Attraction History
The Skyride opened in 1987, replacing the park's original Cable Car system, which operated out of a station that was located in roughly the same spot that is now home to Pirates Quest arcade in Mutiny Bay. The small open-air, 4 person Cable Cars transported guests to a station in the Gardens, which was on the same site as the current Forbidden Valley Skyride Station.
This older system was a world away from the much higher capacity and more expansive system that was put in its place with the arrival of the Skyride, which for the first time took guests over the Gardens, offering spectacular views. Until the Skyride opened, the park also offered road trains, such as the Sunliner Trains or older Towers Express, which would transport guests from the park entrance to Festival Park, the home of the Corkscrew.
Work started on the ride's installation in 1985, requiring the relocation of the park's short-lived Ferris Wheel in Festival Park. At the time, it represented the second-largest investment in the theme park, behind the Monorail, which was built and opened the same season. The civil engineering for the project was carried out by Sir Robert McAlpine, the same company behind the installation of the Rapids and Monorail.
The original fleet of Gondolas were described by the park as ' crystal-shaped spheres, each seating up to 12 passengers', with each gondola 'over 8ft from floor to ceiling and with a near circular shape over 9ft in diameter.' Each gondola weighed roughly 1028kg when empty.
The Skyride was officially opened in 1987, by Prince Edward, and was originally sponsored by Kodak.
Fires and 2009 Revamp
During Scarefest 2007 a fire broke out in the central station at Forbidden Valley. The roof of the station building was damaged, as well as the interior. As a result, the Skyride was shut for a six-month period whilst the ride and station were repaired, reopening partway through the 2008 season.
By this time, the gondolas had become dated due to their unmistakable 80s style and feel. The old fleet were therefore fully retired for the 2009 season and replaced by a new fleet of bright, multicoloured gondolas, which gave the ride a massive visual improvement.
Unfortunately, shortly after this upgrade, another fire broke out on the evening of the 21st July 2009 - this fire occurred in the Fountain Square station, and completely gutted the building. The Skyride remained out of action for the rest of the season, until a new station was designed and built, ready for the start of the 2010 season.
2023 Closure and Refurb
The Skyride unexpectedly did not open for the 2023 season. Eventually, in August, the park announced that the ride would not open that season whilst essential maintenance work was carried out.
It was expected the ride would reopen for 2024, and the park began to install new signage and decoration occurred in the stations shortly before the season. But just one week before the season began, the park eventually announced the ride would be closed for another season as part of a much larger refurbishment project, and the park are now preparing the ride to reopen in 2025.
Skyride Evacuation
One of the most demanding jobs to have on park is that of the Skyride Evacuation Team. At its highest point the Skyride hangs at over 200ft over the Gardens, so during an evacuation it is challenging to get a member of staff to each cabin, let alone getting guests back to the ground.
In the event of an evacuation, specially trained members of staff from across the park form teams in order to minimise the length of time it takes to empty the ride of guests.
These photos were shared with us by Mark, and show an evacuation taking place on 10th June 1991. Mark was working at the park as an automatics technician, and on that day was working in one of the park’s arcades before getting the call to support the evacuation of the Skyride
Back in 1991, in order to evacuate the Skyride, members of the team first ascended one of the pylons before traversing along the cable to the first cabin. Once on the roof of the cabin, they would then open the doors and use a Speleo ladder to enter. Each guest in the cabin would be individually harnessed and then lowered to the awaiting ground crew. Once each cabin was clear, the team would move along the cable to the next.