This is a interesting topic, and one that will be debated long in to the future.
Are there problems with Th13teen, Yes. Does this make it a bad coaster, No.
Lets discuss the problems with Th13teen first. The biggest issue was the marketing. The marketing suggested a ride similar to what has been delivered with the Smiler. So that got a lot of older guests of the park's expectations up, that it was going to be a thrill ride. We now know this is not the case, and what was actually delivered was a family coaster, with a special effect half way through.
The second issue, is the track layout before the 2nd lifthill. Due to errors being made somewhere along the lines, the ride vehicle approaches the the 2nd lifthill to quickly, and trims were added to the drop after the first lift hill to ensure it did not approach to fast. This does make for a strange experience on the first drop as you start to pick up speed, only to slow down, before picking up speed again.
My third issue, and this is relative, is the amount of scaffolding on the side of the building facing Rita. I understand why there is scaffolding, but I think there is a little to much, and it cheapens the ride a little.
The final issue is the lack of communication about the story, or the background of the ride. I did not want to say Themeing of the queue here, because there is a lot of themeing if you know where to look, but I think some information boards, half covered with roots and plant life, with bits of the back ground story on, would help add to the experience.
So some minor issues, and some major ones. As for the positives, the drop is the highlight of the ride for me. The first time you ride it, and are with people who are not expecting it, it is a great experience. Even after a few rides, it is still a lot of fun. My only complaint is that its not random, or different, but who knows, maybe somewhere in the future, this can be implemented.
The section of track, in the dark, after the drop is also a lot of fun. I am not a big fan of backwards rides, but the darkness helps reduce any feeling of sickness, and you get thrown left and right which makes it enjoyable.
I also like some of the Themeing in the queue line, I mentioned this as an issue earlier, but I like the idea of walking under a ladder, or walking under scaffolding as unlucky, but just feels there needs to be some sort of background story to help get across this is a unlucky ride. The Tesla Coil, while not the most impressive, is still a nice addition, and with the spooky voice in the background, can provide a nice shock to people who have not ridden before.
Overall, I think this ride is a great replacement for Corkscrew, was worth the initial investment, and with a few tweaks here and there has the potential to become an even better ride. It is a great addition for families, and is a great next coaster once younger visitors have got used to the Runaway Mine Train.
As for the Dark Forest, the concept works, in that Rita and the Ugland shops have been consumed by the forest, but this is starting to look dated, and could do with some touching up in places. The new scaffolding for the Rita queue line does not fit in (Going back to my earlier point about there being to much of it), and makes it look messy. Again, this boils down to the decision to build Rita where it is, and I think after Sonic Spinball, this is the next coaster that needs to be looked at being replaced. Given what they had to work with, when the Dark Forest opened, they had done a good job, but it needed that investment for a couple of years afterwards to help keep it up, and finish the job off.
Ian