Park Preview

mardy · Park Preview Owner

As part of the 'Around the UK in 80 Roller Coasters' filming, we headed to Lightwarer Valley for a day of Park Preview fun!

Below are the photos from our trip - you can click to enlarge too. Wink

Like any good Park Preview trip, the Lightwater Valley one started the night before at the local pub!

After only a few minutes, Geraintl has already wasted some Magners - This just isn't acceptable!

Early the next morning we arrive at Lightwater Valley to film on ride POV of the Ultimate for the 'Around the UK in 80 Roller Coasters' DVD.

We were informed that today was the first day for several months that Lightwater Valley had run both trains on the track at the same time.

This is just how we like it - an empty station, we better make the most of it as today is expected to be their busiest day of the season.

Mardy begins setting up the camera for the on ride POV.

Notice that the train is filled with water barrels (the red things under the lap bars).

Here is the control center for the Ultimate. It's pretty basic by today's standards - but this is an old coaster.

Transfer track and 1st lift hill.

Here is the famous sign above the exit to the station. Being coaster nuts we decided to measure the track by GPS to see if it is actually 1.5 miles.

Here is the track layout of The Ultimate as mapped by GPS on the way round. Apparently, it's just over 1.3 miles by GPS but the tunnels confussed it a bit so we'd say 1.5 miles is probably spot on!

Mardy filming Eagles Claw - without a doubt the BEST spinning swing/afterburner (whatever you choose to call it) in the UK!

Geraintl photographing the Eagles Claw - who knows he may even upload his photos this time, lol.

Check out the cool station themeing, shame this themeing wasn't continued around the whole ride - that would have been awesome.

Some of the guys from Valley Mania waiting to ride Twister.

One of the guys from Valley Mania eating a banana.

Here is the Twister, standard issue Wild Mouse. It's a very smooth mouse, but doesn't spin much.

Car number 3 has been naughty and sits on the naughty track!

Our carriage awaits.

The Rat Ride, easily the best indoor dark coaster in the UK. The themeing is incredible. Make sure you ride this early, as the throughput is poor and long queues form quickly.

The Valley Mania boys enjoyed the Rat Ride.

A few more shots of the Eagles Claw. It has the best ride cycle ever, it tricks riders into thinking the ride is over after a few swings and then it really gets going when you're expecting it to stop. .

It really is an amazing ride.

The Park Preview curse broke the Eagles Claw when we were riding and we had to wait for it to come to a natural stop - which took about 10 minutes. The engineer soon got it going again and it was running well all day.

New for 2008 is the Lightwater Wheel. It sits on the site of the old splash ride, and is a good addition to the park.

Check out the scenery at Lightwater Valley, it's amazing!

The view from the top of the wheel looking towards the entrance.

Below us are the pyrotechnics team setting up for tonights forework display.

Mardy filming for the park video.

Geraintl sporting one of the new t-shirts promoting the forthcoming DVD.

It's the camel ride, although none of the camels have humps - unless you count the riders.

Smile, you're on the latest Park Preview video!

Er, that'll be the entrance then I guess.

It's the Buffalo Express - "One of the more extreme rides at Lightwater Valley".

And here it is!

I can never understand why Lightwater Valley decided to install such a great attraction in such a horrible colour. OK, it's green and fits in with the surroundings but it looks dirty! I've never seen such a horrible colour dingy slide.

Mardy and Geraintl loving the Camels!

If you've ever been on a Park Preview trip you'll know that Mardy never puts the camera down!

Notice the random guy with a camera on the ground, he must have photos of us!

Geraintl and Mardy ride "one of the more extreme rides at Lightwater Valley".

The go karts - we have never ridden these dispite them being the only FREE go karts we've ever seen at a theme park in the UK. The problem with them is that there is always a huge queue.

Whatever Geraintl just said, Mardy doesn't look happy.

More Camels!

Lightwater Valley is an easy going park and doesn't have many rules as you can see.

Clearly, Geraintl is amused by the 'No Mobile Phone' sign. It doesn't say I Phone so you're ok.

Hmmm, this may become a problem at lunch time?

I believe Lightwater Valley is home to the largest (seating capacity) swinging ship in Europe - The Wave!

It delivers an average ride, but is nothing compared to Bounty at Drayton Manor.

Er, Mardy, the ship is the other way - you're filming nothing again!

One of 2 main food halls at Lightwater Valley - we ate here last year, they have Slush Puppies.

Lightwater Valley definately wins the award for the best themed toilets at any UK park. .

The Grizzly Bear wasn't running today due to a technical fault. This was a real shame as we enjoyed it last year - "read the signs".

The LadyBird - a great family coaster.

Guess what brand of camera Geraintl uses?

Some of the Valley Mania guys and Mardy being strange.

Lightwater Valley even put up some special signs after they heard about our inflatable hammer.

The Valley Mania guys doing something to someone - lol, god knows what's going on here!

Hammer POV, Geraintl decides to launch an attack on the Valley Mania guys in the next carriage.

Sean initially finds this funny, but then...

...snatches the hammer from Geraintl and lets all of the air out of it.

Which Nathan finds amusing...

Sean passes back the deflated hammer...

And Geraintl attacks him with the camera tri-pod.

After a few ciders in the Pub in the Wood, it's time to head down to the lake and watch the fireworks.

All in all, this was a very enjoyable day.

Lightwarer Valley is a great family theme park and it certainly had enough to keep us amused from 8.30am through to 7pm!

We'll definately be heading back there next year. If you've never been to this park, keep an eye on our trip dates for 2009 and join us!

Points worth a special mention:

The Ultimate
One of my Top Ten Coasters in the UK, it's brutal, but it's amazing. I love it! It's so unique - there's nothing else like it!

Eagles Claw
Easily the best spinning swing in the UK. It's head and shoulders above anything else we've riden. With a fantastic ride cycle and set in amazing surroundings it delivers an awesome ride.

The Rat Ride
Without question, this is the best indoor dark coaster in the UK. Granted, there aren't many others - but this one wins hand down. The themeing is unreal! Get there and ride it!

Fireworks
Lightwarer Valley put on an amazing firework display at the end of each season and they must spend a fortune putting together such and amazing display. If you enjoy fireworks don't forget to check out the full video in the bonus video section.

Nathan

Fantastic photo report!

The photoshopped sign is awesome! Laughing

And expect the free Go Karts to be no more next year. A £3 charge is under consideration but a brand new track and the return of single rider karts beckons!

Would you mind if I posted some of the more member based photos in Valley Mania's gallery? I'll stick a Park Preview URL underneath in return. Smile

mardy · Park Preview Owner

No problem, as long as all photos are credited to Park Preview.

Dylan

Good photos and video, looks like you had a good day. Shame about the lack of Flamingoland footage, but hey, next season is just around the corner!....kind of Confused

mardy · Park Preview Owner

We did get some Splosh footage, check out the bonus video topic. It's unedited - but it's quite funny. lol

english coaster guy

Awesome PTR i love Lightwater Valley.
Can anyone tell me if The Hornets Nest is the ex Chaos at Southport Pleasureland??

Nathan

Yes it is.

It is one of 5 rides from Southport Pleasureland.

- Hornets Nest
- Dragon Boats
- Flying Camels
- Noah's Ark
- Dodgems