RCCGB Mega-GLOW-Mania 2014

Date: Saturday 9 August 2014
Venue: Oakwood Theme Park
Who Went: Me and a large number of other RCCGB members, including Andy Hine, Alan Chilvers, Doug, Charlie and Lizzie, Happy Helen, Ianto Gulliver, Mark and Margo, Matt Walker, Planenut, Ryan Hackett, Sophia Jones.

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 9 August 2014.

Rationale For Trip

The RCCGB's annual visit to Oakwood Theme Park in Pembrokeshire, to enjoy a one-hour ERS on the wooden rollercoaster Megafobia before opening time, a one-hour dark ERS on Megafobia with party music after closing time, and more riding in between. This was my third consecutive year of attending this trip, and this time I went the extra mile with kitting myself out for the dark ERS. Prior to this trip, I went to T-Shirt Print, The Galleries, Bristol to have the slogan "Coaster Crazy Kid on Tour!" printed on the back of a pink hi-vis jacket. In addition, I bought myself fluorescent yellow and fluorescent pink sports shorts from Sports Direct, Bath a couple of days before setting off for Pembrokeshire. That's how keen I was to look my part on Megafobia in the dark this time. Despite that I didn't buy any glow sticks prior to the event. Just like 2012 and 2013, I also took along my fluorescent yellow cagoule with Skatedrive on it, but didn't bother taking my torch this time.

Saturday First Thing

Having awoke at 6:10, I had an early breakfast at 7:30. It consisted of a choice of cereal (I had cornflakes), a glass of orange juice, fried egg and beans on toast, four triangles of toast and a cafetiere of coffee. At 8:00 the taxi which was booked for me the previous evening turned up outside to take me to Oakwood.

Welcome To Oakwood

When I reached Oakwood, the first thing I noticed was that the entrance had been given a change of colour scheme. Whereas last year it was green, it's now purple. A 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, Charlie and Lizzie. Eventually Nev gave his welcome message, and asked Oakwood first timers to pose for a group photo by the entrance.

Megafobia ERS

The day began with a one hour 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 ERS, which was officially due to start at 9:00, actually started around 9:15, but nonetheless we still had the full hour of exclusive use of Megafobia. During the ERS I enjoyed six goes as follows:

First go: Not only was this my first go on Megafobia this ERS, it was also my first ride of the day. I sat in row 4 with Andy.
Second go: I sat in the second-from-back row with Andy.
Third go: I sat in the second-from-back row with Planenut.
Fourth go: this time I sat alone, but can't remember which row.
Fifth go: I sat in the second row.
Sixth go: This time I sat in the third row. At the end of this go, the ERS was over.

Altogether a great ERS on Megafobia, and best of all it was dry and sunny at the time. On each of my goes there was plenty of AIRtime as the train ran around the track. During the ERS, I joked to Nev "The Netherlands finished second in this year's Eurovision Song Contest, and were in the top four in this year's FIFA World Cup, so we all ought to go on the rides in Neverland today".

Morning Free Time

When the ERS ended, members dispersed around the Park. I left Megafobia and didn't return to it until the evening ERS. From the end of the morning ERS until the afternoon baseball I was alone most of the time.

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. I enjoyed two goes on this coaster, my first go was in the back row, and my second go was roughly mid-way along the train.

As I headed towards Speed afterwards, I met Ianto Gulliver by the hot dog stand, and spoke to him for a few minutes.

Speed

This Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter (Custom) steel coaster has been operating since 13 April 2006. Each ride car seats eight riders (two rows of four seats). Considering it was a Saturday in August, I was surprised to discover only one ride car was running. After leaving the station, the ride car ascended the vertical lift hill, and down the first drop, which is beyond vertical to begin with and vertical the rest of the way. Next it went uphill, downhill, uphill again, around a bend on an angle and down into a vertical loop. After another climb there was a heartline roll and further twists and turns until the car returned to the station. Altogether a thrilling and fun steel coaster; to me the ride experience seemed more like Rage (Adventure Island, Southend-on-Sea) than Saw (Thorpe Park). By the way, Speed is not the same model as Rage which is a Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter Model 320+. I enjoyed two goes on Speed. There was a very brief sprinkling of light rain during this time, but thankfully it was very light and lasted just a few minutes.

