Yes, I FINALLY got to ride Valhalla earlier this month! It appears to still striking big awards like “The Best Water Ride in the World” but is that agreeable?
I feel when there’s other water rides in the world such as Pirates of the Caribbean as an example it’s hard to justify Valhalla being the “best”. However, it’s definitely the best in the UK against the slight competition. Valhalla has come on lovely to the last time I rode it somewhere between 4/5 years ago now. I feel VERY fortunate to have the effects working. I did hear some stories of barely anything working prior to our visit.
The enhancement the park has made it brilliant. There’s simply no denying they’ve done a tremendous job. Although, the main audio is the only one I miss from the previous version of the ride. I also admire the fact there’s a story to be followed as you travel around. That’s a lovely touch and just adds that little more twinkle. However, there’s nothing better than that iconic music.
Some of the scenes are really pretty whereas others are quite eerie & darker than before. Of course, there are some sections that are still pretty much in black but the story-led audio does help divert you from that too. One scene I’m sceptical about is the “ice” room I feel that is a little too ‘hot iced’ for me. Some other differences felt so bizarre especially the old backwards drop section but a HUGE improvement.
The ride is of course very soggy. The vortex tunnel still ploughs into the boat. Some of the drops were bigger than I ever recalled. For us, on the back row, the worst bit was definitely the hammers in the upper section of the ride. I’d never ride it like I used to without a poncho it’s not worth THAT level of wetness but poncho is on then you’re golden. It is a shame they weren’t able or didn’t (not too sure on the logistics of it) to turn the wetness down. Just to make it a more of an al-year kind of ride.
However, Valhalla is an absolute beaut. We are VERY fortunate to have it part of the UK ride lineup. A big well done to the team at Blackpool for making the ride so much better somehow than how it was previously.