^I believe the character below is Batty. So he's not new but I suppose this will be the first time he has ventured down to the Transylvania area.
I'm intrigued by this event. Obviously I'll be there (birthday times) and I'm sure you can expect to see one of my usually epic trip reports mentioning every detail of the event
I remember going to Chessington in like year 7, so would have been 2002 when the trains were only a year into use...and the front row on the train was closed off.
I was gutted.
Also, got stung on the lip by a wasp on Buccy. That was a bad day at Chessington.
I asked my mum if she thought we had any and she doesn't think so. We have a fair amount of the zoo but when it comes to rides I think we only have pics of Safari skyway and random stuff like that. I'm going to go round to the grandparents one day and rummage through their photos, they took us grandkids so much they must have something in there.
As in these new Vekoma ones? Or just swinging ones in general (to include the old style enclosed ones as well)?
Right, I tried to find them and post the rcdb lists, but most of what I posted was bollocks, and was missing stuff. Therefore, I'll let someone else do it.
Here are a few photos from the Vampire XXI Event preview that we had last night. A mixture of cameras were used to take these photos so please excuse the varying quality.
The preview took place after the park had closed, so we had a vampire guide us to Transylvania.
Our first stop was the Twilight Zone walk-thru where we posed for a group photo.
The Twilight Zone is just outside of Transylvania, opposite the entrance to the Black Buccaneer. I recognised most of the theme items from the Halloween event - the cobwebs and the giant spider. It did look good once the smoke pumped out!
The two vampire couples welcomed us to the Twilight Zone and put on a performance. It was great!
Aha! Who's that creeping up behind Red Female Vampire?
It's Batty and the Grim Reaper!
Batty has "Ray Bat" sunglasses so the sunlight doesn't kill him.
Then it was time for us to experience The Twilight Zone.
We were batched into groups of 3 or 4 and told to carefully walk through.
To read what happens inside, highlight the text between the spoiler tags below.
After entering through a caged door, you walk through a pitch-black bendy corridor until you reach a dimly lit room with zig-zag wallpaper. A vampire appears and tells you to progress through his house. You walk through a door and into a another pitch black corridor/maze before exiting. Aside from the vampire, there are no jumping-out parts, strobe lighting, loud noises or smoke effects.
The Twilight Zone is aimed at children, so those expecting a fully-blown horror maze should think again. It is inside a shipping container so the corridors are very narrow, but it's like a TARDIS inside! Those with a larger waistline may struggle to get through. It's also pitch black in there, you have to feel you way through. It's a good temporary attraction for the purpose of this event.
We were whisked through the fastrax entrance, not the normal queue line, so we didn't experience the rats, although this area will house them: (Photo taken on Annual Pass day a few weeks ago.)
Whilst on the ride, it was noted that a several more items of theme have been added to the queue line. Vampire is certainly getting a lot of love and attention this season. No photos, but we'll let you try to spot them for yourself.
Now it was time to ride Vampire! 21 CFers having the pick of the seats!
Front...
...middle...
...or back?
Even Purple Female Vampire and Purple Male Vampire had a ride!
We were treated to five rides, with plenty of seat swapping between each ride. The ride staff were enthusiastic as always. The Vampire team have always been a cheerful bunch so this wasn't out of the ordinary, but it certainly helped the party mood!
Although this may embarrass them, Tina and Phil are also celebrating 21 years together this year! Congratulations to them! Here they are with Red Male Vampire and Red Female Vampire.
That was it! We had a few photos with the Vampires. Here's our bravest member, maxi-minor_furie!
Finally, in true CoasterForce cheesy fashion, I presented the park with a plaque to commemorate 21 years of one of the UK's most iconic roller coasters!
The Vampire XXI Event is open from today and will last for 21 days. Make sure you head there and give it a big birthday hug.
Thanks to everybody at Chessington for the amazing hospitality and the preview, but most importantly, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, VAMPIRE!
Near the beginning as you walk through, one of the Vampires suddenly appears on the right behind a hidden panel lit by a strobe light
As everyone there last night will testify, it still scared the pants off me. Big hugs to Rich and Neal for looking after me in the maze, and to Peep who's hand I randomly grabbed in the Vampire station when I was convinced something was going to jump out at us! lol! I'm an idiot.
I had a fantastic day, and it was lovely of the park to put in this event as a treat for us. As always, they showed us great hospitality, and I'd like to add my thanks to everyone involved in organising and staffing the event.
Vampire was the first 'proper' coaster that I went on as a kid, so for that reason, it will always hold a special place in my heart. I love how it's a family coaster, but still packs one hell of a punch. The station and surrounding area also set the benchmark for theming in the UK and is still one of the greatest experiences in the country, even 21 years on.
Thanks Ian! God I have got to loose some weight!! I was told off by Female Vampire for giving her husband a cuddle. Really enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere.
That's another thing I forgot to mention - the Vampires were excellent! They remained in character through the entire event. Not once did they slip out of character.
On the way to Vampire, Red Female Vampire jumped over a puddle to which I remark, "how graceful of you". Red Male Vampire glared at me and said "Are you flirting with my wife?" Brilliant!
Top marks to the Vampires. Red Female Vampire was my favourite.
Ben said:
Bet it was loads of fun. Sadly, I was too busy not having anything to do all day to be there, but, I appreciated the invite!
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