Galactica: General Discussion

[Matt N]

Other than the portal what theming elements add to the experiance?
There is a queue line photo point no longer used. plywood enclosure over the bridge that is falling apart.

Its not so much that Air had better theming, its just that the whole thing felt more cohesive. Whereas now we have some space elements that just don't make sense without the VR.

In the earlier years, it did have some little things like space flight arrival/departure posters around, as well as the video in the station that speaks about the different space destinations.

Granted, it probably makes less sense without the VR, and it’s fallen to bits a bit with time, but even still, it’s some attempt at theming.

Personally, I would also take Galactica’s soundtrack over Air’s too.

Ideally, I’d see them revamp it to something different entirely and add more physical theming, but I would still take the queue line video, the portal, the soundtrack et al over what we had before, which was quite literally just a bare bones metal box of a station. I never understood the love that the prior iteration of Air had (or at very least, seems to receive following its demise; I don’t remember it being that well received when it was around).

 

[MellowPasta]

The original Air soundtrack went perfectly with the ‘Air is experiencing a temporarily delay’ announcements.

Kind’ve reminds me of the calming music some calls centres have designed to relax you in between the ‘all of our advisors are busy at the moment, your call will be answered shortly’

It was a lovely soundtrack though, may have to have a listen.

 

[DiogoJ42]

More like the train stations and shopping centres that play classical music to scare teenagers away, if you ask me.

 

[Mykeprime]

Air was less about a theme per say and more about a feeling.
"Prepare for Air", "Now fly", "Extreme breathtaking" etc.
It felt very fresh and modern at the time with the futurey shop building and soundtrack.

I think it gelled together nicer than the sort of half arsed space theme it has now.

You are correct that it didn't really fit the Valley and probably should have been separated as it's own area but hey ho.

 

[DiogoJ42]

It felt very fresh and modern at the time with the futurey shop building and soundtrack.

It's in danger of becoming zeerust at this point, though.

 

[Mykeprime]

A clean and a coat of paint would work wonders

 

[VerticalLoop123]

Alas, Air had this era of cool about it. Even the adverts felt cool and quirky. The music, the massive shop… it makes me sad to see the dirty state it in these days. My last couple of visits they’ve barely utilised the dual stations and there seems to be lots of issues with assuming the position.

 

[Dave]

I’ll admit I’m continually stumped as to why people miss the Air theming so much.

Air pretty much had no tangible theming, and it still didn’t fit into Forbidden Valley at all. For all its flaws as a project, Galactica at least had a go at adding some sense of theme to the ride. It was admittedly a bit half-hearted, but they at least gave theming a go with Galactica; for my money, that’s something.

And now the VR has gone, I don’t see how Galactica differs all that much from 2002-2015 Air aside from enhanced theming, what with the portal and all. Each to their own, but I can’t think of a lot that Galactica didn’t improve compared to Air, VR rubbish aside. Galactica doesn’t fit into Forbidden Valley, but Air never did either, so I don’t see how Galactica has made that any worse.

With that said, I do think the Galactica theme has itself maybe had its day now. It’s looking a bit worse for wear compared to some other parts of the park, and now the rest of Forbidden Valley is looking better than ever, I do think Galactica feels even more out of step.

People miss the potential of Air, done as planned it could have been as amazing as Oblivion, but it didn’t due to budget cuts. The issue people have with Galactica is it’s an unimaginative theme done badly, rather than Air which is an imaginative theme done badly.

Galacticas music is better however.

 

[Ash]

People miss the potential of Air, done as planned it could have been as amazing as Oblivion, but it didn’t due to budget cuts. The issue people have with Galactica is it’s an unimaginative theme done badly, rather than Air which is an imaginative theme done badly.

Galacticas music is better however.

Get out…

Galactica music is like AI smush compared to the Ian Habgood goodness…

Shame on you

 

[Ash]

Air was less about a theme per say and more about a feeling.
"Prepare for Air", "Now fly", "Extreme breathtaking" etc.
It felt very fresh and modern at the time with the futurey shop building and soundtrack.

I think it gelled together nicer than the sort of half arsed space theme it has now.

You are correct that it didn't really fit the Valley and probably should have been separated as it's own area but hey ho.

One of the biggest misses for me is the sign.

More glowy signage please.

As has been said, if it had been “plussed” in later years with the water, rock work and tunnel theming and tidying up the station it would have been fine.

Even adding some nighttime lighting it could have been great.

And the tragedy of only having the 3 minute version of the soundtrack remains a tragedy and missed opportunity.

 

[Dave]

Get out…

Galactica music is like AI smush compared to the Ian Habgood goodness…

Shame on you

Honestly the OG Air music is dull, when Towers had that issue where they had to use royalty free music for a few months years ago Air was the only ride that it didn’t bother me.

 

[dw1812]

And the tragedy of only having the 3 minute version of the soundtrack remains a tragedy

There's a longer version of the soundtrack!?

 

[Hid]

Honestly the OG Air music is dull, when Towers had that issue where they had to use royalty free music for a few months years ago Air was the only ride that it didn’t bother me.

Air music in comparison to Nemesis, Oblivion, Toyland Tours and Hex it really falls in comparison to those

 

[AltonLover123]

Sorry if this is a stupid question / has already been discussed, but has anyone else noticed some of Galactica's Track appears to have been cleaned / jetwashed?

It seemed much more 'air' blue the other day compared to the grimy teal it has looked in recent years, although this section could have always looked like this (tbf the rails still do have that grimy colour but the box section just looked so blue compared to usual this visit)

Photo attached below

Yes. It had a jetwash at the start of the season.


From: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNd9UGthQ/