Tous les avis

Situation Fluidité Ejectors Inconfort Layout

Rides like this have no right to be so fun, it's basically a wacky worm with an extra dip and spinning trains, but you get good spin on the back and the drop really yanks you, great pop of ejector airtime. Nice and smooth too and a lovely location on the seafront. Not a comfortable ride though, trains are very tight and that ejector is a bit painful with the hard plastic seats.

Launch Vitesse Hangtime Débit

This is a great investment into Chessington, in terms of the ride experience anyway, and easily the best ride on park. I was really quite surprised by how good the ride was, particularly with it's family-thrill billing. But what we've got is some really good theming, which will only get better as the planting grows up around the area, a nice snappy launch through the station, and a great layout which is paced absolutely perfectly to deliver a good ride experience, but without being too intense for it's 1.2m height limit. Particular highlights for me are the spike in the back row, which is awesome and gives a nice airtime moment, that launch, the inversion which is taken at a great speed to give some nice hangtime, and the helix up the jaguar shrine which starts out decently intense and then gives some great sideways hangtime as the train stalls to make it's return journey. This really is a great coaster for it's family thrill tag, and Chessy and B&M have done a superb job. The clear problem here though is the capacity, hence it loses a star, because this is one slow moving line. The virtual queue is working well, and I hope Chessington keep it in place for a while yet, because this thing will be pulling 120 minute queues left right and centre otherwise. And the not waiting behind the airgates thing is stupid, they need to get that sorted ASAP as it adds unnecessary time onto the process. Whether it's the right investment for this particular park - one of the busiest in the UK and certainly the one that struggles most with queues on busy days - remains to be seen but for now, I look forward to enjoying plenty more rides on a great coaster

First Drop Inversions Intensité Débit Harnais Inconfort

I came off Shockwave the first time and said I have no idea why I enjoyed that, but I did! There's no doubt that the restraints are very uncomfortable, and very awkward. There's no doubt that this plus only running 1 train means the dispatches take forever. There's no doubt it's short. And there's no doubt that the brakes hit so hard at the end that you see those who aren't expecting it fly forward into their big uncomfortable restraint, which must hurt a bit. But both rides I had were just great fun. For a nearly 30-year old ride, it runs surprisingly smoothly all the way round, the first drop is really good, and all 4 inversions are very intense and taken at a really good speed. The highlight being the zero g roll which is pretty crazy, but actually feels really well profiled. Not to mention how unique the ride is. Stand ups have long been out of fashion but I hope Drayton can keep it going for a while yet, and I actually hope it stays as a stand up rather than getting the floorless treatment. Just a great fun, unique ride and i'm very pleased I finally got to experience it

Théma Fun Layout Débit

This is the perfect junior coaster. Themed to every kids favourite train book and show, and every adults favourite kids book and show, it could never lose really. But the layout of this ride is brilliant for what it is. Nice pre-lift section, then a fun helix that's taken with some good speed, before the highlight of the ride which is a snappy right turn into a hill which gives a nice little pop of air. Then you get the joy of going round again. Great family ride this!

Intensité Fluidité Débit Lap Bar

This is the best of the family boomerangs i've done. Good fun layout with some fairly intense moments going forward. Nice view from the top as well, and the drop down is always fun on these. I still don't like Vekoma's lap bars, too bulky and not very generous if you're tall, but the seats are at least comfortable. Good fun ride

Théma Situation Sans intérêt

As a coaster, bar the second helix which is kinda fun, it's pointless. But the new vikings theme is great and the location by the lake is lovely as well. The motors also make a great sound as they huff and puff the train round the layout

Fun Fluidité Layout Théma Lap Bar

I like to call this Poundland The Ride. Anyone who's walked through a discount shop's Halloween aisle before will know what I mean. Lots and lots of tacky zombies dotted around, some not-so-special effects, and the 3 zombies in cages on the final brakes are particularly comical. Add to that the preshow which kills the capacity of the ride, very boring 10 mile walk from the preshow to the station, the equally long exit corridor, and the fact I don't care for the presence of scare actors, and it's safe to say I'm not a fan of the theme. It's a shame because I really enjoy the actual coaster, really smooth, some nicely paced turns, and I love the effect where the train stalls and appears to need restarting, that's very clever. I can only imagine how enjoyable it was as X, and how enjoyable it would be with an Imascore EDM soundtrack and a load of lasers and strobes, and the return of the corridors to the queue line they were designed to be. But unfortunately as long as it carries the WD theme it'll just remain Poundland The Ride to me

