oriolat2
Giga Poster
Here's my little TR of Shambhala's opening day. I know it's been more than two weeks but you know what they say: better late than never, right? cool)
I won't write that much since I know that most of you will skip to the pictures anyway.
I started my day a little late because I had been working until noon, so I got to the park at 2pm, when the Media Press preview was over. However, thanks to a friend (Jaume, thanks!) I got a Press pass. I hung out with some coaster friends in the press room and waited for Jaume to finish uploading the press material on his website. At 5pm we entered the park again and went straight to Shambhala through Sésamo Aventura's entrance. Stunning and unusual view of Khan!
I was expecting the queue to be really long (some people stated that the line had reached 2 hours) but waited a lot less thanks to a special pass. As for the ride and area, here's a small description.
The ride area is visually stunning and the coaster is jaw-dropping for those not familiar with 200+ feet structures. The fact that the coaster sort of interacts with Khan adds to the thrill and both coasters look a bit better than expected. There are lots of photo opportunities both for Khan and Shambhala and the splash viewing zone seemed to be a hit with non-riders.
The coaster itself is what you would expect from a B&M hyper: rather tame in terms of forces but still very enjoyable and especially rerideable (I rode 5 times). I must agree with Joey; Shambhala is not meant to be a huge adrenaline machine. Just a big-ass coaster aimed at everyone in the family. The public seemed to absolutely love it because all trains would pull into the station with cheers and clapping. Although the lift seems endless, it goes up quite fast. The drop is a lot more intense than DK's or Silver Star's, especially back row. Tunnel makes for an amazing head-chopper. The first hill doesn't really have airtime and gives you a nice break. The ampersand turn is what makes the ride, really; it gives a disorienting sensation I have not felt on any other coaster: you see the train turning to the right but thanks to the irregular banking you don't really know where you are! Then there's an array of hills which starts with the speed hill (sudden pop of floater), followed by three hills, each with some moderate airtime. The MCBR hardly take any speed of the coaster and the turn after them comes unexpectedly with nice laterals. Then you have the final small hill, a bump (a la Goliath – SFOG) and then brakes. Although it's the second longest B&M it feels "short" and ride time is just over a minute.
As for operations, it felt like the crew needed a bit more training because even with only 2 trains they were stacking them. Granted it was their first day, but even loading and unloading seemed a bit chaotic. I am sure this will improve now that (after two weeks) count-down clocks have been placed so that the bar checkers know how much time there's left to avoid stacking. Hopefully we will see regular 3-train operation soon!
In terms of themeing, the coaster is not themed. The area is nicely landscaped (although it needs shade) and have some random pieces of themeing scattered throughout the splash plaza and the queue itself. Inside the queue building is nothing more than a bunch of cattlepen. Nice looking building, like the station, but don't expect anything like Expedition Everest's queue area.
Onto the photos:
That's the view you get entering via SésamoAventura
And that's the view you get from Khan's plaza
Bits of themeing past the entrance arch.
You get to walk under Khan's big-ass loop through this random-yet-decently-themed tunnel.
Unusual shots of Khan
Dueling B&Ms, unlike some other coaster from Orlando :lol: Getting both trains to duel on the first drop was the money shot I didn't get
Signage!
Queue building and random man #1
Test seat for you fatties! I am sorry to say that Shambhala is quite an ass when it comes to acommodating larger riders...
You have up to four different lines to choose: Express line, first row, regular line and also single rider. First row line was insanely long so we skipped it!
I am sure Ben will wet himself just looking at this HUGE cattlepen. <3
Single Rider abuse! <3<3 This was a nice surprise. They were not really running efficiently though since I spotted trains being dispatched with up to 9 empty seats. Spanish operations at their best!
One of the two bridges connecting the station to the queue building. The back one has the regular and single rider lines, and this one has front row and Express lines.
Random queue building photo
Station shot!
Station also reminds me of Baco's or Diablo's. Nicely themed but a bit narrow.
There are four sliding doors that lock personal items. Instead of getting them on the loading side, you get your items on the other side (like on Bluefire). This system was very efficient but lasted 2 days because people kept stealing bags and personal items. Now you leave and collect your crap on the same side, like on Khan... Shame!
Wheels and nerdy stuff!
Lift hill can be spotted from miles around the park... It has really changed PA's skyline!
Amazing first drop!
Almost ready... steady...
... ready...
... fail! I am SO bad at timing LOL
Up and away!
The last three hills offer nice airtime! At least better than Silver Trim's
Train coming back to the station with happy riders! You know a coaster it's a hit when everyone comes back with a smile on their faces and everyone is cheering and clapping when trains are dispatched or come back to the station
Artsy shots!
I like when Khan's legs are wide-open for me
More themeing and random man #2
It's nice to be by the splash to cool off!
All riders duck their head and lower their arms as soon as they enter the tunnel
Saw this on the station's floor... Must be the concrete work company's signature...
Thanks Jaume (owner of Posesionfriki.com) for the awesome day! You're the man
Overall, I'd rate Shambhala 8,5/10. Dragon Khan still stands as the king for me!
