RCCGB Mega-GLOW-Mania 2013

Date: Saturday 10 August 2013
Venue: Oakwood Theme Park
Who Went: Me and a large number of other RCCGB members, including Andy and Christine Hine, Alan Chilvers, Big Stevie B, Carol and Jamie Hodgson, Chris Fletcher, Daniel Morris, Dave Perry, Debra, David Hodgson, Doug and Charlie, Gareth Preece, Graham (Coaster Freak), Happy Helen, Ida Bagus, Mark Lewis, Maz, Mophead, Planenut, Ryan Hackett, Simon, Smiler, Sophia.

DISCLAIMER: The above is NOT intended to be an exhaustive list of everyone who attended. It's a small sample of attendees; mainly those I spoke to and/or rode with at Oakwood. I sincerely apologise to anyone I've not listed.

N.B. Any use of "today" in this report means Saturday 10 August 2013.

Saturday First Thing

Having awoke at 6:10, I had an early breakfast at 7:22. It consisted of a choice of cereal (I had cornflakes), a glass of orange juice, beans on toast, four triangles of toast and a cafetiere of coffee. I chose beans on toast as I felt it would be a lighter alternative to a full traditional breakfast; important to bear in mind before riding Megafobia. At 7:45 David Hodgson turned up outside the hotel to give me a lift to Oakwood. I hurriedly finished my final cup of coffee and we set off for Oakwood shortly afterwards.

Welcome To Oakwood

When we reached Oakwood at 8:10, a fair few members were already there. Nev arrived shortly afterwards, and others gradually appeared. Whilst waiting to go in, I met and briefly spoke to Happy Helen and her friend Sophia, followed by Doug and Charlie. At 8:58 Nev gave his welcome message. Just before we entered Oakwood, he asked who was on their sixth, fifth, fourth, third, second and first Club trips to Oakwood. Having put up my hand for second time, I ashamedly admitted to Doug that this was indeed only my second time of attending the Club trip to Oakwood since joining in March 2005.

Morning ERS

The original plan was to start the day with a one-hour ERS on Megafobia from 9:00 to 10:00. However, just after the Club entered around 9:00, an unexpected delay occurred. Whilst waiting I spoke to Doug and Charlie. Eventually Nev made a special announcement to everyone: to mark the 25th anniversary year there would now be a 30 minute bonus ERS on Treetops Coaster followed by the one-hour Megafobia ERS 10:00 to 11:00.

Treetops Coaster

This Zierer Tivoli – Large steel family coaster has been operating since 1989. The train leaves the station and climbs the lift hill. After the first drop, the train follows the track through twists and turns amongst the trees. In certain places the track goes close to the ground. Finally the train returns to the station. On this occasion, one go consisted of one lap.

The Treetops Coaster began at 9:28, and I managed six goes.
First go: I was fortunate enough to get on the first Treetops Coaster train of the day, which was extra satisfying.
Second go: I was in the third row.
Third go: Another go on Treetops, but I can't remember which row.
Fourth go: I sat two rows behind Happy Helen.
Fifth go: After a quick walk around I was back on the train for my fifth go of this ERS.
Sixth go: There were now so few riders waiting at the entry platform I was able to get straight on again without walking around. This was my final go on here for this ERS, in the back row. Interestingly I did not have any further goes on Treetops Coaster during normal opening time.

At this point Big Stevie B introduced me to Carol and Jamie Hodgson, as well as Ida Bagus.

Megafobia

One hour later than billed, the planned morning ERS on Oakwood's famous wooden coaster Megafobia, which has been operating since 1996. It was designed by Dennis McNulty and Larry Bill, and built by Custom Coasters International, Inc. According to the RCDB, Megafobia is the fastest and tallest wooden coaster in the UK. Surprisingly though with a track length of 2956 feet it's only the UK's fourth longest woodie. Unlike Blackpool's Big Dipper, Megafobia is not an out-and-back coaster as the track crosses over a few times. Also the wood is unpainted unlike the wooden coasters at Blackpool.

