Venue: Funland, Hayling Island
Who Went: Just me
Rationale For Trip
My attendance at Loopathon day 2 (Drayton Manor Park) should have been my send-off to the 2011 coaster season. In the aftermath of that Club trip, I felt like a last-minute bonus coaster trip to Funland Hayling Island the last Saturday in October.Getting to Funland
I got up early in order to catch the 8:08 train from Dorchester South to Southampton Central, followed by the 9:33 train to Havant. Having reached Havant at 10:10, I walked to the bus station as quickly as possible whereupon I caught the 10:21 bus to Beachlands. I finally reached Beachlands at 10:36.Funland was due to open at 11am. To fill in time, I went into Beachlands Cafeteria for a coffee.
Morning Riding
At 11:08 I entered Funland, bought myself an all-day wristband, and was eager to take to the rides.Super Dragon
As a RCCGB member I was determined to start the day on one of Funland's three coasters. Unexpectedly I met Sam from the RCCGB. Since he was about to ride Super Dragon, I started the day on Super Dragon too, and sat in the row in front of him. This Pinfari Super Dragon MD31 previously operated at Drayton Manor Park as Super Dragon from 1984 to 2007, but has been operating at Funland since 2008. The red vinyl sheet which used to be at the back, with DRAGON MANOR on, has now been removed. That's only a minor change though, the ride experience was no different from when I last went to Funland in October last year. One ride consists of four laps. For now I only had one go.Afterwards Sam and I spoke for several minutes about various topics. Sam wondered what made me want to go to Funland today. Told him this was my last minute bonus coaster trip as a follow-on to Loopathon.
Woody's Roller Coaster
This Cavazza Diego Super Nessi Junior Coaster has been operating since 2001. Despite the name, it's actually a steel coaster. However the ride cars resemble logs, which probably explains why the coaster is called Woody's Roller Coaster. One ride consists of three laps. For now I just had one go on this, in the back row.Suddenly I noticed that Klondike was stuck mid way. I hoped it would be running again later. Meanwhile I headed across to Drop.
Drop
Claims to be the tallest, fastest ride on the south coast. This drop tower stands 35 metres tall. Seeing this ride reminded me of climbing its internal ladders at the September 2009 RCCGB meet-up there. For now I enjoyed one go on this: seat 1.Break Dancer
Similar to a waltzer; you get into cars, which spin on turntables, which themselves spin on a spinning giant turntable. For some reason, some cars were unusable. A fun ride, I thoroughly enjoyed one go on this. Not sure two goes straight off would be wise though.Woody's Roller Coaster
One more go on this family coaster, this time in the front row. Afterwards I met Marshall Hill, and we had a quick talk.Super Dragon
My second go for today on this family coaster, this time in the back row.Blizzard Falls Log Flume
Funland's small log flume. I think this one is primarily aimed at children, but adults can ride it. There were three logs on today. The rise and fall are quite small, but it was still a fun ride. I enjoyed two goes on this.Speed Flip
New for 2011, this thrill ride stands where Tornado used to be. Made by Moser Rides, this consists of four arms, with four looping gondolas on the end of each arm. The arms rise up so the four gondolas rotate about the applicable arm end, whilst almost inverted. In addition the central pole spins about its base. An unusual ride sensation to say the least, you need to ride it to find out what it feels like. My verdict: a fun new addition to the Park, but one go at a time was enough for me. In fact this was my only go on this all day. Having left Speed Flip, I walked around the Park before going on anything else.Drop
My second go for today on this drop tower, this time in seat 4.Cannibal Pots
Similar to a tea cup ride, but with cauldrons instead of cups. For now I had just one go. I just sat back and went with the flow; I didn't bother spinning my cauldron at all.Klondike
This Pinfari Zyklon ZL42 coaster previously operated at Drayton Manor Park as Python Looping Coaster from 1984 to 1994, and as Klondike Gold Mine from 1995 to 2004. Since 2005, it has been operating at Funland, Hayling Island. Now that this looping coaster was running again, I had one go. I had to take my rucksack on the train as the staff are not allowed to carry bags from the entry to exit platform via the tunnel any more.The train set off up the lift hill, around the vertical loop and through the tunnels until it terminated at the exit platform. A thrilling and fun ride experience considering the coaster's age. At the end an obvious sign of the ride's age is the need to release each harness individually by inserting a rod into the applicable hole, a rather antiquated harness release method to say the least.
