Date: Saturday 25 October 2014
Venue: Funland, Hayling Island
Who Went: Just me
N.B. Any use of "today" or "Saturday" in this report means Saturday 25 October 2014.
Rationale For Trip
After my birthday outing to Thorpe Park and RCCGB Loopathon day 2 at Drayton Manor Park, I fancied a last-minute bonus coaster trip to Funland Hayling Island. For various reasons I chose to go the last Saturday in October.
Getting to Funland
I got up early in order to catch the 07:35 train from Bath Spa to Fareham, followed by the 09:40 train to Havant. Having reached Havant just before 10:00, I walked to the bus station as quickly as possible. I got there in plenty of time for the 10:20 number 30 bus to Hayling Island.
Funland, Hayling Island
Morning Coffee
When I finally reached Funland at 10:40, I felt like a coffee before going into Funland. I went into Beachlands Café, which is conveniently located next-door to Funland, to enjoy a mug of coffee. However I didn't have anything to eat.
Morning Riding
Having finished my coffee I went straight into Funland and bought myself an all-day wristband. At the token and wristband kiosk, a notice stated that Drop tower was out of action. Shortly afterwards I noticed the new-for-2014 ride Cyclone, but I didn't want to go on it yet. As a RCCGB member I wanted to start the day on one of Funland's three roller coasters. I would have liked to have begun with Klondike Gold Mine, but since that required a minimum of four riders, I began with Woody's Roller Coaster instead.
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 each ride car resembles a log, which probably explains why the coaster is called Woody's Roller Coaster. One ride consists of three laps. For now I had one go in the front row.
Blizzard Falls Log Flume
Funland's mini log flume. I think this one is primarily aimed at children, but adults can ride it. The log sets off from the platform, around a u-bend, up the lift hill and down again. After the landing splash (which isn't very big) the log continues around another u-bend and back into the station. The rise and fall are quite small, and the overall ride duration is quite short, but it is still a fun ride. This ride was walk-on, and I enjoyed four goes straight off on this, without having to disembark between goes. Whilst riding this I wore my navy cagoule to prevent me getting wet.
Flying Saucer
This operated at Paultons for several years. Since 2012 it has been operating at Funland. It has an outer ring (where the seats are), linked by four spokes to its centrepiece. Initially it's level, but soon after it starts it rises to an angle so you go up and down as well as spin. Eventually it returns to the level position for its final few spins before slowing down and stopping. Although not a particularly exciting ride, it was worth riding to say I'd been on it this trip. I only had one go for now; as it happened this ended up being my only go on Flying Saucer all day.
Super Dragon Roller Coaster
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. For now I just had one go in the back row. One ride consisted of multiple laps, however I didn't count the actual number of laps.
Cyclone
Just about everyone in the RCCGB must have been on this sort of ride at least once somewhere, you may have seen it called Twister. This ride is new to Funland for 2014, and is located where Breakdance used to be. Another fun ride, and still one of my favourite non-coaster rides, but once was enough for me for now.
Klondike Gold Mine
Being as a few other riders were about to go on this, I took the opportunity to ride this looping coaster. 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. 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. For now I only had one go in the front row. I tried queuing for a second go on Klondike, along with two other riders, but no-one else turned up after a few minutes, I backed off and went on Woody's Roller Coaster instead.
Woody's Roller Coaster
Thankfully I had no problem getting on to Woody's Roller Coaster. I had one go, in the third row.
Klondike Gold Mine
At last there were enough riders queuing for Klondike, so now was a golden opportunity for me to ride it again. This time I rode it in the second row from the back. I only had one go for now.
Beaver Creek Log Flume
Funland's large log flume. Originally called Wild River Log Flume, my first time of seeing it called Beaver Creek Log Flume was in November 2013. In order to prevent myself getting wet, I donned my all-in-one splashsuit before getting into one of the logs. The log sailed out of the station, around a bend, through a tunnel and around another bend. From there the log went up the lift hill, around the u-bend at the top and down the big drop to create a mighty splash. Finally the log entered the station and I disembarked. I had three goes; I was able to stay in the same log at the end of my first go, but at the end of my second go I had to disembark and wait for another vacant log.
