Oakwood Discussion

[jon81uk]

The toboggens would also make some sense with Bluestone. They could have a nice mini-park with megaphobia, toboggens and a couple of smaller rides.

 

[Coaster]

A throwback to 2008 Oakwood. 10pm close with live bands every day during August, a much fuller ride lineup, crystal maze experience across the road, and £14.95 entry! Such good times.

 

[Benzin]

Crystal Maze experience was great fun when I did it.

 

[Enter Valhalla]

A throwback to 2008 Oakwood. 10pm close with live bands every day during August, a much fuller ride lineup, crystal maze experience across the road, and £14.95 entry! Such good times.

There were actually two versions of the 2008 map: the first one which the McNamaras did, which had loads more entertainment and live costume characters on it, and this one, which is the second version of the 2008 map to include all of Aspro’s cuts.

In 2007 and earlier, After Dark had several shows in different venues around the park, then the 21:30 show was a dance show on the main stage. In 2008, Aspro cut all of that and reduced After Dark to just a band on the stage and then the fireworks. In 2009 they then cut After Dark completely.

It returned in 2011 two nights a week. After Dark from 2013 to 2024 was actually still pretty good. Live bands and fireworks every night that the event was running.

 

[Coaster]

There were actually two versions of the 2008 map: the first one which the McNamaras did, which had loads more entertainment and live costume characters on it, and this one, which is the second version of the 2008 map to include all of Aspro’s cuts.

In 2007 and earlier, After Dark had several shows in different venues around the park, then the 21:30 show was a dance show on the main stage. In 2008, Aspro cut all of that and reduced After Dark to just a band on the stage and then the fireworks. In 2009 they then cut After Dark completely.

It returned in 2011 two nights a week. After Dark from 2013 to 2024 was actually still pretty good. Live bands and fireworks every night that the event was running.

Interesting! I remember vividly how incredible After Dark was in the years before 2008. I have memories of there being a fountain show, live bands on the stage and a buzzing atmosphere around the park. Also watching the entertainment from on Bounce, trying to get the side facing everything.

Did Megafobia always close early for the fireworks? I'm sure I remember riding it near on 10pm, many years ago, literally seconds before they started. Memory might be playing tricks though.

 

[JamesP]

Yeh it was always great and an incredible offering when they used to do it every night, something not offered at any other uk parks. I’ll have to dig out my 90s leaflets with after dark on. I remember the calypso bar which in recent years became the arcade by dizzy disk. Had occasional monsoon rain throughout the evening!

Megafobia used to run right up till fireworks, but as they were always launched from back there during the McNamara years, they must have closed it a bit before 10 to make sure it wasn’t running during the fireworks!

Edit: This Flickr account has scanned in a lot of old park maps which are a great nostalgia blast https://www.flickr.com/photos/197074979@N05/albums/72177720305110731/with/52617791806

 

[Enter Valhalla]

Did Megafobia always close early for the fireworks? I'm sure I remember riding it near on 10pm, many years ago, literally seconds before they started. Memory might be playing tricks though.

Not always. 2008 was the one year when the fireworks were set off from the other side of the park. This was (I presume) due to the Bluestone construction site being behind Megafobia, so on that year alone the fireworks were set off from a platform next to Speed. It was quite weird actually because you’d be watching the band on the main stage, then you’d hear the announcement saying “everyone turn around and look at Speed to see the fireworks”. But yeah, because of this, in 2008, Megafobia stayed open till 10pm (I rode it one time while the fireworks were going off on the other side of the park), and on those days Speed would close early.

In 2011, there were no fireworks during After Dark, so Megafobia would have been open till 10pm. Also in 2013, they ran After Dark every Wednesday in July with no fireworks (the fireworks were only in August) so Megafobia would have been open till 10pm then. The July late nights without fireworks were mainly put on for the ferry visitors from Ireland.

 

[Coaster]

Not always. 2008 was the one year when the fireworks were set off from the other side of the park. This was (I presume) due to the Bluestone construction site being behind Megafobia, so on that year alone the fireworks were set off from a platform next to Speed. It was quite weird actually because you’d be watching the band on the main stage, then you’d hear the announcement saying “everyone turn around and look at Speed to see the fireworks”. But yeah, because of this, in 2008, Megafobia stayed open till 10pm (I rode it one time while the fireworks were going off on the other side of the park), and on those days Speed would close early.

In 2011, there were no fireworks during After Dark, so Megafobia would have been open till 10pm. Also in 2013, they ran After Dark every Wednesday in July with no fireworks (the fireworks were only in August) so Megafobia would have been open till 10pm then. The July late nights without fireworks were mainly put on for the ferry visitors from Ireland.

Ahh yes, now that you say that I remember going to some of the ones without fireworks.