thomas2 Posted July 21, 2010 Posted July 21, 2010 Hey guys, I went to Parque Espana here in Japan a couple of weeks ago only to be horrified to find Pyrenees closed because of the accident that happened here. Of course I had to go back before I leave and after making sure Pyrenees is open and running, I took the limited express from Osaka all the way down to Ugata. I was by myself because I'm sad and pathetic. The total journey was about 4 hours but it was worth it. I figure you guys want to hear about Pyrenees so I'll post about that now. First of all the bad news. Pyrenees has a serious case of B&M rattle. Especially around the cobra roll gives some bad headbanging. To be fair there was almost noone riding Pyrenees (summer season wtf),and when the train did get filled half way the roughness significately improved. On the other hand, I rode it all by myself a couple of times and I'm not lying or exaggurating when I say this but Pyrenees was more rough than the SLC at my home park in Belgium. That should give you an idea! The good news is that this coaster is so intense and awesome. The difference this coaster has with other B&M's I've ridden is the sheer speed it has when going through those inversions. I was very impressed!! I rode it some 20-ish times and after trial and error I can say the right seat on the last row is the best of them all. Not only because it actually feels less rough than the front seat, but because the back gets pulled out of the inversions by the front so fast that it'll make you giggle like a small child. I rode it once with me all the way in the back and the first 4 rows filled, and the way I was being pulled through and out of the zero-G roll was heavenly. I also blacked out several times which only happened once on a batman clone. And the airtime hill right at the end of the ride is very good too. I never knew inverted coasters could have airtime, but here I'm riding one that gives the same airtime as a B&M hyper like Hollywood Dream. The only part where this insane speed is not all that fun is in the cobra roll, where you're being slammed in the hard restraints because of the sudden transition. Also, talking about restraints, I can happily say that the new cushion they placed doesn't affect the ride at all. I'm average height (178cm) and the cushion is way below my head so it's not in the way or anything. It also looks less ugly in real life than in pictures. One last thing I have to say is that both the flying island AND the weird musical circus were nowhere in sight. Those attractions are gone! On to the pictures! L From the parking you're greeted by this beauty. Too bad it's not that smooth. Did I mention the park is beautiful? Do NOT be fooled by this nice front. What lies behind it pure evil! This Bull fight coaster Matador is the worst coaster I've ridden. Granted I haven't ridden alot of coaster but this one is lonely at the very bottom of my list. The cars are small, the OHSR are very painful and the ride is crap with bad transitions and the constant fear of a whiplash. Don't do it! Time for something much better I'd say. Height restriction is still 130cm. Kudos to the park for making the coaster safer without raising the limit. This is the only waiting area. None of the rides had long queue areas, which makes me think if they ever have alot of people there. I mean I was there in the summer season (the park was open till 20:30) and yet there were few people. Granted it is in the middle of freakin nowhere. Hmmmmmmm B&M all for myself. It's like having your own B&M staffed and all! Here's a picture how the cushion doesn't affect you. And I'm only average height. Also don't mind the hair, I haven't seen people in months. So glad it was working this time around. Notice how there's like 1 person in there. First drop goodness!! This makes any enthusiast drool *drools* Pretty! And best zero-G roll I've ever experienced. New paintjob needed much? Exiting the MCBR gave some bad jolt. Still haven't figured out if it's the transition or the brakes. Row 8. Remember! Row EIGHT. "Your coaster is ready sir" Demonstrating the cushion again, being Japanese AND not doing it right because I should be in the right hand seat! One last look for those still worrying. A mine train, how good can it be right? This is the most full I've seen it all day. OMFG! The drops after the lift hills are insane! And the fast that the restraint doesn't close all the way makes it soo much better. Hands down the best mine train coaster I've ever seen, heck it beats most other coasters I've been on. We love you Mack! Cute trains to lure people and then throw them merciless around in it's psycho drops and turns. Haha awesome coaster. They had this parade going through the park, featuring real spanish people (yes, REAL). I talked to one of them for a bit. Kawaii~ The area with Pyrenees and Gran Montserrat is kinda ugly, with rides just slapped on pavement. Another area lies lower than the entrance and the coasters, and you have to go through this little street to get there. Amazing theming will await you. Adventure lagoon. I was expecting a boring tour in a boat but I got much more than that. I won't reveal anything, you'll have to go and see for yourself! Hmm I wonder what this is... It's the infamous escalator ride! I thought it was great and actually took the escalator back down and up again haha. It's actually called Sun Cavern, and you better follow these instructions or you'll piss off the sun! OMFG DO I REALLY SEE WHAT I'M SEEING??!! Real life Pikachu! I loved the way he bounced and waved his arms. And all kids who saw him were freakin out, it was hilarious! I assume this is where the musical circus used to be. They now have a new attraction there, Nutcracker dolls. It's a tour in a car past all these scenes, accompied by music of Tchaikovsky. I actually thought it was very well made! Gotta love Christmas in the middle of the summer. Very well made. Sunset brings a nice red shade to the park. Impressive theming. Another strange attractions was Alice in Wonderland. It's a walkthrough and you get this magic wand to hit enemies. It was all very bizarre. Card maze! And then night fell over the park. So time to whore Pyrenees again! I became friends with this group of hot chicks because they were impressed with me riding Pyrenees twice in a row (and they were blown away when I said I rode it like 20 times that day). We hung around for some time and rode attractions togheter. See guys, being a coaster nerd DOES pay of! They had another parade in the evening with beautifully lid cars. Pyrenees in the dark! So gorgous *sniff* And the night ended with fireworks. An amazing day. Thanks for reading!
cfc Posted July 21, 2010 Posted July 21, 2010 Hmm--I think the Nutcracker ride is a redress of the old Sparkling Carinval Ride, but after checking out the park's Web site, it does appear that Musical Circus has been changed, too. Anybody else have any info on this? Thanks for the look at Parque Espana. It's an excellent park, and I had a great time there with TPR a few years ago.
thomas2 Posted July 21, 2010 Author Posted July 21, 2010 Do you remember where the Musical Circus ride was?
cfc Posted July 21, 2010 Posted July 21, 2010 (edited) As I recall there was a building in the center of the area where mine train and Pyrenees are located--there was a seating area on the roof, and the Musical Circus entrance was under it. The white building to the left of the pirate ship. Edited July 21, 2010 by cfc
thomas2 Posted July 21, 2010 Author Posted July 21, 2010 Ah, then they replaced it because that's now some sort of fantasy ride in 3D with 360° view. I didn't ride it because it looked rather lame. RIP Musical circus
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