As you have probably seen, the park have applied for planning permission for a 150ft tall vertical swing ride from Zamperla. Looks like the investment is still coming and with rumours of a woodie, an interesting couple of years.

IF they get planning permission, its due to be open for July. Anyone been on a 150ft version of this? Are they any good?

I've been on the 200ft+ Star Flyer at Plopsaland, and that was good. But good is as far as that goes really.

I was really looking forward to it, and I shat myself, they are scary, if you're afraid of heights, avoid (I'm not afraid of heights, but I was nervous before hand)!

One thing I was surprised, with, which didn't help with me already shitting myself, was how small the chains were that hold you up, with no fail safe cable or wire for extra safety. I've got real boney fingers, yet the chain was still smaller!



I think seeing this before hand certainly made me feel better!



Couple of nice shots:





Needless to say, there aren't many people waving their arms about, or making any noise and sudden movements!

I forget the manufacturer, but I like them Star Flyer's, I think them Windseekers look crap and ugly, so it will be interesting to see what Zamperla come up with.

The Zamperla travelling models have the whole tower spinning rather then just the gondola I'd assume a park model will jsut be the same.

They must be confident they'll get planning permission considering there's plenty of banners advertising it at the park!

It'll be a good addition for the park. I've ridden a few (one at Holiday Park, one at Tivoli and one at Martin's Fantasy Island). They don't bother me really and the view's always nice.

I'd love to try one, so for me it would be a good addition.

I think as far as the failsafes are concerned... you have 8 chains on those chairs, so in effect there's 8 back-ups. I'm confident enough with that, but I got worried see-ing those 2 big blokes sharing one!

I thought it weird when see-ing the entire tower spin - I thought it would make things quite unstable, but as it turns out, its better to have the weight of the motors low to the ground. At present you dont get taller than Mission Space, and its tower spins.

I, on the other hand though, I find the windseekers better looking than the star flyers, their lighting rigs at night look spectacular. Although for me the best looking one is the HUGE 1 in Vienna with its retro look:

Oh my word.

I think the opposite to be honest. I think they look ugly (nice at night though), but them Windseekers kind of cancelled out the point of these rides. These are all about the fear of heights, and feeling vunerable/insecure, yet the Windseekers seats are held up by large steel bars, so you're not really on a 'swing', or freely swinging around by chains, if you get what I mean. That is where the fear is at IMO.