The time was 10:15 when I first reached the entry platform. During the ERS I enjoyed six goes as follows.
First go: I sat alone for my first go of the day on Megafobia.
Second go: I sat with Mark Lewis, but can't remember which row.
Third go: I sat in the second row. Planenut and Mophead were in front row.
Fourth go: this time I sat alone, but can't remember which row. At end of this go went on to exit platform. Since there were very few waiting at the entry platform now I was able to get back on to train without going around.
Fifth go: I sat next to Daniel Morris. At the end everyone agreed to stay put for one more run.
Sixth go: I remained in the same position. Daniel stayed on too. By the time the train began its journey the time was 11:00 and the public started entering the queue line. This journey, and hence the ERS, ended at 11:04.

Altogether a great ERS on Megafobia. On each of my goes there was plenty of AIRtime as the train ran around the track. I now think it's a better wooden coaster than Big Dipper and Nickelodeon Streak at Pleasure Beach Resort Blackpool.

Morning Free Time

When the ERS ended, members dispersed around the Park. I was alone for my next ride.

Brer Rabbit

A train ride. The driver sits in the loco at the front. Just as the loco had barely left the station, the train suddenly stopped and the driver reversed into the station. There he pressed a button to activate the recorded voice and set off again. After that false start, the train went through a mock-up of Brer Rabbit's burrow. Brer Rabbit and other rabbits were on display there. After one lap the train was back at the station and the ride was over. Not a particularly thrilling ride, but worth a go just for the record. This was my only go on here all day.

Coffee Break

Whilst walking around afterwards I met Nev, Christine, Debra and others outside The Restaurant. Feeling like a break from riding, I went inside to buy myself a much-needed coffee and sat outside with them. During this time I showed Nev and the others my all-in-one splashsuit. Nev asked me to put it on, and whilst I had it on photos of me with other members were taken. After a few photos of me wearing it had been taken I took it off.

Later we headed into the new-for-2013 area Neverland. Nev stood by the Doctor Who Police Box for a few photos.

Skull Rock

A log flume which formerly operated at Camelot Theme Park, Skull Rock began operating at Oakwood in 2013. The wait for this ride was quite short, during which time I donned my all-in-one splashsuit to prevent myself getting wet on the ride. I shared a log with Maz (front seat) and Alan Chilvers (middle seat); I sat in the back seat. The log headed around the canal and up the lift hill, ready for the drop and mighty splash which followed. Having disembarked I met Nev again; he asked me if it was really necessary for me to don my splashsuit for a ride this size.

Crocodile Coaster

This powered kiddie coaster formerly operated at Camelot Theme Park as Junior Dragon Coaster from 1992 to 2012. Since 25 May 2013 it has been operating in the Neverland section of Oakwood as Crocodile Coaster. Being as I never rode this whilst it was at Camelot Theme Park, now was my chance to add another coaster to my count. I had two goes: back row followed by second-from-back row. Both goes consisted of four laps each. Although not a particularly thrilling coaster it's still a worthwhile addition to Oakwood's existing coaster collection.

Tink's Flying School

Formerly Plane Crazy, this ride was relocated to Neverland, rethemed and renamed Tink's Flying School for the 2013 season. Basically this is like a carousel, with planes suspended from the top. As the ride spun around the planes were forced outwards by centrifugal force. Turning the rudder in front of me left or right forced the plane to twist whilst the ride was in motion, which added to the fun. I'm not sure the new fairy theming is really appropriate, considering it's the same planes as when it was Plane Crazy, and the ride is now called Tink's Flying School. For now I only had time for one go, as the time was 12:55 when the ride ended and baseball was almost due to start.

Baseball

Without further ado I went to the area at the front of the Park where the Club was intending to play baseball. When I got there many other members were already there. At 13:05 Nev asked those who wanted to play to get into two teams, Woodies and Steelies. Each time I've played baseball at past Club trips I've always played for Steelies, but on this occasion I joined the Woodies team for the first time ever. Of course Nev played on the Woodies team.

At the start we agreed to swap over whenever a team had three players out. The only problem resulting from this was that we were swapping over every few minutes. Consequently I thought I'd never get a chance to bat! Throughout the Woodies' first two rounds of batting I didn't have an opportunity to bat. At 13:29 I finally had a turn to bat on Woodies' third round of batting, but was run out before I reached the first base. My second and final go at batting happened at 13:47, during Woodies' sixth round of batting. Once again I was run out before I reached the first base.

