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Rita: General Discussion

CrashCoaster

CrashCoaster

TS Member
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Hyperia
I'm surprised there isn't already a thread for this, but I'd like to discuss Rita for two reasons. Number one; how much longer do we realistically think the coaster has left at the park and two; is it just me or does the coaster seem to be running very well this season? It seems more intense and fast to me this year, which absolutely is a positive. As for how long the coaster has left, honestly, I think we will see SW9 built elsewhere and Rita to go after that has opened. I imagine we will see it around for another 5 years at least. What are your thoughts?

Also does anyone know why the ride is closed today?
 
People are always far too pessimistic/ optimistic (depending on your view) when anticipating how long a coaster has left.

These things are built to last. It has 15 more years left in it at least.
 
Rita is very just 'Okay' it sometimes rides great and sometimes rides terribly. It costs a lot to maintain for not a lot of gain.
ATI said:
Number one; how much longer do we realistically think the coaster has left at the park
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Not that long left really. I don't think It'll go for SW9 but will almost certainly go for SW10. So if SW9 opens in 2025 (possibly earlier) we could expect Rita to close in 2027 which gives it 6 years left. By that time it would cost even more to repair and may even need track work.
 
There's many better rides out there, it was a great shirt term fix but RITA and the area could much better. Replace it with a Vekoma Space Warp and get a better ride in place
 
For as long as I've been a member of this forum, salivating or speculating about the removal of Rita (and Spinball) repeatedly gets brought up.

Genuine question - why? As far as I'm aware, there's nothing mechanically or structurally wrong with it and it's probably only half way through its life span so too new to remove and probably too old to make it financially viable to deconstruct and flog on. It doesn't have any planning controversy attached to it. It's still popular with guests. Surely no one is naive enough to think that a park that can't even afford to open Walliams World properly would remove a perfectly good working coaster with a unique experience within the lineup because it looks out of place?

It resides opposite some obviously prehistoric themed buildings painted grey and not far from a black painted warehouse dressed with cheap bamboo located in the middle of a "new area" with flaking primary colours already coming off the walls - all of which could probably be sorted and have a better return on investment than Rita's removal and scrapping costs alone which would add no benefit to the park other than you won't have to look at it anymore.

So I'd be interested to understand why this subject keeps getting brought up? Is there something wrong with it I'm not aware of?
 
But you have to think of the freaks, geeks and happy clappers...there are dedicated enthusiasts out there whose special needs must be catered for.
 
Yeah I really can't see Rita being removed anytime soon, but I wouldn't be mad about it, it can give a really good ride, as it did for me in June!
 
Really like it tbh. The launch into the first corner is one of the better moments on the park despite the remainder of the ride being a bit more forgettable.
For me it's always about the queue time - 20 mins or less and it's well worth it but can see how people would feel let down if they waited a significant time given it's over in a flash.

Something not mentioned yet is the view of the station and ride as the skyride approaches dark forest - always think that's pretty cool.

I'd personally expect spinball whizzer and runaway mine train to be removed or reimagined before they'd consider Rita. Be surprised if anything more significant than a re-theming occurred over the next 10 years.
 
I think the reason so many people think Rita will be removed first (me included) is because of maintenance cost. It is the most expensive attraction to maintain at Towers and if they build another launch coaster it will make all that cost redundant. Yes parks can and do have more than one launch coaster but this is different because a Alton Towers only has a few places they can actually build something new and this space is primed for something big and exciting.
I think it has still got a while left and I don't think it'll be removed for the next SW but there's a good chance it will be removed for SW10 when the times comes.
 
I'd always found it pretty awful and would have been happy to see it go, however last weekend went some way to changing my opinion. Had a front row seat at the start of the day and it was, well, good - very fast and smooth and definitely not a bad start to the day as I'd expected it to be. It might have been the front-row effect, would probably have to ride it again to be sure, but it did seem to be running well. Didn't realize there was a lot of difference between the two trains - we got the purple one I think.

The themeing is all wrong though, if it's going to stay that whole Dark Forest area needs a rethink
 
Not always, with how slow main queue can be at busy times (due to FT/RAP) I've managed to use front row to reduce my wait a couple of times. Worked particularly well on a scarefest morning due to all the hotel fastrack
 
RoyJess said:
Front row is brilliant, especially at night, but not worth the extra queueing time (when front queue line is open)
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Agreed, we got lucky in the morning as it was a walk on (we'd already bailed on The Smiler) and just happened to get the front. A night ride would be fun, will have to make that happen later in the year!
 
Went on Rita when it first opened and haven't ridden since. I didn't enjoy the launch, I didn't like the feeling, it felt like I couldn't breathe after the launch! I'm not sure if that's just because it was my first ever launched coaster though. Trying to psych myself up to ride it again because I'm heading to Florida late next year and there's some coasters I would love to ride, but they're launches and I feel like if I dislike Rita, I'm going to REALLY dislike them!
 
Front row, at night, at Scarefest, with the smoke machine just before the first turn…. Amazing. I do like Rita at night!
 
In case anyone is thinking about purchasing the (very expensive) launch rope plaque (or just wants to see what it looks like up close), here's an unboxing video from Lift Hills and Thrills. :)

 
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