AltonLover123
TS Member
Totally, but it happens at Merlin already, on Smiler. If they have further wind alarm they perform the evac which prevents a potential stall. It seems they just need the same policy on Hyperia.
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[2024] Thorpe Park: Hyperia - Mack Hypercoaster
- Thread starter Burbs
- Start date
Totally, but it happens at Merlin already, on Smiler. If they have further wind alarm they perform the evac which prevents a potential stall. It seems they just need the same policy on Hyperia.
At first read, without reading backwards, this comment seemed like a stupid comment from a daft person; then upon reading about the lift walks and pre-requisite, I realised it was genius sarcasm!!!!!
It did make me think seriously about my own situation. Due to a fear of heights I am 99% certain I could not do a lift hill walk. I have no issue going on Hyperia, but if I were stuck at the top of the lift hill, and needed to be evac'd my feat of heights would really kick in. I am now wondering, am I a selfish person, in that such an evac would put huge demands on the skills of those trying to help me. In the worst case I might freeze and require specialist emergency service people to get me down. Is it wrong to ride Hyperia, if the small risk but subsequent huge fear of a FREE lift hill walk is very real????
Just a thought considering the run of breakdowns Hyperia is having.
DiogoJ42
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- The Metropolitan Line
I wonder, would you be allowed to descend the lift hill steps backwards, navy style? That might help as you wouldn't have to look down.
.... But then I suspect that would be more dangerous, since most people aren't accustomed to doing that. (There are some very steep stairs and rickety catwalks in studios. You get used to it quickly.)
.... But then I suspect that would be more dangerous, since most people aren't accustomed to doing that. (There are some very steep stairs and rickety catwalks in studios. You get used to it quickly.)
My issue with heights is less on the looking down, more on ability (read inability) to hold on and deal with a slip/accident. A harness attached to side raill would not help - tried that at Bear Grylls and it did not help!!!! The point b2311e makes is genius in many ways. I have never been evac'd off of another ride, so it would be a baptism of fear on Hyperia. Although the point is clearly meant to be sarcasm aimed at Merlin, I am considering forcing myself to do a lift hill walk on another ride to prepare for a potential evac. The genious point really has made me confront the reality of something I had never seriously faced before. Sometimes the simplest of things said in the right way can have profound unforseen consequences!!!
At the end of the day if you're harnessed onto the stairs the risk of anything beyond bruising from falling over is minimal, albeit it doesn't seem that way,
Suspect that the flight and fight response would kick in and you'd be braver than you think you might be given the necessity of the situation. I wouldn't enjoy it either but I'd do it if needed.
Suspect that the flight and fight response would kick in and you'd be braver than you think you might be given the necessity of the situation. I wouldn't enjoy it either but I'd do it if needed.
It would help though because if you slipped you wouldn't fall off.
I get the point about being crippled with fear etc but ultimately if you slipped you'd fall over and you'd be able to get up and carry on, so the harness absolutely does help.
Of course, agree the harness would help on the physical level. On the Bear Grylls, as you point out, crippled with fear still creapt (rushed) in, as I could not comprehend the possibility of slipping. As with any (ir)rational fear, the thought of slipping and hanging in mid air etc, is the thought most in the mind. I would hope fight and flight would kick in, but one never knows. Certainly considering a lift hill walk on a smaller ride to prepare myself.
To answer your questuion, no it's not selfish.
The chances of an evac are thankfully very low and if it did happen the staff are trained to deal with it and with individual guest's own fears. It's worth remembering that it's one thing to not be scared of heights in the sense that you'd willingly agree to a lift hill walk, but quite another to be concious that something has 'gone wrong' meaning you need to evactuate the ride, especially as it's likely to be from the top of the lift so you've had no time to get used to it. The reason I'm saying that is nobody ever knows how they will react to having that kind of situation thrust upon them without preparing mentally so many people who don't consider themselves scared of heights may suddenly react badly to that kind of a situation.
If you are considering a lift hill walk Wickerman may be a good one to start with.
DiogoJ42
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- The Metropolitan Line
The only lift hill I've walked is Air's. I found it to be one of the sturdiest, most rock-solid, least scary things I have climbed. Almost anticlimactic.
Heights don't bother me, but I do sympathise. I had a very weird moment descending the internal steps of Dungeoness lighthouse once. Something about the warped perspective of looking down a spiral wrapped round the inside of a cone, with very few windows and no horizon to get my bearings from. Everything went all Hitchcock on me started stretching off in to the distance. It was actually a pretty cool illusion.... if it didn't make me feel like I was about to fall down the stairs.
