Venue: Oakwood Theme Park
Who Went: Me and a large number of other RCCGB members, including Andy and Christine Hine, Andy T, Doug and Charlie Turner, Mark and Margo Lewis, Planenut, Ryan Hackett, Smiler, Wendy Evans.
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 8 August 2015.
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 and (for the first time ever) disco lights after closing time, and more riding in between. This was my fourth consecutive year of attending this trip. Just like 2012, 2013 and 2014, I also took along my fluorescent yellow cagoule with Skatedrive on it. Also just like 2014 I took my self-designed pink hi-vis waistcoat with "Coaster Crazy Kid on Tour!" on the back, and my fluorescent yellow and fluorescent pink sports shorts. The intention was that I would wear the fluorescent yellow cagoule, pink hi-vis on top and either the pink or yellow shorts during the dark ERS in the evening.Saturday First Thing
My first concern when I arrived at the guest house where I was staying in Kilgetty on Thursday evening was getting breakfast early enough on Saturday morning. Anyway thanks to prior agreement Friday morning I managed to have an early breakfast at 8:15. It consisted of a choice of cereal (I had cornflakes), a glass of orange juice, beans on toast and a cafetiere of coffee. I chose beans on toast as that was quicker to prepare in the limited time available this morning. Just after 8:30 Mark and Margo arrived to give me a lift to Oakwood.Welcome to Oakwood
When Mark, Margo and I arrived, several other members were already waiting outside the front of Oakwood. A few minutes later Nev gave his welcome speech. After that everyone entered the Park and headed in towards Megafobia. Along the way I noticed the queue line for Bobsleigh was blocked off for rebuilding, and initially thought it would be closed all day, until someone else pointed out to me about its temporary queue line further along.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. During the ERS I enjoyed five goes; I sat next to Smiler on one go and Planenut on another go.Morning Free Time
Megafobia
I was expecting this to be my sixth go during the ERS, but the attendant said the previous train was the last train of the morning ERS, and this was to be the first train of normal time, during which the general public would be able to ride. For some reason this first run of normal opening time seemed to lack the atmosphere of the ERS. At the end of this run, I left Megafobia, with the intention of not riding it again until the evening ERS after the fireworks. Little did I know at this moment that this would be my last go of the day on Megafobia, and that the evening ERS would not happen!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. I enjoyed four goes on this coaster in various rows of the train.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. I sat between Planenut and Andy T in the back row. Once the car returned to the station I had a second go, this time in the front row.At this point I sat at one of the tables outside the hot dog stand near Speed for a few minutes. During this time I spoke to some other RCCGB members.
Bounce
A drop tower made by Huss. This has seats on all four sides of the tower. 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. Afterwards I had a second go, this time in a seat on the opposite side of the tower.Teacups
This is a tea cup ride just outside the enclosed 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.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 Nev and Wendy Evans entered. I spoke to them inside and just outside the café.Tink's Flying School
Formerly Plane Crazy, in 2013 this ride was relocated to Neverland, re-themed and renamed Tink's Flying School. 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. For now I only had one go.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, both of which were in the back row.Tink's Flying School
I returned to Tink's Flying School to enjoy one more go. This was my final ride before leaving the Park to play baseball with the rest of the RCCGB.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. At 14:23 the game ended, and the final score was Woodies 415 Steelies 10.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
At this point I felt like a light snack, so I went to The Little Darlings' Café in Neverland, where I had a hot dog and 16oz Sprite.Oakwood Aerodrome
This Neverland ride features a set of planes on spokes 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 8 Siobhan – Ireland. Although it wasn't particularly thrilling, it was worth riding to say I'd been on it today. For now I only had one go.Drenched
Drenched was now open, and being as it was a sunny afternoon, I was determined to ride it. 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 15th anniversary T-shirt and a pair of black Adidas sports shorts, but as I neared the front, I put my all-in-one splashsuit on over them. 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. This was my only go on here all day.After leaving Drenched, I didn't bother standing on the bridge to watch the boat land next time around (unlike Mega-GLOW-Mania 2012 and 2013). Instead I removed my splashsuit and headed for another ride.
Neverland Chase
A tractor ride in the Neverland area. When it was my turn I got into the tractor "Oak 2" which worked its way around the circuit and back to the station. Not a particularly exciting ride, but worth one go just to say I'd been on it. This was my only go on this ride all day.Crocodile Coaster
My third go for today on Crocodile Coaster. Once again I sat in the back row. This time I limited myself to just one go, which ended up being my final go of the day on this ride.Waterfall
Two giant slides descend from the top of a tower. You launch yourself at the top on a plastic tray; for this reason some members call this the tea tray ride. The correct riding procedure is to grip the tray handles tightly and lean forwards. 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. For this reason I put on my all-in-one splashsuit to prevent me getting wet. I enjoyed two goes: left slide followed by right slide (as viewed at the top of the tower, with your back to the top of the stairs and facing the tops of the slides). Both times I was lucky enough to sail across the landing pool without keeling over.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.