The game ended at 13:57, after both teams had batted and fielded seven times each. Final score Steelies 17 Woodies 26. In other words, Woodies won! Before everyone left this area, Nev asked me to put on my all-in-one splashsuit again to show everyone. I was even asked to stand against a tree whilst I had it on. After several photos had been taken I took it off.

Afternoon and Evening Free Time

After the baseball ended, some members returned to the camp site for a rest. Others including me returned to the Park for more rides.

Lunch

Feeling like a light snack at this point, I looked for somewhere to buy a sandwich or baguette. I ended up going to the café in Neverland, where I had a ham baguette and coffee.

Drenched

Drenched was now open. Whereas last year it was hot and sunny when Drenched opened at 14:00, this time it was cooler and the sky was overcast. Nonetheless that failed to deter me from riding Drenched. This Intamin River Plunge opened in 2002 as Hydro, but was renamed Drenched in 2011. When I joined the queue, I was wearing my RCCGB 25th anniversary T-shirt and a pair of green shorts, but as I neared the front, I put my all-in-one splashsuit on over them. When it was my turn to join the boat, I sat next to Planenut. The boat left the station and climbed the lift hill. There was a noticeable pause at the top before the boat went around the u-bend and down the tall, steep drop. Upon landing there was a mighty splash. Finally the boat went under the bridge and around a u-bend back to the station.

Afterwards I stood on bridge with Charlie for two boat landings. Both times we stood off-centre where we would get the full impact of the wave on the portside of the boat. The amount of water which hit us on each impact was greater than what one would receive whilst riding Drenched. Doug video recorded the second boat drop. Of course, I was still wearing my all-in-one splashsuit, but Charlie wasn't wearing any form of rain gear. As a result Charlie was completely soaked! Charlie didn't want another go on Drenched, so Doug took him to dry off and put on dry clothes.

At this point I decided not to queue for another go on Drenched due to the waiting time, and because there were several other rides I wanted to go on. When I removed my splashsuit I noticed a wet patch near the bottom of my T-shirt, and my green shorts had got a bit wet. Some water had gone through the zip and run down the inside lining to wet those areas. I put on a different pair of shorts before my next ride.

Circus Clown

This Pinfari Circus Clown steel coaster has been operating since 1997. It's the smallest of the Park's five coasters, and is located in the Circus area. Being a kiddie coaster the rises and falls are very small. Adults can ride it, but for them it's clearly for coaster tickers rather than thrill seekers. The train climbed a slight hill and down the first drop. After two more small rises and falls it was back at the station. One ride consisted of five laps of the track. I only had one go on Circus Clown now and didn't return to it later.

Bobsleigh

A toboggan run. You sit on a toboggan and are carried up a lift hill to the top of a steel track. At the top you set off downhill along the steel track (set in the hillside), around a series of U-bends, under gravity. To control your speed along the way, use your brake. You must slow down as you approach the station. Thus with the lift hill, and going down the steel track, one could argue this is a coaster of a sort. This ride was very popular; I joined the queue at 16:00 and it took me until 16:50 to get on a toboggan. This was my only go on here all day; due to the long wait I didn't bother queuing for it again.

At this point I went to change from my shorts into my jogging bottoms, as I was about to go on Moon Landing.

Moon Landing

A drop slide called Skyleap until 2012. This year it was renamed Moon Landing and given Moon theming, including some information about the Moon at the top of the stairs. Adults are allowed on it, and I was keen to have a few goes. Its vertical drop didn't seem as tall as Demon Drop Slide at Flambards, Buzzard's Swoop and Red Devil at Devon's Crealy or the red drop slide at Puxton Park, but it was still great fun. Furthermore unlike the aforementioned drop slides all of which have flat run-outs, Skyleap's run-out has a hump at the end. If you go really fast along the flat section you will go over the hump. I enjoyed eight goes on Moon Landing; on one of them I made it over the hump.

