My vote would be removing Rita and replacing it with a multi-launch coaster from Intamin or Mack. Maybe even have it interact with Thirteen! Rita is just too short and doesn't fit the area so well. Only thing that I would miss is the launch, as it's fantastic. The few LSM coasters I've been on are all weaker than pneumatic/hydraulic launch coasters. I am sorry to see the VR go, but I have yet to see a VR coaster operated efficiently so I guess it's for the best. I think I will give Air a miss though unless there is no queue.
Good to see that VR has finally been removed from Galactica. Yet another Merlin investment at Alton Towers that only lasted a few seasons. At least we did get a very good soundtrack out of it!
What a waste of money that VR was. They could have installed decent theming around the ride and maybe even put in the small lake and waterfalls like on the original plans for the cost of the VR. Glad to see it has gone now though
I said at the time that the Galactica "upgrade" was a waste of money that detracted from the experience and I was right. SMUG MODE! https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...EQo7QBCCUwAA&usg=AOvVaw0HaLiVJw0EVjqPbARZwCwX
On one of my visits around easter time, Oblivion was on 1hr45 but within jalf an hour it read 20 minutes Sent from my SM-A510F using Tapatalk
The problem with Galactica now, is that its air with a portal (and a zarking good soundtrack). I hope they'v added some more theming around the area, though this is Merlin we're talking about, so in that regard, we have about enough chance as a whelk in a supernova. I think that at it's core, Galactica should keep it's theme, space travel, because it's a great ride theme. They just need to make it believable on some level. But they should try and incorporate it more into Forbidden Valley, because it sticks out like a sore thumb. They could combat this by partially re-theming it to include some sort of aliens. It could even have a connection to the Nemesis Monster in some respect. It would be fantastic if they gave this a proper range of props and theming rather than giving bloody Cbeebies Land an extra acre of land. Sent from my SM-A510F using Tapatalk Sent from my SM-A510F using Tapatalk
It really stings that the Galactica retheme has been made redundant, especially considering how unusual and unique the original theme for Air was. Few coasters of this scale adopt a theme that doesn't pose some kind of threat or challenge, and fewer still encourage the rider to embrace the experience that the coaster offers. It was a rare case of a high concept working and having something to say about our relationship with exhilaration, and it's a particularly interesting ride considering its place in history - a positive flight-themed futuristic ride opening in an otherwise apocalyptic area, a year after one of the most harrowing terror events in western history. I wish I could say that it's possible to still ride Air as it was intended, but the ridiculous "space travel agency" theme is obviously sticking around. I don't understand how anyone can think that theme is any more relevant than the original high concept, besides the obvious "it's space, and the Nemesis creature is probably also from space". As much as a post-apocalyptic retheme would mean the end of the current theme, I think it would still be disheartening to see the ride adopt the very opposite stance of what it originally stood for.
I rode galactica just an hour ago, the only things left if the space theme is the portal, the signs and the soundtrack. No queline video, no dispatch sound. Its all been made very redundant Sent from my SM-A510F using Tapatalk
The ride hasn't had a dispatch sound effect since Air sadly. The Galactica instructional video took over all station audio - hopefully this will be addressed soon.
See the TS Facebook for photographs of the new video playing today. Music was also back on loud around the area.
Rode galactica yesterday. The new video looked to me like just a chop job of the old one with any reference to headsets removed
One train still has two rows of VR. I hit the headset sync button once restraints were checked and got the visor out of the pouch at the top of the lift hill. Perfectly synced as well.
