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2016: Air - Re-theme to VR Coaster - Galactica

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LordOfDarkness said:
Judging by the article above, there hasn't even be much of a rebrand unless you count adding a TV screen!
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Yeah looking at that Mashable article they could have done a lot more with the station. Even just changing signage from Air Gates to Space Gates or similar would have given a different feel.
 
I'm surprised nothing has been done about the fences next to the portal - they completely enroach on the feature view of the ride.
 
Novas said:
With the exception of the portal everything looks exactly the same.

The worlds first 'dedicated VR rollercoaster' looks remarkably like the worlds first 'poorly retrofitted with VR rollercoaster'. Video has actually dampened my excitement. :(
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Come on now, the world's first poorly retrofitted VR coasters are the ones at the various Six Flags parks ;)
 
Jordan said:
I'm surprised nothing has been done about the fences next to the portal - they completely enroach on the feature view of the ride.
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I would imagine this is needed to prevent people from climbing into the ride area. You know, I often get the urge to do that so thank lord for fences! Although from what I can see these fences seem to be lacking 'Danger of Death' signs at present, that may be enough for me to have a go at climbing over, you know, it's just not obvious that a ride area might be dangerous.

:)
 
You guys do know that you don't have to view or listen to every snippet released about the experience on the new ride, don't you? You don't have to see and hear everything NOW NOW NOW. It opens very soon, doesn't a small part of you want to just leave as much of the experience as possible to the day when you turn up and ride it? No wonder some of you are disappointed already when you try your best to find every available bit of the experience on line and take the fun out of the first proper real life experience.

I'm so glad that the internet didn't exist for us when the likes of Oblivion were being built as people would have just ruined it by plastering every little snippet of the experience everywhere before it actually opened. You wonder where the magic has gone but you take it away from yourself by dismantling every part of every ride and studying it before it has even had a chance to open.

I've been avoiding any snippets from the new VR as I'd like to actually just go and enjoy my first experience not knowing what it is going to be like. I suppose some just can't or won't wait though. A different generation maybe. I probably should have put this in the other thread, but there you go ;)
 
Some people (such as myself) may not be visiting any time soon, so it's nice to see/read updates and made judgements.

I agree that the internet ruins the magic and mystery of new developments, but hey that's the modern world. I wouldn't consider this as something that we need to wait to experience because really it's a low investment, not a brand new state of the art multi-million pound ride.
 
Each to their own obviously. People will have different views and that's to be expected.

I personally feel that actually viewing the VR before hand is a bit too much of a spoiler on this occasion though when basically, that is pretty much the only new thing going on with it of any real interest. Like I said, people are entitled to do and think what they like. Just felt like releasing that very mild rant :)
 
Barry I've not posted on here in about three years for that very reason. I dropped out of the scene and stopped reading the forums because saturating myself with updates all the time was ruining my experience of the park. It made me negative and hyper crticial of everything.

I started to enjoy the place again and I had a couple of great trips in 2014, but then last year the place was in such a state that I only visited once, way back in April. I might go back this year as I’m intrigued by some of the TLC updates but it’s not guaranteed, therefore I’m more open to watching the Galactica updates now.

The second reason I’m happy to ‘ruin’ the experience is that for me Galactica just isn't a big deal / investment. It's a glorified re-theme. I’m more interested in the restaurant than I am this thing. That’s not to say that I don’t want to follow it or that I don’t really want it to be done well. :)
 
Just read a little bit about the loading process. All of the headsets will be wiped clean between rides (makes sense of course but that's not going to be quick) and then when loading there will be one staff member assisting per row of the train. Galactica is going to be one staff intensive ride!

I am really looking forward to trying it out; I'm equally looking forward to seeing just how woeful the throughputs are going to be!

:)
 
Okay, I'm going to put in my two cents... I never feel watching something prior ruins the experience. You may know what happens but it's never the same as being there yourself.

For example, before going to Disneyland Paris I hype myself up by watching Disney dreams, I know the story and the scenes but when your there any your favourite Disney song comes on and you watch the castle light up in front of you whilst surrounded by beautiful surroundings, you get goosebumps and a feeling that will never be replicated by a video.

Same with any ride POV, okay you may know the layout but nothing compares to going on the ride yourself otherwise they would just put you in a room and play you a video instead :D

EDIT: For anyone wanting to read more about galactica, gizmodo posted a very in detail article which includes a FULL description of the ride experience see here: http://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2016/03/al...r-roller-coaster-delighted-and-frustrated-me/

The length of time to embark worried me... getting the kit on then having to calibrate... throughput is going to be... not good...
 
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Rob said:
Just read a little bit about the loading process. All of the headsets will be wiped clean between rides (makes sense of course but that's not going to be quick) and then when loading there will be one staff member assisting per row of the train. Galactica is going to be one staff intensive ride!

I am really looking forward to trying it out; I'm equally looking forward to seeing just how woeful the throughputs are going to be!

:)
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Pahaha, another reason why this won't last, it requires too many staff! Looking forward to seeing what they do when they get more cuts in 2017.
 
The staffing required for Galactica is irresponsible, ill considered and inappropriate for a theme park closing rides and restaurants left, right and centre.

It will not last. The queues will be horrendous too as capacity will be atrocious.
 
1 member of staff PER ROW? They've shut a handful of rides across the park, and they now think it's appropriate to have this number of people on one rebranded ride?

The mind boggles..... Or it would if I weren't aware already of how atrocious Towers seems to be this year. Yes, plenty of TLC updates, but the fact that they're cutting back in places and then adding MORE staff to this is worrying...

Incidentally, I've had an email to say I am a winner of a preview ride on Saturday - I have no intentions of attending so if anyone wants to make use of it, drop me a PM and you're welcome to it.
 
Don't get me wrong, I am very very keen and quite excited to try this out for myself. The concept is great and the theme suits a flying coaster perfectly. I think it will be great fun to ride. I am however reserving full judgement until I have ridden it, as like many others I do have my concerns!

The number of staff is farcical and the rate it's going to slow throughout is a worry to say the least. Obviously it's not the be all and end all, but even if it's quiet I am seeing large queues. At least to start with and then again during summer/Scarefest, it's certainly going to be a slog of a day for the staff working on it.

I know everybody is banging on about VR being the future of coasters/theme parks, but I'm not honestly convinced at present. It's certainly come on suddenly left, right and centre all guns blazing, typical traits of a passing fad... Like Loom Bands, but more expensive ;)

Thus I would say I am inclined to agree with @AstroDan all the 'changes' that make up Galactica itself are minimal and very easily reversed. Much like Sonic Spinball, I'd possibly give it about 5 years until the neon Air sign is dusted off and stuck back on the shop.

All negativity aside, this does not alter the fact that I am really looking forward to trying it :D
 
Have we/can we get confirmation that it's still going to be running both stations? I can easily envision Merlin closing one in an effort to save the cash on having to produce 2 videos, not to mention the hassle of telling the goggles which side they're on so they play the right video
 
Dar said:
Have we/can we get confirmation that it's still going to be running both stations? I can easily envision Merlin closing one in an effort to save the cash on having to produce 2 videos, not to mention the hassle of telling the goggles which side they're on so they play the right video
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Sounds like an obvious way to cut costs given the one staff member per row allocation. :(

I just hope they have the VR for both sides so that they can open up both, even if only on peak days.
 
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