Waterfall

Two giant slides descend from the top of a tower. You launch yourself at the top on a red or yellow plastic tray; for this reason some members call this the tea tray ride. At the bottom of each slide you float across a shallow pool of water before hitting the run-out, which is a shallow uphill slope covered in artificial turf. Depending how you hit that shallow pool, you may get wet.

When I approached the top of the tower, I was still wearing my jogging bottoms, without shorts underneath. In addition I now had my London 2012 hoody on. Thinking I might get a minor splash on this water ride, I donned my all-in-one splashsuit before having four goes, as follows. N.B. references to the left slide and right slide are as viewed at the top of the tower, i.e. with your back to the top of the stairs and facing the tops of the slides.

First go: left slide. As I landed I keeled over to the left and accidentally dunked my left wrist in the water. Consequently my hoody wrist got wet and worse still water ran up my left splashsuit sleeve. Worse still I had difficulty getting out, in a panic the ride attendant had to help me. Afterwards I removed my hoody and put it on the top of my rucksack (which I left at the top for my subsequent goes).
Second go: right slide. As I landed I keeled over to my right and this time my right wrist went into the water, but thankfully managed to get out unaided.
Third go: left slide. This time I sailed across the landing pool without keeling over.
Fourth go: right slide. I sailed across the landing pool without keeling over. This was my final go of the day on Waterfall.

Well getting wet was something I didn't particularly want. Looking back, between my last go on Moon Landing and first go on Waterfall I ought to have gone somewhere to change from my jogging bottoms to shorts, and not put my hoody on. That way I could have put my splashsuit over just my T-shirt and shorts.

Bounce

A drop tower made by Huss. This has seats on all four sides of the tower. When I joined the queue I had to wait for four or five runs before it was my turn. There was a brief light shower of rain during this time.

The rain had stopped by the time of my turn. Upon launch the seat unit rose rapidly to the top. This was followed by a gentle fall and rise half way a few times, and a gentle descent to ground. I thought it was all over then, but after a short pause, the seat unit rose again (albeit much more slowly than at the start) and dropped rapidly. Wow, not for the faint hearted or those with a fear of heights! The view from the top was breath-taking, I could see for miles, albeit blurred as I took the wise precaution of putting my spectacles in my rucksack before riding, so as not to lose them. For now I only had one go, due to the queuing time and the fact that I wanted to go on other rides.

Snake River Falls

A set of four water slides which you ride fully clothed in dinghies. The slides leave from the top of a tower. The staircase leading to the top is split into lanes, each one clearly indicated by an overhead sign at the bottom; therefore you have to decide which slide you want to queue for before you start climbing the stairs.

Cobra: a closed tube slide with many twists and turns on the way down. The slide is enhanced by lighting effects. I had one go.
Left open slide: a straight, open top slide. It starts with a downhill slope, followed by a much shallower (albeit wavy) gradient. Finally there's a fairly steep drop before the run-out. The water is at its deepest just before reaching the run-out; depending how you land there you may get wet. I had one go.
Right open slide: a straight, open top slide identical to the left open slide. I had one go.
Python: a closed tube slide with many twists and turns on the way down. The slide is enhanced by lighting effects. I had one go.

N.B. references to the two open slides: left and right are as viewed at the top of the tower, i.e. with your back to the top of the stairs and facing the tops of the slides.

Pirate Ship

A run-of-the-mill swinging Pirate Ship, which is made by Huss Rides. This is set in a low-lying dip, and therefore riders have to go down a hill to reach it. This pirate ship looked bigger and seemed to produce larger, more exhilarating swings than the pirate ships I've been on at Paultons or the two Crealy parks. For maximum thrill I sat in an end row. As expected the most exciting moment was when the ship swung backwards sending me to the highest point. Although a fun ride, once was enough for me, I don't think my body could have stuck two goes straight off.

Shortly after I left Pirate Ship I suddenly met Charlie again; he wanted to go around with me for a bit. We agreed to ride Tink's Flying School next, so we headed over to Neverland.

Tink's Flying School

I suggested we ride a plane together. Charlie wondered if we'd both be able to fit into one but we managed it and rode together. Most of the time I controlled the rudder. We only had one go.

Moon Landing

Next Charlie and I headed for Moon Landing, on which we enjoyed six drops each. After our sixth go Doug was standing by the bottom of the slide.

