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The Retrosquad: General Discussion

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Skyscraper said:
Didn't Thorpe do that with the Lost City flats? If they can, Towers can. šŸ˜›
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Several times over in fact:

Vortex/Zodiac (alongside Detonator) in 2001
Quantum/Eclipse (alongside Inferno) in 2003
Slammer/Rush in 2005

The 2003 additions maybe don't quite fit the bill as they were supporting a major coaster addition, but the other certainly do. Moreover, whilst 2005's additions had the selling point of being unique in the UK, that wasn't the case in 2001, which consisted of three fairly standard rides at that point, one of which wasn't even new to the park.
 
How have the retro squad been this season as not heard much about them? Does mixtape get a big queue as I really want to ride when we visit in September but if my daughter still isnā€™t tall enough (currently between 1.37/38) I donā€™t want to leave her on her own for long.
 
Themeparksandy1981 said:
How have the retro squad been this season as not heard much about them? Does mixtape get a big queue as I really want to ride when we visit in September but if my daughter still isnā€™t tall enough (currently between 1.37/38) I donā€™t want to leave her on her own for long.
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Mixtape isn't there anymore, do you mean SpinJam? Your daughter can queue with you then leave the queue as you get on the ride, then she's only on her own for about 5 mins.
 
Themeparksandy1981 said:
How have the retro squad been this season as not heard much about them? Does mixtape get a big queue as I really want to ride when we visit in September but if my daughter still isnā€™t tall enough (currently between 1.37/38) I donā€™t want to leave her on her own for long.
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Spinjam is routinely the shortest queue for a thrill ride in the park. I have yet to see it with a wait time over 15 minutes; it is routinely walk on.
 
Themeparksandy1981 said:
Sorry yes Spin Jam šŸ˜‚ goes to show how badly itā€™s missed this year. Think I will do that as sheā€™s said she donā€™t mind waiting while I ride.
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Generally, I think your daughter will be able to queue with you on any ride and then exit the station when you board if she can't/doesn't want to ride them with you.
 
Steve74 said:
Generally, I think your daughter will be able to queue with you on any ride and then exit the station when you board if she can't/doesn't want to ride them with you.
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Yeah you just have to tell a member of staff and they will show/point you to the exit.
I've done that a few times myself. šŸ™‚
 
I LOVE Spinjam - when it kicks in towards the end of the programme, it's one heck of a ride, and easily my favourite of the three. Mixtape was good too, but I do prefer Spinjam.

I echo everyone else's sentiments in that I'd love to see a selection of new, permanent flats at the park. They definitely add something to your day and when there are a few different programmes, offer a strong re-rideability factor. (Part of the excitement with Ripsaw was its variation of spins, in addition to it being a very good ride!)

The key for Alton is in researching and choosing the flats carefully - not just going off of appearance but experience.
(I'd love to see a Huss Breakdance ala Dynamo - what a beast that was; however, being realistic, a new Top Spin would be more likely as Ripsaw was always very popular).
 
Out of interest, how intense is Spinjam?

I only ask because thereā€™s a small, slightly masochistic part of me that would kind of like to give it a go on my next visit. It must be said, however, that I donā€™t have the highest intensity tolerance and I also have a fairly weak stomach for flat rides (thatā€™s why I say ā€œslightly masochisticā€ā€¦)

For some idea, Cyclonator at Paultons made me feel a bit off colour and I was close to being physically sick after Air Race at Drayton Manor. Do you think I could hack Spinjam?
 
Matt N said:
Out of interest, how intense is Spinjam?

I only ask because thereā€™s a small, slightly masochistic part of me that would kind of like to give it a go on my next visit. It must be said, however, that I donā€™t have the highest intensity tolerance and I also have a fairly weak stomach for flat rides (thatā€™s why I say ā€œslightly masochisticā€ā€¦)

For some idea, Cyclonator at Paultons made me feel a bit off colour and I was close to being physically sick after Air Race at Drayton Manor. Do you think I could hack Spinjam?
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I found Spinjam less intense than the other Tivoli Extremes Iā€™ve done at funfairs (ie Air Raid, Extreme, etc). The settings on Spinjam give it a slower start and then it kicks in for the more intense part whereas ones at fairs often start fast, and then get even more intense and for much longer.

If you felt sick after Air Race at Drayton then maybe a ride like Spinjam isnā€™t for you as itā€™s definitely a bit more intense. Air Race flips you over a lot but in a quite slow way whereas Spinjam doesnā€™t invert you but it moves faster and you feel the Gs when it kicks it. But the thing is though, youā€™ll only know for yourself how you find it by giving it a go really. Have you ever done anything like a Huss Breakdance or other rides that spin fast?
 
It is still quite intense, when it speeds up you really feel it on your feet. I miss Mixtape also, and would rather have gotten rid of Roller Disco or Funkā€™nā€™Fly to keep it. Mixtape was the best of the Retro Squad last year, but Spinjam is the best of them this year. I actually prefer Spinjam, but I think having both on park at the same time wouldā€™ve been good
 
LLCorkscrew said:
The key for Alton is in researching and choosing the flats carefully - not just going off of appearance but experience.
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I think the key to successful flat rides in theme parks is that the off-ride experience is just as appealing as the ride itself. Ripsaw is a perfect example, for those that didnā€™t want to ride they could still happily stand and watch - it was almost a piece of theatre with an audience stood there most days.

This is what Tussauds/JW were good at and where Merlin should focus on more.
 
AT86 said:
I think the key to successful flat rides in theme parks is that the off-ride experience is just as appealing as the ride itself. Ripsaw is a perfect example, for those that didnā€™t want to ride they could still happily stand and watch - it was almost a piece of theatre with an audience stood there most days.

This is what Tussauds/JW were good at and where Merlin should focus on more.
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I think that Loki at Drayton Manor definitely has that off-ride appeal, itā€™s fascinating to watch the arms rotate and what look like cogs turning around. Itā€™s strange that Merlin donā€™t seem to want have flat rides that have the same kind of visual appeal as Ripsaw, Rameses Revenge, Slammer, etc, when as weā€™ve seen with Wicker Man and Smiler they understand the appeal of a visually spectacular ride that captures the publicā€™s imagination.
 
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Shaggy_Dog_ said:
I found Spinjam less intense than the other Tivoli Extremes Iā€™ve done at funfairs (ie Air Raid, Extreme, etc). The settings on Spinjam give it a slower start and then it kicks in for the more intense part whereas ones at fairs often start fast, and then get even more intense and for much longer.

If you felt sick after Air Race at Drayton then maybe a ride like Spinjam isnā€™t for you as itā€™s definitely a bit more intense. Air Race flips you over a lot but in a quite slow way whereas Spinjam doesnā€™t invert you but it moves faster and you feel the Gs when it kicks it. But the thing is though, youā€™ll only know for yourself how you find it by giving it a go really. Have you ever done anything like a Huss Breakdance or other rides that spin fast?
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Spinjam is Air Raid if you're not aware!
 
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