rollercoasters. I never took a ride on that coaster ever again.

The year 2000 was the last year I went to Butlins as a child. We started going abroad more often and as the years past I kind of missed the resort. I started going back in 2009 and the coaster was gone. At the time I didn’t give a shit but thinking back, I mean… it was my first and only cred for 20 years.

Fast forward to 2018 and I’m back for the first time with a family of my own and I had a new nemesis in the shape of a huge water slide called the ‘Space Bowl’.

You know I said I was a ‘cautious child’? Yeah, I fucking lied. I’m a cautious adult too and I was tired of it. I subconsciously set up limitations in my head and it makes me pretty boring. Getting the slide cred was the first step I took to break away from the bullshit rules, anxiety and expectations. I took the plunge and had a huge feeling of accomplishment. It was just fantastic.

When we got home I was still psyched so started watching water slide POV videos. During a mini binge I clicked on one of the recommended videos and it was our friends from Theme Park Worldwide and I was hooked.

So there we go….

 

Thanks for reading my blog.