Waterfall

Two giant slides descend from the top of a tower. You launch yourself at the top on a coloured 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.

I had four goes as follows: left slide, right slide, left slide, right slide. N.B. references to the left slide and right slides 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. On each go I was lucky enough to sail across the landing pool without keeling over. Between goes I heard someone say "You're not wet enough".

Clown Coaster

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 a few laps of the track, but I've forgotten how many. For now I only had one go on Circus Clown and didn't return to it later.

Coffee Break

By now I felt like a coffee, so I went to The Little Darlings' Café in Neverland for one. As I was nearing the end of my coffee Helen and Sophia entered. I would have liked to have spoken to them, but they were waiting at the servery as I was finishing my coffee, and I wanted to return to riding.

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. Another somewhat mild coaster, with a minimal rise and fall, but this was still worth riding anyway. I enjoyed two goes: back row followed by front row.

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. This was quite a popular ride, and I had to wait two runs to get on it. 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. For now I only had one go.

Baseball

Just before 13:30 I walked to the field at the front of the Park for baseball. When I got there other members were waiting for the game to begin. Some people were already practising. Eventually Nev asked all those who wanted to play to get into one of two teams, Woodies and Steelies. I played for Woodies. As usual Nev played on the Woodies team. Both sides batted and fielded twice each. I had a few goes at batting, on one of my goes I ran two bases and stopped, and subsequently ran the next two bases back to the start when the next person batted. As expected, the Woodies won.

After the game ended I asked someone to take a few photos of me in the field. Someone put a marker cone on my head and asked me to hold a bat for some of the photos.

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.

Train

Oakwood has a train which runs along a clockwise circular route from the park entrance to the reception, and back to the entrance. Some members including me waited at the park entrance for the train, and travelled on it to the reception. I sat with Andy. From the train I spotted the Neverland ride Oakwood Aerodrome. Clearly this train is really intended as a transport ride, to take visitors in and out of the park, rather than a pleasure ride, but I've classed it as one of my rides in my day's ride count.

Lunch

At this point I felt like a light snack, so I went to The Little Darlings' Café in Neverland, where I had a cheese baguette and cup of coffee. Although I enjoyed the coffee, I was disappointed with the baguette.

It started to rain whilst I was in the café. By the time I had finished my lunch the rain was quite heavy, but after a few minutes I put on my all-in-one splashsuit and went outside. Very shortly afterwards the rain became extremely heavy and I sheltered in the Neverland photo collection point.

Tink's Flying School

When the rain eased a little, I was eager to get back to riding, so I headed for Tink's Flying School. This time the operator was waiting for someone to ride it in the pouring rain. Although I was the only rider approaching it, the attendant nonetheless ran it just for me. Thus I was the only rider on Tink's Flying School for this run. For now I only had one go.

Skull Rock

You will get wet (or possibly soaked) on this log flume whatever the weather. So it made sense for me to ride this in the rain when I was already wearing my splashsuit anyway. This formerly operated at Camelot Theme Park, and began operating at Oakwood in 2013. Unsurprisingly the queue for this was quite short, as few people wanted to ride it in the rain. The log headed around the canal and up the lift hill, ready for the drop and mighty splash which followed. Having disembarked I queued again for a second go, and again the wait was quite short. The rain had just about stopped by the start of my second go.

Tink's Flying School

Next I returned to Tink's Flying School. Now that the rain had stopped, more people wanted to ride this, so this time I had to wait for one lot in front of me to ride before I could get on. Being as it was fairly windy, I discovered that by turning the rudder the right way at the right time, I could take advantage of the wind, which added to the fun.