You may get wet on these slides, which is why I kept my splashsuit on to ride them. Just like each of the last three years 2012 to 2014 inclusive, I was hoping to ride all four slides in succession. However the attendant told me that only Cobra and Python were open, and that both open top slides were closed. Presumably that's why the queues for both Cobra and Python were quite long, as everyone wanting to ride Snake River Falls (regardless of slide) was restricted to just Cobra and Python. Anyway I enjoyed one go on Cobra followed by one go on Python. Having left Snake River Falls removed my splashsuit.
Next I approached the Boating Lake. I fancied a go on one of the pedaloes, as I hadn't been on them on my previous visits to Oakwood. However I was unsure if they would let me on alone, therefore I hoped to find someone else from the RCCGB to go on with.
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. Although the normal queue line was being rebuilt, a temporary queue line was in place, thereby allowing Bobsleigh to continue operating. When I joined the queue I met Andy T, he rode behind me. Riding this on a dry, sunny evening was much better and easier than in the wet conditions during Mega-GLOW-Mania 2014. My one go now was my only go on this all day.Boating Lake
Next Andy T and I headed for the Boating Lake. When we got there the queue was quite short, and within a few minutes we got into one of the pedaloes together. The attendant told us we could go around the island once, and that we should stay well away from Megafobia. I asked why we should stay away from Megafobia, the attendant said "because you might get stuck". This was my first ever time of riding one of the pedalo boats on this lake, and it was quite hard going. Together we pedalled around the lake, staying to the right of the island all the way around. On the way back I noticed a lot of weed close to Megafobia. We tried pedalling through the weed, hoping to cut a clear path, but got stuck, and had to pedal backwards until we were on the already clear path further away from Megafobia. Having disembarked my legs felt a bit tired after all the pedalling. There's no way I could have had two goes straight off.Afterwards Andy T and I headed into Neverland. I wanted to go on Skull Rock log flume next, and he looked after my rucksack whilst I went on it.
Skull Rock
You will get wet (or possibly soaked) on this log flume whatever the weather. Although it was a dry sunny evening, I donned my all-in-one splashsuit to prevent me getting wet. This formerly operated at Camelot Theme Park, and began operating at Oakwood in 2013. The queue for this was quite short; presumably not many people wanted to ride it early evening as the hottest part of the day had now gone. 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. After my second go I removed my splashsuit.Tink's Flying School
Next Andy T and I rode Tink's Flying School. I sat in one plane, Andy T sat in another. This ended up being my final go on this ride for today. When the ride ended we parted company, with the hope of seeing each other again during the evening ERS.Lost Boys' Adventure
An outdoor play area, which includes three tube slides set in a mound. One slide is blue, one slide red, and one slide is yellow. I went down the blue, red and yellow slides once each.Oakwood Aerodrome
My second and final go of the day on this aeroplane ride in Neverland. This time I rode in plane number 6 Bronwen – Wales. Once again I limited myself to one go. This ended up being my final ride of the day in Neverland.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 drops on Moon Landing.Waterfall
Having left Moon Landing, I happened to meet Nev and others by Waterfall. They challenged me to go on it, and looked after my rucksack whilst I went on. Before going on I said I needed to get something out of my rucksack, only for Nev to tell me I wasn't allowed to put anything extra on. I quickly grabbed my splashsuit from the bottom compartment of my rucksack and raced to and climbed the steps before they could catch me! At the top of the stairs I put on my splashsuit so as not to get wet. Since the right slide was vacant, the attendant told me to go on the right slide. I gripped the handles tightly all the way down and sailed across the landing pool without keeling over. Afterwards I went back on for another go, and this time insisted on going down the left slide. Once again I gripped the handles tightly all the way down and sailed across the landing pool without keeling over. After that I removed my splashsuit, picked up my rucksack and headed for another ride.Speed
I decided to go on Speed next. When I got there the queue was a bit long for my liking, but was (in hindsight regretfully) patient enough to wait. Eventually it was my turn to get on. The ride experience was just the same as when I rode this mid-morning. Altogether a fun ride, definitely worth the wait. Due to the queuing time, I limited myself to one go. Unexpectedly this ended up being my final ride of the day!Power Failure
After leaving Speed, I was going to have one or two goes on Bounce next, and then go to Woody's Burger Bar for a burger and fries. On my way towards Bounce, I passed Treetops Coaster, so I decided to cram in a go on that first. As I approached Treetops Coaster, people were getting off it, and someone said "The power is down".I hurried to Woody's Burger Bar, and their lights were off. Evidently the power was off park-wide. I asked if Woody's Burger Bar had any burgers or fries cooked and ready to serve, only to be told they couldn't sell them as their tills were down! The member of staff I spoke to told me that, if the power was restored, Woody's Burger Bar would reopen but there would be a 10 to 15 minute delay cooking a fresh lot of food, and rebooting the tills.
