Sea World Storm Coaster construction 2013

[GoGoBoy]

When I went there it had just opened for guests, so yes, I went on and I thought it was great

More details please, if you don't mind! How was the indoor part? As well themed as in the video? Any other scenes besides the one we see in the clip above?

[JacobSibbald]

Bring on the details!

[gdalby96]

also, whats the queue area like? What happens within the first part of the ride before you go onto the track?

[m.d]

More details please, if you don't mind! How was the indoor part? As well themed as in the video? Any other scenes besides the one we see in the clip above?

Indoor was alright you enter through a container with the rubber curtains like a walk in freezer would have, i guess to keep the light out, then the queue is over water where theres a container in the water with some floating debris and the water is illuminated. After you dispatch from the station theres a glass window and through that storm footage projected onto a sheet basically, then splashdown you get drenched theres a water bubbling up and a dump scene where you get even more wet, no fire just some smoke machines..

The outside queue area is great with cars flipped and boats next to the fence also smoke coming out of the boats

[gdalby96]

Indoor was alright you enter through a container with the rubber curtains like a walk in freezer would have, i guess to keep the light out, then the queue is over water where theres a container in the water with some floating debris and the water is illuminated. After you dispatch from the station theres a glass window and through that storm footage projected onto a sheet basically, then splashdown you get drenched theres a water bubbling up and a dump scene where you get even more wet, no fire just some smoke machines..

The outside queue area is great with cars flipped and boats next to the fence also smoke coming out of the boats

thats sound really good. so the only part with fire is the first part after the track?

[GoGoBoy]

Indoor was alright you enter through a container with the rubber curtains like a walk in freezer would have, i guess to keep the light out, then the queue is over water where theres a container in the water with some floating debris and the water is illuminated. After you dispatch from the station theres a glass window and through that storm footage projected onto a sheet basically, then splashdown you get drenched theres a water bubbling up and a dump scene where you get even more wet, no fire just some smoke machines..

The outside queue area is great with cars flipped and boats next to the fence also smoke coming out of the boats

The fire might be yet to come.... ie. still working on it

Edited December 2, 2013 by GoGoBoy

[m.d]

The fire might be yet to come.... ie. still working on it

thats sound really good. so the only part with fire is the first part after the track?

Yeah hopefully or maybe it was to much of an expense to re lay new gas lines.. not too bad Im sure like you said more theming inside will be added before its 'grand opening'

also only real restrictions are no bags and phones, sunglasses and hats can be taken on but stored in a pocket.. guess its so they don't get wrecked getting as wet as you do.

[bladex]

zomg yes sw here i come next week. going on monday now will be less people there

Edited December 2, 2013 by bladex

[lolman123]

i am going on monday as well. can't wait!!!

[JacobSibbald]

I might fly up one day next week to see it, having parents in the airline industry helps

[Gary86]

Do you need to put your loose items in lockers or do they provide free storage?

[Gazza]

Rode this arvo...pics/vid to come soon...but its very loud and chaotic, VERY wet, and a ton of detail. Crowd seemed to love it. Fire effects havent been comissioned yet, but there is sadistic stuff like the boat stopping in front of a tipping bucket type thing. Coaster is fun enough....some laterals on the turns and airtime like the hop on WWF.

[gdalby96]

Is it the best ride at sea world? And is it better than the Bermuda Triangle?

Edited December 2, 2013 by gdalby96

[Zanstabar]

Looks like I chose the wrong day to go to Movie World Anyway, Is the ride currently in a soft open? Or has it been officially launched?

[Santa07]

Is it the best ride at sea world? And is it better than the Bermuda Triangle?

I WANT TO GO SO MUCH NOW!!!

[Park Addict 93]

Soft openings over the next few days apparently

[Gazza]

Is it the best ride at sea world? And is it better than the Bermuda Triangle?

Best all around experience, yep for sure, but Jet Rescue would be be the better "coaster".

Reridability comes down to how much you tolerate getting wet

Ok, big roundup post time.

The ride apparently has opened early, so no lockers at the entrance yet, nor are the fire effects running...But there's enough going on that you don't really miss them. Put your stuff in a locker, leave it with a friend,put in a ziploc bag or stretch a durex around it and tie a knot...Anything because it's wetter than anything most of you have ridden (Unless you've say been on the rapids at SFMM )

The path through from the flume to seal harbour is back open now, so plenty of good viewing spots around the ship/waterfall (PS, the waterfall has tyres strung along the side and a bit more paint detailing, so I guess it's supposed to be a barge)

We all know how the ride area looks..You enter/exit via the shipping container bridge. Gogoboy will be happy to know the signage suits...a scrap of rusty metal with the logo on it...lots of dockside theming like forklifts, crates, nets, buoys, broken bits of ship pipework, engines etc and of heaps of of cars and boats. They are positioned such that when you are in the ride area you are hemmed in and cant see the flume or the gravel. A sign at the entrance sets forth the ride story, a storm has been through, and things are calm due to being in the eye, but you must quickly board the coastguard lifeboats to get out before the other half of the storm hits. All the fencing and lamp posts have rust paint effects.