Super Dragon
Immediately after leaving Klondike, I met Marshall again, he told me to return in ten minutes for an arcade tour. Meanwhile I had one more go on Super Dragon, this time in the fourth row.Surprise Tour
Marshall kindly gave me a guided tour of the first floor of the arcade. When the RCCGB held its Summer Bash at Funland in July 2005, this was a go-kart circuit. By the time of the RCCGB meet-up at Funland in September 2009, this had become a workshop. Marshall said they got rid of the go-karts as they were too dangerous. Now it has been converted into a forthcoming new visitor attraction. At the time some sections of the new attraction were incomplete. All the required parts were made on park. At the end I thanked him for the unexpected tour.Lunchtime
The time was now around 1:10pm. Feeling hungry, I left Funland to get some lunch at Beachlands Cafeteria. There I enjoyed a delicious all-day breakfast plus cup of coffee.Just After Lunch
I left Beachlands Cafeteria at 1:47pm, but didn't want to return to riding too soon after eating. So I went for a walk along the sea front. Eventually I found a fitness trail, and decided to go on the open-air exercise equipment. After that I headed back towards Funland.Afternoon Riding
At 2:50pm I was back in Funland, eager for more riding.Super Dragon
Being as this is so close to the entrance, I began my afternoon riding where I began my morning riding: one go on Super Dragon. This time I rode in the back row.Blizzard Falls Log Flume
Four goes on this junior log flume.Super Dragon
Another go on Super Dragon, this time in the front row.Break Dancer
My second and final go for today on this spinning ride. When I approached the ride it looked as though there were a few vacant cars, but I was told to wait for the next run before being allowed on as the cars which appeared vacant were actually unavailable for use.Drop
My final go for today on this drop tower, this time in seat 2.Klondike
My second go for today on Klondike, this time in the back row, showing my RCCGB 20th anniversary T-shirt.Woody's Roller Coaster
One go on Woody's Roller Coaster, again showing my RCCGB 20th anniversary T-shirt. Really though, today was a bit cold to be outside in just a T-shirt. When the ride ended I was glad to put my hoodie and fleece back on.Helter Skelter
I had already been on one helter skelter during 2011: the helter skelter at Adventure Island, Southend during the RCCGB meet-up there 23 July 2011. Nonetheless I was keen to slide Funland's one as well. I had four goes on this helter skelter.Klondike
Now for a marathon run of as many goes on Klondike as I could fit in. I ended up having six goes one after another as follows: second row, front row left seat, front row right seat, second-from-back row, third row, fourth row. This coaster was now very quiet. In fact on some of my goes I had to wait for extra riders to make up the minimum requirement of four riders for the train to run.With less than half an hour of riding time left until daytime wristbands were due to expire at 5pm, I now wanted to cram in as many rides as I could.
Cannibal Pots
My second and final go for today on this cauldron ride. This time I did occasionally spin my cauldron a little, but nothing like as fast I experienced when riding this with two other RCCGB members at the September 2009 meet-up.Woody's Roller Coaster
Keen to end my day on a coaster, I enjoyed two goes on Woody's Roller Coaster: back row followed by second row.Super Dragon
Whilst heading back to the exit, there was just time for one more go on Super Dragon, to end the day than where I began. When this ride finished I ran across to the bus stop as quickly as possible.Summary of day in order of activity
Super Dragon 1
Woody's Roller Coaster 1
Drop 1
Break Dancer 1
Woody's Roller Coaster 1
Super Dragon 1
Blizzard Falls Log Flume 2
Speed Flip 1
Drop 1
Cannibal Pots 1
Klondike 1
Super Dragon 1
Tour of arcade first floor with Marshall.
Lunch at Beachlands Cafeteria
Sea front including fitness trail
Super Dragon 1
Blizzard Falls Log Flume 4
Super Dragon 1
Break Dancer 1
Drop 1
Klondike 1
Woody's Roller Coaster 1
Helter Skelter 4
Klondike 6
Cannibal Pots 1
Woody's Roller Coaster 2
Super Dragon 1
Cumulative summary of my rides all day
| Ride | Total |
| Blizzard Falls Log Flume | 6 |
| Break Dancer | 2 |
| Cannibal Pots | 2 |
| Super Dragon | 6 |
| Drop | 3 |
| Helter Skelter | 4 |
| Klondike | 8 |
| Speed Flip | 1 |
| Woody's Roller Coaster | 5 |
| TOTAL | 37 |
Journey Home
At 5:02pm I was back at the bus stop. Other people were waiting there. Five minutes later I caught the bus to Havant Bus Station. Once there I made a quick dash for the railway station, whereupon I caught the 17:37 train to Southampton Central, for onward 18:51 train to Dorchester South. I finally reached Dorchester just after 8pm.Outro
Highlights
High ride count.Meeting Sam from the RCCGB, and riding Super Dragon with him at the start of the day (my first ride).
Unexpected guided tour of the first floor of the arcade with Marshall Hill.
All day breakfast at Beachlands Cafeteria lunchtime.
Six goes on Klondike one after another late afternoon.
Lowlights
Wild River log flume out of action all day.Summary
Altogether a great day out, my final send-off to the 2011 coaster season. The weather was reasonable, although it was a bit chilly, it was sunny much of the day, and dry all day. It was great meeting Sam from the RCCGB at the start of the day, as I wasn't expecting to meet any RCCGB members. My biggest surprise of the day was my guided tour with Marshall Hill. Many thanks to Marshall for giving me a sneak preview of the forthcoming attraction. Finally I enjoyed re-riding the Park's three coasters. Just one point about them, they're all steel. Come on Funland, get some wood!Roll on the 2012 RCCGB Blackpool Bash. I hope to be there.
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