Neverland Chase

A tractor ride in the Neverland area. When it was my turn I got into a tractor which worked its way around the circuit and back to the station. Not a particularly exciting ride, but being as I didn't ride this last year, it was worth one go just to say I'd been on it.

At this point I asked someone to photograph me jumping in a large puddle whilst wearing my splashsuit. Afterwards I left Neverland.

Fun Zone

An indoor attraction. Wondering what this is, I walked through it. This is home to two bowling lanes, and loads of coin-op amusements. Without further ado I left Fun Zone. I also took my splashsuit off at this point and put it in my rucksack.

Teacups

This is a tea cup ride in the circus area of Oakwood, and is therefore self-explanatory. I fancied a go, so I got on and enjoyed one go on it. The ride experience was what one would expect from a tea cup ride. This was my only go on here all day.

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. When I approached the entrance I had to walk quite some way to find the back of the queue, hence I thought the wait would be quite short. How wrong I was, there were still plenty of visitors wanting to ride Bobsleigh, and since there are only a few wet condition toboggans available, the wait was longer than I'd have liked. It rained again whilst I was queuing, but the queue was under cover. By the time it was my turn the rain had stopped and I was able to ride this without any rain gear.

The station announcement warned that the track was wet and slippery, though I guessed that would be the case considering the afternoon weather. This was my first time of riding this in wet conditions and I had to take extra care, braking regularly on the descent. Riding this in its wet condition felt somewhat different to riding this in the dry conditions I experienced in 2012 and 2013. This was my only go on Bobsleigh all day.

Coffee Break

Due to the wet conditions, I felt like a coffee again, so I headed towards Neverland. Along the way I saw Mark who was to give me a lift back to Tenby. When I got to Neverland I had a coffee at The Little Darlings' Café. This was my final visit to that café for today.

Oakwood Aerodrome

This Neverland ride features a set of planes which go up and down around in a circle. Each plane is themed around a particular country, bearing a name and the applicable country name. I rode in plane number 2 Helga – Germany. This was my first ever time of riding this. Although it wasn't particularly thrilling, it was worth a go just for the record. This was my only go on here all day.

Tink's Flying School

From one aeroplane themed ride to another, I had one more go on Tink's Flying School. This was both my final go on Tink's Flying School, and final Neverland ride for today.

Moon Landing

A drop slide called Skyleap until 2012. In 2013 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 which all have flat run-outs, Skyleap's run-out has a hump at the end. If you go fast enough along the flat section you will go over the hump. I enjoyed four goes on Moon Landing; on one of them I made it over the hump.

As I left Moon Landing it was raining again, so I donned my splashsuit again. Despite the rain I headed for Snake River Falls.

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. Facing the slide entrances from the launch platform, from left to right they are as follows:

Cobra: a closed tube slide with many twists and turns on the way down. The slide is enhanced by lighting effects.
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.
Right open slide: a straight, open top slide identical to the left open slide.
Python: a closed tube slide with many twists and turns on the way down. The slide is enhanced by lighting effects.

As I approached the slides there was an exceptionally heavy downpour. On my first go some other riders were waiting half way up the stairs. I asked if they were actually queuing for the slides. They went to the top, and so did I, only to be advised to wait at that midway landing where it was sheltered. When it was my turn I went down the left tube Cobra.

On my subsequent goes the attendant was waiting at that midway position for riders as no-one else was waiting to go on it! However Snake River Falls remained open, despite the rain, and he let me have the remaining three goes I wanted to have, those being right open slide, left open slide, right tube slide (Python). On these three goes I had the feeling of being the only one foolhardy enough to ride these slides in the heavy rain, but at least I managed to ride them all in quick succession without queuing.

Bounce

A drop tower made by Huss. This has seats on all four sides of the tower. By now the rain eased, but unsurprisingly this was walk-on. 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. 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. After that go, I was able to stay on for a second go. Charlie and Lizzie saw me on my second go.