Obviously the majority of the rides could not operate without electricity. The only rides still open were the pedaloes (which are self-propelled by riders) and Moon Landing drop slide. Furthermore the stage was silent as the band could not perform without power. Members of the RCCGB and general public sitting on the hill in front of the stage wondered what would happen next. Since I was now getting hungry, I was hoping the power would be restored as soon as possible in order to get something to eat from Woody's Burger Bar. Suddenly I wished I'd not bothered queuing for my last go on Speed, and instead headed for Woody's Burger Bar; that way I might have successfully ordered and paid for a burger and fries and been given them just before the power failed.
At 20:58 the stage lights suddenly came on. For a moment I thought the power had been restored park wide, but the stage performer said the power was still down. He started singing to keep people amused whilst the power was still down. The band must have been using a generator to power the stage lights and sound system.
Feeling bored I wandered towards Neverland. It was now dusk and staff were by the entrance. From what I could gather they were preventing people from entering Neverland and encouraging everyone to return to the hill in front of the stage. The staff there were asking visitors if they should go ahead with the fireworks, I said they should. Although, just as I thought, the fireworks were to be fired electrically on a timed sequence, I was told they had an adequate backup supply for that. As I headed back towards the hill in front of the stage, some visitors were already heading towards the exit, having evidently given up hope of the power being restored before closing time. As it gradually got darker, Moon Landing drop slide was closed due to insufficient light at the launch point.
Firework Display
The rides were originally intended to be in operation until around 21:45, and the After Dark display of fireworks and lights, set to music, was due to take place around 21:50. Just after 21:30 the band ceased performing, and the firework display took place early. Despite the power cut, the fireworks were accompanied by music, so evidently the backup power supply must have been adequate to power the sound system. Part way through there was an interval with no fireworks. I thought the fireworks were over, until suddenly more fireworks appeared. This round of fireworks ended with an announcement "Thank you for visiting Oakwood Theme Park, please drive home safely. Thank you". The crowd cheered and applauded as the last fireworks faded. Altogether an excellent firework display, though I'm mystified as to the significance of the interval with no fireworks. My guess is that was originally intended to be filled with bright lights and lasers, and the backup power supply used to launch the fireworks was inadequate for that.After Fireworks
When the fireworks ended, another announcement was made asking people to leave slowly and carefully due to the street lights not working as a result of the power failure. A member of staff asked people to leave in a particular direction. When he told me to leave via that route I showed my trip badge and said I was a member of the RCCGB participating in the planned Megafobia dark ERS; he therefore me to wait with the rest of the Club near the entrance to Megafobia. Without further ado I proceeded to the area outside Megafobia entrance, where several RCCGB members were already waiting. A member of staff then told everyone who was not part of the Club to leave.Without mains power it was impossible to run Megafobia for the ERS, which was to include party music and, for the first time ever, disco lights in the station (courtesy of Mark). Oakwood didn't have a powerful enough generator for that! Nonetheless several members had already activated glow sticks. Evidently they were still hoping the power would return within the next few minutes and the ERS would still go ahead. Meanwhile I had given up hope of the power returning, and hadn't yet bothered putting on my fluorescent yellow Skatedrive cagoule, pink hi-vis and/or fluorescent pink or fluorescent yellow sports shorts. I was now more concerned about finding Mark and Margo who were to take me back to Kilgetty. Thankfully they were easy to spot, dressed in their fluorescent outfits with lights.
Around 21:45 Nev formally announced that, with much regret, it was necessary to cancel the ERS. He stated that this was the first time the evening Megafobia ERS has had to be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances since 1996. At this point most members left the Park. Since Mark had already set up his disco lights in Megafobia station, a member of staff took him there to collect them. Meanwhile I waited with Margo near the entrance. A member of staff told me to leave, but I stated to him and Nev (who was nearby) I had to wait here with Margo as Mark and Margo were taking me back to Kilgetty. Just before Mark returned lights suddenly came on around the Park, and a recurring audio announcement on Bobsleigh could be heard. Evidently the power had been restored! Sadly the decision had already been made, it was now too late to recall everyone and have the ERS after all. I mentioned this to a member of staff; he said the power could still be intermittent for now.
