PTR - Shambhala Opening Day!

[oriolat]

Here's my little TR of Shambhala's opening day.

 

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). 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

Lift hill upskirt. Lift hill enthusiasts rejoice! We are getting closer to Shambhala

Dueling B&Ms? Huh, how is it going Dragon's Challenge?

Index love

Queue building and random man #1

That's a first in PA: a test seat.

Apparently, those restraints are very restrictive. In fact I saw lots of riders being turned away because of the size of their thighs. Is this also usual in other B&M hyper models?

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!

Regular line. Reminds me of Baco, in a bad way

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 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!

Über-nerdy shot!

Lift hill can be spotted from miles around the park... It has really changed PA's skyline!

Amazing first drop

Splash #1

Splash #2. Almost

Splash #3. Talk about bad timing. Doh!

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

I got a bit artsy, so I will post some artsy/random shots!

Some bits of themeing around the area.

Themeing and random man #2

Riders duck their head and lower their arms as soon as they cross the tunnel

Saw this on the station's floor... Must be the concrete work company's signature...

Jaume and I (right)! Thanks to Jaume for sharing the experience of being part of a coaster Media day!

Thumbs up for Shambhala! Thanks for reading!

[RaptorBoyASU]

Wow. These pictures are making me really want to return to Spain, and not just because of the poster.

 

Shambhala is one of those coasters that is just gorgeous to look at, much the same way Khan is. It really changes the look of the park. I think I may have to make a side trip to Barcelona on my trip to London next summer!

[Sir Clinksalot]

Great TR!!! That ride looks really fun. Hopefully I'll get out to Spain sometime.

 

 

Apparently, those restraints are very restrictive. In fact I saw lots of riders being turned away because of the size of their thighs. Is this also usual in other B&M hyper models?

 

I haven't heard of this being an issue on other B&M Hypers.

[RaptorBoyASU]

I've seen people get turned away on US B&M hypers, but usually they were people that would have been turned away from any Intamin hyper and most B&Ms without "big boy seats".

[oriolat]

I've seen people get turned away on US B&M hypers, but usually they were people that would have been turned away from any Intamin hyper and most B&Ms without "big boy seats".

 

We are talking about regular-sized people who happen to have big thighs (so they are not fat really). Plus, I know two coaster enthusiasts that have been on Silver Star and other B&M hypers with new-generation trains and have had no problems until Shambhala. Weird...

[willh51]

For some reason, the restraints on the new hypers seem slightly more restrictive than the older ones. Basically, I rode Apollo's Chariot, Nitro and Intimidator in one season, and Intimidator was the tighter squeeze. This could be due to (1) less "broken in" seats or (2) Cedar Fair requiring an extra click. Though...I certainly don't know if there's an ACTUAL difference.

[alpengeistfan1]

I love that shirt in the last photo!