Comparing some WDW rides to Alton Towers Air

[seobaina]

Hi

I've asked on the main board some general questions about ride intensity and had some great feedback (including from Robo) but I figured what might be useful is if I can ask some fellow brits a more direct comparisson. So, how would you rate EE, Space Mountain and R&RC to Alton Tower's 'Air'? I ask cause I've been on Air, so I can get a better understanding this way. And, just so I can figure out how you rate things, could you also compare it to BTMR and Splash. I hate negative G 'freefall down' feeling but like going fast. Thanks

 

[poggs]

Hi

I've asked on the main board some general questions about ride intensity and had some great feedback (including from Robo) but I figured what might be useful is if I can ask some fellow brits a more direct comparisson. So, how would you rate EE, Space Mountain and R&RC to Alton Tower's 'Air'? I ask cause I've been on Air, so I can get a better understanding this way. And, just so I can figure out how you rate things, could you also compare it to BTMR and Splash. I hate negative G 'freefall down' feeling but like going fast. Thanks

The headline rides at alton towers are more intense that those at disney world. The only WDW ride that has any real intesity is EE. Rocknroller coaster is fun and the start is fast, but its the next level down. The three mountains are kiddie rides really.

Universal (incl IOA)seaworld and busch gardens have the coasters. Disney is all about atmosphere. Its entertainment is much more aimed at under 10's, older adults and those who simply enjoy being around the action, but there is loads for everyone to enjoy. However, dont go to disney wanting a coaster fest, That its not.

 

[darthtatty]

I agree, Disneys rides are all about theming. splash mountain is similar to the log flume but with a story before the splashes.
seaworld does a couple of rides similar to Air- Manta and kraken.
Universal do a lot of rides similar to Nemesis but on a larger scale.

 

[qiaodigg]

I agree, Disneys rides are all about theming.

 

[natalielongstaff]

The only ride that compares to air in florida is Manta at sea world, disney rides are very tame in comparison to the thrill rides at Alton towers

As a former rollercoaster scardy cat i NEVER thought i would be saying that

 

[seobaina]

Thanks guys that's good to know. I knew the rides were more theme based but in the past I've chickened out of R&R, EE, etc. So, if I can survive AIR & Splash I guess you're saying I can survice EE, Space M & R&R right? Cool! Thanks!

 

[Danauk]

Space Mountain at WDW is very tame, nothing at all like Air. RnRC is more thrilling as it has a fast launch (more like the launch on Rita at Alton Towers), it does have inversions and is the most thrilling of the rides you have mentioned. Expedition Everest is more like a well theamed runaway mine train and it is an excellent ride. But again Air is more thrilling.

 

[Scrap_Vamp]

I would rather ride Air than Space Mountain, simply because it is much smoother to ride!

I haven't ridden Space Mountain since the upgrade, but I used to find it really jerky and uncomfortable, so we only rode it once per trip. I've headr reports where people say it is still like that, although I will go on this year just to check for myself!

 

[wideeyes]

Space mountain at WDW is still jerky, It reminds be of being on one of those wooden coasters. My DD loves it. It is a very tame ride though.


I don't find RnR an extreme roller coaster past the launch. My DD loves this too.

 

[seobaina]

Thanks guys. Jerky doesn't bother me too much cause BTMR is jerky but I love that and I love the bobsleds in Disneyland. I REALLY appreciate the comparissons, thank you!!

 

[LorraineH]

We have annual passes for the Merlin Group so know all the rides at Alton Towers/Thorpe Park/Chessington well and we would compare them as follows:

RnRC - very fast start, similar to the start of Rita Queen of Speed, but RnRC goes upside down and the theming is superb

SplashM - Similar to most of the Log flume type rides but again, no comparison with the theming. SplashM is brilliant.

BTMRR - Similar to the Runaway Mine Trains at the Merlin theme parks

EE - Cant really compare this one, no rides in the UK theme parks like this!

Triceratops Spin in AK - this is similar to Spinball Whizzer in Alton Towers or Dragon's Fury at Chessington (although I find TSpin in AK to be more jolty and bumpy)

Space Mountain - this is fairly similar to what was The Black Hole at Alton Towers

Havent been on Manta at SW (yet!) but this looks to be most like Air at Alton Towers and Sheikra at BG looks to be most like Oblivion at Alton Towers.

Hope that helps!

Lorraine x

 

[seobaina]

Thanks Lorraine

 

[Danauk]

I too have Merlin Passes (have had Alton Towers AP for the past 13 years!!) and agree with the above by Lorraine. Oblivion though is not really like Sheikra, Sheikra has 2 vertical drops and a loop, the 1st drop is longer than Oblivion's only drop. Having said that after many years of rifing Oblivion and then riding Sheikra I was actually dissapointed in this ride, I though it would be a lot more scary. Still a great ride though, just didn't live up to my expectations.

 

[seobaina]

I'm too big a wuss to go on things like Oblivion. Air is about my limit!

 

[Danauk]

I'm too big a wuss to go on things like Oblivion. Air is about my limit!

Oblivion is great, I have ridden it about 200 times. I rode it the weekend it opened. I waited in line for 3 1/2 hours as it was a world's 1st ride. About 30 minutes into the line I realised the ride lasted less than 30 seconds! I was not amused!! I did wear my Oblivion t-shirt when I rode Sheik'ra though, the guide on our tour was impressed by my top. He knew his coasters!!

 

[seobaina]

I'm sure it's great but I hate negative g and the older I've gotten the more wussy I am about rides like that. As I say, Air is about my limit, which is why I'm debating R&RC, EE & Space Mountain. I did ToT about 15 years ago but not a hope in hell now LOL

 

[Danauk]

If air is your limit I would say EE and Space Mountian would be fine. I would not ride RnRC due to the g's on launch. Space Mountain is very rough (did you ever ride the old corkscrew at Alton Towers? It is as rough as that.) I personally do not ride SM at WDW as I find it boring (I do ride it at Disneyland and Disneyland Paris though). My friend who we go on Disney trips with also ride Air and liked it. She would not ride Nemasis, Oblivion or Rita though. At WDW she loves Splash, Space Mountain, BtMRR and EE. She rode RnRC with me but hated it and would not ride it again. Maybe her perspective helps you.

 

[seobaina]

If air is your limit I would say EE and Space Mountian would be fine. I would not ride RnRC due to the g's on launch. Space Mountain is very rough (did you ever ride the old corkscrew at Alton Towers? It is as rough as that.) I personally do not ride SM at WDW as I find it boring (I do ride it at Disneyland and Disneyland Paris though). My friend who we go on Disney trips with also ride Air and liked it. She would not ride Nemasis, Oblivion or Rita though. At WDW she loves Splash, Space Mountain, BtMRR and EE. She rode RnRC with me but hated it and would not ride it again. Maybe her perspective helps you.

Thanks for that. Fast doesn't normally bother me if it's going forward, I'm ok with that 'g', just the negative 'drop' g. I love test track's speed. I've been on Nemesis but many, many years ago (when it first opened). Went on space years ago but chickened out in more recent years. I've been on the old corkscrew. I liked it but then again I was about half my current age LOL. I'm not a big fan of splash because of the drop...but as I say that's negative g. Thanks for your friends info...that does help. Hummm, might have to see about R&RC. Interesting that that one seems worse than EE, I'd have thought the other way around because of the backwards bit.

 

[champagnegirl26]

if air is your limit i would avoid rnrc to be honest. EE is tameish but the backwards bit may leave your tummy behind for a few seconds! I love coasters but my hubby is like you and he didnt really like them.

 

[seobaina]

Oh ok, thank you. That's interesting.