Summary of my day in order of activity
Morning ERS: Megafobia 5
Normal time
Megafobia 1
Treetops Coaster 4
Speed 2
Bounce 2
Teacups 1
Black coffee at The Little Darlings Café
Tink's Flying School 1
Crocodile Coaster 2
Tink's Flying School 1
Baseball
Lunch at The Little Darlings Café
Oakwood Aerodrome 1
Drenched 1
Neverland Chase 1
Crocodile Coaster 1
Waterfall left slide 1
Waterfall right slide 1
Snake River Falls: Cobra 1
Snake River Falls: Python 1
Bobsleigh 1
Boating Lake 1
Skull Rock 2
Tink's Flying School 1
Lost Boys' Adventure: tube slides blue, red, yellow
Oakwood Aerodrome 1
Moon Landing 4
Waterfall right slide 1
Waterfall left slide 1
Speed 1
Firework display
Cumulative Summary of My Rides (ERSs and Freetime Combined)
| Ride | Total |
| Boating Lake | 1 |
| Bobsleigh | 1 |
| Bounce | 2 |
| Crocodile Coaster | 3 |
| Drenched | 1 |
| Megafobia | 6 |
| Moon Landing | 4 |
| Neverland Chase | 1 |
| Oakwood Aerodrome | 2 |
| Skull Rock | 2 |
| Snake River Falls: Cobra | 1 |
| Snake River Falls: Python | 1 |
| Speed | 3 |
| Teacups | 1 |
| Tink's Flying School | 3 |
| Treetops Coaster | 4 |
| Waterfall left slide | 2 |
| Waterfall right slide | 2 |
| TOTAL | 40 |
Rest of Saturday
When Mark returned he, Margo and I returned to the car park. By now I had told Margo that I was unable to get a burger and fries from Woody's Burger Bar due to the power failure, and thus hadn't eaten anything since my hot dog mid-afternoon. She therefore suggested to Mark that we try and find somewhere where I could get something to eat, even if it was just a bag of chips. On the way back, Mark kindly detoured in to Narberth, where I went to a kebab shop just a few minutes before it was due to close at 22:30. I quickly looked at the menu; it was too late for me to have a burger there but thankfully I managed to buy myself chips with cheese. I mentioned the power cut at Oakwood; the kebab shop in Narberth wasn't affected by that. Having returned to the car I consumed my chips on the way back to Kilgetty, and had finished them by the time we got back to the guest house where I was staying. After our final goodbyes I returned to my room, about an hour earlier than expected!Outro
Highlights
Morning ERS on Megafobia before Oakwood opened to the public.Riding four coasters (Megafobia, Treetops Coaster, Speed, Crocodile Coaster) and various non-coaster rides again.
Adding the Boating Lake (pedalo boats) to my ride count.
Fireworks accompanied by music just after 21:30.
Meeting Nev, Andy T, Doug and Charlie, Mark and Margo, Planenut, Ryan Hackett, Wendy Evans and other members again.
Beautiful dry, sunny weather from dawn to dusk.
Lowlights
Only two of the four Snake River Falls slides (Cobra and Python) open; I wanted to slide all four.Power failure around 20:40 which eventually forced the dark ERS on Megafobia to be cancelled.
Summing Up
Altogether a mega fun day at Oakwood. It's a pity the power cut forced the dark ERS on Megafobia to be cancelled. I felt the Club was deprived of the best and most important part (the glow part) of the planned itinerary, but it's important to stress that neither the RCCGB nor Oakwood were to blame for the power cut. That aside, the rest of the day was as amazing as it could be; the Club still had its morning ERS on Megafobia (thus that became the biggest highlight of the day) and its baseball game lunchtime. I particularly enjoyed riding the four roller coasters I was able to ride (Megafobia, Treetops Coaster, Speed, Crocodile Coaster). The only coaster I didn't ride was the Clown Coaster which, according to what I've been led to believe, adults can now only ride when accompanying a child, but never mind. It was also great adding the Boating Lake (pedalo boats) to my ride count, and riding many non-coaster rides again (e.g. Bounce, Drenched and Waterfall) which I've ridden previously. Thus despite the evening power failure, I still achieved a good ride count overall. 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. It was great meeting Nev, Doug and Charlie, Mark and Margo, Wendy Evans and others again. Finally the weather was excellent; dry and sunny all day, a vast improvement on the wet weather from mid-afternoon onwards last year.Many thanks to Nev for organising this trip to Oakwood, the staff for running Megafobia before opening time, and to Mark and Margo for kindly giving me lifts from Kilgetty to Oakwood in the morning and back in the evening.
Back to the top
No comments:
Post a Comment