Lunchtime and After
With the time now around 13:20, I left Funland to have some lunch at Beachlands Café. Feeling like something hot, I decided to have an all-day breakfast, comprising one sausage, one rasher of bacon, one fried egg, one slice of fried bread, and tinned tomatoes. I also had a mug of coffee. Having left Beachlands Café at 13:45 I went for a walk along the beach to the west of the café.
Afternoon Riding
Around 14:30 I returned to Funland and without further ado returned to riding.
Cannibal Pots
This is similar to a tea cup ride, but with cauldrons instead of cups. One can make the cauldron spin faster by turning the table whilst the ride is in motion. In order not to spin the cauldron too fast for my liking I only turned the table a bit for a brief part of the ride, and let the cauldron spin of its own accord the rest of the time. For now I just had one go, in cauldron 7.
Klondike Gold Mine
A few others were about to ride Klondike, so I took the opportunity to ride it. This time I had two goes, back row followed by front row.
Woody's Roller Coaster
Now for the family sized Woody's Roller Coaster; I sat in the second row. I limited myself to just one go, which ended up being my final go of the day on here.
Super Dragon Roller Coaster
Having just ridden Klondike Gold Mine and Woody's Roller Coaster, I now wanted to ride Super Dragon Roller Coaster, in order to have ridden all three coasters in succession. I removed my hoody, put my self-designed pink hi-vis waistcoat over my T-shirt and sat in the front row. The ride attendant liked my pink hi-vis with the "Coaster Crazy Kid on Tour!" slogan on the back. Once again the ride consisted of multiple laps. For now I only had one go, which turned out to be my final go of the day on here.
Cyclone
Having now ridden all three coasters in succession I fancied riding a few non-coaster rides, starting with Cyclone. I enjoyed this just as much as earlier in the day, but once was enough for now. As it happened this ended up being my final go of the day on here.
Extreme
This Miami ride began operating at Funland in 2013. I didn't count how many seats there are on this particular one, but anyway, the ride experience was just like any other Miami. A fun ride, but once was enough for now.
Cannibal Pots
My second time of riding this cauldron ride, this time I sat in cauldron number 4. Once again I limited myself to just one go.
Klondike Gold Mine
Enough other riders were waiting to ride Klondike, so I took the opportunity to ride it again. This time I sat in the back row. Afterwards several riders went back on for another go, so I decided to have a second go. I initially sat in the back row again, but since two other riders wanted to ride together in the back row, the attendant moved me to the one vacant seat in the second-from-back row. I didn't mind being moved, and took the opportunity to don my pink hi-vis waistcoat before sitting in the second-from-back row. Once despatched I enjoyed what ended up being my final go of the day on Klondike.
Helter Skelter
It's questionable whether this should be classed as a true ride or a slide. This is what I would call a traditional fairground helter skelter, unlike the twin slide helter skelter at Grand Pier, Weston-super-Mare. I enjoyed four goes on it. On each of my goes the waiting time at the top of the steps was quite short.
Blizzard Falls Log Flume
I now fancied a few more goes on the mini log flume. I donned my navy cagoule to prevent me getting wet, got into a log and enjoyed four goes on this log flume.
Beaver Creek Log Flume
From the small log flume to the large log flume, I approached Beaver Creek Log Flume and it was walk-on. I donned my splashsuit and got into a log. My original intention was to have just one go, but when I got back to the station, I stayed in the log for a second go. Someone who happened to be watching noticed my splashsuit and said "That's cheating". After my second go I disembarked and removed my splashsuit.
Extreme
Closing time was fast approaching, and I wanted to cram in one or two more rides before leaving. My next ride was on Extreme, and thankfully I faced a very short wait to get on. This Miami ride was just as much fun as earlier, but once was enough.
It was now almost closing time. I was hoping to finish off with one go on the Cyclone, but since its final run of the day was already in progress I tried to find another ride still taking riders.
Samba Balloon
Luckily I managed to get on to the Samba Balloon. The ride was stationary when I approached it alone, and the attendant said there was still time for me to have a go. Once I was seated the balloons rose and went around clockwise. A gentle rest ride to round off my day at Funland.