You enter/exit through a shipping container, which has a dune buggy and speedboat precariously balanced on top. You pass through 4 sets of rubber flaps in a row which filters out the light from outside.

Inside, the ride building is just a big warehouse really, with the floor one big pool of water. Walkways are the metal grate type. The first thing that hits you is how dark it is, apart from flashing red lights, and a loud storm/wind soundtrack. Very chaotic feeling, and a very interesting place to wait. You approach the load with the first bit of trough to the lift hill on your right. In the space inbetween was a catamaran with a torn sail, rows of pallet racking which have toppled over, various plastic containers bobbing in the water, crates and a shipping container that is 3/4 sumberged. To your left is a wall (so you cant see the exit path/rest of the ride), the far right wall is something that looks like the edge of a warehouse building, with a few doors, the roller door ("Dock 13" or something on it) for the transfer table (so maintenance must be behind). Another cool feature is a window, with a projection of a storm raging behind.

You get to the load, front row will give you a wet lap (as if someone has tipped a bucket on you), back row wets your whole body, middle rows are ok, but still as bad as say WWF on summer time mode. You've been warned.

4 of 6 boats were going, and the line was moving quickly. Did 3 rides, and they are good at calling for single riders.

The station is two position, one unload, one load. Airgates are nicely themed, with a full rust texture over them (Anyone who has been on Big Thunder Mountain knows the way disney do them)

So you board, the ride has individual lap bars, and sash seatbelts that come over your shoulder (so like a car seatbelt, but the diagonal belt only)

You roll out of the station and plop gently into the water...no wetness yet.

Up the lift, with some great views over the park. The first little drop gives the first bit of speed, but a block brake catches. The second drop and giant turn is quite speedy and generates a few screams, and laterals constantly tug you to the left. You line up with the big drop and plummet down..the force at the bottom of the drop tends to make your head point downwards. There's a bit of air over the bunny hop...similar to the backwards hill on WWF. You tend not to notice the ship propeller unless you make an effort to look at it, again because on water rides people tend to duck their head in anticipation of the drop.

You plunge into the dark building and cop the full brunt of the wave. If you are in the front, the main wave doesn't get you, but a secondary wave spills over the front of the boat, making your lap and socks wet. The middle rows avoid the worst of it. The back row cops the main wave from both sides.

From here on in, its basically like the ship has broken into pieces, so you pass stuff like the engine room, broken bits of framing/bulkhead , a boiler with gagues...Water explosions fire off beside the boat (like the ones on Pirates of the carribean, but bigger and closer). You can see a bit where there is a stack of oil drums, but no flames just yet, and a set of overhead gas heaters, again, not on.

You round the bend and pass a big manifold of pipework on your right, on every cycle the boat stops for a few seconds, and a dump of water much like those seen on kids waterplay structures is set off, so you have no choice but to cop it . If you sit on the right bear in mind this is a family ride, so keep the swearing to a minimum!

One final turn and you are back at the unload...Its a fairly short ride compared to bermuda, but there's no dull moments.

As you exit, you pass on the other side of the queue wall, and have a clear view out into the main dark ride section. A fractured bit of ship hull has portholes you can look through. This then opens out to the main indoor ride warehouse. The walkway splits, with the right hand one being a "soak zone" whenever boats splash into the building. I didn't realise this, so when i stopped to get a couple of pics I copped a wave....@#!%^#!

I reckon some signage, and blue and markings on the walkway would definitley help, since peope were wandering in without realising and getting soaked.

Of course, you'd get the odd group who would gather by the railing and get soaked for the fun of it.

You exit out through another four stages of black rubber flaps, and out into the outdoor ride area.

[gdalby96]

That's a great review. I wasn't expecting it to be the best coaster, but it seems like it's the best ride. Sound like the themeing is great. It's good to hear that they have made that extra effort to ensure that you get we, no matter where you sit. I'm going next week so hopefully the fire is working.

Has anyone got any photos or videos?

[Gazza]

Will have some up later on.

[gdalby96]

Will have some up later on.

Thanks

[aussienetman]

Thanks Gazza.. Your description is Much appreciated...

Edited December 2, 2013 by aussienetman

[Elise Lenske]

Sounds great! I was thinking of heading along tomorrow to see if it might be open. Sounds like I might get a chance to ride!

[Zanstabar]

Really detailed review Gazza. Sounds like a great summertime ride! Just wondering, do you think it takes the cake for best themed ride in aus? And is it up to US SeaWorld or even Universal in terms of themeing quality?

[Gazza]

Lack of NBN, or even ADSL 2+ on my exchange means the video wont be up for a little while yet lol:

But it can be found at

when ready.

In the meantime, pics are being progressivley uploaded into the Storm Coaster gallery:

http://www.parkz.com.au/photo/AU/Gold_Coast/Sea_World/1521-Storm_Coaster/0,1,7188-Storm_Coaster.html

[gdalby96]

Thats a great video and plenty of photos highlighting the different parts of the ride. Thanks. Would you say that as an overall ride is it better than the Bermuda Triangle?