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NEW RIDE PAULTONS 2012 - Magma (Review Page 9)

Re: NEW RIDE PAULTONS 2012 ?

I knew as I was typing it somthing like that would be posted. Pretty much unavoidable though.
 
Re: NEW RIDE PAULTONS 2012 ?

I visited the park last week on Thursday, took loads of photos but was asked not to put them online...mainly because they show the inside of the queue line building.

There are two theme focal points in the queue.

I'll contact Paultons and ask if my images can be posted.

Ethan said:
Is this a shot or drop tower? Or both?[/guote]
Drop 'n Spin.
 
Re: NEW RIDE PAULTONS 2012 ?

What I also don't get is how on that marketing campaign, there were two men looking at a huge egg. But I don't see how thats relevant to this...
 
Re: NEW RIDE PAULTONS 2012 ?

You will. Things hatch from eggs.
 
Re: NEW RIDE PAULTONS 2012 ?

Yeah, the foot rests on these, are odd. I presume thats to help lower height restriction maybe?
 
Re: NEW RIDE PAULTONS 2012 ?

So here's Magma as seen from inside the park, as accessed by regular punters. I like the way the gondola has been left there to tantalise people visiting.

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Here it is from the tradesman entrance. You can compare it to Cobra. Believe it or not, Magma is about 25ft taller than Cobra.
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The tower.
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Wide shot of tower...and mud.
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Bit closer.
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Looking up the shaft. Not sure what the light sabre theming is all about though.
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Seats.
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Station. Where I'm standing is where a piece of queue line theming is going to go.
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Where I'm standing now is roughly where the entrance will be (sort of opposite Cobra's entrance).
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Winding queue line. The steel girders will be cladded to create a volcano, it won't be exposed.
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The chaps from RMA were making this archway.
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DANGER! Entry to the inside bit of the queue line. 10 years ago, the park probably would have left it like that! But no, the park agree that theme is the way forward and will be putting considerable effort into all future attractions.
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The back of the inside bit, with framework ready to take on the volcano cladding.
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So that's really it for Magma. The marketing chap (Hi, Rob!) and RMA did talk me through the queueline and theme elements. Although I can't be specific, it will involve lighting, mist and animated things.

Couple of other things to show you....

All the signs have been replaced throughout the park. Gone are the old perspex red text on white signs to make way for a more uniformed, tidy signage.
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New loos have been built outside of the park, which will marry up with the new entrance (next year). I checked both the gents and ladies - very spacious. The car park has been tarmaced.
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Sort of upsetting is the removal of the flower clock by the Waggoner's restaurant. Personally upsetting that is because it's where my Mum told me to go if I got lost. Many times throughout my pre-10's would my Mum storm over to me and tell me off by that clock. Not that she lost me, I was a master of escaping! Anyway, the clock removal is all part of the new entrance plaza.
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New African themed garden. Not my sort of thing but glad to see they're not pumping in ride after ride on tarmac and destroying the leafy environment of the park.
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Finally, new fence by the go-karts :)
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Re: NEW RIDE PAULTONS 2012 ?

Looking nice! It's really great that they are giving the place the revamp it needs. Hopefully they will do loads more!
 
Re: NEW RIDE PAULTONS 2012 ?

Loving the new investments, everything is looking nice and fresh and tidy without losing any of the lush, park, gardeniness from the park, perfect combination!

I'm glad that they continue to show an interest in quality theming, it really does make all of the difference to guest impact.

I'm also pleased that Paultons continue to install attraction that appeal to a wide age range. Clearly they are comfortable in the 'family with younger children' bracket, but the fact that they have chosen to install a ride like Magma shows just how well they know their target audience. It's the perfect follow up 'big' attraction to Peppa Pig World in my opinion =]
 
Re: NEW RIDE PAULTONS 2012 ?

I've been on the one at Flambards and for the age group they are trying to attract, this is perfect. Wish Flambards would of themed their one though as Magma is looking good.

Loving the work being done at Paultons also. Really need to get myself to Paultons! :D
 
Re: NEW RIDE PAULTONS 2012 ?

TP Rich said:
Hope the ride itself is as good as Skyraker 001.
As good? As good? Wait, am I the only one who thinks Skyraker 001 looks DIRE?
 
Re: NEW RIDE PAULTONS 2012 ?

I know this is probably a pointless post but some may be interested.
Paultons have put a great big billboard banner for this in Southampton very near St Mary's road. Looks very good, very colourful and clear.
 
Re: NEW RIDE PAULTONS 2012 ?

Aw Paulton's. It's really lovely to see them investing in a small thrill ride. And THEMING it! <3

You have to worry when a small children's park like Paulton's understands the requirement for thrill rides more than a family park owned by the second largest location-based entertainment company in the world.
 
Re: NEW RIDE PAULTONS 2012 ?

Joey said:
Aw Paulton's. It's really lovely to see them investing in a small thrill ride. And THEMING it! <3

You have to worry when a small children's park like Paulton's understands the requirement for thrill rides more than a family park owned by the second largest location-based entertainment company in the world.
It's not just Paulton's that have become wise to this, Gulliver's are also landing some much more "Thrill" rides compared to their line-ups of kiddie rides. They know the importance of catering for the more Adult market now and are heading in more investment into that sector of the market.
 
Re: NEW RIDE PAULTONS 2012 ?

Magma open to the public on 31st March. On Saturday 24th March, Paultons Park held a special preview day for VIPs.

The lanyard says I'm a VIP so I'm sticking to it.
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Fancy volcano themed cupcakes, which were awesomely tasty.
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I was just about tall enough to ride.
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Ooo, theming. Shame about the bin. Is it really that difficult to get themed bins? To add to the theme, I think a few dino footprints in the tarmac around the ride would look great.
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This is the side of the volcano structure. A little boxy, perhaps?
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RAAAA! These shrubs were mazing. It clever how they got them to grow like that.
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Inside the internal queue, not a close up of my bowel. The light on the ceiling is fab. It dims and flickers.
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The smoky water pool. Wasn't very smoky when we walked past it, but it's got potential.
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Superb magma effects built in the wall.
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Bit more queue line theming. Wonder what's behind that cage?
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RAAAA!
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Don't worry, the chain will keep him contained.
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So onto the ride. Please take a seat.
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Oh, what are these for?
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Oh wow!
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Smoke fills the entire ride area, it's a really good effect. It was so thick at times, you couldn't see the walls!
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Going up!
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Looking down on the volcano. It's not finished yet, red lava colours will be added.
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Hahaha, I shall crush you like ants! Look, the view has changed.
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A beautiful view of Hampshire's countryside, only made better thanks to Nic's gorgeous brillo-pad hair.
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Now it's bouncing up and down...
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View from the very top, nearly 25mtrs up.
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And now some ride shots to finish it off.
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So how does it ride? "Gentle" is the best word to describe it. Remember though, this is Paultons Park who's target age is 4-10 year olds. I couldn't feel the gondola rotate as it climbed the tower so on the ascent, it has a quaint observation tower feel to it. The drop and subsequent raising (the "bounce") is smooth, not jerky like some bounce towers can be. The drop has enough force to produce that willy lift/floaty stomach sensation but not as extreme as the fab Jumpin' Bean.

The ride cycle they operated on the preview day was quite long (about 3mins). There are 10 different ride cycles.

It's nice to see Paultons making an effort to theme a ride, although I think the volcano looks a bit boxy in places. It'll look better when the red lava is in place. A solid addition to the park who know their demographic well, so yeah, it's one for the kids. For adults, it's not thrilling, just a bit of fun.

Here's a video:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5am012yQkAU[/youtube]
 
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