Divv3k Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 With Andrew only in the UK for six months we didn''t want to wast any time in getting him to some parks. Luckily for us Adventure Island in Southend is open all year round and we just managed to squeeze in a visit on the last day of January! The park itself is quite small but they really do pack a lot of stuff into that space. I kind of describe the place as a cross between Blackpool and BonBon-Land. Weird I know, but that's really the vibe I get witht the sea-side location and all the wacky theming! The big ride at Adventure Island is Rage, the Eurofighter which was really running good on our visit. It's at least as good as, if not better than Saw in my view. The park also updated their dark ride recently and really have done a good job of making it spooky and fun, in a way that Scottish Steve would just love! Here's the photos... Whilst it’s a small park Adventure Island really squeezes a lot in and has some really good stuff. They also prove that parks can be open just fine at this time of the year, let’s hope more parks take notice of this! Thanks for reading! Scottish Steve! I can’t believe you’ve been here all day and never said hi! Andrew’s been desperate for a long, long time to say “Hi Erik!” Did we just walk through a transdimensional portal into BonBon-Land? Southern Steve, here’s another EXCLUSIVE, just for you! Too much Fudge! Is there such a thing? Where’s Brad when Andrew needs him? Oh. I could swear these rides have more arms than that… Ben and Andrew were stupid enough to ride The Claw AND give me their wallets whilst they rode. You'd think they'd have learned by now! There’s no need to get homesick, Andrew! It’s just like you never left! Rumba Zamba: I have no idea what it means but I guess relates to spinning on a big disk somehow! Andrew just loves sliding down some wood. Not only do you get all the fun of the slide but you also get a free door mat out of it! YAY! Super Wooden Happy Slide! You see? It's just like anyone you’d encounter on your regular stroll through a western town. Do not let this kiddie looking ride deceive you. It spins like a washing machine! It looks like Adventure Island managed to procure some surplus Alton Towers Scarefest themeing for the gold mine from hell. A gold mine themed to hell? You better believe it! That’s just plain freaky! Stand straight, Andrew! Anything that features spanking of pussy cats works for me! The Crooked House is a very “interesting” attraction. Fret not Larry – I still got you a photo of the ride sign! Ah. I guess Andrew will be missing this credit today. I could have sworn there where a coaster here the last time I visited! How many ferris wheels can you ride in Toronto in January? Adventure Island’s ferris wheel isn’t that big, despite what the sign may have you believe! Get your joygasm on, tyre-powered-lift-hill enthusiasts! I checked the park index for missing ride signs before my visit, make sure you do too! This guy is destined to become Scottish Steve’s best friend in the whole world one day! When I last visited in 2007 the dark ride was totally different. The new Over The Hill version is really cool! Thumbs up to credits in the UK! In January!!! More crocodiles need to wear jumpers and hats. It smuses me greatly. Reach out and pet it! You know you want to! I kind of liken it to Daemonen at Tivoli Gardens, in that it’s a really tiny version of its model but is still great fun! Rage is definitely the premier ride at Adventure Island and the real reason you want to visit! Oh yeah, Ben joined us too! Ready for some Eurofighter fun, guys? Of course the real purpose of this visit was to take as many photos of ride signs as possible for Larry! If you needed any proof that more parks should open all year round then just check out Adventure Island! Andrew’s barely been in the UK for a week but he's not wasting any time in getting some credits! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrygator Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 thanks Divv. Sorry, I made you go to a park and take pictures. I just looked at the video of the Gold Mine on the Adventure Island website. It looks like a lot of fun, if your name is not Elissa or Divv. Gold Mine Video Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Divv3k Posted February 1, 2010 Author Share Posted February 1, 2010 ^ Happy to help out TPR in any way I can, Larry! In fact I took a load more flat ride and ride sign photos that I'll upload through the park index this week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharkTums Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 Any idea if the coaster is down for good, moving somewhere, or just for some off season maintenance? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Divv3k Posted February 1, 2010 Author Share Posted February 1, 2010 From what I've read the coaster will be rebuilt on top of the arcade that they're building in its spot. There was pieces of the coaster scattered all over the park, no track that I could see though, but I guess it's somewhere close. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TPDave Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 Nice TR Divv I was upset I couldn't get down there, but at least it's only the dark ride that's changed. It's a really nice little park that doesn't seem to be nearly as popular as it should be! London based TPR members, go to Adventure Island NOW!! Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pirouettes907 Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 I don't know if I'd ever heard of this place before, but it looks like fun! I thought hungover turtle-themed chairswings were unique to Bon Bon Land, but I guess not--do you happen to know whose came first? I'm also impressed they're open year-round. I thought 40 degrees F. was the magic number for operating coasters. Judging from this TR and Robb and Elissa's riding coasters in the snow in Japan, I'm beginning to think otherwise. And of course no such thing exists as too much fudge Thanks for sharing this; you're lucky to be able to ride coasters during the winter! ~Megan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TPDave Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 I don't know if I'd ever heard of this place before, but it looks like fun! I thought hungover turtle-themed chairswings were unique to Bon Bon Land, but I guess not I think it's a standard model. I could swear i've seen others but I can't remember where. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharkTums Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 I'm also impressed they're open year-round. I thought 40 degrees F. was the magic number for operating coasters. Judging from this TR and Robb and Elissa's riding coasters in the snow in Japan, I'm beginning to think otherwise. The US has been lying to us for years now!!!! Seriously. It's all a money issue. It costs money to keep the rides maintained longer, and costs money to have the staff around. Most parks know that most Americans won't go to theme parks when it's cold, rainy, bad weather, etc. so they close. It's lame. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msep003 Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 i was there yesterday on 31/01 for a couple of hours . we missed each other lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik_73 Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 Andrew’s been desperate for a long, long time to say “Hi Erik!” Thats a really good "I like ice-cream" pose Andrew! But even for me it looks like it is to cold in Britain at this moment for ice-cream... Ahhh luckily in Singapore it is 30°C (86°F) and the Haagen-dazs stand is right around the corner of my hotel Looks like the brit crew members are having fun! Keep up posting Divv I always like to read your photo TR's I'm also impressed they're open year-round. I thought 40 degrees F. was the magic number for operating coasters. Judging from this TR and Robb and Elissa's riding coasters in the snow in Japan, I'm beginning to think otherwise. The US has been lying to us for years now!!!! Seriously. It's all a money issue. It costs money to keep the rides maintained longer, and costs money to have the staff around. Most parks know that most Americans won't go to theme parks when it's cold, rainy, bad weather, etc. so they close. It's lame. Normally according to the manual you can operate a coaster by 3°C (37°F). If a park want to operate below that temprature, the coaster should be equipped with special devices like an air dryer in the pneumatic system otherwise the brakes could freeze up. On rainy wether there are no operation limitation. The (block) brakes are designed and tested for very wet conditions. But riding a coaster in the rain is no fun... remembering riding Colossus in the poring rain on the TPR europe '08 trip. It is like needles being shot at you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrygator Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 Divv - thanks for all the submissions to the Park Index. If anyone is curious about all the rides at Adventure Island they can now be found in the Park Index. Adventure Island in the TPR Park Index Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moose Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 But riding a coaster in the rain is no fun... remembering riding Colossus in the poring rain on the TPR europe '08 trip. It is like carnivourous bees being shot at you! Corrected! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meteornotes Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 ^I approve of this correction... dt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pirouettes907 Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 The US has been lying to us for years now!!!! Seriously. It's all a money issue. It costs money to keep the rides maintained longer, and costs money to have the staff around. Most parks know that most Americans won't go to theme parks when it's cold, rainy, bad weather, etc. so they close. It's lame. That makes sense, but how nice it would be to beat off the winter blues by running down the road to Six Flags to take a spin on Batman or something! You're right. It is lame! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 Fret not Larry – I still got you a photo of the ride sign! Oh man...that literally made me laugh out loud! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmaxsba2408 Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 Wow, a version of the slide in RCT, I had no idea it was based of a real world slide. I to am aggravated by the lack of parks willing to open during the winter, at least they could open on the weekends with minimal staff. As for the brakes, if every truck that is driving down the highway can keep their air brakes from freezing I would think a stationary coaster brake system shouldn't really be an issue. Anyway happy to see you were able to get out and ride in January. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dailey Enterprizes Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 I'm also impressed they're open year-round. I thought 40 degrees F. was the magic number for operating coasters. Judging from this TR and Robb and Elissa's riding coasters in the snow in Japan, I'm beginning to think otherwise. The US has been lying to us for years now!!!! Seriously. It's all a money issue. It costs money to keep the rides maintained longer, and costs money to have the staff around. Most parks know that most Americans won't go to theme parks when it's cold, rainy, bad weather, etc. so they close. It's lame. I'm sure Kennywood would operate in 10 degree weatber with a foot of snow on the ground. I knew what you meant. Some parks in the U.S. never see snow and close down anyway for the winter months. All for the reasons you listed, but some parks like those above the mason dixon line don't have a choice. Can you say frostbite? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NathP Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 Great TR Divv! Adventure Island is only across the river from me. I went there August last year for the first time and had a great time, no queues even on a peak school holiday day, it was open until 10:30pm then! The park had great operations compared to other smaller parks I've been to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coastercub Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 I love Adventure Island. it's a great little park.. 2 hour drive from me though so don't go very often.. I didn't know it was open all year though.. Yes Mini Mega is getting some stilts.. or should i say they're building something under it ! either way, it's getting taller ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottBrown Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 Im a bit shocked to see that a KMG Spinout can operate without all of its arms attached Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
senna Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 Good report glad you had a good time. You should have let me know you were going I would have met up with you, I live a short walking distance from the park. We were down there the week before you I think, it was so cold. It does make me laugh when other UK parks say they can not run their rides in the cold yet Adventure Island is near enough on the sea with the wind cold and everything and yet they open and run all their coasters. Over The Hill is a great 1st time ride, one of the better dark rides in the UK. It is a fun little park with enough do to there for a few hours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doublersides Posted February 5, 2010 Share Posted February 5, 2010 Great TR! I look forward to seeing more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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