Hope you enjoyed the review and the photos! I'll try to upload a video showing a bit of dueling action and the splash!
I won't write that much since I know that most of you will skip to the pictures anyway.
I started my day a little late because I had been working until noon, so I got to the park at 2pm, when the Media Press preview was over. However, thanks to a friend (Jaume, thanks!) I got a Press pass. I hung out with some coaster friends in the press room and waited for Jaume to finish uploading the press material on his website. At 5pm we entered the park again and went straight to Shambhala through Sésamo Aventura's entrance. Stunning and unusual view of Khan!
I was expecting the queue to be really long (some people stated that the line had reached 2 hours) but waited a lot less thanks to a special pass. As for the ride and area, here's a small description.
The ride area is visually stunning and the coaster is jaw-dropping for those not familiar with 200+ feet structures. The fact that the coaster sort of interacts with Khan adds to the thrill and both coasters look a bit better than expected. There are lots of photo opportunities both for Khan and Shambhala and the splash viewing zone seemed to be a hit with non-riders.
The coaster itself is what you would expect from a B&M hyper: rather tame in terms of forces but still very enjoyable and especially rerideable (I rode 5 times). I must agree with Joey; Shambhala is not meant to be a huge adrenaline machine. Just a big-ass coaster aimed at everyone in the family. The public seemed to absolutely love it because all trains would pull into the station with cheers and clapping. Although the lift seems endless, it goes up quite fast. The drop is a lot more intense than DK's or Silver Star's, especially back row. Tunnel makes for an amazing head-chopper. The first hill doesn't really have airtime and gives you a nice break. The ampersand turn is what makes the ride, really; it gives a disorienting sensation I have not felt on any other coaster: you see the train turning to the right but thanks to the irregular banking you don't really know where you are! Then there's an array of hills which starts with the speed hill (sudden pop of floater), followed by three hills, each with some moderate airtime. The MCBR hardly take any speed of the coaster and the turn after them comes unexpectedly with nice laterals. Then you have the final small hill, a bump (a la Goliath – SFOG) and then brakes. Although it's the second longest B&M it feels "short" and ride time is just over a minute.
As for operations, it felt like the crew needed a bit more training because even with only 2 trains they were stacking them. Granted it was their first day, but even loading and unloading seemed a bit chaotic. I am sure this will improve now that (after two weeks) count-down clocks have been placed so that the bar checkers know how much time there's left to avoid stacking. Hopefully we will see regular 3-train operation soon!
In terms of themeing, the coaster is not themed. The area is nicely landscaped (although it needs shade) and have some random pieces of themeing scattered throughout the splash plaza and the queue itself. Inside the queue building is nothing more than a bunch of cattlepen. Nice looking building, like the station, but don't expect anything like Expedition Everest's queue area.
Onto the photos:
That's the view you get entering via SésamoAventura
And that's the view you get from Khan's plaza
Bits of themeing past the entrance arch.
You get to walk under Khan's big-ass loop through this random-yet-decently-themed tunnel.
Unusual shots of Khan
Dueling B&Ms, unlike some other coaster from Orlando :lol: Getting both trains to duel on the first drop was the money shot I didn't get
Signage!
Queue building and random man #1
Test seat for you fatties! I am sorry to say that Shambhala is quite an ass when it comes to acommodating larger riders...
You have up to four different lines to choose: Express line, first row, regular line and also single rider. First row line was insanely long so we skipped it!
I am sure Ben will wet himself just looking at this HUGE cattlepen. <3
Single Rider abuse! <3<3 This was a nice surprise. They were not really running efficiently though since I spotted trains being dispatched with up to 9 empty seats. Spanish operations at their best!
One of the two bridges connecting the station to the queue building. The back one has the regular and single rider lines, and this one has front row and Express lines.
Random queue building photo
Station shot!
Station also reminds me of Baco's or Diablo's. Nicely themed but a bit narrow.
There are four sliding doors that lock personal items. Instead of getting them on the loading side, you get your items on the other side (like on Bluefire). This system was very efficient but lasted 2 days because people kept stealing bags and personal items. Now you leave and collect your crap on the same side, like on Khan... Shame!
Wheels and nerdy stuff!
Lift hill can be spotted from miles around the park... It has really changed PA's skyline!
Amazing first drop!
Almost ready... steady...
... ready...
... fail! I am SO bad at timing LOL
Up and away!
The last three hills offer nice airtime! At least better than Silver Trim's
Train coming back to the station with happy riders! You know a coaster it's a hit when everyone comes back with a smile on their faces and everyone is cheering and clapping when trains are dispatched or come back to the station
Artsy shots!
I like when Khan's legs are wide-open for me
More themeing and random man #2
It's nice to be by the splash to cool off!
All riders duck their head and lower their arms as soon as they enter the tunnel
Saw this on the station's floor... Must be the concrete work company's signature...
Thanks Jaume (owner of Posesionfriki.com) for the awesome day! You're the man
Overall, I'd rate Shambhala 8,5/10. Dragon Khan still stands as the king for me!
Hope you enjoyed the review and the photos! I'll try to upload a video showing a bit of dueling action and the splash!