Summary of day in order of activity
Woody's Roller Coaster 1
Blizzard Falls Log Flume 4
Flying Saucer 1
Super Dragon Roller Coaster 1
Cyclone 1
Klondike Gold Mine 1
Woody's Roller Coaster 1
Klondike Gold Mine 1
Beaver Creek Log Flume 3
Lunch at Beachlands Café
Walk along the beach
Cannibal Pots 1
Klondike Gold Mine 2
Woody's Roller Coaster 1
Super Dragon Roller Coaster 1
Cyclone 1
Extreme 1
Cannibal Pots 1
Klondike Gold Mine 2
Helter Skelter 4
Blizzard Falls Log Flume 4
Beaver Creek Log Flume 2
Extreme 1
Samba Balloon 1
Cumulative summary of my rides all day
| Ride | Total |
| Beaver Creek Log Flume | 5 |
| Blizzard Falls Log Flume | 8 |
| Cannibal Pots | 2 |
| Cyclone | 2 |
| Extreme | 2 |
| Flying Saucer | 1 |
| Helter Skelter | 4 |
| Klondike Gold Mine | 6 |
| Samba Balloon | 1 |
| Super Dragon Roller Coaster | 2 |
| Woody's Roller Coaster | 3 |
| TOTAL | 36 |
Evening
From Funland To Havant
I left Funland for the final time at 17:05. The number 31 bus to Havant was already at the stop across the road, so I ran for it. Fortunately I managed to get to and on it before it left. I arrived Havant Bus Station at 17:27.
Evening Meal
Without further ado I looked for somewhere to eat. I fancied going to Burger King. When I got there I faced a long wait to be served, during which time the queue behind me got longer. Anyway I had a large Spanish Whopper Meal, which included large fries and a large soft drink (I chose Sprite) for main course. The Spanish Whopper burger tasted out of this world; a good choice. Of course a meal isn't complete without a dessert, so to finish off my meal I had a Caramel Sundae.
Journey Home
I got back to the station around 18:40. Just my luck, I now faced about 40 minutes wait to begin my train journey home. To kill time I went for a walk around part of Havant town centre in the dark. Back at the station I caught the 19:18 train to Fareham, followed by the 19:47 train to Bath Spa. Both stages of the journey went without a hitch. I finally reached Bath Spa at 21:44, and home about ten minutes later.
Outro
Highlights
High ride count.
Rides mostly walk-on; the few queues that did occur were very short.
Riding the three coasters (Klondike, Woody's Roller Coaster, Super Dragon) again.
Riding Cyclone and Samba Balloon for the first time, and hence adding them to my ride count.
All-day breakfast at Beachlands Café lunchtime.
Lowlights
Sometimes I had to wait for others to turn up to be able to ride Klondike.
Long wait to get served at Burger King, Havant early evening.
Summary
Altogether a great day out, my final send-off to the 2014 coaster season. Although a small park, I enjoyed riding three roller coasters, two log flumes, five other rides and a helter skelter. It was definitely worthwhile me travelling from Bath to Hayling Island and back in one day just to visit such a small park. The park was rather quiet, presumably because it was late October. That often meant I was the only person wanting to go on a particular ride, and the few times there were others waiting there were only three or four others maximum, thereby allowing me to get a high overall ride count. However it created a problem for me riding Klondike; sometimes I was the only person wanting to go on it and had to wait for others to turn up. I generally overcame that problem by approaching Klondike when I saw other people about to go on it, and thus managed a total of six goes on it. At least that was an improvement on my visit last year when I only just managed to get one go on Klondike in the afternoon. For me the biggest surprise was finding out that Breakdance had gone, and the new Cyclone ride was in its place. It was great to add the new Cyclone, as well as the Samba Balloon, to my ride count. As a RCCGB member my greatest satisfaction was riding all three coasters (Klondike, Woody's Roller Coaster, Super Dragon) again. Although exciting to ride, they're all
steel though. Come on Funland, get some
wood! The weather was reasonable; dry all day, two longish sunny intervals during the afternoon and considerably less windy than my visit to Funland last year.
