Galactica • Alton Towers

Fun Smoothness Layout

In a park full of big thrills and dark themes, Galactica is a very pleasant break. Nemesis rightly gets all the spoils down in B&M valley, but the original flying coaster still very much holds its own. I'm a big fan of its space facelift, the soundtrack is ace and the theme really fits the ride experience. For a first time, B&M did very well with the restraints, I don't find them uncomfortable at all, as long as the ride ops don't force them down onto your legs too far. Then you depart, and you're in for a very fun ride. It's not very intense, but it's clearly not supposed to be. And that's why I love it, not every ride needs to be that way. Towers have 2 other super intense B&Ms for that. Its a proper fun ride, and I always try and get a ride on it every visit

Fun Smoothness Dead spots Intensity

It is quite good not quite as good as oblivion in my opinion, however it is quite slow throughout its layout and isn't that intense. It's not as good as the flying coasters in the USA but it is definitely worth riding if you visit Alton Towers

Location Fun Smoothness Dead spots

B&M Flying coasters are always good rides. That is exactly the case with the prototype, Air, at Alton Towers. Air isn't the most intense of the B&M flying coasters but in my opinion captures the feeling of flight better than any coaster out there. Gliding over the hilly terrain of Alton Towers brings a smile to my face every time. I can't recommend this ride enough, it is very overlooked since it is located in the very back of the park. It really is an experience you won't forget.

Comfort Fun Smoothness

An amazing smooth coaster. Perfect for the end of the day after a tiring day at Alton Towers

Fun Smoothness Layout Too short

Galactica is an incredible experience. Some great forces when you are on your back and the ride area as a whole is great. This ride certainly is a whole package and is one of the most fun experiences in the UK.

Location Comfort Fun Rattle Reliability

This ride does what it says on the tin; it gives the simulation of flight. It isn't intense or fast, but it doesn't feel like it needs to be. Just live in the moment and fly.

Smoothness Theming Reliability

I've been to Alton Towers a number of times over the past couple of years and Galactica always seems to be closed. It's a decent enough ride - I've never ridden it with the VR headset and it's relatively comfy but it barely packs a punch compared to Nemesis which is right next door. I can take it or leave it.

Comfort Fun Smoothness

Galactica is smooth as butter, but doesn’t really have any intensity. Restraints are comfortable and it is still a novelty to be lowered into the flying position. Flying on your back is probably the highlight of the ride for me, and it’s a ride that everyone must try once purely for the seating position!

Comfort Fun Smoothness

Glad they took the VR off, as it ruined the capacity, and wasn't as enjoyable as the normal ride. That normal ride with fun, smooth and the Flying coaster restraints are as comfy as a flying restraint can be! This ride is better in the back for me, as you feel the pull over the drop and the fly to lie, and that bunny hill gives airtime which is odd on a flying coaster.

Comfort Smoothness Theming Dead spots Intensity

This is a fantastic ride if you get front seat but any other row isn't too great. I absolutely haven't gotten enough rides on this to form a solid opinion yet. They also could've done so much more with the theming; and I think a complete repaint would be a good start. Black track with shiny dark blue supports would look gorgeous and actually fit the space theme.

Capacity Fun Smoothness Dead spots Layout

I like the feeling of flying but the layout just feels dull as anything. Good first thrill coaster

Nice surprise! Fun Smoothness

This ride really surprised me. I think Galactica is the definition of fun. It is the only B&M flying coaster I have been on and I can’t wait to do more! It’s very underrated, unlike the coaster next to it (Nemesis). Definitely a solid third best ride at the park and I wish I rode it more!

Capacity Fun Smoothness

A nice smooth fun ride. Not nearly as intense as some of the other rides at the Towers but it delivers a nice smooth experience.

Inversions Harness Smoothness Too short

Nice ride, very smooth and great harness with good comfort. Perhaps a bit too short, but the inversions are great.

