This blog is a chat about the VR styled experiences we’ve experience across theme parks. It will include positive and negative thoughts on the topic but as always this is purely our opinion on the topic.
Galactica / Air ;
At first when this was announced we were very open minded to the concept. We never had an opinion on the matter as it was such a fresh concept for the UK theme parks. However it wasn’t something that got us excited neither. Prior to the re-theme I did experience it as Air and loved it. Once we got to experience the newly introduced VR it wasn’t something which left us overwhelmed. It was simply fun and something new to enjoy. However after a few rides the novelty began to wear off and we found ourselves becoming less interested in even riding the coaster. As you rolled onto your back there was always a sense of worry your headset was about to fall off which then took the fun away. That slight shake there is really throws the headset around. We are not saying at all the coaster is rough as it’s far from it. It’s the position you’re in making the headset very unsteady. Some rides had the footage out of sync to the ride, the main part where this is noticeable is the lift hill.
The lack of change since opening year is partly the reason it became stale fairly fast. Having the VR slows the throughput down or at least did when it was full train of VR. For this season the just over half the carriage which has the VR removed and the queue is split. If VR was to be used on a coaster again we’d love to see it built from scratch or on an indoor coaster. The Walking Dead: The Ride would have been the ideal coaster for it in our opinion. We really hope to see the return of Air for next season with no VR on offering.
Derren Brown’s Ghost Train: Rise
of the Demon;
We were very excited to experience it, the fact it was a built attraction for VR had us interested from the get go. As VR added to an already existing coaster didn’t do it for us at all, we hoped this would. The VR on DBGT is interesting as it’s fitted the whole modern ghost train style/ theme perfectly. However the reliability changed our opinion we’ve experienced several “blank” moments. That’s led to us missing out on sections and sometimes almost half of the experience. The quality is crisp which gives more of the illusion of reality for sure. The comfort levels of wearing the headsets has mixed opinions for us. There have been times the headset fitted perfectly. Then other’s when your rushed to put it on and don’t have the chance to adjust it properly, which I get is part of the experience but can make the experience quite uncomfortable really. It’s more enjoyable on this type of attraction in comparison to coasters. We find the VR adds a unique touch to this ride and adds to the illusion they desire really well. One of the main aspects of the attraction which keeps us enjoying the VR, is the frequent changes. It keeps it fresh and intriguing.
Overall;
We haven’t experienced many VR rides and attractions. Personally don’t think we will actively go out our way to experience more of neither. Purpose built attractions for VR work better then existing rides been revamped for it. The likes of DBGT is by no means perfect but preferred to Galactica IMO. We feel the VR phase is dying out within the theme park industry anyway. The gradual removal of headsets on Galactica demonstrates this theory of ours. As for the likes DBGT unless they added something to replace the VR it wouldn’t ever work without. As for new attractions in the future we’d hope VR isn’t a regular reoccurring edition but instead screens are. Hopefully no older rides or attractions receive the Galactica treatment either. VR works fine on purpose built rides whereas adding to already existing just doesn’t work in our
opinion.
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