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Lightwater Valley

While I have nothing against them, I've never understood the hype over Topscans.

On the one hand, it's a good ride, and it'll be a shame to see it go. On the other hand, it's always looked like the temporary fairground ride it is, even by LWV standards. The park deserves better quality attractions than what it can afford. :(
 
Sadly it is the third or fourth best ride there after The Ultimate, Raptor attack, Eagles claw and maybe Black Pearl (black pearl has done more seasons there than it ever did as space boat at alton towers ;) )
 
Uh-oh! This nearly happened to me a few years back (deer leapt the track about 10 metres ahead of the train).

Northern Echo said:
Drama as rollercoaster riders see deer strike at North Yorkshire theme park

3170826

A deer
First published 12:58 Sunday 28 September 2014 in News
Last updated 8 minutes agoby Ashley Barnard

THRILL-SEEKERS on Europe’s longest roller-coaster were reportedly left showered in blood after the ride hit a deer that had strayed too close to the track, killing it instantly.

Shocked passengers on the Ultimate at Lightwater Valley, near Ripon, North Yorkshire, got more than they bargained for on the ride when it smashed into the deer at around 11.15am on Saturday.

The deer was reportedly decapitated by the train as it rocketed along the track, reaching speeds of up to 50 mph.


A father of two from Howden, Darlington, who did not wish to be named, said: “I knew there was something wrong.

“There was a bit of screaming but not too much. The maintenance men came and seemed to turn it off and on again and then it was fine.”

Visitors to the park arriving later realised the Ultimate was closed at 11.30am and were told by staff that there had been an incident involving a deer and that it was being cleared away.

A spokeswoman for the theme park, one of the region's biggest attractions, said: “We can confirm a young deer did unfortunately get hit by the Ultimate train yesterday and was killed instantly.

“There is a large perimeter fence surrounding the theme park but occasionally wild animals do manage to stray onto the park during the night.

“After the incident the Ultimate was closed for 30 minutes while the ride was thoroughly checked and then normal operation resumed.”

It is not the first time a deer has been killed after getting on the Ultimate tracks.

In 1994 the train hit a deer, ripping its legs off and trapping its antlers in the safety bars. Passengers were covered in the animal’s blood and a 12-year-old boy was taken to hospital as a precaution.

Also in 2004 a train full of passengers on the Ultimate came to a halt when an axle fault led to two wheels falling off.

The fail-safe system meant the following train also came to a standstill leaving its 38 screaming passengers stranded 100ft above the ground.

All were safely evacuated and no one was seriously hurt but ride had to be closed down until the cause of the fault was traced and rectified.

The ride opened in 1991 and is one of the most popular roller-coasters in the world. The 1.5 mile track features drops of up to 100ft.
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"and is one of the most popular roller-coasters in the world." not around here it isn't. :p
 
I don't think anyone could ever say that The Ultimate is one of the most popular coasters in the world! One of the most popular in Yorkshire, maybe.

Can't imagine it's nice hitting a deer whilst riding though.

:)
 
Err, it came second in the Euro coaster poll two years running. I'd say that's pretty popular! ;)
The riders are lucky they didn't get an antler in the eye.
 
I'd imagine if the poor thing was decapitated then riders would have been showed in blood, it's only natural! Hopefully the park provided them with some shower facilites and clean clothing to go home in.

:)
 
Moving onto their ticketing pricing policy.. they've been doing £10 entry over weekends for those of certain postcodes.. which in my mind only seems to alienate those who bother travelling to them, whilst completely undermining and destroying their pricing policy (they've already extended it this weekend cos of "popular demand"/ruining demand due to previous weekends promotion).

Y'know when things are so cheap that it becomes too cheap and damages the brand? Hello Lightwater Valley, you've become the next American Adventure.
 
£10 entry does seem to scream out desperation. Yes it's great value but if they're not careful people who visit when it's so cheap won't want to bother in the future when they have to pay normal prices.

:)
 
thefatone said:
Moving onto their ticketing pricing policy.. they've been doing £10 entry over weekends for those of certain postcodes.. which in my mind only seems to alienate those who bother travelling to them, whilst completely undermining and destroying their pricing policy (they've already extended it this weekend cos of "popular demand"/ruining demand due to previous weekends promotion).

Y'know when things are so cheap that it becomes too cheap and damages the brand? Hello Lightwater Valley, you've become the next American Adventure.
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Are they very local postcodes? As far as I know Alton Towers give free or discounted tickets to local residents with prices depending how close you live to the theme park. This doesn't sound that different? Alton Towers are just fairly quiet about their local resident passes, passing out information in a newsletter instead of publicising it too widely.
 
LWV on CoasterForce said:
just to announce that here at lwv, we are adding a brand new vintage car ride this year which will be highly themed as well as a brand new dinosaur themed golf course.
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Sounds pretty good, but wait, there's more!

From the 'Euro Professional Amusements' mag:

ypnvdHl.jpg


Wow! This is pretty big for LWV! Surely the most substantial thing they'll have done since the Ultimate?
 
Oooh that's quite a substantial development for Lightwater. I guess it is for 2016. Will certainly tempt me back to the park.

:)
 
It's certainly a surprise. It sounds like it costs a lot, and LWV certainly doesn't come across as a wealthy park.

What's happened to the holiday village? I thought that was opening this year, yet there hasn't been any mention of it for some time.
 
This style ride looks great, but I hope they dont go for the diet option as the special effects and ride vehicle movements make the ride special.
 
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