I'm curious: those of you with this unfortunate (for our hobby) phobia, does it still hit you when you are on a train going up lift hill under normal operations, or is that OK because you are strapped in? Are top hats like Stealth's too quick to matter?
.... Probably more complicated than that, isn't it?
Heights don't bother me, but I do sympathise. I had a very weird moment descending the internal steps of Dungeoness lighthouse once. Something about the warped perspective of looking down a spiral wrapped round the inside of a cone, with very few windows and no horizon to get my bearings from. Everything went all Hitchcock on me started stretching off in to the distance. It was actually a pretty cool illusion.... if it didn't make me feel like I was about to fall down the stairs.
I'm curious: those of you with this unfortunate (for our hobby) phobia, does it still hit you when you are on a train going up lift hill under normal operations, or is that OK because you are strapped in? Are top hats like Stealth's too quick to matter?
.... Probably more complicated than that, isn't it?
Everybody is different of course. I was in the Hyperia queue line last year, with a father and daughter. The father was scared of heights, genuinely, and under no circumstances could he open his eyes going up / over the lift hill. His daughter appeared amused!!!! For me I have no issue opening my eyes going up the Hyperia lift hill, and looking down as it overtops. However, I have to "hold on" at that overtop moment, that is the fear, the need to assure my mind I am not going to have an incident. However, I can then lift my arms up, have my eyes open, and enjoy the ride. You are 100% spot on, it is complicated!!! Though put me near a real cliff edge, and I will behave like a little child and emotionaly melt down. Dropping 236 foot on Hyperia, YES, dropping 200 foot on a springy rope, NO!!!!! The risk of the rope breaking would throw a switch in my mind and prevent me from doing it. The risk of Hyperia and all its metal, safety systems, bolts, etc having an incident is far too low a perceived risk in my mind. The biggest thing for me would be the ability to hold on, and feel secure, easy when your in the Hyperia seats, but probably freaked out with a simple harness going down the lift hill steps.I'm curious: those of you with this unfortunate (for our hobby) phobia, does it still hit you when you are on a train going up lift hill under normal operations, or is that OK because you are strapped in? Are top hats like Stealth's too quick to matter?
.... Probably more complicated than that, isn't it?
My fear of heights is like this, its more complicated.
Thanks for the suggestion of Wickerman, agree with your thought process.
Well rob, I have two reactions
1) Seriously peeved as you have made the process of being evac'd akin to a horror movie and reminding me of the Hostel film franchise - You horrible person!!!
2) Made me laugh and realised it cannot be that bad after your such thoughtful and kind insight into the rescue process.
Obviously no offence meant, all taken in good humor.
Itgoeshowhigh
TS Member
I have a fear of heights (can’t even climb a step ladder)and it took me quite a while to get on taller coasters. Once I did though I realised it doesn’t bother me much as long as I’m secure in a seat and strapped in.
I don’t look down over the sides though on the lift hill, just up at the crown, then more than happy looking down the track as I crest because the excitement of the drop kicks in.
I don’t look down over the sides though on the lift hill, just up at the crown, then more than happy looking down the track as I crest because the excitement of the drop kicks in.
The only lift hill I've walked is Air's. I found it to be one of the sturdiest, most rock-solid, least scary things I have climbed. Almost anticlimactic.
Heights don't bother me, but I do sympathise. I had a very weird moment descending the internal steps of Dungeoness lighthouse once. Something about the warped perspective of looking down a spiral wrapped round the inside of a cone, with very few windows and no horizon to get my bearings from. Everything went all Hitchcock on me started stretching off in to the distance. It was actually a pretty cool illusion.... if it didn't make me feel like I was about to fall down the stairs.
I'm curious: those of you with this unfortunate (for our hobby) phobia, does it still hit you when you are on a train going up lift hill under normal operations, or is that OK because you are strapped in? Are top hats like Stealth's too quick to matter?
.... Probably more complicated than that, isn't it?
I'm not great with heights.
The one element of coasters I don't enjoy are lift hills mainly just because of the fear of it stopping which has happened to me right at the top of the Oblivion lift hill for 10 minutes before (not on the flat turnaround so I was laid on my back).
Steve74
TS Member
Its available to watch now. I wonder if the BBC released it early so people could actually see the coaster working for once?Looks like an opportunity is coming to see for ourselves why Hyperia does and doesnt work. Just watching the first in Hannah Fry's new series The Secret Genius of Modern Life, about the design and build of various things (air fryers tonight, exciting stuff!), and it seems like an upcoming episode might be covering Hyperia. There were loads of clips of it in the opening montage to the series. Most of her stuff is pretty in depth so could be interesting.
EDIT -the upcoming episodes does indeed include one titled 'rollercoaster'
