Alton Towers Galactica

Alton Towers Galactica
My favourite ride at alton towers for a long time has been Air. Air has been at alton towers since 2002, the year my first son was born. I remember nervously waiting in the queue that year - waiting to fly - and the two hour wait was so worth it.
Fast forward 14 years to 2016 and Air is revamped and renamed as Galactica. Bringing with it Virtual Reality and the promise of a flight through space. I was again nervously excited about the prospect of using VR on a ride, as usually it's nice to see where you are actually going. 


Luckily, going on a Friday the queue was short, no two hour wait this time. The ride looks the same from the outside as it always did.  The Air shop has been made much smaller and is now the galactica shop and next door to it there is a 'rollercoaster restaurant' that is due to open in may.

Alton Towers Galactica
At the front of the queue and we are pointed towards the first row - now usually that's exciting but given that you will only see what's on your headset then I guess it's the same as every other row now. 

The VR set is similar to most others available currently to buy, with the difference of the added speakers that go over your ears.  Now they have taken your sight and your ears!!

Alton Towers Galactica
Once safely in place the ride begins. I was very optimistic from the start, with a good introduction and great sound from the earpieces. As you go up the starting climb you are launching into space on the set. 

After that I have to say I got a little Confused! Now maybe it's because I have been on Air maybe in excess of 50 times,  or maybe it's because after the first loop had come and gone I was unable to actually work out that the VR set was showing me. I can't say at this stage.  And shortly after the ride ended.  

Honestly I felt like I had been cheated, out of my favourite familiar ride, for something that looked the same but felt completely different!

It's hard to give a practical review as i am still (8 hours later) trying to work out what happened in the video.  My son went on twice and he seemed to enjoy it better second time, so maybe that's what needs to help done.

Alton Towers Galactica
So, Alton towers, I salute you for embracing the future, for employing the technology of the future and for showing as another way that VR can be used, but maybe it would have worked better on a brand new ride? Something less familiar and something actually designed with the technology in mind. Maybe this would enable the technology to work best, rather than making it look like a bit of a nice add on to an existing classic.







3 comments

  1. Incredible experience! So thrilling.

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  2. Theme parks come in such variety. As do rides at theme parks. Health and Safety is a priority.

    Rachel Craig

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  3. My son and daughter experienced this and were amazed and really enjoyed it. I didn't try . I haven't embraced the virtual experience with the same gusto

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