UK: Alton Towers to Open Galactica in April 2016

Following Alton Tower’s announcement that its “The Smiler” rollercoaster will be reopened next season (cf. EAP News from November 26, 2015), the British amusement park yesterday revealed which new attraction will be introduced in its “Forbidden Valley” area in April 2016.

Thanks to the latest in technology, the “Galactica“ flying coaster will combine the rollercoaster ride with a virtual journey into space, thus creating a newly VR experience. Galactica is a relaunch respectively technological upgrade of the park’s “Air” flying coaster (B&M), which was in operation under this name by 2015. In order to offer visitors a flying adventure as realistic as possible, the visuals have been perfectly synchronised to the coaster’s thrilling twists, turns and loops. Guests will ride in a prone position along the 840-metre long track and wear specialist VR headsets through which an on-board artificial intelligence guides them from the start to the landing. Featuring a total G-force of 3.5g, Galactica reaches speeds of up to 75 kilometers per hour and heights of up to 20 meters. The ride’s total capacity is 1,500 passengers per hour.

“There is nowhere else in the world that people can experience the feeling of a flying rollercoaster combined with soaring through the universe. For two minutes, our guests will be transported into space and we believe Galactica showcases the future for theme parks around the world – it’s a complete game changer!” says Gill Riley, Marketing Director at Alton Towers. (eap)