I realise that Liseberg and Grona weren't part of the Live, but they connected so well with the trip, they might have well have been! I'd go as far to say that this trip was the best CF trip I've done for a long time!
I had a fab day at Liseberg. Helix is something special. It was such a buzz hearing and seeing everybody loving it! Everybody rode at every opportunity, no blousers or fed up face - smile all round! I even had a good ride on overrated Balder, getting more air than I ever had before. Usually when I have a long day at the park, I start to get tired and disinterested by early evening, but at Liseberg, the energy and enthusiasm to ride everything was in abundance. That's true testament to how good the park can be with a smashing group of people. Everything from the banter, the weather, the short queue times, the fast passes was absolutely spot on.
Grona on Saturday evening was also amazing. Despite the park being heaving due to a television program being filmed, we got everything of note done. Like Liseberg, the reactions from both the newbies and those who have been before, were positive. I don't think I've ever seen an entire group of CFers happily riding and enjoying the time there. There was no moping about or complaining - just sheer positive, playful smiles! I'm also glad to have done the star flyer at night.
So, to Kolmarden...
The staff gave us a lovely welcome at the start of the day before we started the long wander to Wildfire for our ERT session. Although it was a long, hilly walk, the animals and sheer size of the park kept us all interested. The cheer that went up when we first saw Wildfire was great - everybody was so overjoyed!
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I rode front row first time (to sort out the camera) but unfortunately the camera mount failure meant I spent my first ride worrying the camera would fly off. But by my second ride, I was hooked. I loved the first upside down element, the overbanked turn and the change of direction immediately after before it thunders through the tunnel. It was climatic, not exactly how I would expect a roller coaster to
start! I did find Wildfire peters out a bit towards the end after the zero-g roll, and it's not as perfectly condensed as Outlaw Run, but it makes a solid entry in my Top 10. Usually I cringe when people clap after roller coasters, but the group did so genuinely after every one of the six rides we had during our ERT.
[tweet]http://twitter.com/CoasterForce/status/766921784536993792[/tweet]
Going to be honest, the rest of the day sort of flew by me (like the **** hundreds of **** wasps). The other coasters were nothing to write home about and, although I like zoos, there's only so much looking at animals I can take before I find it tedious. I did enjoy the cable car safari, hence why we did it twice. I was also impressed with the buffet, particularly the beef.
But it was all about Wildfire. We rode it again a few more times in the afternoon. It warmed up considerably and the last two rides I had were near on perfect - especially those towards the back seats.
I would recommend Kolmarden to every coaster enthusiast. Sure, look at the animals, do the safari and enjoy the views, but it really is, for me, all about wonderful Wildfire. The greatest gift that Peter Osbeck has ever given to us. WHAT A GUY!
As always, thank you to everybody who decided to do their trip to Liseberg, Kolmarden and Grona Lund with CoasterForce. The enthusiasm and joy throughout the weekend was so infectious and overwhelming. Cheers for the laughs, the silliness, the comments and, most important of all, the Pokemon heads-ups