Fun

Fun little kids coaster, decently fast for a small ride, 2 laps, nice and smooth, what's not to like

Lap Bar Launch Chef d'oeuvre

I will admit, the first time I rode Taron, I was just a bit underwhelmed. The ride was very good, and the whole area of Klugheim is amazing, but I didn't quite get the hype for it. This was early in the day, and i'd had a 90 minute wait in sweltering heat, so when I noticed later in the day that it had just reopened after downtime and only had a short queue, I had to give it another shot. And oh boy, did it blow me away. When people say Taron warms up, Taron really warms up! Both launches are superb, though the second really does hit, my second favourite launch only behind Stealth. Both halves of the layout have some amazingly whippy transitions, and there's 3 really strong moments of ejector airtime, which stand out even more because this isn't really an airtime layout. Even the trimmed hills at the end gave some nice floaty stuff, not as good as feeling like you're going to be thrown into a rock wall, but still fun. And even after a long ride, you still hit the brakes with some good speed. All of this whilst speeding round an incredible themed area, with numerous head choppers and even a little sprinkle from the waterfall at the end of the second launch. And Intamin's train design is one of the best ever, super comfortable and the lap bar really makes you feel exposed to what's happening. A truly spectacular coaster in a truly spectacular themed area, and don't forget, if like me you get off and it's missing that little something, go round again a few hours later. It will blow you away as well

Lap Bar Fun Intensité Vibrations Débit Layout

Maurer do a decent job with their family spinners. Spinball isn't their finest work, certainly not in terms of layout, but it still provides a crazy, intense and fun ride experience. Isn't the smoothest ride, it's definitely showing it's age, a bit too much now, but that does add to the crazy feel. Still does feel a bit out of place at Towers, some better theming (or even putting it indoors) would go a long way for it, and I do think it's time is limited at a park with very little useable space for new rides

Fun Layout Longueur

I know what you're thinking: What makes a 30-year-old mack powered coaster so special that it gets 5 stars? Sure, it's a custom layout, has good interaction with the river rapids, and even has some nice theming, but really, 5 stars? Well, it's simply because the staff on this ride are the very best i've ever come across. Not just once or twice, but on every single ride, they're just brilliant. You get interactions aplenty, shoutouts, extra laps sometimes, plenty of choo choo action. It's not right that a 30-year-old mack powered coaster is that much fun for grown adults, but it's certainly always a highlight of a visit to Alton Towers

Fun Fluidité Layout Théma

I returned to Alton Towers for the first time since experiencing the worlds newest and best flying coaster at Phantasialand, but on riding one of the worlds oldest ones again, it still stacks up very well. Don't get me wrong, Galactica is not as good as FLY, but it's super smooth, comfortable and really simulates flying very well. Where it so obviously lacks it's 20-years-junior counterpart, is theming, in that Galactica has a portal and some blue lights, and that's it. But ride experience wise, it is still great fun and very enjoyable, and it runs pretty well as well when it's on 2 stations and 3 trains. Always a must ride for me at Towers

Vitesse Fun Débit Inconfort

Completely standard wild mouse, with some nice mexico/western style theming. A few amusing props down in the queue, and plenty of sheds around the layout. It runs pretty fast too, not a lot of trimming most days. It's certainly not a comfortable ride though, the lap bars are bulky and very solid, meaning when you hit the instantaneous brakes you get thrown straight into them. And it's even worse if you're on your own in a row, where the centre bar is between your legs. Yeah, ouch. Capacity is also abysmal in a park which gets very busy. Kinda fun though, apart from the ball crushing

