I'm currently mid way through my California PTR, but I just thought I'd do a trip report from when I went to Lightwater Valley the other day, while it's fresh in my mind.
So, on Friday night me, my dad, mum and sister travelled up to Yorkshire to a Travelodge, ready to go to LWV on Saturday. We went as we had spare tesco clubcard vouchers that didn't come in time for when I went Flamingoland earlier in the year, so it was a bonus trip really.
Anyway, on the Saturday, we got up and went to Little Chef next to the Travelodge for breakfast, then set off for LWV. It took us about half an hour and we arrived just after 11.
We went through the entrance using the tesco clubcard vouchers and bagged a family ticket, meaning we still have £30 left in vouchers that need to be used by the end of October. Oh well.
After tyring to figure out the map, we headed straight for the Ultimate!
We went straight in the station and it wasn't very long before we were on. The back like 8 rows were fenced off and were filled with petrol cans. It was weird that Miley Cyrus was playing in the station though.
Although there was only one train running it only took one cycle before we were on and we sat somewhere in the middle of the available seats.
I was excited to ride the Ultimate, as I wanted to see for myself if it was amazing, or just brutal.
I have to say, it was a bit in the middle for me. The first half is quite tame, and in turn is smooth. However, the second part is one of the most intense parts of a ride I have ever experienced, but my knees kept banging on the restraint box thing. I thought it was a great ride, but was a bit too painful for me. If that second half was a bit smoother it would be amazing, but then some may say it gives it character so its personal preference I think.
Then we went and got a coffee, before my dad and I went on Raptor Attack.
We didn't have to wait very long before being sent down the "mine" and I thought the theming and sound effects were great. The operator's costumes also added to the overall theme.
After minimal queueing we were on, and I have to say it was an awesome ride. It was much smoother than I expected and the animatronic velociraptors were cool.
Next up was Twister, the spinning wild mouse.
We strolled straight on and were soon travelling up the lift hill. I thought it was a fun little ride, not unique but enjoyable.
After that, we walked back through a different route to the entrance and got our hand stamped, before going to have dinner at the Granary. The food was nice and after we went to look around some of the shops in the shopping village.
My mum bought a few things and then we went back into the park shortly after 2. We hopped on the Lightwater Express and got off by the rapids.
Next I went on Wild River Rapids with my mum and sister.
It was walk on like everything else, and we got into the four seater boat. However, there was loads of murky water in the bottom and you couldn't put your feet down which was a bit annoying.
Overall it was a fun ride. Not as good as other rapids rides obviously, but for what it was it was alright. Would have been more enjoyable without all the water in the boat though.
I fancied another go on Twister, so my dad and I went off to have another ride. This time it spun way more than last time and left me quite dizzy, still fun though.
We got back on the train where we got off, and as my mum and sister looked around the shop, I went off to ride Eagle's Claw.
I hadn't ridden a KMG Afterburner before, so I was excited to ride this.
It was much more intense than I expected, it felt really fast at the bottom of the swing. It was a really long cycle as well, it seemed like it was slowing down, but then sped back up again and went really high.
After we were ready to leave, so exited the park at about quarter to 4.
Overall I thought LWV was a good park, but it doesn't really have anything that I would want to keep re-riding or enough to keep you entertained for the whole day. Hopefully the new ride for next year will hopefully improve this, and with a few more rides and maybe improved appearances of certain areas and attractions, it could become a fantastic park.
I like the scenery and how things are hidden in the forest, that feature reminded me a bit of Alton Towers. I didn't bother with the kiddie coasters as I was with family and I plan on riding them whenever I go back to ride their new coaster for next year.
Ride count:
Ultimate
Raptor Attack
Twister x2
Lightwater Express
Wild River Rapids
Eagle's Claw
So, on Friday night me, my dad, mum and sister travelled up to Yorkshire to a Travelodge, ready to go to LWV on Saturday. We went as we had spare tesco clubcard vouchers that didn't come in time for when I went Flamingoland earlier in the year, so it was a bonus trip really.
Anyway, on the Saturday, we got up and went to Little Chef next to the Travelodge for breakfast, then set off for LWV. It took us about half an hour and we arrived just after 11.
We went through the entrance using the tesco clubcard vouchers and bagged a family ticket, meaning we still have £30 left in vouchers that need to be used by the end of October. Oh well.
After tyring to figure out the map, we headed straight for the Ultimate!
We went straight in the station and it wasn't very long before we were on. The back like 8 rows were fenced off and were filled with petrol cans. It was weird that Miley Cyrus was playing in the station though.
Although there was only one train running it only took one cycle before we were on and we sat somewhere in the middle of the available seats.
I was excited to ride the Ultimate, as I wanted to see for myself if it was amazing, or just brutal.
I have to say, it was a bit in the middle for me. The first half is quite tame, and in turn is smooth. However, the second part is one of the most intense parts of a ride I have ever experienced, but my knees kept banging on the restraint box thing. I thought it was a great ride, but was a bit too painful for me. If that second half was a bit smoother it would be amazing, but then some may say it gives it character so its personal preference I think.
Then we went and got a coffee, before my dad and I went on Raptor Attack.
We didn't have to wait very long before being sent down the "mine" and I thought the theming and sound effects were great. The operator's costumes also added to the overall theme.
After minimal queueing we were on, and I have to say it was an awesome ride. It was much smoother than I expected and the animatronic velociraptors were cool.
Next up was Twister, the spinning wild mouse.
We strolled straight on and were soon travelling up the lift hill. I thought it was a fun little ride, not unique but enjoyable.
After that, we walked back through a different route to the entrance and got our hand stamped, before going to have dinner at the Granary. The food was nice and after we went to look around some of the shops in the shopping village.
My mum bought a few things and then we went back into the park shortly after 2. We hopped on the Lightwater Express and got off by the rapids.
Next I went on Wild River Rapids with my mum and sister.
It was walk on like everything else, and we got into the four seater boat. However, there was loads of murky water in the bottom and you couldn't put your feet down which was a bit annoying.
Overall it was a fun ride. Not as good as other rapids rides obviously, but for what it was it was alright. Would have been more enjoyable without all the water in the boat though.
I fancied another go on Twister, so my dad and I went off to have another ride. This time it spun way more than last time and left me quite dizzy, still fun though.
We got back on the train where we got off, and as my mum and sister looked around the shop, I went off to ride Eagle's Claw.
I hadn't ridden a KMG Afterburner before, so I was excited to ride this.
It was much more intense than I expected, it felt really fast at the bottom of the swing. It was a really long cycle as well, it seemed like it was slowing down, but then sped back up again and went really high.
After we were ready to leave, so exited the park at about quarter to 4.
Overall I thought LWV was a good park, but it doesn't really have anything that I would want to keep re-riding or enough to keep you entertained for the whole day. Hopefully the new ride for next year will hopefully improve this, and with a few more rides and maybe improved appearances of certain areas and attractions, it could become a fantastic park.
I like the scenery and how things are hidden in the forest, that feature reminded me a bit of Alton Towers. I didn't bother with the kiddie coasters as I was with family and I plan on riding them whenever I go back to ride their new coaster for next year.
Ride count:
Ultimate
Raptor Attack
Twister x2
Lightwater Express
Wild River Rapids
Eagle's Claw