After my second go I left the ride. I considered riding Treetops Coaster next, but since I saw a great puddle on the entrance path, I headed for Speed instead.

Speed

Next I enjoyed two goes on Speed. The ride car travelled the vertical lift, vertical drop, loop and the rest of the track in the rain without any problems. Both goes were great fun despite the rain. Charlie and Lizzie sat next to me on my first go. By the end of my second go I had just about had enough of riding in the rain, so I didn't have any further rides during normal time.

Evening Dinner

Around 20:45 I went to Woody's Burger Bar to get something to eat, but just as I approached the queue, I saw Happy Helen and Sophia nearby, so I went to speak to them and have my photo taken with them. Having done that I queued at Woody's Burger Bar. When it was my turn I ordered large double beefburger meal, which included large fries and a large fizzy drink. Since it was raining, I sat in the indoor seating area to consume my burger and fries. It was really busy in that indoor seating area, presumably because no-one wanted to sit outside in the rain, but I managed to get a seat. Helen and Sophia sat next to me whilst I was eating my meal.

Once I finished my meal I needed to get ready for the dark ERS. Before leaving the indoor seating area I fully removed my splashsuit. The toilet near Waterfall was a convenient place to swap my jogging bottoms for my fluorescent pink sports shorts. I also put on my fluorescent yellow cagoule (with Skatedrive on it) and pink hi-vis jacket over my cagoule. After that, everywhere outside was dark and the rides were all closed, as the fireworks were about to start.

Light and Firework Display

At 21:50 it was time for the After Dark display of fireworks, lasers and fountains, set to music. Unfortunately I missed the beginning as I was finding my way back to the slope in front of the stage in the pitch dark after getting myself ready for the evening ERS. Anyway when I got to the slope I enjoyed watching the rest of the display, which lasted about ten minutes. Altogether a well-choreographed display, which ended with a goodnight announcement. During the display I stood next to Doug, who kindly gave me a few spare glow sticks (one for each of my wrists, plus four with which to make a necklace).

Megafobia Dark ERS

As the public left, members headed for Megafobia. The ERS began at 22:05 and lasted one hour. Most members were wearing or holding glow sticks; some had something with flashing lights. I approached Megafobia already wearing my fluorescent yellow cagoule (with Skatedrive on it), self-designed pink hi-vis jacket and fluorescent pink sports shorts, as well as the glow sticks Doug gave me. Several members liked what I was wearing. I was also going to wear the flashing loop that Mark gave me during last year's Oakwood trip, but for some reason it had malfunctioned since the morning (I guess it had got a bit wet in my bag). During this ERS I enjoyed six goes on Megafobia, but forgot to note which rows I sat in or who (if at all) I sat next to.

The party music which accompanied the one-hour dark ERS included snippets of "YMCA" (Village People), "My Old Silver Lining", "Glad All Over", Can-Can, "The Locomotion" etc. The final four songs, played in full, were:
Dancing Lasha Tumbai
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 party music.

Altogether another hair-raising ERS, definitely the grand finale of the day, despite the rain. The ride felt 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, combined with the afternoon and evening rainfall. Riding Megafobia in the dark was totally different to in the morning; it was barely 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".

Summary of my day in order of activity

Morning ERS: Megafobia 6

Treetops Coaster 2
Speed 2
Waterfall left slide, right slide, left slide, right slide
Clown Coaster 1

Coffee at The Little Darlings' Café

Crocodile Coaster 2
Tink's Flying School 1

Baseball
Train from park entrance to reception
Lunch at The Little Darlings' Café

Tink's Flying School 1
Skull Rock log flume 2
Tink's Flying School 1
Neverland Chase 1
Teacups 1
Bobsleigh 1