Situation Vitesse Longueur Vibrations Harnais

Vampire is a true classic, both at Chessington and more widely. As with any classics, it has it's flaws, namely the trains which are not comfortable, and the ageing track naturally isn't completely smooth in a few places, more noticeably when at the front of the train. Luckily the back is much less janky and also the best place to ride. The swing feels more natural at the back, and it also gives some really nice intensity on the drop off the second lift, and the famed best part of the ride, the big drop down into the tunnel. The rest of the ride is great fun, good swing throughout the layout, and a good duration as well. The theming, whilst still good, is hampered by knowing how it used to be, although the station and queue retain a nice eery atmosphere. This is a great family coaster, fits so well into the Chessington lineup, and hopefully once it gets to the end of it's service life, they're able to retrack it or modify it to retain it in something like it's current form

Théma Confort Chef d'oeuvre

Of all the rides I've ridden, none have left me awestruck in quite the same way as FLY. Let alone doing so before I even rode it. The whole area of Rookburgh is absolutely spectacular, walking down into the area off of the main street is like something out of a movie, and the whole area is as well. It's the little details for me, the smoke coming out of grates in the floor, the supports have extra pipework on them to fit in with everything else, i could go on and on and on. By far the best themed area I've ever seen. Once you've stood in awe for a few minutes, you can enter the pretty long queue line, where you get some amazing views of what you're about to ride, so I don't mind that it's so long. The locker system they operate is very intelligent, very easy to use, and it also adds to the whole idea of the AirRail company, check in the baggage, go through security etc. Then you enter the station, again amazingly themed, and board the very comfortable trains. Vekoma really knocked it out of the park with the loading system, and the way you transition from sitting to flying. You go through a short preshow section, still in seated position, until you reach the launch, where the train rotates, and then you're off. Both launches are very good, I do feel like the first had a little more kick though, it really gets going on there. You then enter a layout that is the absolute perfect balance between forceful and the enjoyable sensation of flying. And you really do feel like that, it's pretty incredible. You get a fantastic mix of positives, airtime (yes, airtime on a flying coaster, and it's good airtime too) and some slightly higher up parts where the train slows a little, and you get to look over the whole of Rookburgh. There's a few nice effects on the way round too. This coaster is pretty much perfect, and I really hope somewhere else gets a Vekoma flyer at some point because the whole ride system is exceptional. However, I really doubt any subsequent ones could top the masterpiece that is F.L.Y.

Théma Fluidité Inconfort Lap Bar

I don't much enjoy these family boomerang rides, the trains are pretty cramped for the taller person, and the backwards bit never agrees with me much. However Raik gets points for continuing the areas spectacular theming, and for it's interaction with Taron. Also credit to the park for installing a decent family coaster as well as their flagship thrill ride. One and done, but at least it looks great. On a quiet day, you may also get lucky and go round twice. Never seen a boomerang operate like that, so fair play to them!

Airtimes Fun Longueur Inconfort

I'll knock my con out of the way first, this is not a comfortable ride. The seats are very hard, and they feel extremely small, there's very little support for your back particularly if you're taller like myself. I found myself not enjoying the ride as much as I could've done because of this. However, regardless, this is a hell of a good mine train. The length is crazy, it feels like it's going on forever. A few of the drops and hills give genuine airtime, not crazy but still pretty forceful. Some of the helixes and turns are pretty snappy too, for what is the parks main family coaster. There's no doubt that layout wise, it's one of the best family coasters going. Impressive ride, I just wish it was a bit more comfortable so i would want to do rerides!

First Drop Théma Intensité Temps mort

This is a very good invert. Phantasialand are the masters of theming, and Black Mamba is no exception, the whole Africa section, and the ride, look great. There's a nice drumming style soundtrack, that's quite light and fun in the area, but takes a more aggressive turn when the train dispatches the station. For me, the first drop is the big highlight, it's not massive but it's pretty steep and it whips you round to the right at the back of the train. The rest of the layout after that is the usual intense B&M invert stuff, although I thought the corkscrews really punched on this, very forceful. The only down side really, is it peters out at the end, you don't swing into the brake run with a lot of speed, but it's only a minor complaint really. Very enjoyable ride

Longueur Vibrations Temps mort

Not a great junior coaster, pretty rattly all the way round, only positive is you do get 2 laps. Also don't get the theming, makes no sense at all to me!