Nice surprise! Location Fun

Galactica isn't intense or fast or anything but sure a fun coaster. Love the part where you are riding on your back. The restrains feel a little uncomfortable when departing/arriving at the station but oh well. Still while using two stations the waiting lines didn't move as quickly as I had hoped.

Duration Harness Disappointing! Layout

I just find it to be uncomfortable and dull.

Comfort Fun Harness Theming Dead spots Intensity

Galactica (née Air) is a perfectly decent flying coaster, though it lacks the intensity of other similar rides I've experienced. The new portal is a welcome addition to an otherwise underwhelmingly-themed ride. The short-lived experiment with VR was a capacity disaster but they seem to be able to maintain a decent dispatch speed without it. While the layout is perfectly fine, there's very few memorable moments.

Inversions Comfort Harness

My favourite coaster. Music is the best and such an awesome experience. Great for first big coaster for kids

Fun Smoothness Layout

The sensations on this ride are incredible. It truly is an amazing layout, and flying so close to the scenery and through those inversions is so comfortable and satisfying.

Comfort Fun Smoothness Capacity

Despite being one of the lower tier flying coasters now, Galactica (forgetting the VR which even further worsens capacity issues) is an elegant, fun ride with moments of mild intensity

Location Layout

I really loved Air when it first opened; despite it's many, many reliability issues and much documented lack of force! I would associate what it does mostly with those long Japanese coasters that trundle around at speed but not doing an awful lot. Air definitely is not long, nor does it do a lot either. Despite this I did declare it to have one of the greatest half-rolls ever; a reference to the dive into the cut-and-cover tunnel proximity effect. Air was a demo of what a flyer could do; without actually doing it. It also attempted to widen Alton Towers audience; rather than selling the "terror" they opted to try and sell it as a come-fly-with-us mentality. Fun, rather than machismo. Not a move many follow but one I can appreciate. The relative tameness of the ride has, in the long run, I think proved to the low ratings it now sees and maybe also the decision to VR the thing... Which I haven't tried yet. No rush. (I can do VR at home - why on earth would I go to a theme park to try it... The whole point in going to a park is do do something REAL!)

Fun Smoothness Capacity Layout

Enjoyed my first rides on this, as flying was a new experience. Considering this was one of the first, Air is a good roller coaster however it pales in comparison to, for example, Manta at SeaWorld. The layout just isn't exciting once the novelty of flying wears off. The virtual reality is actually the best VR I've tried so far, however that isn't saying much. I enjoyed the experience, but as expected the capacity was poor and the Galactica theme is fairly bland in my opinion. The queue line is already vandalised as well which is really disappointing.

Nice surprise! Fun Rattle

Not actually ridden this since the Galactica re-theme.. its still Air to me ;) It was my first flying coaster, and i remember loving it ! the sensations were awesome, and the roll is so much fun ! Overall really enjoyed it (as Air)

Smoothness Harness

Felt like I was going to fall out of the restraint off the lift hill

Location Fun Smoothness Too short

Fun

Theming Comfort Fun Capacity

Comfort Masterpiece Smoothness

Comfort Smoothness Too short

Capacity Fun Harness Too short Theming

Nice surprise! Smoothness Layout

Nice surprise! Comfort Layout Too short Theming

Inversions Smoothness Layout

Location Layout

Fun Harness Smoothness Too short

Nice surprise! Location Smoothness

Comfort Smoothness Layout Capacity

Inversions Fun Smoothness Intensity

Nice surprise! Fun Smoothness Too short Harness Reliability

Comfort Smoothness

Comfort Fun Layout Theming Capacity

Comfort Fun Smoothness Too short Intensity

Nice surprise! Comfort Smoothness Intensity

Comfort Smoothness Layout

Comfort Smoothness

Comfort Smoothness Intensity

Comfort Smoothness

Fun Smoothness

Nice surprise! Comfort Too short Reliability

Nice surprise! Smoothness

Masterpiece

Masterpiece