Coffee at The Little Darlings' Café

Oakwood Aerodrome 1
Tink's Flying School 1
Moon Landing 4
Snake River Falls: Cobra 1
Snake River Falls: right open slide 1
Snake River Falls: left open slide 1
Snake River Falls: Python 1
Bounce 2
Speed 2

Evening meal at Woody's Burger Bar
Firework, laser and fountain display

Megafobia dark ERS 6

Cumulative Summary of My Rides (ERSs and Freetime Combined)

Ride	Total
Bobsleigh	1
Bounce	2
Clown Coaster	1
Crocodile Coaster	2
Megafobia	12
Moon Landing	4
Neverland Chase	1
Oakwood Aerodrome	1
Skull Rock log flume	2
Snake River Falls: Cobra	1
Snake River Falls: left open slide	1
Snake River Falls: Python	1
Snake River Falls: right open slide	1
Speed	4
Teacups	1
Tink's Flying School	4
Train park entrance to reception	1
Treetops Coaster	2
Waterfall left slide	2
Waterfall right slide	2
TOTAL	46

Rest Of Saturday

When the ERS ended at Nev gave a speech which lasted a few minutes. After that everyone headed back to the car park. Once there, Mark and Margo kindly took me back to Tenby. When we got to Tenby we had a spot of difficulty finding The Myrtle House Hotel, but we found it eventually. At quarter past midnight I was back in my room, dead tired.

Outro

Highlights

Morning ERS on Megafobia before Oakwood opened to the public.
Riding all five coasters (Megafobia, Treetops Coaster, Speed, Clown Coaster, Crocodile Coaster) and various non-coaster rides again.
Adding Neverland Chase, Teacups and Oakwood Aerodrome to my ride count.
Fireworks, lasers and fountains accompanied by music at 21:50.
Dark ERS on Megafobia after closing time, despite the rain.
Meeting Nev, Alan Chilvers, Doug, Charlie and Lizzie, Happy Helen, Ianto Gulliver, Mark and Margo, Planenut, Ryan Hackett, Sophia Jones and other members again.

Lowlights

My baguette mid-afternoon was somewhat disappointing.
Sudden change of weather around 15:00, i.e. rain to some extent much of the time thereafter.
Drenched out of action all day, though perhaps that was a blessing in disguise considering the weather after 15:00.

Summing Up

Altogether a mega fun day at Oakwood. Turnout was considerably higher for Oakwood than for Folly Farm the previous day, presumably because the Oakwood trip was on a Saturday, whereas the Folly Farm visit was a Friday. I particularly enjoyed riding all five roller coasters (Megafobia, Treetops Coaster, Speed, Clown Coaster, Crocodile Coaster) and several non-coaster rides (including Bobsleigh, Bounce and Snake River Falls) again. It was also a pleasure to meet other members including Nev, Doug, Charlie and Lizzie, Happy Helen, Ianto Gulliver, Mark and Margo, Planenut, Ryan Hackett and Sophia Jones again. The biggest highlight of the day was the dark ERS, during which the Megafobia train ran really fast around the wet track in the rain. Many other members liked my self-designed pink hi-vis jacket and fluorescent pink sports shorts; it was definitely worth me buying those beforehand as wearing them in conjunction with my fluorescent yellow Skatedrive cagoule added to the fun of the dark ERS on Megafobia.

The biggest let-down was the weather. Although it was mostly dry and sunny up until mid-afternoon (bar a few odd spots mid-morning) the weather suddenly deteriorated around 15:00 with a sudden downpour. Even though the rain stopped for a bit afterwards, it remained cloudy, and by early evening the rain returned, with another downpour whilst I was on Snake River Falls. Despite the rain, I had plenty of rides during the afternoon and evening rainfall. Looking on the bright side, at least it wasn't pouring with rain all day.

Many thanks to Nev for organising this trip to Oakwood, the staff for running Megafobia before opening time and after closing time, Doug for giving me the glow sticks and Mark and Margo for kindly giving me a lift back to Tenby in the evening.