Evening Dinner

The time was now 20:30, and Charlie went with Doug whilst I went to Woody's Burger Bar for a burger and fries. The full range of burgers was available, and I chose a large beefburger meal, which included fries and a fizzy drink. I sat at one of the indoor tables to eat them. Having finished my burger and fries Happy Helen and Sophia passed by, so I went with them across to Ice Cream and Doughnuts. There I saw an offer: two ring doughnuts and coffee £3, and had that. I sat and spoke to Helen and Sophia whilst having my coffee and doughnuts. It was now dusk.

Bounce

Afterwards I fancied a go on Bounce, depending on the queue length. Helen and Sophia also wanted to go on Bounce so we walked there together. When we got there the queue was of an acceptable length; we had to wait three or four runs before it was our turn. Obviously riding Bounce in the dark was totally different to when I rode it early evening whilst it was still daylight. Helen, Sophia and I sat together for this ride. This was our final ride of the day during normal Park opening time.

Light and Firework Display

Having left Bounce we walked together to the hill in front of the stage. The band was still playing whilst everyone waited on the hillside. At 22:01 the light show began with "O Fortuna" (from Carl Orff's Carmina Burana), which is perhaps better known as the Old Spice tune. This was followed by the announcement "All children except one grow up. The theme park becomes an adventure you could never have imagined. It's here, the Neverland, at Oakwood.", during which some of the words and the Oakwood logo appeared on a screen. Next on screen were ride logos Speed, Vertigo, Megafobia and Neverland. This was followed by rock and pop music whilst spectators enjoyed fireworks and lights in an assortment of colours. Naturally the largest rockets occurred towards the end. Abruptly the fireworks ceased and were followed by the announcement "Thank you for joining us here tonight. We hope to see you again here soon at Oakwood. Thank you and goodnight". It was now time for the public to leave, but for us the best was yet to come.

Megafobia Dark ERS

As the public left, members headed for Megafobia. The time was 22:18 when I got to the queue line entrance. I happened to be standing in the same position as Doug, Charlie, Helen and Sophia. For some mysterious reason a delay occurred, leaving me and no doubt some others wondering when the ERS would actually start. At 22:26 we were moving at last. Most members were already wearing or holding glow sticks, or something with flashing lights. Someone wore what appeared to be battery operated LED fairy lights. Someone was wearing a T-shirt with a flashing image. I donned my fluorescent yellow cagoule (which has Skatedrive on it) and held a torch. As I neared the entry platform at 22:31 the music started, signalling the start of the ERS. Despite the late start, we still had the full hour on Megafobia. In that time, I enjoyed eight goes as follows.

First, second and third goes: I sat next to Simon in various rows.
Fourth go: Simon and I sat in the back row this time (I was in the left seat, Simon right seat); he warned me it would be rough, it sure was!
Fifth go: this time I was in the back row right seat, accompanied by Graham (Coaster Freak) in the back row left seat.
Sixth go: I sat somewhere roughly in the middle of the train.
Seventh go: I sat next to Daniel Morris, but can't remember which row.
Eighth go: My final go on Megafobia (and indeed final ride of the day at Oakwood); I sat in the left seat of the second row. This also happened to be the very last train of the day; for me that made this go extra satisfying. By the time the train returned to the station at the end of this run the music had just stopped.

The party music which accompanied the one-hour dark ERS included snippets of "Relax" (Frankie Goes To Hollywood), "YMCA" (Village People), "Glad All Over", Can-Can, "The Locomotion" etc. The final four songs, played in full, were:
Gangnam Style
Amarillo
Always Look On The Bright Side of Life
New York

Finally the Warner Brothers cartoon "That's all folks" marked the end of the disco. Funnily enough there was no "Dancing Lasha Tumbai" (Verka Serduchka) this time.

Altogether another hair-raising ERS, definitely the grand finale of the day. The ride experience seemed considerably faster and rougher than during the morning ERS; this time the train thundered around the track. Presumably that was due to the ride having been running all day, and that a little rain had fallen early evening. Riding Megafobia in the dark was totally different to in the morning; it wasn't possible to see where we were going or the surrounding countryside, however lights in other areas of the Park could be seen. That coupled with use of glow sticks etc. on the ride, plus the music in the station added to the fun; no wonder this has been called "the best ERS of them all".