Launch Layout Ejectors

A brilliant and very underrated launch coaster. Not the longest ride in the world, but I don't mind when it packs in decent inversions, intense turns, 2 great top hats, and a fantastic rolling launch. It runs very smooth as well, considering its an older Gerstlauer. Such a shame there's only 2 of these coasters around, they'd be a great fit in some smaller parks

Fun Inconfort

Standard large Tivoli model. Decent fun, but this one wasn't the smoothest

Lap Bar Confort Intensité Vibrations

Very decent family coaster. Great trains with a really nominal lap bar, feels very open. Even pulls some decent force on the helix before the station. Back row is pretty whippy too, drags you down the first drop. Does have a bit of a rattle in places but nothing serious. Good fun

First Drop Fluidité Trop court Temps mort Lap Bar

Not a fan of this one at all. The lap bar just doesn't work, i'm pretty tall and it was on my knees, had to sit in a very strange position to get it to close at all which made the ride uncomfortable. As for the actual coaster, the drop down the spike is fun, gets some decent speed, but it's pretty dull really. As family coasters go this isn't a good one, particularly when there's 3 brilliant ones in the same park

Théma Fun Vibrations Layout

Just your bog standard Tivoli coaster layout, so nothing special, but the theming is fun, as are the near misses with the track. 2 lap special as well. Has more of a jank than a rattle, but I think that's just the model of coaster, kind of gives it a personality!

Théma Fun Layout

A bland ride with a standard layout, but some decent theming makes it a good enjoyable small coaster

Fluidité Longueur Inconfort Lap Bar

A fun powered coaster with a decent layout, nice theming and always a nice location at Tivoli Gardens. Do watch the restraint and the position of yourself in the seat though, as a guy it can be a bit uncomfortable if it doesn't all line up well!

Airtimes Situation Longueur Vibrations Temps mort

Nice enjoyable classic woodie. Didn't find it too rough, definitely had a rattle but it is getting on for 100 years old, so it's excusable. Found the first half a little bland, but the return run of hills gave some decent floater. I hope they keep this going as a woodie, grand national is the clear RMC candidate here

First Drop Débit Intensité

If you're going to be a one trick pony, that trick better deliver. And Oblivion really does. Sure it lasts all of 10 seconds, but for 5 of those you're falling into a 115ft deep black hole, having spent your queue watching other people do the same and listening to the lord of darkness' commentary about g-force and other interesting aspects of your impending experience. The intimidation factor is 10/10 on this one. The trains are comfortable, and the classic B&M OTSRs provide a reasonably open restraint. The drop is immense, sustained airtime all the way down, super intense too. You get a little more air as you crest into the brakes also. They really get the people through as well when they have both stations operating which helps with the queues. Super short, but very very sweet

Théma Intensité Fluidité

Yes it has a 1m height restriction. Yes you only have to be 4 to ride. Yes it's pretty short. Yes it's at Paultons Park, which is without doubt aimed at younger families. But don't let any of that fool you, this is a coaster with some bite. The intensity you get on the horseshoe, and particularly the big helix, is crazy, it would be decent enough with standard trains but it's mad with the spinning ones. You do get a decent spin too, which adds to it even more. It's absolutely gloss smooth too, though it is brand new so you'd expect it to be. The theming is fantastic too, great soundtrack and storyline for the coaster, and plenty of little details in the queue and on the ride. How it came to be located next to Peppa Pig World i'll never know, but it's a great investment for Paultons, and if this is a sign of what's to come then the UK is in for a real treat with this place. Awesome coaster all round

Airtimes Confort Fun

This is a great family coaster. Really offers a complete ride experience, with a great first drop that's surprisingly snappy and gives a hint of floaty airtime, aggressive laterals, fast helixes, near misses and small airtime hills. It rides really well too, very smooth, and the trains are great. if this ride had more theming it would definitely be 5* for me, as it goes it has some good landscaping and a fun shed headchopper, I just think Paultons could do something really good round there. Doesn't detract from how good a ride this is though, perfect for it's target audience and good fun for everyone