Rest Of Saturday

When the ERS ended at 23:30 Nev gave a speech which lasted about five minutes. After that everyone headed back to the car park. Once there, David Hodgson took me back to Tenby. When we got to The Three Mariners pub in Tenby I thanked Dave and said my final goodbye, as my hotel was now just a few yards down the side road. At ten past midnight I was back in my room, dead tired.

Summary of my day in order of activity

Morning ERS: Treetops Coaster 6, Megafobia 6

Brer Rabbit 1
Coffee at The Restaurant (with Nev, Christine, Debra and others)
Skull Rock log flume 1
Crocodile Coaster 2
Tink's Flying School 1

Baseball
Lunch at café in Neverland

Drenched 1
Clown Coaster 1
Bobsleigh 1
Moon Landing 8
Waterfall left, right, left, right
Bounce 1
Snake River Falls: Cobra 1
Snake River Falls: Left open slide 1
Snake River Falls: Right open slide 1
Snake River Falls: Python 1
Pirate Ship 1
Tink's Flying School 1
Moon Landing 6

Evening meal

Bounce 1

Light and Firework Display

Megafobia dark ERS 8

Cumulative Summary of My Rides (ERSs and Freetime Combined)

Ride	Total
Bobsleigh	1
Bounce	2
Brer Rabbit	1
Clown Coaster	1
Crocodile Coaster	2
Drenched	1
Megafobia	14
Moon Landing	14
Pirate Ship	1
Skull Rock log flume	1
Snake River Falls: Cobra	1
Snake River Falls: Left open slide	1
Snake River Falls: Python	1
Snake River Falls: Right open slide	1
Tink's Flying School	2
Treetops Coaster	6
Waterfall left	2
Waterfall right	2
TOTAL	54

Outro

Highlights

Morning ERS on Treetops Coaster and Megafobia.
Adding another steelie Crocodile Coaster to my coaster count
Riding Treetops Coaster, Megafobia, and Clown Coaster again, having first ridden them last year.
Meeting Nev and Christine, Alan Chilvers, Big Stevie B, Doug and Charlie, Mophead, Planenut, Ryan Hackett and Happy Helen again, plus Helen's friend Sophia who I don't recall seeing before.
Light and firework display just after 22:00.
Evening (dark) ERS on Megafobia.

Lowlights

Speed out of action all day; I was hoping to have at least one go (and ideally more) on it.
Keeling over and getting parts of my hoody wet on my first Waterfall landing, even though I was wearing my all-in-one splashsuit.

Summing Up

Altogether a mega fun day at Oakwood. Although this was my second time of attending Mega-Glow-Mania at Oakwood, thereby lacking the novelty of my first-time visit last year, this was my first ever time of experiencing it on a Saturday, complete with After Dark show and proper dark ERS after 22:00, as had happened up until 2008. Turnout was noticeably higher than last year, presumably that was due to it being a Saturday this time rather than a Friday (as occurred last year). It was great adding Crocodile Coaster to my coaster count (even though it wasn't a particularly exciting one), and re-riding three of the Park's other four coasters (Treetops Coaster, Megafobia, Clown Coaster) again. My biggest disappointment was not being able to ride Speed all day, I'd have liked to have had at least one go on it in order to have ridden all five coasters. It was also a pleasure to meet other members including Nev and Christine, Alan Chilvers, Big Stevie B, Doug and Charlie, Mophead, Planenut, Ryan Hackett and Happy Helen again, plus Helen's friend Sophia who I don't recall seeing before. Unlike last year, the weather was indifferent this time. It's a pity the sunny weather we enjoyed all morning didn't last all the way through the afternoon and evening until dusk, and that there was a brief light shower early evening, but it could have been much worse.

Many thanks to Nev for organising this trip to Oakwood, the staff for running Treetops Coaster before opening time and Megafobia after closing time, and David Hodgson for kindly giving me lifts from Tenby to Oakwood in the morning and back in the evening.